#AMonthof Faves: The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo

by Carol11 Comments
Today's topic for A Month of Favorites is a book review or discussion, preferably about a book from from your fave genre or author. A Month of Favorites is hosted by Girlxoxo, Traveling with T and Estella’s Revenge. Today's link-up is at Girlxoxo. My favorite genre is mystery and I just happened to finish listening to The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo this past weekend. It's not my favorite series, but it has definitely improved over the years. This is #6 and I've read all except the novella. When I wrote my review of the first book, I said, " I’m hoping that this is one of those series that gets better as it goes. It definitely has promise and I’m glad I read this because we did get to know Kate and John quite well and got a good feel for the town dynamics." With #5, I stated, "This has been a series that had potential, but it’s finally getting to where...
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Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions by Aaron Tabor

by Carol1 Comment
I was not familiar with the Jesus Daily Facebook page before receiving this book for review, although several of my friends "Like" it. I guess this devotional comes as an outreach of that page, but is good as a stand alone too. Jesus Daily's a dated devotional, starting on January 1 and working through the year. Each day includes a scripture, a brief selection expanding on it and an "interaction," a way to connect the day's lesson with an actual action. Some of the interactions suggest going to JesusDaily.com, but those can be adjusted if going to the website is not something you want to or can do. I think that's what makes this special. It asks you to go beyond reading to doing, whether it be through asking for a prayer request, donating, showing other how much you appreciate them. The devotionals themselves are brief and fairly basic. It's easy to read and understand. I'm planning on using it throughout 2015. Here's the...
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The Job by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

by Carol2 Comments
I think I mentioned yesterday that I enjoy a little predictability and The Job fits with that. Sometimes I don't want character growth, I don't want change. This is one of those series. It's funny and, if you've read the prior installments, you know the broad outline of how it's going to go. Nick and Kate are the same as they were in #1. He's a bad guy, but working for the good guys at the moment. He's brilliant and sneaky, has a great sense of humor and is just rather sexy. Kate is no-nonsense, tough as nails and could kill you with a straw. And together they are perfect. The are, of course, attracted to each other and the flirtation is a great addition to the story, but I hate to admit that I'm glad they're still in the flirting stage. I don't know that I want to see them have a "real" relationship. I like them as they...
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Blame It on the Mistletoe by Nicole Michaels

by Carol3 Comments
This is just a feel good, Christmas romance. Brooke and Alex have both had some not so great times in their pasts, but they're pa perfect couple. They knew each other when they were younger, grew up in the same town, but they've both grown some, overcome some challenges. And they don't dwell on their pasts. Granted they fall in love quickly, but I was okay with it. It was sweet. And they were so good together. I never doubted that there would be a happy ending, which I consider a good thing. I like a bit of predictability. There were sparks between the two almost immediately, but of course some miscommunications crept in. It all works out really nicely though. It was actually pretty much exactly what I'm looking for in a seasonal romance. It was light, enjoyable, and they did Christmassy things together. I just love holiday books like this one. They're a part of the season as much as the...
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Foul Play by Janet Evanovich

by Carol6 Comments
"A chicken was murdered yesterday. The investigator thinks there was some fowl play involved." I wish I was good at puns, this review could be full of them. But, alas, no such luck. Here's the basic story:  Amy lost her job to a rooster and is then accused of killing it. Jake rescues her from joblessness and falls in love with her at first sight. Oh, and she's a gorgeous, funny, caring, twenty-six year old virgin, just waiting to be deflowered. This was not a good book, but any stretch. It's goofy, absurd - and fun. We've got instant love, silly situations, and an adventure that includes falling into a dumpster, but it's entertaining and amusing.  The characters are bigger than life, but C. J. Critt does a good job as narrator. She gives the folks, even the secondary characters, great voices, full of personality, and kept me smiling. Yes, some of the conversations and phrasing are bordering on ridiculous, but she lets us enjoy...
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The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah

by Carol8 Comments
I have been a Poirot fan for as long as I can remember, so of course I had to pick up The Monogram Murders. I have to admit I was disappointed. As a mystery, it was okay, if you can overlook the horrible  Scotland Yard detective Poirot has paired himself with, Catchpool. He's incompetent and spends way too much time dwelling on events in his childhood, on his weaknesses. The mystery, the way the murders are committed and how the bodies are laid out is interesting enough. There's even a nice little bit that confuses the time of death and the clues fit together well. The mystery itself could have been good, but it relied on the Poirot hook and in that it failed. Maybe give me an original character, or even a better sidekick and I would have felt differently. Poirot is just not Poirot. He's too Poirot, if that makes sense. It's like he's overly conscious of his own mannerisms and...
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