The Invited by Jennifer McMahon Book Review

 

I had no idea what this book was about when I bought it as I didn’t read the blurb. I just liked the cover. I pulled it off my shelf the other day to give it a read. I will admit that I was not immediately pulled into this story, it took a few pages but when I did finally “get” into the story, I didn’t want to put it down.

Helen and Nate decided to quit their jobs in their quest for a simpler life. They bought a property out in the sticks … the property sitting next to a bog and a whole lot of wildlife. Helen, by profession, was a history teacher, and Nate absolutely loved exploring the outdoors … so much so he would keep journals and draw pictures of the wildlife, take pictures. While they were building their dream home, their temporary residence was a beat-up, leaky roofed, tin trailer. Through the house building venture, they met their closest neighbor, a teen girl named Olive. Little did they know that the property they purchased was haunted by the ghost of Hattie Breckenridge, or at least that was town legend, which Nate really did not buy into … until he did.

This is definitely an interesting tale of strange things happening to a couple who were least expecting the town to be so against them. There is also the intertwining tale of what happened to Olive’s mother … the truth of what happened to her, not the conjecture that the town still talked about all these years later.

I think this tale also might be considered in the paranormal genre. Overall, I enjoyed this tale of Hattie’s ghost coming to life through the eyes of Helen. And the ending … that was an unexpected surprise.

Tell me, do you believe in ghosts?

 

The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle Book Review

 

I am late to the party on this one. I’ve seen rave reviews about this book all across social media … they aren’t kidding. What a good read! I very rarely read blurbs so I went into this book with no expectations and didn’t even know what it was about other than what the title leads one to believe.

Iris and Will have been happily married for seven years. There is a plane crash. Suddenly Iris’s world has come crashing down around her and she is left to pick up the pieces. At Will’s memorial service, she meets a friend of his, Corban, whom she has never heard of. Iris also has a twin brother, Dave. He won’t let her go gallivanting across the country to find answers, not without him. Dave also doesn’t think it’s a good idea. He thinks Iris should deal with her grief as best as any widow can and start putting her life back together. Iris starts to receive mysterious messages on her phone, but who are they from? While she is in Seattle, she starts to uncover pieces of Will’s life … pieces he never shared with her. The question is why? What led him to be so secretive?

This is certainly a carefully crafted tale with intertwining relationships between all of the characters in this story. I believe Ms. Belle has nailed the portrayal of Iris’s grief and disbelief at finding answers to her questions. While this book published in December 2016, I highly recommend it. It may even be one you put on your shelf to re-read at some point. It will certainly have you turning pages to find out what happens in the end. I know I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it!

 

Lying Next To Me by Gregg Olsen Book Review

 

On a recent trip to Oregon, my husband and I listened to Mr. Olsen’s book, If You Tell, a compelling listen if you like audio books. I decided to give another of Mr. Olsen’s books a try. Lying Next To Me did not disappoint. If I had more time, I suspect I could have finished this one in a day.

The webs people weave in their lives and the lies they tell along the way … how they keep them straight I do not know. In this tale, we find Adam and Sophie Warner and daughter, Aubrey, along with another couple, Kristen and Connor Moss. Surprisingly, these two couples took a Memorial Day weekend trip to the same place, that being Hood Canal in Washington State. Unfortunately, one of these folks did not return home. The question is, what really happened to Sophie? In this tangled web of lies and deceit, a Mason County detective, one Lee Husemann, is called to the scene. As it turns out, she has a past experience with Adam and, even grown-up, she cannot reconcile the man he’s become to the teen she once knew.

There are actually quite a few stories going on this tale: Adam and Sophie Warner and their troubled marriage, until Aubrey comes along. Kristen and Connor’s struggle with infertility. The relationship between Lee and her partner, Montrose, and Montrose’s struggle with a debilitating diagnosis. Lee and Adam’s past tied to her brother, Kip. Adam’s relationship with his boss. And a few other minor characters thrown in the mix.

I know that I will be reading more of Mr. Olsen’s work. He has a way of storytelling that draws the reader in, and I suspect this carries through to the rest of his work.

 

Layla by Colleen Hoover Book Review

 

I heard a lot about this book through social media outlets and decided to give it a read. What can I say about Layla? Good read! Apparently, this would fall into the paranormal genre, but man what a story Layla has to tell you! I actually found myself chucking in a couple of places with the antics of the spirit portrayed throughout this tale.

Ms. Hoover has done an excellent job of telling the tales of Leeds and Layla. When they first met, it was the traditional love-at-first-sight kind of meeting which neither of them was expecting. The only downside was Leeds was in a band and would be leaving the next day. They actually met at Layla’s sister’s wedding (Aspen is her name) … by the pool of all places. Needless to say, they were inseparable from that day forward. So, not only is the reader entertained with a misplaced spirit but also a love story. And then there’s Sable, Leeds’ ex-girlfriend.

I don’t want to say too much about the story because I don’t want to give any of it away. Suffice it to say, if you like Ms. Hoover’s writing and you like a good paranormal tale, this will fit the bill and then some.

My favorite quote from this book: “Tacos can excuse a lot of bad decisions.” Why yes, yes they can.

 

Crooked Prayers by Mike Donohue Book Review

 

I had the opportunity to proof this book for Mr. Donohue, and I am providing a review. Picture provided by Mr. Donohue.

Max is back! What adventures is he up to in book #6? Does he save another damsel in distress? Book #6 is like getting two books in one, with some answers that have been long awaited.

If you have read the first five books in this series, you’ll know that Max has long since had questions about his past, his parents, what really happened. In this tale, we learn some answers that Max has been searching for. Not necessarily the answers he was hoping for but answers all the same. The crux of this tale revolves around some fantastical science, that of Dactyls, that can apparently heal a person’s injuries from the inside out, plus mess with one’s mind. Not to mention the trouble that has apparently followed Max to the town he’s currently in, minding his own business. In true Max fashion, his past follows him. There are at least four stories intertwined in this tale.

Mr. Donohue fills this tale with reminders of things long past, a rotary phone, a phone booth on the corner … relevant to the time of the story line. With the ending setup for Max’s next adventure. One thing I truly enjoy about Mr. Donohue’s writing is his imagery. He has a way of describing scenes that make you feel like you’re there or pull up a memory from long ago.

I highly recommend you read this series in order: Shaking the Tree, Bottom of the World, Hollow City, Trouble Will Find Me, Burn the Night, Crooked Prayers. Prequels: Sleeping Dogs and The Devil’s Angel. Short story collection: October Days.

Someone Had To Die by Jack Luellen Book Review

 

I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.

James Butler, an attorney, has been very interested in the case of a DEA agent, one Special Agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed in 1985. Mr. Butler was so interested in this case that he began his own investigation, on his own time, with the support of the law firm he worked at. He enlisted the help of Erica Walsh, the paralegal at the firm, who also happens to be the daughter of the firm’s owner, Brian. While Brian is not instrumental in Mr. Butler’s investigation, he didn’t stop it and supported their efforts. During the course of their investigation, Mr. Butler and Ms. Walsh began to uncover some information that was either overlooked or buried so deep in the documents they found that people started surfacing … shady people … who didn’t want the truth uncovered. There are quite a few characters in this book which sometimes makes it hard to keep up with, but they are all vital to this story. There may even be just the tiniest hint at a budding romance.

The things I appreciate about this book:

It is Mr. Luellen’s first book … the ending leads me to believe Mr. Butler and Ms. Walsh will be having another adventure. It will be interesting to see what these two stumble upon next.

It is written with heart. By that I mean, I can tell by the tone that Mr. Luellen has spent many, many hours, months, maybe even a year or two researching this book, believing in his book.

The fact that it is so well researched lends more to the factual storyline. If you like history based on happenings in the US, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this read.

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby Book Review

 

I have been wanting to read this book ever since I’ve seen it on social media, and also since I’ve read “Blacktop Wasteland.” At long last … I have now read this book and devoured it in its entirety in two days. Yeah, I thought it was that good.

This is a story of two dads losing their sons. This is a story of two dads finally coming to grips with their sons’ sexuality, of their sons’ happiness with each other. This is a story of a Black man and a white man coming together to find out the truth about what happened to their sons. A story about how it is for a Black man to live in the world (sad to say) and a story of a white man learning how it is to be a Black man. A story of two men who have served time in prison and come out trying to make a better live for themselves. There is so much more going on in this tale.

It is real. It is honest.

Mr. Cosby has a way of describing things in this book that make them all the more real … just like he did in “Blacktop Wasteland.” If you have been wanting to read this book, I highly encourage you to do so. This one is going back on my shelf to be read again.

The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent Book Review

 

Wren and Sage don’t know any other life than the one they have lived in a cabin with Mama and Evie. Mama and Evie haven’t returned yet. Mama told them not to leave the cabin. Mama told them if they go outside not to go past the tree line. Mama told them Evie was sick and she needed to take her and find her help. Mama would sometimes disappear on her own but would always come back with a wagon full of supplies from the Supply Man. Mama told them a lot of things. Mama was wrong.

Can you imagine living out in the middle of what is supposedly nowhere … not knowing there was a better life, a better way of doing things? Can you also imagine being the wife of a rich man looking out the window and thinking you see someone in your driveway? Can you imagine what you might think when two ragamuffin girls knock on your door after stumbling out of the woods?

While reading this book, I was beginning to wonder how these two stories were going to intersect and when they did, it all made perfect sense. Ms. Kent has done an outstanding job of bringing these two stories together, bringing these two families together in a way that will have you shaking your head. The final truth is revealed in the end.

I have now officially read all of Ms. Kent’s books!

Verity by Colleen Hoover Book Review

 

I have to admit, I don’t understand what all the hype is about. I don’t really know how I feel about this book. I think it is one of those that falls into the category of – you’ll either like it or you won’t.

I think it’s dark. I think it can somehow be considered sexy on some level. It is brutally honest in some spots, though those spots can also be tearjerkers and cause some “how could she do that” moments. It is full of F-bombs, but I think that is appropriate to the context.

I also think it is a good indication of how versatile Ms. Hoover can be as a writer. Not being a writer myself, I don’t know what it takes to come up with good stories. Maybe she is right, in that you have to go to the darker side of oneself to draw out what makes a good character.

I still don’t know how I feel about this book.