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Archive for the ‘Pleasure Reading’ Category

Title: The Executor
Author/website(s): Jesse Kellerman
341 pages
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Publication date: April ’10
Genre: Suspense
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: Yes
Would I recommend this book: DNF’d @ pg. 15
Would I read more from this author: No
Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review except to say I knew by pg 7 I wasn’t going to read The Executor but I gave it until pg 15. Side note: the only other Kellerman author I have in my Librarything library is a book by his mother Faye Kellerman and that one is also a DNF.

Perpetual graduate student Joseph Geist is at his wit’s end. Recently kicked out of their shared apartment by his girlfriend, he’s left with little more than a half bust of Nietzsche’s head and the realization that he’s homeless and unemployed. He’s hit a dead end on his dissertation; his funding has been cut off. He doesn’t even have a phone. Desperate for some source of income, he searches the local newspaper and finds a curious ad:

CONVERSATIONALIST SOUGHT.
SERIOUS APPLICANTS ONLY.
PLEASE CALL 617-XXX-XXXX
BETWEEN SEVEN A.M. AND TWO P.M.
NO SOLICITORS.

And so Joseph meets Alma Spielman: a woman who, with her old-world ways and razor-sharp mind, is his intellectual soul mate. How is he to know that what seems to be the best decision of his life is the one that seals his fate?

The Executor was provided to me by Shelf Awareness. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to another book blogger

Title: Juliet
Author/website(s): Anne Fortier
444 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication date: August ’10
Genre: A mix of contemporary & historical fiction
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: Yes
Would I recommend this book: Yes, yes, yes
Would I read more from this author: Yes
Journal notes: Loved it! OK it does get a bit melodramatic, in parts, towards the end but then Romeo and Juliet weren’t without their own melodramatic moments. This is a minor quibble about an otherwise very entertaining and highly enjoyable story. And personally I like the new spin on the standard tale of Romeo and Juliet. Some of my most enjoyable reading has come from story lines that mix the contemporary with the historical. If you’re a fan of authors such as Christi Phillips (The Devlin Diary, The Rossetti Letter), Carol Goodman (The Night Villa, The Sonnet Lover) and Lauren Willig (The Pink Carnation series) add Ms. Fortier to your authors to read list. And get your hands on a copy of her debut novel Juliet.

When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a precarious journey into the true history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo turned medieval Siena upside down. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in Shakespeare’s unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse – “A plague on both your houses!” – is still at work, and that she is the next target. It seems the only one who can save her from her fate is Romeo… but where is he?

Juliet was provided to me by Quinne at Ballantine Books. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to another book blogger

Title: The Botticelli Secret
Author/website(s): Marina Fiorato
514 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Publication date: March ’10
Genre: Historical fiction
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: Yes
Would I recommend this book: I would with a language rating
Would I read more from this author: Yes
Journal notes: Unlike most reviewers at Amazon I wasn’t disappointed with The Botticelli Secret. I very much enjoyed the story and would read more from this author. As fair warning to other readers this book should probably come with an R rating for language. What you won’t find in the book description from Amazon but is mentioned in the book blurb on the back cover is that “Luciana Vetra is foul-mouthed.” Her occupation is street whore and in this story her language at times is most appropriate for the gutter. I was a bit surprised by Luciana’s language as it isn’t what I expected from this type of historical fiction but it was in keeping with her character. I’ve been known to blister some ears myself. If you read far enough into this story you come to find out that Luciana is much more than a street whore and her background might surprise you. 

In this exhilarating cross between The Da Vinci Code and The Birth of Venus, an irrepressible young woman in 15th-century Italy must flee for her life after stumbling upon a deadly secret when she serves as a model for Botticelli… 

When part-time model and full-time prostitute Luciana Vetra is asked by one of her most exalted clients to pose for a painter friend, she doesn’t mind serving as the model for the central figure of Flora in Sandro Botticelli’s masterpiece “Primavera.” But when the artist dismisses her without payment, Luciana impulsively steals an unfinished version of the painting–only to find that somone is ready to kill her to get it back. 

What could possibly be so valuable about the picture? As friends and clients are slaughtered around her, Luciana turns to the one man who has never desired her beauty, novice librarian Brother Guido. Fleeing Venice together, Luciana and Guido race through the nine cities of Renaissance Italy, pursued by ruthless foes who are determined to keep them from decoding the painting’s secrets. 

The Botticelli Secret was provided to me by OregonKimm at My Eclectic Reads. This book is being passed along to another book blogger  

Primavera by Sandro Botticelli

Title: Hush
Author/website(s): Kate White
341 pages
Publisher: Harper
Publication date: March ’10
Genre: Suspense
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: Yes
Would I recommend this book: Definitely
Would I read more from this author: Yes
Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review except to say that I wanted a page turner. I got exactly what I asked for and thoroughly enjoyed reading Hush.

When Lake Warren learns that her husband Jack is suing for full custody of their two kids four months after their separation, she’s pretty certain that things can’t get any worse. The upside is that she’s working with the Advanced Fertility Center as a marketing consultant alongside the attractive, flirtatious Dr. Keaton. But when Lake finds Keaton with his throat slashed the morning after their one-night stand, she learns that things can indeed become worse—they can become deadly.

So as not to jeopardize her case for custody, Lake is forced to lie to the police. Having just been intimate with a man who has been murdered and wanting to protect herself from being charged with the crime, she begins her own search for the truth. But when the police start looking at her closely, people at the clinic start treating her with hostility, and strange and dangerous clues begin dropping—quite literally—on her doorstep, Lake realizes that she is dangerously close to dark secrets about Keaton and the clinic. But can Lake stop what she’s started before it’s too late?

Hush was provided to me by Nicole at Authors on the Web. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to another book blogger

Title: City of Dragons (A San Francisco mystery)
Author/website(s): Kelli Stanley
335 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: March ’10
Genre: Historical mystery (1940)
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: Yes
Would I recommend this book: DNF’d @ pg. 113
Would I read more from this author: No
Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review except to say this author forgot to capture my interest in her story.

February, 1940.

Gone With The Wind packs movie palaces two months after its December premiere. “Moonlight Serenade” echoes from jukeboxes all over the country. And the Sino-Japanese war still rages, while France waits anxiously for the Nazi blitzkrieg to hammer the Maginot line.

In San Francisco’s Chinatown, fireworks explode as the city celebrates Chinese New Year with a Rice Bowl Party, a three day-and-night carnival designed to raise money and support for China war relief.

Miranda Corbie—thirty-three-year-old private investigator, Spanish Civil War nurse and ex-escort, waits impatiently in the crowd. Until small-time numbers runner Eddie Takahashi stumbles into Sacramento Street and into her life … fatally shot.

The Chamber of Commerce wants it covered up. The cops acquiesce. Japanese boy in a Chinese carnival … wrong place at the wrong time.

All Miranda wants is justice—whatever it costs. From Chinatown tenements to a tattered tailor’s shop in Little Osaka, to a high-class bordello draped in Southern Gothic—she shakes down the city—her city—seeking the truth.

City of Dragons was provided to me by Bridget at Minotaur Books. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to another book blogger

Title: Pray for Silence (Kate Burkholder, book #2)
Author/website(s): Linda Castillo
304 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: June ’10
Genre: Police procedural/murder mystery
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: No
Would I recommend this book: Yes; a must read (I read 2/3 of the book in one sitting)
Would I read more from this author: Waiting for Kate Burkholder book #3
Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review except to say if you enjoyed Sworn to Silence (book #1) you’re gonna love this one. If you enjoy suspenseful police procedruals and haven’t yet read Sworn to Silence you need to get your hands on a copy so you’ll be caught up when Pray for Silence is released in June.** I recommend reading this series in order.

In the quiet town of Painters Mill, an Amish family of seven has been found brutally murdered on their farm. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to secrets, but she can’t get her mind around the senseless brutality of the crime. State agent John Tomasseti arrives on the scene to assist. He and Kate worked together on a previous case during which they began a tentative relationship, but each is wary of commitment. The disturbing details of this case will push them to their limits and force them to face demons from their own troubled pasts. When Kate discovers a diary, she realizes a haunting personal connection to the case. One of the teenage daughters may have been leading a lurid double life. As the case develops, Kate’s list of suspects grows. Who is the attractive stranger that stole the heart of the innocent young Amish girl? Did her estranged brother—a man with a violent past who was shunned by his family and the Amish community—come back to seek out revenge? Driven by her own scarred past, Kate swears she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice—even if it means putting herself in the line of fire.

Pray for Silence was provided to me by Bridget at Minotaur Books. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to another book blogger

Title: Deliver Us From Evil
Author/website(s): David Baldacci
406 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication date: April ’10
Genre: Suspense/thriller
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: Oh no, Mr. Baldacci has been on my favorite authors/auto-buy list since his very 1st novel Absolute Power
Would I recommend this book: You betcha
Would I read more from this author: Absolutely
Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review.

Evan Waller is a monster. He has built a fortune from his willingness to buy and sell anything . . . and anyone. In search of new opportunities, Waller has just begun a new business venture: one that could lead to millions of deaths all over the globe.

On Waller’s trail is Shaw, the mysterious operative from The Whole Truth, who must prevent Waller from closing his latest deal. Shaw’s one chance to bring him down will come in the most unlikely of places: a serene, bucolic village in Provence.

But Waller’s depravity and ruthlessness go deeper than Shaw knows. And now, there is someone else pursuing Waller in Provence-Reggie Campion, an agent for a secret vigilante group headquartered in a musty old English estate-and she has an agenda of her own.

Hunting the same man and unaware of each other’s mission, Shaw and Reggie will be caught in a deadly duel of nerve and wits.

Deliver Us From Evil was provided to me by Miriam at Hachette Book Group. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to the another book blogger through Read It Forward

Title: Bellfield Hall: Or, The Observations of Miss Dido Kent (Dido Kent, book #1)
Author/website(s): Anna Dean
300 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: February ’10
Genre: Historical mystery
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: Yes
Would I recommend this book: Definitely
Would I read more from this author: Yes; I’m looking forward to reading the Dido Kent mystery which appears to be A Gentleman of Fortune
Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review though I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had spending time with Dido as I don’t usually enjoy old english style mysteries.

In September 1805, Dido journeys to Bellfield Hall, the country seat of the Montague family, at the request of her niece, Catherine, who’s upset that her fiancé, Richard Montague, has suddenly broken their engagement and taken flight. Soon after arriving at Bellfield Hall, Dido learns of an even more distressing event—the discovery of the body of an unknown young woman in the shrubbery. In the Miss Marple tradition, Dido observes the residents of Bellfield Hall closely, questions the servants, and interviews local shopkeepers. Excerpts from letters the likable Dido writes to her sister further illuminate her sleuthing methods. Several red herrings keep the reader and Dido guessing. Regency fans will look forward to the next installment..

Bellfield Hall was provided to me by Bridget at Minotaur Books. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to the another book blogger through Read It Forward

Title: The Last Child
Author/website(s): John Hart
416 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: March ’10
Genre: Suspense
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: Yes
Would I recommend this book: Most definitely
Would I read more from this author: I have another of Mr. Hart’s novels, The King of Lies, on my Kindle right now. I imagine it’ll be moving towards the top of the TBR pile.
Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review. I will say this: I couldn’t put it down and the author took me places I never expected Johnny’s story to go.

Thirteen year-old Johnny Merrimon had the perfect life: a warm home and loving parents; a twin sister, Alyssa, with whom he shared an irreplaceable bond. He knew nothing of loss, until the day Alyssa vanished from the side of a lonely street. Now, a year later, Johnny finds himself isolated and alone, failed by the people he’d been taught since birth to trust. No one else believes that Alyssa is still alive, but Johnny is certain that she is—confident in a way that he can never fully explain.

Determined to find his sister, Johnny risks everything to explore the dark side of his hometown. It is a desperate, terrifying search, but Johnny is not as alone as he might think. Detective Clyde Hunt has never stopped looking for Alyssa either, and he has a soft spot for Johnny. He watches over the boy and tries to keep him safe, but when Johnny uncovers a dangerous lead and vows to follow it, Hunt has no choice but to intervene.

Then a second child goes missing . . .

Undeterred by Hunt’s threats or his mother’s pleas, Johnny enlists the help of his last friend, and together they plunge into the wild, to a forgotten place with a history of violence that goes back more than a hundred years. There, they meet a giant of a man, an escaped convict on his own tragic quest. What they learn from him will shatter every notion Johnny had about the fate of his sister; it will lead them to another far place, to a truth that will test both boys to the limit.

The Last Child was provided to me by a publicist at Minotaur Books. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to the another book blogger through Read It Forward

Title: The Empty Mirror (Viennese Mystery, book#1)
Author/website(s): J. Sydney Jones
310 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: January ’10
Genre: Historical mystery
Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading
New-to-me author: Yes
Would I recommend this book: Definitely
Would I read more from this author: I have book #2 in the series, Requiem in Vienna, sitting on my review shelf right now. I’m very much looking forward to reading the second book.
Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review though the author presents an intriguing premise of tying seemingly random fictional murders to factual historical events.

Fin-de-siecle Vienna comes to life in this colorful historical thriller featuring the artist Gustav Klimt

It’s the summer of 1898 and Austria is transfixed by a series of brutal murders. When renowned painter Gustav Klimt’s female model becomes the fifth victim, the artist is fingered as the culprit. Klimt’s lawyer, Werthen and his friend, the famed criminologist Inspector Gross must delve into a nationwide conspiracy in order to acquit the unusual and unpredictable artiste. With an unmatched knowledge of Vienna’s history, culture, and politics, J. Sydney Jones introduces a gripping new mystery series set in a cosmopolitan city at the height of its artistic and social importance.

The Empty Mirror was provided to me by Bridget at Minotaur Books. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to the another book blogger through Read It Forward