Some Kind Of Fairy Tale

by Graham Joyce

From Goodreads

It is Christmas afternoon and Peter Martin gets an unexpected phone call from his parents, asking him to come round. It pulls him away from his wife and children and into a bewildering mystery.
He arrives at his parents house and discovers that they have a visitor. His sister Tara. Not so unusual you might think, this is Christmas after all, a time when families get together. But twenty years ago Tara took a walk into the woods and never came back and as the years have gone by with no word from her the family have, unspoken, assumed that she was dead. Now she's back, tired, dirty, dishevelled, but happy and full of stories about twenty years spent travelling the world, an epic odyssey taken on a whim.
But her stories don't quite hang together and once she has cleaned herself up and got some sleep it becomes apparent that the intervening years have been very kind to Tara. She really does look no different from the young women who walked out the door twenty years ago. Peter's parents are just delighted to have their little girl back, but Peter and his best friend Richie, Tara's one time boyfriend, are not so sure. Tara seems happy enough but there is something about her. A haunted, otherworldly quality. Some would say it's as if she's off with the fairies. And as the months go by Peter begins to suspect that the woods around their homes are not finished with Tara and his family.

　

My Thoughts

　

My head is spinning. This book was utter craziness and I enjoyed every minute of it. I absolutely could not put it down.

Tara tells a very interesting story (fairy tale?) about what happened to her while she was missing. The whole story unfolds from several different perspectives - Tara, Peter, Richie and Dr. Underwood, a psychiatrist that was hired to help determine what might be going on with Tara. Of course Dr. Underwood has many psychiatric explanations for Tara’s story and it is a bit interesting on how the tables get turned on him towards the end.

I especially enjoyed Richie and the craziness of Peter’s children.

What to think, what to think. Could Tara’s story really be true? Hmmmmm, I know what I think, but you’ll have to read the book yourself. Warning: enter this book at your own risk!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday for allowing me to read this book for an unbiased review.

Publish date: July 10, 2012.

My Rating:  5 of 5

The Lost Curse

byT. Lynn Adams (Goodreads Author)

　

Overview from Goodreads:

Easing his pace, Jonathon advanced only inches at a time. Instinct heightened beneath unseen eyes and he knew he moved in the presence of a creature that could kill him. As he progressed forward, his light caught a presence to his left… a human presence. The dark image startled him and Jonathon whirled to face the threat, the beam of his headlamp cutting into the darkness
Jonathon’s had more than enough adventure for one lifetime. That’s why he’s planning to spend this summer camping in quiet central Utah with his Peruvian friend, Severino. But when the two of them accidentally discover an ancient artifact, they wind up in more danger than ever!
Now Jonathon, Severino, and their new friend, Tallie, will have to choose between protecting a secret that’s been hidden for centuries or saving their own lives!
A perfect combination of action, thrills, suspense, and a hint of romance, this is a cover-to-cover adventure that you simply can’t miss. Join forces with this dynamic trio of teens as they delve deep into the mysteries of the past. An entertaining read that’s sure to keep you guessing.

　

My Thoughts

This was a well written book. I felt the author must have done allot of research on the subject of ancient artifact theft and the Paiute culture. This information was nicely mixed in with an adventurous tale.

I enjoyed all of the main characters. Tallie is strong willed and independent. Severino is quiet and observant. Jonathon is is kind-hearted and funny. All three seem for mature for their age and make good decisions.

In doing a little checking on the author, I discovered that her first book, Tombs of Terror, also involved Jonathon and Severino. I got the feeling at the end of The Lost Curse, there could maybe be another book that would involve this trio. I may be wrong, but I sure hope not!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Cedar Fort Publishing for allowing me to read the ARC for my unbiased review.

Publish date: July 10, 2012

My Rating: 4 of 5

The Next Best Thing: A Novel

byJennifer Weiner (Goodreads Author)

　

Overview from Goodreads

Blockbuster #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner returns with an irresistible story about a young woman trying to make it in Hollywood…

At twenty-three, Ruth Saunders headed west with her seventy-year-old grandma in tow, hoping to be hired as a television writer. Four years later, she’s hit the jackpot when she gets The Call: the sitcom she wrote, The Next Best Thing, has gotten the green light, and Ruthie’s going to be the show-runner. But her dreams of Hollywood happiness are threatened by demanding actors, number-crunching executives, an unrequited crush on a boss, and her grandmother’s impending nuptials.
Set against the fascinating backdrop of Los Angeles show business culture, with an insider’s ear and eye for writer’s rooms, bad behavior backstage and set politics, Jennifer Weiner’s new novel is a rollicking ride on the Hollywood rollercoaster and a heartfelt story about what it’s like for a young woman to love, and lose, in the land where dreams come true.

My Thoughts

The book was HUGELY entertaining. It has such a nice mix of Ruth’s contemplative thoughts, day - to - day activities and laugh out loud comments. The story flowed nicely and I enjoyed all of the characters, especially the two Daves (you’ll have to read the book to see what I’m talking about). When I finished the last page and closed the book, I thought - Yippee, add another name to my list of author’s I want to read more.

Don’t ask me why it has taken me this long to read a Jennifer Weiner book, but as they say - better late than never!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this ARC for an unbiased review.

　

Publish date: July 10, 2012.

My Rating: 5 of 5

Earth Unaware (The First Formic War #1)

by Orson Scott Card, Aaron Johnston

Overview from Goodreads:Earth Unaware

The mining ship El Cavador is far out from Earth, in the deeps of the Kuiper Belt, beyond Pluto.Other mining ships, and the families that live on them, are few and far between this far out.So when El Cavador’s telescopes pick up a fast-moving object coming in-system, it’s hard to know what to make of it. It’s massive and moving at a significant fraction of the speed of lig...more
The mining ship El Cavador is far out from Earth, in the deeps of the Kuiper Belt, beyond Pluto. Other mining ships, and the families that live on them, are few and far between this far out. So when El Cavador’s telescopes pick up a fast-moving object coming in-system, it’s hard to know what to make of it. It’s massive and moving at a significant fraction of the speed of light.
El Cavador has other problems. Their systems are old and failing. The family is getting too big for the ship. There are claim-jumping corporate ships bringing Asteroid Belt tactics to the Kuiper Belt. Worrying about a distant object that might or might not be an alien ship seems…not important.
They're wrong. It's the most important thing that has happened to the human race in a million years. The first Formic War is about to begin

My Thoughts:

It has been quite some time since I have read science fiction. This is the first book I have read by Mr. Card and I found the book to be entertaining.  I was always a fan of Star Trek and that is what I thought of while reading Earth Unaware.  If the internet is correct, this is a prequel to the Ender’s Game series.  This book peeked my interest just enough that I would be curious to check out some of the the story’s that follow.

My thanks to Netgally and Tom Dohert Associates for allwing me to read this ARC for an unbiased opinion.

Publish date:  July 17, 2012

My rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Unholy (Krewe of Hunters #6)

by Heather Graham

Overview from Goodreads:

The Unholy http://www.eheathergraham.com/ A Hollywood shrine hides unholy deedsThe 1940s: hard-boiled detectives and femmes fatale are box-office gold. In one iconic scene, set in a deserted museum, the private eye arrives too late, and the buxom beauty is throttled by an ominous Egyptian priest.Now: the Black Box Cinema immortalizes Hollywood's Golden Age in its gallery of film noir tribute...moreA Hollywood shrine hides unholy deeds The 1940s: hard-boiled detectives and femmes fatale are box-office gold. In one iconic scene, set in a deserted museum, the private eye arrives too late, and the buxom beauty is throttled by an ominous Egyptian priest. Now: the Black Box Cinema immortalizes Hollywood's Golden Age in its gallery of film noir tributes. But the mannequin of that Egyptian priest is hardly lifeless. He walks-and a young starlet dies a terrifying death. Movie mogul Eddie Archer's son is charged with the grisly murder. Eddie calls agent Sean Cameron, who specializes in...irregular investigations. As part of an FBI paranormal forensics team, Cameron knows that nightmares aren't limited to the silver screen. Working with special-effects artist Madison Darvil-who has her own otherworldly gifts-Cameron delves into the malevolent force animating more than one movie monster

My Thoughts:

I liked this book.  It was a light, fast moving read.  A nice change of pace from some of the other books I have been reading recently.  And even though this is a Krewe of Hunters book, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on any information by not having read any of the other previous books with this subtitle.  The characters were fun and it was a nice simple mystery.

So, Ms. Graham, where have I been all your life?  In looking around before requesting this book from Netgalley, I was a bit taken aback at all the books this author has written and this is my first.  I enjoyed this book so much, that I can tell you it will certainly not be my last Heather Graham book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

The publish date is June 19, 2012.

My Rating:  ****

Gone Girl

by Gillian Flynn

Overview fromGoodreads:

"'What are you thinking, Amy? The question I've asked most often during our marriage, if not out loud, if not to the person who could answer. I suppose these questions stormcloud over every marriage: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? Who are you? What have we done to each other? What will we do?'"

Just how well can you ever know the person you love? This is the qu...more "'What are you thinking, Amy? The question I've asked most often during our marriage, if not out loud, if not to the person who could answer. I suppose these questions stormcloud over every marriage: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? Who are you? What have we done to each other? What will we do?'"

Just how well can you ever know the person you love? This is the question that Nick Dunne must ask himself on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police immediately suspect Nick. Amy's friends reveal that she was afraid of him, that she kept secrets from him. He swears it isn't true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. He says they aren't his. And then there are the persistent calls on his mobile phone. So what did really did happen to Nick's beautiful wife? And what was left in that half-wrapped box left so casually on their marital bed? In this novel, marriage truly is the art of war.

My Thoughts:

This book was just way too much fun – and I mean that in a good way.  I’m taking a leisurely drive down the garden path of the story, when BAM – right in the middle it makes a u-turn and we are on the damn highway doing 90 miles an hour (commonly referred to as a plot twist- ha!).  Sweet Mother of Mercy!

There is not much to say without the risk of giving up some detail that’s best left secret.  Soooo many time I wanted to just take one little peek at the end to see what happens to Nick and Amy.  But I didn’t.  I survived the heart pounding suspense and made it to the end of a very satisfying read.

I must, must must check out more books by Ms. Flynn.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC for my unbiased review.

The Publish date is June 5, 2012.

Mt Rating: *****