Lissy Charteris and Will Fraser live together and are getting married in two weeks. She challenges them to abstain until the wedding and even establisLissy Charteris and Will Fraser live together and are getting married in two weeks. She challenges them to abstain until the wedding and even establishes a wager.
What happens to the two of them during the two weeks alternates between erotica, humor and frustration. It's a fun story rooted in some serious themes. Short but an interesting story where, unusual for a novella, the two characters are pretty well developed and captured.
Merged review:
Lissy Charteris and Will Fraser live together and are getting married in two weeks. She challenges them to abstain until the wedding and even establishes a wager.
What happens to the two of them during the two weeks alternates between erotica, humor and frustration. It's a fun story rooted in some serious themes. Short but an interesting story where, unusual for a novella, the two characters are pretty well developed and captured....more
the setup� It’s been two months since DI Kim Stone was brutally beaten by her nemesis, escaped prisoner Symes, and she’s physically ready to return to the setup� It’s been two months since DI Kim Stone was brutally beaten by her nemesis, escaped prisoner Symes, and she’s physically ready to return to work. Mentally, however, she’s still got a long way to go despite her duping the therapist to think otherwise. Her replacement was Ian Burns, the same DI who botched the search for Symes and almost caused her death. As she listens to his engagement with her team, it’s pretty clear that Burns is managing cases far differently than she would or what her team has come to expect. She decides to do a little digging on her own and realizes one of the cases he closed as a suicide was anything but. When she returns to the office, Kim witnesses Burns demeaning DC Stacey Wood, and decides to take back her team, ready or not. They set out to further explore that “suicide� case that becomes much more than they’d anticipated.
the heart of the story� First, I’m so grateful to Marsons for releasing this book so quickly after the last. I couldn’t wait to see how Kim fared after that devastating assault from Symes. Her behavior during her recuperation and initially upon her return was classic Kim, which felt authentic to the character, even when I wanted her to be otherwise. The case was also an interesting one that had so many ugly tangents. Kim actually opened the proverbial can of worms when she pressed further into that suicide, leading down some really distasteful paths but bringing some enlightenment about attitudes towards the LGBTQ community. But it was seeing the contrast between Burns� lackluster leadership and Kim’s, particularly the end results and the team dynamics that reminded me just how great she is at doing this, even with her prickly behavior. They respect her because she’s earned that and I loved seeing her mind in action. And, I was brought to tears by the help she received from unexpected corners.
the narration� Look, I will only listen to this series, which means I give up the opportunity to read it for review. It’s worth more than the Audible credit I give up to let Jan Cramer tell me the story in her most talented way. She’s so consistent and her voice for Kim lives happily in my head. Trust me, she’s that good.
the bottom line� I finished this in a day because I couldn’t find a good stopping point, needing just one more chapter until I reached the end. There’s a lot going on with the characters (individually and as a team), the cases and the situation with Burns. I thought I had things figured out but it all fell apart at the end because of subtle clues I’d ignored. It’s an outstanding story that far surpassed my lofty expectations. Thanks to the narrator, she delivered it in a way that I missed none of the nuances, those pesky clues notwithstanding. And…we finally get Bryant’s first name!!! I had to rewind for that and I’m taking that moment as a meaningful signal whether intended or not.
the setup� 56 days ago, Oliver Kennedy and Ciara Watson bumped into each other in a Dublin grocery line and struck up a conversation that led to coffeethe setup� 56 days ago, Oliver Kennedy and Ciara Watson bumped into each other in a Dublin grocery line and struck up a conversation that led to coffee and a date. It also happened to be when the first news of the start of Covid 19 preparations was released on Irish shores. Three weeks later as the country prepares for lockdown, Oliver asks Ciara to move in with him to shelter in place together. Now it’s present day and the police are called to Oliver’s apartment because of the foul odor inside. Of course there’s a dead body.
the heart of the story� From the start, it felt like there was something Ciara was hiding and Oliver’s behavior was a bit…off. I was uneasy about both of them but more so about her. The story transitions between past and present but with an interesting angle. Sometimes the transition back to the past wasn’t linear because of the additional shifts in points of view. It was tricky at first but then it developed a rhythm that made sense. All of this was unfolding with the emergence of the pandemic in the background, making it more challenging to get a bead on both Oliver and Ciara as the circumstances weren’t normal.
the narration� This story might be more complicated to digest without the skillful performance of this narrator. She’s a wonderful storyteller and captured Oliver and Ciara perfectly, adjusting tone and tempo at all the right moments.
the bottom line� The first half of the story is a slow burn, a combination of what felt like two unreliable narrators and a complex transition structure. Then the story takes off and I couldn’t let go. It was also interesting to relive the the emotional aspect of when the pandemic was first becoming a reality, how we all were ill equipped to understand what was to come. But that was in the background, never becoming another equal character. Then there are the stunning twists that left me flat footed, making me rethink everything I’d believed about the situation. An added bonus are the two detectives investigating what happened, both interesting, entertaining and leaving me with hope I see them again. Very clever story.
This is the story of Humbert Humbert, told in his own words through a journal, and his obsession with Dolores Haze, an almost 13-year old girl who onlThis is the story of Humbert Humbert, told in his own words through a journal, and his obsession with Dolores Haze, an almost 13-year old girl who only he called Lolita. I have a vague recollection of the original movie starring James Mason, Shelley Winters & Sue Lyon, which I watched as a pre-teen (surely my mother didn’t know anything about the film). I was clueless and missed what was going on but over the years came to understand what the term “Lolita� came to mean in our lexicon. I think I watched one scene of the newer film starring Jeremy Irons, who narrates this story, and realized I wasn’t emotionally up to watching it.
So, this was my reading choice for Banned Books Week, read with two other Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ companions. This was a tough listening experience because I felt like I was in the mind of a pedophile for most of the book. It felt like a primer for those wanting to satisfy those inclinations. Yes, the writing is exquisite, often clever and the humor wry. It helped but not a lot through the journey.
But a strange thing happened as I neared the end of the story. It is too easy to simply characterize Humbert as a dirty old man. There’s an event early in his life that sort of explains his attraction to a type of young girl, “nymphets� as he calls them that’s difficult to ignore. The ending provided an enlightenment that made it clear, at least for this reader, that his feelings for Lolita went far beyond a sexual attraction. It doesn’t excuse his behavior but I also cannot pigeonhole it to a convenient label.
We never get Dolores� point of view so her characterization is solely through Humbert’s lens. There are those who saw her as sexualized and a seducer (Dorothy Parker for one) because that’s how he saw her, as if she were an equal partner in their relationship. I’m not in that camp and have my reasons.
I added this book to my shelf because of a blogger friend who was reviewing a true crime story about Sally Horner, considered to be the “real Lolita� and who is mentioned in the story. She recommended I read this first and I’m glad I did. Jeremy Irons delivered an amazing performance that made it hard to listen to but also more meaningful. I get why the book was banned as it is most definitely provocative even by today’s standards let alone in 1955 when it was originally published. Nabokov asserted that there is no moral to the story and I let it overwhelm me without looking for deeper meaning and recommend that approach. This story will haunt me forever, especially that ending.
Andrea (Andy) Oliver was living in New York, trying to make it in the theater world when her mother Laura was diagnosed with cancer. She returned homeAndrea (Andy) Oliver was living in New York, trying to make it in the theater world when her mother Laura was diagnosed with cancer. She returned home to Bell Isle, Georgia to help during her treatment and recovery. It’s been three years and she’s still there, struggling to figure out a career direction. She and her mother meet one morning at a diner and find themselves in an explosive situation that changes their lives forever. Andy thought she knew everything about her mother but now she’s discovering that woman had another life before she became the suburban one she’s known. Laura’s freedom is on the line and she pushes Andrea out the door with a few cryptic instructions and the command to “run.�
What did I just read? I thought the story was going in one direction and then it pulled up stakes and took me on a journey I struggled a long time to understand. It took a bit to put the “pieces� together to form a somewhat clearer picture of Laura but not with much help from Andy who made so many mistakes along the road I wearied of yelling at her. The story transitions back and forth between July 1986 and August 2018 and I felt completely lost when it made that first pivot. But it got pretty clear after that and it was a race to figure out who was trying get to Laura in the present day.
I’ve had this audiobook for a while and decided to listen to it before watching the new Netflix series. It is completely different than what I expected, in a good way. Andy’s odyssey to figure out her family’s identity while following Laura’s instructions was a haphazard one that covered a lot of geography and confrontations with people I wasn’t certain were friends or foes. The narrator delivered a great performance, providing wonderful distinctions for a host of characters, so much so that I always knew who was front and center. It’s a complicated, twisty path with a provocative ending. I enjoyed this story, even when it was most uncomfortable.
This trilogy has a continuing story arc and should be read in order.
The final book in the trilogy picks up right where the last ended and it didn’t diThis trilogy has a continuing story arc and should be read in order.
The final book in the trilogy picks up right where the last ended and it didn’t disappoint. While Lane and Lizzie’s relationship has settled in, Max is still stubbornly distancing himself from Sutton (thankfully she’s tenacious) and Gin’s loveless marriage to the abusive Richard seems hopeless with Samuel T. having mixed feelings about her predicament. Youngest brother Max is in town but just barely interacting with his family. Hanging over all of them is the fate of the family business, in dire financial straits because of their late father’s shenanigans.
This was pure guilty pleasure and my rating reflects more my opinion of the entire trilogy than this last story. There was quite a bit of drama here, lots unforeseen. The relationship I was most intrigued by was that between Gin and Samuel T., as she had the biggest hole to dig out of and managed to do so but it wasn’t easy. He was my favorite character and managed to be inserted in most of the storylines.
While everything wrapped up pretty neatly, as it should, I could have used an epilogue or a couple of more chapters to really tie up more loose ends. But, I’m satisfied where things landed. The narrator was outstanding in telling the story and capturing the dialects for the male characters but pretty awful for most of the women. However, his overall performance was really good. I loved this soapy drama and hate that it’s over. 4.5 stars...more
I'm in that small minority of readers of urban fantasy who hasn't read this series or watched True Blood, the television show based on these books. AfI'm in that small minority of readers of urban fantasy who hasn't read this series or watched True Blood, the television show based on these books. After reading this story, I'm not quite sure what all the fuss is about but I'm intrigued enough to continue on.
Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress at Merlotte's in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps. She has what she refers to as a "disability," simply a telepathic "ability." Yes, she can hear people's thoughts (with a few exceptions). When Bill Compton shows up at the bar, Sookie quickly recognizes him as a vampire and forms a friendship with him. In this world, vampires are "out" and live amongst humans. There are other aspects of this world that are unique but I'll leave that for personal discovery. Things become interesting when it appears there's a serial killer at large and vampires become the prime suspects, especially Bill.
I liked the story, didn't love it. Harris provides a level of descriptive detail that I found tedious until I listened to a portion of the audio version, recommended by a GR friend. It's apparent that this story is written specifically to the personality of the character and townspeople and it then made sense. I read the rest of the book with the narrator's voice in my head and it made a big difference. I'll continue the series but only listening to the audio version. I didn't guess the murderer and, rare for me, didn't care because there was so much going on.
I liked Sookie, her friends, acquaintances & co-workers and want to see where she goes from here. 3.5 stars...more
When Tate Collins shows up to move into her brother’s high rise apartment, she has an unusual encounter with his best friend and fellow airline pilot,When Tate Collins shows up to move into her brother’s high rise apartment, she has an unusual encounter with his best friend and fellow airline pilot, Miles Archer. Even after an awkward start, these two couldn’t ignore their strong attraction. As they proceed with their secret relationship, both agree that it would only be sort of a “friends with benefits� arrangement as Miles cannot handle anything more. Yeah, well.....
The story is told from both Tate’s and Miles� points of view, his beginning six years earlier and continuing until nearly the end of the story when his painful past is revealed. In the meantime, Tate provides an honest perspective of the present for both of them. I really liked her as she was so self aware, even when she lied to Miles about her true feelings, never deluding herself about the pain she’d probably face by continuing their relationship. Always in the background for the reader is the disclosure of what happened to Miles six years ago. I loved how long it took to unravel because it made the ending feel real and authentic. It was raw and ravaging, so much so that I felt gut punched.
I’m a fairly new fan of the author after so many of my friends kept recommending her stories, this one in particular. It’s engaging in a very subtle way, hooking me from the onset and never letting go. I listened to it in about a day and a half. Loved both Grace Grant & Deacon Lee’s performance and Elizabeth Louise’s cameo as they combined to make a really good story even better. ...more
the setup� After the young woman found beneath the ice in a South London park is identified as the daughter of a prominent politician, Chief Superintenthe setup� After the young woman found beneath the ice in a South London park is identified as the daughter of a prominent politician, Chief Superintendent Marsh calls in Detective Erika Foster to lead the investigation as she’s had more experience with high profile murders of this type. Erika is coming off of leave following an investigation into her last case where her whole team was killed, including her husband. While her instincts and skills are excellent, Erika’s political lens, or lack thereof, ruffles lots of feathers internally and externally. But members of her new team recognized that she’s the leader to follow as the case gets complicated and dangerous.
the heart of the story� Erika Foster is a talented but broken detective, still finding her way and footing as she deals with the grief from losing her husband and team. I admired her, even when I found some of her behavior reckless and risky, as she stood up to her spineless leadership who was afraid of offending the victim’s influential family. She made great personal progress, thanks to the loyalty and trust of her new team and others that care about her. The case was exceptionally thorny and I went back and forth with several theories. I did figure out the murderer but only pretty close to the reveal. No matter as I was utterly hooked by the mystery.
the narration� Jan Cramer is one of my favorite narrators, mostly from her DI Kim Stone series performances, and she proves that she’s no one series wonder. It took a minute to erase Kim from my brain and once I did, she owned Erika and her teammates. I'm in for the audio version going forward.
the bottom line� I’ve waited a long time for one of my groups to select this series as a group read and one finally came through. This story surpassed my expectations and I’m struggling to not binge through the series. Yes, Erika’s got some personal challenges but her investigative chops are superior. The case had all the challenges and clues I like in a police procedural and the recurring characters are already intriguing me. This was truly worth the wait.
Will Monroe, a NY Times Metro reporter trying to prove himself, writes two seemingly unrelated stories that get prominent attention on the newspaper'sWill Monroe, a NY Times Metro reporter trying to prove himself, writes two seemingly unrelated stories that get prominent attention on the newspaper's front page and suddenly finds his world turned upside down.
The first part of the story moved painfully slow, not because of the pace but due to the overwhelming amount of information that couldn't be connected to anything. I struggled to keep focused so it took me longer to finish. Without revealing details you should discover for yourself, Will's main reason for continuing to investigate is what kept me in the story because I had to know.
I'm glad I stuck with it because when that crucial moment came where things started to make more sense, I finished the book in a day. In addition to a really complex mystery was the fascinating world of the Hasidic community, including the customs, practices and history of the Jewish faith. The ending had some jaw-dropping twists, one I suspected, others not so much. My initial issues were worth it in the end. ...more
Sydney Donovan suffered the ultimate tragedy when she lost her husband and two children in a car accident 15-months ago. She's now back on Gansett IslSydney Donovan suffered the ultimate tragedy when she lost her husband and two children in a car accident 15-months ago. She's now back on Gansett Island, the place where she and her family spent their summers when she was a teen. It's been 17 years since she last saw Luke Harris, the young boy she loved and left without a word. He's still on the island and never got over Sydney or the painful way she left him.
This was a poignant second-chance romance made even more relevant by Sydney's willingness to own up to her poor treatment of Luke and face the issues head on. His patience with her was admirable considering the circumstances as he accepted her return without ill will and was mindful of her suffering. I liked both of them and enjoyed how their new relationship developed.
I also liked how the secondary characters from the previous stories continue to play substantive roles in the ongoing stories. The characters for future stories are also queued up nicely. This is a feel-good series that I'm very much enjoying. It's like catnip for the soul. ...more
How refreshing to have the man suffering from unrequited love for a change:) What I really enjoyed about this story is how both characters never avoided expressing their true feelings to each other, no matter how painful it was to hear or acknowledge. Their journey was thoughtful and mature, with Janey being appropriately introspective and retrospective in examining both relationships.
I very much liked these two characters and their stories. Joe is pretty special and I rooted for him to the end. There was a bit of David drama that made it more fun, just not too outrageous. This was an interesting story that I found myself hooked into again. ...more
Just too much Rachel/Ivy drama for me. I suffered through about 12 hours of that until the story got interesting. And, I'm not seeing any real charactJust too much Rachel/Ivy drama for me. I suffered through about 12 hours of that until the story got interesting. And, I'm not seeing any real character growth so I'm taking an extended, maybe permanent break. It was tiresome seeing Rachel make the same dumb mistakes over and over again through five books.
On a brighter note, the narration is excellent. ...more
The story begins with Elena awakening from her coma after a year, learning she's now an angel, mated to Raphael. As she works to regain her strength, The story begins with Elena awakening from her coma after a year, learning she's now an angel, mated to Raphael. As she works to regain her strength, Elena must also adjust to her new circumstances, including her new body form, relationship with Raphael and a host of new enemies. And, Elena's memories of her family's devastation resurface throughout the story, sometimes at the most inopportune moments.
I loved the story's honesty. Yes, Elena and Raphael bring the heat but when things cool down, they've got to figure out the routine of being a couple while learning to trust one another. His über alpha nature and her innate independence create friction as they jockey for position. It's not always happily ever after.
We also learn so much more about angel "law" and the politics of the Archangels. There's lots of intrigue and excitement as the "heartless" angels recognize an opportunity, which is to take advantage of Elena's weakened condition. She's Raphael's Achille's heel for the moment and they're lining up.
The narration worked for me as Justine Eyre has a sultry tone that befits both Raphael and Elena. Her character distinctions were wonderful.
This was an exciting and interesting story and I'm now even more committed to continuing the series. ...more
Sage Valentine's roommate was found dead in their apartment, ruled a suicide. Unconvinced, Sage reaches out to her estranged aunt, Lucy Sharpe (owner Sage Valentine's roommate was found dead in their apartment, ruled a suicide. Unconvinced, Sage reaches out to her estranged aunt, Lucy Sharpe (owner of Bullet Catchers), to help her investigate. Frustrated when Lucy confirms the cause of death, Sage, an investigative reporter, decides to go it alone. Lucy assigns Johnny Christiano to go undercover and protect her niece.
The thrill seeking aspect of the story tied to the NBA dance team added a sinister element and it was confusing as I tried to figure out the motive of the villains. It was still interesting and I really liked Sage and Johnny as well as their relationship. And, we learned quite a bit more about the enigmatic Lucy Sharpe. Though the plot was a bit convoluted, I enjoyed the story....more
Quick summary A year ago, Navy SEAL Gabe Renault disappeared following a mission gone bad. He was presumed dead but now he suddenly reappears with no mQuick summary A year ago, Navy SEAL Gabe Renault disappeared following a mission gone bad. He was presumed dead but now he suddenly reappears with no memories of the past three years, including the mission, his imprisonment...and meeting his wife Helen and stepdaughter Mallory.
Really big issues Gabe's mission didn't just inadvertently go bad so he's in danger and because of his memory loss, he doesn't know the source nor does anyone else really perceive a threat. Before the mission, his relationship with Helen was fractured so she's not exactly thrilled to have him back in her life.
What I really liked The suspense and intrigue is excellent! We get mostly Gabe's point of view so we're treated to the revelations as his memories start to surface. I loved assembling the clues, figuring out what was real and what was not. It also made the story more interesting to have him working hard to repair his relationship with a woman he essentially doesn't remember but falls for in the present. The new Gabe is a lot more likable than the person who went away a year ago.
What bugged me Helen. I'm not spoiling anything by saying her reaction and reception after learning Gabe was alive was pathetic (you get this info in the first chapter). Understanding their relationship was in trouble, I still would have expected her to be at least happy he was not dead. This is the man she supposedly still loved and her behavior was almost intolerable.
The bottom line This is an exciting story with many twists and turns. Gabe's self discovery and transformation is an added element that gives dimension to the character (he wasn't all that honorable before his disappearance). The romance, while rocky because of Helen's attitude and Gabe's earlier behavior, is fresh as you get to watch two people create something new. It's a great start to the series. ...more
2024 Review the setup� There’s a serial killer at large in Minneapolis who calls himself maddog. He preys on attractive women with dark hair, the “Chose2024 Review the setup� There’s a serial killer at large in Minneapolis who calls himself maddog. He preys on attractive women with dark hair, the “Chosen,� and after brutally murdering them, leaves a note with one of his “rules� for eluding capture. Lieutenant Lucas Davenport, a seasoned investigator with unorthodox methods, is brought in to work with the homicide cops after the latest assault to find maddog and bring him down. But then maddog sees Davenport as a worthy adversary, turning his murderous behavior into a game of wits.
the heart of the story� It’s not unusual to get the killer’s point of view but it sort of is when his perspective opens the story and we’re given his identity. We learn quite a bit about him throughout the story, especially when he sets his sights on besting Lucas who, though a bit ethically challenged, has a brilliant mind and sees beyond the obvious during the investigation. His dogged determination to pursue obscure clues that prove to be highly relevant payoff substantially, causing maddog to make his own mistakes. However, Lucas’s love life is an absolute mess as commitment and monogamy are foreign concepts.
the narration� This is my second time reading the story, the first on audio and it was an entirely different experience, for the better. Lucas is a complex character and the narrator “gets� him. He’s also a great storyteller.
the bottom line� The first time I read this story, I was so put off by Lucas Davenport’s behavior with women it clouded my view of everything else about him. This time I was able to put that in better perspective, understanding that the women in his life were using him back. He’s a brilliant detective with lots of flaws and has a high appreciation for others who are authentic and talented in their own rights. I will definitely continue the series but only on audio. The procedurals were excellent, the storytelling highly engaging and the enigma that is Lucas Davenport is highly appealing. Go figure!
2013 Review There’s a serial killer at large who calls himself maddog. He preys on attractive women with dark hair and eyes and leaves a note attached, outlining his “rules� for eluding capture when killing someone. Lieutenant Lucas Davenport, a seasoned investigator with unorthodox methods, is asked to work with the homicide cops to find maddog and bring him down. Maddog is actually pleased as he sees Davenport as a worthy adversary.
I enjoyed this case and having the killer’s perspective as the investigation proceeded. It was a bit unusual to have maddog’s identity, or at least his name, revealed early on in the story but that still didn't tell you much about him. What you learn comes from his point of view throughout the book. Lucas Davenport is an enigma and somewhat ethically challenged, though he gets the job done. His love life, however, leaves quite a bit to be desired.
I like the storytelling style of Sanford, which is brisk and to the point. I plan to continue the series though, for me, the jury is still out on Davenport.
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