Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

Ah, Nora Roberts.

I had my doubts about this one. It was recommended by an acquaintance and seemed semi-interesting. My doubts came from the last fire-related novel I read, years ago, which I absolutely hated. Was it fire that was my problem? I certainly hoped not.

This story follows a group of fire-jumpers, a profession I didn't know existed and was utterly fascinated by. They basically sky-dive in to fight wildfires. How insane is that?

Anyway, in typical Nora Roberts fashion things starts to heat up between two of the characters. Also typical for Nora Roberts something mysterious is beginning to happen. Is someone targeting the fire jumpers?

I was interested in the mystery, I enjoyed the action, and I didn't have it all figured out. I would've gone with four smiles, but the ending was a little too wrapped-up-with-a-bow for my tastes.

All-in-all, well done! Three smiles.

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen

As you are likely aware, I am an avid reader. I am forever pushing books on people. Usually, people love them. One of those such people is now married to me. When I met him, he was "not a reader". Fast forward all the years we've been together and now he's recommending books to me. Ta-Da!

Carl Hiaasen and Bad Monkey were my husband's recommendations this time around. I must admit, I see what the draw was.

I am a fan of murder-mysteries. I like trying to figure out what's going to happen before the detective does. This book delivered on that front. What I did not expect, and yet enjoyed, was the dry humor. This book is so odd (for lack of a better word) that it's almost a good Monty Python skit. There's cliche characters who you shouldn't enjoy but DO, there's a severed arm, and literally anything can happen at any time.

I remember a student in my sixth grade reading class who used to make the most off-the-wall guesses about what would happen next when he was asked to predict. I think that kid and Carl Hiaasen would've gotten along quite well!

3 smiles for this enjoyable little rendezvous. I will try another of his works soon!

Mercy Rule by Tom Leveen

What would drive a person to open fire on a group of people seemingly at random? Could the action have been stopped?

I knew, based on what I choose to do for a living, that this would be a tough one to read. I read it anyway. It was so much more than I expected. I can't remember the last time a book brought me to tears; I don't cry. I literally had to put this one down to cry MORE THAN ONCE.

This book is SO important. This book is, unfortunately, relevant. This book is AMAZING.

This is a keeper. I'm putting it on the shelf. I'm reading it again. I'm telling you all to READ IT. I don't care what genre you normally read. READ THIS.

5 smiles because it's the max I give around here. A wink because WHOA. A tear, which you know is rare if you follow the blog. This book has it all.

Humans, Bow Down by James Patterson

Tell me what it's about in one sentence: A futuristic world where robots have taken over and humans are forced into a substandard living, literally being told to "bow down" at regular intervals.

I think, had any other author penned this one, I would've been impressed. It's got good pace, it's interesting, and it had a good twist. But I expect more from James Patterson. I expect character development that brings me in a real way. I expect to feel something powerful.

Don't get me wrong, this was a good book. It's a solid dystopian story. I didn't love the ending, but I enjoyed the ending (a small difference). Overall, I give this one three smiles.