The Front by Patricia Cornwell

I read series out of order, but you knew that. I'm not afraid to pick up book two and just give it a try. So when I found this book, the second in a series starring the same detective, I never even hesitated.

This book follows Winston Garano as he tries to track down the truth behind a cold case involving the death of a blind girl studying abroad in the United States. There are a lot of intriguing characters in this one, including Winston, but the development is too shallow for me. I like to know more about the characters I'm reading. I'm sure this was intentional, as Cornwell likely plans to give us a little more about them with each passing book in the series.

The bigger problem with this book was that the case fell flat for me. The ending/solution seemed to pop out of nowhere. We didn't see the revelations or what lead to it. Just <POP> Winston had figured it out. I read detective novels all the time. This was a frustrating way of handling it. I like to see the puzzle come together. I like to feel like I also figured it out.

Overall, I'm not totally sold on this one and I don't see myself rushing out to find more with this character.

Book of Shadows, The Coven, Bloodwitch by Cate Tiernan

These books are the first three books in the Sweep (also occasionally called the Wicca) series. I found them bound together in an anthology which I highly recommend as a way of reading them because they end on cliffhangers and this will enable you to keep going.

These books follow a teenager, Morgan, who is developing strange powers as she begins to explore Wicca and all that entails.

Full disclosure: I am not an expert on Wicca. There have been a few people who slam this book series for the liberties the author takes with Wicca. As I'm not an expert, I can't speak to that argument other than to say it didn't bother me.

I enjoyed these books. They're fast, they have relatable characters, and the story line is intriguing. There are a few things that seem predictable, like Morgan's family history, but others that surprised me in a good way. I am eager to find the next bound set (books 4-6).

Be wary of this series if you are someone who hates long series. I think there's more than ten books to love in this one.

Irresistible Forces by Danielle Steel

I will read anything. That's something I've always prided myself on. Any genre and any book, especially if it is recommended. This one was a recommendation from someone. Many people have told me they enjoy Danielle Steel. I don't read much of her work, so I gave this one a try.

Let's start with what I liked. The characters have depth. It was easy to view them as real people and understand them. I liked the simple language and the fast pace.

What didn't I like? The entire concept. (Possible Spoilers Ahead, Tread with Caution). This book follows two unhappily married people. Basically they think they're happy, but they're not willing to work on their marriage. You get front row seats as they catastrophically destroy their marriage in the worst way. I'm sure there are people who can relate, but I couldn't bring myself to like this book. I was angry and frustrated. Those characters who had depth? I hated them. I hated their decisions and their lack of fight for this marriage.

At the end of the book (yes, I finished it) I was no less frustrated and annoyed. The ending wasn't  happy ending, in my opinion. Not all books need a happy ending, I'm the first one to tell you that. But this book pretended to have one. This book pretended to make them happy and I was disgusted.

Who knew I was so opinionated about happy marriages being work? Either way, one smile for this one (because it's the lowest I go).

If you read it and have an opinion (even if it's different than mine) I'd love to hear it!

17th Suspect by James Patterson

Obviously this is the 17th book in the Women's Murder Club series. This one follows the crime of a shooter who is targeting homeless people in San Francisco. I keep coming back to the Women's Murder Club hoping for something different, something that grabs my attention the way Alex Cross books do. I keep being disappointed. This was the same.

However, if you enjoy the WMC series you'll love this one too. For me, three smiles.

After Anna by Lisa Scottoline

Noah Alderman's life is changed by the addition of his wife's daughter, Anna, in their lives. This mystery/thriller is told in two parts, before and after Anna. The story line is broken, weaving natural suspense as you try to piece together the puzzle and solve the mystery.

I was intrigued by the story and much of it done very well. I wasn't particularly crazy about the ending, which is what forced my rating down a little.

Mystery fans should give it a read and tell me what you thought!
Three smiles for me.

Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely

Serendipity Jones stars in this interesting take on a future that reads like a past. Her friends call her Pity and she shoots some impressive six shooters. Now she may have to take on a corrupt city where lawlessness is the norm.

I loved this character! She was complex and dangerous in the best ways. She meets a couple of great side characters that people will be entertained by and she walks a path that I didn't predict. This was a very enjoyable story that I recommend.

Second Honeymoon by James Patterson

This book picks up where Honeymoon left off, following John O'Hara and Nora Sinclair's brother. I don't think you really have to read Honeymoon to understand this book, but fans of Honeymoon will enjoy the sequel.

I liked the cases we were following, they were intriguing and left me chasing clues and thinking. This was not the hardest case to figure out, but it was still interesting. Overall I liked the book but I feel like it's not one that's going to stick with me. Fast and enjoyable, but forgettable.

Paris for One and Other Stories by Jojo Moyes

This book is a collection of short stories, the longest one being Paris for One.

In general, the stories were fun. I enjoyed the uplifting nature of Paris for One, even if it was pretty predictable. Most of the short stories seemed to have similar natures, being about heartbreak or broken relationships. By the end I was a little bored with that idea that your adventure starts when your heart is broken but they were good stories that captured my interest.

If you're in a frame of mind for short stories, you can't go wrong with these.

The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld

I love a book that makes me think and wonder. I love a book that takes me someplace I haven't been. This book had everything I look for!

This book follows Naomi, a private investigator, who is searching for a young girl named Madison who has been missing for three years. Naomi is an interesting character, known as the child finder. We get a lot of hints about her own backstory and some hints about what may be to come for Naomi. This is the first book featuring this character and I would be interested in finding more.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would recommend it!

Girling Up; How to be Strong, Smart, and Spectacular by Mayim Bialik

I read this one in anticipation of having my daughter read it as she matures. It was wonderful for that purpose! Bialik focuses on what is happening to your body, your emotions, and your life in general as a girl matures. It's written in a way that can be easily understood and leaves nothing out. 

I would recommend this one for preteen girls, for sure.

The Ninth Hour by Alice McDermott

No reflection on the author or the book, which both have good reviews, but I just didn't like this one. Its intent is to show how suicide can reverberate through a family and cause problems even years down the line. There's an interesting look at the women who live and work as nuns and how they help others as well. Overall I felt like the story was a little slow for my taste.

If you've read it I'd love to hear what you thought!

For me, 1 smile.