Croak Series by Gina Damico

Full Series Titles (in order)
Croak
Scorch
Rogue

Genre
YA Fantasy

Synopsis
Lex is going through a delinquent teenager phase and her parents send her to spend the summer with her Uncle Mort.  Little do they know Mort will bring Lex into the business of reaping human souls for the Afterlife.

Why Should You Read it?
Emotional and creative, this story packs a PUNCH.  Damico is going to throw you into a world you have never even dreamed of-and yet you'll never once question its authenticity.  You'll believe in the afterlife, in grim reapers, and in love.  This one-HIGHLY recommended.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
The power of the twist and how to wrap up an ending (chapters, scenes, books, and trilogies).

Overall Rating
Five Smiles and a wink

Played by Liz Fichera

Genre
YA 

Synopsis
Sam and Riley can't stand each other.  That is until Sam comes to Riley's rescue on a weekend conference in the mountains.  Now Riley is determined to return the favor by granting Sam a favor that seems impossible.  That is, unless she completely ruins everything instead.

Why Should You Read it?
It's a fast read.  It's fun and edgy.  The characters are interesting.  It's a good feel-good, slightly funny break if you've recently read something incredibly serious. 

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
The teenage voice is realistic.  Pay attention to the dialogue (including the inner dialogue of our protagonist).

Overall Rating
Three Smiles

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

Book 3 in the Wicked Lovely series

Genre
Young Adult Fantasy

Synopsis
Seth continues to struggle with his girlfriend's new role as the Summer Queen.  More importantly, he battles with her growing relationship with the Summer King.  Can Seth find a way to be strong like Ash needs before it's too late?

Why Should You Read it?
Even if you haven't read the first two books, this one is a guilty pleasure.  The relationships are realistic, the situations intense.  The world of the Faeries that Marr has created is detailed and artistic.  It's easy to get lost there.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
If you are learning the craft of writing pay attention to the way Marr pens romance.  She may only be writing scenes of kissing or holding hands, but your heartbeat quickens and you feel their passion.  She does a masterful job of writing romance in a way you can relate to.

Overall Rating
Four smiles

Epitaph by Mary Doria Russell

I discovered this book after a recent trip down to Tombstone when my craziness for anything Tombstone-esque was at an all time high.  I'm glad I found it.

This book isn't the Earp tale you've heard before.  It's not the OK Corral shoot-out you'd expect.  Wyatt doesn't read like a hero.  The Earp women have a larger part than they do in anything else I've read.  Politics are king.

This is a great find.  If you like the Old West or Tombstone, if you think you've heard the tale, or if you enjoy politics, this is a book for you.

Highly recommended.

Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline

I'll keep this review simple to avoid spoiling anything.

I didn't see the ending coming, which I always enjoy.  The book is fast-paced.  It kept me worrying whenever I wasn't reading, I was constantly thinking about Eric and whether he'd figure a way out of this mess.  

This book will mess with your head and yet, somehow, you'll love it.

Read this one.

Private Vegas by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

I think the Private series is growing on me.

This one featured Jack and yet I liked him.  He was still edgy but something about his asshole brother made me appreciate Jack more.  I don't understand it fully, but there you have it.

For those who haven't heard, Private is a series about a guy (Jack) who owns a private detective agency.  He has a lot of money so he can offer first class services to anyone who will pay well.  The best tests, often before the police can get them.  He can also offer you dedicated services with little else to get in his way or hold him back.  It's an interesting concept.

Anyway, the mystery was good this time.  If you're eager to try the Private series but my reviews have turned you away...try this one.

Recommended.

Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag

In college I read books that were not on my literary list for classes faster than publishers could keep up.  I would devour a minimum of one book per day.  It was shocking.  It was expensive.  I became a regular at a used bookseller near to my dorm, purchasing books for less than a dollar.  I would trade in those that I had already finished and wait, impatiently, as they decided how much credit to give me.  Then I would pay the difference as I had always filled my arms with more than they thought my trade was worth.  That is how I first discovered Tami Hoag.  On a shelf underneath a picture of James Patterson's Along Came a Spider was a load of her books.  The cute little tag someone stapled to the wall read "If you like James Patterson you'll love these books!"  I graduated from college over 12 years ago (YIKES!) and I am still reading her books.

This book, however, read like a sequel.  I kept finding mention of a character or an action that had previously happened.  I knew I should know who this was, but flipping back through pages I just couldn't figure it out.  I was frustrated.  There is no mention of this being a sequel anywhere on the cover or in the book.  Later research turned up a first novel called "Deeper than Dead".

Regardless, I loved this book.  Anne is a deep character whom I can associate with.  I felt actual pain when Dennis' case turned.  I continue to adore Tami Hoag and I will be forever grateful to the clerk in Flagstaff who once suggested we try her books.  Hoag's writing is brilliant!

It was fun that this book is set in the 80s, without DNA evidence that we have come to rely on.  This one is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a smart detective novel.