Cross the Line by James Patterson

Alex Cross 24 

Genre
Thriller

Synopsis
After someone in the field is killed, Alex joins the team to find the responsible party.  Will he figure it out before someone else he knows or loves is attacked?  

Why Should You Read it?
It's an excellent thriller that will have you trying to piece the clues together before Alex.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
How to write a bad guy who is genuine and believes they are in the right even when that means they are doing despicable things.

Overall Rating
Five genuinely huge smiles.

Cross Kill by James Patterson

Alex Cross 23.5 (Bookshot)
*Edit/Note In my opinion this bookshop is actually meant to come AFTER Cross the Line, making it 24.5.  Save yourself the heartache of reading them out of order...read it after Cross the Line.

Genre
Thriller

SynopsisSomeone is targeting Alex Cross.  Someone with the face of (my absolute favorite thriller villain) Gary Soneji.  But Soneji is dead, right?  

Why Should You Read it?
Because it's James Patterson.
Because it's Alex Cross.

Because Gary Soneji is (could be) back.
Because bookshots are James' way of saying "you don't have time to read?  Let me solve that."  
Because it's fast-paced and you owe yourself a treat.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
How to end a chapter and keep those pages turning.

Overall Rating
Five genuinely huge smiles.

Gap Creek by Robert Morgan

Genre
Historical Fiction

Synopsis
Julie and Hank are new to Gap Creek and new to marriage.  The book takes place in the late 19th century and details all the troubles and hardships that would have followed a family during those times.  

I will admit, I had trouble pulling out the main points of this book to bring you a synopsis.
Why Should You Read it?
It does paint a picture of what life was like during the lat 19th century.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
The importance of a clear point/outline.

Overall Rating
One smile

Necromancing the Stone by Lish McBride

Necromancer #2

Genre
YA Fantasy

Synopsis
Samhain LaCroix, newly appointed to the council after the death of Douglas in the first book, is just getting used to his new life as a necromancer with a werewolf girlfriend.  But not everything is going as planned.  Someone is threatening his sister, his best friend is a were bear, and his gnomes are playing tricks on him.  After an unexplainable death, Sam decides to help out the council by stepping up and taking control.  This leads to the most concerning question of all: is Douglas really dead?

Why Should You Read it?
The fantasy characters are compelling and the dialogue is great!

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
YA voice.

Overall Rating
Three smiles for a nicely done story that follows up the first one beautifully.

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)

Cormoran Strike #2

Genre
Fiction

Synopsis
Novelist Owen Quine has gone missing.  Hired by the wife of the writer to find him, Strike most follow the trail that unlocks secrets related to the new book the author has penned.  It seems there may be more to this disappearance than the wife suspects.  

Why Should You Read it?
It will have you chasing the clues and trying to figure it out before Strike.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Descriptions of places and people are vivid and telling.  You can picture every single scene as if you were there.

Overall Rating
Four smiles and a wink

Private: The Royals by James Patterson and Rees Jones

Private Series 12.5 (Bookshot)

Genre
Fiction

Synopsis
The Duke's daughter has been kidnapped.
Can Jack Morgan and Private, Inc. rescue her before it's too late?

Why Should You Read it?
It's a fast-paced book that packs a punch of action.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Action descriptions that keep the scene moving.

Overall Rating
Two smiles

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

Genre
Fiction

Synopsis
Removed from a case because of the color of her skin, Ruth Jefferson is put on a track she never imagined she'd be on when she questions her job as a nurse.  When the only son of a pair of white supremacists dies, Ruth is left as their scapegoat.  This case will raise important questions of race for Ruth, the white supremacist, and the lawyer who has never believed herself to be racist.

Why Should Your Read it?
Because it's Jodi Picoult.  Because she will make you question yourself and your beliefs in a way only she can.  Because it's relevant, real, and amazing.  Because you owe it to yourself.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Cognitive dissonance.  There is no writer that I'm aware of who can thrust you into situations where you start to question everything you believe like Jodi Picoult.  Read this one to learn how to make your reader THINK in  amazing ways.

Overall Rating
5 smiles