GenreFiction
SynopsisJason Harrow's normal life, with a loving church-going family of faith, is rocked by a phone call from his past that he decides to answer. From there, Jason is forced to watch as the life he has built begins to come apart. Threatened by forces he never imagined he'd be facing, Jason must decide whether to believe in a crazy story only he would have the chance to stop, or chalk it up to insanity and risk the lives of hundreds of strangers.
Why You Should Read it?The story is full of intrigue. It is a great read for those who like suspense.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? The author does this interesting thing whenever Jason is watching TV. He makes a point to talk about the commercials that air as though they are one long commercial. It makes it obvious that they are ridiculous without the author every having to come out and say that.
Overall Rating3 smiles
GenreFiction (Romance)
SynopsisSugar Beth has to return to Parrish, Mississippi. A place where she ruled the high school and had everything she wanted. But it's not her world anymore, it's the world of her enemy. The plan to get-in, get-what-she-needs, and get-out keeps getting interrupted with memories and people from her past. Has Sugar Beth changed, or is being in Parrish enough to bring her crawling back to bad habits?
Why You Should Read it?
As is pretty common with romance, the characters are completely lovable and relate-able.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? Dialogue. Her sharp tongued duo (Colin and Sugar Beth) were simply fun to read.
Overall Rating3 smiles
GenreHorror
SynopsisTwo couples find themselves broken down at an inn in the woods. Their plans to hunker down for the night and get help in the morning is thrown to the wayside when a dangerous killer traps them in the house. Can they escape with their lives?
Why Should You Read It? It's got a good supernatural twist, which is interesting.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? Gross details you can weave into scary stories.
Overall Rating2 smiles. Overall this one was not my favorite and took me too long to really get into.
GenreFiction
SynopsisAlice's drop into Wonderland is a story we are all familiar with. But what happened to the family left at home during Alice's journey? What of the neighbor, young Ada, who topples down the rabbit hole after Alice? This is a story of places you know, yet tales you have never heard. A wonderful envisioning of a new angle to Alice's tale of Wonderland.
Why Should You Read It? It brings you right back to Wonderland.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? How to weave higher vocabulary and real history into your fantasy story.
Overall Rating4 smiles
Genre
Fiction
Synopsis
The house at 7 Ocean Drive has a horrible history of death. Detective Jenna Murphy hasn't set foot on the Hamptons in years. Now she'll return to help solve a series of brutal murders. Can she figure it out before more blood spills at the house?
Why Should You Read It?
The who-done-it will keep you guessing until the very end.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Suspense, giving the reader just enough to keep them turning pages.
Overall Rating
5 smiles, this is one of my favorite Patterson books (and that's saying something)
GenreFiction
SynopsisJoseph Bateman is waiting for the electric chair on death row as he reflects back on his life. A life that is full of bad people, terrible decisions, and one very powerful friendship.
This book explores the concept of how much control one person has on their circumstances. How far do your decisions really take you? Is your destiny in your hands or is it something beyond your control?
Why Should You Read It? Jason does a good job of developing character here. Joseph is, for all intents and purposes, a bad guy. He's on death row when you meet him. However Jason weaves his backstory and character in a way that makes him someone you will root for. It also throws in some Civil War history which is great for anyone who loves the time period.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing? Character development
Overall Rating4 smiles. Well done!
Land of Stories, Book 1
GenreChildren's Fantasy
SynopsisAlex and Conner find themselves in the fantastic world of fairy tales when they fall into a book. This premise reminds me of Neverending Story and the Magic Treehouse. It's simplistic and yet surprising and entertaining. I immediately handed it to my daughter who, despite the length, will love the tale.
Why Should You Read It?
It's a fast read and it takes you away from reality to a world you'll adore.
What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Surprising people even when they know the characters rather well.
Overall Rating3 smiles.
