Escape by Barbara Delinsky

Genre
Realistic Fiction

Synopsis
Emily Aulenback is a lawyer with a husband and a successful career in New York City.  But one day, acting on impulse, Emily leaves everything behind in favor of figuring out who she is and what she wants from life.  Can she go back once she has escaped?  Will she even want to?

Why Should You Read it?
I picked this one because it was a spine-out book by an author I hadn't heard of at a big name bookstore (a great way to find a new author and show them some love).  The cover sounded interesting.  I wasn't disappointed in the character's depth and the long running symbolism in the coyote.  This is a good one.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Realistic character decisions.  How to write them doing something you wouldn't necessarily agree with without making you hate the character.

Overall RatingThree smiles

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