The House Husband by James Patterson

Genre
Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis
Harold Posehn is just a typical suburban husband and father.  Or is he?
Detective Beaumont may just be getting closer to learning some odd secrets about his life.  Will you see it coming?

Why Should You Read It?
It's a bookshot, which means it'll be a quick read.  This one is pretty well written and it's obviously a book to itself which means no sequel pending.  

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Well it's James Patterson...so quick chapters and full of twists. 

Overall Rating
3 smiles.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Genre
Mystery/Thriller

Synopsis
Rachel rides the same train line every single day.  She watches the houses she passes, remembering an old life. When a woman she has been watching goes missing, her face appearing on magazines and newspapers around town, Rachel feels compelled to get involved.  Can something she saw be a clue?  If she involves herself, will it lead to danger for her?

Why Should You Read It?
This one is great for those of us out there who like to try and unravel the mysteries in books.  There are many questions for you to try and answer and each of those questions leads down a windy path full of more questions.  It's fascinating to watch it all unravel at the end.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
Hawkins has done a great job taking a character you may otherwise not like (she's very flawed) and making her relatable.  It's an excellent lesson in characterization.

Overall Rating
4 smiles and a wink.  I loved this one!

What Remains of Me by Alison Gaylin

Genre
Mystery

Synopsis
Kelly Lund is found guilty of the murder of acclaimed Hollywood director, John McFadden.  Thirty years later, after her release from prison, another of Hollywood's elite is found dead in a very similar manner and Kelly is their primary suspect.

Two time period criss-cross through this novel bringing you all the surprises and twists of both murders.  Is Kelly guilty of this second heinous crime, or has someone framing her?

Why Should You Read it?
It's a well-written tale that will surprise even the best mystery readers.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
How to jump time periods easily without ruining the story or frustrating your readers.

Overall Rating
4 smiles and a wink

The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

Icemark Chronicles, Book 1

Genre
YA Fantasy

Synopsis
When 13-year-old Princess Thirrin's father is killed and her Kingdom is threatened, she must become a true warrior and Queen.  In order to defeat her terrible foe, skilled in all aspects of fighting, she must make allies of some strange creatures of legend.  Will the werewolves, vampires, and forest creatures come to her aide?

Why Should You Read it?
If you like fight scenes, these are well done.

What Can You Learn From the Author's Writing?
If you happen to need a good fight scene-this is full of inspiration.

Overall Rating
Two smiles

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.