Review of Sleepwalker by Karen Robards

Publisher: Gallery Books
Format Read: Hardcover

Release Date: December 17, 2011
Buying Links:  Amazon   The Book Depository  Barnes & Noble

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

It’s not that Micayla Lange is afraid of the clinking she hears coming from the first floor of the empty McMansion she’s housesitting for her uncle Nicco. She’s a cop, after all. It’s just that finding out her boyfriend was cheating on her was enough drama for one night. Now she’s alone on New Year’s Eve, wearing flannel pajamas and wielding a Glock 22 as she zeroes in on the unmistakable source of the sound: Uncle Nicco’s private office.

Jason Davis steals things for a living, so unexpected developments are a natural part of the job. Getting caught red-handed by a hot, pigtail-sporting police officer in what is supposed to be a gangster’s deserted house is just one more twist in the game. Kind of like finding incriminating photos in Nicco Marino’s safe, only to discover the cop—and the security cameras—have gotten a real good look at his face.

Unfortunately for Mick, she also got a good look at the damned pictures. Her “uncle” might love her like family, but if he knows she’s seen evidence that implicates him in the murder of a city councilman, she doesn’t like her chances. Which is why she’s having a hard time reconciling her professional instincts with what she is rapidly concluding is an inescapable fact: She’s about to help a criminal get away with a suitcase full of stolen money. And she’s going with him.

Mick and Jason’s race for their lives hurtles them through the dangerous Michigan wilderness on speedboat and snowmobile. As their adventure heats up and their enemies close in, Mick is torn between her duty to the force and the combustible passion engulfing her and her unlikely partner in crime. She’ll have to turn Jason in sooner or later…if they survive. But will they ever get a second chance at love? 

Quote:

Okay, the guy was a certified hunk. It made no difference to anything. He was still a thief, she was still going to place him under arrest first chance she got and they were still stuck in this deadly game of hide-and-seek together for now.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The maxim pooped into her head as she watched him rearrange his coat, the one that earlier he'd given her to wear, so that it would be exposed to more of the heat, if and when any emerged from the so far under-producing stove. What a strange, twisted world it had become when her ***** *** *** **** (hidden due to spoiler - Bea), most of whom she'd been friendly with for years, had become the enemy, while the thief who had robbed them was her one ally in what was turning into a fight to survive.

Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts: 

There was a time I really reading a book by Robards but in recent years I've been disappointed and this one was no different. It may be time for me to move on and give up on Robards. This story has some of her typical elements: good girl with a tragedy in her past, the bad boy with the heart of gold, and unlikely scenarios. It's the same old, same old with nothing new. There are plot holes, convenient and unlikely coincidences.

The leads, Mick and Jason, are both likable if not compelling. Mick is a staunch law and order police officer, while Jason is a Robin Hood style thief. At first, Mick believes Jason to be an ordinary thief but as they work together to escape her "uncle's" men, a process that takes MUCH too long, about a third of the book but only about 24 hours, she starts to see a different side. When they escape to his home, she learns more about his past, which opens up more plot holes. Much of the action is predictable and the sexual tension between Mick and Jason is not as strong as it could be, nor is the love affair. The love between them happens quickly and with little development, it's just there.

The first third to half of the book, which is mostly Mick and Jason on the run, should have been exciting and nerve-wracking; instead I kept looking at the clock, and checking ahead in the book, trying to guess when Robards would move forward. Their adventure should have emphasized and tightened both the moral and sexual tension between them but instead it dragged on and on with little in the way of character development. As the situation heats up with Marino's men, the story picks up steam and Mick finds herself making decisions and choices even more difficult than going on the run with Jason, a thief. When her career and family are at stake, the tension builds but so do the unlikely coincidences and yet more plot holes.

"Sleepwalker" is an okay book, not great, not awful, but it could have been so much better. Unless you're a diehard Robards fan, I'd suggest skipping this one.

I received this book from the publisher for review.

Sunday Book Share #6

I'm participating in both The Sunday Post, hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Each meme allows book bloggers the chance to share books they've received, and different posts and events at their blog. 

A good week, on the blog and elsewhere. By the time this posts, it'll be 50 hours until the next, and last, lung surgery. This one is the one people have the most trouble with so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Once it's done, any improvement could take up to a year to show. Sigh. But winter is coming and it's a bad season for me so I'm hoping I'll see improvement that quickly. Just in case this procedure doesn't go well, I have all of this week's posts written and scheduled, including two giveaways and an interview with Lori Foster.

Last Week -

Reviews:  Guest review of Blade Song by J.C. Daniels
Broken Harbour by Tana French
Until There Was You by Jessica Scott (at Romance at Random)
The Purple Shroud by Stella Duffy (at BookTrib)

Book Trailer: Run the Risk by Lori Foster (on the 18th, I have a short Q&A with Lori and a giveaway of the book)

Book Spotlight: THE CARPENTER'S GIFT: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree by David Rubel, illustrated by Jim LaMarche

News:  A new novella by Kelley Armstrong, Amityville Horrible

Giveaways:  The Recruit by Monica McCarty (now ended)
Until There Was You by Jessica Scott (now ended)

Astraea Press Online Book Club

Review

After the events of the last book, I'm sort of afraid to read this one!

Kindle Freebies

Have a great week and leave a link to your post!

Review of Broken Harbour by Tana French

Publisher: Penguin
Series: Dublin Murder Squad #4
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Buying Links:  Amazon    Barnes & Noble    The Book Depository


Book Blurb (from goodreads): 

The mesmerizing fourth novel of the Dublin murder squad by New York Times bestselling author Tana French. 

Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy, the brash cop from Tana French’s bestselling Faithful Place, plays by the book and plays hard. That’s what’s made him the Murder squad’s top detective—and that’s what puts the biggest case of the year into his hands. 

 On one of the half-built, half-abandoned “luxury” developments that litter Ireland, Patrick Spain and his two young children are dead. His wife, Jenny, is in intensive care.

 At first, Scorcher and his rookie partner, Richie, think it’s going to be an easy solve. But too many small things can’t be explained. The half dozen baby monitors, their cameras pointing at holes smashed in the Spains’ walls. The files erased from the Spains’ computer. The story Jenny told her sister about a shadowy intruder who was slipping past all the locks. 

And Broken Harbor holds memories for Scorcher. Seeing the case on the news sends his sister Dina off the rails again, and she’s resurrecting something that Scorcher thought he had tightly under control: what happened to their family one summer at Broken Harbor, back when they were children. 

With her signature blend of police procedural and psychological thriller, French’s new novel goes full throttle with a heinous crime, creating her most complicated detective character and her best book yet.

Reviewed By: Bea

Bea's Thoughts: 

 I enjoy police procedurals though if the author isn’t careful they can take it too far and forget about the people part of the equation. Happily, French blends procedure with character development yet doesn’t get mawkish or sentimental. Her writing is direct, plain but not boring; she writes with enough detail to sketch out what’s happening or provide a visual but is spare enough for the reader to fill in. French goes further than just giving us the details of the investigation but digs deeper and examines the psychology of everyone involved. She brings to life the fears, hopes, dreams and beliefs of the cops, the victims, their friends, families and co-workers.

There’s a subplot involving Detective Kennedy and his sister which didn’t completely work for me but it did give us insight into “Scorcher” Kennedy and how events unfolded towards the end of the story. While I liked Kennedy, I really liked his rookie partner Richie and their developing relationship.

The story held my attention and kept me reading, even when they arrested a suspect about halfway through the book. I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. French introduced some twists and turns and red herrings that kept me guessing, even when I thought I knew where the story was going. It’s an intelligent, complex story that won’t leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy but if something were to happen to me, I’d want “Scorcher” Kennedy on my case.

I received a hardcover from the publisher for review.

This review was originally posted at BookTrib.

The Carpenter's Gift

Although I don't talk about it much on here, I'm a big supporter of Habitat for Humanity. I've volunteered with my local chapter off and on for about 15 years, as my health permits. If you're not familiar with Habitat, they are a global organization that believes every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe, and affordable place to live. While they are Christian based, they build with people in need regardless of race or religion. They accept volunteers and partner families regardless of religious affiliation.

I want to tell you about a children's book they have, "The Carpenter's Gift", published by Random House Children's Books, written by David Rubel and illustrated by Jim LaMerche. Originally issued in 2011, this year they are marking the 80th anniversary of the annual Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Later this year and next, there will be special efforts, currently unknown, made to highlight Habitat’s unique partnership with Rockefeller Center and their annual Christmas Tree donation to Habitat's housing ministry.

Author David Rubel and Habitat for Humanity International collaborated in the creation of "The Carpenter’s Gift", and the author shares a percentage of his earnings with Habitat. Habitat sees the lessons found within the book’s pages as an important way of conveying its mission. In the book, a pinecone grows into a towering tree and brings happiness to millions and a home to young girl. Similarly, Habitat’s hope is that The Carpenter’s Gift plants the concept of ‘sharing your blessings’ in the hearts of young readers. Families or individuals who want to support Habitat’s mission and make this special story even more memorable can order a unique collector’s item bookplate made from the 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree at www.habitat.org/thecarpentersgift.

This is a new to me book, though I have a couple others, adult not children, by them regarding their mission and their origins. I'm not trying to preach to anyone here; I am a big believer in all people having affordable, safe, decent housing and Habitat is one organization working towards that goal. I haven't gotten my hands on this book yet, but I will. We're going into a season of major religious holidays so please consider purchasing this book - for your family, your friends, your local school or your local library.

THE CARPENTER'S GIFT: A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree
Author: David Rubel
Illustrator: Jim LaMarche
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Ages: 5–8
Format: HARDCOVER, EBOOK
ISBN: 978-0-375-86922-8
Length: 48 pages

Book Blurb (from publisher):

This new classic Christmas gift book "brings together two great traditions: the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the neighbor-helping-neighbor program of Habitat for Humanity." Opening in Depression-era New York City, The Carpenter's Gift tells the story of eight-year-old Henry and his father selling Christmas trees. They give a Christmas tree to construction workers building Rockefeller Center and celebrate together. Through the kindness of the construction workers and neighbors, Henry gets his wish for a nice, warm home to replace his family's drafty shack. He plants a pinecone from that first Rockefeller Center Tree. As an old man, Henry repays the gift by donating the enormous tree that has grown from that pinecone. After bringing joy to thousands as the Rockefeller Center tree, its wood will be used to build a home for another family in need. 

You can buy the book directly from Habitat, from Random House or any major book seller. This will make a great gift, not only for the young children in your life but for anyone who cares about housing, tradition, or their fellow human being.

Guest Review of Blade Song by J.C. Daniels

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services Inc & Hydra Publications (depends on the format)
Series: Colbana Files #1
Release Date: August 1, 2012
Buying Links:  Amazon    Barnes & Noble   The Book Depository

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

Reviewed By: Mikel. Mikel is a friend of mine from the message board of Patricia Briggs. He was looking for a place to post this review and I happily offered him a space.


Mikel's Thoughts:

Firstly, this book is not for everyone. It is not Kate and Curran. It is not Anita and her entourage, nor is it Mercy and her pack of wolves. What it is however, is Mercy’s courage, Kate’s perseverance, and thankfully, none of Anita (No offense to Anita fans. Anita is not an easy act to want to follow).

 From the beginning I found myself drawn into how Kit Colbana, half breed Investigator thinks in this world where Non-Humans have their own law and order to keep themselves in check with the Humans. You get into the depth of her thoughts and fears and how they play into this world created by J.C. Daniels. The rules of the world are straight forward, don’t kill the Humans or the Humans will kill us by any means necessary. In Kit’s case, she is enough of a half breed, she is often mistaken as a human, which as an investigator can make her job both easier, and harder. This also leaves plenty of avenues for the author to explore as Kit can interact with the authorities for both the Non-Human and the Human laws, taking investigative jobs on both sides of the coin.

Kit herself is the product of her upbringing, in more ways than one. Her upbringing breeds her courage and her perseverance. Her drive to see things through because anything less was unacceptable to herself. No matter how much she just wanted to walk away and crawl into a hole. At the same time, that upbringing wants to make her go crawl in a hole, pull the world in after her and nuke the rest.

Kit is a character with flaws, real flaws that you can sink your teeth into. Flaws, that some of us out there can relate to on some level, and see how it could crop up at just the wrong time landing you flat on your butt with the bad guy laughing at you. To me it is a nice departure from the impervious protagonist. She doesn’t forget what she can do, and doesn’t change the rules just so she can get out of harm’s way. Though, having a very large, well-built solid hunk of pissed off Cat-Were as backup can lead you to dive in over your head, but at least you get the hangover later to remind you of what you did.

The introduction of other characters is done smoothly; with just enough info you can figure out who is going to be a bit player, and who is in for the long haul. Something I rather enjoy in books I know are going to be a series from the beginning, and believe me, once you’re done with this book, that tidbit of a taste is going to sit on your tongue like a fine piece of chocolate tempting you to take a bite of the next book in line.

 "Night Blade", the sequel cannot get here soon enough!  

3 out of 5 stars-Solid book, but could have been a bit longer, allowing for more investigative story time.

Mikel received a PDF for review from the author.

Dusty Reads link Up

Dusty Reads is a meme started by Giselle at Xpresso Reads featuring a book that has been sitting unread on your shelf for some time. Books don't have to be 'x' years old. If you've had the book for a few months without reading it, it's dusty! :D You can post on any day but Giselle and I usually post or put up a linky on Tuesdays. If you don't use the button, try to link back to this post or Giselle's so others will know how/where to link up. You can use the above button, the one below or create your own if you prefer.  

Amityville Horrible by Kelley Armstrong, A New Novella

Yes, Kelley has ANOTHER one. She is a busy lady and I love it. This is an Otherworld story featuring Jaime Vargas, the necromancer fans either love or hate. "Amityville Horrible" will be available as an ebook first, before the end of the year, with the hardcover to follow in January. Squee! However, the hardcover of"Amityville Horrible" will only be available as a signed, limited edition, with a much smaller print run than other novellas by Kelley, so don't delay if you're interested. It won't be available to large online retailers or wholesalers, so a direct order from Subterranean is your best bet. If you have a copy of Kelley's novella, "Forbidden" on order, they'll automatically match your number. The book is available for pre-order. There's no cover yet but according to the Subterranean Press site, the dust jacket and interior illustrations will be by Maurizio Manzieri. The ebook will be available from the same online vendors as Angelic, Counterfeit Magic and Hidden.


The blurb: Jaime Vegas—spiritualist, entertainer and, unbeknownst to her audience, real-life necromancer—swore she’d never do another reality ghost show after the last fiasco. But when she’s railroaded into a charity gig, she finds herself back on the set, this time with a cast of photogenic college kids, an up-and¬-coming Russian spiritualist, and a tale of missing girls and murder in New England. It’s cheesy, but that’s show business. With her werewolf Alpha lover, Jeremy Danvers, along to keep her nights interesting, it’s not so bad really. Until the bloody ghosts show up. Jaime has never faced spirits like these, and no matter how hard she tries, they won’t be ignored.

Run The Risk Book Trailer

Lori Foster has a new book that released in September. "Run The Risk" is the first in her new romantic suspense series, Love Undercover. On the 18th, I'll have a short Q&A with Lori and a brief excerpt from the book. In the meantime, here's a trailer to whet your appetite.