Tuesday, January 8, 2013

First Chapter Review: Evil Water by Inger Wolf


The first chapter of this crime/mystery novel was submitted by the publisher. Inger Wolf is a Danish crime writer. Evil Water was recently translated into English and is available as a Kindle version.

BLURB:  Two women disappear without a trace, and the same autumn a farmer on the outskirts of Århus finds them murdered in suitcases under a heap of stone. The skin of one woman is filled with the letter Y and the other has a rare flower in her hair. Inspector Daniel Trokic is leading the case which goes in several directions: to a tribal population in Africa, religious insanity and a horrifying meeting with leeches. When a third woman disappears, Trokic is under pressure to find out what the killer wants to say with his macabre scenery and rituals.

COVER: The red and white are a fabulous contrast against the black cover. The red water speaks to something the reader gets a glimpse of in the Prologue, even if it doesn't make sense yet. This cover definitely catches the eye.

FIRST CHAPTER: Inspector Daniel Trokic is investigating the murder of two young women found on a farmer's property. Trokic is questioning elderly farmer Jørgen Viuff about the discovery. It's a tense meeting and Viuff is less than cooperative.

KEEP READING: I'm definitely intrigued. I found the Prologue a bit confusing, but that could be intentional. No need to give away too much information before the book even gets started. It's not known how much we will see Jørgen Viuff and his wife in the story, but since the women's bodies are discovered at the edge of his property, he's of interest to the inspector.

Wolf does a great job of setting up the characters right away. You see their personalities; get a glimpse into their quirks and how Jørgen and his wife live. Wolf provides enough information in this opening chapter to whet the appetite without giving too much away. If I weren't already overcommitted and late with reviews, I would request the full book. Between the synopsis and this first chapter, I sure want to know how the story unfolds.


  • File Size: 683 KB
  • Publisher: Black Cat Edition (December 15, 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00AP6AMRA 
  • SRP: $7.99
I received the first chapter of the book from the publisher. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, for which I was not compensated in any way.


Monday, January 7, 2013

New Releases to Look Forward To

A new year brings with it new releases. Here are some upcoming books I'm looking forward to reading this year.


"Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner."

Coming in February!



"For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles's assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.

Drawing on the rich history of the twentieth century—from the late twenties to the mid-sixties—and featuring cameos from such notable characters as Joseph Kennedy and Amelia Earhart, The Aviator's Wife is a vividly imagined novel of a complicated marriage—revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows. With stunning power and grace, Melanie Benjamin provides new insight into what made this remarkable relationship endure."

Coming January 15th!





"Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of lovable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want.

No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir-this time, Hale might be the mark.

Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy."

Coming in February!





"Orphaned after the death of her mother, eighteen-year-old Esther Chambers heads west in search of her only living relative. In the lawless frontier town of Century, Oregon, she’s met by her distant cousin, a laconic cattle rancher named Ferris Pickett. Pick leads her to a tiny cabin by a small lake called Half-a-Mind, and there she begins her new life as a homesteader. If she can hold out for five years, the land will join Pick’s already impressive spread. But Esther discovers that this town on the edge of civilization is in the midst of a range war. There’s plenty of land, but somehow it is not enough for the ranchers—it’s cattle against sheep, with water at a premium. In this charged climate, small incidents of violence swiftly escalate, and Esther finds her sympathies divided between her cousin and a sheepherder named Ben Cruff, a sworn enemy of the cattle ranchers. As her feelings for Ben and for her land grow, she begins to see she can’t be loyal to both. Little Century maps our country’s cutthroat legacy of dispossession and greed, even as it celebrates the ecstatic visions of what America could become."

Coming in July!





"Winter 1554. Brendan Prescott, spymaster to the Princess Elizabeth, has discovered that he is connected to the Tudors by blood as well as allegiance. Though his secret is known only by a few, it could be his downfall as he is called to London to protect the princess. Accompanied by his young squire Peregrine, he reluctantly leaves his sweetheart Kate behind - but in the city he discovers that no one is quite what they seem. What fate does Queen Mary intend for her sister? Is Robert Dudley somehow manipulating the princess, even though he is locked in the Tower? And should Brendan trust the alluring Sybilla, Mary's lady-in-waiting, who professes to be on his side? As he tries to unravel the mysteries of the Tudor court Brendan's life will be put in danger many times, and along the way he learns more about his own past."

Coming in July!

What upcoming releases are you eager to read?

Friday, January 4, 2013

First Chapter Review: The Wizard of OZ: A Steampunk Adventure by S.D. Stuart



I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the author. The Wizard of OZ: A Steampunk Adventure by S.D. Stuart will be released this month.

BLURB: In his introduction to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum wrote that he created his story as a modernized fairy tale to appeal to the children of his time. Under this same inspiration, The Wizard of OZ: A Steampunk Adventure is a science fiction re-imagining of L. Frank Baum's classic; for children of all ages of my time.

Searching for her father, Dorothy crashes her airship into the Outcast Zone. The OZ, an inescapable prison, was specifically created to hold the most terrifying criminal the world had ever seen. A psychopath, dubbed The Wizard by an overzealous media, who broke out of every prison that tried to contain him. Until now. If Dorothy has any hope of escaping from the most dangerous place on earth, she must seek out The Wizard of OZ. But can she afford the price he will demand in exchange for his help?

COVER: Again, I am amazed because I love this cover, despite not being a fan of the genre. It has a science fiction feel to it, but the necklace is what truly captures the eye. After reading the first chapter, however, I am a tiny bit confused. If this is Dorothy on the cover, why does she look like an adult? Maybe it will be made clearer as I continue reading, but right now, a bare shoulder on a girl who is only ten in the opening chapter and who on this cover looks more like nineteen is disturbing to me.

FIRST CHAPTER: Professor Benjamin Gale is dressing for his appearance before the Council to request them to allocate money in the annual budget for his proposal. He quickly meets with resistance from Council members who are determined to place the inescapable Australis Penal Colony under inmate control, making them totally independent with no overseer.

Professor Gale's daughter, Dorothy, is hopeful the Council will approve her father's request, so that he will be in a good mood and allow her to continue her education close to home in America instead of attending a boarding school abroad. Armed thugs quickly make school the least of her worries, when they abscond with her father and injure her mother. She must search for her father alone, hoping the special gift he gave her will help.

KEEP READING: Oh my gosh, yes! The opening chapter of this novel has totally captivated me. Considering it is in a genre I would never think to read, I'm thrilled the author offered me a free copy of the book. I might never have discovered it otherwise.

I have to admit to a tiny bit of confusion trying to figure out time and place as the story opened, but pinpointing that quickly became irrelevant because I was so engrossed in this unique plot with its wonderful characters. Stuart moves swiftly to define each person, creating a desire in the reader to know more. And the superb cliffhanger ending is definitely a way to compel readers to move forward.

I'm excited about this one.

I received a free e-copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in anyway.


Thursday, January 3, 2013

The Book Connection's Best Books of 2012



It's time to list my top ten favorite books of the year. My taste in books remains fairly consistent, with mysteries, Christian fiction, thrillers, and historicals being my favorites. This year, I expanded a bit to include Amish fiction to my regular reads, and branched out to read dystopian fiction, a speculative fiction book and a space western novella. I should note, this list only contains fiction.  Though I did have a few non-fiction favorites, There wasn't enough for a complete list.

The Best Books of 2012

10. Best Seller by Timothy Sagges

9. For Love of Sarah by Hazel Statham

8. Raging Water by Marilyn Meredith

7. Nicholas by Cheryl Holt

6. Act of Grace by Karen Simpson

5. Forever Young: Blessing or Curse by Morgan Mandel

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

3. Sea Change by Karen White

2. Unexpected Christmas Hero by Kathi Macias

1. Defending Jacob by William Landay



Honorable mentions in no order:

No Bells by F. M. Meredith

Special Delivery and The Deliverer by Kathi Macias

Abby Finds Her Calling by Naomi King

Executive Actions and Executive Treason by Gary Grossman

Attorney-Client Privilege by Pamela Samuels Young

Summer of Secrets by Charlotte Hubbard




Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Book Review: Last of the Seals by Greg Messel

A tale of mystery, romance, and baseball comes to you from the pen of Greg Messel.

It's 1957. Sam Slater is a minor league baseball player for the San Francisco Seals. But his time as a baseball player is almost done. This is the Seals' last season before San Francisco becomes a major league town and welcomes the Giants.

The plan is for Sam to join his friend Jimmy's private detective agency. When Jimmy is murdered, Sam must figure out why. Along the way, he meets beautiful TWA stewardess, Amelia Ryan. Together they work to solve the mystery behind Jimmy's death. The discovery of a young woman's body on the beach brings new dangers, along with new twists and turns.

In Last of the Seals, author Greg Messel uses historical photos to complement an engaging story filled with mystery, romance, and baseball. Already needing to cope with the end of his baseball career, Sam must figure out why Jimmy was murdered. He has no experience as a private investigator, and was planning on having Jimmy's help to learn the ropes. Now, he's forced to go it alone.

Then walks in Amelia Ryan. An Elvis-obsessed TWA stewardess. A beautiful bombshell, she immediately catches Sam's eye, and soon their romance is in full swing. But Amelia is more than a pretty face. She has a knack for getting information from people.

In addition to the two main characters, Sam's cop buddy Vince, Amelia's family, the Steeles, who hire Sam to locate their missing daughter, Jimmy's widow and young son, and Jimmy's assistant Janet, all blend into the storyline to create a cast of people you want to know better.

Messel is obviously knowledgeable about the time period, the area in which the book is set, and baseball, which is definitely a strength in Last of the Seals. This is a very plot-driven novel, so character-driven readers might be at a disadvantage. While the characters are well-developed, you really don't get inside their heads as much as you would if the characters propelled the story along.

There are a couple of things that nagged me. The first is that the investigation into Jimmy's murder doesn't seem to be as much of a focus for Sam as I thought it would be. Granted, when it happens, he's still playing for the Seals, so the amount of time he can dedicate to the investigation is limited, but he doesn't seem passionate about figuring out what happened to his best friend. When I consider other murder mysteries where a best friend investigates a murder, they are driven to uncover what happened. Sam takes on an additional case while he's tracking down Jimmy's murderer. And, his blossoming relationship with Amelia proves to be a distraction. It gave me the feeling that solving Jimmy's murder was just one line item on Sam's to-do list instead of seeing Sam as a hurting best friend who needs to know why anyone would kill Jimmy.

The other thing I found odd about how the storyline evolved was that in some ways this felt more like a cozy mystery than a detective novel. Maybe I've watched too much Magnum P.I. and Rockford Files, but the main character is always in the middle of catching the bad guy. In Last of the Seals, Sam figures out who killed Jimmy, but then takes off with Amelia to stay out of danger. Even elderly Mrs. Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote was in the middle of the melee most of the time. In the secondary investigation Sam was more hands-on, so that helped round out the plot.

Overall, I enjoyed Last of the Seals, and look forward to reviewing Deadly Plunge, the second Sam Slater novel, later in the month.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF LAST OF THE SEALS AT:

AMAZON
BARNES AND NOBLE

I received a free paperback copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.




Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Gathering Strength by Peggy Kelsey

Gathering Strength: Conversations with Afghan Women offers remarkable, sometimes hard-hitting stories of courage and survival, and will help readers make sense of seemingly intractable social issues in a similarly intractable nation. Dynamic, candid photographs reveal the infinite variety of women who are too often portrayed as a homogenous mass. Who are some of the women you will discover in Gathering Strength? Human rights activists, educators, artists, refugees, midwives, businesswomen, athletes, a pilgrim to Mecca, parliamentarians, the elderly, students, and others such as:

Najia, a nurse during the Taliban era who later started her own business,
Hador, who set her rapist cousin on fire and went to prison,
Tajwar, a leader of the Afghan women's resistance during the Soviet occupation.


Pre-Pub Endorsements

Peggy Kelsey’s book gives voice to the struggles, sacrifices, and hopes of a remarkable cast of Afghan women. This illuminating and moving collection of interviews is a testament to the courage and resilience of women who collectively yearn to rebuild their war-torn nation and for the freedom to choose the course of their own lives.
- Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns

Everything you need to know about the current situation of women in Afghanistan you will find in Peggy Kelsey’s book, through the voices of the women themselves.
This work is a first-rate lesson in the complexity of the problems Afghan women face and of their unstoppable resolve.
- Mavis Leno, Feminist Majority Foundation

This is one of the first [books] I’ve seen that lets us hear Afghan women speaking for themselves. The range and diversity of its subjects make this a comprehensive look at Afghanistan through the eyes of its women. I hope Kelsey will not be the last to walk through the door she has opened.
- Tamim Ansary, author of Games Without Rules, The Often Interrupted History of Afghanistan

Gathering Strength: Conversations with Afghan Women reminds us of how valuable it is to hear fresh voices tell the story of a country ravaged by four decades of war. Peggy Kelsey’s own engaging memoir helps us see why she is so curious about Afghan women. Her determination to illustrate the stories of various women by pursuing conversations with them allows us to approach unusual and surprising settings. This is an ideal book for students and teachers who want to learn about war and peace in Afghanistan from an informed, caring and profoundly thoughtful perspective.
- Kathy Kelly, Co-Coordinator, Voices for Creative Nonviolence




Amazon buy link:
http://tinyurl.com/ae336ds


Peggy Kelsey is a professional photographer and founder of the Afghan Women's Project. She traveled to Afghanistan in 2003 and 2010 to photograph and interview women and bring a wider, more nuanced view of Afghan women to Western audiences. She now shares her slide presentations and photo exhibit around the world.

The book’s website is www.kelseys.net/afghan-womens-project/the-book.
The author's biography is at http://www.kelseys.net/about.



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Tuesday, January 1, 2013