Mini Review: Twisted by Laura Griffin

Twisted (Tracers #5)
Author: Laura Griffin
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Star Books
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin chills with her newest novel of suspense and romance in the award-winning Tracers series, when a woman police detective in a small Texas town discovers that the only thing more terrifying than a killer you don’t know . . . is the one you do.

Motive, opportunity, and no alibi—it seems close to a slam-dunk. But while rookie detective Allison Doyle’s department has ID’d a suspect in a young woman’s vicious murder, she is uneasy. Then legendary FBI profiler Mark Wolfe shows up with a startling theory: if he’s right, the real murderer is an elusive psychopath just days away from another kill.

Using Allison’s contacts at the Delphi Center crime lab, Wolfe is finally in striking distance of the monster he’s pursued for ten years. Except that as they work together, Wolfe finds the ambitious, stubborn woman a tempting distraction. And with this brutal predator, every thread of evidence can make the difference between being the hunter . . . and the prey.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

Laura Griffin has me hooked on her books. Every time I pick up one of her stories, I can and have to sit down for a few hours and finish it in one sitting. She hooks me with her story telling and her characters and I am unable to let go of the story until I'm done with it. The same thing happened with Twisted and it's characters.

Twisted follows rookie detective Allison Doyle and FBI veteran Mark Wolfe. Their differences are striking so sometimes they would both stubborn and it was interesting in reading then trying to find common ground. Like all the previous books in the Tracers series, Twisted's serial killer is horrific and scary and the case scares me to the bone. Also, the romance is slow burn just like the rest in the series.

Laura Griffin has a set formula that I love so I just gobbled up Twisted. Can't wait to read the next book.

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Mini Review: Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich

Sizzling Sixteen
(Stephanie Plum #16)
Author: Janet Evanovich
Release Date: June 22, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

IT’S DANGEROUS TO OWE MONEY TO A MOBSTER…

Stephanie Plum’s no-good cousin and boss, Vinnie, has been kidnapped over gambling debts – and if there’s no Vinnie, that means she’s out of a job. But until the bonds office closes, she’s got bounty hunting to do.

Can they find Vinnie in time? Will the bonds office be able to raise enough money to cover Vinnie’s debt? And exactly how much fried chicken does a guard-gator named Mr. Jingles eat?

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

It had been years since I'd last read a Stephanie Plum novel. So it was a treat catching up with Stephanie and the gang. Stephanie is still hilariously going after people as a bounty hunter and getting herself in situations that doesn't make any sense. This time, her antics are helped by Lula and Connie in their attempt in finding Vinnie

Like always, Janet Evanovich has me chuckling at the shenanigans she puts Stephanie in and wondering what else can go wrong before she finally puts a case to rest. I'm a little sad I didn't get more Joe Morelli and/or Ranger book time, especially Ranger. Whenever those two come in contact with Stephanie, the tension, both sexual and non-sexual is always off the charts.

Off to book seventeen!

Favorites quotes from Sizzling Sixteen:

“Ranger sent us to check on you," Hal said. "We just got here, and we heard shots."
"Some moron ate my jelly doughnut," Lula said. "So I shot him.” - Janet Evanovich, Sizzling Sixteen

“Are we fighting?" I asked Morelli.
"No. Were discussing."
"Are you sure?"
"Am I yelling?" Morelli asked. "Is my face purple? Are the cords on my neck standing out? Am I waving my arms around?"
"No."
"The were not fighting.” - Janet Evanovich, Sizzling Sixteen

“What time is it?" Lula asked. "I might need a doughnut. Is it doughnut time?"
"I'm thinking about eating healthier," I said. "More vegetables and fewer doughnuts."
"What's that about?"
"I don't know. It just came over me."
"It's a bad idea. What do I look like, Mr. Green Jeans? How would it sound if I said it's vegetable time? People would think I was a nut. Nobody gets a craving for a vegetable. And I'm the one on the diet. What am I gonna do with one carrot or one asparagus? They are not mood enhancers, if you see what I'm saying."
"I see what you're saying, but there aren't any doughnuts between here and Ernie's house."
"I guess I could wait. And maybe you're right about the healthy eating. I'm gonna get a carrot cake doughnut.”- Janet Evanovich, Sizzling Sixteen

DNF Review: How to Fall by Jane Casey

How to Fall
(Jess Tennant #1)
Author: Jane Casey
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Source: NetGalley
Review by: Jenn

Sixteen-year-old Jess Tennant has never met any of her relatives, until her mom suddenly drags her out of London to spend the summer in the tiny English town where her family’s from. Her mom’s decision is surprising, but even more surprising is the town’s reaction to Jess. Everywhere she goes, people look at her like they’ve seen a ghost. In a way, they have—she looks just like her cousin Freya, who died shortly before Jess came to town.

Jess immediately feels a strange connection to Freya, whom she never got to meet alive. But the more Jess learns about the secrets Freya was keeping while she was alive, the more suspicious Freya’s death starts to look. One thing is for sure: this will be anything but the safe, boring summer in the country Jess was expecting.

1 stars out of 5 stars

***This is a Did Not Finish review. These are my thoughts of up what I was able to read.***

I was really excited about starting this book. I read the synopsis and I was really happy when I was approved for this title on NetGalley but unfortunately, I just couldn't click with it.

I had a hard time clicking with the main character, Jess, and there were so many occasion where I found myself rolling my eyes at her internal thoughts. I also could not see her fascination with trying to find out whether her cousin's death was accidental or not. I just didn't feel that connection that Jess feels towards Freya and just had to stop. I found myself skimming a lot and I realized early on, that I just couldn't find myself to become invested in story. It was at that point that I decided to just give up on the story.

Maybe it was just me but I was disappointed that this book was a let down. Hopefully there are some other readers out there that enjoys it a lot more than I did.

Review: My Last Kiss by Bethany Neal

My Last Kiss
Author: Bethany Neal
Release Date: June 10, 2014
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Source: NetGalley
Review by: Jenn

What if your last kiss was with the wrong boy?
Cassidy Haines remembers her first kiss vividly. It was on the old covered bridge the summer before her freshman year with her boyfriend of three years, Ethan Keys. But her last kiss—the one she shared with someone at her seventeenth birthday party the night she died—is a blur. Now, Cassidy is trapped in the living world, not only mourning the loss of her human body, but left with the grim suspicion that her untimely death wasn’t a suicide as everyone assumes. She can’t remember anything from the weeks leading up to her birthday and she’s worried that she may have betrayed her boyfriend. If Cassidy is to uncover the truth about that fateful night and make amends with the only boy she’ll ever love, she must face her past and all the decisions she made—good and bad—that led to her last kiss.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

All I had to do was read the prologue and the first chapter of My Last Kiss and I was immediately hooked. I was a little teary eyed at the beginning, but then I was just curious to find out what happened to our main character, Cassidy. I had several theories on what really happened to Cassidy, so I was eager to see how the story would play out. 

Cassidy's life is over but she has no memories as to what happened to her. Every one is saying she committed suicide but she can't believe that she would end her life. She tries to learn what happened but realizes that the truth might be scarier than she truly thought possible. She's faced with secrets from every angle, her best friends, her boyfriend, and even herself. Watching (or in this case, reading) it all come together was eye-opening because I didn't really see it coming. 

By the end of the book, all my theories were proved wrong and I have to say that it made me even sadder. I won't spoil the ending, but the truth of Cassidy's death is heart breaking but not as much as the real reason why she is still around. That completely shook me to the core. Although, I'm glad, in a way, to say that I was proved wrong. 

I really enjoyed reading My Last Kiss. It has such an interesting premise but the ending is what made it even better for me. The ending was so touching and I loved how Bethany Neal managed to really drive home the reason why. Kudos to Ms. Neal for that.

Review: Knowing You by Allie Everhart

Knowing You (The Jade Series #2)
Author: Allie Everhart
Release Date: November 1, 2013
Publisher: Waltham Publishing
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Nahomi

Now that Garret’s decided he’s no longer following the rules of his wealthy family, he can finally develop a closer relationship with Jade. Things are going well, but Jade still worries that being with Garret is only temporary. And because of that, she’s not sure how much of herself and her past she’s willing to let him see.

Garret does all he can to assure Jade that the two of them can last, but convincing her of that is difficult when she’s never trusted anyone. So he has to show her, by being there when she needs him the most, even when she tries to keep him away.

The mysterious letter from Jade’s mom still haunts her and now she’s getting threatening phone calls. Someone from Jade’s past will stop at nothing to keep his secrets from getting out. And his number one secret is Jade.

5 stars out of 5 stars

       I absolutely love Knowing You! I pretty much love every aspect of this book from beginning to end. After Choosing You I needed to know what happened to Jade and Garret so I immediately went out and bought Knowing You and within minutes I was in deep. I finished this book in less than a day because I couldn't get myself to put it down and be a productive member of society.

The progression of Jade and Garrets relationship is so sweet. Garret is by far one of my favorite leading men. He is sweet and persistent and super-hot, like melt the polar ice cap hot. *fans self* There are so many swoon worthy moment in this book, you just have to read it for yourself and experience it. Jade's character growth is subtle but as I read the book I definitely noticed the difference from the Jade we saw in Choosing You.

There were parts of this story that were totally creepy and others that had me hyperventilating because I couldn't read fast enough to see what would happen. HOLY CANNOLI! I didn't see the plot twists coming. I was surprised and intrigued by the turn of events in this installment of the series.

This story is very well written. Allie Everhart does a phenomenal job keeping the mystery going while incorporating forbidden love, romance, and friendship all together. This is fast becoming one of my favorite series. I can't wait to see what Loving You has in store for me!