2 Quick Reviews

Almost done with my reviews for 2010. . . Just a few more.

Seven Up by Janet Evanovich is the seventh book in the Stephanie Plum series.  I do enjoy coming back to this series and hanging out with the characters for a few days.  In Seven Up, Stephanie is on the hunt for old Eddie DeChooch.  He's a slippery old guy who likes to shoot at Stephanie.  While looking for him, she has to locate her missing friends Dougie and Mooner.

It's a fun book, with a ton of humor and ridiculous situations.  It's exactly the kind of book to read when you just need to be entertained.  Plus there is the whole triangle between Stephanie, Morelli, and Ranger.  It just gets more intriguing.

Sugar Cookie Murder, by Joanne Fluke is part of a series but unfortunately I haven't read any of the other books.  I don't think I will either.  While I found parts of the book to be fun, the rest was just a little boring and didn't hold my interest. I was also surprised that the whole second half of the book was recipes!  They do look good so I'm going to keep the book!

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo, by Becca Fitzpatrick, is the sequel to Hush, Hush, which I reviewed in 2009.  In this sequel - which may be better than the original - Nora learns more about her family history and the death of her father.  The story begins with Nora and Patch happily dating although he is now her guardian angel.  He isn’t supposed to fall in love which causes a rift between the two.  

Nora begins to see her father - her dead father - and has strange dreams.  She becomes suspicious of a new guy in school and struggles with her lab partner in her summer school chemistry class.   

I enjoyed Crescendo, probably more than I did Hush, Hush.  I’m not sure I can explain why but I thought the story was richer.  I suppose it built on the story, as it should.  Both are good, exciting reads for teens (and adults like me).  I’m anxious for the next book as once again, we were left with a cliff hanger.  If you’ve started the series, I encourage you to continue it.   If you are new, make sure you pick up Hush, Hush first.

On Shadow Beach by Barbara Freethy

My mother is very picky about books, movies, etc.  When she likes something, I take notice.  She enjoyed On Shadow Beach, by Barbara Freethy, and I did too.  It's always nice to read a romance novel with some substance.  Solving a murder that took place thirteen years prior, is good substance, especially when you care about the characters and don't figure out who "did it" until the end of the book.  I didn't even read ahead!  That's an accomplishment for me.

Lauren returns to Angel's Bay thirteen years after her sister was violently murdered.  Lauren had turned her back on the town and the people in it, including her father and her ex-boyfriend, Shane.   When Lauren and Shane meet again, their old attraction remains, despite the rift between them, and the lingering suspicion that he had something to do with Abby's death.  They join forces to finally solve Abby's murder and clear Shane's name.

The book was a quick and very satisfying read.  I found out later that it is the second in a series which upsets me because I'm very linear in my thinking.  I don't like reading books out of order!  That being said, I will definitely be looking for the first book and will continue the series.  I'm excited to find a new author that I enjoy!

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

I've got a good book to review for you today! Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, is a great new young adult book. At first glance I expected to compare it to Twilight. A mysterious biology partner, danger, romance. Sound familiar? Once you get going, it won't. Hush, Hush is a slightly supernatural thriller that is still based in the real world. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

Nora is a high school student who lives a fairly normal life. She is very independent as her mother works away from home a great deal. Her father was murdered a year before the story starts. When she is paired with the mysterious Patch in her biology class, she is immediately torn between interest and fear. When Nora starts experiencing unexplained threats on her life, she finds herself turning to Patch, even though she suspects he is behind some of it. As the pieces fall into place she discovers that the reality of Patch is far beyond what she could have ever expected.

Once the action starts, the book moves very quickly. I wanted to keep turning the page to find out who or what exactly Patch was and who wanted to kill her. I found the truth to be very intriguing and different from other subjects I've read before. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action, romance and a bit of supernatural mystery. As it's written for young adults, it is appropriate for teens and up. Enjoy!

Hush, Hush is set to release in October.