Recent Book Reviews and Recommendations

Kevin Turner is a reporter on the run from...Yikes! Zombies. As if the world isn't weird enough, this author creatively invents a horrific setting full of human ‘shells’ that/who(?) follow him to the Gerald Ford school where his wife works and a church where he intends to find solace, only to end up at the police station where Detective Lawrence wants to know what’s going on. The flashbacks and memories kind of tangle with the action but the characterizations and descriptions are great. Fast paced and graphic, it’s not the stuff I normally read but someone recommended it and I’m glad to have read it. For some strange reason my favorite part had to do with a giant burrito. Perhaps recalling my own days at a newspaper when I had to hurry in to a store for lunch, grab a burrito and eat it in my car before deadline. Something about deadlines does sound zombie-ish and the terror of missing a deadline is worse than any growling hunger. Anyway, that part made me chuckle and sympathize with Kevin. I liked this book but it seriously gave me nightmares.
						17 used & new from $2.84
Perhaps I’m late in the game having finally read  JackLondon’s storyWhite Fang and yet I feel that now that I’m older I appreciate the hardship this combination wolf /dog endured. White Fang’s trials are interpreted with eloquent, yet graphic detail. The miraculous transformation is almost mortifying for the proud son of a she-wolf. Lured into many bloody battles, the story winds from Northern tundra, to forest, camp, river, cabin and finally a stately home in California.... London’s instincts and soulful accounts of feelings, dreams and travel from White Fang’s perspective made me reflect on my own rescue dogs and how they must have felt when they faced commonplace situations and obstacles in their lives. If you are a dog lover, then you owe it to yourself to read this book!
						10 used & new from $7.40
Eula May is in big trouble and every chapter will make you want to find out how she’s going to get out of that trouble. Just when you think,  you've solved the crime in your head there’s another twist to the story and pretty soon, you feel like you’re playing Clue and losing,  all while having a great time. This is Amy Fremgen’s first novel and I have to say it’s well written and hilarious. If you enjoy the classic who-done-it, interspersed with a lot of humor, you’ll love this book just like I did. I recommend it highly!!
The story starts out with the characters literally being  tossed together during a California earthquake, while riding in an elevator. After they're rescued,  the story gets pretty steamy and they come face to face  with some major issues involving trust. Once I got past what I personally thought sounded juvenile--things like `popped my cherry' and `boy toy'--I tried to understand the writer's focus about psychology and how important therapy can be to people who have suffered abuse. It's a good message--but back to the story:  Will Tristan go back to his prostitutes? Will Joanne run into Michael's arms while at the conference and forget about Tristan and his insecurity? Read Love Shakes and find out!
This book surprised me with tons of resources, links and fabulous advice for teaching children not only how to learn but to have fun while learning. At first, I thought it was going to be about home schooling but instead it was a plethora of parties, games  and hot chocolate, crafted to be less about the classroom and more about the family. The author takes a monthly look at all the possibilities that might intertwine with the lessons taught at school and  embellishes the teacher’s groundwork with deeper questions and fun projects that even the parent’s will enjoy. It’s about how to keep children engaged, entertained and interested in reading, learning and spending time with others. If you know a parent who worries about video games and mobile apps taking control of their child, then you need to get them this book right now!
She’s a crime reporter turned consultant. She lives in a seaside condominium and dresses in khaki pants when her boyfriend’s out of town. Of course, when he’s around she’s wearing something sheer but not for long.  After all, he’s a very busy, good-looking photographer who can skip out in a heartbeat. Thank God, he’s in love. Meanwhile, Marcy is the coolest chick in literature—kind of a female and very perceptive, Clint Eastwood. Billington writes this character as if he knows women inside and out--not just any woman--  but the tough and beautiful kind that get things done. If you enjoy exciting stories with  mounting suspense then you’ll love Corpus Delectable. Reminded me of those puzzles where you connect all the dots.  There’s a lot going on and a lot of dots but Marcy plans on stringing everything together so she can figure things out. When her friend,  a restaurateur by the name of Paul, goes to jail for a crime he couldn't possibly have committed, Marcy becomes ‘Dirty Harry in a dress.’ Well almost.  She’s asking a lot of questions and getting  deeper and deeper into a dangerous situation.  Will she figure out what happened? Will she live through this ordeal? Billington pulls you into this mystery until you’re worried sick about Marcy. I loved the author’s smooth and easy writing style and dragged  it out as long as I could,  but alas, the book ended and now I know what happened and since you don’t, I recommend you order your copy today!
Have you ever started a great book and thought, “I’m not sure I’m going to like this?” Maybe it was the use of the first person or the fact that it seemed too familiar. Was I scared? The author begins the tension slowly with detailed  descriptions of the main character’s daily routine, her friends and her volunteer work. Very cleverly, her book pulled me right back into high school,reminding me of my own volunteer work and my own rotten boyfriends. In other words, I connected with Miss Williby’s character. Furthermore, my wonderful husband swears he saw me in his dreams, as a young man and knew he had to find me!  Miss Williby’s writing is so believable that I could feel the emotion and her pain. Every time I came to the word “I,” it made me worry. No, it’s not me but could it...no, don’t worry...yet still...wow.  Perhaps that’s how I define great writing. It became apparent that I LOVED this book and looked forward to reading more.  The more I loved the book, the more I hated the boyfriends. I’m still mystified about Jack and perplexed about Jim/ Chris. Truth is I still don’t trust Chris but Tessina did—big time—in fact, those are some embarrassingly juicy love scenes. Meanwhile, it looks like there are sequels that will hopefully answer some of the lingering questions about her parents and the biological tampering.  When the end rolls around you’ll be out of breath! What will Tessina do next? Will love survive?
(These reviews can also be found on Amazon where  you can purchase any of these wonderful books!)