Review: Windy City Blues by Marc Krulewitch

Windy City Blues

by Marc Krulewitch

Publisher: Alibi

Pages: 254

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Jules Landau feels right at home in the ethnic stew of the Windy City, where he’s indebted to the hopes and schemes of his criminal ancestors. Street-smart and college-educated, Jules wants nothing more than to go straight and atone for his family’s past. But when he investigates a horrific killing, Jules uncovers a hidden world of lucrative corruption.
 
Jack Gelashvili had his head bashed in and no one knows why. The most obvious answer is that he was a parking cop, a universally loathed job—especially in Chicago. Turns out there’s a lot of money to be made on expired meters, and when Jules starts making noise, he starts making enemies—from the head of a media empire to the mastermind of a prostitution ring. When rumors of bloodthirsty Mob connections arise, Jack’s gorgeous cousin Tamar objects, and Jules is increasingly swayed by the logic and charms of the sexy baker. Following this beautiful woman into the cloistered world of Georgian immigrants, Jules brings his hunches, his family connections, and his gun. But he’s just one man against a pack of criminals with a million reasons to shoot first.


Kritters Thoughts:  Jules Landau is back and is called into another murder investigation against the advisement of his father.  This investigation gives him a new view of Chicago and maybe not the prettiest side of the city!  With parking officers, billionaires, money and prostitution the amount of work that went into this investigation was quite large.

I have only visited Chicago a few times, but both times that I finished Marc Krulewitch's books I have wanted to make a return trip to see the things he describes in his books.  I could feel the grittiness of the city and the neighborhoods that Jules Landau ends up in.  I loved also seeing the business buildings and the relationship between the working class and the banking folk.  

The amount of characters and their interconnectedness in this book was insanely confusing and at times I had a hard time keeping up with Jules.  Thankfully he repeated his findings to other characters and that helped me get the story.  

The second in a series, but this is one of those series that you don't have to read them in a row as each book is mostly self contained and each book is a new investigation that will be solved within. 


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 73 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Undertaking of Tess by Lesley Kagen

The Undertaking of Tess

by Lesley Kagen

Publisher: SparkPress

Pages: 118

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  During the summer of 1959, ten-year-old Theresa “Tessie” Finley has her work cut out for her. Not only is she attempting to come to grips with the devastating loss and guilt she feels after she witnessed her father’s drowning, but her kid sister, Birdie, refuses to believe that their beloved Daddy is really gone. Tessie needs to make sure that she does before their Mom gets wind of how much “weirder” her sister’s getting. Stronger, and more down to Earth than ethereal Birdie, she’s always watched over her sister, so it’s only natural for her to come up with a plan that she jots down on one of her never-ending TO-DO LISTS. If Tessie can’t achieve her goals, she’s desperately worried that the beautiful, but self-occupied Louise, might send emotionally fragile Birdie to the county insane asylum.

Her daddy always told her, “A Finley never throws in the towel,” so more than anything Tess wants to make him proud, but despite her resourcefulness and grit, she’s smart enough to know that the odds are stacked against her and her time is running out.


Kritters Thoughts:  A prequel novella that comes before the book I will be reviewing later today.  The reader is introduced to two sisters - Birdie and Tess as children before a major life event occurs that will send their childhoods into a tail spin.  Both girls are affected by this event and will react in different ways.

I enjoyed the introduction to the girls knowing that I would have a whole book to follow with a story, so it was nice to start in their childhood.  I would have loved to learn a little more about their mother, but it was obvious that her absence was a part of the story.  I just wanted more!

The narration was interesting and continued to the full novel, so I will talk more about that later today.

As a concept I like prequel novellas, but I definitely like to read them before I dive into the book and/or series.  


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 72 out of 100

Review: Outrageous Optimist by Lyne Noella

Outrageous Optimist

by Lyne Noella

Publisher: WavePlay

Pages: 327

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Outrageous Optimist is the story of family, friendship, romance, failure and fresh starts. Lisette Latour shutters her San Francisco marketing agency and returns to Playa Tiempo to regroup after over-investing in Silicon Valley startups. While applying for work, Lisette discovers that her San Diego County hometown has blossomed in her absence, with citizens as creative and unorthodox as those she left behind in San Francisco. An exploding microbrewery scene, a handsome but elusive attorney, clean skies and intrigue beguile Lisette, making it difficult to choose between family and friends in Playa Tiempo and the opportunities and lifestyle of the big city.


Kritters Thoughts:  Lisette has left San Francisco to go back to her home town regroup and decide what is next for her.  She closed her own marketing agency and isn't quite sure what is next on her plate.  Thankfully her sister has a house for her to stay in and a lead or two on some temporary work that will keep her going while she looks for her next move.  

A slow start for me, but once the book got going it went fast!  It is like a coming of age for the after mid life crisis group of people.  I loved that this book concentrated on Lisette's pursuit of career and love came alongside.  It was nice for a contemporary fiction book to not completely focus on her sad love life.  

Before you judge, I didn't love the title or cover, so don't judge this book by its cover or title.  


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 68 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Thursday Night Club by Steven Manchester

The Thursday Night Club

by Steven Manchester

Publisher: The Story Plant

Pages: 152

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Five college friends, three men and two women, have been getting together every Thursday night to share humble meals and an abundance of laughter. But when tragedy takes one of them, leaving the others to question the fairness of life, the Thursday Night Club decides to embark on a contest in the memory of the generous spirit of their fallen brother. The objective of the contest is simple: whoever performs the kindest deed by Christmas night wins the pot – four quarters. And there are only two conditions: the benevolent deed must be anonymous, and it cannot cost a single penny to pull off.

As the four friends undertake the contest, the healing begins and they become inspired beyond their expectations. There might be a winner in this competition, but it is very clear there will be no losers.


Kritters Thoughts:  A short novella that takes the reader on a great ride in just a few pages.  Five college friends are in their senior year and the boys decide that they will try to out prank each other.  In the middle of the game, a tragedy occurs and the friends must take the game in a new direction.

Most books concentrate on one gender or another and if both genders are involved someone is in love - not so with this book, it was great to see a group of friends who were just friends and just enjoyed each other's company.  This book took me immediately back to my senior year of high school and that year where you are starting to change from a student to a full fledge adult and reminded me about the people that were there at that time.  

Steven Manchester was already an author that I completely adored and this novella is perfect to curl up with in the middle of the holiday hub bub.  If you haven't read a Steven Manchester book, try this one and then keep reading through his catalog - you won't be disappointed!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 67 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Inviting Fire by Emily Kimelman

Inviting Fire

by Emily Kimelman

Pages: 218

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Recovering from a near fatal attack that has left her with residual trauma, including haunting dreams and flashbacks, Sydney Rye is regaining her strength at the jungle training camp of Joyful Justice, the vigilante network inspired by her now legendary acts of vengeance. However, when a routine reconnaissance mission goes horribly wrong Sydney Rye looses the trust of the leadership of Joyful Justice. 

Her good friend and trainer, Merl, warns that if she wants to be in the action she’ll have to follow orders like everyone else. Never good with authority, Sydney struggles to suppress her independent streak for the greater good. 

When she runs up against an old adversary he blows apart everything she has gained. With her and Blue’s lives at stake, as well as the future of Joyful Justice, Sydney must push aside her fears and take a leadership role before it's to late.


Kritters Thoughts:  Another part of the Sydney Rye series and having read this right after the previous one, I loved being able to read two back to back.  Sydney is hiding out in Costa Rica to heal from the events in the previous book.  

Although this one was just as action packed as the previous, I was missing out on the other characters in this book.  With Sydney in Costa Rica, I felt like she was isolated and away from the group of characters and I missed their roles in this book.  As said before there was still plenty of action, so it wasn't lacking on that front, just quite a smaller cast of characters.

I asked Emily Kimelman how many books we will see from Sydney Rye and it doesn't sound like they will end any time soon.  I like these small installments into Sydney Rye's life almost seems like each book would be a good tv episode or two!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 71 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Viking/Penguin Books.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Devil's Breath by Emily Kimelman

The Devil's Breath

by Emily Kimelman

Pages: 222

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  One of Sydney Rye’s dear friends, Hugh Defry, has been accused of a brutal murder, but even though he has no memory of the night, Sydney believes he is incapable of such violence. 

Called to investigate by Robert Maxim, a man she has until now, considered her greatest enemy, Sydney flies to Miami searching for the real killer. Rye’s suspicions are raised when she learns that Maxim not only wants to work together but also wants to build a friendship. She doesn’t begin to understand his motives until her former lover follows her to Florida to tell her a devastating secret. 

As more people from her past turn up, and not knowing whom to trust, Sydney sees that her personal fight for justice has become something more than she had ever imagined and she is pushed towards making a decision that will change not just her life but possibly the future of the crime fighting. 

Kritters Thoughts:  The fifth in a series, so if you aren't up to date, you may want to pause here and go read the first books in the series.  Most of these books are just over the novella length, so don't feel like it will take you awhile to get caught up.  Take a weekend and you can maybe get to this point.

Sydney is back in the States and back to help right a wrong.  One of her friend's Hugh is being accused of murdering someone and he has no recollection of the murder or really the evening - so Sydney to the rescue with her team behind her to help find the real murderer.

The one thing that I loved about this was of all the books, this one felt like it reviewed major plot points of the past.  I liked the review and enjoyed seeing characters from the past come together and make appearances in this book.  

All of the Sydney Rye series is action packed - like an episode of Alias, she puts herself in the most crazies of situations, but her, the dog and her friends get her out of the predicament each time.  

Tomorrow I am reviewing the 6th book in the series, so come back tomorrow to check out my thoughts on the next in the series.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 70 out of 100

Review: Heart of a Dove by Abbie Williams

Heart of a Dove

by Abbie Williams

Publisher: Central Avenue Publishing

Pages: 336

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  The Civil War has ended, leaving the country with a gaping wound. Lorie Blake, a southern orphan sold into prostitution at fifteen, has carefully guarded her aching soul from the disgrace forced upon her every evening. Two years have passed, leaving her with little hope of anything more. Meanwhile, three men – longtime friends – and a young boy with a heart of gold are traveling northward, planning to rebuild their lives in the north and leave behind the horrors of their time as soldiers in the Confederate Army.

Fate, however, has plans of its own, causing their lives to collide in a river town whorehouse. Forced to flee, Lorie escapes and joins them on the journey north. But danger stalks them all in the form of a vindictive whorehouse madam and an ex-Union soldier, insane and bent on exacting revenge. At last, Lorie must come to terms with her past and devastating secrets that she cannot yet bear to reveal.

Kritters Thoughts:  An epic story that starts right as the Civil War is ending and animosity is still in the air.  Lorie has lost her entire family and at a young age is sold to a whorehouse where she learns to be very independent at a very young age.  As soon as she thinks that this will be the rest of her life something drastic happens that takes her on a different sort of journey.

When Lorie was in the whorehouse, I had a hard time reading because it felt so real.  I appreciated the authenticity, but it really was hard to read.  As I had read the synopsis I knew she was going to leave and I found myself hoping page after page that she would get rescued and I loved how it happened - right out of the blue!  

After she leaves the book takes a turn and she is on this journey that will hopefully end in a safe and happy home.  Right as I thought that the book was lagging a few things really turn it upside down and sold the book for me.  

I am not sure if I have read a book that focuses on the feelings that are still lingering after the Civil War ends and how both sides feel like cheated on a little by the other and it will take some time to trust each other.  I was completely educated on how even though the war was done and there was a winner that both sides were having issues with the other.  

If you are a fan of historical fiction and have read most of the books involving Civil War, don't pass this one off as just another - it was more than I could have imagined.

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 69 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Central Avenue Publishing.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: The Reluctant Elf by Michele Gorman

The Reluctant Elf

by Michele Gorman

Publisher: Notting Hill Press

Pages: 100

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.

When Aunt Kate ends up in the hospital, Lottie and her seven-year-old daughter are called to rural Wales to stand in at the B&B. Without the faintest idea how to run a hotel (she can barely run her own life), Lottie must impress the picky hotel reviewer and his dysfunctional family who are coming to stay over Christmas. Without the rating only he can bestow, Aunt Kate will lose her livelihood.

But will Danny, the local taxi driver who she hires to help her, really be Santa’s little helper, or the Grinch who stole Christmas?

Kritters Thoughts:  Single mom Lottie and her seven year old daughter, Mabel, have to run quickly to their Aunt's B&B and help her make an impression on a hotel critique.  Her Aunt is laid out due to an accident and she has to take this B&B and get it up and running and ready for an interesting guest.

Quirky, sweet and what a fun ride!  For me, Mabel made the book for me.  I loved how at times I thought she was beyond her seven year old age, but growing up with a single mom, I could see why she had aged a little faster than her peers.  She was just great!

Although short and quick, Michele Gorman easily got me the reader hooked on these characters and wanting to read more.  I wouldn't mind a sequel to put these character's in a new situation.

After reading this book, I am officially a Michele Gorman fan and will blindly go into any book she writes!
Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 65 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Notting Hill Press.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Waking Up Joy by Tina Ann Forkner

Waking Up Joy

by Tina Ann Forkner

Pages: 336

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Behind every lost dream lies a second chance…

When adored town spinster Joy Talley ends up in a coma after a peculiar accident, she is surprised and incensed to hear what is being said in her hospital room, including plans for her funeral. When she finally wakes, her well-meaning, but bossy, brothers and sisters dismiss her claims, thinking her accident has knocked her off her rocker, but Joy has never felt better, and is determined to set the past right.

Now Joy must face her darkest secret and risk reopening wounds caused by an old flame who rejected her more than twenty years ago. But taking risks brings change, as well as a new, younger man into Joy’s life, making her feel like a teenager again. Suddenly Joy’s once humdrum life is anything but boring and routine and the future beckons, exhilarating and bright. 


Kritters Thoughts:  Joy is well into her adulthood and never settled down with a partner and after a mishap at her home, she ends up in a coma, but can still hear her family and all the things they are saying about her.  Joy is only in her coma for a bit of the book and once she wakes up the rest of the drama revolves around the doctor that saved her and a high school crush that went downhill for some reason.

My biggest problem with the book was the very long wait that the reader has to get to the secret that is hinted at throughout the entire book.  I wish the secret had been revealed a little earlier to allow for the characters to have more time to react and resolve the repercussions.  I also think that if we had received a few flashback chapters we would have felt even more connected to the sibling's parents, I felt detached because I felt like I didn't get to meet them myself.

The love triangle was entertaining.  I loved that I couldn't decide myself and completely flip flopped along with the main character.  Even as she had made her decision I was still debating myself!  

If you have a little more patience about secrets being kept from a reader, then try this one.  If you love a sweet love triangle that reminds you of the Dawson's Creek days - then this one would be right up your alley!


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more


Ebook 2014 Challenge: 66 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from BookSparks PR.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Stillwater Rising by Steena Holmes

Stillwater Rising

by Steena Holmes

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Pages: 253

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  After losing her son in an elementary school shooting that devastates the tight-knit community of Stillwater Bay, Jennifer Crowne finds herself unable to settle back into her role of perfect stay-at-home mom and committee organizer. Meanwhile, her best friend, Mayor Charlotte Stone, struggles to keep the town together, and Charlotte s husband, the school principal, may not be the hero everyone thinks him to be.

As they try to heal from this irrevocable trauma, Jenn and Charlotte find themselves at a crossroads within the town and within their friendship. For Jenn, broken and grieving, there is no going back, and she demands that the school be closed so that she can bury the past. Yet Charlotte is equally desperate to hold the town together, fighting the school closure and helping the shooter s mother regain her place in the community. Jenn and Charlotte s relationship is put to the ultimate test as each weighs her own interests against the bonds of their friendship."


Kritters Thoughts:  FIRST before you go any further, read the novella that I comes before this first book in the series.  I reviewed it yesterday and it provides so much good foundation for this book.

Now to review this book.  A school shooting takes this small town by surprise and Steena Holmes smartly gives the reader all sorts of perspectives on how this tragedy affects everyone differently in the community.  From mothers who had children who were killed, to the mother of the killer and women in the community who have prominent roles but no children in the school system.  Getting to read all of these different perspectives was amazing - a few had their views change throughout the book while they were processing their grief and some couldn't find hope.  

After seeing this story play out on the news, I loved reading a piece of fiction that brought it close to home and made it feel real.  I don't know how Steena Holmes did it, but I felt for each person that was affected by the tragedy and understood the exact spot where they come from and found empathy with each.  I am dying for the next book in this series!

Steena Holmes has become a must read author for me, so if this your first time hearing of her, go check out her Finding Emma series and Decadent Events series - such a great author!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel (and one is coming!)


Ebook 2014 Challenge: 64 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from BookSparks PR.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Before the Storm by Steena Holmes

Before the Storm

by Steena Holmes

Pages: 125

Format: ebook

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Before the first shots are fired within the walls of Stillwater Elementary School, life went on as normal for five women who were close friends. Their monthly girls' night was coming up and they couldn't wait to get together. They all needed this night to run away and be carefree - from their husbands, their children, their church - with no expectations, no responsibilities, where they weren't mothers or wives. 

No one expected their lives to be torn apart, their friendships tested in one short minute when their town is rocked by a danger lurking in their tight-knit community. 


Kritters Thoughts:  A prequel novella that sets the stage for the first book - Stillwater Rising (which I am reviewing tomorrow).  This little book packs quite the punch while introducing the HUGE cast of characters and setting the scene for the full novel.

Told through many points of view from the town, the most prominent voice is the mayor Charlotte Stone who is married to the school principal and while doesn't have kids is greatly impacted by the school shooting that occurs.  I am glad the book opened at the public memorial for all the victims, so there was no doubt as to the subject of the novella and the book that would follow.  I also loved how a few women from the town took turns telling of their mornings that happened right before the tragedy hit the small town.  

I am so glad I knew that this novella was out and loved reading it before I started reading the full novel, it perfectly set the stage.


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel 
     SPOILER - the "sequel" will be reviewed tomorrow!

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 63 out of 100

Review: One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis

One Step Too Far

by Tina Seskis

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 352

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  No one has ever guessed Emily's secret.

Will you?

A happy marriage. A beautiful family. A lovely home. So what makes Emily Coleman get up one morning and walk right out of her life--to start again as someone new?

Now, Emily has become Cat, working at a hip advertising agency in London and living on the edge with her inseparable new friend, Angel. Cat's buried any trace of her old self so well, no one knows how to find her. But she can't bury the past--or her own memories.

And soon, she'll have to face the truth of what she's done--a shocking revelation that may push her one step too far. . . 

Kritters Thoughts:  Emily leaves behind her husband and family with no warning and leaves no information behind as to where she is going.  She starts a whole new life, job and wants to start over.  At the same time, the reader is finding out about her past and the crazy childhood that may have helped lead her to this decision.  

Emily was an interesting character and even after the book is complete, I am not sure if I ever really liked her or understood her - but I am ok with that!  I felt detached from her because I was slowly learning about her backstory and I couldn't understand why she had made the big life change that she did.  

The one thing I would wish for is for the reader to be given her reasoning earlier in the book.  Once I found out her reason for leaving I felt like it was too close to the end to enjoy it - the build up was too long.  

I enjoyed this one and was glad to hear how her childhood affected her life as an adult, that made the book for me.  The other thing that I wished would have been a little more of the story told from her husband's point of view, I loved the few moments that we heard from him.


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 62 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweisss.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.