Friday, July 22, 2011

Little update

So, last week, I had a little health scare and went to the ER.  This was a big deal for me, because I have no health insurance, and I'm still don't want to think about how to pay for it.

Anyway, I have a kidney stone.  Lucky me, it's 7mm, and according to the doctor, too big to pass naturally.  Yay?

I've also decided that I read way too many books to review each and every one here.  So, I might include what else I've read in a review, but I'm only going to actually write reviews where I want to say something about that book, unless it's one where I'm supposed to write a review, such as for bloggingforbooks or one of the other free books in exchange for review sites.

Also, I'm on G+, if you want to find me.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Book Review: Raintree trilogy

Raintree: Inferno / Sanctuary / Haunted




I got this one from my wishlist at paperbackswap.com.

It's an interesting trilogy, with each story about a Raintree family member.  The Raintree and the Ansara are more than human, and each member of each clan has "gifts."  The Raintree believe in using their gifts for good and in helping humankind, though they live as human, with none the wiser.  The Ansara are believed to be more every-man-out-for-himself, and some members of the clan are just plain bad.

The first and second stories come to rather abrupt ends, and the third and final story ties them all together at the end.  If you read and enjoy books with a paranormal twist, you should enjoy these, at least a little.  :)

Inferno is written by Linda Howard. Haunted is by Linda Winstead Jones.  Sanctuary is by Beverly Barton.  All three are fairly big names in the Harlequin world.  Thumbs Up.

Book Review: a trio of freebies

Murder in Georgetown by Margaret Truman.  I've read other of Ms. Truman's books, such as Murder at 1600, and I always enjoy her insider's look at the shenanigans of Washington, D.C.  Thumbs Up.

Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch and Smokin' Six-Shooter by B.J. Daniels.  Both of these are from Harlequin's Intrigue line.  B.J. Daniels writes reliably good romantic suspense.  Thumbs Up.

By Invitation Only - an anthology with Lori Wilde as the top-billed author.  This is from Harlequin's Blaze line.  I got this one as a freebie at my monthly book club meeting, from a friend (Jillian Burns) who's short/novella is included in the anthology.  The stories are based around a high-profile celebrity wedding, and each story has a little adventurous romance built into the storyline.  I enjoyed them all.  Thumbs Up.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Quartet of library books

Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt - pretty cute little murder mystery about a soldier-turned-thief (I know, weird premise) who survives on the streets with his former K-9 partner, until he witnesses a murder.  It's written in an easy, friendly style, and is a great beach read.  Not too deep, fun, and dogs.  Thumbs Up.

The Search by Nora Roberts - survivor of a serial killer moves to an island in the US Northeast and makes a living training dogs, for regular owners and for search and rescue teams.  Then, even though the killer is in prison, girls start getting killed using the same signature.  MUCH of the book is taken up with dog training lessons, and I found it interesting, personally.  Such lessons are applicable to my nine-month-old grandson, as well.  lol  It was a good murder mystery, with not many surprises, with an interesting romantic couple as the main characters.  Thumbs Up.

Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb - another Eve Dallas book, which starts with Eve and Roark on vacation in Ireland, visiting his family.  Of course, there's a murder, and Eve is involved peripherally.  But wait until she gets home!  I really like the In Death series, and have found only a few that did not live up to my expectations.  This one does.  Thumbs Up.

Beyond 2012: The Omega Point by Whitley Streiber.  An interesting take on "post-apocalypse" life as it relates to predicted events in Revelations, or what I remember of Revelations.  The concepts are good, with an enjoyable writing style, though there were a few bits that dragged a wee bit.  There are thirty pages of author's note, which I did not get to finish because the book was due, but I skimmed it thoughtfully and found some really cool information/theories/hypotheses.  Thumbs Up.

Dog Tags
The Search
Indulgence in Death
The Omega PointThe Omega Point 
The Search