The Dresden File Series by Jim Butcher

Author: Jim Butcher
Narrator: James Marsters

Publication: 2000- present

Publisher: Roc

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Audience: 18 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased/Public Library

Photo credit: Google Images via www.ichimonchi.com

I probably have no right to discuss this series, as it is one that I have been working on for some time. I believe I got all the way to Small Favor before graduate school took over my life. So I get credit for reading over half the series, right? This series was ruined for me by the friend who likes to ruin all book series for me. However, since he told me this ending, more books have come out to add onto the series. Anyway, I am currently re-reading them and prepping for the new book, Skin Games which is due out on May 27, 2014.

When I meet people who love to read, especially love to read urban fantasy, I suggest this book. My friends and patrons who have actually gave this book a chance have ALWAYS come back telling me how great it is OR they ask me the title of the next book.  I strongly suggest listening to the audiobooks. Especially if you are a Buffy fan, that guy that played Spike, yeah, he is the narrator and a darn good one too! If you are not into audiobooks, then go to your nearest library and check it out or buy it on Amazon. Sorry hardback book lovers, but the first three are super rare in hardback and worth lots of money, so it will be paperback. Better yet, just get the audiobook, you won't regret it!

So you are probably wondering what the book is all about. It is essentially a grown up Harry Potter, set in our world, Chicago to be exact, during modern, current time. Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a Chicago wizard who is listed in the phone book and sometimes works on police cases for the Special Investigations Department. The book series really develops Harry in a way that he almost feels like a real person you know. He is awkward, but strong. He even battles with himself over the good and the bad he could do. This is something we all battle with at times. He is just a real-life like character and so loveable (to me anyways). You want to help defeat his adversaries, and unfortunately, Mr. Dresden has quite the army against him. However, he does not go into battle alone. He has his own army of friends to support him.
I like most of the characters in the book. A few really creep me out like the skinwalkers and the fallen angels. Of course, any friend of Harry's- I pretty much like. I love Molly, Toot Toot, Mister, and Mouse, and Thomas. I especially love Mab. She works herself into Harry's life...and he can't really wriggle free of her icy grasp.
You get a little bit of everything in this series. From faeries to Santa being of the high faerie court himself to a walking, talking, breathing archive of the world, to the Billy Goats Gruff to dinosaurs. It seriously has some fantasy topic for everyone.
 Sorry if I am being a bit vague, but I don't want to ruin anything for you because seriously you HAVE to go now and get Storm Front ASAP! NOW GO!

On a side note, my husband and I went to a convention in February and got to meet the author of the series, Jim Butcher. He is such a cool guy. I said some really awkward, uncool, fan-girl stuff in front of him, but I managed to keep my cool. Inside though, I was flailing about, crying, and screaming. It was one of the best days of my life. Here is a picture of me, Jim Butcher, and my husband. My husband had made each of us a wizard's staff before meeting Mr. Butcher, and we carried them with us. Have you ever met a favorite author?

Death of a Neighborhood Witch

Author: Laura LevineTitle:Death of a Neighborhood Witch (A Jaine Austen Mystery)

Publication: September 3, 2013

Publisher: Kensington

Genre: Comedy, Mystery

Pages: 304

Audience: 17 and up

Rating: 4 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from Amazon.com): When Jaine Austen's beloved cat Prozac unwittingly scares to death a parakeet belonging to the neighborhood's resident curmudgeon, Jaine finds herself knee-deep in toil and trouble. The cantankerous Hollywood has-been once played Cryptessa Muldoon, television's fourth most famous monster mum. Now she spends her days making enemies with everyone on the block. So when the ornery D-lister is murdered with her own Do Not Trespass sign on Halloween night, the neighborhood fills with relief - and possible culprits. With a killer on the loose, Jaine hardly has time to fall under the spell of her yummy new neighbor, Peter. As the prime suspect, she summons her sleuthing skills to clear her name and soon discovers that everyone has a few skeletons in their closets...

Favorite Quote: "I can't take me anywhere."- Jaine Austen

My thoughts:
I work at the public library, and I kept checking this book out to patrons or into the library. One afternoon, I snatched it up and decided to read it. Laura Levine used to write for The Laverne and Shirley Show, and I loved it. So her writing was humor based mixed with a murder-mystery. I loved Jaine. She was just so down to Earth and you could relate to her. I also enjoyed her cat, Prozac because cats are that outrageous. I didn't like her friend Lance, he was a total butt-hole and no one needs a "friend" like that. Her other friend, whose name I have forgotten, did not play a huge role (obviously since I forgot her name!), but she was okay just a bit ditzy. The neighbors were a lot like actual neighbors, they all have their good and bad sides. As a friend said, this book was not a great piece of literature, but it was a nice read. If you want something funny with a mystery twist, then check out this book.

 

River Road by Suzanne Johnson

Author: Suzanne Johnson
Title: River Road: Sentinels of New Orleans #2

Publication: November 13,2012

Publisher: Tor Books

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery

Pages: 336

Audience: 18 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Inter Library Loan (Public Library)

Synopsis (from the Goodreads.com): Hurricane Katrina is long gone, but the preternatural storm rages on in New Orleans. New species from the Beyond moved into Louisiana after the hurricane destroyed the borders between worlds, and it falls to wizard sentinel Drusilla Jaco and her partner, Alex Warin, to keep the preternaturals peaceful and the humans unaware. But a war is brewing between two clans of Cajun merpeople in Plaquemines Parish, and down in the swamp, DJ learns, there’s more stirring than angry mermen and the threat of a were-gator.

Wizards are dying, and something—or someone—from the Beyond is poisoning the waters of the mighty Mississippi, threatening the humans who live and work along the river. DJ and Alex must figure out what unearthly source is contaminating the water and who—or what—is killing the wizards. Is it a malcontented merman, the naughty nymph, or some other critter altogether? After all, DJ’s undead suitor, the pirate Jean Lafitte, knows his way around a body or two.

It’s anything but smooth sailing on the bayou as the Sentinels of New Orleans series continues.

My thoughts:
This is a series where each book gets better and better. I really enjoyed the last book, but this one was just as enjoyable. I love how the books are a paranormal mystery. I like to try to figure out who the murderer is. There are also new creatures involved in the story. Merpeople, nymphs, a loup garou, and a possible were-gator siting. There was a lot going on in this book, but it wasn't overwhelming it just kept the storyline flowing. All my favorite characters were back. There were some new characters thrown into the mix and a few that were taken too soon. I try to solve the mystery as I go along. However, this story kept me guessing until it was obvious who the bad guy was. Also, the ending was a bit of a romantic cliff hanger. As soon as I finished, I flipped to page for more. When I realized that was the end I started shouting, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! You cannot do this to me!" My fiance' thought I was hurt so he came running to my aid. 
So if you want a wonderfully written paranormal mystery, this book series is worth a try. Elysian Fields is the third book of the series and came out on August 13. I've contacted my local library and have asked them to please purchase the new one. I wait cannot to read it!

Audio Review: I Hunt Killers

Title: I Hunt Killers

Author: Barry Lyga

Narrator: Charlie Thurston

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Format: Unabridged Audio

Length: 9 hrs: 32 mins

Publication: April 3, 2012

Source: Library

Genre: Young Adult Mystery

Amazon|Barnes&Noble|Goodreads

Synopsis: What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

My Thoughts: The one thing Jazz wants in life is to not end up like his father. Jazz has been groomed to be a serial killer. When a woman is murdered in his town Jazz is drawn to the scene  Jazz quickly determines that this is the work of a serial killer. He sets out to catch the killer with or without the approval of the local police. When Jazz has the opportunity to kill what will he choose?

This is a really good story and I love Jazz. It makes me think of the TV show Dexter. I imagine this is how Dexter grew up.  Jazz struggles between who he has been groomed to be and who he wants to be; all the while trying to find out who he is. Jazz has an incredible support system that includes his best friend, girlfriend, and surprisingly the man who brought his father down. I wasn't left with many questions at the end of this story but there was on shocking revelation. I'm excited to see where things lead in the next book.

This is an unabridged single voiced audio. The original work is appropriate for audio adaption. Charlie Thurston did a wonderful job with the narration. It was not difficult to identify the various characters during the production. Pacing was well maintained throughout the production and the plot flows without interruption.

Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson

Author: Suzanne Johnson
Title:Royal Street Sentinels of New Orleans #1

Publication: April 10, 2012

Publisher: Tor Books

Genre: Adult, Paranormal, Mystery

Pages: 336

Audience: 18 and up

Rating:  4.5 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):
As the junior wizard sentinel for New Orleans, Drusilla Jaco’s job involves a lot more potion-mixing and pixie-retrieval than sniffing out supernatural bad guys like rogue vampires and lethal were-creatures. DJ's boss and mentor, Gerald St. Simon, is the wizard tasked with protecting the city from anyone or anything that might slip over from the preternatural beyond.

Then Hurricane Katrina hammers New Orleans’ fragile levees, unleashing more than just dangerous flood waters.

While winds howled and Lake Pontchartrain surged, the borders between the modern city and the Otherworld crumbled. Now, the undead and the restless are roaming the Big Easy, and a serial killer with ties to voodoo is murdering the soldiers sent to help the city recover.

To make it worse, Gerry has gone missing, the wizards’ Elders have assigned a grenade-toting assassin as DJ’s new partner, and undead pirate Jean Lafitte wants to make her walk his plank. The search for Gerry and for the serial killer turns personal when DJ learns the hard way that loyalty requires sacrifice, allies come from the unlikeliest places, and duty mixed with love creates one bitter gumbo

Then Hurricane Katrina hammers New Orleans’ fragile levees, unleashing more than just dangerous flood waters.

While winds howled and Lake Pontchartrain surged, the borders between the modern city and the Otherworld crumbled. Now, the undead and the restless are roaming the Big Easy, and a serial killer with ties to voodoo is murdering the soldiers sent to help the city recover.

To make it worse, Gerry has gone missing, the wizards’ Elders have assigned a grenade-toting assassin as DJ’s new partner, and undead pirate Jean Lafitte wants to make her walk his plank. The search for Gerry and for the serial killer turns personal when DJ learns the hard way that loyalty requires sacrifice, allies come from the unlikeliest places, and duty mixed with love creates one bitter gumbo.

My thoughts:

 I thoroughly enjoyed this book . I had a tough time starting the novel, but once I got into it, I really had fun reading it. The characters were perfect southerners. I could replace the characters with people I know, except for the paranormal/fantasy part. I really liked DJ. She is a skilled wizard who loves New Orleans and Cheetos. I could relate to her- on the Cheetos part. Haha! Anyway, her relationship with her partner, Alex is hilarious and frustrating. At one point I was laughing so hard I snorted, fell over in the bed and died laughing. It took me a full two to three minutes to regain my composure to continue the story. There is enough spooky elements, hilarious moments, and realistic, and sad moments to keep the book entertaining and easy to relate to. The book really painted an image of New Orleans and made me want to visit NOLA more than ever. So if you're into the fantasy/paranormal genre or not- give it a try! There are two more books that are out in the series. The library I use does not have them, but I hope to get my hands them on it soon!

Review and Giveaway: Dangerous Past by A. F. Ebbers

Title: Dangerous Past
Author: A. F. Ebbers 
Publication: September 8, 2011 
Publisher: Silverhawk Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Suspense, Thriller, Mystery
Audience: 15 and up 

Amazon|B&N|Goodreads|Website

Synopsis: Airline Captain Frank Braden and his wife Nicole are suddenly stalked by professional assassins who have a deadline to make their deaths look like an accident or a suicide. And the couple doesn't know why they are being targeted. They don't realize that they stand in the way of a deadly conspiracy. Little by little they are pulled into a dangerous web of intrigue by a murderous criminal network that deceptively offers the pilot his wife's life if he will concede to their demands. This is a thriller that rocks the highest levels of Washington. 

Dangerous Past is a story of a man who must choose between doing what ought to be done or keeping his family alive by allowing a murderous and powerful VIP to escape his past. 

My Thoughts: Frank Braden is faced with identifying who is trying to kill him and why. His past has returned to haunt him and revenge runs deep. Frank must use his past experiences and knowledge to figure out how to save himself and his family from certain death. Wow!!! I was not expecting this read to be so intense. I felt a range of emotions and was pleasantly surprised by each one. Just as I thought the ride was over I was blind sighted by some new information that changed the course of things. This is a quick read as you will have difficulty putting it down. Ebbers weaves an intriguing mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages. With glimpses of the Vietnam war seen from both sides and how decisions made then continue to chance present day lives, Ebbers keeps you on your toes. 

Read an Excerpt

It was nine at night, when the FBI agent watching Frank’s house decided to drive down the road to get a cup of coffee. He figured it would take no longer than twenty minutes. Inside the house Nicole made some coffee and gave a cup to Frank to take outside to give to the agent.
Frank went out the front door and looked for the agent’s car. He peered into the darkness and started to cross the street when he heard a voice from the side of the yard.
“I’m back here.”
Frank turned around and walked into the dark beside his house.
“Over here.”
Frank thought the voice now came from the back yard and he continued toward the rear of the house. When he got to the rear yard, Frank still couldn’t see the agent. “Hey, where in the devil are you? I got some hot coffee.”
“I think I saw someone run into the foliage near the lake. You better go back inside where it’s safe while I have a look around.”
“No, I’ll help you search. Wait a minute.” Frank jogged towards the voice that seemed to be closer to the lake now.
Standing in the shadows, John smiled. For whatever reason, whether his victim was a macho know-it-all type or just naive of the danger, many of the men he had killed had swallowed that bait. He also figured from the fax sheet he had received, that the Austin police had taken Frank’s .38-caliber revolver. Under the new waiting law, John knew it was impossible for Frank to get another weapon so soon unless his intended victim wasn’t a law-biding citizen. And John was counting on Frank to be a law-abiding sort.
As Frank neared Town Lake, he wished he had brought a flashlight. He couldn’t see the agent at all. So he went toward the shrubbery where he last heard the voice. “Hey, fellow, where are you?” Frank said. He felt foolish that he didn’t know the agent’s name.
“Here, right behind you.”
The voice startled Frank and he whirled around to face a well-built man wearing all black as though he was on a Special Forces recon night team. I’m in trouble, Frank thought, as he looked down the silencer barrel of a 9mm pistol. God, this guy is really good. “Did you kill the agent that was watching me?”
“I wasn’t paid to do that. Now, Frankie boy, let’s me and you take a walk to the shoreline.”

Author Bio:

A. F. Ebbers, a journalism graduate of Ohio University was a reporter/writer for major newspapers, ad agencies, and in public relations for Cessna Aircraft Company. He also graduated from Army Flight School and flew for the Ohio and Kansas Army National Guards. Later he was called to active duty and served two flying tours in Vietnam. After retirement from the military, he flew for corporations and for regional airlines. A dual rated ATP pilot, he has written for numerous national magazines, Sunday supplements and trade and travel magazines and has written screenplays and short stories. Today he lives with his wife in the Austin, Texas area and, when not writing, enjoys tennis, golf, flying and piano. Dangerous Past is his debut novel.

Mr. Ebbers has generously offered to giveaway one e-book copy of his book. Please use the Rafflecopter form below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This book was provided by the author and/or publisher for Partners In Crime Tours in exchange for an honest review*

Review and Giveaway: Death in the Memorial Garden by Kathie Deviny

Title: Death in the Memorial Garden 
Author: Kathie Deviny 
Publication: October 15, 2012 
Publisher: Camel Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Audience: 17 and up 

Website|Facebook|Amazon|B&N

Synopsis: Just as the sexton is about to inter the ashes of one of Grace Church’s last wealthy patronesses in the Memorial Garden, he unearths a wine crate containing the ashes of an unknown. Next to the ashes is a distinctive pair of shoes. Not only are the woman’s relatives furious at the interruption, but they soon have grounds for a lawsuit: yet another piece of the church’s tower comes crashing to the ground.

With their congregation dwindling and their world literally falling in around them, Father Robert Vickers and his colorful staff members and volunteers put their heads together to solve the mystery of the anonymous ashes and find the means to save Grace Church from the developers … all in time for the Bishop’s visit.

My Thoughts: This is a fast paced story that occurs over a few days. Father Robert Vickers is on a mission to save his church and the rapidly decaying tower. What begins as a normal funeral ends with the mystery of cremains in the plot intended for another. Father Rob and a few parishioners are determined to find out who was left in the plot and why. Together they will decode this mystery. This seemed like it was going to be a straight forward mystery but there were many revelations, twists and turns that I was not expecting. Deviny weaves a charming mystery that can be read in one sitting. 

Read an Excerpt

The obstacle, once unearthed, proved to be the size and shape of a wine crate. It was a wine crate, Robert Vickers realized. As a matter of fact, he told Raymond, the security officer, it was the same type of crate that held the sweet wine used by Grace Church for communion services. The top looked to have been removed and then crudely re-nailed.

“Good job, Henry! Now go to the tool closet and bring back a crowbar,” he ordered.

While they were waiting, the priest noticed that the number of food bank clients and other spectators had swelled and were spilling into the street. A man in a turban jostled against another sporting a suit and fedora. A woman wearing a long navy blue dress and veil was offering her potatoes to a Hawaiian-shirted fellow in exchange for his rice.

The babble of many languages rose on the rainy breeze, lending the scene the air of a modern-day Pentecost. All that was missing was the dove, although there were plenty of pigeons underfoot, hoping for a handout. Robert was not surprised to see the tall figure of Clare, known to all as the Pigeon Lady, among the crowd, swathed head to foot in a hooded brown robe.

Wherever she went, the pigeons followed, even though the Health Officer had persuaded her to stop feeding them. Robert also spotted Marjory, Clare’s caretaker, standing nearby and shaking her head as if to say, “What can I do?” Clare’s arms were outstretched, as if to bless them all, bird and human alike.

A baby-blue police cruiser poked its way up the street through the crowd. The vehicle stopped midstream, and then its door pushed open against the surrounding bodies. A curly blonde head and blue-clad torso emerged and loomed over the crowd. The patrol officer waded toward Raymond and Father Vickers, using her broad shoulders to part the waters. Once on the other side, she eyed the pile of dirt, the hole in the ground and the split box, and asked Raymond, “Well, well, Officer Chen. Got funeral duty today?”

“Very funny, Officer Hitchcock,” he replied, brown eyes meeting her baby blues. “What I’ve got is a big mess. Father Vickers here was trying to bury some remains when the gravedigger ran into this box.”

Joyce Hitchcock glanced around the garden area. “This doesn’t look like a graveyard to me.”

Robert intervened. “It’s a memorial garden, officer, consecrated for the purpose of interring the ashes of the deceased of this church. It’s—oh, it doesn’t matter—I want to find out what’s inside this box. We were just getting ready to open it.”

“But what if there’s a body inside?” croaked Henry the sexton, crowbar at the ready. Realizing from the quizzical looks he was receiving that a wine box wasn’t quite large enough for this purpose, he amended his question in a more forceful tone, “Well, what if there’s a body part inside?”

Author Bio:

After retiring from a career as a “government bureaucrat” serving primarily in the criminal justice system, Kathie Deviny studied creative writing. Essays focusing on her treatment for breast cancer and life as the spouse of an Episcopal priest have been published in the Seattle Times, Episcopal Life, Cure magazine, andFaith, Hope and Healing by Bernie Siegel.

Kathie was Features Editor of her high school newspaper and originally planned a career in journalism. After realizing she was too shy to chase after stories, she followed her mother’s career path and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in social work, attending UC Berkeley and the University of Washington. She nurtured her journalistic ambitions by developing a program at the Monroe, WA, prison which produced a magazine in cooperation with community volunteers.

Death in the Memorial Garden, her first work of fiction, reflects her love of the cozy-style mystery. Her other loves are gardening, choral singing, and locating bargains at her church’s thrift shop, where she volunteers. Kathie lives with her now-retired husband, Paul; they divide their time between California and Western Washington.

This giveaway is for an  e-copy of Death in the Memorial Garden and internationally. Please use the rafflecopter form below to enter for a chance to win. Take a look at what other reviewers are saying about Death in the Memorial Garden!!! Several are hosting a giveaway as well.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This book was provided by the author and/or publisher for Partners In Crime Tours in exchange for an honest review*

Review: Night Sins by Tami Hoag

Title: Night Sins (Deer Lake, #1)
Author: Tami Hoag

Publication: December 1, 1995

Publisher: Bantam

Source: Purchased

Genre: Mystery, Romantic Thriller

Audience: 18 and up
Rating: 5 of 5 

Amazon|Goodreads|Website

Goodreads Synopsis: A sensational New York Times bestseller and subject of a CBS-TV miniseries, Night Sins has confirmed Tami Hoag's reputation as the new modern master of suspense.

This gripping tale unfolds in a peaceful Minnesota town, where crime is something that just doesn't happen. But when a young boy disappears, it marks the beginning of a unspeakable nightmare. There are no witnesses, no clues, only a note, cleverly taunting, casually cruel. Has a cold-blooded kidnapper struck? Or is this the reawakening of a long-quiet serial killer? Now, a tough-minded investigator on her first, make-or-breakcase, and a local cop who fears that big city evils have invaded his small town, are hunting for a madman. Together, they must outsmart a killer who knows no bounds...and protect a town that may never feel safe again.

My Thoughts: This is a fast paced, white knuckled mystery that had me on the edge of my seat. Meagan O'Malley is out to prove that she is a good cop and the best person for the job. Not just good for a woman. Her first day on the job proves to be a doosie. Between difficulties with her housing, being late for appointments, and then add to that a kidnapping. Meagan does not come across well to this small town where no one trust the new resident. Meagan must learn to trust her instincts and the town's police chief in order to solve this case. 

Meagan O'Malley is a feisty, headstrong woman. She has worked many years in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension only to be passed up my less qualified men. She may have had to pull some underhanded cards to get her position in Deer Lake but she is the right person for the job. 

Mitch Holt is the Deer Lake Chief of Police. He is a single dad with a little baggage. He also happens to be very sexy. Mitch has worked in big cities before so working with a woman is no issue for him. He wants Meagan to listen to him as he knows this town the best. 

This was my first Tami Hoag book. It will not be my last. I absolutely loved this story. I could not put it down. I savored the thrill of the ride this story took me on. I never saw the kidnapper coming and was left catching flies when the kidnapper was revealed. The romance in the story was right target and just enough to keep the story flowing. If you like Romantic Thriller's this is a great book for you. My review of Guilty as Sin (Deer Lake, #2) to come soon. 

Review: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Title: Unspoken
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan

Publication: September 11, 2012

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Source: Publisher via netgalley

Genre: Young Adult

Audience: 12 and up

Website|Amazon |Goodreads

Summary
Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

My Thoughts: Kami is just a regular girl with one exception, she has an imaginary friend. She knows this isn't normal so she keeps her conversations with Jared to herself. It's easier if everyone thinks she outgrew her imaginary friend years ago. Kami has started a school newspaper and is looking for a story to crack. A lead sends Kami to investigate mysterious happenings in the woods. Each step she takes leads her to the newly returned Lynburn family and her no longer imaginary friend. To top everything someone is trying to kill Kami. The mysteries leave Kami wondering who is trying to kill her and who can she trust. 

Kami is an inquisitive and feisty girl. She's not scared of much, especially since she is never alone.  At times she seems reckless in her pursuit to crack the case. I'm not sure if she is really reckless or if this is just a front.  

Jared is a conundrum. He wants to come across as the strong bad boy, and he does this well. I'm not sure that is how he really is. I know he is confused by Kami being real and that has an affect on his behavior, but who he really is is cloudy. 

I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow for me in the beginning but it picked up quickly. My favorite parts of the book include the unspoken dialogue between Kami and Jared, and when they bump into each other and find out that they are real. Their reaction to their realness was a little surprising to me. I enjoyed that even though there is a love interest and a possible love triangle the story is not too steamy. I found the ending shocking. I'm looking forward to the next book. I have so many questions and need answers. 

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot

Author: Meg Cabot

Title: The Boy Next Door
Publication: October 8th 2002
Publisher: Avon Books
Source: Purchased
Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: 5 out 5

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon | BN

Synopsis: To: You (you)

From: Human Resources (human.resources@thenyjournal.com)
Subject: This Book

Dear Reader,

This is an automated message from the Human Resources Division of the New York Journal, New York City’s leading photo-newspaper. Please be aware that according to our records you have not yet read this book. What exactly are you waiting for? This book has it all:

• Humor
• Romance
• Cooking tips
• Great Danes
• Heroine in peril
• Dolphin-shaped driftwood sculptures

If you wish to read about any of the above, please do not hesitate to head to the checkout counter, where you will be paired with a sales associate who will work to help you buy this book.

We here at the New York Journal are a team. We win as a team, and lose as one as well. Don’t you want to be on the winning team?

Sincerely,
Human Resources Division
New York Journal

Please note that failure to read this book may result in suspension or dismissal from this store.

*********This e-mail is confidential and should not be used by anyone who is not the original intended recipient. If you have received this e-mail in error please inform the sender and delete it from your mailbox or any other storage mechanism.*********

Thoughts: What the heck did you read in the summary? It's not your average paragraph. That's because The Boy Next Door is all written in emails. That's an example of an email that is given to a character. The format is also email based. On top there's a "to", "from", "subject", and body so it looks like a legit email. In order to know who's talking you have to look at the "from" line. It's hard to get used to at first, but once you get the hang of it the book is really fun to read!

This book starts off with Mel who is a reporter for the New York Journal. She has a lovely older lady next door to her apartment, but one day her grandson -- Max -- came to visit and she "fell down" into a comma. Max, to put it bluntly, is an ass hole. He's self centered and a player who photographs naked women as a job. He freaks out and calls his friend John and asks him to take his place. John agrees and takes the identity of Max. Shortly after he moved in meets Mel and finds her very attractive, funny, witty, and all around a good person. John works for the New York Chronicle which is the rival journalist company to Mels. The challenge is to keep his identity is safe, but it gets harder when his family gets involved. All of this is sent via emails. They talk about their day and what they think about people to their friends and family so that's how you understand the plot.

This book made me laugh multiple times; Megs humor never fails to amuse me. Mel is a smart woman who doesn't care for romance in her life but get's it anyway. Same with John, he doesn't think about love until he meets Mel. All of the secondary characters (like Max, Mels best friend, all of her co-workers) play a huge part in the plot. It's not just John and Mel creating emails to each other, sometimes the secondary characters have an email chain of their own. The Boy Next Door is very clever, and I provided two examples email below... sorry it gets cut off. You can fill in the blanks pretty easily. This is an example of her humor, It's a conversation between John and his brother Jason. On the side of the first example you can see a snippet of Max and Johns conversation. It gets complex sometimes, but again you'll get used to it.

Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

Author: Meg Cabot

Title: Size 12 and Ready to Rock

Publication: July 10th 2012
Source: Library

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Genre: Adult Fiction
Rating: 5 out 5

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon | B&N

Synopsis: Just because the students at New York College have flown the coop doesn't mean assistant residence hall director Heather Wells can relax. Fischer Hall is busier than ever, filled with squealing thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls attending the first ever Tania Trace Teen Rock Camp, hosted by pop sensation Tania Trace herself—who just happens to be newly married to Heather's ex-boyfriend, heartthrob Jordan Cartwright. But the real headache begins when the producer of a reality TV show starring Tania winds up dead ... and it's clear that the star was the intended victim.

Grant Cartwright, head of Cartwright Records, wants to keep his daughter-in-law (and his highest-earning performer) alive. So he hires his oldest son, black sheep of the family and private investigator Cooper Cartwright—who just happens to be Heather's new fiancé. Heather should leave the detecting to Cooper. But with a dorm full of hysterical mini-divas-in-training, she can't help but get involved. And after Tania shares a really shocking secret with her, this reality suddenly becomes more dangerously real than anyone ever anticipated.

Thoughts: This is the fourth installment of the Heather Wells series. Heather is a former teen sensation and toured with her then boyfriend, Jordan. He was the hottest celebrity around the block, and decided to pick up Tania – a growing pop idol – along the way. She found Jordan in bed with Tania, and broke up with him on the spot. After, the label dropped her. Over 10 years later, Heather gained weight (to a size 12, if you didn’t get it by the title) and works at the “death dorm” in a New York City college. Don’t say dorm around her, she’ll correct you with “resident housing”. It’s called death dorm because of how many deaths there are… all of them include Heather finding out why it happened and who the culprit is. She starts living with Jordans older brother Cooper, and they fall in love. In this book she’s engaged to him but they want it a secret.

Tania – the girl who Jordan cheated on – is hosting a camp for teens that want to become stars. It’s sort of like the Disney Channel movie “Camp Rock” where everyone is talented and getting ready for the final battle. In this book the winner gets to sign on with Cartwright Records. Problem: Someone wants to kill Tania. Heather and Cooper take it upon themselves to figure out why she’s in danger, and keep the public out of it.

This book has tons of humor in it. Heather is known for being a teen idol, and when people recognize her they say “Ah! It’s Heather Wells! *pause* Uh… what happened to you?” (regarding her weight) It hurts her, but her new fiancé always tells her how beautiful she is which is so adorable! Unlike other books, both Cooper and Heather don’t fight or disagree with each other. The only drama is trying to figure out who the killer is. That’s a definite relief... books usually have more dilemma between characters to keep you on your toes. This one has enough to keep you intrigued. It’s a light read, so you wont have to trudge through it. As a Meg fan, I recommend this book.