Review: You by Caroline Kepnes

You're at work when a beautiful someone walks in and totally steals your breath away. This person has somehow managed to master the art of keeping your attention. After speaking a few words, you're sure they are meant to be with you and you alone. You see your future together and that future is filled with love, devotion, and lots and lots of sex. Before long, you're in their apartment while they're at work, or school, or with friends, taking small tokens such as their under garments, books, email passwords, and cell phones. These are small things they won't notice. You even find a way to eliminate the ones from their life that are keeping you from each other. But it's fine. You two are meant to be.

Ok, maybe that's not you. You're no homicidal maniac who's in love with Guinevere Beck. Maybe you're not Joe Goldberg. No, you don't sit around calculating ways to ingratiate yourself into this woman's life because you're sane.

You is the revealing look inside the mind of a homicidal stalker. A very creepy homicidal stalker. Joe is in love with Beck from the moment she comes into his bookstore. He feels there's some sort of connection that he's sure she will feel once she notices him. Caroline Kepnes debut effort ropes readers in from page one as the narrator Joe becomes increasingly more unstable.

What I loved most about this book is that it's written in the present tense. It feels less like we're being told a story but rather seeing the world as Joe sees it. There isn't any mystery to his obsession but what's captivating is who he'll find threatening and how he'll relinquish their hold on Beck. There is constant tension throughout the book.

Although there isn't much to like about Joe, and his past self could have been better fleshed out, his insight into the human psyche is outstanding. It's here where I wonder how/why he ever felt that Beck was worth such devotion. She has got to be the most exhausting, selfish, self-absorbed, annoying person I've read about in a while. She's so damn needy it's impossible to ever like her.

So, you eventually find this book, You and read it and realize you just might be Joe and then decide that this revealing look at obsession may not be the road you want to go down. Instead you decide to put Caroline Kepnes on your list of authors to look for and write this review on Goodreads. ****

Copy provided by Simon & Schuster via Netgalley

Review: Before I Go by Colleen Oakley

Before I Go is an emotional debut novel about a 27-year old named Daisy. Daisy has survived breast cancer at the young age of 24, and on the eve of her "Cancerversary" she finds out that she has "Lots of Cancer". After her yearly checkup, her doctor discovers that her cancer is aggressive and she may have only a few months to live. After considering life after her death, she decides finding her husband a new wife is how she will focus her time.

So... where to start? Let's begin with Daisy. Daisy is one of the character types that rises to the occasion. She sees problems and fixes them. This makes her the perfect candidate for her veterinarian husband who often leaves his socks in piles on the floor, or would probbly eat cereal at every meal if she weren't around. After she's given her diagnosis, Daisy realizes he will be severely handicapped and unable to fend for his self. This is how she rationalizes trolling cafes, dating sites, and other various places to find her husband a wife. Before long, this plan isn't as easy to take on as she expects. 

Initially, what made me so interested in this title is that most people couldn't bear to see their significant others look at someone else, let alone, search for that someone else for them. I started thinking if I were to leave the world prematurely, but with an expiration date in mind, how would I like to spend those days, months, years. Would I worry about the after "Lots of Cancer" or would I focus on being happy. Living in the moment. Worrying about where my next laugh would come from instead of battling jealousy in my husband's potential mates. 

Colleen Oakley allows us to take an emotional journey with a woman who needs more to let go and just be happy, as opposed to finding her husband a wife. Oakley writes a likable enough character. I just grew agitated with her shifting between jealousy and determination in reference to finding her husband a wife instead of living that life.

Although Before I Go is a debut, and at moments it shows, Daisy's voice allows book snobs to still enjoy this heartfelt read. The pages just fly by with the hope of finding out Daisy's outcome yet dread that it may come to an end. No I will not give away the ending except to say... YOU MUST READ IT!!! No spoilers here.

In conclusion, Before I Go by Colleen Oakley is a worthwhile debut that will have readers question just how easy it really is to let go and move on. Most importantly, it begs the question what is more important when life has an accelerated expiration date. Your own happiness or those you'll leave behind.

Copy Provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via Netgalley

Review: Virgin by Radhika Sanghani

I have to start by saying I'm on the fence about Virgin by Radhika Sanghani. More on that later. Ellie Kolstakis is a 21-year old virgin. Not from lack of trying, but just 'cause. Ellie, with the help of some friends, embarks on a journey to lose her V-card before she graduates from college. Afterall, everyone else is doing it.

From the beginning, Sanghani grabs readers with Ellie's wit and personality. She's honest and open about all her sexual mishaps, inexperience, and really hairy parts. Yeah, Virgin does not sugarcoat the truth and just takes the most honest approach with lady parts, sexuality and the modern woman, as well as uncensored conversation. My best friend and I often think that men have no idea how... um...honest... women talk about sex. 

Yes! I liked Ellie very much... at times. Although Virgin is instantly entertaining, I kinda grew tired of Ellie and her self-pitying. She goes on and on about how she doesn't measure up to friends such as Lara or Emma. It's almost like she couldn't help but remind readers how unfortunate looking she may, or may not be. That is why I'm on the fence with this novel. I loved the American Pie feel a lot more than the She's Come Undone moments. 

Overall, Virgin is a fast and fun chick-litish read. It chronicles how far along women have come from the days of saving themselves for marriage to being women open to discovering their own sexual identities. Radhika Sanghani has definitely carved out her own space in the world of good chick-lit.   ***

Copy provided by Penguin Group via Netgalley

Review: Wake by Anna Hope

Anna Hope's Wake is a touching and moving account of the affects of war on men and women alike. The book opens by defining what the word wake means:
(1) Emerge or cause to emerge from sleep
(2) Ritual for the dead
(3) Consequence or aftermath

Each definition can be used in one way or another to describe the characters Ada, Evelyn, and Hattie as we watch their stories unfold as the unidentified body of a World War I soldier is brought home to be buried. It is the two-year anniversary of Armistice Day and the excitement, fear, and dread of what it means brings each women on a paths that are only separated by a few men.

Ada is the mother of a young soldier named Michael. She mourns his death and walks around seeing his face in every young man that she sees on the streets. She is in a sort of dead sleep. She doesn't even see that she is a fraction of the person she once was. All she can accept is the guilt she feels for allowing her young son to go to war.

Evelyn works for a government that has long stopped caring for their veterans, meaning she works where stipends are to be provided to injured (or out of work) soldiers. She too is in a rut having lost her only love to war. Her brother, Edward, served in the army as a captain and has shown a clear difference since coming home from war. At one point they were so close but he seems much more distant. The truth is far worse than she knows. They both wander in the consequence of their lives after war.

The third woman, Hattie, is young and works as a dancer. She is paid to dance with men whenever they pay her boss. She shares those earnings with a volatile mother, and mute brother. He's barely spoken since the war. Hattie is unaware of the trauma he's been through and yearns for her brother to be whole again.

The characters in Wake can each define their lives in the before and after of war. This is the way that many can identify their lives. I had a friend who served in Iraq. She was 20 when she left. A vibrant, loving girl, unafraid of what was in store for her. She returned with a serious drug problem, a son, and only a few years to live. I identify with these men and women wholly, and I'm nothing more than a witness... a mere bystander.

Although the novel is written about a horrific time in history, Anna Hope manages to write poetically, vividly, and clearly. Wake doesn't read like a debut which is an awesome feat for any author coming out the gate. Even when I had to stop reading to take care of my own personal life, and ironically, plan my father's wake, the moment I picked it back up, I was once more gripped in the lives of each character. I couldn't wait to see how their stories tied into each other. And ohhhhh did they...

Overall, Wake is a beautifully written debut novel that fans of historic fiction will need to read. It's not a super sappy women's only novel that gets tiring as it describes one flighty woman after another but rather a journey for emerging from sleep. I loved this novel and hope that Hope (no pun intended) writes more like it.  ****

Copy provided by Random House via a Goodreads Giveaway

Review: The Ascendant by Drew Chapman

I won The Ascendant a while ago through a Goodreads Giveaway and had been meaning to read it for so long. I have finished and loved every page of this novel. Drew Chapman is quite a writer and for The Ascendant to be a debut, not one page reads as one.

Garret Reilly is a numbers whiz. He sees patterns in numbers, people, life, everything. His ability to make sense of what seems totally random is the reason the government wants him on their team. Reilly, working as a bond analyst, notices that billions of dollars worth of U.S. Treasury bonds are being sold. The flooding of this money will cause economic ruin making the U.S. dollar virtually worthless. 

After discovering this anomaly, Reilly's life is turned upside-down. He's whisked away by the government because they believe he may be able to win a silent war against China. No one is supposed to know about this war and it all seems to be happening underground. China is slowly chipping away at the U.S. economy and that is where Reilly steps in to head a secret group named Ascendant.

The Ascendant leaves no room for the reader to ever get bored. Sometimes with financial thrillers there's a tendency to become mundane while all the financial mumbo-jumbo gets dumbed down for people like me who can't make heads or tails of any of it. Chapman does not do that with this novel. He keeps The Ascendant moving forward at such an alarming rate, I can't even describe.

Although the novel moves forward well, Chapman does not allow character development to be sacrificed. Every character seems real and full of depth. Especially Garrett Reilly. From the beginning it's clear he has a chip on his shoulder. As the novel progresses, there is real growth and development on his part. 

There is another storyline, which readers aren't quite sure how it's related to Reilly's story, that was just as paramount. Hu Mei is leading a revolt against the Chinese government, demanding rights for the people and a true reformation of China. Hu Mei is quite badass. 

Above all, I don't think I have anything bad to say about The Ascendant. I loved it and I wish I'd read it sooner. Since it's clear Reilly's story isn't over, I look forward to the next installment featuring Garrett Reilly. Drew Chapman, I am officially a fan!   ****

Copy provided by Simon & Schuster via a Goodreads Giveaway

Review: Black Chalk by Christopher J Yates

Black Chalk by Christopher J. Yates is one interesting ride down memory lane with a character named Jolyon who recounts how his life changed dramatically 14 years earlier. Six friends decide to embark on a game where after a series of rounds, consequences will be given in gradual escalation in order to prevent elimination if one of those rounds are lost. The game is meant to be strictly psychological. A game of the mind. But of course, with all good things, the game costs more than these six can pay, even resulting in an unforeseen death.

It is clear that the game has taken its toll on at least one player. Part of Black Chalk is narrated by a person who has completely lost his marbles. At one time this player was the nucleus to his social circle only to have it all taken away by the game. With the impending reunion of the remaining players, we are taken on a journey to regain strength for this broken player. Their life consists of mnemonics, notes, solitude, whiskey, and fear. Oh we mustn't forget the pills. All this in order to go on day to day without dealing with the guilt of the game.

Black Chalk explores the fragility of friendships, competition, and the human mind. What would you do to win? At some point, the jackpot didn't even matter, it was purely all about winning. Yates had me hooked wanting to see what, and why the narrator was a shell of himself. What could be so damning about this game that it cost so much for so little?

Sadly, my biggest gripe with this novel is that I never found the answer to the question. It seemed like jealousy and bitterness kept something going so long that should have ended long before it did. And sadly, there was no character I ever seemed to really like. The only redeeming characters were the ones who had the courage to walk away.

One other thing I couldn't quite get was the actual game. It's unclear what it is. Is it a mixture of poker? Gin rummy? Go Fish? What? The answer never comes. And the consequences seemed to be performed off-screen, but judging by the story in the story, it tears their lives apart. I don't know.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed reading Christopher J. Yates debut Black Chalk. It's an interesting look into the world of what guilt can do to someone; anyone for that matter. I hope this won't be the last we hear of Yates as I think he's got quite some good writing chops. I won't need any mnemonics to remember to look for any future works by him.  ***

Copy provided by Random House UK via Netgalley

Review: Before I Wake by C.L. Lewis

I've been finding it harder and harder to rate certain books nowadays. Usually I am sure during the first 40% whether I'm in love with a novel or am sure it should be banished to my "did-not-finish" pile. For more than half of Before I Wake by C.L. Taylor, I wasn't sure which way I was going with this one.

From page one Taylor takes hold of readers by revealing that the narrators daughter may have botched her own suicide and as a result is now in a coma. Apparently stepping in front of a bus isn't as final as a shot to the head or... something even more precise. I digress.

Sue Jackson is confident that her snooping in her daughter Charlotte's diary, alluding to a secret she can no longer live with, is the reason she has decided to commit suicide. On a quest to figure out what that secret is, Sue begins questioning any person who may be involved with this secret. The only problem is that much of the time we can't trust her narrative because she reveals at some point in her past she's experienced "episodes" where her break from reality could also be the cause of her anxiety.

As Sue's narrative moves the story forward, she also recalls a time in her past where she was in an abusive relationship. It is clear that the man she once loved and loathed is the cause of her anxiety rendering her unreliable as a guide through the mystery surrounding her daughter's demise. Usually I'm more interested in novels featuring a narrative by a crazy person, but for some reason, I never warmed up to Sue.

What was done perfectly is the gradual build of suspense and tension surrounding Charlotte's life. There are enough red flags thrown into the mix that it makes putting the novel down impossible. Although I was not impressed with Sue, Taylor forced me to read this novel until its end. It could possibly be because the writing is fluid. Possibly it could be that I just had to know whether or not Sue was/is crazy afterall. I can't call it. All I know is that after more than 40% in, I could not for the life of me understand what was holding me captive to this story.

In conclusion, Before I Wake by C.L. Taylor is an interesting psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. It explores matters surrounding mental health while suggesting there's no easy way to escape our pasts. I know my review is all over the place but I definitely did enjoy reading this novel. I look forward to reading more by C.L. Taylor.   ***

Copy provided by Sourcebooks Publishing via Netgalley

Review: Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith

Where do I begin with this review? I guess from the beginning.

Forty Acres is the debut political thriller by Dwayne Alexander Smith composed of a plot I never saw coming. Off the high of winning a civil rights case, Martin Grey is ready to live the good life. The latest verdict is set to bring the small civil rights practice he shares with his good friend Glen, into the limelight and some serious cash flow. 

Seemingly out of the blue, Martin is approached by Damon Darell, who happens to also be opposing counsel in the trial that has made his career. Damon encourages Martin to spend some time with him as he introduces him to a group of other successful black men.

This is where the plot to Forty Acres becomes interesting... and I admit...a little uncomfortable. Damon and his group of cronies are members to a secret society headed by Dr Kasim. Their intent is to reinstate slavery but only for white people. They insistForty Acres is their way of honoring their ancestors.

Maybe it's all the "black noise" I hear in my ears or whatever but this was wildly insane to me. I couldn't get past my discomfort for a long time. It made reading the first half a bit of a struggle for me. I don't want to give anything away but I'm sure some of their points can leave room for much discussion.

Once Martin is drawn into their sick fantasy, it becomes frighteningly clear that he does not agree with their beliefs which my also place him in harms way. There's no way a secret such as Forty Acres can be revealed without ensuring it's secret is safe, by all means necessary.

Smith's Forty Acres is a riveting story of a man who's faced with determining what his beliefs mean to him and if he's willing to risk his life for them. Martin is such an awesome character that deserved so much more development, but because this is a thriller, thin characters are to be expected. There were many moments I thought that the plot was predictable and then Smith would take it in a whole different direction. 

The one huge gripe I had with Forty Acres is the end and the countdown. That's a cheap tool used in movies and not a book. Sorry!!! Just had to call it out. 

Ultimately, Forty Acres by Dwayne ALexander Smith was quite a read. It forces readers to question their own morals and what they'd live or die for. I won't forget this novel and am even now questioning the absurdity of the thinking in some characters. Thanks Dwanye Alexander Smith for such a thought-provoking read. Fans of political thrillers will have to read this stunning debut. The point isn't that this novel is not likely or possible, it's the fact that someone out their wishes it is.   ****

Copy provided by Simon & Schuster via Netgalley

Review: Ruby by Cynthia Bond

Wow!!!

Ruby by Cynthia Bond is a profound debut novel featuring two beautiful, yet battered souls. On one hand we have Ruby. Evident from page one she comes off as a woman who has seen better days. People of Liberty watch her as she begs Miss P for food. She's no longer the beauty she once was, but still Ephram Jennings only sees her through loving eyes.

Ephram Jennings has loved Ruby since they were children and has never stopped. After seeing her fall so far from glory, Ephram decides to save her. He doesn't so much as want to remake her, but to make her whole again. And in the process, he will be made whole as well.

Cynthia Bond offers readers two unforgettable, unbreakable characters whose story I won't soon forget. Ephram stole my heart from page one with his wish to only be noticed. Besides his overbearing sister, Celia, no one else notices this simple man. Except maybe to make fun of him for taking an interest in Liberty's Ruby.

What is most true to form is the setting Bond has created. Liberty, a small, unassuming town that is riddled with secrets, and folklore... maybe even some haints, and is full of gossip. This southern town has seen it's share of crazies and is sure that Ruby is on the way to making her way into that prestigious hall of fame that Ephram's mother did decades earlier. 

Each character presented in this novel served a purpose. I love that there were no words, actions, or scenes that didn't matter. Ruby is often full of suspense, mystery, intrigue, and hope. There were no good opportunities to stop reading. In the moments when I had to come back to my own world, Ruby and Ephram weren't far from my mind. Their spirits lingered, similarly to Ruby's own ghosts. 

I can go on and on about this book. I can mention how vivid, provocative, haunting, and gripping Ruby is, but my words could not do this novel justice. Ruby stands on its own and invites readers to believe there is love, and redemption in us all. Thank you Cynthia Bond for inviting me on the journey through the lives of Ruby, Ephram, and the citizens in Liberty. Ruby is a wonderful debut novel that will remain in the minds of readers long after the last page is turned. ****

Copy provided by Crown Publishing via Netgalley

Review: Country Hardball by Steve Weddle

Steve Weddle introduces readers to a rural town that seems to be on its way to being obsolete in his debut Country Hardball. The jobs are scarce, the reasons to be happy are few and far between, and there is no shortage of more woes to come. As we are given insight to many different townsfolk, the main character Roy Allison seems to hold all the intermingling stories together.

Roy Allison has had more than a few run ins with the law. He's even endured a stint in Juvenile Detention. In an effort to remake his life, he returns to live with his grandmother to the town of his youth. From his first chapter on, it's apparent there are maybe some people who don't want him to remind him that his past is never too far from him. And it could quite possibly creep up and leave you bloody and dying in a creek.

Many of the stories in this novel are similar to Allison's. We are introduced to some hard working people who are one car repair away from bankruptcy, or banking on their sons ability to play baseball to climb out of the hole that has become this town. Weddle does not tell there story in an effort to get tears jerking but in a way that proves the resilience that is the human spirit.

Although with few resources, each character finds a way to get up each morning and keep moving on. Sure there are characters who may choose a sketchy way of skirting poverty while others just go to their 9-5s, each story relays the message that the choices we make are what matters. At many times I thought that maybe this town gave up... but that wasn't entirely true for me once I finished the novel. 

Ultimately, Country Hardball is an interesting told in stories that deserves to be read. Steve Weddle definitely held my attention and had me invested completely even with the short glimpses into their lives provided. I hope it doesn't always remain true that once somethings starts going, there's nothing that can bring it back. If that's true than our country has a problem.  ***

Copy provided by Tyrus Books via a Goodreads Giveaway

Review: The Professor by Robert Bailey

There's something about a good legal thriller that always gets my juices going. I find trials to be fascinating and gripping. I'm one of those people who can watch hours and hours of Law & Order so when The Professor by Robert Bailey became available on Netgalley, I crossed my fingers that my request would be granted. Thank you Angry Robot for accepting my request.

The Professor follows a harrowing trial where the defendant provides one vicious hurdle after another in an effort to get a verdict that will not cause the Willistone Trucking company to jeopardize a multi-million dollar merger. The only thing Jack Willistone never counted for was The Professor.

After being ran out of a cushy teaching job as an Evidence professor, Tom McMurtrie is taking a break. His health is failing him and the salacious scandal that follows him to no end gives him cause to take a break. With all intentions of staying out of the lime light he is given the opportunity to represent a woman Ruth Ann Wilcox, who lost her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter in a collision with a Willistone driver, he gives the case to a former student of his. Before long, the case starts to unravel. 

Robert Bailey presents readers with a riveting plot that never skips a beat. The Professor is a quick read that never lets eases off the gas. The villain is a man that will stop at nothing to get the verdict he wants. His actions push many characters to question their loyalties or risk secrets being revealed. As the bodies and questionable circumstances disproportionately tip the scales in the defendants favor, I admit he gave this novel life... for me at least.

Although the characters are real and well defined, I almost felt that Tom McMurtrie was a little boring. The young lawyer that he refers the case to, Rick, was much more interesting. It was a good thing that Bailey allowed him to take center stage for a good portion of the novel. The professor was not very interesting. He sort of started strong but ended flat for me. I loved that he was one of those cutthroat kinda professors that students dread crossing paths with, but then he does a 180 and becomes dull. 

Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Professor and look forward to Robert Bailey honing his craft and finding him up there with the Turow, Connelly,and Grisham's of legal thrillers. This debut effort was well worth the time spent reading it. I look forward to the upcoming novels in this McMurtrie and Drake series. ***

Copy provided by Angry Robot via Netgalley

Review: Before We Met by Lucie Whitehouse

Hannah lives a charmed life with her husband Mark up until he's MIA at Heathrow airport. After waiting for him for hours, hoping that his flight home from New York hasn't turned into a disaster, she finally goes home. The morning brings with it a host of problems unforeseen where lies once told are slowly unraveling. Lies that threaten their charmed life.

Before We Met is the novel by Lucie Whitehouse that has been compared toGone Girl. I really hope that every new novel that features a married couple going through what married people do, doesn't have to hold the weight of this same comparison. Seriously, this novel doesn't add up. Neither does Gone Girl for that matter, but it isn't fair. So based on its own merits is the spirit in which I write this review.

Hannah is a peculiar character that I never once found an ounce of concern for. She's worked on not repeating her mother's sins. You know the type of woman who pretty much chases her man away by never being able to trust him. Hannah doesn't want to be that woman. It isn't until she's given reason to doubt her husband that she finds herself down the road of no return. A road full of mystery, intrigue, and suspicion. 

Before We Met did not start off being a good read for me. I thought it was boring and predictable. And as mentioned before, I couldn't ever warm up to Hannah. I almost felt that she was naive and kept blinders on for some obscene reason. She seems to find so much information in an afternoon. What cloud was her head in until now? After I forgave Hannah her shortcomings, I was able to enjoy the story.

Ultimately, Before We Met turned out to be a gripping story of suspense begging readers to question what do they really know about anyone. It doesn't seem so easy to take someone's word for it anymore. That's pretty scary. If you can't even trust the person you've pledged til death do you part to be completely transparent and honest, than who can you trust?  ***

Review: What We've Lost is Nothing by Rachel Louise Snyder

Whoa! That was one wild ending. Did not expect that!

One small neighborhood in Chicago's west suburb of Oak Park falls victim to a string of burglaries. These burglaries happen in succession during broad daylight to a community that has been built on the theory of diversity assurance. This string of home invasions leaves each neighbor questioning their neighbors, community, and the culprit(s). Over the course of 24 hours, Rachel Louise Snyder exposes the highs and lows of what it means to want to live in an ideal world of diversity, yet ultimately falls victim to reality.

What We've Lost is Nothing sparked my interest because I'm born and raised in Illinois. I live North of the city but have traveled to the city's west side many times. I have family who lives past the city's west side in suburbs that neighbor Oak Park. I've been to Oak Park. It reminds me of where I live. And it definitely feels a 100x's safer than the city's west side. There I go behaving and making assumptions like the people of Ilios Lane.

Although Snyder shifts focus between the neighbors who reside on this cul-de-sac, the most well developed characters I felt were the McPherson's. Mary Elizabeth McPherson is actually home, cutting school in fact, while her family's home is being ransacked by burglars. Mary's mother, Susan, works in realty showing homes for those hoping to rent in diverse locations. Michael McPherson also showcases in this novel initially as a leader but then...

What We've Lost is Nothing brings to light the ideas and prejudices many keep to themselves. It only takes a few hours before the speculating surfaces. The Cambodian family didn't lose much so they must be culprits. Not to mention their cousins that look so out of place as they loiter on this pristine block. Or... it just maybe could be those usual gang-banger west side guys that is heard to be hanging out on the border of the Oak Park suburb and the crazy projects of Chicago's west side. You know the guys who's pants fall off their a**es, with the tattoos, and the drug money in their pockets. It could even be the neighbor from up the street who was supposed to be in Paris but isn't. 


As if it weren't enough to add insult to injury with all the preconceived notions and finger pointing, Snyder supplies us with blog posts with commentary. Most of the time I had feelings of anger coupled with disgust for some of these characters. Then I sat back and thought to myself, wouldn't I feel the same way? Would I think that just because the Cambodian family didn't have much to steal, and they're minorities, they must have had something to do with the burglaries. Completely oblivious to the fact that they have more than enough money in the bank to send their daughter to any school of her choice. Or those cousins that loiter are actually stellar students that have their futures perfectly mapped out.

Would I, like many of the characters, place the blame where it so often finds itself? On poor blacks. It's always so easy to blame the people we don't know or assume we know because of the portrait that's painted on the nightly news. The purpose of living in a diverse neighborhood is to quash those misunderstandings. The citizens of Ilios Lane fell short big time of this virtue. 

What We've Lost is Nothing is a great debut novel that will make readers reflect on what matters most when their personal space has been invaded. It begs to question what does it say about us as individuals when we point the finger of blame when we think its safe not to be politically correct. There is so much to discuss from this novel so I recommend it for a group read. It's social implications are profound and relevant. I look forward to reading more by Rachel Louise Snyder.  ****

Review: The Warrior by Ty Patterson

The Warrior by Ty Patterson instantly grips readers with the rape and assault on African women witnessed by Major Zeb Carter. Zeb is a private military contractor who's job is to visit a few villages in North and South Kivu to get information on who's capturing mines and selling the minerals to people in the states. His investigation places his sights on someone who needs to pay for these heinous acts and Zeb is ready for him to pay up. The Warrior is a fast paced debut thriller by Ty Patterson that follows the usual pattern. What makes these types of novels distinct are always their main character. Zeb is an interesting, mysterious guy that intrigues me. There's no doubt he's skilled at his job working for the Agency, I only wish I knew more about him. Where does he come from? What's his motivation? I'm hoping in future novels by this author, he will address the need for more depth in his character. Because no thriller is complete without any sorts of thrills or action, there is more than enough here to keep readers on the edge of their seats. In between these moments are a little choppy, but I found that it was easy enough to follow. Overall, The Warrior is an engrossing, quick read that fans of thrillers won't want to miss. I look forward to reading more by this author. Hopefully Major Zebediah Carter will be his leading character in future novels.  ***

Review: In the Company of Wolves by James Michael Larranaga

In the Company of Wolves by James Michael Larranaga is the fast paced thriller that is unlike any that I've read in a long time. Quin Lighthorn is picked to be an intern for Safe Haven insurance company in Minnesota. No this company doesn't sell insurance, they are "death brokers". They buy policies for cash from terminally ill people hoping to enjoy what last time they have. This is a fascinating aspect for me because I'd never heard of this. People who buy dying peoples life insurance and cashes them out for a fee. Because this is a thriller, the fact that people are dying of unusual reasons is a given.

Larranaga couples each chapter with insightful information about wolves, their habits, and the similarities they share with humans. Using wolves habits to distinguish the difference in all the characters is really great... at first. That gripe will come later.

Quin Lighthorn is a likeable character. He seems to genuinely care about what's happening to this broker's clients. There are people disappearing and he's anxious to find out where or why this is the case. Believing he is on an assignment for the FBI, Quin appears to be a person of sound mind... until Larranaga peels off more and more layers of his psyche.

As stated earlier, I really was fascinated by In the Company of Wolves because it's rare that I can learn information from fast paced thrillers. Ater awhile I was more interested in the movements of wolves than what was actually happening in the story.

Amongst my gripes are that what was amusing at first of the constant wolf classifications of the human characters, suddenly became annoying and repetitive. I almost lost track of who "stray dog" or "alpha dog" were a few times. There's no way we can ignore the similarities when comparing wolves to (greedy) humans so there is no need to beat us over the head with it.

One other gripe I have is something I don't want to spoil so I'll be as cryptic as possible. There's a character who divulges information way too freely... actually a couple who give private info way too openly. This is so unbelievably wrong and I'm certain is highly unethical. That is all.

In the Company of Wolves seems to be a prelude to James Michael Larranaga's next book. I really hope to read the next in this series because of how absorbing his read is. I recommend this read to lovers of thrillers and suspense. I really hope that death brokers don't function this way. It appears the cure is worse than the illness. ****

Review: What I Had Before I Had You by Sarah Cornwell

*Won Through a Goodreads Giveaway* WOW!!!! What an eye-opening literary account of bipolar disorder and how it has manifested itself in a family! Olivia returns to Ocean Vista with her two children, Carrie and Daniel, in tow. She decides that a stop on the beach may be just what the doctor ordered before they make the final trek to New York City where the beginning of a new life is on the horizon. During this time at the beach, her nine-year-old son Daniel, goes missing. The last thing Olivia needs is to be searching for her son when she's still coming to terms with the death of her marraige, and Daniel's recent bipolar disorder diagnosis. What I Had Before I Had You is beautifully narrated by Olivia. She recounts the time when she was fifteen and had to begin facing the truth of the world she lived in. As an only child to a whimsical mother who often disappeared for days, was her reality. Reflecting on the days of her youth in an abandoned hotel, as she searches for Daniel, is how we learn of her troubled past. Sarah Cornwell brilliantly fuses a tense, yet heartening, plot with eloquent prose and dynamic characters. The younger Olivia is trying to find her way in a world where she never quite felt she belonged. Actually, many of the characters find they are trapped in worlds that aren't suitable causing them to be tourists in lives in which they don't belong. As a teen, her escape is found in running with a fast crowd and as an adult, it's in the arms of random lovers. Olivia maintains the guilt for so many instances in her life. Leaving her ill mother at a young age, subjecting her children to that same abandonment, and presently losing Daniel. Her one ally. Carrie is someone she barely recognizes anymore. Olivia can feel the resentment and embarassment that permeates from her teenage pores. Unlike her own condition, whatever ails Carrie can't be fixed with pills. What I Had Before I Had You is not only about bipolar disorder. It's an insightful and detailed chronicle of a family that's trying to put back together the pieces of their lives. In very few pages Sarah Cornwell sucks readers in and forces us to care about Olivia and her family. What I Had Before I Had You is going to be on the minds of readers long after the last page.   ****

Review: Japantown by Barry Lancet

Won Through a Goodreads Giveaway I should have opened this book upon receiving it in the mail but in the interest of me being a slacker I decided to put it on the back-burner. Big Mistake! Huge!(In my Pretty Woman voice to those snobby Rodeo Drive women.) Japantown by Barry Lancet is what I look for in all thrillers. A great plot that has all the bells and whistles such as dead bodies, major butt-kicking, and impossibly awesome villains is nonnegotiable. Thank you Barry Lancet for fulfilling this criteria. An antique dealer, Jim Brodie, is asked to consult with the San Francisco PD on a recent murder of a Japanese family. Because of his expertise in all things Japan, he's the go to guy. He's also part-owner of his deceased father's PI firm in Japan. Immediately Brodie notices there is something very calculated and expert about this killing. Similar to his wife's death, there is a kanji note found at the murder. Ultimately, his investigation places him in a dangerous position that threatens the life of his friends and his only living relative. Barry Lancet uses his knowledge of Japanese culture and the language to writeJapantown. This debut novel is descriptive, absorbing, and thrilling. Suffice it to say it does not read like a debut novel. Lancet scraps unnecessary dialogue for a more intelligent thriller. Instead of littering the pages with failed one-liners, Lancet goes for a more believable approach with a strong pivotal character. Japantown shifts focus between Jim Brodie's narratives and a third party view of the bad guys movements. It is not clear how the two are related but we are privy to the understanding that Jim has definitely pissed the wrong guy off. As more layers of mystery are unraveled, the tension is palpable. The world of high-stakes business is a lot more deadly than one would have thought. Barry Lancet is a great new voice in the thriller genre. I hope his next novel is just as good as Japantown. It's an in-depth look at Japanese culture, business, and values. Sign me up for his next book. PLEASE!?!   ****

Review: Game by Anders de la Motte

Game: a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators Courtesy of Dictionary.com.,LLC After seeing someone has left a phone on the train, what do you do? Do you try to flag them down in an effort to return their property or do you turn it on and consider yourself lucky to have found such a treasure? Before you can really figure what to do, the phone buzzs. Lo and behold, the person on the other line is asking if you want to play a game. Then suddenly, without knowing how to respond, the phone addresses you by name. How does the person on the other end sending messages know that you've found this phone? Figuring it's some funny joke, you agree to play The Game. Henrik Pettersson can't believe his luck when he finds a phone on the train. Instead of leaving it alone, he answers the call of The Game Master. Because HP is unlike the average person, he's the perfect candidate for The Game. He's a slacker, not really worried about the consequences of his actions, narcissitic, and impulsive. He lacks any real family or emotional connection to any one person. Swedish author Anders de la Motte's Game is fast paced and takes off like a rocket. He places HP into action almost immediately and never gives the reader a chance to get bored with The Game. Even when the novel shifts to a woman named Rebecca Normen. We don't know her connection to the progression of the story except that she's no-nonsense, tough, smart, and driven as a "personal protection coordinator". Because Game barely slows down for HP to catch a breath, his profile is given to readers through a glimpse of his file. This file is what was used to determine HP's qualifications of being a participant in The Game. It's may seem like cheating but Anders de la Motte does well in developing the Rebecca Normen character. She's the more enjoyable of the two main characters. After some time I found HP to be draining. He's dense and de la Motte never showcases the intelligence that was used as a determining factor in his being asked to join The Game. He's only able to get into contact with much smarter people. That's his only redeeming quality. Since HP isn't the brightest crayon in the box, nor does he think things through, I found it especially hard to back him 100%. Once he finds out the extent of what he's gotten hisself into, it's not all that obvious that he appreciates it. He almost takes for granted the long reach of the people he's involved with. He's frustrating to no end. Overall, I will be reading the next novel Buzz in the Game trilogy because I did like book 1 a lot. Game is engrossing and will appeal to fans of thrillers and suspense. The idea of someone being idiotic enough to do whatever a phone tells them just for a short time of recognition and praise is always an interesting topic in the age of social media and our phones being the source of everything that is anything. I am looking forward to finding out who wins the game. Will it be HP or The Game Master?   *** Copy provided by Simon & Schuster via Netgalley