Nicole

Review – Crossfire Diamonds By George Snyder

December 28, 2012 by Nicole 1 Comment

Title: Crossfire Diamonds

Author: George Snyder

Publisher: BooksForABuck.com

Buy Link: Buy Crossfire Diamonds Here!

Rating: You Need To Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

Millions of diamonds are enough to tempt even the virtuous into crime and Colt Fallon has never been especially virtuous. While cleaning up a botched kidnapping, Fallon learns of the diamonds and the bank where they’re being held. He won’t be able to get them on his own, but Fallon has a way of attracting the right wrong people–starting with the woman who once betrayed him and who, Fallon is sure, will betray him again. Unfortunately, Fallon isn’t the only person after the diamonds. A Chinese syndicate known as “The Principles” has targeted the jewels and Fallon, putting their top assassin on the job.

Yolanda Smart does her killing from a distance. Careful preparation, learning the target’s patterns, and a cool hand have made her a top killer. With only a few more jobs, she’ll be able to give up this life and head for the islands. A huge diamond stash could provide a shortcut to her retirement. To get them, she’ll have to deal both with Fallon and with her criminal bosses who want the diamonds for themselves. Still, Smart feels up to the job.

Author George Snyder keeps the action moving as Fallon, Yolanda, the brother of a man Fallon killed while cleaning up the kidnapping and the Principles syndicate all scheme and kill to get their hands on a treasure. It starts out as professional but as the killings escalate, things get very personal.

Snyder writes convincingly of a hardened criminals–and the justifications they fabricate to condone their actions. Fallon and Smart, in particular, are engaging and sympathetic at the same time as they’re brutal cold-blooded killers. When the two clash, it was hard for me, at least, to decide which I wanted to win.

Review:

This one took me a long time. Let me recap- we had Hurricane Sandy and then we had the Nor-easter. Both of them left me without cable and internet. But I tried to persevere and continue reading. And then we lost power for a little while. However, I am finished now- I do apologize for the lateness. Without further ado- my review.

Before I start though, I want to say I believe this novel is for a certain type of reader. If you don’t normally read this genre, or subgenre or offshoot, then you may not like this novel at all. I love the cover. It’s what attracted me to the novel.

The main characters to me in this novel got themselves into a bit of trouble all started by a kidnapping and a killing. The killing brought into the mix a band of brothers to avenge the death of the other one. But sometimes, it seemed as if one of them didn’t care.

The story goes on to talk about two different story lines in my mind which is also what took me a while to read. At first, it’s the kidnapping which the brothers set out to avenge. The second is this man who is having an affair on his wife with a bank teller or manager in order to steal some money and diamonds. He thinks he got it made and that no one will catch him. This is how I know I really liked who he talked to…excerpt pps 86-87:

“Then I got thinking. I don’t have to kill you. I can take what you love away from you for the same result. You understand what I’m saying?”

“Not at all.”

Fallon peeled the key from the inside of his holster belt. “Okay, let’s begin where we’re supposed to. I’ll tell you what I know then you tell me everything else. Got it?

Horace Winston blinked with a frown. The office had no air-conditioning. Sweat beaded on his forehead and above through silky threads of graying hair. “I don’t understand.”

And the piece de resistance:

I know the diamonds you got in there are phony. They’re some shit called zirconia, with a little moissanite mixed in. Worth about five bucks an ounce. A crowd of people think they’re real.” He counted on his fingers.

“There’s more. I know you got the real rocks squirreled away someplace. You’re waiting for a ship, the Africa Star to dock downtown Seattle Monday with the rest of the diamonds. Now that’s what I know. What I’m guessing is, you got that armored truck downstairs to pull off a robbery.

Sometime between lunch and supper, out on the highway, they fake a robbery. You collect on the insurance on top of what you get selling the rocks. You collect double the one-point-five value, about three million. Then you plan to set up a love nest with the Asian, Suzy Kwan, somewhere in a cozy part of the world and live happy forever with young stuff. Only, maybe not now you know she’s putting out to Waco Martin.

The first is the kidnapping of the young girl with the death of the teacher. This results in the man called Waco Martin being brought in because the murdered member was his brother. Four of them in all and none of the happy that the brother died but not too pressed about it either.

I think the first half of the book was about the kidnapping and the second half was about the diamonds. But in reality, it’s probably all mixed together. I believe that is how I split it up. Will you like it-well if you are like me and you like the man’s handling of the diamonds then the book may be a good read. But it’s a slow read too. I don’t believe you will get through it in one sitting. But read I think you should.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: BooksForABuck.com, Nicole, You Need To Read

Review – Toccata By Patrick Dale

December 19, 2012 by Nicole Leave a Comment

Title: Toccata

Author: Patrick Dale

Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing

Buy Link: Buy Toccata Here!

Rating: You Want/Need To Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

TOCCATA is about the city of St. Louis, with wealthy residents who personify the decadence evident in their community. About how inherited wealth carries with it the danger of being abused, to the detriment of the abusers and those with whom they come in contact.

But St. Louis is also a city with a heart and an amazing musical heritage including jazz and classical, and a nearly constant humid climate that spurs its inhabitants to express their basest instincts even while rising to lofty levels of achievement. It’s about sex and privilege, a sense of entitlement, and the dangers inherent in them.

TOCCATA is about the unlikely duo of gifted musician and clinical psychologist, Sera Moreland, and rogue police detective, Daniel Quinn, who are drawn together to solve the mysterious abduction of a young girl; a pairing that carries them far beyond their wildest dreams.

TOCCATA is about abduction, torture, murder, and love.

Review:

I liked the story and I didn’t like the story. Let me explain why I didn’t like the story. The main premise of the story is that a man kidnaps a little girl. Throughout the story you do read about it but my attention was kept more by the other story going on at the same time. The story of Sera Moreland and Steve Mason. Sera Moreland is a pianist of great caliber and she is also working with those that are troubled and in need of psychiatric care. She partners with Maddie and David in an office out of her house.

The remainder of the cast of characters are Daniel Quinn, a police officer with whom Sera develops a relationship with; Win Biscayne, son of a pianist who apparently had voluntary sex with her so and he blamed her for his present predicament; Angel, Jon Baltzer, and Hanna.

Daniel Quinn becomes one of the important characters in this novel. In fact, he and Sera develop a romantic relationship one that she had tried to do before with Steve Mason but didn’t do it. Instead and this fellow reader is what I call an unbelievable story that I am not sure is a believable story to tell anyone in real life or not:

Found on page 223 you find out that Steve and Sera had sex during a practice session at a house that was empty and they were able to use for her first recital. The two had consensual sex while she was a 15 year old and the guy was I believe 23 years old. So Sera in order to avoid any problems create this story- and this is why I don’t find it believable. She, Sera and Steve agree to have Sera shoot Steve and make it look like he raped her and then he would go to prison and she would go to her parents house as an unhappy rape victim.

Here is why I don’t like it- first I don’t believe it. Although you hear that people have that problem it is also a ruse in this story to cover up something. But her memory of the event is different than the story she shares with Daniel Quinn. So I feel that her version is unbelievable but fits with the fantasy that she had a love affair going or an infatuation with this man.

The mystery is about finding the man that kidnapped the little girl in the beginning. At first I thought it was Steve Mason because of his history with Sera and also his restraining order that caused him to find other ways of tracking her. But Steve decided that he was in love with Sera and wanted to maintain a relationship. Into this relationship walks Daniel Quinn an on suspension cop who makes her, Sera, the love of his life and his reason for being. Surrounding them are the three young girls or young adult women who are kidnapped by as yet an unknown man. That unknown man becomes Win Biscayne. Win Biscayne’s history is of a not so nice one with women. His sex life was taught to him by his mother. He always tried to relive that life with someone else. The young women he kidnapped represented that for him. But he killed them during the act of sex.

Win Biscayne and Sera were to work together on the case of the missing girls. A case that for some reason hit close to home with Sera. That I didn’t understand because she herself had not been kidnapped just lied about a sexual experience. Nothing untoward seems to happen in her past but it was a crime that made her very unhappy at that. Little did she know that Win Biscayne was the man behind the kidnapping of the young girls. And even littler did she know that the man who attempted to save her life was her love from a long time ago Steve Mason. And how did he find out?

Ah- wouldn’t we want to know what is in their heads. He had tapped into her surveillance bought at his store by Daniel Quinn who was handling security for her after a break in or something happening at her office. If not for that she may not have been found and alive.

My basic problem is the story interwoven within the story. The premise as I said is a young girl gets kidnapped by a man. The kidnapping is mentioned but to me what I focused on was more the story of Sera. Not that the young girl got kidnapped. Not that the young girl reminded Sera of herself and that Sera felt wounded by the event. Not that they had to find out who was behind the kidnappings- a person right under their nose.

But they drew me in with how she explained to Daniel Quinn her relationship or her behavior in regards to Steve Mason. I find that hard to believe. But then it also puts Steve in a position to be questioned regarding the kidnappings which draws attention off of Win Biscayne. What further drew me in was how the cop, Quinn puts together who may have been the culprit and how he feels after watching the tape of how Sera was taken by Biscayne.

By the end of the novel although I still was sitting the fence on whether I completely liked the book to halfway liking the book, I felt that it was a well written mystery because you had to find the clues. Although my attention was drawn to a different part of the story another reader may full realize the entire story as a whole earlier than I. So while I am not a complete fan of the story I have to say it is a good read. I give this book 3 ½ stars. If I had to go a little further I would say I give it 4 stars.

I recommend that you read the book for yourself. And afterwards since this is a first in a series you may want to purchase book two as it will further explain the story.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: MuseitUp Publishing, Nicole, You Want/Need To Read

Review – Be Careful What You Wish For By Sibel Hodge

December 3, 2012 by Nicole 1 Comment

Title: Be Careful What You Wish For

Author: Sibel Hodge

Publisher: CreateSpace

Buy Link: Buy Be Careful What You Wish For Here!

Rating: You Need To Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

For fans of Janet Evanovich, Kate Johnson, and Gemma Halliday…

Armed with cool sarcasm and uncontrollable hair, feisty insurance investigator Amber Fox is back in a new mystery combining murder and mayhem with romance and chicklit…

Three deaths.
A safety deposit box robbery.
The boxing heavyweight champion of the world.

Somehow, they’re all related, and Amber has to solve a four year old crime to find out why.

As she stumbles across a trail of dead bodies and a web of lies spanning both sides of the social divide, it’s starting to get personal. Someone thinks Amber’s poking her nose in where it’s not wanted, sparking off a game of fox and mouse – only this time, Amber’s the mouse.

Amber’s forced to take refuge in the home of her ex-fiancé, Brad Beckett, and now it’s not just the case that’s hotting up. So is the bedroom…

All Levi Carter wanted to be was the boxing heavyweight champion of the world, but at what cost?

All Carl Thomas wanted was to be rich, but would his greed be his downfall?

All Brad Beckett wants is to get Amber back, but there’s a reason for the ex word.

Be careful what you wish for…you might just get it.

Review:

I liked the book but did get lost in some places due to my own mind wandering. I think that the story is kind of like a manual of sorts for writers. It follows a formula of writing and shows you the clues all stuck together in sections and then moves forward.

A summary of the novel is that a fighter named Levi has filed a medical claim for an injury to his eye received in a fight. The insurance company thinks that he may have actually thrown the fight. The idea came from a conversation overheard by another guy who heard Levi and his manager Vinnie Dawson discussing the fight and money or a contractual problem. At the same time, Carl Thomas a man was found murdered with his throat slit and they think it might be connected to a robbery at the bank with which he banks. They later thought it was a connection with the divorce his wife and him were going through because rumor had it that she wanted to take him for his money because he didn’t leave her anything. But they surmised that if she engineered the hit on the bank then it wouldn’t matter to her if she got money from him because she got money from the bank.

Through the investigation, they found that some henchman of Vinnie Dawson, four men knocked over the bank. It was an incriminating fingerprint that netted one and then netted the other three. It was later found out through investigation that Carl Thomas had left to Edward the business and to his niece his personal assets. This was why Amber had thought that she was involved in the bank robbery the four were arrested and imprisoned for but then they found Deborah dead from apparent suicide. Later, Edward confessed to killing her after he chloroformed Amber to keep her from snooping around and killing her. But that still left Levi and his wife Letitia and the original insurance claim for an injury to his eye that was brought out in the beginning of the novel.

Through investigation they found out that Levi had had multiple affairs and they don’t believe his wife found out yet. They were desperately trying to conceive and have a child of their own which is why I believe he was having the affair. In the interim of fighting and a bad contract deal, he had a hit and run motor vehicle accident that Edward had helped him hide. So the possible reason for throwing the fight might have been from that. Or it could be as suggested that Vinnie Dawson, needed some money to hush or get out of the business. But to find that out you will have to read it.

I gave this book four stars. It wasn’t an easy read and it wasn’t a very hard read but it actually kind of goes from story line to story line and you have to follow. The clues will line up for you if you pay attention and take notes. In other words, for some, read it like a school textbook or a book that you would re-read a second time to not miss anything. All in all, it is a good, starter novel I believe for those who read mystery. It follows a formula that you can follow and pick out the clues easily. So if you want a good read, I suggest you read both this and her other novel The Fashion Police. I have read both but I have to say despite my liking this novel I liked the Fashion Police better. But you will have to decide for yourself.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: CreateSpace, Nicole, You Need To Read

Review – The Quest By Mary Abshire

November 17, 2012 by Nicole Leave a Comment

Title: The Quest

Author: Mary Abshire

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Buy Link: Buy The Quest Here!

Rating: You Need To/Gotta Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

Retribution. At any cost.

Now that she knows her name and what she is, she wants justice for everything she’s lost. Though her memories elude her, she takes a job for a half-demon Senator and, aided by werewolves from a local clan, intends to uncover evidence that will convict the Senator of more than thirty murders.

Getting to the Senator and finding the necessary evidence is more difficult than she anticipates, especially when there is a bounty for her death. If that were not enough, the vampire who stole her memories returns and reveals unexpected truths. But she’s not going to let anything stop her. Not a sadistic assassin or a servant or Lucifer. Not even her ex-lover, the vampire God of the Underworld. Nothing will stop her from claiming retribution…even if the price is her life.

Review:

This is a story about a vampire who is trying to solve the mystery of why the woman who helped her out wanted her dead. Along the way, she found out some hard truths about herself, her family, and her memory. She also found out that the love she remembered and the love she felt were two different things. Please be advised that this is a series I believe, Book Two. You may want to read Book One prior to reading this one. It may explain a lot that happens in here or at least lay the groundwork.

A synopsis of the novel is that the main character is Shelly Baxter. She was found and saved by Anubis the God of the Underworld, a long time ago when her half sister Galluzzi brought her back to the compound to save her life. And then she was released and taken care of medically. The synopsis continues throughout the discussion of the reason for the rating.

I gave this novel a rating of 4 ½ stars because I like how it’s written. It moves between past and present with ease giving you just enough information to move the story forward. It never seems to stand stagnant or still. The story itself lends itself to this type of writing because the main character Shelly is attempting to prove that her half sister was trying to murder her. I like the description of the characters. Not that there is a lot but the description comes out in the story piecemeal not all together. You learn about them by their actions and their traits not by narrative. An example of this is:

Police sirens drew near. The vampire shifted his gaze to me. “Who are you?” my voice sounded hoarse. He chuckled. “You really don’t remember do you?” I gave a small shake of my head. The sirens stopped. The fast patter of steps indicated police officers were quickly approaching. He slid the gun back inside his blazer. “Good.” Good? What did that mean? He took a step to pass me. I reached out and caught his leg. “Wait. Tell me who you are.” I needed to know. Why did he save my life? Who was he? Why was he leaving? P 96 excerpt.

From this you can see that the man she is talking to is a vampire like her. However, he knows she and she knows him-how she doesn’t know. He saved her life. And she wants to know why.

He jerked his leg free from my grasp. “You don’t want to know.” “Yes, I do.” A slight grin formed on his face. “I’m the one who keeps saving your life.“ Realization dawned on me. My gut tightened, and I suddenly felt nauseous. He was the vampire responsible for wiping out my memories. My jaw hung open as the vampire ran off, leaving me on my knees near my semiconscious friend. P 96-7 excerpt.

Further development of his character continues on in the story. Specifically:

A millisecond ticked by before someone knocked at the door. Heart beating fast and mind hazy with lusty thoughts. I stared at Jackson with a look of pure confusion. “Who-““I won’t hurt you,” a male voice said. It sounded familiar. Jackson and I froze, staring at each other. “I came to talk. If I wanted you dead, I would have killed you at the dump.” Jackson’s stiff body faced the door. He balled his hands tightly, causing the muscles in his arms to bulge. I stepped to his side. P181-2 excerpt.

The development of characterization is of someone, a man also a vampire, who saves the life of another. There appears to be no apparent reason or motive yet known. One can assume that his motive is to help himself and protect her as he always has. It could be the character of Daniel. But only reading on will tell you the reader that.

“Who is it?” He mouthed rather than spoke. “The vampire who took my memories and left me at the dump,” I answered softly. “Don’t forget, I saved your life the other night, “said the vampire on the other side of the door. P 182 excerpt.

As you read further you actually find that Daniel’s motive is to help out himself by giving information on the reason behind Senator Galluzzi’s interest in Shelly. He gives her the connection that she has so long for searched with her past and a reason to sustain her belief that Galluzzi was indeed guilty of murder. By the end of the novel, we see the breakdown of a family and the relief of knowing an answer that has for so long eluded her be revealed. I have to say it was a little of a long read, but it was well worth the long read for me. I believe that you will all enjoy the novel and recommend it. I also think you should buy the first novel in the series as well.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Lyrical Press, Nicole, You need to/gotta read

Review – Final Solution By Michael Davis

November 7, 2012 by Nicole Leave a Comment

Title: Final Solution

Author: Michael Davis

Publisher: Burst

Buy Link: Buy Final Solution Here!

Rating: You Need To Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

Three stellar wars have stretched the ability of Earth’s ruling authority, the Council, to control the populace across twelve star systems. Unrest among the people threatens the oppressive reign of the government and they’re left with one option: to execute the Final Solution. Their grand scheme is so abominable; should the truth leak out, it could threaten stability of the Order and incite open rebellion.

For their plan to succeed, they must depend on the unique talents of one telepathic man and his blue skinned wife. The couple becomes unwilling pawns to help the Council expand beyond Dominion space into new regions of the galaxy. They unravel lies within lies and discover the scheme risks, not just the New Earth Empire, but the very fabric of the universe. The destiny of humanity itself, and the quest to resolve the ultimate enigma of all sentient beings, falls upon the unlikely duo.

Review:

This is a science fiction novel written by a man who is former military. The story is about interplanetary war of animals of different kinds including humans. The humans have evolved to have telepathic ability. They fight insectoids and some other animals including robots that you have to read about to know. The main character for me is Logan. He is married to Cali. Cali and Logan are telepaths. The two are described as “A pink skinned man and blue toned woman…” They met when his superior asked her to sexually excite him to distract him from his job. But he fell for her anyway. The young men of their time are forced into service for the army of the planet. And Paxton who is working with the General is the man who does the dirty work. But you don’t see much of him in this novel. He is the one who is with Logan after the death of his wife by suicide. Her and all the other telepaths had actually killed themselves on an airplane. He woke in the infirmary and had trouble assimilating the information. After that he vowed that the persons responsible would pay for their crime against his wife. And he did go after them. To know what happens next, I recommend you read the novel.

I give this novel 4 stars. I am not a science fiction fan in general but I do like some stories. This one is a little far out for my tastes though. It has the earmarks of science fiction with the people described and the nature of their life but I think it goes a little far for me. I don’t like some of the scenery. And the description although nice I had to re-read for understanding. The story line was okay but I didn’t like the fact that it took me a little past the death of Cali to figure it out. Although I am not in the army for those who like the army they may like this novel.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Burst, Nicole, You Need To Read

Review – Kill Me By Alex Owens

October 30, 2012 by Nicole Leave a Comment

Title: Kill Me

Author: Alex Owens

Publisher: Quirky Gurl Media

Buy Link: Buy Kill Me Here!

Rating: You Need To Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

Three days ago, she was a wife, a mother, and very much alive… then the music called to her.

Marketing maven Claire has one goal for the Music Expo– to land a few whales so that her boss will give her a badly needed raise. She puts on her game face and courts the industry’s elite until her plans are derailed by hotness-in-high-heels.

Vampire Bette wants to find a human with untapped talents that she can mold and control. Using a haunted violin, she lures Claire in with her lilting song and bewitching smile. In that moment, Claire’s life is unraveled and she finds herself with more than strange dreams and overdue bills to worry about. Much more.

To make matters worse, Claire is attracted to two unlikely people– Bette and her hunky but pale associate, Gregor. Both can light Claire’s fire, but is either of them the only one?

Unfortunately for Claire, life isn’t all song lyrics and seduction. Tied to darkness by blood and power, Claire must harness her abilities if she has any hope of returning home to her daughter and regaining her former life.

Kill Me, the debut novel from author Alex Owens, is a quirky paranormal fantasy complete with music, magic, fangs and freaks. It is also the first in a planned series, with the second book due out by the Fall of 2012. Be forewarned, this is not your daughter’s paranormal.

Review:

The main character-Claire Capianna is a recently separated soon to be divorced mother of one who lived with her husband until they separated. She meets up with some interesting persons who are actually vampires. The story has Claire exploring her lesbian side. She is also working a campaign for a company called SheRawks who I believe turns her into a vampire. Along the way she learns how to handle her hunger, her sexual urges, and learns how to live her life as normal as possible.

I gave this story 4 stars. It is a nicely developed story that has a lot of scenery and a lot of mini events happening throughout it. But the main line that goes through if you were to follow it would be that Claire is learning how to survive on her own using her own sexual power and personal power to create a world for herself with the hand that she is dealt.

I think that you will enjoy this read.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Nicole, Quirky Gurl Media, You Need To Read

Review – Geisha For Hire By Shawn Bailey

October 29, 2012 by Nicole 1 Comment

Title: Geisha For Hire

Author: Shawn Bailey

Publisher: Phaze Books

Buy Link: Buy Geisha For Hire Here!

Rating: You Need To Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

Jayce Ito thought there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his childhood best friend, Marley Bonds, until she asked him to help her out posing as a geisha for a client’s birthday party. He’d done a lot of foolish things for Marley, but this just bordered on insanity–especially when the recipient of the gift turned out to be none other than his new boss, Reuben Danza.

Reuben Danza had received some outlandish birthday gifts in his thirty-two years on earth, but when his best friend Payton Roberts hires a beautiful geisha to perform at his birthday party to impress some important clients, the drunken Reuben decided to let loose a little and show the Japanese men that he really knows how to have fun. But the plot backfires when Reuben gets interested in the geisha and wants to date her.

Review:

This story is about a young Japanese man who is still a virgin, who works as an editor for a publishing house. As a favor for a friend he covers for her as a “geisha” for the night of a party attended by his boss and other fellow workers. As the party goes on he discovers the men are attracted to him. Jayce goes home with his boss and has his first sexual experience with a man. But assures himself and the guy that he isn’t gay.

At the office where he works he is sure that his boss knows it was him. So he tries to be different by changing clothes, eye color and keeping his hair in the ponytail or covered up hairdo he wears. But they figure it out and try to reassure him it’s natural to have “that” relationship.

While all of this is going on, a new author comes to the house and Jayce gets the opportunity to prove himself as an editor. And on page 72 they discuss what it is to come out as a gay man in their culture to family and friends. This subject still makes him uncomfortable but a quick sexual romp in the office keeps him on the path of having a gay relationship. By the end of the novel the couple is a couple, the job appears to be secure and he has extra income with a proud mother and father.

I give this erotica novella 4 stars because I liked how it was a story about more than the sex. Most novels I read that deal with it are about sex. This was an honest and genuine coming out story that you might get a condensed version made for television on LOGO’s Coming Out Stories. I recommend this for a good read.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Nicole, Phaze Books, You Need To Read

Review – Murder Takes Time By Giacomo Giammatteo

October 27, 2012 by Nicole 1 Comment

Title: Murder Takes Time

Author: Giacomo Giammatteo

Publisher: Inferno Publishing Company

Buy Link: Buy Murder Takes Time Here!

Rating: You Need To Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

MURDER TAKES TIME grips you by the throat.

Nicky Fusco thought he knew right from wrong, living by an oath of friendship & honor with his three best friends. But life took them down separate paths, and the oath was broken. Secrets were kept. Years later they are reunited and the bonds of their friendship are brutally tested, putting them on a collision course set in motion long ago.

Murder Takes Time is not a typical murder mystery or mob story. It is a thriller, a romance, and a coming-of-age story that rips your heart out. By the time you’re done reading it, you just might find yourself rethinking the definition of friendship & honor–even right and wrong.

Three boys, one girl. Friendship, honor, love–betrayal. It ends with murder.

Review:

To summarize this story, a friendship had been built between three men- Frankie “Bugs” Donovan, Nicolas Fuscos and Tommy “Mick” Devin. The three were seen around the neighborhood running games and making money. Nicolas Fuscos met a girl that he liked very much. Her name was Angela, but Nicolas got in trouble with the law and was sent to prison. At the time he went to prison Angela was pregnant and an unmarried Italian woman. So she got married to another man and raised her daughter. Tommy Devin also called Mick got murdered during the time period before I believe Nicolas went to prison. Renzo and Nino lived normal lives for them during this time frame. After Nicolas got out of prison he met a woman with whom he fell in love with and who was murdered. Nicolas believed that Renzo might have had something to do with it. And Frankie Donovan’s DNA evidence was found at one of the murder scenes linking him as a possible suspect. Frankie is a police officer and doesn’t want to be implicated in the murders. He felt that as he knew the deceased or one of them that he may have been implicated because of that. So he had a vested interest in finding out the person who committed the crime and he was desperately hoping it wasn’t who he thought it was. In the end, when he figured out who it was, Frankie was disappointed but he gave him a chance to do what he, the person responsible, felt was necessary.

This is an interesting crime novel. I would like to classify as a mystery. A mystery is defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as “(4) a work of fiction dealing with the solution of a mysterious crime.” (P 486). The mystery being who killed Renzo and Nino. The murders occur early on in the novel within the first 45 chapters. The groundwork being laid is that of the actual methodical nature of the person committing the crime and the reason behind that methodicalness. Refer to his rules found on the novel on page 202.

The nature of the relationships between the characters introduced in the novel: Frankie “Bugs” Donovan, Renzo Ciccarelli, Nino Tortello, Nicolas Fuscos, Mama Rosa, Angela, Johnny Muck and Tommy Devin (Mick), is described. As I read the story comes together using the techniques of foreshadowing and of memory to bring a clearer picture to the events that led to the actual killing of those who died. The author also uses places that may actually be recognizable to those who live in the area that he writes about.

Why I gave this story 4 stars-because it kept me reading until the end trying to figure out the MOTIVE for the murders. No matter which way I turned, I didn’t or couldn’t find that reason until the reason became clearly apparent. I will not tell you what it was. I will just tell you that it is of course about a woman. Isn’t it always for some people? But you have to get I believe more than 2/3rds of the way through the novel to find that out. In other words, as I said, I had to keep reading to find it out. The set up of current day and past day moved together to bring the present into focus and the reason for certain behaviors. In the end I think that the story plays itself out, although we may not have thought it would have ended the way it did, but you can follow the clues, and set up a timeline and eventually solve it on your own, once you figure out the MOTIVE for the murders. I think you will enjoy the read.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Inferno Publishing Company, Nicole, You Need To Read

Review – Sparks By Sharon Horton

October 25, 2012 by Nicole 1 Comment

Title: Sparks

Author: Sharon Horton

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Buy Link: Buy Sparks Here!

Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

All her life, Callie O’Rourke wanted to be a firefighter. A lifelong nightmare of being in a fire has driven her to pursue a career to fight fires and save lives. She won’t let being a woman stop her from achieving that goal. When her determination and training land her a job, Callie has no idea being the city’s first female firefighter will gain the attention of more than just its citizens.

Although haunted since childhood by the fiery death of his father, firefighting is in Danny Redmond’s blood. He comes from a long line of firemen, all the way back to his great-grandfather.

Callie’s refreshing candor ignites Danny’s interest. With her ability to fight fires, combined with the way she puts him at ease, it’s not long before they become friends. Focused on being the best firefighters possible, neither is looking for romance. Yet the more they’re together, the more they realize firefighting may not be their biggest challenge.

Review:

This story is about the first female firefighter in Fairmont and her name is Calliana O’Rourke. She is related to the mayor and her love interest in this story is Daniel “Danny” Redmond. He is also a firefighter for the same company. Their connection starts a long time ago , but neither find that out until they are involved in a romantic relationship.

The story takes you through how she proves herself as a firefighter while maintaining a professional appearance despite falling for Danny. Specifically, she gets injured or has an incident while performing her duties which brings up memories of the day she was caught in a fire. She doesn’t remember the actual events of that evening, and this causes problems for Danny. (The rest of this paragraph has been edited to remove spoilers.)

I liked and loved this story. Why? Because the book blurb in the front of the book draws you right into the story. And I quote: “Should they be doing this? What if Will or Bex returned? But the more she and Danny kissed and caressed and moved in perfect rhythm, Callie couldn’t care less about anyone or what they could hear. Out of breath, they backed away just enough to inhale and look at each other.”

This is the blurb in the beginning of the novel to whet your appetite. Does it shout sparks or what? And what is the title of the novel- “Sparks”. I think it’s appropriate. I recommend the novel. I think you will like the story line as it is complete along with a personal problem that is resolved by communication. What women wouldn’t love this relationship? Maybe many, maybe all. But I think you will like it and read it. It is a good read for the end of summer or even your winter reading when you have some free time. Snuggle up with a book and your favorite drink and read.

I think that Sparks will definitely delight your reading eyes and ears.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Nicole, Wild Rose Press, You Gotta Read

Review – Lie To Me By Nicole L. Pierce

October 21, 2012 by Nicole Leave a Comment

Title: Lie To Me

Author: Nicole L. Pierce

Publisher: Red Rose Publishing

Buy Link: Buy Lie To Me Here!

Rating: You Want/Need To Read

Reviewed By: Nicole

Blurb:

Casey has the hots for Damian, but a lot is left unsettled. Can they finally get together or will the Lies be too much for them to overcome?

Review:

This is a wonderful book to read for me. But also it was slightly disappointing read for me and I will tell you why. First off the book starts off a nice pace. Not to slow or too fast. You get to meet your characters and find out a little about them as well as find out the conflict regarding the family. The conflict of the young boy not being told that his father was still alive and they wanted to protect him was a nice touch I believe. They told Miles, thats the baby boy that his father had died in a motorcycle accident. But he hadn’t. He sees him for the first time in this novel. And the hopes are that they will have a good relationship after a fashion.

But the real sparks I think happen when Damian and Casey start talking again. She had been worried when he left town originally. And he had been worried about her and Miles as well. He didn’t know what his reception would be when he came back to the state of Wisconsin, where this novel is set. The story brings in Reese a twin, however, she it appears is willing to hurt Reese in the end to help out Damian. Sam I believe is the father. But what I had found confusing was how to follow the story but mostly because I had to re-read some parts and then the story clears up in the end.

I give this novel 3 1/2 stars mostly because although I did enjoy the read, I had to go back and re-read some sections to follow. I do recommend this for summer beach reading. And also I would suggest her the author for another read as well.

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Nicole, Red Rose Publishing, You Want/Need To Read