April 27, 2015

Review: Game On by Gabra Zackman


Product Description:
Part caper, part romantic comedy, this hilariously entertaining book in the Bod Squad series features a sassy and sexy undercover operative, Susannah “Legs” Carter, and her Ocean’s Eleven–style team of private investigators.

From Washington, DC, to Paris, Legs is tailing Charles Oakley Palmer III, a white-collar criminal she’s determined to bring to justice. But will romance or betrayal blossom along the way? Find out in the first in a sizzling new series about a team of highly skilled investigators who go undercover to catch criminals—while juggling romance, world travel, and danger around every corner.

My Thoughts:

As I first started reading Game on I was really irritated by the cheesiness and improbability of the story but as the "plot thickened" it was so over the top I couldn't help but find myself enjoying it more and more.

Legs gets herself into trouble over a man and struggles to fight her way out. She enlists the help of her team and a long-time personal friend to figure it all out. I hope that the next book in the series focuses on my two favorite characters Bod Squad team members, Lisa Bee and Jackson.

A little intrigue, a little sex and plenty of high-tech gadgets. It was James Bond meets Stephanie Plum. Actually I was reminded of the Fox and O'Hare Series series by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg and am looking forward to the next installment. 

My Recommendation: 

Recommended for anyone who loves romantic comedies. 

April 25, 2015

Review: L.A. Rotten by Jeff Klima


Product Description:
As an expert crime-scene cleaner, Tom Tanner charges big money to carve out bullets, mop up fluids, disinfect walls, and dispose of whatever’s left of whomever was unlucky enough to require his services. For a handsome young ex-con determined to stay out of trouble, it’s practically a dream job—until he discovers a grisly pattern to his work: a string of gruesome murders at a cheap motel chain, always in Room 236.
 
While prying into a serial killer’s nasty scheme, Tom finds himself with a sharp-witted strip-bar waitress plastered to his side—and his conscience. Even more surprising, the killer starts prying into his life, luring Tom into a twisted friendship. As Tom struggles against his adversary’s wicked whims, risking the lives of the few people he holds dear, bodies pile up everywhere he turns. With a psychopath calling the shots, Tom has little choice but to clean house once and for all.`


My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved L. A. Rotten. It is now my #1 read for 2015. Tom Tanner was one of those characters that stay with you long after you finish the book. He was a broken, tragic mess yet still managed to become a lovable character in the end. He kind of reminded me of Dexter who is another one of my favorites. Along with his sidekick Ivy, they managed to track down a serial killer that the cops didn't even know existed. 

Even better than reading this is the fact that L. A. Rotten is the first in the new Tom Tanner Mystery series. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book. 

My Recommendation:
I recommend L. A. Rotten to anyone who loves crime noir.

April 18, 2015

Review Arivaca: Guardians of the Light by John Poulsen


Product Description:
Jesse Ballard’s life is filled with misfortune. His parents are dead, he’s been convicted of a crime, and a dark secret torments his soul. But when he’s incarcerated on a ranch for troubled teens he discovers his troubles have just begun. A Supreme Power has literally hijacked his life, bringing him to the ranch to make him the guardian of a powerful relic that was hidden away 2600 years ago when Solomon’s Temple was destroyed.
Given superhuman powers, Jesse is suddenly thrust into a strange and perilous world of supernal treasures, killers and demons—battling the dark forces who desperately seek the sacred artifact. Thinking he’s on a one man mission, Jesse is shocked to learn that Cedar Lane, a girl who seriously despises him, has spiritual gifts essential for keeping the relic safe. Without her help, he’s in jeopardy of losing not just the relic, but his life.
My Thoughts:
The action in Arivaca started out from almost the very first page but once Jesse was sent to the boy's ranch it all came to a screeching halt and I struggled to continue reading. The religious relic part of the story is what kept me going and thankfully towards the last third of the book, the action picked up again.

Another reason I didn't get sucked in were the characters. With her poor attitude, initially it was really hard for me to like Cedar and Jesse wasn't very appealing either. He was too bland for my liking and there wasn't anything to make me feel invested in what happened to Jesse until the very end. The only characters I really liked were a couple of the boys in Jesse's posse and the ranch hand, Paco. The added some much needed lightness to the story earning a good chuckle here and there.

Overall I did like the way the book came together in the end and thought the cliff hanger ending was well done but not enough for me to want to read the next installment in the series.

My Recommendation:
Recommended for teens.

April 10, 2015

Review: The Teller by Jonathan Stone




Product Description:
Between her low-paying job as a bank teller and the high costs of caring for her terminally ill mother, Elaine Kelly is struggling to make ends meet. When one of her regular customers, Antonio Desirio – a lonely old man with no family or friends who has saved over a million dollars in his account – is hit by a truck outside the bank after making his weekly deposit, Elaine impulsively switches the money into her own account, figuring she’ll be long gone by the time the crime is discovered.

The problem? Antonio wasn’t just some lonely old man, and the hit-and-run was no accident. From New York’s darkest corners to its loftiest financial towers, Elaine’s problems are just beginning, and it will take all of her wits and determination to solve them.

My Thoughts: 
Elaine Kelly had an opportunity and took it. Being a trusted teller in the bank she knew just what to do not to get caught but instead of taking the money and running off she stuck around planning what she wanted to do until it was too late. 

Then once she found herself in real trouble she had to make the most of her situtation to ensure the bad guys paid for their dirty deeds and save herself along with a newly made friend. 

Any time lotto jackpots exceed the hundred million mark I start day dreaming about what I would do if I won even if I don't buy a ticket so I can see how Elaine got caught up in the planning instead of the running. The things she has to do to survive makes the ending that much more sweeter. The Teller is a page turner all the way to the end. I devoured the book in under two days and it has now taken the top spot as my number 1 read of 2015. 

My Recommendation: I highly recommend this one for anyone who loves a good suspense tale.