Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

Synopsis :

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is faced with her most daunting task yet : bring in the mysterious former Special Forces agent Carlos Manoso (aka Ranger).  He's the man who taught her everything about fugitive apprehension, and Stephanie knows she will be testing her skills against the master.  But if she does catch him, she's not so sure she could turn in her friend - even if he's wanted for murder.

If this isn't enough to keep her up at night, Grandma Mazur is crimping her sex life by moving in with ehr and keeping her from getting any action from her cop boyfriend, Joe Morelli.  Now, with her love life messing with her head, two threatening goons on her tail, and three corpses, it's getting a little too hot for Stephanie, whose search for Ranger is bringing her dangerously close to the wrong side of the law.

Bear with me folks as I am going through a few titles in the Stephanie Plum series.  What is there not to like about Stephanie. Since my first book Ten Big Ones a couple of years ago, I have been having doses of Stephanie on and off these few years.  I didn't really follow the sequence but after Ten Big Ones, I did try to go through the series from book one itself, One for the Money.  Since then, I read Two for the Dough, Three to Get Deadly, and kinda skip a few books and now I finally landed myself with Hot Six.  I have Seven Up and Hard Eight with me so I guess I will be reading them soon as I have already read To the Nines.

Although I don't see the relevant in the title, Hot Six is a classic and standard Stephanie's adventure.  From dealing with both Ranger and Joe Morelli and also Grandma Mazur moving into her apartment, and not go mention getting threatened, locked up and shot and having her cars blown up, it's all in a day in the life of this bounty hunter.

The skip this time round includes Morris Munson and the baddies are Alexander Ramos and his sons, Hannibal and Homer.  It was a hoot when Stephanie is caught by Hannibal when he found her in his tree spying on him.  This book is also when Bob the dog make his appearance in Stephanie's life.

If you are already a fan, you would know what I mean. If not, you would enjoy having a peep into Stephanie's life once in a while.

The 8th Confession by James Patterson

Synopsis :

As San Francisco's most glamorous millionaires mingle at the party of the year, someone is watching--waiting for a chance to take vengeance on Isa and Ethan Bailey, the city's most celebrated couple. Finally, the killer pinpoints the ideal moment, and it's the perfect murder. Not a trace of evidence is left behind in their glamorous home.

As Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile murder, someone else is found brutally executed--a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls through the cracks, but when reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it, she knows the story could be huge. Probing deeper into the victim's history, she discovers he may not have been quite as saintly as everyone thought.

As the hunt for two criminals tests the limits of the Women's Murder Club, Lindsay sees sparks fly between Cindy and her partner, Detective Rich Conklin. The Women's Murder Club now faces its toughest challenge: will love destroy all that four friends have built? The exhilarating new chapter in the Women's Murder Club series, The 8th Confession serves up a double dose of speed-charged twists and shocking revelations as only James Patterson can.

It's been quite a while since I picked up something from James Patterson.  Nothing to it. Just that there's many new authors and many different titles that I want to try out.  I read this in just one day.  Pure James Patterson, the sentences and chapters are short which made turning the pages so much easier and progression naturally so much faster.

8th Confession is under the Ladies Murder Club series with characters such as Lindsay Boxer, a homicide detective for the San Francisco Police Department; Cindy Thomas, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle; Claire Washburn, the Chief Medical Examiner for San Francisco; and Yuki Castellano, a San Francisco district attorney.

While there's murders to solve, there's also the personal lives of these ladies to deal with.  In this book, the personal life of Lindsay and Yuki take centre stage.  Since I have not 'met' these ladies in quite a while, it was quite nice to get re-acquainted with them again.

Plot wise, 8th Confession was quite unique but wasn't really that exceptional.  I feel it's more luck than anything for them to catch the killer. Poor Yuki, she falls in love and was dealt with a blow. I wonder how she would deal with it.  Maybe I should pick up the next book, The 9th Judgement.

Book Sales Is Here Again!

Green Heights Mall, one of my favourite neighbourhood mall is having it's flea market again this weekend. 

I am extremely excited as I have signed up to take part again. The last time I took part was last year in September and October if I'm not mistaken.  After that, there's a few other giant book sales in Kuching and I turned buyer instead. 

Among others, these would be what I will be selling this time round.

River God by Wilbur Smith is one of my all time favourite epic adventure as I shared here.  I read the story many many times when I have limited books to read once upon a time.  I have an extra copy of River God. I'm putting it up for sales at the forthcoming flea market.

The General's Daughter is one of the great thriller by Nelson DeMille.  This is a hardcover copy. I am suddenly not sure if I want to let it go as I have not review it yet.

I love Beach Road by James Patterson. I'll complete the review it here once of these days. The post is still in draft format.  You would probably read this book in one seating so if you have it, choose a day when you have nothing to do and make sure you have enough munchies and then you can start your reading marathon.

I am in my James Patterson mood.  Big Bad Wolf is another classing from James Patterson.  I double bought this book recently *face palm*  I know I am hopeless.  So, hopefully I'll meet some fans of James Patterson this weekend.

Other than these, I will also be selling Icebound by Dean Koontz, Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, The Summons by John Grisham. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich and many others. 

This Saturday happens to be Earth Hour too.  Nothing is move friendly to mother earth than to share resources and that's what I'm doing.  So, do head over to Green Heights Mall to pick up a book or two.

Icebound by Dean Koontz

Synopsis :

The arctic night is endless. 
The fear is numbing.
Screams freeze in the throat.
Death arrives in shades of white.
Cold-blooded murder seems right at home.

ICEBOUND
The chill of the grave.

That doesn't give you much right? other than it's quite poetic in a rather morbid way.  This book is written by Dean Koontz in the 90s.  Which makes it the era when I read a lot of titles by Dean Koontz and I liked what I read then.

You might have read my past reviews like here and here and not forgetting here when I shared my frustration in my attempt to discover the Dean Koontz of old. Titles such as The Servant of  Twilight, The Mask, Twilight Eyes are really classic.

Icebound is different and I am glad to say that it's different in a good way.  It is not classic Dean Koontz but it is much better than some of the newer titles that I wrote above.

Icebound is about a group of scientists trapped in a mobile block of ice in the arctic which is due to explode in less than twenty four hours. With a storm coming they have no way to leave the place as rescue ships and planes have to turn back due to the storm.

Enters a Russian submarine which is in the vicinity with a captain who just lost his beloved son to illness and felt he let his son down as he wasn't there and who is determined to rescue this group of scientists as he wasn't able to do so for his son.

But there is a killer among this group of scientists.  Who is the killer?  I tried to guess. I wasn't successful.  Such, the book is a success in my opinion.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Synopsis :

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past.  Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

If you have read my previous reviews, you would know that I have plenty of hits and misses when it comes to novels by Nicholas Sparks.  Such experiences made me slightly wary when it comes to yet another title by this author.  However, it's a totally different experience I have with Safe Haven.  I would go as far as to say that it's the best book that I have read so far.

I read it in about three days and if I choose to read rather than doing anything else, then I can safely tell you that it's really worth the time.

Safe Haven is about Katie and how she is trying to escape from her past that is catching up with her. At the same time, there's Alex who is trying to move on after the death of his wife and it was attraction at first sight when he met Katie.  

The author really didn't waste time and delve right into the heart of the story and from there, it's just no stopping the pages from turning.  It was enticing right from the first page to the last with a great surprising revelation that readers would not expect...that I certainly wasn't expecting that made me scramble back to read sections of the book that might have enlightened me to this fact.

What was that revelation?  Read for yourself. You will not regret it. :)

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Mathew Green

Synopsis :

My name is BUDO.

I have been alive for 5 years. 5 years is a very long time for someone like me to be alive.  Max gave me my name. Max is 8 years old. He is the only human person who can see me.

I know what max knows, and some things he doesn't.  I know that Max is in danger.  And I know that I am the only one who can save him.

 On the top of the cover page, there's a statement by Jodi Picoult that 'You've never read a book like this before'.  It's quite true cos I have never read a book like this before.  The closest I have read on imaginary friend is If You Could See Me Now by Cecilia Ahern which I thought was one great book on imaginary friend.  However, memoirs is also very, very good.

I read this book within 2 days, corneal infection and all.  It's extremely captivating and one of the books that I really want to read in one sitting.  The book is told from the perspective of Budo, an imaginary friend of Max, an eight year old boy who I believe is autistic.  Budo introduced the readers to the world of imaginary friends and how each is similar but at the same time different.  Budo gave Max much comfort as Max has to deal with so much complexity and expectations in his life especially after Max was abducted. But at the end Max proves that he can save himself.

To be honest I have to flip forward the pages midway through the books as if not, I will read it through the night and not sleep and I can't afford not to sleep and my eyes were real tired by then. 

This book is a keeper and I can't wait for my daughter to read it. I think she would enjoyed it as much as I did.

Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble

Synopsis :

When Barbara realizes time is running out, she writes letters to her four daughters, aware that they'll be facing the trails and triumphs of life without her at their side.  How can she leave them when they still have so much growing up to do?

Take Lisa, in her mid thirties but incapable of making a commitment; or Jennifer, trapped in a stale marriage and buttoned up so tight she could burst. Twenty something Amanda, the traveler, has always distanced herself from the rest of the family and then there's Hannah, a teenage girl on the verge of womanhood about to be parted from the mother she adores.

But by drawing on  the wisdom in Barbara's letters, the girls might just find a way to cope with their loss. An in coming to terms with their bereavement, can they also set themselves free to enjoy their lives with all the passion and love each deserves?

It's been quite a while, yes? In case you have been wondering if I have stopped reading, the answer is no but I must admit that I am reading at an embarassing slow rate than what I used to.  First it was the festive season, then work came into the picture and now it's medical.  One of my eyes is suffering from 'cornea infection' which means to say, I am limited visually for the time being...I even have to type this with my eyes closed with an occasional peep to make sure that I got the words right.

Things I Want My Daughters to Know was given to me by another monther who has three kids.  Being a mum myself with a wonderful daughter, I was captivated by this book, eager to learn what other mothers would want their daughters to know.

So, did I learn from the book new wisdom that I can share with my daughter?  No, I didn't. Nothing new and certainly nothing  thought  provoking nor emotionally challenging.

It was rather a nominal book and nothing really stands out.  I don't think the author has enough life experience to be able to follow through with this subject. The theme doesn't really matched the contents of the book which was more focused on how the girls cope with their lives after their mother's death.  The feeling I get is that they would still react the same in situations in their lives even if their mother is alive. 

Other than that, it wasn't too bad.  I enjoyed more reading about Mark. Barbara's widow and the step father to Lisa, Jennifer and Amanda and biological father to Hannah.The author seems to be able to articulate his feelings much better.

If you have a chance to read this book do give it a try and it might speak to you although it didn't do so for me.