MANGROVES AND MONSTERS by Sharon Cupp Pennington

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MANGROVES AND MONSTERS
Author: Sharon Cupp Pennington
Source: Author submission
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 302 pages
  • Publisher: Draumr Publishing (November 6, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1933157313
  • ISBN-13: 978-1933157313
SYNOPSIS:
Charlie Cooper, reluctant teacher by day and broken-hearted wanderer by night, is a man desperately in love with a dead woman.
But is Angeline St. Cyr really dead?
 
The supermodel fell victim to an auto-pedestrian accident in New Orleans. Police reports and medical records substantiate the severity of her injuries. Cosmetics mogul Mathieu Fournier, her former boss, orchestrated a cremation and memorial service. The paparazzi swarmed celebrity attendees. Fans mourned.
Call it gut instinct, but Cooper is convinced Angeline’s death was an elaborate scheme that Fournier sold to the world. But Cooper isn’t buying it, nor is his heart.
A tenuous lead draws him to the Caribbean island of Jacqueme Dominique. Only Cooper isn’t alone in his quest. By chasing his dream of rekindled love, he becomes embroiled in murder, treachery, and abduction at the hands of his old nemesis Willem Voorhees…a merciless killer.
For five long years Cooper’s love survived while he searched for Angeline. Will finding her cost him his life? 
MY THOUGHTS:
This is the second book I have read by this author.  Her first book was titled Hoodoo Money.  
Charlie finally finds his wife after believing she has been dead for 5 years.  The author takes you to a getaway to a tropical paradise and involves mystery, suspense and action.  The book does move a little slow for my taste in the beginning, but picks up about halfway through.  It has a wonderful mystery in the plot that keeps you guessing until the end.  It also has rekindled love that you will find touching.  If you like mysteries, then this is an excellent book to read.  The author made it flow nicely and knows how to write. 
MY RATING:



Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!
 

STRESSED IN SCOTTSDALE by Marcia Fine

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STRESSED IN SCOTTSDALE 
Author: Marcia Fine
Source: Publisher/Bostick
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 342 pages
  • Publisher: L’Image Press, LLC (January 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0615315135
  • ISBN-13: 978-0615315133
SYNOPSIS:
With the absurdities of desert living set in her literary cross hairs, Fine once again skewers some of Scottsdale’s finest while her protagonist, Jean, tries to find sanity in a world where it rains dirt and blind sheep fall off mountains. Modern living isn’t for sissies and Fine addresses the deeper issues of the environment and political corruption as she couches them in laugh-out-loud lines. It is wickedly funny.
MY THOUGHTS:
OMG! I seriously thought I would pee my pants when reading this book.  It is so funny, and the author hits the nail on the head with every chapter.  You will find yourself nodding your head in aggreement with her tales of caos.  She uses witty humor with politics, relationships and just about everything else you can think of that can cause stress in your life.  She knows when to throw in the laugh out loud humor and keep you interested in finishing it all in one sitting. You will relate to alot of the story and find yourself remembering some of the sassy comments for future use!
MY RATING:

Outstanding Book That Will Stay On My Bookshelf
For Rereading!

NEVER SAY NEVER by Lisa Wingate

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NEVER SAY NEVER
Author: Lisa Wingate
  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Bethany House; Original edition (February 1, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0764204920
  • ISBN-13: 978-0764204920
SYNOPSIS:
Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She’s never put down roots in any one place–and she doesn’t plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence. And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily–until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the wind blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store–especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.
MY THOUGHTS:
Again, this is my first book by this author.  I enjoyed the story and the characters, but this wasn’t a book I was excited about while reading.  It was sweet, and it had it’s good moments, but I just couldn’t bring myself to enjoy it as much as everyone else was.  It seemed too sweet at times, and I had a hard time getting through some of it.  I did finish it though and it would be great for a rainy day read or if nothing else is catching your eye at the time.  Personally, it isn’t one I would re read again, and I don’t know if I would read a book by this author.  It would have to really capture my interest in the first chapter next time.
MY RATING:


 
  A Good Book and Read! Perfect For Rainy Days
From the Library!

ORIGINAL SIN by Allison Brennan

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ORIGINAL SIN
Author: Allison Brennan
Source: Meryl L. Moss Media
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books; Original edition (January 26, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345511670
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345511676
SYNOPSIS:
Haunted by chilling memories of demonic possession and murder, Moira O’Donnell has spent seven years hunting down her mother, Fiona, whose command of black magic has granted her unprecedented control of the underworld. Now Moira’s global search has led her to a small California town that’s about to become hell on earth.

Tormented by his own terrifying past and driven by powers he can’t explain, ex-seminarian Rafe Cooper joins Moira’s dangerous quest. But Fiona is one devilish step ahead. Hungry for greater power, eternal youth, and stunning beauty, the sorceress is unleashing upon the mortal world the living incarnations of the Seven Deadly Sins.

Together with a demonologist, a tough female sheriff, and a pair of star-crossed teenagers, Moira and Rafe are humanity’s last chance to snatch salvation from the howling jaws of damnation.

MY THOUGHTS:
First of all, look at that cover!  I love the apple, the sideway look of suspense and the overall effect of it.  Just one look and you know it is going to be suspenseful and intense!
This is my first read from this author and it is the first in a series focusing on the seven deadly sins.  This book will leave you on the edge of your seat with all the suspense you can handle.  I was flipping pages so quick, I was finished with it within a couple of hours.  The heroine is strong and full of courage throughout the book.  The bad guys are bad.  The ending is awesome! I very intense read with climatic results!  It does have some dull spots in it, but the rest makes up for it!

MY RATING:



Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!

THE LAST GOODNIGHTS by John West

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THE LAST GOODNIGHTS
Author: John West
Source: Counterpoint Press
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Counterpoint; Reprint edition (January 5, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 158243557X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1582435572
SYNOPSIS:
A husband and wife are gravely ill. Rather than living in pain, they choose to end their lives, and they turn to their son for help. Despite the legal risks and emotional turmoil it is sure to cause him, he agrees—and ultimately performs an act of love more difficult than any other. The Last Goodnights provides a unique and unflinching look deep inside the reality of one of the most galvanizing issues of our time: assisted suicide. Told with bare honesty, John West’s account of the deaths of two brave people is both gritty and loving, frightening and illuminating. It also offers a powerful testament to the act of death by choice, and reveals all the reasons why end-of-life issues are far too personal for government intrusion. Intimately told, The Last Goodnights points out the unnecessary pain and suffering that is often forced upon dying people and their families, and honors the choice to live or die with purpose and dignity. In the end, this story is not just about death—it is also about love, courage, and autonomy.
MY THOUGHTS:
I just knew that when I read the blurb for this book I would need the kleenex box at easy reach.  This book will tug at your heart and pose the questions in your mind of what would you do?  When the author sucks you into this book with just the foreward section at the beginning, you know you are in for a bumpy ride of a book.  You will feel all sorts of emotions come out as you read.  I went through anger, sadness, hopelessness, and relief throughout the story.  This was a book that I just did not want to put down.  I wanted to finish it so my emotions could get back in check and quit the roller coaster ride of it.  It is a serious subject that was put into writing and a book that will open your mind to the situation portrayed.
MY RATING:



Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!