Book Review - Right After the Weather by Carol Anshaw

 

Cate is a set designer in her early forties. She lives and works in Chicago's theater community. She know she has to grow up and stop taking handouts from her parents. She has a plan in place to fix her financial problems and settle in a serious relationship.

She started a relationship even though she still coming to terms with an old affair that went nowhere. Her ex-husband is currently living with her in her spare bedroom after being kicked out of his house. He spends most of the day searching and reading about online conspiracy theories. Cate sees him spiral out of control but, she is unsure of how to help him. Her best friend, Neale, a yoga instructor who lives nearby with her son. Cate feels that Neale is the ideal model for what being a grownup should look like. 

A few blocks away lives Nathan and Irene who are small time criminals and drug addicts. Their worlds collide when Cate sees them assaulting Neale in her kitchen. Cate has to think fast to take action to save her friend. Cate's world changes overnight when she comes to term with the violence she's capable of.

I originally picked up this book because I thought the cover looked interesting. However, I feel like the book was very boring and just dragged along. I felt like I read more than half of the book and it went nowhere. I didn't like any of the characters and found the main character to be annoying.  I had to recheck the synopsis of the book because the assault doesn't take place until more than halfway of the book.

Book Review - Island of the Mad by Laurie R. King

Photo Credit - Amazon

Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes were enlisted to help an old friend find their missing aunt, who lives in an asylum. Lady Vivian Beaconsfield has spent most of her adult life in Bethlem after her brother and father died in the Great War. While on an outing for her brother's birthday, Lady Vivian disappears.

Mary doesn't want to take on the case but, she can't turn down her friend, Ronnie. Together with Sherlock, Mary travels to Venice to find the missing woman. While at Venice, they discover the influence of Benito Mussolini is causing a disturbance in the city. When Mary and Sherlock begin their search for the missing woman, they are thrown into a whole different world.

I have seen Sherlock shows and movies but, haven't read the novels. Mostly because I wasn't much of a huge mystery fan but, the books are on my TBR list now. I was quite disappointed in this novel though. The characters were all dreadfully boring or wooden. Sherlock felt more like a filler than an actual detective and Mary was a bore. The ending felt juvenile and didn't seem like an ending had much thought put into it. I was surprised that there were no surprises or twists but, a straightforward runaway storyline. This was my first book of the series and maybe this book was a dud but, I am in no rush to find out.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Real Pigeons Fight Crime by Andrew McDonald + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

 Ever passed by a gaggle of pigeons and wonder what they are doing?  Why do the pigeons act so weird? It's because they are secretly fighting crime. The park and its visitors are protected by a group of pigeons that fight evildoers. They help solve mysteries and ensure everyone is safe.

The illustrated book was a fun and delightful read. The book had three mini-stories with a conclusion but, each story was tied to each other. I found the illustrations to be fun especially, seeing the antics of each pigeon. Overall, a fun read for any young reader.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

About The Book:

Title: REAL PIGEONS FIGHT CRIME

Author: Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: January 7, 2020

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 208

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD

Ever wonder why pigeons act so weird? Because they are secretly chasing bad guys and flying around saving your butt! This hilarious illustrated series is perfect for fans of BAD GUYS and DOG MAN.

What do REAL PIGEONS do? They fight crime, of course! Wait, what? You didn't know your town is protected by a secret squad of crime-fighting feathered friends? Well, you are about to get schooled. REAL PIGEONS solve mysteries! REAL PIGEONS fight bad guys! And REAL PIGEONS won't stop until your neighborhood is safe and the questions are all answered: Like, why have all the breadcrumbs disappeared? And which food truck smells the best?

About Andrew:

Andrew McDonald is a reader and writer of books for young readers.

His brand new series REAL PIGEONS debuts in 2018, with hilarious illustrations by Ben Wood.

His first children’s novel, The Greatest Blogger in the World featured the story of Charlie Ridge, a young blogger navigating family, friends and the perils of internet life. His second novel Son of Death, a black comedy about a family of modern grim reapers, was named by The Age as one of the ‘best books of the year’ in 2015.

He is also the creator of a blog post about ‘camera loss’ that somehow went viral and he wasn’t embarrassed enough to decline an invitation to be a Cleo Bachelor in 2011.

Andrew is an avid reader of children’s and YA literature. He has worked for Readings bookshop in Melbourne and at the flagship Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road in London, where he was thrilled to put his knowledge to work as a children’s bookseller. He has previously judged the Young Adult category of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards and the Centre for Youth Literature’s Inky Awards.

Andrew is a graduate of RMIT’s Professional Writing and Editing diploma and his writing has taken him around the world. He completed an artist residency at Caldera Arts in Oregon, USA and a May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust fellowship in Adelaide.

He is a regular presenter on the schools circuit in Australia, conducting writing workshops; talking about his writing life; and sharing the stories and experiences behind his books. Enquire about booking Andrew for your school here.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | YouTube | Goodreads

About Ben:

Ben Wood is a children’s illustrator based in Victoria, Australia. He has been commissioned to work with clients such as Hardie Grant Egmont, Penguin Random House, and Scholastic Australia.

Ben is able to offer clients a wealth of illustration styles and techniques in both digital and traditional mediums. Recent publications include ‘Blast Off!‘ by Shelly Unwin and the Squishy Taylor series, by Ailsa Wild. He is currently illustrating the Real Pigeons series by Andrew McDonald. “It’s super coo!”

Ben also runs presentations or workshops in schools, public libraries and bookstores. His sessions can vary from small to large groups, depending on what suits best. He is more than happy to work with Prep-Year 9 students, and adults too. Please contact Booked Out Speakers Agency to enquire about a booking.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will win a finished copy of REAL PIGEONS FIGHT CRIME, US Only.

Rafflecopter link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21036/?  

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/6/2020	BookHounds	Interview
1/7/2020	Abellafairytale	Review
1/8/2020	onemused	Review
1/9/2020	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
1/10/2020	Fazila's Book Review Corner	Excerpt

Week Two:

1/13/2020	Popthebutterfly Reads	Review
1/14/2020	Twirling Book Princess	Excerpt
1/15/2020	Fictitiouswonderland	Review
1/16/2020	Not In Jersey	Review
1/17/2020	She Just Loves Books	Review

Week Three:

1/20/2020	DJREADSBOOKS	Excerpt
1/21/2020	Lifestyle of Me	Review
1/22/2020	Eli to the nth	Review
1/23/2020	Little Red Reads	Review
1/24/2020	fictitious.fox	Review

Week Four:

1/27/2020	Cuz I’m a Nerd	Review
1/28/2020	Nerdophiless	Review
1/29/2020	Wonder Struck	Review
1/30/2020	Lori Murray	Review
1/31/2020	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt

Week Five:

2/3/2020	Nay's Pink Bookshelf	Review
2/4/2020	wordsandruin	Review
2/5/2020	Books_andPoetrii	Excerpt
2/6/2020	History from a Woman’s Perspective	Review
2/7/2020	Two Points of Interest	Review

Book Review - Never Tell by Lisa Gardner

Photo Credit - Amazon

Someone shot a man three times in his home office but, his computer has been shot twelve times. When the police arrive, his pregnant wife is holding the gun. When D.D. Warren arrives on the scene, she recognizes the woman as Evie Carter. D.D. worked a case many years ago when Evie's father was accidentally killed by his daughter.  Warren feels that there are too many coincidental deaths that occur near Evie Carter.

When Flora Danes see the new report of Conrad Carter's murder, she remembers him from when she was kidnapped. Her captor, Jacob knew and met Conrad while Flora was his hostage. Flora is overcome with guilt for not trying to find out more about Jacob's victims. Flora decides to work with D.D. to help figure out the truth behind Conrad's death. As Flora and D.D. work on the case, they discover some people will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden.

I thought the novel was a suspenseful read and showed how far someone would go protect the ones they love. I have read other books by Lisa Gardner and usually love them. However, this book left me wanting more. I felt like the story drag towards the middle and did nothing to build the story. I left like D.D. Warren took a backseat in investigating the case until the very end when she realizes who is behind the murder.

 **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Good Neighbors by Ryan David Jahn

Photo Credit - Amazon

In the early morning of March 13, 1964, a young woman is assaulted in the courtyard of her Queens apartment building. She cries for help and while her neighbors hear her pleas; no one calls the police. The story unfolds over the course of two hours, showing the woman's night along with the stories of her neighbors. Each of the stories intersects with each other weaving a larger story.

When I first picked up this novel, I thought it was going to be a revenge novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised when  I realized it wasn't. I found the story to be engaging and kept me on the edge of the seat. The novel was a bit grim but, overall a worthwhile read. I can't wait to read more by the author.

**Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**