Feb3

“Unwilling Accomplice” – a Book Review

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Last night, I finished reading Unwilling Accomplice by Melanie Atkins. This was book five in a series called New Orleans Detectives.  I haven’t read any of the other four but I will be doing so now. You can read this one without knowing what happened in the other four. I’m sure some of the other detectives that are in this story as minor characters had their own story in the earlier books but it’s not necessary to have read them in order. 

I was attracted to this book because of the cover and the setting. Living here in Pensacola, I love to drive the 2.5 hours to New Orleans. It’s the most European city we have here in the USA and I love it.  The cover of this book is perfect- it shows some of the awesome architecture of the city.

Here is the blurb for this book:

Marcy Moretti believes that anyone can be redeemed, until she witnesses a murder at the hands of her ex-husband and is forced to go on the run with her young son in order to survive. The only person who can help her is Joe Riso, her former brother-in-law, a detective staggered by the loss of his wife and daughter. If he’s going to protect both Marcy and her boy, he must first find a way to unfreeze his icy heart — and along the way find his own redemption.

This story starts out fast paced and keeps the momentum going.  I found myself, in several places, holding my breath to see what would happen next. I read this on my kindle app on my I-Pod and couldn’t slide the page fast enough on some of the action scenes.  This. to me, is the sign of an excellent story. To want to race through to see how it turns out is the best kind of suspense book.

The love scenes were well done as well. I was glad the author explained how Joe could still have a great, hard body when he’d been drinking himself into oblivion for a while.  Seems he worked out a lot to ease some of his stress.  I liked the hero and  the heroine in this story a lot.  I don’t usually like a book with a kid in it but I enjoyed this one.

I recommend this book.  It can be ordered at the publisher http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-143/Melanie-Atkins-New-Orleans/Detail.bok     or Amazon among other places.

Feb2

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

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I adore Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  I go to see them every year for their Christmas shows. This year, FINALLY, they are having a spring tour performing their rock opera called Beethoven’s Last Night.  It’s an awesome soundtrack and I’m sure the show will be spectacular.  They are actually coming to PENSACOLA!!!!  I’m thrilled. I’m a member of the fan club and tickets went on sale today. While I was busy in court, my paralegal was ordering six tickets. I’m treating my staff, my fan club president and my sister to the concert. We are on the 3rd row on the floor AND, best of all, I got the coveted aisle seat. Being claustrophobic, this is a big coup! 

Al Pitrelli, Music director, TSO

Feb1

“I’m So Happy For You”- a Book Review

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I’m reluctant to review books that I really don’t enjoy but I wanted to talk a bit about this one. I read this book over a few days on my lunch break. I read the first two chapters with the thought that I really didn’t like any of the characters in the thing.  I hoped that somewhere along the line that would change. It did not. I never liked any of them.

The writer is an excellent writer. She does quite well with her prose and there were a few spots that amused me but the overall tenor of the book was just not my cup of tea. Both of the female main characters (I know one was supposed to be the protagonist, but I like to like the protagonist so I don’t want to call her that! LOL!) were unlikable in many respects. It was just not a fun read at all. 

In the author notes, she states, “One of my goals in writing…was to make both main characters simultaneously problematic and sympathetic. If you come away loathing one or both of them, I haven’t done my job.”  Well, I hate to say it, but for this reader, she didn’t do her job. I loathed them both.

I believe the book to be well written but it was sadly not for me. I did finish it with the hope that it would be more satisfying than it was.  Regrettably, I can’t recommend this one.

Jan30

Tired but Happy

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Spent the weekend in Alabama at a wedding. My great niece. A beautiful young lady married the man of her dreams. He’s a wonderful guy and is clearly gaga over her. It made me happy to see how in love they are. I see  great things happening to them as they make a future for themselves. 

Jan27

My Childhood Television Idol

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The Monkees show poster

I loved Peter Tork of the Monkees. He was just so cute and was the funniest of the group. All my friends were into Davy Jones but I adored Peter.

I saw them in a reunion concert in my late 20s and Peter had held up the best of them all. He was still very handsome.

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Jan26

“The Count’s Lair” The Review

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A bit over a week ago, I posted the trailer for this book and promised a review when I finished reading the story and closer to the day you can actually buy it (February 1, 2011)  here: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/StoreFront.bok  Stephanie Burkhart has written this second installment in her Hungarian series.  The first book was called, fittingly enough, The Hungarian. This second installment is called The Count’s Lair.   And lair is an appropriate word for his home.

I’m a huge history buff and have always been. I adore reading historical novels. I love the setting of this story. Budapest, Hungary is a beautiful city. Lots of old, gorgeous buildings and bridges. Ms. Burkhart does a great job in describing both sides of the city. On one side of the river is Buda and on the other is Pest and each has different characteristics. Ms. Burkhart also is quite good at descriptions of the foods and atmosphere of the city in 1901.  I wanted to eat some goulash as I read this book and ride in a motor car complete with a driver (not at the same time).

The Count certainly comes across as a handsome, decent man, albeit a man with secrets and a past that makes him vulnerable.  I truly liked this hero. He falls for the heroine, Amelia, a concert pianist. He’s afraid they can’t have a life together and offers her a series of clues to guess his secret.

The story moves along through the Christmas season and culminates in an interesting outdoor scene in the middle of winter. This hero truly has to work to win the day. 

I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it. I’m now going to have to read the first one as my interest has been piqued to learn the history of The Hungarian.  Pick  both these up and enjoy! 

Jan25

My Favorite Sporting Event

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Justin Abdelkader’s Stanley Cup

LORD STANLEY”S CUP

I love hockey and follow the Stanley Cup race and playoffs. I watch on television as I live in North West Florida and we have no NHL team here. One of my friends asked me once how I could follow the puck on tv as it moves too fast for him. Don’t understand that at all. I think you can follow it if you want to bad enough.

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Jan24

A Book that Changed My Life

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Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

A book that changed my life would have to be The Collected Tales of Sherlock Holmes. I was very young when I started reading them. They made my imagination soar and I could picture the smoggy, dreary London of the era. It made me read all I could about the history of the British Isles. I think it was the spark that lit the fire for me to want to be a writer. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a master and his detective had a huge impact on me. Who doesn't love the line, "the game's afoot."

I've been to the museum at 221B Baker Street and have had a pint or two at The Sherlock Holmes pub. Good times!

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Jan20

Technology’s Impact on Families

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FACEBOOK? Is it Taking the Place of Real Faces?

Facebook

Facebook has really affected families, I believe- both in a good way and a bad way. I know I’m more up to date on my far flung relatives than I ever have been. It’s nice to be able to jot them a quick note and see what’s up with them and their kids.

The downside, I think, is I sometimes see people who are either in the same house or across the street from each other posting to each other’s wall. That seems inane and isolating- Are we not talking to each other in real life in the same house or town?

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Jan19

A Mini Vent

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Just a small vent.  A week ago, I was attacked  by a person for no reason in a series of vituperative emails. I’m not a grudge holder but I have vowed to steer clear of this person. Now it seems like I’m going to have to take a stronger stand than I intended. What I’m planning to do may cause some hurt feelings but I have to look out for myself.  I refuse to be a victim of this person. I may be making an announcement here soon about what I’m thinking about doing- unless I change my mind.

I’m in a state of flux in my writing life. Not sure about this mystery I’m writing either. I think I need to get some perspective on a lot of areas of my life.  Not sure how to go about it since I seem to be too busy for my own good. Wish that new horoscope thing would make me be less of a Capricorn. Alas, it is who I am and I can’t seem to turn off the type A thing and the urge to overachieve. Makes me cranky.