Everything You Want Me to Be by: Mindy Mejia

  Publish date: January 3, 2017

Description from the Publishers through Netgalley

Full of twists and turns, Everything You Want Me to Be reconstructs a year in the life of a dangerously mesmerizing young woman, during which a small town’s darkest secrets come to the forefront…and she inches closer and closer to her death.

High school senior Hattie Hoffman has spent her whole life playing many parts: the good student, the good daughter, the good citizen. When she’s found brutally stabbed to death on the opening night of her high school play, the tragedy rips through the fabric of her small town community. Local sheriff Del Goodman, a family friend of the Hoffmans, vows to find her killer, but trying to solve her murder yields more questions than answers. It seems that Hattie’s acting talents ran far beyond the stage. Told from three points of view—Del, Hattie, and the new English teacher whose marriage is crumbling—Everything You Want Me to Be weaves the story of Hattie’s last school year and the events that drew her ever closer to her death.

Evocative and razor-sharp, Everything You Want Me to Be challenges you to test the lines between innocence and culpability, identity and deception. Does love lead to self-discovery—or destruction?

My Review:

This was an interesting read.  It captured my attention and had me hooked until the very end.  Fair warning, there is an illicit love affair woven into the book.

It makes you think about what you really know about a person, whether they are a relative or friend.  There are so many different ways this story could’ve gone.  It was a intriguing read.  I can’t say much more about it without giving anything away.

I was set this E- ARC from the Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this book 4 crowns.

 

Good Behavior by: Blake Crouch

Description from the Publishers through Netgalley

Fresh out of prison and fighting to keep afloat, Letty Dobesh returns to her old tricks burglarizing suites at a luxury hotel. While on the job, she overhears a man hiring a hit man to kill his wife. Letty may not be winning any morality awards, but even she has limits. Unable to go to the police, Letty sets out to derail the job, putting herself on a collision course with the killer that entangles the two of them in a dangerous, seductive relationship.Good Behavior comprises three interlinked novellas (The Pain of Others, Sunset Key, and Grab), which together form a novel-length portrait of Blake Crouch’s all-time favorite character creation, Letty Dobesh. This edition is the complete Letty Dobesh collection.

. . . . . . . . . .

On-sale November 15, 2016, Blake Crouch’s Good Behavior: The Letty Dobesh Chronicles will be available in Trade Paperback and eBook. Featuring a special introduction, “behind-the-story” commentaries, and even a 2009 journal entry on Letty’s character creation, both formats will include photos from the set of the new TNT series starring Michelle Dockery, and the eBook will feature video scenes from the show. (Video content is not available in advance digital review copies available on NetGalley.)

. . . . . . . . . .

TNT’s Good Behavior Debuts Tuesday, Nov. 15, with a Two-Hour Premiere at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)

 

My Review:

I love to read a good suspense novel especially when the main character in the story is a female.  I didn’t know much about this and had no idea that it was three novellas (can you tell I didn’t fully read the description?).

This was just ok for me.  I am not a huge fan of novellas as I always want to know what happens next.  I do have the show recorded on my DVR and I may give the first episode or two a shot.

Overall, I gave this book 2.5 crowns.   I received this e -ARC from the Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Twilight Wife by: A. J. Banner

Description from the Publishers through Netgalley

From bestselling author A.J. Banner comes a dazzling new novel of psychological suspense in the vein of S.J. Watson’s Before I Go to Sleep and Mary Kubica’s The Good Girl that questions just how much we can trust the people around us.

Thirty-four-year-old marine biologist Kyra Winthrop remembers nothing about the diving accident that left her with a complex form of memory loss. With only brief flashes of the last few years of her life, her world has narrowed to a few close friendships on the island where she lives with her devoted husband, Jacob.

But all is not what it seems. Kyra begins to have visions—or are they memories?—of a rocky marriage, broken promises, and cryptic relationships with the island residents, whom she believes to be her friends.

As Kyra races to uncover her past, the truth becomes a terrifying nightmare. A twisty, immersive thriller, The Twilight Wife will keep readers enthralled through the final, shocking twist.

My Review:

Oh My Gosh!  What an amazing, thrilling read.  I could not put this book down; I finished it in less then 24 hours.  This was such a page turner.

Sometimes when you read a psychological thriller, you feel as if the main character is oblivious but not in this case.  I was with Kyra every step of the way.

I can’t say much about this story, except that you have to read it if you like psychological thrillers with a twist.

I received this e-ARC from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I gave this book 5 crowns.

 

The Perfect Christmas by: Debbie Macomber

Book #79 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks

In this 2009 Christmas book by Debbie Macomber, we follow Cassie who is desperate to have the perfect life; perfect family, perfect Holiday picture, perfect Christmas.  The only thing holding her back is that she is single.  She can not meet anyone that she deems worthy enough to marry.

She is so desperate for this life in fact, that she is willing to spend her entire wedding savings fund to hire a matchmaker.  She submits herself to completing some humilating tasks in order to show Simon the matchmaker that she is serious.

This was a cute holiday story.  It was not the best one I’ve read this holiday season, but it was a fun, quick read.

I gave this book 3 stars.

Shadows of the Stone Benders by: K. Patrick Donoghue

Description from the Publishers through Netgalley

For fans of James Rollins and Steve Berry, a suspense-riddled adventure.

World-renowned scientist Anlon Cully is unexpectedly swept into the thick of a whirlwind adventure when his archaeologist uncle, Devlin Wilson, dies under suspicious circumstances.

Prior to his “accidental” fall off a New Hampshire mountain trail, Devlin made the discovery of a lifetime – unearthing undeniable proof that a technologically advanced society thrived on Earth long before archaeologists thought possible!

The key to this shocking evidence lies in a set of mysterious stones forged by a long forgotten race of ancient mariners. Instilled with formidable powers to build, communicate, fight and heal, the stones draw the ruthless attention of villainous thieves hell bent on their acquisition by any means possible…including murder.

Aided by friend Pebbles McCarver and police detective Jennifer Stevens, Anlon follows traces of bewildering clues left by his uncle in a dangerous chase to unravel the stones’ secrets before the killer strikes again and escapes with the priceless artifacts.

Peppered with the thought provoking intrigue of a Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child thriller, Shadows of the Stone Benders leaves readers questioning the technological prowess of modern man and the belief that Neolithic humans were nothing more than unsophisticated cave dwellers.

My Review:

I am a big fan of the National Treasure movies and the Lara Croft, Tomb Raider series.  Years ago I read Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code, I really enjoyed it. The description of this book reminded me of all of these things and I jumped at the chance to read this.  I received this e-ARC from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

Anlon Cully is the main character in this story but in all honesty, he would not be alive if it wasn’t for the two kick-ass women in this book.  Pebbles and Jennifer are a force to be reckoned with.

The characters have such a depth of characters and that makes them realistic and enjoyable.  This is a great start to a series for fans of National Treasure, Tomb Raider and Dan Brown.

I can’t wait to read the next installment to see where this goes.

I gave this book 5 crowns.

 

 

Christmas Letters by: Debbie Macomber

Book #78 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks

I’ve read a few of Debbie Macomber’s Blossom Street books and I have forgotten how much I enjoy them.  Debbie’s writing style is easy going and lighthearted.  This was a fun read.

Insta-love in YA books can be frustrating but in a short Christmas story like this, it works. Katherine, K.O. for short, is in between jobs and keeping herself busy writing Christmas Letters for people who don’t know how to write their own.  She has an eccentric neighbor and a crazy younger sister.

This was just a quick Christmas read but it was so fun!

I gave this book 5 crowns.

 

Small, Great Things by: Jodi Piccoult

Description from the Publishers through Netgalley

This stunning new novel is Jodi Picoult at her finest—complete with unflinching insights, richly layered characters, and a page-turning plot with a gripping moral dilemma at its heart.

Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?

Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family—especially her teenage son—as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others—and themselves—might be wrong.

With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn’t offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game.

My Review:

I have read and loved Jodi Piccoult’s novels for her honest writing style.  She writes about topics that many are afraid to tackle and she does it in such a way that they reader is pulled into the story and made to think.

Small Great Things is no exception to my experiences reading her books.  I was thrilled to have been sent this e ARC from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story is so wonderfully written.  You can see and feel both sides to each and every character.  You know their frustrations and joys, their pain and their happiness.  You can relate to main idea of this story as well as all of the side stories.  I could not put this book down.

I gave this book 5 crowns.

  

Big Magic by: Elizabeth Gilbert

Book #77 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks.

It is no secret that I loved Eat, Pray, Love by this author.  I first read it at a time in my life in which I felt as if it was meant for me to read.  I have read some other works by Elizabeth Gilbert and they have been hit or miss.

I ordered this book when it first came out and hoped that I would enjoy it.  I listened to this book on audio because she reads it and I love her voice and narration.  I was not disappointed with Big Magic.

I found myself nodding my head in agreement and talking to Elizabeth while I was alone in my car.  I felt as if I was having a conversation with a friend.  Her thoughts on fear and creativity are so spot on.  I related to this book like I didn’t think I would.

I highly recommend this to anyone who is intimidated by creativity and held back by fear.

I gave this book 5 crowns.

The Christmas Shoppe by: Melody Carlson

In between reading books for review, I am reading some quick Christmas books.  This is book #76 for #ReadMyOwnDamnBooks.

Melody Carlson is a Christian author and this is a book that touches the spirit.  It is not overly religious and is a cute read.

When a complete stranger comes into town and purchases an old building, the town is divided on how to feel.  Matilda Honeycutt is being very secretive about what the purpose of her store is and all she will say is that it will be a Christmas shop.  Her eccentric dress and behaviors have some of the towns people on edge.

What will happen when the store finally opens to the public or will Matilda be forced out of town before that can happen?

I gave this book 3 crowns.

The Mind Connection: How the Thoughts You Choose Affect Your Mood, Behavior and Decisions by: Joyce Meyer

This audio book was a recommendation from my mom.  She has listened to and read many of Joyce Meyers books and has always enjoyed them.  She thought I would relate to this one and of course, she was right!

Joyce is a Christian writer and she does speak frequently about the God and the Bible.  In this book, Joyce explains how it is our thoughts that affect our mood and the way we relate and react to those around us.

It is so easy for me to think negatively about something and they act out on those thoughts.  That is not fair to those that are around me or to me.  Why shouldn’t I want to live a happier, less frustrating life ?!  I do agree with what the message of this book was and just wish it was a bit easier to do.

I gave this book 3 crowns.