Followers

Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2011

|
 
 

This challenge is hosted by Book Chick City. I wasn't participate in 2010 though I read lots of mystery and suspense books. But would love to give it a try this 2011. Hopefully I manage to read at least 12 books of this genre. This challenge will start from January 1, 2011 means tomorrow, until December 31, 2011. For those who want to participate can click on the banner for further info regarding the challenge. And yes! participants will get an ARC of "The Survivor" by Sean Slater for free to start off the challenge!

Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2011

1..................................................................................................................
2..................................................................................................................
3..................................................................................................................
4..................................................................................................................
5..................................................................................................................
6..................................................................................................................
7..................................................................................................................
8..................................................................................................................
9..................................................................................................................
10................................................................................................................
11................................................................................................................
12................................................................................................................

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa + Giveaway

|
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, Iron Fey Book 1
Finished Reading on December 29, 2010
Young Adult Fiction, E-Book, 176 Pages

The Story: Meghan is an ordinary normal girl (or so she thinks). But everything changes when her brother Ethan is taken away from home by the mythical faery creature. With help of her best friend Puck, she goes to the fairy land, Nevernever to save her brother but she could never have guessed the truth that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king. With her companions Grim, Puck, and Ash, she's now going to face the mysterious evil creature, Machina, the Iron King in order to free her brother.  

My Thought: An enchanting story that left me with a sigh of amazement. At first I don't have any high expectation for "The Iron King" and been so skeptical about the story of faeries and all those mythical creatures. But when I finished the first chapter of the book, I found out that this is something different, fresh, and enjoyable read. Julie Kagawa writes the story in a very fluid way with amazing setting combining the real world and fantasy land supported by the very inventive characters which fit in the story. With the well paced and exciting adventure and action with the injection of some romance, The Iron King surely a page turning book which I enjoyed so much. It is so interesting when Julie invents a new type of Fey, the Iron Fey which come from the evolution of the technology and computer world. There's character called Virus and also bugs which are the antagonists in the story and the name derived from computer terms. The love triangle between the main characters Meghan, Puck, and Ash also gives spice to the story and I'm sure that readers out there will be put themselves either in Ash Team or Puck Team. For me, if Puck doesn't want to confess, Meghan would be Ash's for sure as Meghan really adores him. Well, I guess everything will be clear in the next book, "The Iron Daughter" which I'll definitely read. And FYI, the third book "The Iron Queen" will be released in this coming Fabruary. Looking forward for it!! 

CoffeeNCracker's Meter: 4 Cups of Coffee

Announcement: Grab the chance to win The Iron Queen. For the giveaway details you can click on the banner below. Giveaway hosted by Reading Teen and ends January 30, 2011. Good Luck!!

WWW Wednesdays Dec. 29, 2010

|
WWW Wednesdays: A fun weekly meme hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading. This meme gives opportunity to  readers to share our current reading, books we recently finished and books we're going to read next.


What are you currently reading?
I'm reading a historical/paranormal fiction novel by Elizabeth Kostova, "The Historian". This book combines the history of Europe and it's spookiest legend, Dracula. So far, I enjoy this book. Currently on page 137.

What did you recently finished reading?
I just finished reading "The Iron King" by Julie Kagawa. This is the first book of Iron Fey Series and I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Meghan Chase and her companions, Grim, Ash and Puck in the land of fey in mission to rescue her brother Ethan who has been taken away by the Iron King.Review in progress.

What do you think you'll read next?
A book I borrowed from Hidayah's Book Club, "Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell and an ARC of "Lost Voices" by Sarah Porter, downloaded from Net Galley.

Caster Chronicles Giveaways

|
Steampunkery & Book Reviews and In the Closet With a Bibliophile are hosting international giveaways on Caster Chronicles books, "Beautiful Creatures" and "Beautiful Darkness". Those who want to participate and win these books can click on the banners for the details. Good Luck!!


Teaser Tuesdays Dec. 28, 2010

|
Teaser Tuesdays: A fun weekly meme Hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading where readers share the teasers sentences from their current reads. For this week's teaser, I pick from the book I'm reading, "The Iron King", the first book from Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa. 

The Iron King: In determination to find her brother who was taken by fey, Meghan travels to the world of Nevernever and experiences countless of adventures. With help of Grim, Puck and Ash, she's now going to fight the mighty Iron King, Machina and free her brother.
His fingers tightened on mine and pulled me forward. Startled and overbalanced, I looked up at him, and then he was kissing me. The Iron King, pg. 282

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

|
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Finished Reading on December 23, 2010
Family Drama, Paperback, 407 Pages, Personal Collection

The Story: Kate is suffering from Acute Premylotic Leukemia. The only person who can save her is her sister, Anna whose genetic make-up was specifically designed to be a compatible donor for Kate. Now, 13 years old Anna is sick of being a lab rat and decides to file a lawsuit for medical emancipation from her parents and to stop helping Kate to live. Stuck between love to her sister and the fate of her own future, Anna now is confused and everything she does seems to be wrong. And what choice does she has?

My Thought: "My Sister's Keeper" is a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters, and Picoult's writing is very stylish and heart wrenching. Same as "House Rules", Picoult writes the story from the view of a few different characters. I love this style of writing because by understanding the feeling of each of the characters involve in the conflict, I can get a well rounded look to the story. Reading from Anna's POV make me keep asking myself, what will I do if I'm in her shoes? How far that I'll go to sacrifice myself to save my beloved one? And same as Anna, I also don't know the answer to these questions.This is such an emotional torture to a girl as young as Anna. Sara is another character who gives a huge impact to me. As a mother to a child whose life can be taken any second, she is willing to do anything to help her beloved Kate .Though I reject (from religious and humanity perspectives), her decision to design a baby just for the purpose to save her daughter's life, and her lack of motherly attitude towards her other children Jesse and Anna, deep inside, my heart's saying "She's great. An Iron-Mother indeed."  As a whole, I loved this story as it exposes what are the dilemmas experienced by family members, when crisis arises in the family organization. I just wish that I can read from Kate's perspective also, but none is there except for a few pages in the after story. Recommend to all.

CoffeeNCracker's Meter: 5 Cups of Coffee

In My Mailbox Dec. 26, 2010

|
In My Mailbox: Hosted by The Story Siren. Every week we'll post about what books we have received that week (via your mailbox/library/store bought). This is my first time joining this meme. It is a weekly meme but mine will be sporadically posted since I rarely get books in my mailbox / buy from stores. This week's list as below. 


"Cut" by Cathy Glass - Paperback, 310 Pages (Book Club)
"Julie & Julia" by Julie Powell - Paperback 307 Pages (Book Club)
"The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova - Paperback, 816 Pages (Library)
"Until I Find You" by John Irving - Paperback, 1035 Pages (Library)

The Movie: Water for Elephants

|
Behold!! For the most anticipated movie in 2011, "Water for Elephants", an adaptation from Sara Gruen's most fascinating novel starring the Academy Award winner, Reese Witherspoon (Marlena), and the world's phenomenon, Vampire Robert Pattinson (Jacob). So ladies and gentlemen, presenting "the most spectacular show on earth" , Water for Elephants movie poster and official trailer! In theaters nationwide (US) on April 15! Wonder when it will show up in Malaysia's cinemas.  Looking forward for it!


official movie poster

official trailer

Teaser Tuesdays Dec. 21, 2010

|
Teaser Tuesdays: A fun weekly meme Hosted by MizB @ Should Be Reading where readers share the teasers sentences from their current reads. This week, I'm reading two books, "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova and "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult.

The Historian: Propelled by the discovery of an ancient book and letters, a young woman plunges into a labyrinth where the secrets of her family's past connect to an inconceivable evil Vlad the Impaler.
He had a large family impaled and many of his people buried naked up to the navel and shot at. Some he had roasted and then flayed. The Historian, pg. 46

My Sister's Keeper: a novel by Jodi Picoult. Creating another baby, specifically design to save her sister. But the baby, now 13 yo, is suing her parents for the rights to her own body.
"What are you saying Brian? That some man in a suit whom you've never met would be able to explain Anna better than her own mother?" Sara, My Sister's Keeper, pg. 178

Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon

|

Are You Afraid of the Dark? by Sidney Sheldon
Date Finished: November 18, 2010
Thriller, Paperback, 416 Pages, Borrowed from Library

The Story: Kelly's and Diane's husbands are both dead. Several others all around the globe are being reported missing or dead and all are connected with the world largest think tank, KIG. Kelly and Diane join forces to find the truth behind their beloved husbands' murders. But, the one who is helping them is the one that wants to cut their life short the way he ended their husbands'.

My Thought: This thriller by master of storyteller, Sidney Sheldon, pushes me to edge of my sit. Starts with a little bit sad and depressing since the main characters are mourning over their beloved husbands' deaths and keep on flashing back the sweet memories. But then, the fast fired suspense make me feel like riding a roller coaster, with the adrenaline rushing all over my body (if you got heart attack, read this at your own risk) and I just can't stop flipping the pages to get to know what is going to happen next. I loved Kelly and Diane, because they're both beauties, brave as well as very brilliant (as they manage to outwit the genius bastard!). I loved the whole part of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" though the ending twist is a bit shaky (lost a cup of coffee). Sheldon also manages to relate the story with the "climate change" issue and it's effect especially to the world's economy. All in all, it was a satisfying read!! Recommended.

CoffeeNCracker's Meter: 4 Cups of Coffee

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

|

House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Date Finished: November 19, 2010
PDF Format, 395 Pages, Stand Alone, Family

The Story: Jacob's an Aspie and a complete hopeless at reading social cues and expressing himself to others. He's brilliant in many ways and an analytical forensic freak. One day, his tutor is terribly murdered and the evidences are all pointing to him. This hopeless Aspie has to face the Justice System and prove himself not guilty. With his AS behaviors, it is going to be difficult for him, his mother, Emma and his lawyer, Oliver.

My Thought: "House Rules" is my first read from Jodi Picoult and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The story is narrated by multiple characters such as Jacob, Emma, Theo and Oliver as well as several other characters. This style of telling the story is brilliant because I could grasp the feeling of each of every character in this book Though there are multiple characters telling the story, Jodi Picoult have a very impressive skill to knit together the characters into a fluid and enjoyable storyline. There are lots of forensic science terminologies and concepts are used in this book and also the information regarding Asperger's Syndrome and what  the people  with Asperger behave (as she shows through Jacob). Jodi sure did a very thorough research on both aspects and to relate it with the court procedures and how  the Justice System functions and all is truly magnificent. But the way how she ended it is weak and ineffectual because the twist is pretty lame. Recommended.

CoffeeNCrackers' Meter: 5 Cups of Coffee

14th On My Wishlist

|
On My Wishlist: Hosted by Book Chick City. This week On My Wishlist are two books from Yasmina Khadra,  the author of "The Sirens of Baghdad"

"The Attack"Portrays the reality of terrorism and its incalculable spiritual costs. Intense and humane, devoid of political bias, hatred, and polemics, it probes deep inside the Muslim world and gives readers a profound understanding of what seems impossible to understand.



"Swallows of Kabul" is a dazzling novel written with compassion and exquisite detail about the mentality of Islamic fundamentalists and the complexities of the Muslim world. Brings readers into the hot, dusty streets of Kabul and offers them an unflinching but compassionate insight into a society that violence and hypocrisy have brought to the edge of despair.

Run for Yor Life by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

|

Run for Your Life by James Patterson & Michael  Ledwidge
Michael Bennett Series, Book 2
Large Paperback, 373 Pages, Borrowed from Azahiri

The story: The hero is detective Michael Bennett. The serial killer is dubbed as "the Teacher". He's a master of disguise and his targets seem like randomly picked but actually were aimed from the very beginning. His motive is "to give lesson" to the corrupted society or so he thought. But, a criminal is a criminal, and Bennett is the one who'll bring him in though his family will be put in danger.

My thought:  From technical aspect, same as the other James Patterson's books, "Run for Your Life" was written in short, short chapters which I think very interesting and easy to read an it made this book as a page-turner one. The story was told from Bennett's POV alternately with the story of The Teacher going out and murdered people. And like any others Jame Patterson's books, the life of the main hero at home is also highlighted just to add the spice to the story and I think it was OK.  About the storyline, I can say it wasn't that great but there were twists and surprises here and there which made it as a good read. Though the book start a bit slow, but it becoming much better once I hit the climax and the story is neatly ended in the way that I loved. The fact that the book is also co-written by Michael Ledwidge didn't make any difference (or so I thought) because I only saw James Patterson's writing style in it. All in all, this book at least manage to catch my interest though it's not the best book I ever read from the author. 

CoffeeNCracker's Meter: 3 Cups of Coffee.

Friday Memes Dec. 17, 2010

|
The Friday 56: Hosted by Freda's Voice. This week's Friday 56 is from "My Sister's Keeper", a novel by Jodi Picoult. Creating another baby, specifically design to save her sister. But the baby, now 13 yo, is suing her parents for the rights to her own body.

Even in the dark, I can see the shine of her eyes. 'Oh, Anna,' my mother sighs, 'how can you not know how much I love you?' - My Sister's Keeper, pg. 56

Book Blogger Hop: Hosted by Crazy for Books. This week's question is "What do you consider the most important in a story: the plot or the characters?". My answer: Both play important role in a story. A good story should come with a good storyline and strong characters. 

Friday Follows: Hosted by Parajunkee's View: This week's question is "What did you study in college or are you currently studying and did it lead to your current 9 to 5 or are you doing something totally different?". My answer: I'm doing a Bachelor Degree in Forensic Science in one Malaysia's Local Universities, USM. and now in my final year. For future, I don't know if I'll do any job related to this field or not. We'll wait and see.

Guest Post: Author Judy Nichols

|

Jody Nichols is a Mystery & Thrillers author and so far she had written books, "Caviar Dreams" and "Tree Huggers".  I'm hereby so delighted to welcome Judy Nichols at Coffee N Crackers.

"Just Give Me Your Honest Opinion"
It happens to nearly every successful writer and many of the not so successful ones. A friend approaches you, clutching the pages of a short story, or a poem, or the first few chapters of a novel, sheepishly requesting you read it and give your “honest” opinion.
You smile and say sure, you'd love to, even though you'd rather have a root canal. After putting it off as long as you can, you sit down and give the work-in-progress a read and immediately wish you hadn't. Because it's really, really bad.It's so full of adverbs and hackneyed phrases that you're not even sure there's a story in there. And when you do find that story, you realize you've read it a hundred times already. You like this person and you know very well your honest opinion would wound them to the core.So what do you do?

I always think back to my friend Steve, who was an accomplished poet and a sharp critic to those in his writing group. I had a flat mate then who fancied herself a poet. She requested that I ask Steve to read some of her poems. At the time I didn't know much about writing poetry, (still don't) but I could tell that hers wasn't any good. Lots of tired imagery and cliches. Not to mention the adverbs.I figured Steve would eat her alive. But when he returned her work, he smiled and said “I see some good things here, and I think you should continue your writing.” And then he recommended she join a writing group or enroll in the local university's creative writing program. She looked a bit disappointed, but thanked him and went off to her room. When she was out of earshot, I asked him what good things could he possibly have seen in her poetry..

“Noun-verb agreement. Correct spelling,” he replied. Then he went on to say that anyone who writes should be encouraged to keep at it. The university courses would only make her writing better and if she was serious about it, she could become a good writer. Even a great one. Every writer has to start from somewhere. So I always read the manuscripts, and I always look for good things, even if it is just noun-verb agreement. I recommend joining a writing group, taking a creative writing course, or buying Stephen King's brilliant memoir On Writing. And I never, ever tell any aspiring writer to give up.

Because with very few exceptions, every good writer starts off as a bad one.

About Judy Nichols

For no good reason, she decided to write a book while her infant daughter napped. Five years and several viewings of "Toy Story" later, her novel "Caviar Dreams" was finished, a murder mystery based in Cincinnati. Ms. Nichols holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Kent State University. She has been a newspaper reporter, a teacher, a temporary office worker, a customer service representative, and currently stay-at-home mom with way too much time on her hands. Her second novel, Tree Huggers was published in March of 2008, inspired by her work as a newspaper reporter and a volunteer for The Nature Conservancy.

Thanks so much for your great post Judy.  

Tree Huggers by Judy Nichols

|
Title: Tree Huggers
Author: Judy Nichols
Publisher: Zumaya Enigma
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Suspense, Thriller, Family, Environmental
Details: PDF, 272 Pages
Source: From Author



The Story
Single mom Kate Dennison finds her new reporting job at a local paper is not at all what she expected. On her first day, two men die in a fire apparently set by a militant environmentalist group called The Forces of Nature. Kate is assigned to cover the story, including the trial of the young man charged with the crime. As she works to unearth the truth, she begins to fear for her own safety and is faced with the loss of her daughter, her freedom and even her life.

 
My Thought
I'm always read about crime stories in the newspapers and as a forensic science student I always look at the cases from the eyes of an investigator or the criminals and victims. However, Judi Nichols brought me into a new perspective which I never even thought before. Investigate the crime scene from the point of view of a journalist. Do you ever wonder how the crime reporters could come out with all the crime stories? They also do their own investigations. That is what the protagonist of "Tree Huggers", Kate Dennison, a single mother and a reporter of Beacon does. She gets an assignment to cover the story about an arson case with two people getting killed. Her coverage of the story makes her as the next target for the criminals. Her office is bombed, a treat letter is sent to her, and she even gets the gun barrel pointed to her head. 

 
I loved the way Judy Nichols write the story. She not only focuses on journalism and the crime, but she also makes a really good job in discussing about the family matters, environmental crisis, as well as the society issues. Kate is divorced with a daughter, Molly in her custody. I kind of understand what it feels to be a child like Molly because I also came from a broken family. She yearns for love from her parents and wish that her father and mother will reconcile but when her father remarried with another woman, she has to adjust herself to get together with her steps. I have to admit that it's not an easy thing to do and it sometimes gives a lot of pressure to the children. Nichols also pointed out about the environmental crisis. How the development may cause a great damage to the environment if it is not properly planned and this may cause a conflict between the environmentalists and the the developers. The crime in Tree Huggers is a result from that conflict. The development is good for human civilization, but when human become greedy, they tend to act beyond their right mind and cause very regretful damages to nature. 


Judy Nichols' writing style is quite intelligent and fruitful. I'm not only enjoyed the story but at the same time she makes me realized about some important issues in our life. However, there are several things that can be improved in her writing. First is the development of the characters. The main characters developed very well but the others are just superficial and sometimes very dull. The second thing is, for a thriller novel, straightforwardness is not good. A thriller supposed to be unpredictable, full of surprises and also twisted all over so that the readers can feel the suspense and the thrill. 

As a whole, Tree Huggers is a good book as it discussed a couple of critical issues such as family relationship, environmental crisis, as well as the problems arise in our society with a bit of thrills and ends exactly the way I like. 


Favourite Quotes
Don’t burden your child with your worries. Children are not little adults, they can’t help you with your problems at work, and telling them about how much you hate your job will only make them anxious and upset.


Remember, most children of divorced parents cling to the hope their parents will reconcile. A remarriage means giving up this dream.

CoffeeNCracker's Meter
4 Cups of Coffee: Though this is not a great thriller novel, "Tree Huggers" still have lots of strong points which makes the book such an enjoyable one. Recommended to all of you, readers.

 
Disclaimer: I received a review copy courtesy of Judy Nichols in exchange for a fair review. Receiving a copy in no way will ever reflected my review and these are my honest review.

Teaser Tuesdays: Tree Huggers

|
Title: Tree Huggers
Author: Judy Nichols
Publisher: Zumaya Enigma
Details:  PDF, 272 Pages
Genre: Suspense, Thriller, Family

She undid the string that held the envelope shut anddumped the contents onto her desk.Suddenly, the room was filled with her screams.


........

Teaser Tuesdays' Rules

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

|
Title: The Wedding
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Warner Vision
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Love, Romance, Family
Details: Paperback, 276 Pages
Source: Library

The Story
After thirty years, Wilson Lewis is forced to face a painful truth. His wife, Jane, has fallen out of love with him, and it is entirely his fault. Despite of shining example of his in-laws, Noah and Allie Calhoun (originally recounted in "The Notebook"), and their fifty-year love affair, Wilson is unable to express his true feelings. He has spent to little time at home and to much at the office. Now his daughter is about to marry, and his wife is thinking about leaving him. But if Wilson is sure of anything, it's this: His love for Jane have grown over the years, and he will do anything he can to save their marriage. With the memories of Noah and Allie's inspiring life together as his guide, he vows to find a way to make his wife fall in love with him all over again.

My Thought
A fascinating love story that make me drift. As an estate lawyer, Wilson has always being so practical in everything he did including the intimate relationship with his wife. He was to much occupied with his job. He forgot his children birthdays, spent less time for family vacations, and even worse he forgot the anniversary. Knowing that her husband did all these to provide the family, Jane try to understand but deep inside she's hurt. The wall between them become thicker and their days are filled with nothing but silence. Before it is too late, Wilson realizes his mistakes and makes a plan to win his wife's heart back and to save their marriage. But, Anna, their daughter,suddenly declares that she's getting married and to make thing more complicated, it'll be on the day Wilson wanted to give a big surprise for Jane, their 30th anniversary. It's actually a part of his plan.

Told from Wilson point of view, The Wedding is indeed an enjoyable romance that will make you smile all along and sometimes get you all teary. The idea is pretty simple and straightforward but the way Nicholas Sparks delivers the story is really engaging. What will you do when you feel that your wife is fallen out of love with you? Wilson did everything he could to make his wife fall for him all over again. Starting with simple, simple change such as spending less time for work and more with family, starting to loose weight, prepare dinner, Wilson has prepare surprise after surprise, that will make his wife's (and no doubt the female readers) heart melting. As a guy, I really admired Wilson because he realizes all his mistakes and even though he can't change what was happen in the past, he makes a great effort for a brighter future for himself and his beloved wife. No doubt he's a great husband or rather he tries to be one. Jane in the other hand is a bit difficult to describe. She is not demanding but she is expecting that Wilson could be a husband more like his father, Noah. (Remember Noah and Allie in The Notebook?. Well Jane's their daughter.) I think it's not fair for Wilson, but who can blame her? Noah and Allie were a sweet couple after all and Jane grown up dreaming that she'll have the same relationship as her parents.

All in all, The Wedding is a very satisfying and enjoyable romance novel which is very hard to put down until the last page. The twist at the end of the novel was so brilliant and I just couldn't imagine that such a situation did occur in the real life. This is one of the the books that that left me saying "I'm glad that I pick up this book".

Favorite Quotes
"It's funny, but have you ever notice that the more special something is, the more people seem to take it for granted? It's like they think it won't ever change." ~ Harvey Wellington, pg. 197

I wish I could undo the past, but we both know that's impossible. ~ Wilson, pg. 232

CoffeeNCrackers' Meter
5 Cups of Coffee: Beautifully crafted romance novel. A simple plot delivered in a very fascinating style. Highly recommended. Enjoy!!

WWW Wednesdays: Nov. 17

|

What are you currently reading?
I'm just about to start "Are You Afraid of the Dark?", a thriller novel by Sidney Sheldon. Four people are die violently and mysteriously. The dead share a single crucial link. Who is responsible for the murders?? Currently on page 1.

What did you recently finished reading?
I'm just finished reading a magnificent love story! "The Wedding" by a chronicler of love stories, Nicholas Sparks. This sequel of "The Notebook" makes me smile and sometimes get all teary while reading. Definitely a 5 Stars read!

What do you think you'll read next?
Jodi Picoult's  "Plain Truth" is next on the list. A riveting story of a murder that shatters the picturesque calm of Amish country and tests the heart and soul of the lawyer defending the woman at the center of the storm. 



A Meme by MizB @ Should Be Reading
To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Teaser Tuesdays: The Wedding

|
Title: The Wedding
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publisher: Warner Vision
Details:  Paperback, 289 Pages
Genre: Love, Family, Romance

The first date that Jane and I went on didn't go exactly as I'd planned. - Wilson, pg. 75

Back then, I used to love how you look in the mornings, right after you put on your suit. You were tall and trim, a young go-getter out to make a good life for us. You were very attractive. - Jane, pg. 164

........

Teaser Tuesdays' Rules

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Cold Case by Faye Kellerman

|
Title: Cold Case
Author: Faye Kellerman
Publisher: HarperCollins
Series: Peter Decker/ Rina Lazarus #17
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Details: Large Print, 367 Pages

The Story 
When software billionaire Genoa Greeves was just a student, her tutor was murdered in a carjacking that shocked her tight-knit community. Now, eighteen years later, a similar murder has occurred in the Hollywood Hills and Genoa wants answers. Lieutenant Peter Decker is under pressure to connect the two cases. faced with cold trails and dead leads, Decker enlists the help of his detective daughter, Cindy. But in a city where the price of fame has no limits, the line between cops and robbers sometimes get dangerously blurred.

My Thought
The murder of Ekerlings which have the same modus operandi as Ben Little's murder case 18 years ago, makes the former student of Dr. Ben, Genoa, who is now a software billionaire to make a request to reopened the cold case. The detective assigned for the investigation is Lieutenant Peter Decker, a senior investigator. In order to link the dots, Decker and his two investigators, Marge and Oliver have to make a thorough investigation and the investigation become more and more difficult as everyone who have the relationship with the two victims has the tendency to be the murderer. Besides, the former investigator who involved with the Little's case committed suicide as the case reopened.

The Cold Case is indeed an interesting investigation novel but also a very dragging one. It gives you the real situation of how the detectives did their works. Have to go here and there, conduct interview after interview, and then sit together to discuss their theories regarding the case and then did more interviews and interrogate the suspects. So, basically this novel shows me the police procedures at work which I think a very tedious, time consuming and sometimes boring. But, that's the challenge as an investigator plus it's not easy to solve a cold case which the evidences are all dusty and blurry. There are not much of actions and suspense in this book but it can make reader keep on flipping the pages as Kellerman shows the real interrogation procedures and how the police did all the questioning.The body of the story is all about questioning all the people related to both cases. What I love about the Cold Case is that how Peter Decker and his two colleagues dig the information from the suspects. Whenever the interrogation scene takes place, I become restless and am so excited because they are so brilliant in the questioning and manage to extract information without any force or brute acts. However, the ending of this book is not that great. They don't really know who's the real murderer but just blurt some speculations of who did and who didn't do the murder. I am a bit disappointed with such an ending. All in all this one enjoyable read but the investigation process is told in a very detail way which sometimes make the story become too dragging and tedious and with such an ending, who can blame me if I say it's not really a great book? It's just an OK one but if you want to know how investigators do their works and all those interrogations, this is recommended.

Favorite Quotes
"I love you, too." Rina's eyes moistened. "Thanks for being a terrific husband.....and thanks for just being alive." pg. 167

CoffeeNCrackers Meter
3 Cups of Coffee: An enjoyable read but you have to be very patient while reading this book because the police procedures highlighted are very tedious and it makes the story to be dragging so much.

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop

|
Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee @ Parajunkee's View




Q:What is your monthly book budget?

A: I don't buy books monthly. Plus I'm still a student and don't have a budget of my own. Have to allocate my allowance to other education related things also. So, if ask what is my monthly budget for books, my answer I've no budget at all. If I got money I buy books, if I'm in total broke....I just sit silently, blinking my eyes.

*****

Book Blogger Hop hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy for Books
Book Blogger Hop

Q: If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?

A: Yes, I always do it that way. But, there are also books from series that can be stand alone. So, these books I don't really care if not reading the first book first.

WWW Wednesdays: Nov. 10

|

What are you currently reading?
"House Rules" by Jodi Picoult. A boy with Asperger's syndrome who really loves forensic science but get caught in a homicide case and he is put in custody.Will the law do justice to him? Currently on page 264. 

What did you recently finished reading?
I finished "Cold Case", a thriller novel by Faye Kellerman today. I give 3 stars for this book and the review is coming. Stay tuned. 

What do you think you'll read next?
I'm going to read "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks next. I'm just in a mood for such a genre right now


A Meme by MizB @ Should Be Reading
To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Teaser Tuesdays: Three Cups of Tea

|
Title: Three Cups of Tea
Author: Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
Publisher: Penguin Books
Details: 352 Pages
Genre: Memoir, History

The dawn was so calm that he couldn’t make sense of the frantic desire he felt to breathe. He untangled his hands from the blanket’s tight cocoon with nightmarish inefficiency, then flung them toward his head, where it lay, exposed to the elements on a bare slab of rock. His mouth and nose were sculpted shut beneath a smooth mask of ice. Mortenson tore the ice free and took his first deep, satisfying breath. Then he sat up, laughing at himself. - pg 17 

........

Teaser Tuesdays' Rules

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Cover Crush: Boys Don't Cry

|
What if you were left holding a baby? Boys Don't Cry a novel by Malorie Blackman. The cover looks cool and the story sounds hilarious and intriguing.


This is the explosively page-turning new novel for teenagers from the author of the award-winning "Noughts and Crosses" sequence. You're about to receive your A-level results and then a future of university and journalism awaits. But the day they're due to arrive your old girlfriend Melanie turns up unexpectedly ...with a baby ...You assume Melanie's helping a friend, until she nips out to buy some essentials, leaving you literally holding the baby

13th On My Wishlist

|
Hi, guys! Happy Saturday. Now it's time for piling up my wish list. This week On My Wishlist is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. There are lots of positive reviews about this book, and it happens to be a historical fiction novel, one of my favorite genres!!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step. Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken. Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody’s business, but she can’t mind her tongue, so she’s lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed. In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women — mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends — view one another.

A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don’t. 
........
Credit: On My Wishlistis a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. It's also an event that you can join in with too.

The Friday 56: Are You Afraid of the Dark?

|
Title: Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Thriller, Crime
Source: Library 
Details: Paperback, 398 Pages


When Kelly was eight years old, she was asleep one night in her small, darkened bedroom when she was awakened by a guttural whisper: "Shhh! Don't make a sound."



Note: Starting this week, The Friday 56 will be hosted by Freda @ Freda's Voice. Taken over from Tonya.

 ........

The Friday 56 Rules
  • Grab a book. Any book.
  • Turn to page 56. Post a sentence (or plus one or two others you like) along with this instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) you can post on Freda's comment section.
  • Post a link along with your blog post back to Freda's Voice.

Follow Friday & Book Blogger Hop

|
Follow Friday hosted by Parajunkee @ Parajunkee's View



Q:Who are your favorite authors?

A: I'm a fan of thriller books, but sometimes I enjoyed chic-lit and historical fiction. Here are my favorite authors. Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham, James Patterson, Jodi Picoult, Cecelia Ahern, Audrey Niffenegger, Yasmina Khadra, and Khaled Hosseini.

*****

Book Blogger Hop hosted by Jennifer @ Crazy for Books
Book Blogger Hop

Q: What are your feeling of losing followers? Have you ever stop following a blog?

A: I answer the second first. Answer is NO. About the feeling of losing followers, I might feel frustrated but then I feel more excited to blog and gather more follower. But, one thing about followers is that, OK just look at my follower list, I got more than 100. But, I wonder how many of them really read my posts??
 

I, Alex Cross by James Patterson

|
Title: I, Alex Cross
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Century
Series: Alex Cross Series #16
Genre: Crime, Thriller
Details: Large Print, 374 Pages

The Story
Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the devastating news that his niece, Caroline, has been found brutally murdered. Cross vows to hunt down the killer, and soon learns that Caroline was mixed up in one of the Washington's wildest scenes. And she was not this killer's only victim. 

The hunt for her murderer leads Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, to a place where every fantasy is possible, if you have the credentials to get in.Alex and Bree are soon facing down some very important, very protected, very dangerous people in levels of society where only one thing is certain - they will do anything to keep their secrets safe.

My Thought
Completely engrossed. Starts with a girl, Hannah, chasing by murderers and a bullet then penetrates her back. She's seriously injured but manage to escape the death with the help of a man. Then, Detective Alex is stunned with the news of Caroline, his niece, whose body is chipped into remains. Devoted his life to chase for the murderer, Alex gets caught in a high class murder conspiracy where people in the White House involved and Caroline is not the only victim. Leads after leads, and when Hannah comes out from her hideout, the mask of the the murderer is lifted revealing his naked face. 

The book begins with really impressive, adrenaline rush scene. This gives me a really good first impression on the story. As the story progresses, lots of characters popping  in and out and sometimes I just cannot connect these characters with each other. In the first part of the book, the story constantly shifted from one character to another and this make me loose of tracks of the story and as the result I have to put it down several times. But, as Alex started to connect all the characters in his investigation, the story become very exciting and I just can't simply put the book down. At this point I understand why the first part is written in such a way and keep on reading the book until the end.

Since this is my third read from James Patterson and the first from the series, I'm not very familiar with Patterson's writing style. I read through some reviews, and most of them said that this is a typical Patterson's writing style which is not a bad thing since they enjoyed it. For me, I, Alex Cross is a very successful thriller and the way James Patterson told the story is really fantastic and it makes me feel restless and put me at the edge of my sit with all the suspense, action and twists all along the story. This is my first time reading a thriller with a bunch of murder scenes, how the victims sexually tortured and the body  were the chipped into unrecognizable remains. I was chilled to the bone. The story is written in short, short chapters and I think it is brilliant of him to write in such a way because you will think that the story is not dragging at all. Patterson also did a good job by injected the family relationship elements by telling us the story about Alex's family and this makes the story more exciting and enjoyable.

All in all, this is a fast-fired thriller with an engrossing storyline. The end is cliffhanging and left you wanting more from James Patterson. This is indeed one of the best thrillers I ever read.

Favorite Quotes
"Whatever happened before today, or whatever happens tomorrow, doesn't mean a thing right now. When those goodbyes are over, then we'll worry about what comes next." -Nana, pg. 62

CoffeeNCrackers Meter
5 Cups of Coffee: Truly a fast moving thriller with suspense, action, and twists. The book that I thoroughly enjoyed and the cliffhanger end makes me wanting more from the author. Highly recommended.

Credits: I borrowed this book from my friend, Darkartz. All thanks to him.

CymLowell