mercy by bj daniels

Title: Mercy
Series: Beartooth, Montana #5
Author: BJ Daniels
Pages: 352
Rating: 3.5/5
Cover rating: 3.5/5

Summary:
For U.S. marshal Rourke Kincaid, there's the law…and then there's his law. When the two don't agree, he always trusts his instincts. A killing spree has gripped the Northwest, showing a strange connection that only he sees, and now the old rules of justice no longer apply. Forced to turn rogue, he goes deep undercover to track his mysterious female suspect to a quiet, unassuming café in the wild, isolated mountains of Beartooth, Montana.

But encountering Callie Westfield complicates his mission in ways he never expected. As suspicious as she seems, her fragile beauty and sexy charm get to Rourke. Then the gory crimes begin anew. With his heart suddenly at war with his instincts, he has only two options. Either turn Callie over to the law, or put everything—including his badge and his life—on the line to protect her.

My 2 Cents:
I have read her Atonement novel and really enjoy her book. And with Mercy I think it was enjoyable as well. When it is a romance, I expected romance in it. And the relation between Rourke and Callie is sweet and I think I liked all the scenes which gave me some time that made me hold my breath and I felt like my cheeks burning and red! The misunderstanding between Rourke as he suspected Callie as the serial killer somewhat gave a perspective that he had to put aside his feeling and focus to his job. He is attracted to Callie making his job much harder. But Callie sure has her own charm as well. There are so many twists and turns in this book. It's too complicated to explain but it's a fantastic book and will keep you turning pages faster than you can expect. All in all I think this book is a worth reading for your bedtime reading or while having coffee during weekend breakfast. Enjoy!

declan's cross by carla neggers

Title: Declan's Cross
Author: Carla Neggers
Pages: 314
Rating: 3.5/5
Cover rating: 4/5
Summary:
An escape to an idyllic Irish seaside village is about to turn deadly in this riveting new novel by master of romantic suspense Carla Neggers. For marine biologist Julianne Maroney, two weeks in tiny Declan’s Cross on the south Irish coast is a chance to heal her broken heart. She doesn’t expect to attract the attention of FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan— especially since a Donovan is the reason for her broken heart. Emma and Colin are in Ireland for their own personal retreat. Colin knows he’s a reminder of everything Julianne wants to escape but something about her trip raises his suspicion. Emma, an art crimes expert, is also on edge. Of all the Irish villages Julianne could choose… Why Declan’s Cross?

Ten years ago, a thief slipped into a mansion in Declan’s Cross. Emma’s grandfather, a renowned art detective, investigated, but the art stolen that night has never been recovered and the elusive thief never caught. From the moment Julianne sets foot on Irish soil, everything goes wrong. The well-connected American driver who invited her to Ireland has disappeared. And now Emma and Colin are in Declan’s Cross. As a dark conspiracy unfolds amid the breathtaking scenery of Declan’s Cross, the race is on to stop a ruthless killer…and the stakes have never been more personal for Emma and Colin.

My 2 Cents:
Reading from the summary, we could see there's a lot are going on. What makes me really happy with the book is, it is about a marine biologist. It was exciting to read something close to you in fiction books. I used to live by the sea when I was growing up, and it was superb! The setting of the book is perfect - a seemingly idyllic seaside town in Ireland. It's romantic and old world - a perfect place for romance and mystery to occur.And to add a lot of adventures into it, even more awesome. This was a great romantic suspense novel that had me eagerly turning the pages until the end. I've never read the author's work before, it can be a good stand alone as well as I wasn't that confused by the plot or the characters and their relationships. The characters were very well written, especially the two main characters of Sharpe and Donovan. We get to see their strengths, weaknesses, personalities, and their pasts. The plot was fast paced and flowed naturally, making it hard to put down. The mystery was intriguing and full of twists, which mystery and suspense lovers will find excitement and fun to keep up with.

About the Author

Carla Neggers has been spinning stories ever since she climbed a tree with pad and pen at age eleven. Now she has millions of copies of her books in print in more than 30 countries, and more than two dozen of her books have placed on the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. Declan’s Cross is the third novel in her acclaimed Sharpe & Donovan romantic suspense series that launched with Saint’s Gate and Heron’s Cove and has been praised as “a breathtaking reading experience” (Providence Journal), “gripping and suspenseful” (Nashua Telegraph), and “outstanding” (USA TODAY). Her popular Swift River Valley series debuted with Secrets of the Lost Summer, which spent four weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and garnered rave reviews, including a starred review from Booklist and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews. Growing up in rural western Massachusetts with three brothers and three sisters, Carla developed an eye for detail and a love of a good story. Her imagination, curiosity and sense of adventure are key to creating the complex relationships, fast-paced plots and deep sense of place in her books.

bare it all by lori foster

Title: Bare It All
Author: Lori Foster
Series: Love Undercover #2
Rating: 4/5
Book Description:
"A cop's craving to know more about the woman next door could prove fatal in the steamy new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster"

As the person responsible for taking down a brutal human trafficker, Alice Appleton fears retaliation at every turn. No one knows about her past, which is exactly how she prefers it...until the sexy cop next door comes knocking. Detective Reese Bareden thinks he knows what makes women tick, but his ever-elusive neighbor keeps him guessing like no other. Is his goal to unmask Alice's secrets? Or protect her from a dangerous new threat? One thing is certain: their chemistry is a time bomb waiting to explode. And with no one to trust but each other, Reese and Alice are soon drawn into a deadly maze of corruption, intrigue and desire-and into the line of fire.

My Say:
The book is totally a swoon-worthy! I was so caught up with the story and yes, it has made my day. Should I say that reading the book made me stares at my husband in such twisted mind. LOL!

I didnt read her first book. However, whoever can easily pick up and read as it is. The elements of suspence and romance somehow has it upside downs, but I'm glad this one completed each other as Reese and Alice complement each other. I must say Reese is such a character that I would totally approved of, not because he is what I want him to be but his role is perfect. I easily related to him. Alice was otherwise not so much for me. Maybe because she doesn't act like a grown woman? I must say she's quite odd or weird? I can't tell much but I think her personality is influenced by the mystery that Reese has to solve. Eventhough I found Alice was like that, one thing that I can be assured of was that their chemistery was really a time bomb waiting to explode as they claimed! I think the pace of the book is quite ample for us to know more the character and how their relationship is developing. What I like most about the book, it just grabbed my attention from the moment I opened to read it. Awesome!

About the Author

Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a Waldenbooks, Borders, USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. She also received the Romantic Times “Career Achievement Award” for Series Romantic Fantasy and Contemporary Romance.

Lori believes it is important to give back to the community as much as possible, so she routinely arranges events among authors and readers to gather donations for various organizations.

Website: www.LoriFoster.com

secrets by darcia helle

Title: Secrets

Author: Darcia Helle

Rating: 4.5/5

Cover Rating: 4.5/5

Published: August 2012

Summary (GoodReads):

SURVIVAL; Samantha’s monsters aren't under the bed; they’re the people she calls Mom and Dad.
ESCAPE; She makes it out alive, her sanity barely intact.

LIES; She creates a new past that fools everyone, including herself.

HOPE; A life filled with love and security teeters on its base of lies.

SECRETS; When it all comes crumbling down, will Samantha make it out alive?

My Say:

This book is actually kind of psycopath-ish. I have no idea what it would be to be in the character's shoes. It was definitively draining my emotion to really feel her. Can you imagine the whole family members are crazy? Like literally crazy? The writing of the story is actually quite straight forward, straight to the point, of course you will not get the whole picture first, but that's the beauty of reading an unpredictable twist story. The characters are realistic though quite unbelievably mean. Now I know why secrets are so important to Samantha. What to tell if the past of your life will be a threat towards your future? Yeah, it sounds too unrealistic, but I don't think it's impossible to not to happen to anyone. A fiction could be from a real life story, don't you think? I'm quite impressed with Samantha of how she could bear all the burden of her secrets, even more when her secrets are near to be exposed. It was very intriguing that every page I turn to made me feel nervous. This is my first book of Darcia Helle and very impressed. The book is really recommended.

Note: I received a copy of the book for an exchange of an honest review.

**have adult content and language not suitable for below 16**

Author Guest Post 

What's your opinion about white lies? Seems like everyone lies when they want to keep the secret unbroken. 

This is an interesting question. The vast majority of people tell white lies every day. Imagine what life would be like if we were forced to tell the complete truth all the time. Your coworker brings her new baby to the office to show him off, and asks, “Isn’t he beautiful?” You say, “No, actually he’s the ugliest baby I’ve ever seen.” Or you visit your parents and your mother excitedly asks, “What do you think of the new living room furniture?” Your reply is, “The color is hideous. What were you thinking?”

In these instances, most of us will opt for the white lie. We’ll agree the baby is beautiful and tell our parents the living room looks great. We don’t do this as much for our own benefit as to spare the feelings of the other person. No one is getting hurt by these white lies. I think of them as a form of social etiquette.

Sometimes what we consider to be a white lie is more about a keeping secret. Maybe you don’t want your best friend to know you’re still in touch with her ex-husband. You keep that secret from her in order to preserve your relationship. This kind of lie of omission is different than a white lie in that it is often more about benefiting the person telling the lie or keeping the secret. There’s more of a gray area here. In a sense, you’re still lying to protect the other person’s feelings, but you’re also being deceitful to protect yourself. And someone is often hurt by this type of lie, which makes it less a white lie and more an outright lie.

When I did the final edit for my novel Secrets, I did some research into the science and psychology of keeping secrets. Of course, lying isn’t necessarily involved in secret keeping. Sometimes we choose not to speak on the issue at all, hiding whatever the secret is in silence. Other times keeping a secret involves telling elaborate tales, lies woven together that stretch far beyond the white lie. What I found in my research is that the main reason we keep secrets is to avoid judgment. I think this is often true of why we tell lies, as well. Maybe you’d be embarrassed if your coworkers knew you’d been married to the same man three times, having divorced him twice early in your relationship. You lie to them, using your first wedding date as your anniversary. You ask your husband to do the same. Clearly, you and your husband are both lying and keeping a secret. But you’re not hurting anyone by doing so. It’s not anyone else’s business how many times you marry and divorce the same person.

A white lie is typically defined as a lie told to avoid upsetting the other person. This is not a lie told for self-gain or to hurt someone else. Given these parameters, a lot of the lies we tell each day, the ones we claim are white lies, are just plain lies.

To answer your original question, I think true white lies are a harmless and often beneficial part of our daily interaction. But we need to be clear in our own minds about the reason we’re telling them. 

About the Author 

Darcia Helle lives in a fictional world with a husband who is sometimes real. Their house is ruled by spoiled dogs and cats and the occasional dust bunny. Suspense, random blood splatter and mismatched socks consume Darcia’s days. She writes because the characters trespassing through her mind leave her no alternative. Only then are the voices free to haunt someone else’s mind.


Find her here:
Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Blog | Website

Giveaway Details:
 • 2 print copies of Secrets
• 10 ecopies of Secrets in any format Giveaway is worldwide.


  a Rafflecopter giveaway

eighty-eight keys by catherine lavender

Title: Eighty-Eight Keys
Author: Catherine Lavender
Genre: Romance, Suspense
Publisher: Whimsical Publishing
Pages: 174
Rating: 3/5
Cover Rating: 3.5/5

Summary:
Leah is a young woman who is trying to break free from a strict religious background and pursue her dream as a pianist in the world of show business. While trying to find her independence her heart is held captive by Jason Rowe a local basketball star who established an organization to help troubled youth. When Jason is found murdered in his home, Leah is determined to get answers from a closed investigation. During her state of emotional turmoil, Leah finds comfort not only in the melody of her music, but in the arms of a married man named Calvin. With her dreams at her fingertips, Leah is tangled in a web of lies and deceit. Despite the fear of learning the truth, Leah has to realize that only the truth can set her free.

My Say:
I have a mixed feeling about the book. Apart of being a book of mystery or suspense that I would read, the book actually leave me wonders about every details of the characters. I wouldn't say there's so much things I don't like when the story is quite good. A short story with such a condense plot may be one of the reason why. Sometimes I felt the story have some hangings despite of the tense of the situations. Leah's character for me is quite shaky, or maybe that's what her character is. She's quite insecure with herself when is a very a talented pianist  but somehow when she tried to find out the murder, she seems brave and knows what to do.

Whilst the book might have a tiny flaw, I still find the book is a good book to kill some time. It's a fast read and the book has quite good twist in the end.

About the Author

Catherine Lavender is from Baltimore, Maryland but now resides in Tampa, Florida with her miniature schnauzer name Ripken. She is an animal activist, as well as a supporter of the organization First Book which helps supply literature for underprivileged children. In her spare time, Catherine enjoys reading classic literature and playing the acoustic guitar.

Find her here: Website | Goodreads

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for an honest review as part of a blog tour.

dance while you can by susan lewis

Title: Dance While You Can
Author: Susan Lewis
Pages: 378
Rating: 3/5

Summary (Goodreads):

Elizabeth Sorrill, is the junior matron at Foxton’s elite School for Boys. Her attractions prove irresistible to Alexander Belmayne, the seventeen-year-old son of the Lord Chief Justice, but their passionate affair is short-lived as bitter lies and scandal force them apart. A chance meeting in London brings them together again, and their reunion leads to a breathtaking crime fired by an overwhelming obsession — a hatred so violent it knows no limits.

My Review:

This book contains so many melodramatic scenes. Whilst I'm enjoying reading it, I have a mix feeling about this and take a while to write a review about it. The plot line is okay but quite unrealistic sometimes. Like I said, too melodramatic.

A 21 years old girl falling in love with a 17 years old boy is something interesting, more over he's her student. Although it is hard to resist and deny their love, they manage to keep low and down until she's being accused as gypsy and prostitute from some fairground which risen Alexander's father who is a Chief of Justice. Well, devastated and furious, Alexander despised Elizabeth more than anything and dismissed her from Foxton's ground. Elizabeth did nothing to depend herself because she thought that was the best thing to end what she call a fling. But she regretted that Alexander would never meet his child.

Years later, married with someone else, Alexander still can't forget Elizabeth and being a playboy is the only thing he can do. While Elizabeth, married with a wealthy man, and live pretending to be happy with someone she can never love. Until finally they met each other, their love is kind of rekindled once again, secretly. Although it will never last that way, Elizabeth's husband died and her sister-in-law, Christine is furious because she knew that it's because of Elizabeth, her brother died, loveless. Christine set up to murder Elizabeth and takes everything that she thinks is hers, the wealth that left from her brother. It seems like Elizabeth and Alexander will never be able to be together.

The story is quite engaging and it really is melodramatic. And I think it has issues, committed adultery while one still married? That's a big issue. Apart from that, all the characters are well-developed and the story is very well-written. However, I must admit that it drives me really angry with Elizabeth. I thought it was mad. Can't she ever let go of her feeling for a while and love her husband instead of whining how she loves Alexander more than anything? The craziest part is when she is pregnant with Alexander's child while she's still married to Edward, and announced her pregnancy to her in-laws without knowing Edward has done a vasectomy years ago! Shocking! But Edward still except her and forgives her and adopted her children. For once, I thought, Elizabeth, you are such a b***h! No wonder Christine hates you and wanted to kill you! There, I said that.

I think it deserves to have 4.5 rating, but I gave only 3. I just hate the characters and I'm so furious with Elizabeth and Alexander that I'm being a bit bias. But really, it a good book actually.

Note: This review is linked to Cym Lowell's Book Review Party. Click HERE to learn more or participate.

memories of midnight by sidney sheldon

Title: Memories of Midnight
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Pages: 416
Rating: 4/5

Summary:

A sequel of The Other Side of Midnight. Catherine lost her memory and wound up in a convent in the care of nuns. She is later taken in by shipping tycoon Constantin Demiris and given a job in his Trade Corporation office in London. Catherine is actually Catherine Douglas, a woman believed to have been murdered by her husband Larry and his mistress Noelle Page. Noelle was also the mistress of Constantin and he had set up the trial lawyers so that Larry and Noelle would be executed. Catherine's emergence causes a threat of exposure to Constantin and he hires Atanas to assassinate her.

My Say:

It's another re-read, as last few days I've read The Other Side of Midnight, I thought I have to read this one too. I never expect less from Sidney Sheldon. The elements of surprise and a brilliant twist always hit me. The book is actually a great conclusion to The Other Side of Midnight. I loved seeing how everything wrapped up, and finally Costantin got the final blow of what was coming to him. That is totally a satisfaction to a reader like me that loathe him!

Sheldon did an outstanding job captivating my attention. He held my interest from the beginning, to the very end. As I was reading along the story I began to comprehend the plot and relate to the first book. As expected, Constantin was a man not to be taken lightly. He was feared as much as he was loved, a mastermind that almost everything seemed to go his way. I never thought he would take Catherine and save her only to avenge his grudge from his past.

Catherine, being naive and lost her memories, was tortured by her past because she couldn't remember it and until she got out of her safe haven. She thought Costantin as her savior without knowing she was about to be assassinated. Like The Other Side of Midnight, Sidney Sheldon was very suspenseful, a master of plot twisting and a great story teller.

The book is a page turner, fast pace and a brilliant read indeed. I've read quite many suspense and thriller books with good plot twisting. However, Sidney Sheldon is always on my top of masters of plot twister author as I truly found his books always have brilliant twist. I recommend this book to anyone who has a sense of suspense, thrill and adventure.

the other side of midnight by sidney sheldon

Title: The Other Side of Midnight
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Pages: 608
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

Beautiful Noelle Page meets dashing WWII American pilot Larry Douglas in France and falls in love. She expects him to marry her, but instead Larry abandons her. In the United States, successful Catherine Alexander meets Larry Douglas and they marry. But Noelle hasn't forgotten Larry even as she's become a successful actress. She maneuvers to have Larry hired as the private pilot of her wealthy and powerful lover Constantin Demiris so she can seek revenge on him, but instead she and Larry rekindled their passion. Desperate to be together, Larry and Noelle make deadly plans. But soon the lovers face a terrible fate determined by the jealous Constantin using Catherine as his pawn.

My Say:

Heart-gripping but totally wicked. I read this book when I was in high school and loved so very much. But that time it was borrowed and now I got my own personal copy. As this is my second read of the book, I was really glad I feel the same way I felt the first time I read it. Even much better.

It has got to be the most suspenseful book where you do not see the twist until at the very end. It is a brilliant twist! The storyline was utterly amazing and he had such a masterful mind. And the book is totally a masterpiece. There are three element of story; love, revenge and jealousy. It has other elements but these three is the biggest ingredients of contribution in the book.

I never read a character like Constantin. He is a man that never forgives and he hold his grudge like forever. I even feel worried whenever I read his part or side of story. You should read how he gained his wealth, totally manipulative and but brilliant for a scoundrel. Larry is a character that I despise most. He's a heart breaker and if he kept his promise to Noelle everything would be a happy ending. I felt sorry for Noelle but what she did to win Larry back is such unforgivable and I think Larry and Noelle deserve for what they committed. Whilst they found guilty, and the plead the guilty,well I have never thought what monster Constantin was. It was totally quite unfair and I don't see it coming. What I could say is, he used/involved his power and wealth to make them executed by a firing squad! They deserved the punishment even though it's mean and inhumane and Constantin won in silence. Catherine, Larry's wife on the other hand, lost her memory and nearly died. She is the sorriest character and I felt so angry when it comes to the ending. But, it was a very brilliant read.

Every reader that enjoys a compelling mystery with a final shocking twist will want to read this book. I will re-read the book again. Have you read Sidney Sheldon? Which book and will you share what you think?

*Credit: This review is taking part in Radiant Reviews, hosted by Crissie @ Chrissie Corner. Click HERE for more information

chill factor by sandra brown

Title: Chill Factor
Author: Sandra Brown
Pages: 400
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary (Goodreads):

Cleary, North Carolina, is a sleepy mountain town, the kind of place where criminal activity is usually limited to parking violations. Not so, lately. Four women have disappeared from Cleary over the past two years. And there's always a blue ribbon left near the spot where each of the women was last seen. There are no bodies, no other clues, and no suspicion as to who their abductor might be. And now, another woman has disappeared without a trace.

It is to this backdrop that Lilly Martin returns to close the sale of her mountain cabin, marking the end of her turbulent eight-year marriage to Dutch Burton, Cleary's chief of police. Dutch's reluctance to let her go isn't Lilly's only obstacle. As she's trying to outrun a snowstorm, her car skids on the icy road and strikes a man who emerges from the woods on foot. She recognizes the injured man as Ben Tierney, whom she'd met the previous summer. They're forced to wait out the storm in the cabin, but as the hours of their confinement mount, Lilly begins to wonder if the greatest danger to her safety isn't the blizzard outside, but the mysterious man right beside her.

Is Ben Tierney the feared abductor? Or is he who he claims to be?Her rescuer from harm and from the tragedy that haunts her?

My Say:

Pretty intense read! I like most of Sandra Brown books and this one is included. The thought of stuck with someone that might be the serious psychopath killer next beside you in a blizzard is like digging your own grave, even though you never plan it. The story has a rapid pace and every chapter is confusing you which you can't really predict who is actually the killer and what's the link between each characters. In the end, I still think the same person is the serial killer. The author put a lot of twist in the book and from time to time, I keep changing my mind on who is actually the antagonist person.

However, it never occurs to me the unthinkable part of the story. Would you have an intimate time with a person that maybe will be someone who might kill you? Me, never. Even if I am quite sure he's not the killer. But if he's someone handsome and a guy of my dream, well, maybe. It happened in the book but actually it kind of works. I think it can be a flaw and change quite a bit of my 'chill and thrill' perception. Maybe that is why it is called romance suspense? Even so, the storyline is pretty strong and still an engaging read with a lot of suspense. I never actually read this kind of genre but it is still an enjoyable read. The pace never slow you down and you will forget the romance part in no time. LOL.

Highly recommended to all romance/suspense reader.

Credit: This book review is link up to Book Review Party Wednesday - Thriller Addition at Cym Lowell Blog. Click HERE for more info.

first impressions by jude deveraux

Title: First Impressions
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 448
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Eden Palmer knows how to make it on her own. The forty-something single mother has worked hard to raise her beloved daughter, but sooner or later a woman must come into her own, and that's what Eden tries to do when she moves to Arundel, North Carolina, to take ownership of Farrington Manor. Arriving in the South's prettiest small town, Eden quickly learns that looks can be deceiving when her move is met with delight in some quarters and jealousy in others. Pursued by two eligible bachelors, the rugged Jared McBride and Braddon Granville, small-town lawyer and town catch, Eden is flattered and more than a little suspicious. Juggling the attentions of two men is hard enough, but soon Eden's bid to start over plunges her in the middle of a mystery that threatens not just her reputation, but her very life. Can she use one man to save her from the other?

My Review:

I have not read any of Jude Deveraux before. However, it is an adorable book which I enjoyed reading it. The book is quite entertaining and very intriguing romance-mystery diversions. My first impression was this would be like any other typical contemporary novels. And yes, it is.

The setting is nice. I always love places with a good history which is so much to be told. South Carolina seems to be one. It fulls of this founding family members, old houses, 18th century garden landscape. Wow. I've learned so much about gardening in this book.

Eden's character is wonderful as a single mother. Her past was terrible as she's being raped when was 17 and her parents outcast her when found out she was pregnant. Twenty years later, still single, after her daughter got married with someone she hardly approved of, she's being willed and inherited a Farrington Manor by the late Mrs. Farrington. She accepted it without knowing she's somehow involved in an FBI matters or she's being one of their suspects.

She met a gorgeous lawyer, and being stucked with an arrogant FBI agent. I don't trust the lawyer at first and I thought the lawyer is the skank. But I was proved wrong. Both of them fell in love with the same woman, and all the mess happening makes the story quite entertaining. The mystery is not quite a strong essence to make it a big case for an FBI to involve. I don't know if that is considered as a big time/serious case. More like not really believable case for me.

All in all, I still think the book is good, enough to entertain me while waiting for a meeting. I would recommend it to any adult readers and anyone who likes a fast-paced romantic story =)

p/s: Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers and Mommies-to-be in the world!

the smoke jumper by nicholas evans

I actually took the book from my mom's bookshelf. Technically it's mine, but I don't really remember I had it. First time to read Nicholas Evans too. I've been wanting to read The Horse Whisperer, but I guess The Smoke Jumper will do.

The Summary :

Connor and Ed are smoke jumpers, elite fire-fighters who parachute into blazing forests to cut fire breaks. They are also best friends, which causes problems when Connor meets Ed's girlfriend, Julia, and is powerfully attracted to her. So, he kind of ran away from them.

In the wake of the fire, Connor embarks on a harrowing journey to the edge of human experience, traveling the world’s worst wars and disasters to take photographs that find him fame but never happiness. Reckless of a life he no longer wants, again and again he dares death to take him, until another fateful day on another continent, he must walk through fire once more.

My Thought:

I think the story has an original idea. Smoke jumper, I can't reckoned which one he meant, which one is the hero of the story. But I think that this book was truly moving. While I was at first turned off at what appeared to be a 'love triangle' the Evans managed not to cross that line and remained very tasteful by staying away from infidelity. You know how I hate to read a sex scandalous between best friends or married couple. I found it so irritating and annoyed. However, yes, not every books really rely on that particular storyline.

What would you think when Ed married to Julia, but Connor fathered their child, as biological dad? Julia and Connor know they have 'something' together. But they never confront to each other. Ed knew, but three of them made it like nothing was happening. Julia and Connor thought if they cannot have each other, at least they shared something together. When they have the baby, Connor was in estranged, like running away from them.

It's not really an exciting read, but I found the book has a fast pace adventure, mind you about simple elaboration, yet very informative about each character. Through marriage, birth, estrangement and death, Evans clear and precise writing makes 'The Smoke Jumper' worth turning every page. This book was more than a love story, it's the battle of good and evil, finding hope and living life.

I was also astonished at the amount of research the author had to have done to write a convincing novel that covered everything from smoke jumping in Missoula, the war in Bosnia and African religious wars. It is little exciting to read or learn something from a fiction novel. I never thought of smoke jumper really exist! *LOL* (and never know what they are)

This one maybe not his best, but I enjoyed reading it and definitely will read his other books later.

My Rating: 4/5

the guardian by nicholas sparks

The summary:

Julie Barenson is just like any other ordinary girl. Except, he lost her husband when she was still young at age of 25 years old. Fortunately, her husband left her with two unexpected gifts; a Great Dane dog (Singer) and a promise that he will always be watching her. It took her some time to recover from her husband death but having Singer around really help her to be herself once again. And also ready to accept someone new in her life, again. There are two guys that really take her attention, after a few are just wasting her time. It’s either Richard Franklin, a handsome engineer who really treats her like more than a woman or Michael Harris who is her husband's best friend. The choosing thing supposes to lead her to happiness that she long awaited. It is normal when you get to choose but it’s way not normal if the one of you has to choose is a psychopath..

My review:

It took me quite some time before I wanted to read his book. This is my first time to read Nicholas Sparks novel. And to tell the truth I’m a bit picky when it comes to read other new authors works. However, the guardian really takes my heart away.. i like how the story was established. Sparks really know how to attach readers to read the books till the end without a minor flaw..the first half of the book tells you the development of julie and richard, as well as julie and mike's relationships..i thought it just like another mills and boons story instead you are not going to believe what will happen next, after julie turned richard down..it really scared me to death imagining richard (the psychopath) hunting and tracking her down to make her his..i'm really angry with richard all the time, whenever i read his doings to hurt people, unimaginable..it catches my nerves when it is the richard part..moreover the way he tried to kill singer, the clever dog! apart from that, the romance creation between julie and mike were really sweet, how they joked and teased each other...i found the story is really excellent..a combination of romance and suspense, and a worth reading =p

My rating: 4.5/5