Tag: review (Page 26 of 27)

What Happens to Men When They Move To Manhattan? by Jill Knapp

November 7, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

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Amalia Hastings is happy. She’s attending graduate school in Manhattan, her relationship with her college boyfriend Nicholas is going strong, and she feels as though the world is her oyster. So far, she has been able to ignore the growing feeling that she has a crush on her friend Michael. However, when you are 23 years old, things are not always what they seem to be, and changes can happen fast. This book is first in a series about Amalia and her best friend Cassandra chasing love, life, and dreams in the Big Apple.

Jill Knapp brings the city of Manhattan alive with details only a seasoned New Yorker would be familiar with. Place names, brand names, and pop culture are all name dropped and referenced on almost every page. As I read, I truly felt as if I were on the streets of Greenwich Village with Amalia, experiencing the seasons:

“When you’re in Manhattan, it seems like you never really notice a nice day. The only sign of it is when restaurants open their side doors, and allow for outdoor seating. That’s about it.”

Getting your hair done at a chic salon:

“When we finally got to the salon, I was bombarded with over-friendly, and overly thin, employees who quickly offered me everything from a bone dry cappuccino, to what I was pretty sure was an offer of Quaaludes. I settled for the coffee and sat idly by as Cassie brought over an obviously gay hair stylist. ….They chattered in Italian and ran their fingers through my hair like I was their My Size Barbie.”

What St Patricks’ Day really means:

“The streets of the Village has transformed into a David Lynch movie. People looked way too happy. The happiness was undoubtedly due to the copious amounts of alcohol people were consuming all day…. To New Yorkers, St Patty’s Day commemorates green beer, shots of Jameson, and scantily clad girls wearing what can only be described as sequined cocktail napkins designed to make them resemble sexy leprechauns (if there ever was such a thing).”

Amalia, Olivia, Alex, Cassandra, Michael and Nicholas all seem authentically young/hip/collegiate. Each has their own set of problems, and there are a few subplots that highlight the struggle of dating in a city that never sleeps. We get to meet Amalia’s dyfunctional family, sympathize as no nonsense professors pile on the work, and feel the outrage at the bizarre antics of guys who trifle with girl’s hearts. Knapp’s writing is tight and humorous, and I never felt as if the characters were in improbable situations.

Self discovery is the theme here, as we watch Amalia weather a few romantic storms. This is the first book in a series, and it ends with Amalia leaving for a trip to Brazil. No spoilers–it’s mentioned throughout the book. Who will she choose upon her return? Will her friendships still be as tight? You can find out on 11/20/2014, when book # 2, We’ve Always Got New York, comes out. Check out my post on the cover reveal.

Want your own copy? [easyazon_link asin=”B00KKC43BA” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”gimmethatbook-20″ add_to_cart=”yes” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Pick it up here.[/easyazon_link]

Also, if you haven’t already, download the Kindle reading app here.

Blue Labyrinth by Preston and Child

November 4, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 3 Comments

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Many thanks to NetGalley for offering this book in exchange for this honest review. The 14th outing of Pendergast and Co is a complete winner; let me start by saying that. A few of the most recent books have not been my favorites, and I was hoping to see Preston and Child back in their groove. This one does the trick.

The action starts early and continues evenly throughout. One evening, our favorite Special Agent is home, relaxing with Constance, when he hears a knock on the door. Constance opens it, with grisly results. A dead body falls through the doorway, and Pendergast springs into action. The chase scene that follows is pure reading joy. No other authors can create such wonderful flow and lexicographal magic.

During the autopsy, a piece of turquoise is found, and this has no small significance to Pendergast. He then tries to run his own private investigation, much to the chagrin of the officer assigned to the case. Their paths cross again and again, and each of them starts resenting the other as more clues are uncovered.

One of the longer scenes takes place at a fascinating location in California: the Salton Sea. As I was reading, I had to stop and learn more about this abandoned town and its terrible history. What a wild location to send Pendergast! Preston and Child are thorough in their descriptions, as always, and they set the scene perfectly. (I have a particular love of abandoned towns and I would love to visit this tragic place.) What happens in Salton has far reaching consequences for Pendergast, and this provides the crux of the novel. Also appearing to assist the Agent are Lt. D’Agosta, Constance Greene, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The authors have outdone themselves with esoteric weaponry, detail rich descriptions of new locations in the Museum, and more backstory of the Pendergast lineage. Also satisfying to me was the way Constance handled herself–she is nearly feral in her defense of Pendergast during a chilling scene towards the end of the story. In fact, there is so much going on, that the actual end of the book seems like an anticlimax. I am still pondering if what happened is completely out of character for, well, the characters—or if it is a red herring constructed by Preston and Child. In any case, I loved, loved, LOVED this book. The authors have found a way to better their unique voices in this most lyrical of novels. Whether you are familiar with the character of Pendergast or not, there is enough going on to keep you entertained. Grab this one immediately–and be prepared to put your life on hold as you devour it.

This book will be published on November 11th, 2014. Want to win a free copy? I have 2 copies to give away to a lucky winner!! Enter here!!

[easyazon_link asin=”B00JU3RZ6K” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”gimmethatbook-20″ add_to_cart=”yes” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Click here to get a free preview (first 11 chapters)[/easyazon_link]

Also, if you haven’t already, download the Kindle reading app here.

Descent (Forgotten Origins #3) by Tara Ellis

October 31, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

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Many thanks once again to Tara Ellis for gifting me this book! I was looking forward to finding out if Alex, Chris, Seth, and the rest of the gang were able to save civilization. Book #3 of the Forgotten Origins trilogy is a dark, intense, detailed and emotional story, quite different from the first two books. Alex undergoes some heavy soul searching throughout, as she debates with herself about being strong enough to fight RA and his henchmen. The changes that the Holocene Virus has caused are beginning to upset her, and she is wondering if her friends still see her the same way. As the group of young adults prepare for war, they must ALL come to terms with the fact that things have changed, and may never be the same.

The story picks up after the Nephilim ship arrived on Earth. Alex and Seth are heading back to Senator Zane’s ranch on a motorcycle when a blinding flash of light illuminates the sky above them, and the motorcycle’s engine immediately stalls. The aliens have sent an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) to disable all the electronics, rendering everyone back to the 1800’s…..no electric, no cellphones, no cars. The group finds out the Senator has been moved to an Air Force base in Great Falls, Montana, and must make an arduous trek there.

Chris is butting heads with Seth along the way, with the tension intensified by the fact that Alex can get into Chris’ head, just as she can “sense” the Shiners. The relationship between all three of them ebbs and flows, with lasting results. However, they must put their differences aside and unite against the Mudameere. There is violence and bloodshed, all of which wreak havoc with Alex’s psyche. As the story progresses, she is reunited with her relatives in the biodome under the sea, is transported aboard the Nephilim ship, and tries to reason with RA and the Elders. Can she do it? Will they be able to overcome an army of Shiners and discover a cure for the Nephi2 virus? As the group fights for freedom, many answers to the questions posed in the first two novels become evident.

I especially enjoyed the development of Alex, coming into her own as a leader and a strong girl. The description of their journeys on foot and on horseback capture very well the tension and fatigue the characters were feeling, and there were plenty of “oh, NO!” moments as injuries were sustained and emotions were bared. Descent is not a sweet YA novel, but a dystopian tale, gritty and full of tension. Author Tara Ellis also raises some moral questions about stem cells and their potential, as the plot thickens. Perhaps the events in the book are not possible,in real life, but you will certainly be forced to think about an America fighting against a virus, without modern conveniences, against an enemy that you never knew existed. Pride of heritage runs deep in this book, and so there is a moral to the story: keep family and friends close, learn to rely on yourself, and never compromise your beliefs.

Want to join Alex and her friends? [easyazon_link asin=”1502757214″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”gimmethatbook-20″ add_to_cart=”yes” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”] Complete your trilogy here.[/easyazon_link]

Also, if you haven’t already, download the Kindle reading app here.

The Cost of Cutting by Paul Ruggieri, MD

October 28, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

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The Cost of Cutting was a book I picked up for a pleasure read from the library. Ruggieri also wrote Confessions of a Surgeon, which I enjoyed very much. The difference between the two books is that Cost is mostly about the money, and directly blames healthcare/insurance/government for the woes of doctors, and Confessions is mostly about activity in the hospital; more medicine oriented.

Cost will preface each chapter with a medical case and then peel away layers, explaining what the patient needs, how he is supposed to pay for it, how much profit the hospital will make (or not), and then Ruggieri ultimately rails against the system. I found this style of writing to be both good and bad.

I’ll admit, I picked this book up to gain some insight into hospitals and learn more about medical billing. There were a lot more facts and figures about healthcare than surgery, and this made for a rather flat book at times. That being said, I did learn a lot of interesting and scary things, such as: medical equipment sales reps may be INSIDE the surgery suite, guiding the surgeon as he uses robotic arms or the DaVinci system for the first time! Also: Medicare and Medicaid pays such small amounts for hospital stays that doctors can “cherry pick” which cases they will take…or not. The needs of the patient fall by the wayside if that person has no insurance at all, and with the passing of the Obamacare /Affordable Health Act, hospitals are forced to give up profits to handle cases, thereby forcing doctors in turn to take cases regardless of patient needs or wants.

For example: A woman needs surgery, and her doctor sends her to a specialist. The specialist has operating privileges at 2 hospitals. The hospital accountants/powers that be are pushing more surgeries towards Hospital One for profit. thus the surgeon tells the patient she will be going to Hospital One. This woman is upset because she heard bad things about the place, a friend of hers got awful care, and refuses to go there. The surgeon is caught in the middle between his patient’s wish and his boss. In the book, the patient wants to go to her preferred place, Hospital Two, and the surgeon gets upbraided for it. He strongly advises the woman to choose Hospital One, and she does, reluctantly. I’ll let you read how things work out yourself…no spoilers!

This is not how I’d like my surgery/medical care to be handled–would you? And let’s not even get started on hospital billing–how obscure codes control how things are handled by the insurance. Medical billing is a lucrative practice, a long cry from the “old days” when a doctor would give you a handwritten bill. We have all heard about the $300 aspirin or $1000 bandage billed to someone who has been in the hospital.

Ruggieri offers up solutions on how to make things better, and explains why hospitals are all about profits instead of medicine. Even if you have no interest in medical stories, I urge you to read this, simply to gain more awareness of how to protect yourself should you need surgery. Leave everything in the doctor’s hands? The implications are truly frightening.

[easyazon_link asin=”0425272311″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”gimmethatbook-20″ add_to_cart=”yes” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Want your own copy? Pick it up here.[/easyazon_link]

Also, if you haven’t already, download the Kindle reading app here.

Melancholy Manor by Ellie DeFarr (Hera Hunter mystery #2)

October 21, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

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Many thanks to author Ellie DeFarr for gifting me this review copy! This is book #2 in the Hera Hunter series.

Hera Hunter is a private investigator with secrets. She comes from a troubled past, which drives her to create more justice in the world. I’ll admit, in the first few pages where the author introduces Hera’s friend, Gwen Oates, as a “cat burglar” in a completely not-tongue-in-cheek way, I was intrigued. Other colorful characters are Toby, who is her Man Friday and expert computer hacker; Billy, Hera’s sister, who owns a brothel; and Lucky, Hera’s faithful canine sidekick.

Lucky is an unusual addition to this book. I can’t recall ever reading any novel where a little dog was a part of a mystery–at least, not a book where it wasn’t dog-centric. Hera and Lucky travel around together, and he chimes in with a bark here and there to brighten up even the most tense of scenes. Kudos to the author for writing him in! As I read along I could easily picture him in my mind, and it was a pleasant image.

Back to the plot; two women are found dead in Hera’s home town of Centreville. A man named Kyle Dunham is accused–by his own sister Zoey– of being the murderer, and their mother hires Hera to discover who the real killer is (declaring Kyle innocent in the process). Kyle’s sister Zoey is a choleric woman, and her mood swings are legend.

There are a few subplots going, as well. A homeless man is seen in the park and looks uncomfortably familiar to Hera. Gwens’s mysterious new boyfriend is asking a lot of questions. And why are there ghostly voices emanating from the basement in the Dunham mansion?

The characters are written well and the dialogue flows. I was eager to see how everything was tied together, as sometimes I can figure out a mystery’s ending well before the book is finished. The author does a great job of bringing things together, while giving us Hera’s backstory and building up the characters without being intrusive.

As a reviewer, I am always reading 3 or 4 books at a time, and the ones I reach for first are the ones I’m personally enjoying. Melancholy Manor was one of those books. I was truly curious to see what would happen next. Each subplot had a purpose; too many books have things going on in the first third and then you never hear from the characters again. Ms DeFarr’s minor characters are sprinkled throughout the entire story–some with a purpose, nefarious or otherwise; some are there just for color and depth.

The only issue I had was that there was a little too much written about people pouring coffee, choosing what to wear, or driving. Many times Hera was in her vehicle and each and every street name and turn was documented. That really doesn’t take a lot away from the story, but I’m just suggesting that the book could’ve been made tighter by cutting some of that out, as it seemed like filler to me. Otherwise, I have no other complaints about the writing style. All in all, I’m definitely recommending this book. You don’t need to read book #1: Haunting Memories From a Troubled Past, to jump right into Hera’s world, as there were no cliffhangers in that story–but why not? In a series it’s always best to start at the beginning.

Book Three of the Hera Hunter mysteries will be out in 2015, and I’m eager to see what Hera & Co will be up to. I’ll also be posting an EXCLUSIVE interview with author Ellie DeFarr soon–watch this space! In the meantime, why not [easyazon_link asin=”1500835463″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”gimmethatbook-20″ add_to_cart=”yes” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]pick up a copy of Melancholy Manor[/easyazon_link]? You will really enjoy it.

The Last Encore by Julia Butler

October 14, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

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I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is apparently based on a true story, regarding an obscure psychological phenomenon. I had not thoroughly read the synopsis and so I kept expecting the book to take a different path. On the surface it is about two people finding each other after a life of disappointment and struggle. The bizarre twist, however, is something that made me cringe.

Katherine Konovka is born with a special talent for music, and she is a gorgeous creature as well. She is married, unhappily, with two children that are her entire life. One day she encounters Daniel, a man a good deal younger than she is. Immediately they have a connection that is ethereal and intense.

Daniel has been searching all his life for a fantasy woman, one that appeared to him (or did she?) as he walked through a forest. He is unable to bond with a woman completely, and goes through life bereft and longing…until he meets Katherine. At that point, their worlds collide and they fall into an erotic and sensual whirlwind, each learning from the other.

Then, tragedy strikes, and events unfold which will affect both of them deeper than they could ever have imagined. I didn’t see the twist coming, and it was, as I mentioned above, cringe-worthy. I can’t tell more without spoilers. For those of you who will get to that point and want to stop reading–keep going. Trust me. It’s worth it to continue on.

This book held my interest and was fairly well written. There were a few instances of awkward/stilted conversation, and scenes that seemed to be written in haste. Other parts of the story seemed to go back and forth in perspective from the present time to the past, and I had to go back and reread a few paragraphs to figure it out. The characters seemed real, and very likeable.

The descriptions make it easy to see in your mind the character’s surroundings, whether it is opulence or poverty. The author shines in showing the reader, rather than telling. Whether it is emotion, room decor, or an outdoor scene, Butler’s choice of words is clear and appropriate.

There are bedroom scenes which are fairly explicit, but not annoyingly so. I’ve seen this book compared to 50 Shades, and it’s NOTHING like it. No BDSM, and the sex does not go on and on. It’s pretty tastefully done and complements the story line.

The Last Encore was a wonderful, quick, enjoyable read. I’m recommending it. Want your own copy? [easyazon_link asin=”B00L4ROTXC” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”gimmethatbook-20″ add_to_cart=”yes” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]You can get it here![/easyazon_link] If you haven’t already, download the Kindle reading app here.

Even In Death by Kristy Feltenberger Gillespie

October 7, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 1 Comment

Many thanks to the author for gifting me this review copy!

Even In Death is a collection of 10 short stories, eminently readable. Her prose is achingly beautiful, as evidenced in this line from “A Fine Winter Day”: “Mark began to pluck the feathers off my innocence six years ago, when I was thirteen and he was twenty-one”.

Or this snippet from “What’s Really There”: “We live in the country, 300 miles from the closest beach, and yet their sadness crashes precisely like waves against the shore. My husband David and I felt their presence early on, within a few weeks of buying their home. At first it was tolerable, although a bit cramped: two people and three ghosts sharing 1000 square feet. But we got used to them; footsteps in the attic, windows creaking open in the dead of night, occasional sighs and sniffles, but that was before they started touching us.”

There is a bit of the surreal, of anger and love, of things that are just-not-quite-right in each of these little gems. It’s hard to tell a good short story without making the reader feel like they have missed something, or fumbling the ending and leaving the reader unsatisfied. Not here. There is the right amout of detail, of character exposition, with nuances of language and color and emotion that grab you right away. Each story has its quirk, to make you think and to make you feel.

Which story didn’t I like? “What Caught My Senses”, a tale about a writerly couple in search of money, so they concoct a scheme to invite a group of authors to their villa under the guise of offering a writing retreat. Towards the end, there is a lot of activity and people just got jumbled up in my mind as I tried to keep track of who was doing what to whom. It was written as well as any of the other stories, I just didn’t enjoy the plot and how it unfolded. The fact that I didn’t like Katie and Mick, the unscrupulous writers, didn’t help either.

My favorite was “The Collector”, about a girl whose mother is a hoarder. Sammie describes her mom’s stuff as ‘collectibles’ to her first grade friends, until the kids discover for themselves that it’s just all garbage. Every time Sammie or her grandmother try to clean, Mom always distracts them with food or a trip into town. What happens to Sammie at the end is both sad and uplifting at the same time, while the essence of a hoarder mentality is captured perfectly.

I hope that Ms Gillespie has another book of stories in her. Want your own copy? You should! [easyazon_link asin=”0692228055″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”gimmethatbook-20″ add_to_cart=”no” cloaking=”default” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Pick it up here![/easyazon_link]

Heritage by Tara Ellis

October 1, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

Heritage is book #2 of the Forgotten Origins trilogy, and it’s much deeper and more detailed than Bloodlines, book #1. The story picks up about a month after the pyramids have been activated, and the state is under martial law. Alex and Chris must reach out to the authorities and try to combat the forces of evil. The journey is difficult, as they are being stalked at every turn. Is Alex truly safe? Will she become a Shiner? And what of the mysterious Seth, of the Mudameere? His path keeps crossing Alex’s, and she can’t help but notice how handsome he is. Are they really on opposite sides…..or is their fate predetermined according to ancient Egyptian history?

Author Tara Ellis has done well with the plot exposition in Heritage. There is a great deal of action, the character development is more thorough, and the reader will learn about history and ancient beliefs, along with a bit of conspiracy theory. From the Pacific Northwest to a biodome built under the ocean, Alex and her crew will race against time to save the planet and try to convince the Nephilim that the human race should not be annihalated.

Some questions are answered, and new questions are posed. Hopefully, the answers to ALL questions will be revealed in the third and final book, Descent, published September 30th.

Click here to get your copy of Heritage, and here for Descent.

Omega Days by John L Campbell book giveaway

October 1, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

Book Giveaway!

Gimmethatbook will give you this book if you are the lucky winner of this so-easy-it’s-nearly-criminal giveaway! All you have to do is like the Facebook page, and share the status about the contest pinned to the top of the timeline. Or, you can hop onto Twitter, follow @gimmethatbook, and retweet our tweet about the contest. Easy, right? The contest tweet and post are both pinned to the top of the pages, so they’re easy to find! Entries are accepted until midnight October 7th. Only ships to the continental United States. To my Gimmethatbookers in the United Kingdom and Brazil, sorry!

With that out of the way, let’s get down to business. Reviewing business.

Omega Days – Review:

I received this signed copy at Book Expo America 2014. Usually, the zombie/horror genre is not my thing, but I saw so many good reviews about this that I had to try it.

I didn’t get very far.

The writing is great, the action is non stop, the descriptions are gory and detailed…and that is what got me in the end. I will read up to page 50 (page 100 if I think it needs more time) and then throw it back if I see I’m not enjoying it. Omega Days held me until about page 42. The gore was too much. Now, I read medical novels and have no issue with Ebola-bleed-outs or Spanish Flu mass graves, but the undead are not for me. This is in NO WAY reflective of Campbell’s writing style. The book was well written, with multiple plotlines and authentic characters, as far as I read.

I really can’t tell you much about the plot, other than there are normal people just living out their lives (a priest, a college girl) and then all of a sudden there is screaming, chomping, blood, mass hysteria, and ripped flesh everywhere. Fans of the zombie/apocalyptic novel will enjoy this a great deal, I think.

As I mentioned before, I have a signed copy. Gimmethatbook would love to pass this novel on to someone who will read and enjoy it.

I Stand Corrected by Eden Collinsworth

September 30, 2014 / Kyle Wendy Skultety / 0 Comments

Eden Collinsworth has spent more time traveling and being away from home than most people you know. She is intimately familiar with China, having spent a lot of time there as a business consultant. This story is about the year she spent writing a manual for the Chinese on Western manners. Her tone is light and breezy, and she gives you the feeling that nothing fazes her.

Each chapter is titled with a subject relevant to manners, such as proper grooming, how to greet people, and how to behave at a dinner party. She shares personal anecdotes, then goes on to explain how these anecdotes relate to the writing of her book. More often than not, the chapter ends with a statement that leaves you hanging, and you eagerly go to the next chapter expecting the same thread to be picked up.

It’s not.

Her writing style is easy to read, but the subjects are many. She will lead off talking about turtles, then go into an explanation of Chinese cuisine, then end with some story seemingly irrelevant to the topics above. By the time I got to the middle of the book, I was expecting all her tales to end abruptly, and a new subject to be broached with the thinnest of segues. This is the only complaint I have about the book. Eventually a later chapter will return to the turtle, or a co worker, or the reason she was talking about her dinner party.

Collinsworth is a woman clearly used to dealing with men in a man’s world, and for that I admire her. She seems to be very lucky in her business dealings, and many opportunities landed in her lap simply as a result of being in the right place at the right time.

Some personal details, such as her then-husband, referred to as “W”, and her son’s growing up and maturing, figure prominently in the book. It’s a combination of a memoir, explanation of how her book on manners came to be written, and a Chinese history lesson.

My feelings about this book are mixed. To me, it was more about the author’s life, travels, and relationship with her family, with some background material related to Eastern vs Western manners. I came away knowing a little bit more about the Chinese mindset, but what stuck with me was how Collinsworth spent her life almost as a transient, always seeking the new experience over comfort and similarity. Perhaps the best way to review this book would be: akin to Chinese food–made up of many ingredients but not very filling over the long run. Read it for yourself and let me know what you think.

You can pick up a copy here.

I received this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.