Still Midnight by Denise Mina
Published by Reagan Arthur Books Little Brown and Company
ISBN: 978-0-316-01563-9
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (a partial description taken from the book’s jacket) Life ought to be simple for Detective Inspector Alex Morrow. She’s an up-and-coming cop, just about to be assigned to the case that could make her career. Her half brother, Danny, is also on the rise. Unfortunately for Alex, he’s making his name on the other side of the tracks, in the murky shadows of Glasgow’s criminal underworld. Alex is determined not to let her colleagues know anything about Danny, or the other parts of her private life that might not be as rosy as her professional one-but the events of a quiet suburban night could change that.
  My Thoughts/Opinion: After reading the full synopsis of the book’s jacket and reading reviews stating “page turning” suspense, I felt that this would be a good match for me and looked forward to reading it. However, after reading ten chapters and 100+ pages, I found that the gripping suspense had not yet been revealed. I also found difficulty with the Scottish dialect. This reader also found each chapter to be repetitive in content. Unfortunately, I was not able to continue reading this book. Please note that this is the opinion, and solely the opinion, of this reader.
  Rating: 0

Our Promised Land by Michael T. Darkow (Rating 4)
Published by Synergy Books
ISBN-13: 978-0-9840760-1-7
ISBN-10: 0-9840760-1-8
At the request of Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (from the book’s jacket) In the bitter conflict over the Holy Land, two generations of families-one Israeli and one Palestinian-fight for their survival and their own piece of the Promised Land. Hardened by life in a Nazi concentration camp, cynical Ellie finds himself in a battle on behalf of the Jewish people, vowing to ensure their suffering will not be in vain. Overseas, Yasif, a Palestinian who left his home country at a young age to study in America, is mysteriously drawn into the struggle by an entity known only as the voice.
  My Thoughts/Opinion: This is not the type of book that I would typically read but once I started reading it, was fully engrossed. The author obviously did a lot of research in regard to the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and wove it into a fictional tale. The characters believable whereas this reader could identify with the emotions felt by Ellie and Yasif. Is this conflict about land believed to be owned, religious beliefs, or just simply put, good versus evil? This book is only 162 pages but after reading Mr. Darkow’s bio, I felt that I should share why he came to write this very informative and emotional story. Mr. Darkow states, “Watching the plight of these people almost nightly on the news moved me to consider what could be done to bring peace to this part of the world. In using Ellie and Yasif as an illustration of the turmoil in Israel, it is my hope that readers will be inspired to think about how they can improve Israeli-Palestinian relations in America and of course in the region.” (from Phenix & Phenix press package).
  Rating: 4 star

Our Promised Land by Michael T. Darkow (Rating 4)
Published by Synergy Books
ISBN-13: 978-0-9840760-1-7
ISBN-10: 0-9840760-1-8
At the request of Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (from the book’s jacket) In the bitter conflict over the Holy Land, two generations of families-one Israeli and one Palestinian-fight for their survival and their own piece of the Promised Land. Hardened by life in a Nazi concentration camp, cynical Ellie finds himself in a battle on behalf of the Jewish people, vowing to ensure their suffering will not be in vain. Overseas, Yasif, a Palestinian who left his home country at a young age to study in America, is mysteriously drawn into the struggle by an entity known only as the voice.
  My Thoughts/Opinion: This is not the type of book that I would typically read but once I started reading it, was fully engrossed. The author obviously did a lot of research in regard to the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and wove it into a fictional tale. The characters believable whereas this reader could identify with the emotions felt by Ellie and Yasif. Is this conflict about land believed to be owned, religious beliefs, or just simply put, good versus evil? This book is only 162 pages but after reading Mr. Darkow’s bio, I felt that I should share why he came to write this very informative and emotional story. Mr. Darkow states, “Watching the plight of these people almost nightly on the news moved me to consider what could be done to bring peace to this part of the world. In using Ellie and Yasif as an illustration of the turmoil in Israel, it is my hope that readers will be inspired to think about how they can improve Israeli-Palestinian relations in America and of course in the region.” (from Phenix & Phenix press package).
  Rating: 4 star

The Memory Thief by Rachel Keener (Rating–5)
Published by Center Street division of the Hachette Book Group
ISBN: 978-1-59995-112-6
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (portions from the book’s back cover) When Angel sets fire to her childhood home, it isn’t the end-it’s the beginning. Left with nothing but a few memories in her pocket, she escapes into the safety of the tobacco fields. She sets her eyes on the mountains where she believes someone waits for her. Angel longs for the answers to what became of her, and whisper, “This is my story.” Hannah struggles to tell her own story. The daughter of missionaries who follow the rules of a small and strict religious sect. Slowly, Hannah begins to escape the confines of her strict upbringing and soon makes a choice that will forever change the course of her life. Hannah’s past will prove to mean everything to Angel’s future.
  My Thoughts/Opinion: A poignant and moving story of two (2) girls, who are at the age of adulthood, that make choices that will change their lives. Do choices made, sins, guilt, lies, upbringing of the past form the present and alter the future? The author has an unique writing style whereas she writes a somber plot but allows the reader to see the good and root for the characters as they progress on their journey. She also incorporates a southern dialect and adds a few surprises that this reader did not see coming. A very good read. Highly recommend.
  Rating: 5 star

The Memory Thief by Rachel Keener (Rating–5)
Published by Center Street division of the Hachette Book Group
ISBN: 978-1-59995-112-6
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (portions from the book’s back cover) When Angel sets fire to her childhood home, it isn’t the end-it’s the beginning. Left with nothing but a few memories in her pocket, she escapes into the safety of the tobacco fields. She sets her eyes on the mountains where she believes someone waits for her. Angel longs for the answers to what became of her, and whisper, “This is my story.” Hannah struggles to tell her own story. The daughter of missionaries who follow the rules of a small and strict religious sect. Slowly, Hannah begins to escape the confines of her strict upbringing and soon makes a choice that will forever change the course of her life. Hannah’s past will prove to mean everything to Angel’s future.
  My Thoughts/Opinion: A poignant and moving story of two (2) girls, who are at the age of adulthood, that make choices that will change their lives. Do choices made, sins, guilt, lies, upbringing of the past form the present and alter the future? The author has an unique writing style whereas she writes a somber plot but allows the reader to see the good and root for the characters as they progress on their journey. She also incorporates a southern dialect and adds a few surprises that this reader did not see coming. A very good read. Highly recommend.
  Rating: 5 star

Silent Scream by Karen Rose (Rating 5)
Published by Grand Central Publishing The Hachette Book Group
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (from back of book) He knows your secrets. When a teenage girl dies in a suspicious fire, Detective Olivia Sutherland is assigned to track down the arsonist. Then she discovers something more sinister: a vicious blackmailer who preys on young people and murders without hesitation. Making her work even harder is sexy firefighter David Hunter. He’s not only sharing the case, but sparking memories of their long-ago night of passion, when feelings were left unsaid and hearts were broken. He hears your pain. David has his own ghosts, and a million regrets. But while he and Olivia try to face the wall of pain between them, a diabolical puppet master is pulling strings to make a group of twenty-somethings do his bidding. Soon Olivia and David are scouring the city for a calculating criminal who seems tantalizingly close- and is moving in for the kill.
  My Thoughts/Opinion: Lock the door, pull down the blinds and don’t answer the phone. This book pulls you in from page one and doesn’t let go. GRIPPING!! It contains so many story lines, murder, arson, blackmail, relationships, romance, all in one book. I have only one word for the author’s writing style….AMAZING!!. From page 1 to page 570, this book is a non stop roller coaster ride of suspense with many twists and turns. And an ending that this reader didn’t see coming. This is the second book that I have read of this author and I will be reading more of her books in the future. I am looking forward to reading her newest book I Can See You, which is out now.
  Rating: 5 

Silent Scream by Karen Rose (Rating 5)
Published by Grand Central Publishing The Hachette Book Group
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (from back of book) He knows your secrets. When a teenage girl dies in a suspicious fire, Detective Olivia Sutherland is assigned to track down the arsonist. Then she discovers something more sinister: a vicious blackmailer who preys on young people and murders without hesitation. Making her work even harder is sexy firefighter David Hunter. He’s not only sharing the case, but sparking memories of their long-ago night of passion, when feelings were left unsaid and hearts were broken. He hears your pain. David has his own ghosts, and a million regrets. But while he and Olivia try to face the wall of pain between them, a diabolical puppet master is pulling strings to make a group of twenty-somethings do his bidding. Soon Olivia and David are scouring the city for a calculating criminal who seems tantalizingly close- and is moving in for the kill.
  My Thoughts/Opinion: Lock the door, pull down the blinds and don’t answer the phone. This book pulls you in from page one and doesn’t let go. GRIPPING!! It contains so many story lines, murder, arson, blackmail, relationships, romance, all in one book. I have only one word for the author’s writing style….AMAZING!!. From page 1 to page 570, this book is a non stop roller coaster ride of suspense with many twists and turns. And an ending that this reader didn’t see coming. This is the second book that I have read of this author and I will be reading more of her books in the future. I am looking forward to reading her newest book I Can See You, which is out now.
  Rating: 5 

The Cutting by James Hayman (Rating 4.5)

Published by St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-53129-4
ISBN-10: 0-312-53129-X
At the request from Pump Up Your Book, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (from the book’s jacket) Early on a September evening, the mutilated body of a pretty teenaged girl, a high school soccer star, is found dumped in a scrap-metal yard. She has been viciously assaulted, her heart cut from her chest with surgical precision. The very same day a young business woman. also a blonde and an athlete, was abducted as she jogged through the streets of the city’s west end.
  Thoughts: First I have some caveats to this review..due to personal issues it took me a lot longer than usual to finish this book. I wish I had been able to read this during a non-chaotic time. This review will be written as if I had read it as I have read books in the past. The length of time that it took me to finish it, by no means reflects on the author and/or his book. With that said, and having finished reading this novel, it is hard to believe that this was the debut novel by Mr. James Hayman. His writing style is amazing for a new author. He pulls you into the story and never lets go. Not only with the nail biting story line but even the relationships among the characters. The author’s ability to convey his written words to allow this reader to form my own visuals were amazing for a first novel. The suspense in this book took so many different twist and turns right to the very last page made it one roller coaster read!!
  My Opinion and Rating: I gave this a 4.5 rating only due to the fact that I thought that Lucinda’s character and the situation she was in should have been given more attention since she was a main character in the plot. But this is my opinion and my opinion only. But overall, if you like suspense, mystery, who done it, books then read this!! Put this author on your radar, a first novel this good, can only get better with future novels. I anxiously await knowing what and when his next novel will be published. The only thing left to say is……Mr. Hayman, KUDOS!!!!!!! WELL DONE!!!!!!

And if you would like to know more about Mr. James Hayman, check out his Guest Author Spotlight on this blog dated 03/23/10.