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.

Live To Tell by Wendy Corsi Staub  (Rating 4)
Published by Avon Books/Harper Collins

ISBN 978-0-06-189506-7
Review for Bestsellers World, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

How does one pink stuffed dog called Fred, and owned by four (4) year old Sadie Walsh, entwine three (3) families that are relatively unknown to each other? What is it about Sadie’s favorite toy that leads to multiple murders, both young and older?

Byron Gregson, investigative reporter, is being chased through the streets of New York. Byron knows what they want and it is a USB. A USB with information, which he has uncovered and is so damaging, that his life may be at stake . He knows that what he has uncovered could ruin the life of a privileged political hopeful Garvey Quinn, who is on the campaign trail and considered to be the favorite, running for the highest office in New York, to become the next Governor.

On a very hot day in August, Lauren Walsh has taken Sadie into New York for the day, while her older two children are away at summer camp. Lauren wonders why she has made this trip. Sadie is not being cooperative and a bit cranky. Lauren would rather be home, hidden from everyone because she knows that she is the topic of those who gossip.

Sadie drops her stuffed animal, Fred just a few seconds before Byron is running by. He thinks he may have found a solution to his dilemma and picks up this toy. He hopes that his idea will give him a little more time to write this huge story that is stored on that USB and possibly even protect him from major injury. He runs into Grand Central Station, hides where no one can see him, rips a small seam in the stuffed animal and inserts the USB drive. He then turns the toy over to Lost and Found where he figures he can retrieve it at a later time.

What is on that USB that connect these three families?

Lauren Walsh, mother of 4 year old Sadie, and two older children, Lucy and Ryan. They were a typical suburban family until Nick Walsh announces that he is leaving. The children are dealing with the process of divorce in their own defense mechanism ways, as is Lauren. She is barely going through the motions of every day life, until the anger sets in. Nick has promised a fishing trip with Ryan as soon as he gets back from his vacation with his girlfriend. But he hasn’t called. How could he disappoint the children like this, he used to be a good father? Why isn’t he answering their calls? Where is he?

Congressman Garvey Quinn is running for Governor. He is the favorite nominee along with his perfect family. Wife Marin, daughters Caroline and Annie. Marin knows that Garvey favors daughter Caroline and she knows why. How can a father not love his daughter? This perfect public family have some very private skeletons, some so deep that one spouse doesn’t even know about. So deep that if it ever be found out, it would ruin the bid for Governor.

And how are Elsa and Brett Cavalon, a couple who has just moved back to CT, tie into this story? Elsa was once a beautiful fashion model but what she really always wanted was a family. Elsa has never been the same since that day. The day that the little boy they adopted, Jeremy, was taken. What happened to him, who took him? Elsa needs those answers for closure.

The author’s writing style and description of events grip and pull you in within the first few pages. The story takes place over an approximate time span of two weeks. Each chapter is written with information of each involved family according to the time line, which makes the reader wanting to read just one more chapter until the very end. In this gripping story are sub plot mini mysteries that come together in an explosive ending. This is the first book of a series. If your genre of favorite reads are suspense or you just happen to be in the mood for a good mystery, I suggest you should read this book before Scared To Death is published later this year. I give this book a rating of 4.
Review format is per Bestsellersworld Review Policy.

Live To Tell by Wendy Corsi Staub  (Rating 4)
Published by Avon Books/Harper Collins

ISBN 978-0-06-189506-7
Review for Bestsellers World, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

How does one pink stuffed dog called Fred, and owned by four (4) year old Sadie Walsh, entwine three (3) families that are relatively unknown to each other? What is it about Sadie’s favorite toy that leads to multiple murders, both young and older?

Byron Gregson, investigative reporter, is being chased through the streets of New York. Byron knows what they want and it is a USB. A USB with information, which he has uncovered and is so damaging, that his life may be at stake . He knows that what he has uncovered could ruin the life of a privileged political hopeful Garvey Quinn, who is on the campaign trail and considered to be the favorite, running for the highest office in New York, to become the next Governor.

On a very hot day in August, Lauren Walsh has taken Sadie into New York for the day, while her older two children are away at summer camp. Lauren wonders why she has made this trip. Sadie is not being cooperative and a bit cranky. Lauren would rather be home, hidden from everyone because she knows that she is the topic of those who gossip.

Sadie drops her stuffed animal, Fred just a few seconds before Byron is running by. He thinks he may have found a solution to his dilemma and picks up this toy. He hopes that his idea will give him a little more time to write this huge story that is stored on that USB and possibly even protect him from major injury. He runs into Grand Central Station, hides where no one can see him, rips a small seam in the stuffed animal and inserts the USB drive. He then turns the toy over to Lost and Found where he figures he can retrieve it at a later time.

What is on that USB that connect these three families?

Lauren Walsh, mother of 4 year old Sadie, and two older children, Lucy and Ryan. They were a typical suburban family until Nick Walsh announces that he is leaving. The children are dealing with the process of divorce in their own defense mechanism ways, as is Lauren. She is barely going through the motions of every day life, until the anger sets in. Nick has promised a fishing trip with Ryan as soon as he gets back from his vacation with his girlfriend. But he hasn’t called. How could he disappoint the children like this, he used to be a good father? Why isn’t he answering their calls? Where is he?

Congressman Garvey Quinn is running for Governor. He is the favorite nominee along with his perfect family. Wife Marin, daughters Caroline and Annie. Marin knows that Garvey favors daughter Caroline and she knows why. How can a father not love his daughter? This perfect public family have some very private skeletons, some so deep that one spouse doesn’t even know about. So deep that if it ever be found out, it would ruin the bid for Governor.

And how are Elsa and Brett Cavalon, a couple who has just moved back to CT, tie into this story? Elsa was once a beautiful fashion model but what she really always wanted was a family. Elsa has never been the same since that day. The day that the little boy they adopted, Jeremy, was taken. What happened to him, who took him? Elsa needs those answers for closure.

The author’s writing style and description of events grip and pull you in within the first few pages. The story takes place over an approximate time span of two weeks. Each chapter is written with information of each involved family according to the time line, which makes the reader wanting to read just one more chapter until the very end. In this gripping story are sub plot mini mysteries that come together in an explosive ending. This is the first book of a series. If your genre of favorite reads are suspense or you just happen to be in the mood for a good mystery, I suggest you should read this book before Scared To Death is published later this year. I give this book a rating of 4.
Review format is per Bestsellersworld Review Policy.

Waking Up In The Land of Glitter by Kathy Cano-Murillo  (Rating 4)
Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 978-0-446-50924-4
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis:  How do three females, so vastly different, become to be best friends, and support to and for one another. Estrella, or also known as Star, works at her family’s famous restaurant known for it’s good food and art exhibits. She feels this is just temporary until she finds her passion as an artist, but the problem is she tends to quit any and all projects before even starting. Then there is Ofie, wife, stay at home mother to one daughter and self proclaimed exceptional craft extraordinaire but is she really that good? And what skeletons is Arizona’s television host, Crafty Chloe Chavez trying to hide. And how does a young boy with a fantastic future in fashion design, but needs to keep it hidden, bring these women together? Can these three women overcome the truth that they never wanted to face or be found out for?
  My Thoughts: Even with all the quirky personality traits that all the characters were portrayed to have, this reader found them to be frustrating one minute and rooting them on the next minute. The writer conveyed the emotions of the main characters with her writing style that made me laugh and cry with them as if they were my friends and communicated what true friendships should be. And even showed how some relationships can be sabotaged by our own egos, faults and insecurities. And how three women, with one hobby, see it in their own special way.
  My Opinion and Rating: I gave this book a rating of 4. It was definitely a “feel good” book with a message that friendships and overcoming obstacles and truth are always best fought with a true friend.  One of my favorite lines in this book was on page 190, which stated “Many so-called friends have walked in and out of my life but Star is the only one who has left footprints on my heart.”  In my opinion, we should all be so lucky to have one of those friends.

Waking Up In The Land of Glitter by Kathy Cano-Murillo  (Rating 4)
Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 978-0-446-50924-4
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis:  How do three females, so vastly different, become to be best friends, and support to and for one another. Estrella, or also known as Star, works at her family’s famous restaurant known for it’s good food and art exhibits. She feels this is just temporary until she finds her passion as an artist, but the problem is she tends to quit any and all projects before even starting. Then there is Ofie, wife, stay at home mother to one daughter and self proclaimed exceptional craft extraordinaire but is she really that good? And what skeletons is Arizona’s television host, Crafty Chloe Chavez trying to hide. And how does a young boy with a fantastic future in fashion design, but needs to keep it hidden, bring these women together? Can these three women overcome the truth that they never wanted to face or be found out for?
  My Thoughts: Even with all the quirky personality traits that all the characters were portrayed to have, this reader found them to be frustrating one minute and rooting them on the next minute. The writer conveyed the emotions of the main characters with her writing style that made me laugh and cry with them as if they were my friends and communicated what true friendships should be. And even showed how some relationships can be sabotaged by our own egos, faults and insecurities. And how three women, with one hobby, see it in their own special way.
  My Opinion and Rating: I gave this book a rating of 4. It was definitely a “feel good” book with a message that friendships and overcoming obstacles and truth are always best fought with a true friend.  One of my favorite lines in this book was on page 190, which stated “Many so-called friends have walked in and out of my life but Star is the only one who has left footprints on my heart.”  In my opinion, we should all be so lucky to have one of those friends.

Sonnets For Sinners Everything One Needs to Know About Illicit Love by John Wareham (Rating 2)
Welcome Rain Publishers LLC
ISBN 10: 1-5664-5-3
ISBN 12: 978-1-5664-95-0
At the request of The Book Trib, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (from the book’s jacket) Illicit love brings, thrill and tumble, intrigues and elations, secrets and lies, broken promises and shattered hearts-then, with a little luck, reflection and epiphany. It’s a subject dear to clear-eyed poets, and the impassioned journeys and piercing insights in this subversive compilation will startle even as they enchant. To succumb to the spell of this catechism-and the absorb the wry accompanying analyses-is to know why the New York Times observed, “John Wareham has the cool, clear eyes of a seeker of wisdom and truth.”
  My Thoughts: Generations of couples have had to deal with this devastating betrayal. The author breaks down the stages of disloyalty into the categories of: Attractions, Fevers, Lamentations, Farewells, Endings and Epiphanies. He has taken 49 poems over time and explore what these sonnets are truly saying and mean in today’s culture.
  My Opinion and Rating: And I will preface this by saying that this is my opinion, and my opinion only. Those that are not of the same belief system or who enjoy poetry may have a totally different view. That being said, I did not enjoy and/or like this book due to the aforementioned belief system and the morality that I feel that this society lacks. I also thought that certain people named in this book was unnecessary and, I would think, would cause further humiliation. I felt that those named, should only need to deal with these issues privately, and not be exploited as an example to sell a book of poetry. (Rating 2)

A Note from an Old Aquaintance A Novel by Bill Walker (Rating 5)
Published by iUniverse
ISBN-13: 978-1-4401-3335-0 (HC)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4401-3333-6 (PB)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4401-3334-3 EB)
At the request of Pump Up Yor Book, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis:  Its 1991 in Boston, MA and Brian Weller and his business partner are invited to an associate’s party, a party that he attends out of obligation.  Once there he meets a young, beautiful artist, Joanna Richman.  He knows that he wants and needs to see her again. Brian and Joanna’s friendship grow and then there is no denying that they are falling in love.  But how can that be when she is engaged to an older, influential, rich and controlling man, Erick Ruby.  Ruby finds out about their relationship and he is not going to lose her to Brian, a nobody, with a struggling PR production business and a want to be author.  Ruby demands that Brian never see or talk to Joanna again or he will ruin him and his parents.  With a broken heart, Brian walks away, never telling Joanna why, and moves cross country.  Then 15 years later, he receives an email from Joanna.  His past becomes his present. Do people change?  Does true love endure?
  My Thoughts:  I had trouble putting this book down.  I don’t usually read romance novels but was pulled in to the plot from the beginning.  The way the author wrote about the thoughts and emotions of all the characters gave this reader the ability to feel those exact same emotions.  Not only between Brian and Joanna but the love of parents and the ugly traits of someone ruthless.
  My Opinion and Rating: This is a tender and emotion packed love story.  At times this reader was laughing and the next grabbing for the tissue.  A contemporary love story that even in certain scenes, the author chose to communicate the true definition of love between two people and allowing the reader to use their own imagination and visuals. Well written !! Fantastic !!  Awesome !! This reader will be looking forward to Mr. Walker’s next novel. Highly recommend (Rating 5)

Sonnets For Sinners Everything One Needs to Know About Illicit Love by John Wareham (Rating 2)
Welcome Rain Publishers LLC
ISBN 10: 1-5664-5-3
ISBN 12: 978-1-5664-95-0
At the request of The Book Trib, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis: (from the book’s jacket) Illicit love brings, thrill and tumble, intrigues and elations, secrets and lies, broken promises and shattered hearts-then, with a little luck, reflection and epiphany. It’s a subject dear to clear-eyed poets, and the impassioned journeys and piercing insights in this subversive compilation will startle even as they enchant. To succumb to the spell of this catechism-and the absorb the wry accompanying analyses-is to know why the New York Times observed, “John Wareham has the cool, clear eyes of a seeker of wisdom and truth.”
  My Thoughts: Generations of couples have had to deal with this devastating betrayal. The author breaks down the stages of disloyalty into the categories of: Attractions, Fevers, Lamentations, Farewells, Endings and Epiphanies. He has taken 49 poems over time and explore what these sonnets are truly saying and mean in today’s culture.
  My Opinion and Rating: And I will preface this by saying that this is my opinion, and my opinion only. Those that are not of the same belief system or who enjoy poetry may have a totally different view. That being said, I did not enjoy and/or like this book due to the aforementioned belief system and the morality that I feel that this society lacks. I also thought that certain people named in this book was unnecessary and, I would think, would cause further humiliation. I felt that those named, should only need to deal with these issues privately, and not be exploited as an example to sell a book of poetry. (Rating 2)