TOYS by James Patterson & Neil McMahon

ISBN 978-0-316-09736-9
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from publisher): James Bond and Jason Bourne have just been topped! A battle for the world is set into unstoppable motion and Hays Baker is the only one who can save it. Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth possess super-human strength, extraordinary intelligence, stunning looks, a sex life to die for, and two beautiful children. Of course they do–they’re Elites, endowed at birth with the very best that the world can offer. The only problem in their perfect world: humans and their toys!
  The one with the most toys–dies
  The top operative for the Agency of Change, Hays has just won the fiercest battle of his career. He has been praised by the President, and is a national hero. But before he can savor his triumph, he receives an unbelievable shock that overturns everything he thought was true. Suddenly Hays is on the other side of the gun, forced to leave his perfect family and fight for his life.
  Now a hunted fugitive, Hays is thrown into a life he never dreamed possible–fighting to save humans everywhere from extinction. He enlists all of his training to uncover the truth that will save millions of lives–maybe even his own. James Patterson’s Toys is a thriller on a hyper plane–with a hero who rivals both James Bond and Jason Bourne.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This book had all the typical Patterson traits, short chapters, fast read, etc. However this takes place in the year 2061 whereas there is a war between the “elite” and the “humans”. I felt it was more of a science fiction novel as compared to his usual mystery suspense that I enjoy reading. And to be quite honest during descriptions of certain scenes, even those that were action packed, my mind would visualize “The Jetsons”. I have been struggling with the rating for this novel, but truthfully have to say it was jusk an OK for me, but then, that’s only my opinion.

TOYS by James Patterson & Neil McMahon

ISBN 978-0-316-09736-9
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, an ARC TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from publisher): James Bond and Jason Bourne have just been topped! A battle for the world is set into unstoppable motion and Hays Baker is the only one who can save it. Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth possess super-human strength, extraordinary intelligence, stunning looks, a sex life to die for, and two beautiful children. Of course they do–they’re Elites, endowed at birth with the very best that the world can offer. The only problem in their perfect world: humans and their toys!
  The one with the most toys–dies
  The top operative for the Agency of Change, Hays has just won the fiercest battle of his career. He has been praised by the President, and is a national hero. But before he can savor his triumph, he receives an unbelievable shock that overturns everything he thought was true. Suddenly Hays is on the other side of the gun, forced to leave his perfect family and fight for his life.
  Now a hunted fugitive, Hays is thrown into a life he never dreamed possible–fighting to save humans everywhere from extinction. He enlists all of his training to uncover the truth that will save millions of lives–maybe even his own. James Patterson’s Toys is a thriller on a hyper plane–with a hero who rivals both James Bond and Jason Bourne.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: This book had all the typical Patterson traits, short chapters, fast read, etc. However this takes place in the year 2061 whereas there is a war between the “elite” and the “humans”. I felt it was more of a science fiction novel as compared to his usual mystery suspense that I enjoy reading. And to be quite honest during descriptions of certain scenes, even those that were action packed, my mind would visualize “The Jetsons”. I have been struggling with the rating for this novel, but truthfully have to say it was jusk an OK for me, but then, that’s only my opinion.

Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

Published Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-03304-6
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a ARC HC was sent to, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from Publisher): Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Alabama, as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle.
  Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income. In Georgia’s case it is six well-heeled lovers-one for each day of the week, with Mondays off-none of whom knows about the others.
  But when the married preacher who has been coming to call (Saturdays) decides to confess their affair in front of the whole congregation, Georgia must take drastic measures to stop him. In GEORGIA BOTTOMS, Mark Childress proves once again his unmistakable skill for combining the hilarious and the absurd to reveal the inner workings of the rebellious human heart.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Loved it!! The reader first gets to meet the character as she is preparing for the annual “high society” luncheon in a small town in Alabama, that she hosts every year except no one is showing up. It happens to be 9/11 and she can’t understand how that could interfere in her luncheon and now the huge problem it has created, what does she do with all this food? At times I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of the main character, Miss Georgia Bottoms, who, at times, would come across as a “ditz” and other times “sly as a fox”. The dysfunctional family dynamics between her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, her alcoholic brother and her illegitimate son that no one knows about but shows up on her door step with a very big surprise is hysterical. I could not put the book down to see what trouble she would find herself in next and more importantly, how would she get herself out of it. A fun read!!!!

Georgia Bottoms by Mark Childress

Published Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-03304-6
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a ARC HC was sent to, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from Publisher): Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Alabama, as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle.
  Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income. In Georgia’s case it is six well-heeled lovers-one for each day of the week, with Mondays off-none of whom knows about the others.
  But when the married preacher who has been coming to call (Saturdays) decides to confess their affair in front of the whole congregation, Georgia must take drastic measures to stop him. In GEORGIA BOTTOMS, Mark Childress proves once again his unmistakable skill for combining the hilarious and the absurd to reveal the inner workings of the rebellious human heart.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Loved it!! The reader first gets to meet the character as she is preparing for the annual “high society” luncheon in a small town in Alabama, that she hosts every year except no one is showing up. It happens to be 9/11 and she can’t understand how that could interfere in her luncheon and now the huge problem it has created, what does she do with all this food? At times I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of the main character, Miss Georgia Bottoms, who, at times, would come across as a “ditz” and other times “sly as a fox”. The dysfunctional family dynamics between her mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, her alcoholic brother and her illegitimate son that no one knows about but shows up on her door step with a very big surprise is hysterical. I could not put the book down to see what trouble she would find herself in next and more importantly, how would she get herself out of it. A fun read!!!!

SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH by J.T. Ellison

Published by Harlequin Mira Books
ISBN 9780778329435
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): TALENT BORROWS. GENIUS STEALS. EVIL DELEGATES.
  It’s a hideous echo of a violent past. Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam. The media frenzy explodes and Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows instantly that The Pretender is back…and he’s got helpers.
  As The Pretender’s disciples perpetrate their sick homages—stretching police and the FBI dangerously thin—Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown. And she must do it alone. To be close to her is to be in mortal danger, and she won’t risk losing anyone she loves. But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll—she’s beside herself and ready to snap.
  The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close. Close enough to touch…
  My Thoughts and Opinion: After reading the synopsis, my thinking was this was a good match for me, and even more so with the main character being a female. Knowing that I was not completely focused, and it is only fair to give the author and her work my undivided attention, I reread from the beginning of the book three times. However, on the third time and reading 140 pages, I felt that I wasn’t completely pulled into the storyline. There were hints of the premise, but nothing solid that made me want to really run back and pick up the book. Also there was a lot of interaction between the main character and her SO, that appeared to be important to the plot but was fluffed over. There were other scenes, and this is my opinion only, that were a far stretch from reality. I am putting this book in the DNF pile but am not saying that someday it may be moved back to my tbr pile.

SO CLOSE THE HAND OF DEATH by J.T. Ellison

Published by Harlequin Mira Books
ISBN 9780778329435
I received an ARC-EBook Bound galley Edition from NetGalley, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): TALENT BORROWS. GENIUS STEALS. EVIL DELEGATES.
  It’s a hideous echo of a violent past. Across America, murders are being committed with all the twisted hallmarks of the Boston Strangler, the Zodiac Killer and Son of Sam. The media frenzy explodes and Nashville homicide lieutenant Taylor Jackson knows instantly that The Pretender is back…and he’s got helpers.
  As The Pretender’s disciples perpetrate their sick homages—stretching police and the FBI dangerously thin—Taylor tries desperately to prepare for their inevitable showdown. And she must do it alone. To be close to her is to be in mortal danger, and she won’t risk losing anyone she loves. But the isolation, the self-doubt and the rising body count are taking their toll—she’s beside herself and ready to snap.
  The brilliant psychopath who both adores and despises her is drawing close. Close enough to touch…
  My Thoughts and Opinion: After reading the synopsis, my thinking was this was a good match for me, and even more so with the main character being a female. Knowing that I was not completely focused, and it is only fair to give the author and her work my undivided attention, I reread from the beginning of the book three times. However, on the third time and reading 140 pages, I felt that I wasn’t completely pulled into the storyline. There were hints of the premise, but nothing solid that made me want to really run back and pick up the book. Also there was a lot of interaction between the main character and her SO, that appeared to be important to the plot but was fluffed over. There were other scenes, and this is my opinion only, that were a far stretch from reality. I am putting this book in the DNF pile but am not saying that someday it may be moved back to my tbr pile.

MIDNIGHT CALLER by Leslie Tentler

  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Late-night radio-show psychologist Rain Sommers is used to the crazies who call in to rage from the back alleys of the French Quarter and the shadows of the bayou. But one caller’s chilling obsession with her and her long-ago murdered mother—an iconic singer beloved among the city’s Goth community—has even the jaded Rain running scared as a sadistic serial killer known as the Vampire prowls New Orleans.
  FBI agent Trevor Rivette is convinced her midnight caller and the killer are one and the same. As it becomes disturbingly clear that the Vampire has a sick bloodlust only Rain can satisfy, she allows Trevor to get closer and closer. But he soon discovers that his secretive past and troubled present are intertwined—and that he may die trying to keep Rain’s fate out of a madman’s control.
  My Thoughts and Opinions: This book has a little of everything ranging from suspense, romance, past childhood trauma, family bonds, a serial killer on the loose, psychological terror and even vampire voodoo. Which, and this is my opinion only, is why I am not a fan of the newest genre rage of paranormal. For me, and again my opinion, it took away the believability factor of the story and how I couldn’t relate to that portion of the plot. I also thought that some scenes and/or chapters lacked substance and were improbable. The suspense sustained me, the main characters with their past traumas and how it affected them in the present were plausible.

MIDNIGHT CALLER by Leslie Tentler

  Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Late-night radio-show psychologist Rain Sommers is used to the crazies who call in to rage from the back alleys of the French Quarter and the shadows of the bayou. But one caller’s chilling obsession with her and her long-ago murdered mother—an iconic singer beloved among the city’s Goth community—has even the jaded Rain running scared as a sadistic serial killer known as the Vampire prowls New Orleans.
  FBI agent Trevor Rivette is convinced her midnight caller and the killer are one and the same. As it becomes disturbingly clear that the Vampire has a sick bloodlust only Rain can satisfy, she allows Trevor to get closer and closer. But he soon discovers that his secretive past and troubled present are intertwined—and that he may die trying to keep Rain’s fate out of a madman’s control.
  My Thoughts and Opinions: This book has a little of everything ranging from suspense, romance, past childhood trauma, family bonds, a serial killer on the loose, psychological terror and even vampire voodoo. Which, and this is my opinion only, is why I am not a fan of the newest genre rage of paranormal. For me, and again my opinion, it took away the believability factor of the story and how I couldn’t relate to that portion of the plot. I also thought that some scenes and/or chapters lacked substance and were improbable. The suspense sustained me, the main characters with their past traumas and how it affected them in the present were plausible.