Euphemania: Our Love Affair With Euphemisms by Ralph Keyes
Published by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-05656-4
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from back of book): An entertaining look at euphemisms-where they come from, why we need them, and what they tell us about who we are.
  How did “die” become kick the bucket, “underwear” become unmentionables, and “having an affair” become hiking the Appalachian Trail? Originally used to avoid blasphemy and taboos and to make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language. Euphemania traces the evolution of euphemisms from tools of the church to expressions of gentility to today’s instrument of commercial, political, and postmodern doublespeak. As much social commentary as a book for word lovers, Euphemania is a lively and thought-provoking look at the power of words and our power over them.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Just in time for the holidays. This book is informative, filled with trivia and a fun read. I found it to be quite interesting as to where and how certain terms came in to being such as “a loose cannon” (pg 193), “bookworm”(pg 228) “under the weather”(pg 124) and so many more. This book is perfect for those that enjoy trivia, history of the English language and the origin of certain phrases. I will never look at a chocolate chip cookie the same way again (page 111). Just in time for the holidays, this book should be on one’s Christmas list, for yourself or someone you know.

Euphemania: Our Love Affair With Euphemisms by Ralph Keyes
Published by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-05656-4
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from back of book): An entertaining look at euphemisms-where they come from, why we need them, and what they tell us about who we are.
  How did “die” become kick the bucket, “underwear” become unmentionables, and “having an affair” become hiking the Appalachian Trail? Originally used to avoid blasphemy and taboos and to make nice, euphemisms have become embedded in the fabric of our language. Euphemania traces the evolution of euphemisms from tools of the church to expressions of gentility to today’s instrument of commercial, political, and postmodern doublespeak. As much social commentary as a book for word lovers, Euphemania is a lively and thought-provoking look at the power of words and our power over them.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Just in time for the holidays. This book is informative, filled with trivia and a fun read. I found it to be quite interesting as to where and how certain terms came in to being such as “a loose cannon” (pg 193), “bookworm”(pg 228) “under the weather”(pg 124) and so many more. This book is perfect for those that enjoy trivia, history of the English language and the origin of certain phrases. I will never look at a chocolate chip cookie the same way again (page 111). Just in time for the holidays, this book should be on one’s Christmas list, for yourself or someone you know.

Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Published by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-09615-7
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from book’s jacket): THE POLICE CAN’T HELP YOU Former Marine helicopter pilot Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily-and his staff of investigators use the world’s most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.
  THE PRESS WILL DESTROY YOU Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multimillion-dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of thirteen schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend’s wife, Jack’s former lover has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private’s resources to tracking down her killer.
  ONLY ONE PLACE TO TURN: PRIVATE But Jack doesn’t have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Jack has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Here I sit wondering what can I say about this book and only 3 words come to mind: Pure James Patterson!!! I have been a big fan of Mr. Patterson’s books for years and have not yet read one that I didn’t like. It contained all the elements that the author does best. Short chapters for that “read just one more chapter moment” and you find yourself 10 chapters forward. Pulls you in with the first page and doesn’t let you go until the very last page. Nonstop action whereas it is a “page turner” and a “can’t put down type of book”. Twists and turns you don’t see coming. The main character, Jack Morgan, was believable and likeable and am hoping that there will be future books related to this character.

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.  No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

Private by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Published by Little, Brown and Company
ISBN 978-0-316-09615-7
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a HC was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (from book’s jacket): THE POLICE CAN’T HELP YOU Former Marine helicopter pilot Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily-and his staff of investigators use the world’s most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.
  THE PRESS WILL DESTROY YOU Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multimillion-dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of thirteen schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend’s wife, Jack’s former lover has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private’s resources to tracking down her killer.
  ONLY ONE PLACE TO TURN: PRIVATE But Jack doesn’t have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Jack has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: Here I sit wondering what can I say about this book and only 3 words come to mind: Pure James Patterson!!! I have been a big fan of Mr. Patterson’s books for years and have not yet read one that I didn’t like. It contained all the elements that the author does best. Short chapters for that “read just one more chapter moment” and you find yourself 10 chapters forward. Pulls you in with the first page and doesn’t let you go until the very last page. Nonstop action whereas it is a “page turner” and a “can’t put down type of book”. Twists and turns you don’t see coming. The main character, Jack Morgan, was believable and likeable and am hoping that there will be future books related to this character.

I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me, in exchange for my honest review.  No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

Rules Of Betrayal by Christopher Reich
Published by Doubleday
ISBN 978-0-385-53154-2
At the request of Doubleday, a HC was sent, at no cost to me for my personal opinion
  Synopsis (from book’s jacket): In 1980 an American B-52 bomber transporting a top-secret weapon crashes high on the peaks of a remote mountain range on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Nearly thirty years later, deep in the unforgiving, Taliban-controlled Lashkar Province of Afghanistan, Dr. Jonathan Ransom is making amends for the violence in his past. The woman he married, Emma Ransom, a.k.a. Lara Antonova, is in fact a spy and an assassin who used his job with Doctors Without Borders as her cover story. Now she is missing-most likely in the hands of a charismatic and violent arms dealer who goes by the name Lord Balfour. Emma is also being hunted by two conflicting shadow agencies-Division in the U.S. and the FSB in Russia.
  After Ransom is nearly killed in a stunning double cross in Tora Bora, he is summoned by Frank Connor, the power broker a the helm of Division, and presented with an impossible choice. Jonathan must undertake a harrowing one-man mission into Balfour’s lair to save Emma or stand by while a weapon of mass destruction is acquired by the most dangerous terrorist in Afghanistan-an unforgettable true believer known as The Hawk.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I wasn’t a big fan of government espionage storylines, but when I read the synopsis, I thought that I might enjoy this read. I was surprised that within the first few pages, I was not only enjoying it but was also pulled in. I didn’t realize, when I accepted the request for review, that this was the 3rd book in a series. Not having read the first two, I feel that this book can stand on it’s own. For a spy thriller, it did hold my attention at times but then, there were some parts where I lost interest. This is my opinion, and my opinion only, rating this book is difficult. For those that enjoy this type of novel, it would probably receive a 4/5. But since I am not a big fan of espionage, I would give it a 2/5 because I did struggle through some of the book. So to be fair to the author and those that enjoy the double agent storyline, I will average it out.

Rules Of Betrayal by Christopher Reich
Published by Doubleday
ISBN 978-0-385-53154-2
At the request of Doubleday, a HC was sent, at no cost to me for my personal opinion
  Synopsis (from book’s jacket): In 1980 an American B-52 bomber transporting a top-secret weapon crashes high on the peaks of a remote mountain range on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Nearly thirty years later, deep in the unforgiving, Taliban-controlled Lashkar Province of Afghanistan, Dr. Jonathan Ransom is making amends for the violence in his past. The woman he married, Emma Ransom, a.k.a. Lara Antonova, is in fact a spy and an assassin who used his job with Doctors Without Borders as her cover story. Now she is missing-most likely in the hands of a charismatic and violent arms dealer who goes by the name Lord Balfour. Emma is also being hunted by two conflicting shadow agencies-Division in the U.S. and the FSB in Russia.
  After Ransom is nearly killed in a stunning double cross in Tora Bora, he is summoned by Frank Connor, the power broker a the helm of Division, and presented with an impossible choice. Jonathan must undertake a harrowing one-man mission into Balfour’s lair to save Emma or stand by while a weapon of mass destruction is acquired by the most dangerous terrorist in Afghanistan-an unforgettable true believer known as The Hawk.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: I wasn’t a big fan of government espionage storylines, but when I read the synopsis, I thought that I might enjoy this read. I was surprised that within the first few pages, I was not only enjoying it but was also pulled in. I didn’t realize, when I accepted the request for review, that this was the 3rd book in a series. Not having read the first two, I feel that this book can stand on it’s own. For a spy thriller, it did hold my attention at times but then, there were some parts where I lost interest. This is my opinion, and my opinion only, rating this book is difficult. For those that enjoy this type of novel, it would probably receive a 4/5. But since I am not a big fan of espionage, I would give it a 2/5 because I did struggle through some of the book. So to be fair to the author and those that enjoy the double agent storyline, I will average it out.

And One Last Thing by Molly Harper
Published by Gallery Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster
ISBN 978-1-4391-6877-6
At the request of Gallery Books, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (back of book): “If Singletree’s only florist didn’t deliver her posies half-drunk, I might still be married to that floor-licking, scum-sucking, receptionist-nailing hack-accountant, Mike Terwilliger.”
  Lacey Terwilliger’s shock and humiliation over her husband’s philandering prompt her to add some bonus material to Mike’s company newsletter: stunning Technicolor descriptions of the special brand of “administrative support” his receptionist gives him. The detailed mass e-mail to Mike’s family, friends and clients blows up in her face, and before one can say “instant urban legend,” Lacey has become the pariah of her small Kentucky town, a media punch line, and the defendant in Mike’s defamation lawsuit.
  Her seemingly perfect life up in flames, Lacey retreat to her family’s lakeside cabin, only to encounter an aggravating neighbor named Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe is not thrilled about a newly divorced woman moving in next door. But with time, beer, and a screen door to the nose, a cautious friendship develops into something infinitely more satisfying.
  Lacey has to make a decision about her long-term living arrangements, though. Should she take a job writing caustic divorce newsletters for paying clients, or move on with her own life, pursuing more literary aspirations? Can she find happiness with a man who tells her what he thinks and not what she wants to hear? And will she ever be able to resist saying one…last…thing?
  My Thoughts and Opinion: WTG Lacey!!!! This is one chick lit that has to be read especially if you have even a little spark of a revengeful B__ch in you, which I am sure the majority of us do. Lacey, the main character, is someone I would love to know and felt that I did. The author did a fantastic job at writing in a way that brought this character to life. She was feisty, impulsive, funny, melancholy, lonesome, hurt, disappointed, hopeful and so many other emotions, that this reader could not help but root for her and found myself thinking “You Go Girl.” But sometimes it can backfire, in this case, it did for Lacey. This book was so enjoyable that I am afraid to even inadvertently include spoilers so I will ask some questions. OK..after writing one last thing and hits enter, her email goes viral. Now what? How can she, the victim, now become the outcast? What does she do when served with a legal document, not only for divorce but damages of slander? How will she manage financially when her husband wanted her to be a stay at home wife taking care of social commitments? Will she take a job writing newsletters for other scorned women like the newsletter that got her in legal hot water? And who is this gorgeous guy renting out the neighbor’s cabin but appears to be a rude, cold, loner? What happens when her husband begs for forgiveness and wants to reconcile? What road does Lacey take? I highly suggest you put this one on your TBR list….it’s a good one!!!

And One Last Thing by Molly Harper
Published by Gallery Books
A Division of Simon & Schuster
ISBN 978-1-4391-6877-6
At the request of Gallery Books, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (back of book): “If Singletree’s only florist didn’t deliver her posies half-drunk, I might still be married to that floor-licking, scum-sucking, receptionist-nailing hack-accountant, Mike Terwilliger.”
  Lacey Terwilliger’s shock and humiliation over her husband’s philandering prompt her to add some bonus material to Mike’s company newsletter: stunning Technicolor descriptions of the special brand of “administrative support” his receptionist gives him. The detailed mass e-mail to Mike’s family, friends and clients blows up in her face, and before one can say “instant urban legend,” Lacey has become the pariah of her small Kentucky town, a media punch line, and the defendant in Mike’s defamation lawsuit.
  Her seemingly perfect life up in flames, Lacey retreat to her family’s lakeside cabin, only to encounter an aggravating neighbor named Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe is not thrilled about a newly divorced woman moving in next door. But with time, beer, and a screen door to the nose, a cautious friendship develops into something infinitely more satisfying.
  Lacey has to make a decision about her long-term living arrangements, though. Should she take a job writing caustic divorce newsletters for paying clients, or move on with her own life, pursuing more literary aspirations? Can she find happiness with a man who tells her what he thinks and not what she wants to hear? And will she ever be able to resist saying one…last…thing?
  My Thoughts and Opinion: WTG Lacey!!!! This is one chick lit that has to be read especially if you have even a little spark of a revengeful B__ch in you, which I am sure the majority of us do. Lacey, the main character, is someone I would love to know and felt that I did. The author did a fantastic job at writing in a way that brought this character to life. She was feisty, impulsive, funny, melancholy, lonesome, hurt, disappointed, hopeful and so many other emotions, that this reader could not help but root for her and found myself thinking “You Go Girl.” But sometimes it can backfire, in this case, it did for Lacey. This book was so enjoyable that I am afraid to even inadvertently include spoilers so I will ask some questions. OK..after writing one last thing and hits enter, her email goes viral. Now what? How can she, the victim, now become the outcast? What does she do when served with a legal document, not only for divorce but damages of slander? How will she manage financially when her husband wanted her to be a stay at home wife taking care of social commitments? Will she take a job writing newsletters for other scorned women like the newsletter that got her in legal hot water? And who is this gorgeous guy renting out the neighbor’s cabin but appears to be a rude, cold, loner? What happens when her husband begs for forgiveness and wants to reconcile? What road does Lacey take? I highly suggest you put this one on your TBR list….it’s a good one!!!