Original Sin by Allison Brennan (Rating–4.5)
Published by The Random House
ISBN 978-0-345-51167-6
At the request of The Book Trib, a PB copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review.
  Synopsis: Moira O’Donnell conceived, for the sole purpose to become a human sacrifice for the underworld, flees from her mother’s grasp.  She finds refuge in the hills of Ireland learning the ways to stop this demonic state that her mother controls. She also learns and now knows the danger that mankind will experience if her mother isn’t stopped  Moira spends seven years traveling the world to locate her mother.  There is only way to stop Fiona ODonnell, and that is murder.  Along her travels, she teams up with a demonologist and a trusting sheriff, in small town, USA.
  My Thoughts: I was very apprehensive when I first accepted this request as I have never read a book in the genre of paranormal. The author’s imagination and writing style is nothing less than believable and at times I was questioning if there was some truth to this work of fiction. Add to that a fast paced action, mystery, love story and the war between good and evil. This was the first book that I had read of this author’s but will not be my last.
  My Opinion and Rating: I gave this book a Level 4.5 rating. It took approximately 6 chapters for me to get involved with the characters and true basis of the story line. There was some disappointment with the ending. I am, however, aware that this is the first book in a series of seven deadly sins, and will hopefully have some of my questions answered in the next installment that I have already placed on my “to be read” list.

Invisible Boy by Cornelia Read (Rating–4)

Published by Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group)
ISBN 978-0-44651134-6
At the request of Hachette Book Group, an ARC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review
  Synopsis:  The year 1990, Madeline Dare, returns to New York City. Boarding school educated, self proclaimed liberal, liberated and very much opinionated. She accepts an invitation to help in the clean up and restoration of a historical family cemetery that is generations old and has been vandalized for years and not been tended to professionally. She comes upon skeletal remains in the tall grass and weeds and determines that the bones are of a child and freshly placed. Who is this child, who put him here and why here in this family plot? She has some misfortunate accidents or are they intentional?
  My Thoughts:  From page one, I was pulled in with the writing style and, at times, funny New Yorkese narrative. During her quest to find justice for this child, Teddy, Madeline also learns that there has been abuse in her own family. She is also trying to be honest and loyal to a long time friend from boarding school. Madeline has to deal with the dynamics of her relationships with family members, old and new friends, and a little boy she never knew.
  My Opinion and Rating:  I found the style and narrative unique and enjoyable. I gave this book a rating of 4 for the following reasons. Without giving anything away, I felt that there were two major traumatic incidents that should have been written with more of an in depth and detailed explanation. I also thought the same regarding the dynamics of the relationships that were involved.

Invisible Boy by Cornelia Read (Rating–4)

Published by Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group)
ISBN 978-0-44651134-6
At the request of Hachette Book Group, an ARC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review
  Synopsis:  The year 1990, Madeline Dare, returns to New York City. Boarding school educated, self proclaimed liberal, liberated and very much opinionated. She accepts an invitation to help in the clean up and restoration of a historical family cemetery that is generations old and has been vandalized for years and not been tended to professionally. She comes upon skeletal remains in the tall grass and weeds and determines that the bones are of a child and freshly placed. Who is this child, who put him here and why here in this family plot? She has some misfortunate accidents or are they intentional?
  My Thoughts:  From page one, I was pulled in with the writing style and, at times, funny New Yorkese narrative. During her quest to find justice for this child, Teddy, Madeline also learns that there has been abuse in her own family. She is also trying to be honest and loyal to a long time friend from boarding school. Madeline has to deal with the dynamics of her relationships with family members, old and new friends, and a little boy she never knew.
  My Opinion and Rating:  I found the style and narrative unique and enjoyable. I gave this book a rating of 4 for the following reasons. Without giving anything away, I felt that there were two major traumatic incidents that should have been written with more of an in depth and detailed explanation. I also thought the same regarding the dynamics of the relationships that were involved.

Watchlist Based On An Idea by Jeffrey Deaver (Rating–5)
Published by Vanguard Press
ISBN 978–1-59315-559-9
At the request of The Book Trib, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review

From the Book’s Jacket:
Watchlist: Two powerful novellas featuring the same thrilling cast of characters in one major suspenseful package
  Synopsis: Harold Middleton, former crimes of war investigator takes the reader on a non-stop journey around the world in both story lines. The first novella he is on the hunt and then hunted for a never before seen Chopin manuscript. But is there a secret in this never before seen composition? In the second novella, once again Harold Middleton brings us to faraway lands in search of the “Scorpion” and what is the secret of “The Copper Bracelet”?
  My Thoughts: One word..Amazing. Written by Jeffrey Deaver and twenty-one (21) other best selling authors. Each chapter written by a different writer, weaving and interweaving their own style of writing and story telling with others, for a dynamic plot.
  My Opinion and Rating: A thriller with brilliant writing that takes the reader on a journey to faraway places spanning the globe, taking the reader into the world of espionage and terrorism. Incredible concept. Rating 5

Watchlist Based On An Idea by Jeffrey Deaver (Rating–5)
Published by Vanguard Press
ISBN 978–1-59315-559-9
At the request of The Book Trib, a HC copy was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review

From the Book’s Jacket:
Watchlist: Two powerful novellas featuring the same thrilling cast of characters in one major suspenseful package
  Synopsis: Harold Middleton, former crimes of war investigator takes the reader on a non-stop journey around the world in both story lines. The first novella he is on the hunt and then hunted for a never before seen Chopin manuscript. But is there a secret in this never before seen composition? In the second novella, once again Harold Middleton brings us to faraway lands in search of the “Scorpion” and what is the secret of “The Copper Bracelet”?
  My Thoughts: One word..Amazing. Written by Jeffrey Deaver and twenty-one (21) other best selling authors. Each chapter written by a different writer, weaving and interweaving their own style of writing and story telling with others, for a dynamic plot.
  My Opinion and Rating: A thriller with brilliant writing that takes the reader on a journey to faraway places spanning the globe, taking the reader into the world of espionage and terrorism. Incredible concept. Rating 5

Vanished by Joseph Finder (won from The Book Trib)  (Rating–5)
Synopsis:  Nick Heller, former Special Ops now working in PI Private Sector receives a call for help from Gabe, his nephew.  Gabe’s stepfather, Roger and Nick’s estranged brother, has vanished and his mother has been attacked and is in the hospital.  Nick not close to his brother or his father, who is in prison for securities fraud, takes a leave of absence to help investigate what has happened to his brother Roger.  Even though their relationship has been strained for years, blood is thicker than water or is it?
Thoughts: This was a heart pounding suspense from a personal level to private sector and all the way up the chain to the government level.  Every turn was a surprise right down to the last page.  This was the first book I read by Joseph Finder and it won’t be my last. Thoroughly enjoyed.
  (Challenges:  Reading From My Shelf, Thriller/Suspense, Books Won & 100+)

Vanished by Joseph Finder (won from The Book Trib)  (Rating–5)
Synopsis:  Nick Heller, former Special Ops now working in PI Private Sector receives a call for help from Gabe, his nephew.  Gabe’s stepfather, Roger and Nick’s estranged brother, has vanished and his mother has been attacked and is in the hospital.  Nick not close to his brother or his father, who is in prison for securities fraud, takes a leave of absence to help investigate what has happened to his brother Roger.  Even though their relationship has been strained for years, blood is thicker than water or is it?
Thoughts: This was a heart pounding suspense from a personal level to private sector and all the way up the chain to the government level.  Every turn was a surprise right down to the last page.  This was the first book I read by Joseph Finder and it won’t be my last. Thoroughly enjoyed.
(Challenges:  Reading From My Shelf, Thriller/Suspense, Books Won & 100+)

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about New Year reading.

With the New Year here already, do you have any reading resolutions or goals (challenges aside) for 2010? Perhaps a new author? Genre? Want to read more non-fiction? Write more reviews?
My Answer:
  Since I did sign up for the big challenge of 100+ books, my plans for 2010 is definitely read more, less time on the computer and less TV watching.  My TV is usually on even if I am readng.  I find that I can’t read if it is totally quiet so I have on one of the cable News channels with the volume low and will only watch and pay attention if it is a “Breaking News Alert”.

Hosted by J.Kaye’s Book Blog      http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/
     Finished:  Most Likely To Die by Lisa Jackson, Wendy Corsi Staub, Beverly Barton (Rating 5)
                      Review to follow…finished last night
     Currently Reading:  ??  Awaiting for books for revview…so it depends if any arrive today
                       if not, so many books to choose from, so I will update a little later.

BOOK REVIEWS

Most Likely To Die by Lisa Jackson, Wendy Corsi Staub, Beverly Barton (Rating 5)
EBook purchased by me
Twenty years ago at the Valentine’s Dance hosted by an all female small high school, St. Elizabeth’s there was a gruesome murder which was never solved. Since the school will be leveled, a small committee of alumnae are planning for their 20 yr reunion  even though they have never resolved their feelings of that night so long ago but then one by one they are dying, is it an accident or is it personal.
My Opinion:  Once again, Lisa Jackson delivers another fast paced, can’t put down, keep you guessing read.  I originally signed up for 5 books for the Lisa Jackson challenge hosted by J.Kaye Book Blog, and this was my 5th book, I will be reading more of her books because they are enjoyable and are the type of books that I like to read.  If you haven’t read her books and like suspense, this is an author you should read and maybe even sign up for the challenge.