Book Review: The Gail Force by Robert Lane – Smart, Sassy, Satisfying Suspense

The Gail Force

by Robert Lane

Jake Travis is back, and knee deep in trouble due to a woman. She showed up at his place, the little slice of paradise on the water, disrupting his world with her tears and anger over the murder of her husband. She wants revenge; Jake wants to keep her alive.

Her husband accidentally ran across information that could have made him rich. Instead he decided to take the high road and went to the authorities. They put him and his wife in protective custody, but that ended up deadly for more than one person involved.

Unable to walk away from the puzzle, Jake goes undercover to help the Feds frame the man they think is responsible for the killings. That is when the lines between the good guys, bad guys and double-crossers blur. The job is becoming more deadly each day, as it draws Jake deeper down the rabbit hole.

As he becomes more embedded he finds another damsel in destress. She is either very dangerous or in more trouble than the original client. Jake enjoys champagne, fishing, his best friend Morgan and loves his girlfriend Kathleen. Is he willing to give any of the things he cares about away to save someone that may not need or want saving?

I love Robert Lane’s style. He is a smart, savvy writer that entertains and surprises me every time. The plot lines are solid; he gives the readers all the information without the need for red herrings but with enough twists and turns to keep us guessing. The characters are well developed and multi-layered, making them come alive on the pages.

Lane has given Jake a sense of humor laced with sarcasm that helps break the tension of the plot. This is done masterfully, allowing the reader to take a breath, chuckle and consider the possibilities of the situation. Some of the comments and one-liners are in the middle of deadly situations. Like when Jake thinks to himself, “When did green carpet come back in style? Why?”.

This is the fourth book in the “stand-alone” Jake Travis series. While all of the books feature Jake and his friends, it is still appropriate to call them stand-alone novels as it doesn’t really matter if you have read the previous books to thoroughly enjoy this one. I have read three of the four, and none of them build on previous plots to the point of confusion. Characters have become more developed, and if you choose to read this one first, you will love it.

But if you choose to start at the beginning, add them to your Christmas list. Reading these four books would be the great way to start the New Year. If you can wait that long.

Copyright © 2016 Laura Hartman

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review.

 

 

 

Book Review: Creepy Crawly Crochet – Perfection!

Creepy Crawly Crochet

by Megan Kreiner

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley and the publisher.

As an experienced crocheter (I’ve been crocheting for over 50 years) I feel confident in stating Creepy Crawly Crochet is the perfect instruction book with really cool, creepy but cute patterns.

It begins with fiber and hook suggestions as well as where to find black fiber fill (around Halloween they sell it under the name “Halloween Hay” – who knew?!). This is important for creepy figures that are done in dark colors, because no matter how tight your stitches are, the crocheted fabric will allow white fiber fill to be seen. From felt to project bags there are suggestions and guidance regarding the best type of each item to turn out perfectly.

Kreiner gives step-by-step instructions for crocheting from the beginning slip knot to binding off. She then follows with each stitched used in the following patterns, including “Finishing Touches” like whip stitching your project together and embroidery stitches that will add details to your project.

Tips and Tricks is the next section that helps with the little things that will make your Creepy Crawlies perfect.

The patterns themselves are clear, concise and detailed. There are images to enhance and clarify the directions. Each pattern has a color picture to allow you to see exactly how the project will look when finished.

All of the Creepy Crawlies are cute – in a creepy way. It is hard to pick out one or two that are my favorites over the others, but I have a soft spot for Frankie. He is on the top of my list to make for my grandson. My other favorite is Poe the Raven – he would look very cool sitting on my desk at work next Halloween.

If you aren’t that into creepy, you can still love this book. For instance, Jack and the Headless Horseman is a great pattern for a horse stuffed animal. You could make Jack with a head, and it is just a guy on a horse that all kids would love.

After the patterns, Kreiner has templates for the felt pieces used to finish off the characters. She also gives the abbreviations for the pattern instructions, crochet hook conversion charts, yarn weights and resources.

It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, if you crochet toys or dolls, this is the book for you. I can’t wait to make my favorites.

Book Review: Die For You – Fabulously Complex YA Novel

Die For You

By Amy Fellner Dominy

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley and the publisher.

Teenagers fall in and out of love daily. But the love Dillon and Emma have is more than puppy love. They have a real connection, bound together with deep emotion and a short, but encompassing past.

Emma met Dillon when she moved in with her father after her parents split. It was her choice to leave her friends, high school just before senior year and start over in a new place. It was rough for her and meeting Dillon helped fill the emptiness she felt after making one of the hardest choices of her young life.

Emma helped Dillon fight some demons he was struggling with. This made her feel needed and loved. They planned a future together after senior year. Both had been accepted to the same college and were planning to spend the next four years and the rest of their lives together. They knew their young love would withstand the test of time and both of them wanted to be together forever.

But when Emma unexpectedly receives the most unbelievable opportunity for an internship in Rome for the next year, she knew she had to try for it. Her life dream of becoming an archeologist like her father made studying in the ancient city a dream come true. She felt sure that Dillon would support her dream, after all, it was only a year apart and they could phone, skype and text to keep in touch almost as if they were together.

But Dillon had other ideas. At what lengths would he go to make sure Emma stayed with him forever? She was about to find out.

I loved this YA book. It was a love story, a coming of age story that had elements of suspense, mystery and family issues. The complexity of the characters and story evolution made Die For You a great book for YA audiences as well as adults. It was well written, with realistic conversations and situations. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down.

Per her website, Amy Fellner Dominy is “…a former advertising copywriter, MFA playwright and hula-hoop champion.”  You have to love an author with a hula-hoop championship under her belt! She is an award winning YA and youth writer, with a picture book coming out soon. Die For You is her fifth novel, I am looking forward to reading the previous four as well as her picture book.

Copyright © 2016 Laura Hartman