Book 11: Glazed Murder

Author: Jessica Beck

Barnes and Noble Synopsis: Meet Suzanne Hart, owner and operator of Donut Hearts coffee shop in April Springs, North Carolina. After her divorce from Max, an out-of-work actor she’s dubbed “The Great Impersonator,” Suzanne decided to pursue her one true passion in life: donuts. So she cashed in her settlement and opened up shop in the heart of her beloved hometown.

But when a dead body is dumped on her doorstep like a sack of flour, Suzanne’s cozy little shop becomes an all-out crime scene. Now, everyone in town is dropping by for glazed donuts and gruesome details. The retired sheriff warns her to be careful—and they’re all suspects. Soon Suzanne—who finds snooping as irresistible as donuts—is poking holes in everyone’s alibis…

My Review: I LOVED this book! I've been wanting to read it for some time now and with my busy book schedule list I just hadn't gotten to it. I am so glad I finally did and can't wait to read the others in the series. It reminded me a lot of Wendy Lyn Watson's Ice Cream Murder series. It was a quick read with a loveable character in Suzanne and a good story. I suggest this to anyone who is looking for a fun, quick murder story! 

My Grade: A+

Book 10: Guilty Wives

Author: James Patterson

Barnes and Noble Synopsis: Only minutes after Abbie Elliot and her three best friends step off of a private helicopter, they enter the most luxurious, sumptuous, sensually pampering hotel they have ever been to. Their lavish presidential suite overlooks Monte Carlo, and they surrender: to the sun and pool, to the sashimi and sake, to the Bruno Paillard champagne. For four days they're free to live someone else's life. As the weekend moves into pulsating discos, high-stakes casinos, and beyond, Abbie is transported to the greatest pleasure and release she has ever known.

My Review: Wow, I really didn't like this one. I almost gave up on it several times. Usually I am a huge Patterson fan, not this one. It bored me, I can't even believe I am saying that. It had such a good idea yet I could not get into it. I am willing to maybe try it again another time, but this one didn't do it for me. 

My Grade: C

Book 9: Stealing Bradford

Author: Melody Carlson

Barnes and Noble Synopsis: The Carter House girls are just getting to know one another when the subject of boys comes up. Rhiannon's dating Bradford, the most popular jock in school, Eliza's seeing Harry, and even DJ has dated Conner, although now he acts as if he doesn't like her. Boys aren't always easy to understand, but every girl in the house wants a boyfriend---and will do just about anything to get one. So when Taylor decides to put the moves on Bradford, Rhiannon is shocked and hurt. Mistakes are made and feelings battered ... there is forgiveness for some and bitterness for others ... but at the end of the day, the girls learn a valuable lesson about what it means to be a family.

My Review: This one was good. I think at times the religious aspects shock me, not that there's anything wrong with them. I am just not use to reading books that all the sudden get religious. All in all good story, I'll continue to read Carter House books.

My Grade: A

Book 8: Epic Fail

Author: Claire LaZebnik

Barnes and Noble Synopsis: Will Elise’s love life be an epic win or an epic fail?

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:

As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.

As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.

When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

My Review: My first Claire LeZebnik book was several years ago and called Same as It Never Was. I was very excited to read another one by her, and actually have it on my Nook (apparently hers aren't really digital). I loved Epic Fail. It was the typical Young Adult read that I love.  It's a quick read and not challenging or something you have to think about a like. The characters are likable and the story was good. I will be reading this one again soon! 

My Grade: A+

Book 7: Looking For Alaska

Author: John Green

Barnes and Noble Synopsis: A deeply affecting coming-of-age story, Looking for Alaska traces the journey of Miles Halter, a misfit Florida teenager who leaves the safety of home for a boarding school in Alabama and a chance to explore the "Great Perhaps." Debut novelist and NPR commentator Green perfectly captures the intensity of feeling and despair that defines adolescence in this hip, shocking, and emotionally charged work of fiction.

My Review: I wasn't sure what my review would be like for this book. I actually really enjoyed it, a lot. It was different than what I expected. Knowing nothing about the book I thought it would be about Alaska the state, silly me. It reminded me a lot of the book Prep. I suggest it for anyone looking for a quick read. 

My Grade: B+

Book 6: Two Truths and A Lie

Author: Sara Shepard

Barnes and Noble Synopsis: My killer is out there.And my sister might be next.Two months before I died, my best friend’s brother disappeared. I have no idea where Thayer went or why he left, but I know it’s my fault. I did a lot of horrible things while I was alive, things that made people hate me, maybe even enough to kill me.

Desperate to solve my murder, my long-lost twin, Emma, is pretending to be me and unraveling the many mysteries I left behind—my cryptic journal, my tangled love life, the dangerous Lying Game pranks I played. She’s uncovered my friends’ darkest secrets, but she’s never had the chance to dig into Thayer’s past—until now.

Thayer’s back and Emma has to move fast to figure out if he’s after revenge . . . or if he’s already gotten it.

My Review: What can I say? I love this Sara Shepard, I love this series. Definitely my not so secret guilty little pleasure books. This one (third in the series) was just as good as it's two predecessors. I love the stories and love how they are such quick reads. Although, it is getting a little like Pretty Little Liars I still enjoy reading them and look forward to the fourth.

My Grade: A+

Book 5: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins

Barnes and Noble Synopsis: Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

My Review: So let me start this review by saying I was pleasantly surprised when I read Hunger Games last year. It started out slow but I really liked it. This one however, started slow for me and never really grabbed me. I am sure a lot of people will disagree but I just didn't care for it. I am not sure why really. Sure, I'll read the third one and may come back to this one some day, but it wasn't my favorite at all. Stick to the first one, that was great!

My Grade: C