Thursday, March 3, 2011

Oleander House by Ally Blue 2011 - 14

Completed February 2011

When Sam Raintree goes to work for Bay City Paranormal Investigations, he expects his quiet life to change-he doesn't expect to put his life and sanity on the line, or to fall for a man he can never have. Book One in the Bay City Paranormal Investigation series. Sam Raintree has never been normal. All his life, he's experienced things he can't explain. Things that have colored his view of the world and of himself. So taking a job as a paranormal investigator seems like a perfect fit. His new co-workers, he figures, don't have to know he's gay. When Sam arrives at Oleander House, the site of his first assignment with Bay City Paranormal Investigations, nothing is what he expected. The repetitive yet exciting work, the unusual and violent history of the house, the intensely erotic and terrifying dreams which plague his sleep. But the most unexpected thing is Dr. Bo Broussard, the group's leader. From the moment they meet, Sam is strongly attracted to his intelligent, alluring boss. It doesn't take Sam long to figure out that although Bo has led a heterosexual life, he is very much in the closet, and wants Sam as badly as Sam wants him. As the investigation of Oleander House progresses and paranormal events in the house escalate, Sam and Bo circle warily around their mutual attraction, until a single night of bloodshed and revelation changes their lives forever. Warning: this title contains explicit male/male sex, intense violence, and graphic language.

My Review:  Story line is good.  This book has very graphic male-on-male sexual descriptions and may not be for anyone who might have a problem with that.

After the Leaves Fall by Nicole Baart 2011 - 13

Completed February 2011

Julia DeSmit can't wait for her life to begin. After her mother leaves when Julia is nine years old, she's raised by an unassuming, gentle father and a saintly, matriarchal grandmother until her father dies just as Julia is becoming a young adult. On the cusp of womanhood, Julia feels jaded by her circumstances and longs for a new identity. College seems like the perfect place to start over. But when Julia makes a mistake that will change her life forever, she returns to her grandmother's farm, defeated and convinced of her own worthlessness. Only through the gentle prodding of her loving grandmother does Julia begin to accept the imprint her childhood has left on her life and look for hope in a loving God who longs to make all things new.


My Review:  A good book but the ending was awkward.

I Love You This Much: A Song of God's Love by Sue Buchanan 2011 - 12

Completed February 2011

Share God's love for his children through this moving story about the love between a parent and child. This sweet little tale is based on a beautiful lullaby, I Love You This Much, sung by a parent to a child, as a gentle reminder to children of just how much they are loved by their earthly parents -- as well as their heavenly Father. Filled with picturesque illustrations that reflect the soothing melody and gentle words, you and your child will treasure the precious moments shared together with this wonderful story, I Love You This Much.


My Review:  What a cute children's book.  Using this for inspiration.

Beasts and BFF's by Shannon Delany 2011 - 11

Completed February 2011

Short Stories by Shannon Delany

My Review:  Kindle edition of the book.  Not a fan of this teaser.  Couldn't wrap my arms around the story line

The Wild's Call by Jeri Smith-Ready 2011 - 10

Completed February 2011

Years after the crash of modern society when people have become barberic, friends Elysia and Darien follow what turns out to be animal spirits that lead them into the wilderness to create a new society.

My Review:  Short story on Kindle. Easy short read that will drive me toward the next book.

The Gift by James Patterson 2011 - 9

Completed February 2011

Ever since Whit and Wisty Allgood were cruelly torn from their home and family in the middle of the night, the soldiers of a brutal totalitarian government have relentlessly tried to capture and execute them for 'collusion, conspiracy, and experimentation with the dark and foul arts'. But this supremely skilled witch and wizard have instead boldly spearheaded the fight against the wicked regime of the New Order and its systematic destruction of music, art, books, and imagination. The villainous leader of the New Order is just a breath away from the ability to control the forces of nature and to manipulate his citizens on the most profound level imaginable -– through their minds. There is only one more thing he needs to triumph in his evil quest: the Gifts of Whit and Wisty Allgood. And he will stop at nothing to seize them.


My Review:  Excellent book.  Can't wait for the next book in the series.

Against All Odds by Irene Hannon 2011 - 8

Completed January 2011

FBI Hostage Rescue Team members Evan Cooper and his partner Mark Sanders are assigned dignitary protection duty for Monica Callahan who is the daughter of an American diplomant.  She is estranged from her diplomat father and when he becomes involved in a sensitive hostage situation in the Middle East she becomes a target. 

My Review:  This is a wonderful Christian Romantic Suspense novel that has an FBI angle.  It keeps the reader interested from beginning to end!