Photo by By Sonja Langford
Yes, most times you will get just one book at a time reviewed but this week, there are three books.
The truth is that I am behind reading the pre-publication books I have been given. In fact they are all rapidly turning into post publication books. So I thought that I would get this out before the books were published.
Well, let’s just go with they are all newly published.
The Art of Arranging Flowers by Lynne Branard
published June 3, 2014
Synopsis – Ruby Jewell knows two things. She knows grief. When her dear sister Daisy died, she got in bed – for months. When she was ready, she got up and started living again. She bought a flower shop. She had a gift with flowers. She knew what someone would want perhaps before they knew. She knew which plants to blend with the flowers to give healing to the recipient. She thought she was fine. And then a dog and a boy showed her that perhaps there was more to life.
Opinion – Good beach read. I enjoyed the story and the pacing was good. The beginning of the story hooked you on wondering what was going to happen.
The Red Hot Fix by T.E.Woods
published June 10, 2014
Synopsis – NOTE – This is the second book of a series. Morton Grant, Chief of Detectives in Seattle has a serial killer on the loose. The serial killer is a prostitute killing men who hire her. They are found in “no tell motels” around the Seattle area. Grant also has some guilt over a secret he is keeping. While most cops might worry about the “one that got away”, Grant has a different worry. He is also having feelings for the charming Charlotte but he is not sure he is ready to move on from the death of his wife.
Opinion – It becomes obvious that this is the second book in a series but it does not detract from the story. The plot explains enough of the previous book so that it is not confusing. I did wonder about the pacing in the book when I was about ¾ of the way through the story but it all comes together. I actually would be interested in reading the next book in the series. (If there is one…)
The Quick by Lauren Owen
published June 17, 2014
Synopsis – The setting for the book is England in the late 1800s. The story begins with a brother and sister (James and Charlotte) growing up on an old family estate outside of London. Their mother is dead and their father is absent. Their father then returns to the estate and dies. The son is then sent away to school and when he finishes, he moves to London to concentrate on writing poetry. He does not have a lot of money so he shares part of a house with a man he went to school with but didn’t really know at school. Through his roommate, James sees more of society than he would have and he falls in love unexpectedly. One night, he and his love disappear. Charlotte comes to the city to find out what happened to James. This story also explains about the presence of vampires in London and how they live.
Opinion – There are two things that I have to tell you right off the bat. The first is that I had no idea what this book was about when I started reading it. I must have at some point read a synopsis but did not remember anything about it.
The second and perhaps most important thing is that I did not finish the book. That is rather telling about how much I liked the book, isn’t it?
The book starts out telling the story of James and Charlotte. That was fine. Then the part of the story about James living in London give you the feeling that James was a bit of a self-centered jerk (he was the heir and was ignoring taking care of the estate) and then moves out of nowhere into James in love. Without giving this twist away, let me just say that there was not any build up for this at all. Then James and his lover are apparently murdered.
Then it feels like a whole new book starts with the story of the Aegolius Club. The Aegolius Club is a secret society in London. This is where the book starts talking about vampires who live and roam in London.
I made it through part of the Angolius Club section and it quite frankly, just got too weird for me. I have read about vampires but this vampire thing coming out of the blue seemed odd. Remember, I did know what the book was about when I started reading it.
I read over 1/3 of the book and Charlotte was not back on the scene; there must be more vampire backstory before she comes to London.
This book is on several “recommended read” lists for the summer. I feel terrible not suggesting this book but while thoroughly researched, I just could not get through it. It might be better for you knowing ahead the plot of the book.
Which one of these books interests you the most?
If I was going to pick one –
I would probably start with The Red Hot Fix by T.E. Woods. It was a good read and is a $2.99 kindle book.
The Art of Arranging Flowers is also a nice read and is a $7.99 Kindle book.
The Quick is available as a Kindle read for $11.84.
Please let me know what you think of these books!
Thanks for reading!
Carol Early Cooney 