Book Review: Jackpot! by Jackie Pilossoph

Jackpot! by Jackie Pilossoph
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I found the premise of this book to be fairly interesting (otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up)- a Jewish mother wants nothing more than to become a Jewish grandmother, but her single, selfish son and daughter aren't cooperating. Then, she wins the lottery and makes them an offer they can't refuse...or can they?

If either of her children can produce an offspring over the next year, they get 8 million dollars.

The rush to find baby-making partners ensues.

At this point, the plot becomes overwhelmingly and disappointingly predictable. You can probably guess, so I'll just go ahead a tell you- the quest for a willing sex partner leads to true love for both. Said partners find out about the jackpot agreement, everyone gets dumped, then everyone finds forgiveness and they live happily ever after.

There are some humorous moments and likeable characters that make this a decent read, despite the lack of true surprises. Quick and easy, not a bad summer choice.

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Book Review: Three Days to Die by John Avery

Three Days to Die by John Avery
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is marketed as a thriller- young boy stumbles upon criminal activity and is kidnapped. They pursuade/force him into crime as well. A few other mildly interesting things happen along the way, but nothing I would rate as "thrilling". If not for the occassional swear word, I would think this was a YA novel.

The characters are sketches at best and react to situations without depth, and with rsther inconguous emotions. For example, while Aaron us being held prisoner, his captors decide to teach him to shoot a rifle. Aaron's reaction is to be disappointed that he's not a great shot. Really? He's not terrified, angry he's being forced to do this, or even nervous? A lot of scenes just don't ring true.

To top it off, the author seems to attempt to make up for the thin plot and immature dialogue by putting in a lot of gratuitous description of non-consequential things- things like a diner and a woman's outfit. Honestly, I skimmed these sections.

I hate to write negative reviews, but don't waste your time. I only finished it because a) it was a free download on my Kindle, and b) I am compulsive like that.

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Book review: Jaden Baker by Courtney Kirchoff

Jaden Baker by Courtney Kirchoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was terrifying and heart-wrenching. We meet Jaden Baker when he is a nine year old foster child, scared yet hopeful about his new family. We quickly learn he is not an average child, possessing telekenetic powers that not even he understands. Unfortunately, someone else does.

Jaden is kidnapped, studied and tortured for six years- all described with heart-pounding detail. His courage and will to survive practically leap off the pages. As a young adult he escapes and lives in anonimity...until an ironic love interest and freak occurence have Jaden and his soulmate clutched in far more danger than he ever was as a child.

It's hard to write a review of this book because I want to give so much away! Too good to put down...the evil present in the antagonist and "research" company that imprisions Jaden is astonishing yet believable...Jaden's pain and determination coexist so beautifully...the choice for his love interest would seem too contrived if the reader hadn't already suspended belief about everything else. In the end, you not only want Jaden to survive, you want him to have some peace and happiness.

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Book Review: The Messenger's Handbook by Pamela DuMond

The Messenger's Handbook by Pamela DuMond
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The premise of this book was decent- teenage outsider Madeline's mother disappeared when she was young. At 16, another mystery rocks her life when she time travels to the late 1600's. There she learns she is a "Messenger", one who can inhabit various places and times to alter history or save lives. As Madeline struggles to adapt to life during the dawn of America, she learns about traveling, love, and her lost mother. With the help of Angeni, a magical mentor, and Samuel, her Native American soul mate, she becomes strong and courageous enough to return home to present-day Chicago. Just when she finds she can let go of the love she found 300+ years in the past, she encounters both Samuel and Malachi, the man who hunts her across the ages.

It was just ok for a few reasons. I found the narrative and dialogue to be a bit choppy in places, which was fine when the protagonist was time traveling and ended up in a new time and location, but otherwise distracting. Also (and this may have just been the Kindle edition I was reading), there seemed to be a few grammar and punctuation errors, such as substituting then for than.

Overall, this young adult fantasy story was quick and absorbing, if you can get past the technical stuff.

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Book Review: Preservation by Rachael Wade

Preservation by Rachael Wade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ryan is a failed writer, college professor, and a man with a broken heart. Kate is his talented writing student with a painful past of her own. The immediate chemistry between them leads to passion as well as fear for both of them. As they struggle to put their demons to rest their relationship endures significant highs and lows.

I found the two main characters to be interesting, but they could have been SO much more. This brief novel did not do justice to the scars they were purported to have. Given that these scars were the reason their relationship was so volatile, they should have been explored more deeply.
The minor characters in this book provide humor and a sense of continuity, particularly Kate's two male best friends.

The plot was a little choppy for me, and the Seattle setting was of little import to the story. Overall, just an OK book. However, it was a quick read and a free download for my Kindle, so I can't consider it a waste of time or money.

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Book Review: The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No, I haven't seen the movie yet. Yes, I probably will. The characters in this book are actually well developed and their story is engaging. Sparks tells the tale of Logan (a marine who served in Iraq), Elizabeth (a single mom), her son Ben, her Nana, and her ex-husband Keith. I can't forget to mention my favorite character, Zeus, four-legged companion to Logan.

In many ways it is a typical love story, yet the pain Logan goes through as a result of his service to the USA gives it such a current and poignant flavor. I appreciated the fact that this heroic character was written with flaws as well.

Keith, the ex and county deputy, was equally well-written. He is meant to be a total creep, and I totally felt that throughout the book. Ick!

What I loved most was that as the climax of the story unfolds, Sparks keeps you guessing until the very last page. You know something terrible is coming, but to whom? Surely not Elizabeth's 10 year old son? Elizabeth herself? One of the two men in her life? The ending is suspenseful and gratifying!

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Book Review: Lonetree Ranchers (Colt) by Kathie Denosky

Nelson's Brand: Nelson's Brand\Lonetree Ranchers: Colt by Diana Palmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The second story in this book, Colt, (written by Kathie Denosky) was by far my favorite. I'm a sucker for daddies and their little girls- every time.

Kaylee's brother and best friend of Colt died tragically in a rodeo accident. Seeking to outrun their grief, the two find comfort for a night in each other's arms. Shaken by the passion he feels, Colt bolts from Kaylee's life. He unknowingly leaves her pregnant and broken-hearted.

Two years later, their paths cross again. Colt knows immediately that he is the father of Kaylee's little girl. In an attempt to form a relationship with his daughter, he moves both of them to his ranch.

It's not hard to imagine what happens next... trust and respect build between the two as they bond over their child. Trust leads to forgiveness over past hurts, and forgiveness leads to (ahem) certain activities in bathtubs and in front of the fireplace.

Yeah, it gets pretty steamy.

The story is short and fluffy, heartwarming and passionate at the same time.

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