MIA — Now Back with Review and Book Giveaway

I know I’ve been out of touch lately.  Summer has overwhelmed me.  However, it hasn’t stopped my reading.  I was offered Last Call by jd Seamus as part of my summer reading from Pump Up Your Book  Promotions.

With his ailing wife and disabled daughter nestled in Florida, Jimmie’s bar family is all he’s got.  They understand about the children’s charity balancing out the part-time smuggling job, that offshore accounts are necessary when medical bills aren’t covered by health insurance.  When Jimmie reveals his own terminal diagnosis, his friends vow to help him recover the millions he has in foreign bank accounts.  But somewhere between that promise and Jimmie’s death, things go terribly wrong.  The money is gone, their friend is dead, and it’s up to this close-knit cadre to track the cash.

I would categorize this book as a character-driven crime novel.  The author provides a colorful cast of characters reminiscent of your favorite mafia movie.  There’s Fat Sal, Sal the Bookie (you get the idea), cops who are on the “edge,”  lawyers using aliases, etc.  There were many characters which sometimes got confusing, but the main ones, Nathan, Jimmie, Terri, Ray, Lou were interesting characters who drove the story.  I really loved Jimmie.  While a little “crooked”  he was a great guy.  He is the guy I always wanted to know after watching all the mafia movies in my youth.  Not too good, but not too bad.  I did enjoy the sense of loyalty and camaraderie between the characters in this book.

The story really picks up after Jimmie’s money disappears.  The group of Jimmie’s friends that have appointed themselves to find his money is a motley crew.  Their planning meetings are amusing and their attempts at justice are even more fun.  There is definitely a comedic angle in this novel.

jd Seamus is an accomplished author.  He is currently working on his sixth novel.  The visit him, check out his website www.theseamus.biz

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So, if this sounds like a novel you’d be interested in, I’m lucky enough to have another copy.  The author graciously sent me two copies.  To enter the giveaway, just comment and let me know who your favorite “crime” figure is.  For another entry, tweet about this giveaway or mention it on your blog.  You have until Labor Day when I pick the winner.

Classic #1 — The Old Man and the Sea

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Well, I finally read one of those classics I was talking about.  I started with The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.  When I visited the Hemingway House on Key West last month, I learned that this book’s main character, Santiago, is based a good friend that Hemingway hired to fish with him during his years at Key West.

My husband read this one first and wanted me to read it and discuss.  So, our discussion will probably be tonight since I just finished it.  As most of you know, this is about an old man and his struggle catching the “big one.”  That’s pretty much it.  And, amazingly, that took up 127 pages.

While not much happens in this book, I found it a very interesting and quick read.  Hemingway is a master at description and I could picture the beautiful sea.  I did find his switching between third person and first person a little haphazard, but who am I to criticize a master.

The struggle of the old man was very poignant.  His strength of spirit was amazing and quite inspirational.  I did feel his loneliness, even as he tried to convince himself he wasn’t lonely.  His love of the young boy was really touching.  I also found the man’s respect for the fish touching.  The ending is sad and I left this book feeling a little down.

This definitely is outside of my “box,” especially with my recent jaunt into YA vampire novels.  However, I’m glad I read it.  I’m looking forward to this discussion with my husband as he always has some interesting insights that I often overlook.

Coming soon……..review of The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen.  I LOVED it!!!!  And, I can’t wait for her new release, The Girl Who Chased the Moon in March, 2010.

Plus,  I watched the Emma Thompson version of Sense & Sensibility for the Everything Austen Challenge (even though it wasn’t on my original list).

So, I have a lot of catching up to do.  And, I miss reading your blogs.  I promise to catch up soon!

Darkest Powers Series by Kelley Armstrong

I’ve had a hard time keeping with the book reviews this summer.  Too much having fun, I guess!

Anyway, I’ve really been into YA series lately.  Can’t seem to get enough (I know, I said I was going to read some classics, but, right now, I’m hooked on the fluff).  I discovered the Darkest Power series and am really enjoying it.  I just wish I didn’t have to wait until May, 2010 to read book #3.

While I vacation, I read the first book, The Summoning. The series starts off with Chloe, a 15-year old who finally reaches puberty and discovers her supernatural powers — she’s a necromancer.  Of course, she doesn’t know what this is and thinks she’s going crazy.  She ends up in a group home for teens and discovers she’s not the only one with supernatural powers.  And, the group home isn’t what it seems.  Chloe hooks up with some of the other teens and escapes the group home.

This book had me hooked right away.  It was interesting to tap into other supernatural powers besides the typical vampire stuff, which I can’t seem to get enough of, either.  I think the author did a great job of tapping into the teen angst and the confusion of this age.  I enjoyed all the characters and they are all described well.  There are “click” issues presented and typical teenage relationship angst.  It seemed to have a whole new dimension with the supernatural stuff thrown into it.

The next book, The Awakening, picks up right where the first book left off.  I would definitely read these books in order.  The author does do a good job summing up the events of the first book, but you would miss a lot if you didn’t read the first book.  The relationships wouldn’t make as much sense.  I enjoy how Chloe seems to be maturing.  I also like the development in one of the other characters, Derek.  It’s actually funny to me how these two characters seem to change over the novel while the other teens seem to stay mostly the same.  I think that will change as the series progresses.

This book does offer some twists I didn’t see coming.  That makes the book even more fun.  It’s not quite as predictable as some of these novels can be.

I’m definitely looking forward to Book #3.  If you want to check out more about these books check out this the series website.