I Feel So Unnecessary

Andi Under Pressure Andi Boggs # 2 By: Amanda Flower Genre: Children's Mystery 176 pages Publisher: Zonderkidz, September 2014 Twelve-year-old Andora 'Andi' Boggs and her new best friend Colin Carter couldn't be more excited to attend the prestigious science camp at the local university in Killdeer, Ohio. Unfortunately, Discovery Camp's curriculum appears to include much more than just chemistry and biology. From day one, the university is plagued by a series of pranks---missing markers, loose crickets, and stolen scales. Campus security blames the mysterious janitor Polk, but even though Andi agrees he's acting suspicious, she can't believe the gentle old man would do anything illegal. Then one prank goes too far and their chemistry professor is injured by an explosion in the lab, upping the stakes of the investigation. Andi and Colin must unravel the secrets behind the chemistry department and Polk's dark past before danger closes t...

The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes My rating: 3 of 5 stars 1946. World War II has ended and all over the world, young women are beginning to fulfill the promises made to the men they wed in wartime. In Sydney, Australia, four women join 650 other war brides on an extraordinary voyage to England—aboard HMS Victoria , which still carries not just arms and aircraft but a thousand naval officers. Rules are strictly enforced, from the aircraft carrier’s captain down to the lowliest young deckhand. But the men and the brides will find their lives intertwined despite the Navy’s ironclad sanctions. And for Frances Mackenzie, the complicated young woman whose past comes back to haunt her far from home, the journey will change her life in ways she never could have predicted—forever.  Source: Complimentary copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. An engrossing novel based on historical events. I felt I was traveling on the ship with the women and was emotionally engag...

I received all three books from the author in exchange for an honest review. The Faded Trilogy is a YA paranormal romance series. Series Overview: You only live once ... unless you're Hunter Emmerton. A half-spirit girl. An irresistibly charming ghost. The beginning of a timeless first love. A town terrorized by evil ... and dark forces who will stop at nothing to tear them apart. But how can they be together if they can’t even feel each other’s touch? Faded The Faded Trilogy # 1 392 pages Published: 2012 When seventeen-year-old Savannah Fraser and her three friends are killed in a car accident, they are given a second chance at life by a group of century-old earthbound spirits who need their help. Savannah learns she is a Chosen One, which means she can switch between human and spirit form, heal people, and control the weather—and she is also now invincible. The Chosen Ones are the only ones who can defeat The Forces—a trio of evil half-s...

Mortom by Erik Therme My rating: 3 of 5 stars Genre: Mystery/Thriller 294 pages Publisher: CreateSpace, February 2014     Mortom: population 986.   On the outskirts of town, 33-year-old Craig Moore is found drowned in the lake. A loner and town eccentric, few attend the funeral. One week later Andy Crowl arrives in Mortom, still stunned by his cousin's death and equally confused why everything was left to him. The two hadn't spoken in years and shared little outside of fierce childhood competition. But Craig hardly did him a favor. The estate amounts to little more than a drained bank account and a property overridden with junk. When Andy finds a dead rat under the refrigerator with a key in its mouth, he thinks it's some sort of sick joke. Then he finds the letter left by Craig, written two days before his death . . . detailing the rules of "the game." Book Source: Author A mystery with many twists and turns. It certainly was an interestin...

As I've written before my husband had a light heart attack a few months ago and for a while I watched him breathe constantly when he was asleep. I still do it at times but it's settled down a lot. But a few nights ago we were in bed and I noticed he was cold and not moving and I couldn't hear him breathe, so I poked him... " Did you feel me poking you early this morning?", I asked the Husband.  " No, why'd you poke me?" " I couldn't hear you breathing and you were cold, so I poked you to make sure you were alive.", I said. " Was I? Did I move?" " Yes, you were breathing but the first time I poked you, you didn't move so I poked you again." " You know what to do from reading all those mystery novels, don't you?"  " Yes." " Maybe I'm a zombie." " Maybe you are."

Mermaid By: Kate O'Connor Genre: Sci-fi 65 pages Publisher: Musa , 2013 Book Source: Author in exchange for an honest review Harvesting seaweed for World Food Co. is the only life genetically engineered sea drone Coral has ever known. Nothing in her short, monotonous life prepared her for a chance meeting with a boatful of strangers who force her to question everything she is. When the opportunity arises to change her place in the world, Coral finds herself caught between a powerful company and the family she was so desperate to leave. Struggling to unravel the tangle of politics and love, time is running out as she fights to learn the hardest lesson of all – what it means to be truly human.   An inventive retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid told with a sci-fi twist. I like Coral and her quest for more freedom for the drones. It's a well written, enjoyable novella.One with a twist at the end I didn't expect. I'm giving i...

Hilltop Sunset Brynn Bancroft Mysteries # 1 By: Joyce T. Strand Genre: Mystery Publisher: McCloughan and Schmeltz Publishing, November 2014 296 pages Book Source: Author A mystery set in wine country pitting financial exec Brynn Bancroft against a determined stalker, a troubled love interest, and career clashes. Brynn Bancroft learns that a former employee who beat her nearly to death has returned to stalk her and her friend, Jillian Hillcrest, also a former victim.  Recently divorced, Brynn turns to a new love interest only to encounter additional unwelcome issues. Meanwhile, short-timer Brynn, who has resigned from her Silicon Valley company, becomes bored fulfilling her remaining responsibilities there. She begins to prefer supporting the launch of her ex-husband’s new hilltop winery while waiting to move to her next position. Between her stalker and her new love interest, Brynn faces a series of life-changing events. While Brynn bothered me ...

The Root of All Evil by Ellery Adams My rating: 3 of 5 stars The Root of All Evil Hope Street Church Mysteries #4 Publisher: Beyond the Page, 2014 Cooper Lee has never been happier. She has terrific friends at Bible study, a great boyfriend in Nathan, and best of all, a new niece or nephew on the way. But storm clouds are gathering when a string of church robberies comes to Hope Street and an art teacher is found dead in what appears to be a robbery gone wrong. With Halloween approaching, Cooper’s beginning to think there are far more tricks than treats coming her way. No sooner do she and her friends step in to help the police unearth a killer than they discover a con artist among their flock. Lost in a morass of confusing clues—and even more confusing signals from Nathan—Cooper’s not sure which way to turn. With the stakes so high, she sends up a prayer for some divine guidance, because Cooper knows that sometimes it takes the help of a higher power to bring down th...

The Cana Mystery by David  Beckett My rating: 3 of 5 stars Publisher: Tuscany Press, 2013 338 pages Genre: Historical Thriller Digging in the heart of the vast desert, archeologists unearth something that will change history. Legends tell of an ancient code no mortal man can read. Summoned from grad school in Boston, brilliant Ava Fischer might be the only person alive with the skills and attributes necessary to unlock a secret that's slept for centuries. Chased by ruthless criminals, terrorists, and fanatics, Ava must rely on her keen wits and her few loyal companions to survive. Can she evade danger long enough to solve The Cana Mystery?  Book Source:Netgalley Part Indiana Jones, part Da Vinci Code; the Cana mystery is a thrilling read, especially the scenes set in present day. The chapters that went back in time were important to the plot, though they weren't quite as exciting as the ones set today. The story kept me well entertained, though. Th...

Book Blurb: CURL HOYER WAS A MAN WHO COULD NOT BE FOOLED… EXCEPT THIS ONCE. 1955. An unstoppable sea and an immovable tower hold the key to several lives, past, present, and future. Approaching middle-age and desperately lonely, Lighthouse Keeper Curl Hoyer is pining to find a wife, the unique partner just right for him. When alluring photo-journalist Henne arrives to do a story on him and the romantic coastal facility, his prayer seems answered at last. Seductive and intriguing, she soon makes him fall in love with her — all according to plan. What is that plan? At first blush, it appears nothing more than a desire to corral a man of unusual character: a rare blend of passion, curiosity, and tenderness. Soon, it’s revealed to be a demonic scheme for revenge, payback for wounds festering since adolescence. Why? What is the mysterious connection between the pair reaching back 20 years? And can Curl uncover the plan in time to save himself and the vital lighthouse?...

The Graves of the Guilty Hope Street Church Mysteries # 3 By: Ellery Adams Genre: Cozy Mystery 265 pages Publisher: Beyond the Page, September 2014 Book Source: Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It's almost Valentine's Day and Cooper is hoping that love is in the air for her and her boyfriend Nathan. But Cooper's faith is about to be tested when her sister Ashley discovers a corpse in the trunk of her car. As Cooper, her sister, and friends search for a killer her romance with Nathan starts to suffer. Will she lose her boyfriend and her life? As with the other Hope Street Mysteries this one is a polished reprint that was originally written under the name Jennifer Stanley. It's a great addition to the series that has a well paced plot, interesting characters, a lovely cover, and a nice touch of romance. And they're all reasonably priced. So I'm giving it... 1/2 teacups Book Links: Goodreads / Amazon / B&N Author Website Lisa ...

Bonhoeffer Abridged: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy By Eric Metaxas Publisher: Thomas Nelson, September 2014 256 pages Genre: Biography, History Book Source: Complimentary copy through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review This is an abridged version of the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, cut down from over 600 pages to 256 pages. In it it tells the story of how a humble pastor became embroiled in the fight against Hitler and Nazism. He became one of the first to speak out about Hitler, became embroiled in an assassination plot against the evil leader and lost his life for it. This is a fascinating read about a good man. It reads more like a thriller than a biography and held my attention. A very good read for history lovers and admirers of Bonhoeffer. The only small problem I had was the author adding his opinions in certain areas but that didn't distract me from enjoying the story.   1/2 teacups  Buy it here: Thomas Nelson / Amazon / B&N ...

Hell On Wheels Odelia Grey Mysteries # 9 Genre: Mystery Publisher: Midnight Ink, November 2014 312 pages Book Source: Publisher via netgalley Odelia and her husband Greg are on a min-vacation attending a rugby match played by their quadriplegic friends. When a vicious opponent dies on the court their friend Rocky is accused of murder. Then when Rocky's wife Miranda turns up dead it's up to Odelia and friends to get to the bottom of the mystery. But is she out of her league? This is the first Odelia Grey mystery I have read but I'll certainly be reading more. It has a plucky, funny, chubby amateur detective with an intelligent, paraplegic husband. The mystery kept me interested and the plot flowed nicely. I love that the author chose a protagonist who embraces her curves.     Add it on Goodreads Buy it: Amazon / B&N About the author: Sue Ann Jaffarian is the author of the Odelia Grey Mysteries, The Ghost of Grannys Apples Mysteries, and ...

The Path of the Crooked Hope Street Mysteries # 1 Genre: Cozy Mystery Publisher: Beyond the Page, re-released 2014 254 pages Originally published under the title Stirring Up Strife under the name Jennifer Stanley by St. Martin's Press. The Hope Street Mysteries are being re-released by Beyond the Page Publishing. They've been revised and are now being released under the name Ellery Adams. The Path of the Crooked follows Cooper as she's trying to get over the break-up with her boyfriend of five years. She's looking for a change and when Brooke Hughes invites her to Hope Street Church, Cooper decides to take her up on her offer. However, when Brooke is killed and her husband is accused Cooper and her new friends set out to find the real murderer. Filled with a little romance, an interesting plot and characters. This is an engaging mystery series.   1/2 teacups Add it on Goodreads Buy it: Amazon / B&N Author's website Lisa

Proof Of Angels By: Mary Curran Hackett Genre: Inspirational Fiction 320 pages Publisher: William Morrow, November 2014 Book Source: Publisher Sean Magee is a firefighter in California, who ran away from his home in New York three years prior to escape his problems. When he gets caught in a fire and sees an apparition he decides to follow it. He jumps out of a window into a new life. He knows he no longer can keep his emotions shut down and vows to get better and right past wrongs. The book was a bit slow moving at first but the plot is interesting. The characters are likable and the story is inspirational. It is a tearjerker in some places, though- which bothered me some. I'm not cute when I cry. I'm giving it... Mary Curran Hackett is lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and two children. Visit her at marycurranhackett.com . Add it on goodreads Buy it at: Amazon / B&N Lisa