I Feel So Unnecessary

Grapes of Death: A Tangled Vines Mystery ( Tangled Vines # 1) Genre: Mystery By: Joni Folger 288 pages Publisher: Midnight Ink Publication Date: September 2013 * I was given a copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.* Where to Purchase: Midnight Ink   Amazon   Barnes and Noble   Add it on:  Goodreads Book Synopsis:   A vineyard inheritance mystery has Elise tangled up in murder Elise Beckett has a wonderful family, a good job on the family-owned River Bend vineyard, and a smart, stable boyfriend—even if he does live five hours away. But when her long-distance beau offers her a dream job, she's torn between her family responsibility and exciting new horticulture research. Before Elise has time to think about her decision, Uncle Edmond, the family's money-loving and temper-toting black sheep—shows up to bully her mother into giving him ownership of the vineyard, which he ...

Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group ( July 2, 2013) Get it here: amazon b&n Add it on goodreads 384 pages * I received an arc from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Inspector Harry Hole of the Oslo Crime Squad is dispatched to Sydney to observe a murder case.  Harry is free to offer assistance, but he has firm instructions to stay out of trouble. The victim is a twenty-three year old Norwegian woman who is a minor celebrity back home. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Harry befriends one of the lead detectives, and one of the witnesses, as he is drawn deeper into the case.  Together, they discover that this is only the latest in a string of unsolved murders, and the pattern points toward a psychopath working his way across the country. As they circle closer and closer to the killer, Harry begins to fear that no one is safe, least of all those investigating the case.  My Thoughts: Tall, ...

Publisher: Midnight Ink   ( July 2013) 240 pages Formats: Paperback Nook Add it on goodreads * I received an arc from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.   Synopsis:   Molly Malone's friend Samantha Calhoun has a thing or two to teach her younger—often married "students." But when photos appear showing Samantha and her latest fling, U.S. Rep. Quentin Wilson, she calls in Molly for some much-needed support. Before Molly and Samantha can investigate who sent the photos, Quentin is found dead in Samantha's living room in what appears to be a suicide. Meanwhile, the shadowy group behind the death of Molly's niece is crafting an insidious plan, and they'll stop at nothing, even murder, in their rise to power. My Thoughts: Filled with descriptive images of the season and the area, the author's writing style made me want to visit Washington,DC. The characters were interesting and the mystery and po...

E-pub Kindle  Print Formats 253 pages Publisher: Iguana Books ( May 13, 2013) * I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis   Maddy Barnes is the high-spirited daughter of a small town doctor and his beautiful, yet strong-minded wife. Maddy’s mother and grandfather hammer the family creed, “you must never falter” into the psyche of every child in the family. A philosophy her father despises, but Maddy embraces. Then something unthinkable happens and Maddy’s perfect family implodes. They deal with it the only way they know, each retreating into impenetrable silos to nurse their grief alone. But Maddy can’t. Her rage and pain are too unbearable to be contained. So on her sixteenth birthday, Maddy falls through the looking glass and leaves home forever. Only she doesn’t meet the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. Instead Maddy tumbles down through the rings of hell, into the unknown Toronto of the 1970s – an unknown ...

Paperback , Nook , and Kindle formats Publisher: Henery Press ( November 2012) 290 pages * I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Former US Army JAG specialist, Faith Hunter, returns to her West Virginia home to work in her grandmothers' scrapbooking store determined to lead an unassuming life after her adventure abroad turned disaster. But her quiet life unravels when her friend is charged with murder – and Faith inadvertently supplied the evidence. So Faith decides to cut through the scrap and piece together what really happened. With a sexy prosecutor, a determined homicide detective, a handful of sticky suspects and a crop contest gone bad, Faith quickly realizes if she’s not careful, she’ll be the next one cropped. My Review: A cute mystery set in West Virginia. It's filled with interesting characters and has the beginnings of a nice romance in it for the protagonist. ...

Paperback 146 pages Publisher: April Gloaming, Nashville, TN ( April 2013) * I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis:   Timmy Enosh is a peculiar, small man: fivethree, onehundredandfifteen pounds, and is a pharmacist in Ashton City, Tennessee. He finds himself at fortythreeyearsold as his life starts to fall apart: his threehundred pound wife disappears, his romantic interest has lost interest and has gained hatred toward him, his coworkers harass him, customers verbally assault him, and he has the strange urge to adopt his foulmouthed, eighteenyearold coworker, Alex. When things start to pile up, Timmy must find a way to deal: he turns to Alex to supply him with marijuana, starts sewing an elaborate Mr. Mistoffelees costume, finds solace in the wild, etc., etc., etc. And the soft, constant wind of change blows him on, on, and on. My Review: The author describes this novella as "poetic fiction". And I could defi...

310 pages Publisher: The Story Plant (January 8, 2013) ( Yesterday's post was an interview with Steven Manchester, author of Goodnight Brian. Today I review the book.) Synopsis: Brian Mauretti is diagnosed with a developmental disability as a baby due to a nutrient deficiency. Doctors tell his family he will never walk or talk; but they don't know his grandmother. With faith and love Angela DiMartino is determined to help Brian grow from a caterpillar into a butterfly and watch him soar. My Review:  Ok, I cried A LOT while reading this book-stupid doctors, stupid bullies!  I found myself inspired by the grandmother's faith and determination to help her beloved Brian accomplish all he could. A moving testament to the power of love. I also enjoyed the facts the author included such as the history of the Special Olympics  Highly recommend it. * I was given an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Lisa Get the book here: Amazon Barne...