Book Review: Fatal Deception by Marie Force

Title: Fatal Deception
Series: Fatal #5
Author: Marie Force
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Published: 11/12/2012
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre(s): Romantic Suspense

DESCRIPTION

The wife of the White House deputy chief of staff has been beaten to death, and their one-year-old daughter is missing. D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland is in charge of the murder investigation, but she's forced to collaborate with Special Victims Unit detectives as well as thorn-in-her-side FBI Special Agent Avery Hill. Then, a cold case of her father's resurrects old hurts—a distraction Sam cannot afford.

As Sam's investigation heats up, so does Nick's political career—and the heat carries over to their bedroom. Will Sam put the pieces together in time to catch a killer and find the baby, or will ambition, greed and lies prove fatal?

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MY THOUGHTS

In preparation for the release of this fifth novel in The Fatal Series, I re-read the other four (plus the novella) last week. The two books I had previously rated four stars were upped to five, and if it were possible I would rate Fatal Deception even higher! While reading it I chuckled, laughed, and even snorted a few times. The banter between Sam and her detectives was beyond clever. And then there was the chemistry between Sam and Nick. I would go so far as to say they are one of my absolute favorite literary couples. I felt a sense of awe from the first page to last for the story as a whole, and for the details. They all added up to one remarkable read! My admiration for the characters certainly doesn't end with Sam and Nick. The supporting characters are all so incredibly vivid to me, as well. I was captivated by every aspect of the investigation, and especially by the taking down of the powerful family who considered themselves above the law. The epilogue was not of the happily ever after variety, as this is a continuing series, but it sure was extremely gratifying!

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HIGHLIGHTS

"How was she supposed to ponder a potential pregnancy when she couldn't even talk about it without bawling her head off? 'But I think about our baby every day. I think about them all, but that one...' 'I know.' He tightened his hold on her, with one hand on the back of her head to keep her snuggled into his chest. 'You don't have to decide anything until you're ready.'

'Well, we have to decide something or practice abstinence until we do.'

'I do not know this word of which you speak.'"

~ An exchange between Sam and Nick

~*~

"Happy to oblige, even if the cross-pollination of my world and Nick's world continues to give me hives."

~ Sam Holland to Lindsey McNamara

~*~

(Note: Truthfully, I didn't highlight anything and only made two notes in my Kindle copy. Believe me, it's not because nothing deserved to be highlighted, it's because too much did. I'm serious. The entire series is first class writing all the way.)

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Book Review: The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts

Title: The Perfect Hope
Series: Inn Boonsboro Trilogy #3
Author: Nora Roberts
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Published: 11/06/2012
Publisher: Berkley
Genre(s): Fantasy, Contemporary Romance

DESCRIPTION

Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out—with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except apparently Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn Boonsboro…

As the former manager of a D.C. hotel, Hope is used to excitement and glamour, but that doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate the joys of small-town living. She’s where she wants to be—except for in her love life. Her only interaction with the opposite sex has been sparring with the infuriating Ryder, who always seems to get under her skin. Still, no one can deny the electricity that crackles between them…a spark that ignited with a New Year’s Eve kiss.

While the Inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome—and embarrassing—appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him.

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MY THOUGHTS (Short and Sweet)

Oh my goodness! What a way to finish out the trilogy. I had a feeling that Ryder and Hope's story would be my favorite and I was right. Laughed often. Loved everyone. Want to visit Boonsboro again. Nobody does dialogue, amazing friendships, and sibling silliness like Nora. The Perfect Hope was...PERFECT!

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HIGHLIGHTS

"You know, sometimes what goes around comes around; sometimes it doesn't, and a good kick in the balls has to be enough."

~ Ryder Montgomery

~*~

"If Ryder doesn't make you laugh, you toss him back. Sex isn't worth it if he doesn't make you laugh."

~Justine Montgomery

~*~

"I'm so happy to love you. So happy to have you, just exactly the way you are."

~ Hope Beaumont 

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Music to My Ears

Courtesy of Cool Wallpapers

 I am beyond thrilled with the music I've gotten (176 songs and 6 videos) since my last update. Although there are times when I desire nothing but quiet there are certainly those times when I feel the need for the mood enhancement I receive from listening to music. Whether I want to check out, close my eyes, and pay particular attention to the subtleties and lyrics of a meaningful tune or be motivated by the beat and bass of a song with oomph, music is much more than what I listen to.

My days of listening to the radio have been over for many years, and, as a listener, I much prefer the choices of today - being able to sample every song before I buy it, buying only the ones I choose, using Genius recommendations to be introduced to similar music, benefitting from the expertise of the talented music supervisors from the television and motion picture industries, not having to worry about music CDs becoming damaged or where to keep them, and having a basically unlimited amount of songs available to me to listen to wherever I want - computer, iPod, BlackBerry, home entertainment system, and vehicle. The times are changing, and when it comes to my listening pleasure, I am stoked about them!

"Mostly it [music] amazes me. Music helps you shift perspective. To see things differently if you need to." ~ Walter Bishop (Fringe S5E1) Well said, Walter. ↑ I agree wholeheartedly!

Thanks to my husband for the iTunes Gift Cards for Mother's Day, our anniversary, and my birthday. He knows what I want: music and books!!!

(Note: The artist names are linked to their Wikipedia pages and song links are to YouTube videos. The singles featured are (mostly) those who have corresponding videos on the artists' official channels.)

Albums

Various Artists
Catch and Release Soundtrack (from a movie I've watched & enjoyed numerous times)

Alex Clare [alternative/pop]
The Lateness of the Hour (<---- album preview video. Purchased Too Close in early April. Alex Clare is SO much more than the IE9 song guy. This is an amazing album!)

The Black Keys [alternative/rock] (With the addition of these three albums my TBK playlist is 85 songs strong! Probably my default favorite band based on how much I seek their music out!)
The Big Come Up
Magic Potion
Thickfreakness

Ed Sheeran [singer/songwriter]
+ (including Give Me Love which was featured on the Dangerous Liaisons episode of Vampire Diaries, Drunk, Small Bump, and The A Team. Ed has some kind of wonderful voice. Lovely and lyrical!)

Gavin DeGraw [pop]
Sweeter (Due to some seriously flawed reasoning this album slumbered in my wish list since it was released last year. I've since made up for lost time by listening to it a lot, particularly its self-titled single, Sweeter, which I am crazy about!)

Gotye [alternative]  (Introduced to me by my daughter, whom we gifted with the album for her excellent grades!)
Making Mirrors (including the singles Somebody That I Used to Know, State of the Art, Eyes Wide Open, Easy Way Out, and Bronte.

Jack White [alternative]
Blunderbuss (including Freedom At 21, Sixteen Saltines, and my favorites, Hypocritical Kiss, and Love Interruption)

John Mayer [rock]
Born and Raised (including Shadow Days, Queen of California, Something Like Olivia, and Speak for Me)

The Lumineers [alternative/folk rock]
The Lumineers (featuring the single, Ho Hey, I first heard on the season 8 premiere episode of Bones. They are currently one of my favorite "listens"!)

Maroon 5 [pop]
Overexposed (including the singles Payphone and One More Night)

P!nk [pop] (P!nk is probably my main girl crush and is the coolest woman I can think of. There isn't a single song on this album that doesn't grab me. She is an amazing woman - talent, looks, outspokenness, and smarts!)

The Truth About Love {including the singles All We All We Are, How Come You're Not Here, Try, Slut Like You, and Blow Me (One Last Kiss)}

Train [pop]
California 37 (including Drive By, Bruises, and 50 Ways To Say Goodbye)

Singles

Caught a Ghost [alternative]
Time Go (Vimeo video)

The Chevin  [alternative]
Champion

Dobie Gray [R & B/soul]
Drift Away (one of those songs I can't believe I didn't already have! Thankfully I've heard it plenty via my husband's extensive classic/fossil/oldies playlists!)

Ima Robot [alternative]
Greenback Boogie (the theme song for the ultra-hip USA Network show, Suits. The song and show are perfectly "suited" to each other. Boogie is what you'll do when you hear it in its entirety!)

Lifehouse featuring Natasha Bedingfield [pop]
Between the Raindrops

Neon Trees [alternative]
Everybody Talks

Radiohead [alternative]
Pyramid Song

The Script featuring Will.i.am [pop]
Hall of Fame

What say you? Who are you listening to these days?

The Light of a Misty Morning

"Light can be gentle, dangerous, dreamlike, bare, living, dead, misty, clear, hot, dark, violet, springlike, falling, straight, sensual, limited, poisonous, calm and soft."  ~Sven Nykvist

Digital photograph by Virginia Hill taken with a BlackBerry 9670 on 05 Oct 2012. Some Rights Reserved (please see Creative Commons License in the sidebar.)

Book Review: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Title: The Light Between Oceans
Series: Standalone
Author: M.L. Stedman
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Published: 07/31/2012
Publisher: Scribner
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Mystery

DESCRIPTION

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

M. L. Stedman’s mesmerizing, beautifully written novel seduces us into accommodating Isabel’s decision to keep this “gift from God.” And we are swept into a story about extraordinarily compelling characters seeking to find their North Star in a world where there is no right answer, where justice for one person is another’s tragic loss.

The Light Between Oceans is exquisite and unforgettable, a deeply moving novel.

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MY THOUGHTS (Short and Sweet)

The Light Between Oceans is a gripping story filled with fallible yet decent characters. Even though I felt driven to continue reading I was filled with a sense of dread—knowing there were going to be repercussions for the decisions that were made. Not knowing how high a price Tom, especially, was going to pay for wanting happiness for his grieving wife, Isabel. Ultimately, I am pleased I was able to finish (within one day) and quite relieved by the postscript style ending. I'm quite impressed by this debut novel and look forward to reading more of M.L. Stedman's work.

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HIGHLIGHTS

"Like the wheat fields where more grain is sown than can ripen. God seemed to sprinkle extra children about, and harvest them according to some indecipherable, divine calendar." ~ author's voice

~*~

"The wind never finishes. Sometimes it disappears, but only to gather momentum from somewhere else, returning to fling itself at the island, to make a point which is lost on Tom. Existence here is on a scale of giants. Time is in the millions of years; rocks which from a distance look like dice cast against the shore are boulders hundreds of feet wide, licked round by millennia, tumbled onto their sides so that layers become vertical stripes." 

~ author's voice

~*~

“You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day, every day. You have to keep remembering the bad things.” ~ Tom Sherbourne

~*~

“There are still more days to travel in this life. And he knows that the man who makes the journey has been shaped by every day and every person along the way. Scars are just another kind of memory....Soon enough the days will close over their lives, the grass will grow over their graves, until their story is just an unvisited headstone.”  ~ author's voice

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