One Deadly Sin by Annie Solomon

Synopsis COMING HOME IS MURDER... Revenge. Edie Swann has hungered for it since she fled her hometown as a little girl. Now she's returned, ready for payback. Armed with a list of names, she leaves each one a chilling sign that they have blood on their hands. Her father's blood. What happens next turns her own blood cold: one by one, the men she's targeted start dying. Sheriff Holt Drennen knows Edie is hiding something. She has a haunted look in her eyes and a defiant spirit, yet he can't believe she's a murderer. As the body count rises and all evidence points to Edie, Holt is torn between the town he's sworn to protect and the woman he's come to desire. But nothing is what it seems. Long buried secrets begin to surface, and a killer won't be satisfied until the sins of the past are paid in full--this time with Edie's blood. (Barnes&Nobles.com)

This was the first book I read by this Author and I loved it. This novel kept me entertained and guessing from start until end. Great mixture of romance and suspense. I highly recommend this book if someone loves romantic suspense.

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Forever (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446178446
• ISBN-13: 978-0446178440

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

Synopsis

What if you were to meet the number-one person on your laminated list—you know, that list you joke about with your significant other about which five celebrities you’d be allowed to run off with if ever given the chance? And of course since it’ll never happen it doesn’t matter…

Mormon housewife Becky Jack is seven months pregnant with her fourth child when she meets celebrity hearththrob Felix Callahan. Twelve hours, one elevator ride, and one alcohol-free dinner later, something has happened…though nothing has happened. It isn’t sexual. It isn’t even quite love. But a month later Felix shows up in Salt Lake City to visit and before they know what’s hit them, Felix and Becky are best friends. Really. Becky’s husband is pretty cool about it. H er children roll their eyes. Her neighbors gossip endlessly. But Felix and Becky have something special…something unusual, something completely impossible to sustain. Or is it? A magical story, The Actor and the Housewife explores what could happen when your not-so-secret celebrity crush walks right into real life and changes everything. (Barnes&Noble)


This story is about the friendship between Becky, a pregnant happily married, Mormon Housewife and Felix, an Actor. Their friendship spans over years of joy and heartbreak.
Some parts of the novel made me laugh out loud but then at other parts I just didn’t feel connected. The story just didn’t grab me like I wanted it to.

* Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
* Pub. Date: June 09, 2009
* ISBN-13: 9781596912885
* 352pp

Swimsuit by James Patterson

Synopsis

Syd, a breathtakingly beautiful supermodel on a photo shoot in Hawaii, disappears. Fearing the worst, her parents travel to Hawaii to investigate for themselves, never expecting the horror that awaits them.

LA Times reporter Ben Hawkins is conducting his own research into the case, hoping to help the victim and get an idea for his next bestseller. With no leads and no closer to uncovering the kidnapper's identity than when he stepped off the plane, Ben gets a shocking visit that pushes him into an impossible-to-resist deal with the devil.

A heart-pounding story of fear and desire, SWIMSUIT transports listeners to a chilling new territory where the collision of beauty and murder transforms paradise into a hell of unspeakable horrors. (Barnes&Nobles)



Kim McDaniels, a beautiful supermodel dissapears in Hawaii. After receiving a terrifying phonecall in the middle of the night from the person who took their daughter, her parents travel to Hawaii to find out what happened to their daughter.
Ben Hawkins, a reporter for the L.A. Times gets the McDaniels assignment and flies to Hawaii to start his own investigation on the dissapearance of Kim McDaniels.
Little did they know that a nightmare awaits them and a horrifying killer is on the loose.
As always with Pattersons novels, there are many twists and turns.

Pattersons writing style is a little different with co-authors than if he writes himself. I am a big fan of all his work and enjoy reading all of his books. Keep the books coming Mr. Patterson.




* Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
* Pub. Date: June 29, 2009
* ISBN-13: 9780316018777
* 416pp

Surviving High Society by Elizabeth Marvin Mulholland

Description
To the outside world, Elizabeth Marvin Mulholland had it all. Adopted into a wealthy New England family, the young Elizabeth was afforded the luxury many people only realize in their dreams. She joined her family on lavish European vacations, lived in a finely decorated home, grew up in a world heavily infiltrated by power and money, and hob-knobbed with celebrities. As a close friend of Katherine Hepburn's niece, she gained an inside look into Katherine Hepburn's guarded inner life, which she details in Surviving High Society.

Her real life, however, was not the fantasy it seemed to others. Elizabeth grew up in a volatile household. Her adopted brother attempted to murder her mother and remained estranged in the decades to follow. Her father, who was her strongest ally, died suddenly when she was twenty-two. And, until her death, Elizabeth's mother used all means possible to exert control over her life. Her mother bounced Elizabeth in and out of psychiatric facilities and used her wealth to persuade doctors to keep Elizabeth locked up and medicated. Throughout, Elizabeth struggled to keep the pieces of her life together.

After her mother disinherits Elizabeth, she successfully seeks to find freedom and a life of her own away from her mother s ever-watchful gaze. Her life becomes a life without fantastic riches, filled with its own obstacles and triumphs. But it is now her life. (amazon.com)

I could not put down this book and read it in one day. This author does a great job telling us the story of her life. Elizabeth has been born illegitimately to her mother and a married father. She has been given up for adoption and got adopted by a wacky, moneyed, blue-blooded family in Conneticut. A year later the family adopted a boy who later attempts to murder her mother.

Her mother had some mental problems and was very controlling. She sent Elizabeth in and out of psychiatric hospitals over the years. When Elizabeth finally got the courage and broke free her mother disinherited her. It is amazing that this lady was able to trust someone else in her life and found love and happiness after what she has been through.
I have great admiration for this lady who was able to turn her life around and recommend this book to anyone.

• Publisher: Bascom Hill Publishing Group (November 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935098071
• ISBN-13: 978-1935
• Paperback: 184 pages
• 098072

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

Synopsis

For Sookie Stackhouse, the day to day activities of the vampire and were communities in and around Bon Temps, Louisiana, are of vital interest, She's blood-bound to the leader of the vamps, a friend to the local were pack, works for a man who is shifter, and has a brother who is a were-panther…

But for most of the humans in Bon Temps, the vamps are mysterious seductive creatures-and they don't even know about the weres.

Until now. The weres and shifters have finally decided to follow the lead of the undead and reveal their existence to the ordinary world.

At first it seems to go well. Then the mutilated body of a were-panther is found in the parking lot of the bar where Sookie works. The victim is someone she knows, so she feels compelled to discover who-human or otherwise-did the deed.

But what she doesn't realize is that there is a far greater danger than the killer threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings--older, more powerful and far more secretive than vampires or werewolves-- is preparing for war. And Sookie will find herself an all-too human pawn in their battle…

I have read every book in this series and loved every one of them . I can't wait for the next one to come out to see what happens next. Charlaine Harris did an excellent job. The characters are lively and quirky as in all her books. The end of the novel is pretty open and makes me want to know what happens next. Is Sookie staying with Eric or will Bill come back into her life as her lover? Poor Sookie has so much going on in her life and makes you wonder what else can happen to her. I highly recommend this book to anyone who like southern Vampire Mystery.

• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
• Pub. Date: May 2009
• ISBN-13: 9780441017157
• Sales Rank: 22
• 320pp
• Series: Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Series, #9

Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa

This is a compelling story of the troubled life of 16 year old Hailey Trousclair, living in the slums of New Orleans with her dysfunctional family and friends. Hailey deals with rejection, deception, adultery, suicidal, betrayal, and violence throughout the novel. The story is very believable and makes you think. It is not a quick read.

I was impressed by the author’s style and quality of the book, very well written.

Afraid by Jack Kilborn

A team of top secret, killer soldiers (red op team) have been unleashed on the small Wisconsin town with a mission to complete at the cost of the entire population of the town with the exception of three people.

This is an awesome novel which comes alive with non stop action and horror from start to finish. You are not able to catch your breath before something else happens. Many twist and turns and you will feel like you know the characters.

I couldn’t put this book down once I got started reading. If you are not afraid you will be after reading this book. It is not for the faint of heart and you will make sure to look all your doors at night.
I am looking forward to read the next book by this author.

Run for your Life

Synopsis

A calculating killer who calls himself The Teacher is taking on New York City, killing the powerful, the arrogant, the don't-give-a-darnst-about-anyone rich. For some New Yorkers it seems that the rich were getting what they deserve at last. For New York's social elite, it is a call to chaos and terror. The Teacher's message to the wealthy is clear: remember your manners or suffer the consequences!
Detective Mike Bennett is assigned the case. Managing the pressure from his Commissioner, the Mayor, and the New York media would be enough for anyone, but Mike also has to care for his 10 children-who are all under 12 and who all have the flu!
Detective Bennett discovers a secret pattern in the Teacher's lessons-and realizes he has just hours to save New York from the greatest disaster in its history. From the #1 bestselling author who introduced readers to Alex Cross and the Women's Murder Club-comes the continuation of his newest, electrifying series. Run for Your Life is his most heart-stopping thriller yet.

Another great novel by James Patterson, fast read with lots of twist and turns. This is another hard to put down book. You want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews

Synopsis

"Tasty Southern adventure...[Andrews is] the queen of sass." —Daytona Beach News-Journal

After years of hard work, Gina Foxton, chef extraordinaire and former runner-up Miss Teen Vidalia Onion, is hosting her own show Fresh Start, on Georgia public television. She's also dating the producer. But when Fresh Start goes bad—and her boyfriend is caught in flagrante delicto with the boss's wife—Gina decides it's time to pursue bigger dreams. Namely a gig on national television.

Gina knows she's destined to be the Cooking Channel's next superstar. But the execs also have their eyes on Tate Moody, Mr. "Kill It and Grill It" himself, host of the hunting, fishing, and cooking show Vittles. The ultimate man's man, Tate is a tasty side of beef with a large, swooning female fan base. Gina's loyal devotees consist of her free-spirited college-dropout sister and her mother...who calls every single day.

When the smoke clears there can be only one TV chef standing, and Gina and Tate are ready for the cook-off of their lives.

I really enjoyed this book. Although slow in some places it is a quick and entertaining read.

One Day at a Time by Danielle Steel

Editorial Review:
Just because Coco Barrington is the black sheep in her legendary Hollywood family doesn’t mean her mother, Florence, a mega-bestselling author, and her sister, Jane, an Oscar-nominated producer, don’t love her. Coco must admit, though, dropping out of law school to work as a dog walker didn’t go over very well. What’s more, Coco shuns the whole Hollywood scene—and she’s rebelliously single, while Jane has lived with her partner, Liz, for ten years and widowed Florence has been seeing someone, too—24 years her junior! But when Coco reluctantly agrees to housesit for Jane, her life takes an unexpectedly dramatic turn…. Jane informs Coco that, to avoid a psychotic girlfriend, her friend Leslie will be sharing the house with Coco for the weekend. What she failed to say is that said “Leslie” is actor Leslie Baxter, the very male British heartthrob, who finds Coco’s honesty refreshing and her heart-stopping beauty impossible to resist. Would Coco ever consider a Hollywood relationship? Funny, sexy and wise, Danielle Steel’s wonderful novel explores the meaning of love and family through three very different couples learning to take life one day at a time.

Having read all of Danielle Steel's books the outcome was predictable. As with all of her books I was not able to put it down and read it in two days. It is a quick read and I truly enjoyed it. The characters are entertaining and interesting.