My Disjointed Life by Martin Reed

My Disjointed Life is about a young man experiencing his first semester of college. He was never a popular kid, more of a brainiac. He enjoys science and is going into engineering.

Jeep is socially awkward and doesn’t fit in well in social situations. He usually says what’s on his mind – most of the time without meaning to. He also has an inner voice that speaks to him, usually putting him down for being an “idiot”. It brought a lot of humor to the novel which I loved.

As he makes his way through his first semester of college, he has many up and down times involving friends, enemies, girls, family, and extracurricular activities.

The relationships he has with his friends, acquaintances, and significant others are all different in special ways. I will not go into detail on that because it is more fun to read and experience it first hand. 

“Maybe the reason I get stepped on so much by people is because I let them.”

I think all readers can find a little of themselves in Jeep. He is a kind-hearted, yet extremely horny, young adult trying to make sense of life. Things don’t always come easy for him, though.

“The reasons are simple enough, but the truth always comes layered with complexity and consequence.”

Martin Reed did an excellent job writing this novel. It is witty, realistic, and explicit at times, but overall funny and a good, light-hearted read. It was divided up into segments by time. I have never read another book like that, it made it much easier to get through the chapters, because of course I am not a fan of long chapters. So, having that technique as a way to break up the text made it very easy for me to get through.

I found myself actually not wanting to finish the book, because I enjoyed it so much.

I included a few of my favorite quotes from the text in the review above as well.

4/5 Stars! A little slow at some points, but was a very fun read that I enjoyed a lot. 


To hear for from Martin, check out his blog! You wont regret it!
http://pendrum.wordpress.com/

Read ahead for spoilers

The Quickie by James Patterson

Ever since I saw this book on the shelf, I had been interested in reading it. I kept putting it off and putting it off to buy other Alex Cross series novels instead. Finally I convinced myself to just buy it. It has taken me awhile to get through it. That doesn’t mean the novel is bad. I will get into that in a minute.

It starts off with Lauren, and NYPD detective finding her husband doing shady things behind her back. She decides to get revenge, and in the process witnesses a murder that changes her life forever.

She sacrifices her career, friendships, and her own relationship trying to figure out how to make things right. But will that ever work out for her?

This novel is fast paced and it will keep you turning the pages.

For me, I couldn’t really decide if there was a “good guy” in the novel. I wasn’t really rooting for anyone in the end. It made it harder to get through because I felt no connection to any of the characters. So the experience will be different for everyone. I think that is one good thing about this novel. Everyone will see it differently.

3/5 stars. As I said, I couldn’t relate to the characters. It was well written, and it did make me want to see what ultimately happened in the end.

And the ending was one that I enjoyed

Read Ahead for Spoilers:

11th Hour by James Patterson

Lindsay Boxer and the Women’s Murder Club are back in the latest installment – The 11^th Hour.

Lindsay is pregnant and having trouble in her marriage. That won’t be the last of her problems.

When a major movie star is on the suspect list of a gruesome case of serial killing, nothing will be easy.

Lindsay and her girls will go over the evidence time and time again.

Even when it all points towards one person, the outcome cam come as quite the surprise.

I have loved the Women’s Murder Club series from the very first book and this one surely did not disappoint. I have been waiting for it for about a year, and I was very pleased. I had missed reading about all of these characters.

5/5 Very well written, nice twist at the end 

Read Ahead for Spoilers:

Cat & Mouse by James Patterson

Gary Soneji is back.

He is lurking in the darkness. Spying on his prey. Waiting for the correct moment to make his move.

But, will someone else steal his spotlight?

Now introducing: Mr. Smith

Mr. Smith is a crime fighter over in Europe. But there is a darker side to Smith that emerges as the novel goes on.

Will Cross be able to stop Soneji? Will he finally put an end to the madman who has terrorized his life for years?

This is the most fast-paced Alex Cross novel that I have read so far. It kept me turning the page over and over until I was finally finished. I was hooked from the very first page.

With Cross’s life in danger, you will find out who lives, and who dies!

5/5 Stars. Wonderful thriller. Kept me hooked from cover to cover. Definitely recommend it!

Read Ahead for spoilers!

Midnight Club by James Patterson

I'm going to start by saying it took me about a month maybe a bit longer to get through this one. It wasn't longer, about the same length. It just took me way too long. 
The novel is about Organized crime and the NYPD trying to fight it. What they don't realize is how they are always one step behind the top mob bosses and business men involved in these mob and drug wars. 
The main character is John Stefanovich. He meets a writer Sarah McGinnis, and they start talking about the "Midnight Club" and how to go about catching and prosecuting them. 
Through all of this, they form a close bond and eventually a relationship. 
Stefanovich is confined to a wheel chair after being shot. He lost his wife and his partner of many years. 
It takes you through some of his struggles of being a cop. 


One thing I  noticed while reading through this one is, I didn't really care about any of the characters. 
Thats a risk writers have to take with stand-alone novels. Most of Patterson's books come in series so it is easier to get attached to the characters. 
But with this one, I had no connection which ultimately made it more difficult to get through. 


Overall 
3/5 
The ending of the novel picked up and kept me engaged, but the road there was bumpy!

Jack & Jill by James Patterson

Jack & Jill gives a creepy insight into the inter-workings of our government. Although, it is a fiction novel, Im sure the plans that took place in this novel have been attempted before. 


Jack & Jill are two high profile killers in Washington D.C. They kill people that are held high in the public eye and are working their way towards their ultimate goal --  Killing the real Jack & Jill -- Mr. and Mrs. President of the United States. 

Can Alex Cross catch them before it is too late?

At the same time, there are mysterious children murders happening in Cross's neighborhood. With his heart in trying to solve the case, he gets pulled off and put on the Jack and Jill case.

He goes undercover with his partner Sampson and a few guys from their department to try to solve the cases themselves. The cases aren't getting much attention because of the high profile murders. 

This novel is fast paced and keeps you guessing until Patterson is ready to reveal the whole story to you. The Jack and Jill killings were intimate but lacking emotions. The child murders left me quite sad and cringing. 

Patterson nails another great book. 

4/5 stars. There were a few boring parts, but over all exciting!

Beach Road by James Patterson

This novel is about Tom Dunleavy and Kate Costello fighting the case of Dante Halleyville. They both know he is innocent, and he has a bunch of supporters from around the country. Dante was on his way to becoming a NBA player when he was falsely accused of four murders. 


In this book Patterson brings up the issue of race and corrupt city officials. 
The whole time, I found myself rooting for Dante and siding with Tom and Kate the whole time. All of the characters were likable. 
When I first started the book, I thought it was pretty slow and not as exciting as his other novels, and as quick as I came to that conclusion, I realized I was already over halfway through it. 
It is a novel that keeps you hanging on even though you aren't exactly sure why. 


And then there is the end. 


Guilty vs. Non Guilty. 


Who do you think is the criminal? Well, you will just have to wait until the end of the book. Make sure you are sitting down for this one. 
It blew me away, and I can usually figure out the endings of books. 
Ill insert one of the reviews from the back of the novel here

"Gripping... Races toward a conclusion so shocking that even longtime Patterson devotees won't see it coming." - Booklist

Once I read that review, I knew I had to give it a shot. i didnt understand how it could be so shocking. 


Then I realized that Patterson had pulled more tricks out of his sleeve. 


A Must Read!


4.5/5 Stars for me. Slow start, but it will keep you going right up to the last page. 


I'm not even going to add spoilers to this one. It's too good of an ending. 

Step - Ball - Change by Jeanne Ray

I was walking around at work one day bored, and I saw this book. I read the back and it seemed like it would be a light-hearted funny books to read so I picked it up. 


It took me awhile to actually pick it up off my shelf. I kept buying different books, and this kept being pushed further back in to the queue. Once I finished my last book, I didnt have another to read, so I finally took the time to read this one. 


It is definitely a book you would want to read if you dont want to pay attention to detail. It is a fun book with a funny family story line. 
The main character is Caroline. She and her husband Tom have kids and are in their 60's. Through a few turn of events, Caroline's sister Taffy ends up living with them for awhile and they grow closer than they ever were before. 
There are also a few marriages that come along with money problems.


Its a fun book to read, I suggest picking it up!


4/5 Stars!

Vengeance Is Sacred by Peter Healy

Im going to start off by saying that Historical Fiction/Supernatual is not usually my genre' of choice. When Peter approached me and asked me to read his novel, I was more than willing. I figured it would be interesting to dive into a genre that I am not used to reading!

When I started off the novel, I often found myself spacing out because it was just not what I was used to. 

As soon as the second chapter though, I started to get used to it, and began appreciating his writing style. As I have said numerous times, I am a huge fan of James Patterson novels, and those are the majority of the novels I have read for a good year now, so being faced with a whole new writing style threw me off for a little bit. 

Peter uses longer chapters and much more description, which I have begun to notice throughout the novel, is needed for the type of story he is telling! There are breaks in the chapters which allowed me to put the novel down for a few minutes, get something done, and pick it up again. I don't like leaving a book mid-chapter because I will likely forget what I had been reading, but the way he split up the chapters made it much easier for me. Not everyone is like that, though, which is where the length of the chapters would be good for those people!

Vengeance Is Sacred is based around Paolo Calefati. He has to run from his home country of Italy to "L'America" "The New World" or most commonly used today -- The East Cost of the USA. He ends up in Jersey City, NJ and faces the problems of new immigrants with finding work and love. Paolo’s battle between remembering his past, and trying to move on with his future is a reoccurring theme, as well as him striving to be an honest loyal man. The power of the Deva that he possesses makes him more powerful than people believe at first sight.

The way Peter tells the story expresses knowledge on the topics he is speaking about which makes me ask the question -- How much research did he do on the topic? I feel like he knew the information all very well. I was impressed. Especially with the different dialects, accents, and languages -- as well as customs of different cultures. 

Being a girl myself, I like the fact that Paolo really respects the female gender. I feel that is Peter's own personality showing through his character!

Overall 4/5 Stars!

The chapters were a bit long for me, but it was very well written and interesting!

I have found myself missing reading about Paolo, Maria, and Augie.


Please visit Peter's website to learn more information:
http://www.vengeanceissacred.com/

Read ahead for spoilers

Kiss The Girls by James Patterson

If I had to use one word to describe this book - WOW!!!!
Out of all of the Patterson books I have read, this one has to be in the top 5. 
It's a GREAT thriller. It is so fast paced and makes your heart beat fast. I had a really hard time putting the book down once I was nearing the end. I just HAD to know what was going to happen next. 


The Perfect Crime
Thats what this novel is about. Casanova abducting girls to use for his own sick mind tricks for the police and for his own sexual pleasures. 
The plot is twisted and disturbing, but keeps you hanging on until the very last page. 


Could you catch Casanova?
Alex Cross is at it again. He won't rest until the case is solved. 


This Time - It's Personal.


I highly recommend this book. One of the best books I have picked up in awhile!


5/5 stars. 
Click ahead for spoilers