Friday, July 29, 2016

Feature and Follow Friday: July 29th



The Feature and Follow is the premium BLOG HOP of Book Bloggers. hosted by AlisonCanRead and Parajunkee.  Running for over five years, the Feature and Follow’s goal is to promote the book blogging and author community to join together and support each other – even if it is just through a simple follow.

This week's blog prompt is:

What is your take on DNF books. Do you review them? Choose not to review them?

Well, I have to say that I am a little bit picky when I choose my books so it is rare that I don't finish my reading.  I think in the last year, there have only been about three that I either did not finish or quickly skimmed through because I was less than impressed.  If it is a book I bought or borrowed, I don't usually bother reviewing at all but if it is a ARC that was given to me specifically to review, I keep my obligation and try to focus on the positives of the story.  Only once have I sent an e-mail to the author to thank her again for the book but that it really wasn't for me and that I was uncomfortable writing a review.  The author was very understanding.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Summer Reading: Part 1

Summer is here so I am away a lot with the kids.  It's only July 7th and we already spent three days down the shore for July 4th weekend and two day in Mystic, CT meeting relatives from England. Next week we leave for eight days in Texas.  Hence, not a lot of blogging time.  I have been reading though, and listening to books also.  Below is what I have been reading over the last few weeks.

Heather Graham always satisfies my need for a good ghostly romance.  Her Krewe of Hunters series follows a group of gifted FBI agents as they investigate real crimes with paranormal elements.  They aren't too deep so they are great for a beach or weekend read.

Haunted Destiny is one of my favorites and I have read A LOT of Heather Graham books.  I love the setting of the cruise ship where a serial killer is said to be hiding.  The two main characters are the piano bar pianist/singer on the cruise ship and the FBI agent who boards the ship looking for the killer.  We meet ship ghosts murdered long ago, sail through a storm where all communication is lost, and follow a list of suspects who could all potentially be the killer.  The characters were all likable and I always have fun trying to guess who the killer really is.

The Vampire of Blackpool was generously given to me in exchange for an honest review.  I like vampire books and I enjoy seeing how different authors create their stories surrounding the vampire/supernatural world.  This is a quick read and focuses on an ancient female vampire named Meredith.  She considers herself content at the start of the story until one night she meets an intriguing witch and is attacked by a vampire hunter. This night begins her journey to finding the happiness and meaning that she didn't realize she was looking for in her life. The book was engaging but on the shorter side.  I think the characters and relationships could have been developed a bit more.  However, I very much liked how the author dealt with the vampire hunter in the end.  Very creative and I didn't see it coming. I'd actually like to read his story in the future, starting with where this book ended with Meredith as a minor character.

This brings me to book #32 in the #sixtybooks challenge.  I'm hoping to read a couple more books this week before we leave on our trip and I'll have three hours on the plane too!  

Have a great week!
Laura