REVIEW: 4th of July

Title: 4th of July
Author: James Patterson
Finished: April 22, 2010
Pages: 448
Published: 2005
Format: hardback

The fourth book of the Women’s Murder Club series starts off with a bang and a shocking first few chapters in a dark alley. It goes to show I don’t remember much from the first few books of the series because even I was shocked again at what happens.

Lindsay finds herself in the worst place possible and at the worst time, causing her to question everything she’s ever learned as a cop and believes in. When she’s accused of purposefully inflicting death and injury she goes into hiding at her sister’s house, only to find that murder doesn’t just happen in San Francisco.

I absolutely loved this book, maybe more than the previous one, and the relationship that is building between Lindsay and Joe has me on the edge of my seat wondering where it will be going in the future. I love reliving the lives of the characters.

*challenges: women’s murder club challenge, countdown challenge, 1010 category challenge, ryob challenge, thriller & suspense challenge, 100+ challenge, cozy mystery challenge

Lord of the Rings Read-a-Long Complete

Shelf Love hosted this readalong. While it ended a couple weeks ago, I am so behind on my reviews that I am just getting my final post up.

I was a little behind most of the time, not finishing any of the books in their designated months except Return of the King. It was such a fun challenge and I was glad I finally had the opportunity to read the series.

The Hobbit – finished February 20, 2010
The Fellowship of the Ring – finished March 11, 2010
The Two Towers - finished April 3, 2010
The Return of the King - finished April 21, 2010

REVIEW: Return of the King

Title: Return of the King
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Finished: April 21, 2010
Pages: 512
Published: 1954
Format: audiobook/paperback

The final book of the Lord of the Rings series, was probably one of my most favorite. I loved the introduction of The Fellowship of the Ring, but I loved the conclusion of the story and tying up all loose ends.

Having seen the movie, the third chapter was always my favorite which probably explains why I enjoyed the third book the best. I listened to most of it on audiobook while driving too and from work and getting ready in the morning. It helped me understand hearing someone else speaking the words.

The Return of the King is the final completion of the journey and fellowship, the destruction of the ring and the crowing of a new king to bring everything full circle. It was a great tale that incorporated all your favorite characters and villains, romance and danger, and plenty of action.

*challenges: monthly mixer mele, 1010 category challenge, support your local library, 100+ challenge, lord of the rings read-a-long, books to movies, book blogger recommendation, project fill in the blanks, chunkster challenge, four month challenge, spring reading thing, classics challenge, april 12×12

Other Reviews: Reading With Tequila

REVIEW: 3rd Degree

Title: 3rd Degree
Author: James Patterson
Finished: April 11, 2010
Pages: 368
Published: 2004
Format: hardback

Still working my way through a complete re-read of the Women’s Murder Club before starting the latest, 9th Judgment, and for the Women’s Murder Club Challenge.

Book 3 is a pageturner from the very beginning, and becomes one of the most prominent books of the series as major plot points occur in this book that effect the rest of the series.

Lindsey begins to think her friend Jill is having problems in her marriage when some unexplained bruising shows up, but before she can really find out the truth, a bomb goes off in a nearby building and Lindsey puts her life in danger to try and save any people inside.

All roads lead to destruction and disaster when a missing baby leads her team to a nanny service and the truth of Jill’s marriage finally comes out. While Jill suffers, Lindsey finds herself suddenly drawn to a homeland security officer who pushes her limits on romantic relationships.

I loved book 3, but I love the series more. It just keeps getting better and better, plus the introduction of Joe is amazing.

*challenges: women’s murder club challenge, countdown challenge, 1010  category challenge, ryob challenge, thriller & suspense challenge, 100+ challenge, spring reading thing, cozy mysteries challenge

Other Reviews: Reading With Tequila

May 12×12 Reading Challenge

Hosted By: PageTurners Blog
May 1 – May 31, 2010

The rules are whatever you want to make of them, but here are the guidelines the creator of NaJuReMoNoMo goes by:

1. Must Be A Novel. Works of fiction only, please. Memoirs, non-fiction, how-to books, and Garfield collections don’t count.

2. Memoirs Aren’t Novels. No matter how made up the story, anything ostensibly true isn’t a novel. Also known as The James Frey Rule.

3. Start and Finish a new novel in May

4. Re-reading Doesn’t Count. Try something new. Read something by your favorite author or try an entirely new author or tackle that novel you have always wanted to read.

5. Have Fun. Nobody is grading you or paying you or judging you. Read what you like and like what you read.

This is my third month joining in the 12×12 challenge. Last month I managed to read more than expected due to the Read-a-Thon but I would like to stick with my 7 books rule for this month and make an effort to read at least 7 new books for May.

My List:

1. Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
2. Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene
3. Nancy’s Mysterious Letter by Carolyn Keene
4. Password to Larkspur Lane by Carolyn Keene
5. Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
6. To the Nines by Janet Evanovich
7. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
8. Rich Again by Anna Maxted