City of Vengeance

I was kind of flattered when I was asked by the author to review this book because you know I'm kind of a book whore and who wouldn't love a book right around 100 pages? That's one night of reading for me and it's nice to break up my reading schedule with something quick. 

City of Vengeance- Lisa Parkinson

Marcus Leoni is in the wrong place at the wrong time. When he witnesses an execution-style mob hit, and is discovered hiding behind a dumpster, he is shot and left for dead. Not even Marcus’ family knows the truth. Miraculously, he survived. Marcus was secretly treated, and put into a federal witness protection program. While the police continue to develop a plan to take down the crime families, Marcus begins a new life in the Canadian Rockies. In Alberta, Marcus ends up finding something totally unexpected—the love of his life, Paige. But at the very moment Marcus comes to terms with his new life, news from back home in New York City sets him on a path to exact revenge.

To be honest, the description pretty well covers what this book is about. Things I really appreciated about this book is that it is an extremely fast read, the story progresses quickly, it has things that are unexpected, and it has a big bang (literally) for an ending. I will also say that one of my pet peeves for books is that their is unbalanced character development. You know those books where half of it is just trying to explain every nuance about a character- it drives me crazy. I really could have hugged Lisa for not being overwhelming with character development. You learn just enough about the main players in the story without getting too much. Which helps the story move quickly. 

I actually think Lisa could have made this book even longer and added some interesting elements into the story, but it works just as well as a short novel. I think over time Lisa is going to get better and better with her writing and I am going to be interested to see what her future works are. I will say that this does feel like it's a first novel and I don't feel like that's a bad thing- I have a lot of respect for people who put their work out there like this and good for her. It was a good story, simple story line that doesn't make you think too hard, reads fast, and written well enough that you want to see how it ends. 

This is another book out of Beachfront Press and you know I love to support authors who aren't under the wing of big name publishers and I encourage you all to support them as well! 

Yours, Anonymous

A few months ago I had read a book called 13 Reasons Why and I told you how amazing it was. I am a sucker for books that hook me in immediately with a story line I can relate to. I think everyone likes to read a book you can identify with with just a hint of something extra. So when I was given the opportunity to review this next book, I jumped at it because I felt like it would have the same impact for me.

And I was right.

Your, Anonymous by Peter David Orr

When Ashley White, a “geek” to many of his peers, develops a nervous crush on one of Franklin High School's most popular girls, he makes the decision to express his feelings through love letters, cards and poetry... never imagining his words could kill.



YOURS, ANONYMOUS is about good intentions gone wrong. It is a story of how an innocent crush can become "stalking" and "creepy" when the unknown, cliquishness, and envy come together at the wrong time and in lethal proportions.

What makes this book so good, for me, was that you are immediately hooked. It's a short book of only 77 pages so I got this done in about an hour. I really had a hard time putting it down so I could switch over laundry and feed the cats, it was that good.

Raise your hand if you ever had a crush, particularly in high school. Yeah, that would be pretty much all of us who aren't embarrassed to admit it. Now, raise your hand if it was a crush on a "popular" person and you weren't popular? At least half of you are still raising your hands. This story is so easy to relate to because most of you have been there, you like a person but you don't have the confidence to really say anything to them, so maybe you start with little notes. The harsh reality is that kids are cruel and unpopular kids just know to do their best to not give anyone fuel to ridicule them.

Unfortunately for Ashley, he was "discovered" and a couple of mean kids blew it out of proportion. It also highlights that high school kids don't have the natural logic required to really understand what consequences could come with harmless pranks. In this case, Ashley loses his life, much to the upset of Mary Ellen Gerhard. She is a fellow student who has turned her senior project into an investigative look at Ashley's death and the events leading up to it.

Particularly interesting is that the entire story is written as a series of interviews she conducted in her investigation. I don't want to talk about what happens, but I will say that the different personality types of the students completely fit for what you'd expect happens. It's a short read, it's well worth it, and if you are one to read books on bullying- add this to your list.

The Dive.

It's time for another book review, I'm back into the swing of things everyone!

The Dive- Peter David Orr

THE DIVE is a story of a man who goes to the extreme of faking his death in order to start a new life... and the woman who saves him from himself.
   Michael and Maria are flawed, yet redeemable characters who walk a tightrope of events that seem to be ripped from the current headlines.    You will see the world through their eyes as they struggle to find meaning, love and life. Readers uniformly agree on the THE DIVE'S intensely personal realism and overriding sense of authenticity.  
   A strong narrative storyline seamlessly blends elements of intrigue, high tension and romantic suspense.

The first you get from reading this book is that the author is smart. You can tell right from the get go because of the amount of detail that goes into the book. Between the political knowledge, the rich detail of the various settings that make it almost too easy to picture it in your head, to knowing that the author probably did immense research to put this book together. I will say that all of the detail was a little overwhelming in some areas and it doesn't necessarily make it a quick read. 

But I encourage you to keep reading because under all of that detail is a story that people can relate to. You know when life gets a bit overwhelming and you think it would just be nice to start all over? Go somewhere nobody knows you, you have no history, and start all over. This is exactly what Michael toys with in the beginning of the book and how a trip overseas puts this into action after meeting, and falling in love with, Maria. 

Without getting into detail, because it would absolutely ruin it for you, I will tell you that this book is an ambitious read that you'll enjoy. If you are interested in politics, international travel, or starting all over- this book is for you. 

I encourage you to check out Beachfront Press to see all of the books available. Hopefully I'll get a chance to review some more for you, but if you like to support authors, shop here.