Mini Reviews Part 4

I wish I could write lengthy glowing reviews about every book I read, unfortunately I just don't have the time to do so. Same with the books I dislike, there is just not enough time in the day to adequately review every book properly. But I do think it's important to at least recognize that I read the book and mention why I liked or disliked it. So here is part 4 of my mini reviews.

Crooked Hearts by Patricia Gaffney

My Thoughts: I was surprised when I went to add this book to my goodreads TBR list and the publication date was 2001. What?! Well this is being reprinted and digitized for the ebook revolution so that is why it was on the Netgalley site. This simple fact that it’s over 10 years old kind of threw me off, but I decided to give it a go anyways. Turns out, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would!! The con man and con woman in 1800 California is kind of funny. I thought their chemistry was awesome and the setting well done. It’s funny and light hearted and a pretty good rom-com. Pleasantly surprised at what Gaffney had to offer!

A Cold Night for Alligators by Nick Crowe

My Thoughts: What a delightful contemporary novel! It had a little bit of everything mixed into it, murder, mystery, self awareness, romance, life questions. I thought it was an excellent debut novel from Nick Crowe. I was impressed by his writing style, character development and plotting. I would definitely read whatever the author puts out next!

Death Plays Poker by Robin Spano

So I took a gamble on this book, knowing nothing about the author or the series and I was pleasantly surprised! This book reminded me a lot of Agatha Christie mystery novels. I love the protagonist and love that she is so young. Reading Death Plays Poker has made me want to go back and read the first in the series. I also know very little about poker but have always been interested in the mysterious aura that surrounds it. In the movies, you always see the worst villains playing poker and so there is this stigma attached to it for me…that it is a dangerous card game to play. I loved that I learned a little more about poker from this novel! Overall, very fun and entertaining read, I would highly recommend this for the mystery/murder fans out there! I’m even going to buy a copy for my grandma!

The Goat Woman of Largo Bay by Gillian Royes

If you want to read a book that features the beautiful landscape of Jamaica, then you may want to pick this book up. But if you’re looking for a great detective series with twists and turns…this is not your book. While it was a light, fun read, it is by no means full of surprises. The characters aren’t as developed as I’d have like them to be and I just didn’t find myself getting into the story. I had to force myself to continue reading. That being said, the writing really isn’t all that bad just very little action-wise. If you are looking for a nice, light, tropical read though, this may be a good place to start!

Tankborn by Karen Sandler

The cover and the blurb made me want to read this book the minute I got my hands on it, I mean that cover? Amazing! I love the blue/green/purplish hues and the picture of the girl just seduces cover lovers to want to read the book. The concept of people being created, modified and born in tanks rather than humans is crazy…but it’s not crazy enough that it couldn’t actually happen someday. I thought the world building, the characters and the plot were thoroughly developed and thought out. I am a self admitted dystopian lover and I’m so happy that Tankborn fit nicely inside my top 10 favorite dystopian novels. I only wish the beginning and ending were tightened up a bit, I felt like they weren’t written as tightly or nicely as the middle part but I am looking forward to a possible sequel in the future!

Filaria by Brent Hayward

I was a little apprehensive when I started this book and to be completely honest, it was just okay for me. The actual writing and language was fantastic, I think it was the plot and world that I just couldn’t get into. I wasn’t too fond of the switching POVs. I just couldn't keep my interest and found myself skipping pages just to get to the end. 

**I received these books free from the publishers through  www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.