A Walk Along the Beach

 

This review will contain spoilers. A Walk Along the Beach is nothing like any other Debbie Macomber book I have read before. When I was about half way through I had to check the author to make sure it was the correct author. Since my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in November this was not a good book for me to read. 

Willa took on responsibility too young when her mother passed, instead of being a big sister to Harper she turned into her mother when her brother ran off to the service and her dad turned to the bottle. Looking back Harper realizes how lucky she is that her sister beat leukemia and is now healthy, her brother is happily engaged, and Willa's coffee shop is doing a great business. All that changes though when Harper's leukemia comes back in the form of a rare tumor in her lung. 

I am used to Mrs. Macomber writing happy books with dashes of humor. Not serious and not sad books. It totally blew me over when Harper died from cancer and I sitting crying in the oncologist's waiting room while reading the story. Not sure if this is a fluke book or if Mrs. Macomber has turned to more serious stories. All in all I think I need a break from Mrs. Macomber. 

Watch You Sleep

 

Watch You Sleep is the fourth book in the Emily Swanson series. 

Emily has finally decided on a career, PI, only it is not the glamorous venture she imagined. Having followed people for months to prove they are committing fraud Emily is ready for something more dangerous. 

Taking on another fraud case Emily fails to see how this will be more exciting then previous ones but she is wrong. A family that sold a house is being sued because they are mentioned in threatening letters that are being written to the family that bought the house. Unsure who to believe Emily has to wade through lies, misadventure, and deceit as she attempts to find out what is really happening with The Watcher. 

I really like the idea of a crime writer basing their story on an unsolved modern day crime. It was interesting to see another take on the story. Plus it had me intrigued enough to see if any updates had occurred on the real life story. The writing was once again paced well with enough suspense to keep me reading. The characters continue to grow, have flaws, and real life issues. While no shock it was disappointing to see Jerome take a back seat on this case. I like the banter between Jerome and Emily and hope to see more of him in Kill for Love. Once again the three libraries I have cards to lacked the last book in the series so I bought it on my tablet.

Trail of Poison

 

Trail of Poison is the third book in the Emily Swanson series and I actually bought it. I never buy mysteries but the three libraries I have cards to did not have the book and I invested in the story. 

Emily is running out of money and needs a job to be able to pay her bills. Finances get more dire when Jerome informs her he will be moving out. Happy for her friend but sad to be loosing his company Emily is suddenly contacted by a woman whose husband supposedly committed suicide. Determined to help the widow find out what really happened Emily is thrust into a wild world of lies, murder, and the unknown.

Trail of Poison was my least favorite of the series so far. The ending did not feel full filling and while Emily did react like a normal human I still felt like the case was left open. With that said it is possible the case will continue on with the rest of the series. I was also blind sided by Jerome's nationality being revealed, I have no issue with him being black but I don't recall that being said in any other books. I have had a fever for days so I could have just forgotten that part. Despite not enjoying the story ending as much I purchase the fourth book, Watch You Sleep, since none of the libraries have it either. 

Cruel Mind/Mind for Murder

 

The book was originally released under the title Cruel Mind but later changed to Mind for Murder. It is the second book in the Emily Swanson series.

Having survived a horrific ordeal and traumatized Emily takes her therapist advice and seeks a retreat. Deciding on a detox retreat she convinces her friend Jerome to join her. Jerome is horrified to learn it is an electronic detox retreat and is forced to hand over his cell phone and car keys. Emily convinces him that it will be fine and both reluctantly hand in their electronics. 

The first evening goes well with Emily finally relaxing some but Jerome is moody and sulks in his room. However the next day the retreat is no longer peaceful as a guest is found hanging from a tree. With everyone freaked out Emily is trying to remain calm as her PTS kicks in.

I really like the growth Emily is going through, she shows trauma and issues from the first book but continues to fight to work through them. Jerome while he acts as her side kick I feel like he is just one dimensional and a side thought. Once again I only figure out part of the mystery and am eager to try more of the series. 

Once Upon A Dream A Twisted Tale

 

I have been wanting to read the Disney Twisted Tales for awhile and when my husband got diagnosed with stage four cancer I decided to get a book to get lost in since I knew I would be waiting at a lot of doctor appointments. To my delight a three box set was almost the same price as a single book so I grabbed the set. Once Upon A Dream is the recommended to read after A Whole New World but that was not in the box set. I am a huge Disney fan so I expected to enjoy Aurora's tale even though Sleeping Beauty is not one of my favorite Disney movies. 

Aurora has only known being an inconvenience her whole life, ignored by her parents and then a burden to her adopted aunt who saved the kingdom. Determined to be useful to Maleficent Aurora decides to totally focus on her studies, learn more about the inhabitants of the castle, and stop dreaming of a safe world outside the thorns that protect the castle. All that changes one day though when the Bard shows up with a glorious blue feather ranting about how outside is not dangerous. Suddenly curious Aurora begins to question her whole existence. 

The story moved so slowly, I was bored throughout the majority of the book. Yet since I paid for a brand new book I was not about to not read it. It is an interesting idea that while Philip battled Maleficent in the real world Aurora battled her in the dream world but it was badly executed in a lot of ways. One good thing was each chapter had a title, I love it when stories have chapter titles and not just number. While the story was boring the writing was fine, it was smoothly done with a steady flow of slow moving story. If not for the fact I bought a box set with three books I would never try another of the twisted tales but I am too stubborn to not read a book I bought brand new.

This is an odd question when I unwrapped the plastic on the box set and took the book out the back cover was torn and the white pages on the edge were clearly dirty. I could not see this the way the box set was set up, has anyone else ever experienced this getting books at Barnes and Noble?

Hide in Plain Sight

 

Another book that I choose randomly from my Nook library. It could be an old Free Friday or a random free book, I just know I did not buy it. 

Andrea is a total workaholic and reluctantly to help her sister with anything. That all changes when her sister is hit by a hit and run driver while walking her grandmother's dog. Eager to check on her sister Andrea races to the country and right into the middle of a mystery.

Normally I adore Love Inspired Suspense books since they are a mystery with clean romance. Yet I was beyond bored with the slow moving story, Mary Jane characters, and hero in a cape that always rescues the girl. I will not be continuing the series. 

Next to Disappear

 

Next to Disappear is an old Free Friday read that I finally got to. 

Emily's life has fallen apart and she wants a fresh start. Moving into the city from a small country cabin will provide her with a change of scenery and a chance to escape her demons. All that goes wrong though when she learns that the woman who use to live in the apartment disappeared. Determined to find out the truth Emily follows a trail of crumbs left behind by Alina as she searches to prove Alina's husband is the one that is responsible for her disappearance. 

I did not figure out the mystery, not even close, it was refreshing to have a story that made sense but still kept the reader guessing at every turn of the page. Part of the writing was sort of boring and the slower parts of the story I did end up skimming at times. I did like Emily a lot she showed a lot of emotions and behaved like I would imagine someone with severe trauma would act. I already have Mind for Murder checked out from the library.