What a great start to a new series... so great, I've already pre-ordered book two, and it doesn't come out until next spring!
Like the rest of Fenske'sWhat a great start to a new series... so great, I've already pre-ordered book two, and it doesn't come out until next spring!
Like the rest of Fenske's books, this one is thoroughly entertaining and has just the right mixture of heat and romance. And, natch... humor. If it doesn't make ya chuckle, it ain't a Fenske book. ...more
This is a fast-reading book with just the right mixture of humor, adventure, and romance. Toss in likable characters, good writing, and an enjoyable pThis is a fast-reading book with just the right mixture of humor, adventure, and romance. Toss in likable characters, good writing, and an enjoyable plot, and you have a book well worth reading. ...more
Frankly, I was looking for more humor in this book than what I found. The title itself tickled my funny bone, because I could definitely relate to it.Frankly, I was looking for more humor in this book than what I found. The title itself tickled my funny bone, because I could definitely relate to it. I mean, which of us oldsters hasn't marveled at the idea that society views us as OLD? Most of us think of "the elderly" as... someone else... surely not US. Just because the folks at our fiftieth class reunions look old doesn't mean WE are, doggone it.
There were, indeed, a few spots of much-appreciated humor, as well as some more serious, but overall, there was nothing much new in this book. Maybe my opinion is colored by the fact that I'm older than the author. It might hold more appeal for those who are a bit older.
Not that I'm OLD, dammit! :)
It's an okay read, a bit slow-moving, but entertaining, too. Just not the chuckle fest I'd hoped to find....more
Now that she's conquered the genre of cozy mysteries, Ms. Jacobson has turned her attention and talents to romantic comedy, and I, for one, am glad shNow that she's conquered the genre of cozy mysteries, Ms. Jacobson has turned her attention and talents to romantic comedy, and I, for one, am glad she did. Her writing style, characters, and sense of humor are particularly well-suited to this genre.
I'm an old fuddy-duddy who believes finding oneself in a deep hole means it's time to put the darned shovel down and stop digging, so it was a bit perplexing that our heroine didn't know when to stop telling her increasingly outrageous lies... and it was equally perplexing that our super-smart professor hero actually believed them. But it didn't matter, because the author takes them... and us... on a fun and enjoyable romp, replete with delectable Italian foods, memorable characters, and historical ruins, as they gradually learn to trust each other and find their way to the truth.
Bottom line: it's a fast, witty, and entertaining read. Four and a half stars, rounded up to five....more
Snarky humor, courtesy of a harried housewife who's juggling her secret "save the world from the bad guys" job as a government assassin with her carpoSnarky humor, courtesy of a harried housewife who's juggling her secret "save the world from the bad guys" job as a government assassin with her carpooling responsibilities, getting dinner on the table, and shopping for the perfect Christmas gifts makes for a fun, sometimes laugh-out-loud, experience.
Each chapter begins with a long "aside," as though the housewife is offering various tongue-in-cheek "tips" about Christmas preparations to readers. Although some of them were mildly amusing, I could've done without them. It was kinda like breaking up the story for a a brief commercial or station identification, ya know? I would've preferred the story without the interruptions provided by the tips. It's a cute idea, but it didn't work for me.
Even so, it's an entertaining fast-reading story. And it's definitely different. ...more
This author is gonna make a cozy mystery fan out of me yet. Used to be, I didn't care all that much for amateur sleuthing kinda books, but what can I This author is gonna make a cozy mystery fan out of me yet. Used to be, I didn't care all that much for amateur sleuthing kinda books, but what can I say? Her characters have really grown on me... and I love the humor.
This is the fourth book in her series, and it's also my favorite. By now, the characters have become as familiar as old friends, and their quirkiness has become more endearing. In this case, familiarity most definitely does NOT breed contempt... it leads to greater appreciation. And more smiles.
In a nutshell, Mollie's husband "surprised" her with a rather broken-down sailboat in book one, which wasn't quite the romantic gesture or diamond necklace she was anticipating for their anniversary, but she's gone from merely tolerating the boat to becoming rather fond of it. Matter of fact, she's getting to be quite handy with the repairs, as well as with sailing. (Which is more than her husband can say.) They've made some terrific friends while living in a marina, but Mollie's got an unenviable claim to fame. No, it's not her investigative studies regarding aliens and UFOs. It's this pesky habit she seems to have acquired since they moved to the marina: she keeps finding dead bodies.
But at least her investigative skills help her find out whodunit.
This is a very entertaining book, and the mystery of whodunit will keep you guessing. (Good thing we have Mollie to figure it out for us!) The likable characters, including a clever clue-finding cat, engaging stories, and healthy dollops of humor make for a winning combination. And in case you wondered, this book could easily stand on its own... as could the others. But why in the world would anyone want to do that? Read 'em all!...more
Know what? Tawna Fenske's books are extremely rude. There! I said it. It's true. See, no matter how many other books are already patiently waiting in Know what? Tawna Fenske's books are extremely rude. There! I said it. It's true. See, no matter how many other books are already patiently waiting in line for me to read, as soon as one of her books is released, it immediately knocks the other books out of the way and elbows its way to the front of the line.
Okay, so I admit it... I may have a teensy bit to do with that line-jumping, too. But who can blame me? Her fun quick-reading books deliver as much guilty pleasure as a giant banana split. (Without the calories!) Lots of romance, great characters and dialog, and laugh-out-loud humor... so they deserve their place at the front of the line.
Like her other books, in addition to the element of sheer entertainment, there's something worthwhile and interesting to learn, too. This time, it's about live kidney donation and service to others, coupled with the wise advise that a person has to take care of himself before meeting the needs of others. And romance. Yes, there's always the romance.
This glimpse into the Sedaris family is both entertaining and funny, as well as a bit heart-wrenching when talking about his sister's suicide. NothingThis glimpse into the Sedaris family is both entertaining and funny, as well as a bit heart-wrenching when talking about his sister's suicide. Nothing sugar-coated here. He doesn't mince words and he doesn't even hide his own shortcomings. I think he'd be a super fun friend to have, but only if you stay on his good side. Otherwise, his razor-sharp wit might shred your tender skin.
After seeing so many five-star ratings for this book, I feel a little guilty for giving it four. Then again, in any given anthology, I don't think it'After seeing so many five-star ratings for this book, I feel a little guilty for giving it four. Then again, in any given anthology, I don't think it's possible for EVERY story to equally engage a reader, or for each to be unequivocally characterized as "amazing." It seems to me that there are inevitably going to be some stories that stand out above the others.
That being said, I enjoyed each of the 21 stories included in this anthology. All are well-written, and some have engaging characters and delightful twists They say variety is the spice of life, and this book has variety out the wazoo. The evil-doers are just as varied as their chosen methods of evil-doing. (I may have even rooted for some of them.)
But to detail the plots and pick a favorite? Other reviewers have already given thumbnail descriptions of each story, so I see no reason for me to repeat that, and naming a personal favorite would be as meaningless as telling you which dish you've "gotta" like from a room-sized smorgasbord.
The joy of reading any anthology is it gives readers the opportunity to sample the writings of authors they might not otherwise have read. Most of the writers in this anthology were new to me, and I was impressed with their skill levels. Very well-done.
This I will guarantee. Overall, you'll enjoy these stories. Sure, some more than others, but in spite of parental assurances that they love each and every one of their children exactly the same, there's almost always a favorite....more
What can I say? Fenske is mega-talented when it comes to delivering an enjoyable book, and this one is no exception. It may be short in length, but itWhat can I say? Fenske is mega-talented when it comes to delivering an enjoyable book, and this one is no exception. It may be short in length, but it's definitely long on humor and romance. And I even learned something... I had no idea how many double entendres could be spun around baking cookies...
It certainly wasn't Mollie's idea to buy an old crate of a sailboat, let alone live on it. But here she is, smack dab in the middle of living her husbIt certainly wasn't Mollie's idea to buy an old crate of a sailboat, let alone live on it. But here she is, smack dab in the middle of living her husband Scooter's dream. To be fair, it hasn't been as much of a nightmare as she thought it'd be, and in fact, she's actually made some pretty darned good friends with the other folks who live in the marina and around the community. She's also getting to be quite the whiz kid at making repairs to their perpetually dry-docked boat, and she now knows more about sailing than her husband does.
One teensy problem. She has a most unfortunate habit of finding... dead bodies. (With a bit of help from her cat...) And since she's the one who finds them, she feels an obligation of sorts to find out whodunit.
With a quirky cast of characters, healthy dollops of humor, and a fun mystery to solve, this book is every bit as enjoyable as the first two books in this series. But I dunno. Mollie was cool enough to go along with living on a boat with her mostly clueless husband, but in this book, she lets him get away with throwing away all of her junk food... even her chocolate! In favor of rutabagas, of all things??? OY. A man should NEVER mess with his wife's chocolate. I certainly hope he's learned his lesson...
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review. What can I say? It's a fun fast read. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, you'll love this series.
You might think it'd be difficult... maybe even impossible... for an author to maintain the same high level of spicy romance, great characters, laugh-You might think it'd be difficult... maybe even impossible... for an author to maintain the same high level of spicy romance, great characters, laugh-out-loud humor and all-around good story-telling in the fifth book of a series as she started out with in book one. Probably would be for many writers, but obviously, not for this one. Once again, Ms. Fenske knocked another one waaaaay out of the park. Her books NEVER fail to entertain. I've read 'em all, and I've loved them all.
This book focuses on the oldest brother, "iceman" James, a skilled lawyer who practically keeps his feelings under lock and key, but it isn't necessarily his choice. The keep-it-to-yourself role was thrust on him when he was just a kid. Now he's keeping some shocking family secrets from his siblings, and he has to be extra careful not to let anything slip. After all, he's keeping the secrets for THEIR sake. If they think he's going to open up and tell all, just because his sister Bree pushed them all into group family therapy, they've got another think coming. Not gonna happen.
Enter Bree's friend Lily, an outspoken free spirit who's blithely in favor of "friends with benefits" arrangements with absolutely no strings attached, and James' icy demeanor is doomed. He finds himself doing, saying... and feeling... things he never thought possible. This is a FUN story, with a great cast of characters, a cool zebra, a big slobbery dog, lots of humor and plenty of heat. In other words, classic Fenske.
If you like romantic comedies, you're gonna love this one. Ditto the rest of her books....more
I've read all of this author's work, and I've gotta say, I've thoroughly enjoyed every single book she's written. Before writing this review, I decideI've read all of this author's work, and I've gotta say, I've thoroughly enjoyed every single book she's written. Before writing this review, I decided to browse through my reviews of her earlier work, because it's been a while since I read them. Hmmm, looks like I rated every one a five-star, and in more than one instance, I declared one of her books to be my favorite. Yeah, well, guess what? THIS one's my favorite, too.
Maybe even SIX-star worthy. It's that good.
Our hero Rich and heroine Sarah broke each other's hearts when their youthful insecurities allowed miscommunication and a bit of deliberate sabotage to split them up fifteen years earlier, but from the moment they re-meet at the start of the book, no matter how much they pretend to dislike each other, you just KNOW they're gonna eventually find their happily ever after. It's just a matter of what they have to go through to accomplish it, and to do that, the first thing they have to do is learn to trust their hearts again, and to learn to trust each other.
Rich is a single dad working his butt off to raise two delightful daughters, and his evil ex, who abandoned them four years earlier with nary a word since, is now back with her new moneybags husband, and she's threatening to take the girls away from him. Sarah, a lawyer, is determined to do whatever it takes to win Rich full legal custody. And it takes a lot, made even more difficult by a promise she makes to Rich's older daughter... a promise that could end her budding relationship with Rich, jeopardize her career, and land her in jail.
The characters are well-developed and likable... except for the nasty ex, of course... and the story has lots of substance and heart. It's a fast-reading book that you won't want to put down until you read the very last word. Bottom line? I loved it.
Ms. Seckman made us wait a long time for this book. All I can say is it was worth the wait. (But I sure hope she's already hard at work on her next one...)
As a rule, I usually HATE cliffhangers, but for this book, I'll make an exception. That's because I recently finished book one and liked it so much, IAs a rule, I usually HATE cliffhangers, but for this book, I'll make an exception. That's because I recently finished book one and liked it so much, I already had every intention of reading every darned book in the series, and because I knew, going in, that this book was intended as a kind of "filler" in between books one and two. Plus... the rest of the series has already been published, so I can immediately purchase the next book and keep reading. I can climb right back up on that proverbial cliff whenever I'd like, so if there's any prolonged hanging to be had, it'll be of my own choosing.
There's a lot of repetition in this book. Whole scenes from book one are reproduced word-for-word in it, which may have only been so evident to me because of having recently completed the first book, but there's also new stuff, too, stuff that provides more insight into Denise's background. Just enough to make me want to go into her story in more depth in book three.
Just as the author planned...
What can I say? Smart author. Terrific series. Trust me, I'm not gonna be "hanging" for long.
There are already plenty of reviews on this book, so I'll keep it short.
The author does a fantastic job creating realistic likable characters, and thThere are already plenty of reviews on this book, so I'll keep it short.
The author does a fantastic job creating realistic likable characters, and their struggles with PTSD... both men and women... will help readers better understand the multitude of difficulties our soldiers face after serving in combat. Their stories are heart-wrenching and heart-warming. For me, these characters and their inter-relationships is the strongest thing about the book.
But not the only strong thing. The mystery as to who's killing women and putting notes on their bodies addressed to our heroine Bree, a war veteran and physical therapist, is well-developed and exciting.
But not the only kind of exciting... there's the romance between Bree and Ranger veteran Jase. It begins as a hot one-night stand... but develops into something special and real. And um, yeah, some of the scenes are pretty darned high on the HOT meter. WARNING: That means... some very explicit sex scenes.
Bottom line? I think this is an all-around terrific book. Plus it's the first book of a series... and the e-book is FREE on Amazon. (Yet another very clever author!) I've already ordered the next book, and I have no doubt that I will be reading every single one of them. ...more
This book was one of the April selections for Amazon's First Reads program, and let me tell ya, I was one smart cookie for picking it. Okay, okay, if This book was one of the April selections for Amazon's First Reads program, and let me tell ya, I was one smart cookie for picking it. Okay, okay, if you must insist on accuracy, I was darned lucky.
Because it's reeeeeally good.
Is it destined to become a classic, something students will be required to study if they want to pass English.101? Well, no, maybe not, but I think their moms should be encouraged to read it just for the sheer escapist pleasure of it.
The writing is smooth and oh-so-readable, whether the author is chronicling the snarky journal entries of an intelligent teenage girl or following her harried single mother's POV narrative. And the story? Delightful, fun, and at times, laugh-out-loud funny.
Librarian mom Amy has been struggling, both emotionally and financially, ever since her husband took off three years ago to kinda "find himself." (Evidently, the putz left himself on the other side of the continent.) It's been hard, but she can mostly pat herself on the back for a job well done. Her kids are the center of her universe, and no sacrifice is too great to make for them. After all, it's all on her to make up for her husband's absence, right? (Cue a snippet of melodramatic music here.)
Then her (mega-rich) husband John suddenly reappears, and she begrudgingly allows their two children to stay with him while she goes to New York to attend a conference. Her "week-long" visit ends up lasting for most of the summer, and in the midst of sharing adventures with friends, old and new, she rediscovers her before-children self.
Bottom line? This is a thoroughly enjoyable story of self-discovery and forgiveness, populated by a cast of memorable characters. It's a fast-reading bit of escapism all you smart cookies might love....more
I must admit, my infernal internal editor immediately reworded the first sentence of this book when I read it, and I was also ridiculously annoyed wheI must admit, my infernal internal editor immediately reworded the first sentence of this book when I read it, and I was also ridiculously annoyed when, early in the story, Thor was referred to as the "Greek" god of thunder... but you know what? I LOVED this book. I mean, really LOVED it.
The writing is delightful, and so are the characters. And the story? Dynamite! Retired English professor Thornton McCall, widowed for more than a decade, is doing just fine on his own until he accidentally sets a fire in his kitchen. Then one thing leads to another, and before he knows it, his son "decides" it's time to ship him off to assisted living. For his "own good," of course. And without his beloved dog.
Determined to make the best of it, Thornton makes two very good new friends at the home, and the three of them not only smash the "old people" mold thrust upon them by the home's by-the-book manager, but they also break out of the prison-like home altogether. In a kick-ass yellow Camaro with black racing stripes, they take a memorable road trip so they can attempt to make amends for past sins.
Their adventures, both good and bad... their amazing friendship...and everything else about this book is absolutely wonderful. The depiction of the folks living in that home... basically just existing and killing time until they die... is heartbreaking, because, unfortunately, there's a lot of truth in that portrayal. Old age may not be for sissies, but as our trio of courageous heroes prove, it ain't over 'til it's over. They prove age is just a number and life is meant to be lived to the fullest.
Did I happen to mention I loved this book? I bet you will, too....more
Reading any of Ms. Shirk's books is a genuine pleasure. They're always sweet, fast-reading, and no matter what else happens, you're pretty much guaranReading any of Ms. Shirk's books is a genuine pleasure. They're always sweet, fast-reading, and no matter what else happens, you're pretty much guaranteed there's going to be a happy-ever-after waiting for you at the end.
There are no huge surprises or convoluted plot twists, but you know, sometimes, it's a joy just to wrap yourself in a warm fuzzy story, isn't it? No bloody murders. No big mystery or over-the-top sex scenes. Just sheer entertainment with a dollop of humor.
This was an Amazon First Reads selection for February, and it was the best choice I've ever made since signing onto this program.
The story is absoluteThis was an Amazon First Reads selection for February, and it was the best choice I've ever made since signing onto this program.
The story is absolutely charming. The characters are delightful, especially little smarty pants Ursa, who emerges from the woods, dirty and barefoot, and changes field biologist Jo's life forever. It's a sometimes fun, sometimes scary journey that demonstrates the powers of trust, forgiveness and love.
If you enjoy romances that contain humor, heart, and some sizzling curl-your-toes love scenes, this is definitely the book for you. Matter of fact, juIf you enjoy romances that contain humor, heart, and some sizzling curl-your-toes love scenes, this is definitely the book for you. Matter of fact, just about ANY of Fenske's books will suffice, because she happens to be the queen of laugh-out-loud double entendres, her characters are always likable, and her story lines are always entertaining, usually with a skosh of interesting facts thrown in for free.
Yeah, I'm a fan. Give her books a try. You won't be disappointed....more
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