Jenn's Review: Married with Zombies

Summary:  A heartwarming tale of terror in the middle of the zombie apocalypse.

Meet Sarah and David.

Once upon a time they met and fell in love. But now they're on the verge of divorce and going to couples' counseling. On a routine trip to their counselor, they notice a few odd things - the lack of cars on the highway, the missing security guard, and the fact that their counselor, Dr. Kelly, is ripping out her previous client's throat.

Meet the Zombies.

Now, Sarah and David are fighting for survival in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. But, just because there are zombies, doesn't mean your other problems go away. If the zombies don't eat their brains, they might just kill each other.

Review:  This is a fast but amusing read about a couple on the rocks who get it together while fighting zombies together.  Sarah and David use the cheesy advice that Dr. Kelly has been doling out to help them fight their new issues, zombies wanting to eat their brains.  Nothing like the living dead to help you set aside your petty differences, right?

While I didn't find this as raucously funny as some reviewers, I still was chuckling to myself quite a bit -especially over the marital advice that describes each chapter, such as,

"Balance the workload in your relationship. No one person should be responsible for killing all the zombies."

And far more frightening then the zombies are the religious cults that pop up trying to amass more followers by force and fear.

Jesse Petersen has a fun website put together too with a marital quizzes (like How Long Would Your Relationship Last in a Zombie Apocalypse?), lists of what movie titles should have been zombie movies, etc.  It's definitely worth checking out.  You can also sample the first chapter of the book to see if you think you're ready to be Married with Zombies (first chapter link).

This story fits my twisted sense of humor, though as zombie books go I think Pride and Prejudice and Zombies may have been funnier because of the juxtaposition of the mash-up.  I will certainly continue to read Living with the Dead series for levity.  It makes a great summer beach read... if your warped like me.

Final Take:  3.5/5.0

Children's Corner: What Daddies Do Best

In honor of Father's Day, here's a cute little book about those special guys.  We have the abridged board book version of this one in our house, but it's still sweet.  With beautiful illustrations by Lynn Munsinger, there isn't much story to this one just all the wonderful things you can do with Daddy.  Although I must say, there are a few things on the list I know my father would have been challenged by, and a few my husband would find challenging too, I also know both of them would try there darnedest, or find someone who could help with these things.

Also available is What Mommies Do Best and What Grandmas Do Best/ What Grandpas Do Best.  I purchased both the Mommy and the Daddy versions before realizing they were the same book with different illustrations, so I gave one away. 

I think this is a great before bed/nap read especially because it leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy.  

Jenn's Review: The Girl Who Disappeared Twice

Summary:  She couldn't stop it. Not then. Not now.


If she'd only turned her head, she would have seen the car containing her daughter, struggling to get out. Struggling to escape her kidnapper.

Despite all her years determining the fates of families, veteran family court judge Hope Willis couldn't save her own. Now she's frantically grasping at any hope for Krissy's rescue. Her husband dead–set against it, she calls Casey Woods and her team of renegade investigators,Forensic Instincts.

A behaviorist. A techno–wizard. An intuitive. A former Navy SEAL. Unconventional operatives. All with unique talents and personal reasons for being part of Casey's group, they'll do whatever it takes.
Able to accurately read people after the briefest of encounters, Casey leads her crew to Krissy's home. There, she picks up the signs of a nervous spouse, a guilty conscience, a nanny that hides on her cell. She watches as secrets beg to creep into the open.

Forensic Instincts will dig through each tiny clue and eliminate the clutter. But time is running out, and even working around the clock, the authorities are bound by the legal system. Not so Casey's team. For they know that the difference between Krissy coming back alive and disappearing forever could be as small as a suspect's rapid breathing, or as deep as Hope's dark family history.

Review:  This is a great series debut from a seasoned NY Times bestselling author.  If you are familiar with her work and are looking for an Andrea Kane romance, this isn't it.  However, as I had no expectations going into this, I was pleasantly surprised.

The premise of this book is fascinating.  What would happen if there were a resource out there that could bend the rules, ignore the bureaucracy, and just get results. Of course in the real world there would be all sorts of legal ramifications with that scenario, but if you are willing to suspend your belief a tad, it's an intriguing idea.  It reminded me of a socially acceptable version of the Leverage gang, only instead of a band of criminals it's a band of Criminalists and former law enforcement personnel.   Actually, the whole story read a lot like a screen play.

One regard that may have been better on screen than on the page was the enormous cast of characters.  Ms. Kane goes to a great deal of trouble to make sure the law enforcement representation is accurate.  Unfortunately, that made of a lot of incidental characters to keep track of.  I found all the main characters interesting and was slightly disappointed that the plot drove the story to the point that the reader didn't get to know the Forensic Instincts team as well as I would have liked.  Casey is smart and she is comfortable enough with herself that she knows how to value skills she doesn't have, but that Forensic Instincts would have use for.  I love that she added to the team as she saw fit, including the intuitive, Claire.  While some may see this as a plot device, I thought it added dimension to the story.

Though I picked out the kidnapper 50 pages in and then later the accomplice when s/he is introduced, it was still interesting to watch the process and the twists it took to get to the resolution.  The story itself is heartbreaking and brimming with psychological trauma.  Ms. Kane is an accomplished writer and weaves a good tale.  Again, though, I had the sense that it may lend itself better to screen than paper.

I think Andrea Kane laid the foundation for an incredible series.  I can't wait to learn more about all of the characters and see how the Forensic Instincts team grows and changes.  I will certainly be reading more of this series.

Final Take: 3.5/5


If you'd like a sneak peak at this book, prologue and first chapter, here's the link.  

Julie's Review: The Actor and the Housewife

Summary: This successful sophomore turn at chick lit (after Austenland) from YA and graphic novelist Hale sets up a platonic relationship between a dashing movie star and a Mormon housewife. While in Los Angeles to ink a deal for a script she's written, pregnant Becky Jack holds her own against her big screen crush, Felix Callahan, known the world over for charming his way through romantic comedies. Witty banter draws them together, and though they debate what their fascination with one another could mean, an improbable friendship is born. Their alliance weathers the occasional break, Felix's disinterest in children and his indifference toward Becky's Mormon faith; spousal jealousy and the chasm separating their lifestyles also throw an occasional curveball. Hale keeps the prose crackling with humor and has a sure hand in creating nuanced, believable characters, so when otherwise unlikely plot turns creep up—Becky getting cast opposite Felix—they're, well, likely enough. Though Becky just wants to keep her best friend and her normal life, readers will hope she gets nothing less than a fairy tale ending. ~amazon.com

Review: I will admit I've always had celebrity crushes. I had them as a youngster and I have them now. My dream guy back in the day ranged from Ricky Schroeder, Kirk Cameron and River Phoenix. Today it's pretty much Michael Vartan, Adam Levine, Matt Damon and Justin Timberlake. So, when I read the premise of The Actor and the Housewife: A Novel was right up my alley. I mean if you've ever had a celebrity crush, you've probably thought about this scenario a dozen times.

We are quickly introduced to Becky Jack and Felix Callahan and how they fall into an easy, yet sarcastic friendship. Becky is happily married to Mike with kid number 4 on the way when she befriends Felix. Felix is happily married to Celeste and enjoys being a Hollywood heartthrob. So, yes the friendship is unlikely as it is likely but somehow these two are destined to be in each others lives.

The novel takes us through 11 years of their friendships. Their ups and downs in life and in their friendship. There were a couple of twists in the plot line that I didn't see coming and for that I was happy.

I will say that I found Becky a tad annoying. I guess it comes from me thinking that no one is that witty all the time and well that wholesome. For me, she was a throw back to the 1950s wives and I just couldn't relate to that. I didn't connect with her but in the end I wanted her happy and fulfilled. I found Felix to be charming and adorable.

I did find that the 1st part of the book started plodding along but then it started to pick up the pace again. This is when the story took flight and where you see changes in the characters.

I will say, while the ending was satisfying in a realistic and charming way; I really wanted my Hollywood ending.

If you've ever fantasized about a celebrity then you should pick up The Actor and the Housewife: A Novel . Although maybe the stories in your head are better.

Final Take: 3.75/5

Jenn's Review: The Lost Recipe for Happiness

Summary:  In this sumptuous new novel, Barbara O’Neal offers readers a celebration of food, family, and love as a woman searches for the elusive ingredient we’re all hoping to find…

It’s the opportunity Elena Alvarez has been waiting for–the challenge of running her own kitchen in a world-class restaurant. Haunted by an accident of which she was the lone survivor, Elena knows better than anyone how to survive the odds. With her faithful dog, Alvin, and her grandmother’s recipes, Elena arrives in Colorado to find a restaurant in as desperate need of a fresh start as she is–and a man whose passionate approach to food and life rivals her own. Owner Julian Liswood is a name many people know but a man few do. He’s come to Aspen with a troubled teenage daughter and a dream of the kind of stability and love only a family can provide. But for Elena, old ghosts don’t die quietly, yet a chance to find happiness at last is worth the risk.
~product description

Review:  This one has been in my To Be Read Pile for a while, and I'm glad Roof Beam Reader's 2011 TBR Challenge finally moved it closer to the top.  I haven't read a good Food Lit book in a while, except The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (who I revere), and this definitely fit the bill. The Lost Recipe for Happiness is the perfect combination of food, romance, and magical realism.

I loved the characters Barbara O'Neal created.  They're real and vibrant.  It was fabulous that Elena's decisions were her own and she doesn't fall into archetypal caveats.  The character of Julian Liswood doesn't fall into the stereotypical Hollywood director category either; he has great depth and has not been corrupted by his money.  Even Portia, who is a troubled teen struggling to make sense of her glitzy world, is not without redeeming qualities. The secondary characters are rich too, and you just wish you could spend more time with each of them.  It isn't just the characters though, but the storyline is enticing as well.

Job equality has come a long way, but the commercial kitchen is still a man's world and I love seeing a strong woman not just surviving, but thriving in it.  I also like the way the Ms. O'Neal works plot exposition in the form of flashbacks into the story through Elena's memories. Often times this doesn't work or gets too narrative, but this was beautifully done -with the exception of several pages of rumination on Elena's past relationships that just didn't work for me. Barbara O'Neal's writing is a lot like reading a script in that you can see everything like it's unfolding on the big screen as you read. While the ending was slightly predictable, the journey was not. Elena is haunted by her past, but not broken by it. In fact, her ghosts help her along the way. The only thing that really didn't fit for me were the love scenes. I don't mind a good sex scene, but some of these seemed extraneous and over the top. I like a little left to the imagination.

This is one of those Food-Lit where the recipes, as they relate to the story, are found at the ends of chapters.  In fitting with the story, they are mostly south western cuisine and sound interesting. Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan, so there wasn't many I was drooling over and wanted to add to my repertoire.  Although Ms. O'Neal does include some nice ones for pomegranate baklava, french toast, and one recipe for chicken soup for those of us "poor souls who will never like chilies."

In the end, this was a bittersweet read because I'm really sorry it took me so long to get to this, but I can't wait to read more from Barbara O'Neal! She is definitely a new favorite in the Food-lit genre. I've already added How to Bake a Perfect Life and The Secret of Everything to the top of my TBR Wishlist.

Final Take:  4.25/5.0

Julie's Review: Long Lost

Summary: Myron Bolitar takes on international terrorists in bestseller Coben's fast-paced ninth thriller to feature the sports and entertainment agent (after Promise Me). With his romantic relationship with 9/11 widow Ali Wilder on the rocks, Myron is free at a moment's notice to accept the invitation of his former lover, Terese Collins, a TV newswoman who dropped out of his life years earlier, to join her in Paris. There Terese tells Myron her investigative reporter ex-husband, Rick, whom Myron never knew about, recently got back in touch with her and hinted at an earthshaking revelation. Rick's murder plunges Bolitar into a frenzied, often violent chase across Europe in an effort to learn Rick's secret. Aided by his upper-class sidekick and bodyguard, Win, Bolitar builds up an impressive body count as he attempts to prove he didn't kill Rick—and foil a terrorist plot that's as imaginative as it is preposterous. Bolitar fans will cheer their hero every step of the way. ~amazon.com

Review: Ah...Myron Bolitar how I have a literary crush on you. I can understand why all the fictional women fall for your charm. He's witty, charming, good looking, athletic and smart. Yes, the full package. Add his best friend and ladies man, Win and we are all set for an adventure. By now I've read several Myron novels by Harlan Coben and I have to say that Long Lost is the best one by far. I didn't want to put it down. In fact, I was trying to find any minute to read the book. Sure, I'm like that with the majority of my books but this one was a page turner. Mr. Coben had me hooked within the first page.

I really enjoyed this novel because the case was personal for Myron this time. He flew across the ocean to help a friend in need. The one thing about missing some of the earlier novels is that I always find out something new or an already introduced character is new to me. Some authors make this difficult but Mr. Coben gives you enough that you feel you are up to speed on the back story.

I loved the international threads to the story and how it all connected at the end. Was some of the story perhaps a bit far-fetched, sure; but that doesn't make me like it any less. I don't read fiction to live in reality. I read to believe that normal people can solve extreme situations.

I love Myron and Win's friendship. They are so polar opposite but work so well with each other. I never have a doubt that Win will have Myron's back and vice-versa. I love their witty conversations. Even in the tense situations, they find a way to make sarcastic remarks.

If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller to read while you lounge at the pool or beach this summer; look no further than Long Lost.

Final Take: 4.25/5