The Housewives: The Real Story Behind the Real Housewives

 Fans of the Bravo series Real Housewives will find this non fiction work interesting.  I will admit I enjoyed it but it wasn't quite the expose with lots of gory details I was hoping for when I placed it on hold at my library long before its publication.   It was an enjoyable read but I was looking for juicy details and backstage info.  While there was some of that it felt at times like it was trying to be a college thesis or was looking for a sociological tie to justify its writing.  

I think if you  watch the shows you enjoy their gossipy/ voyeuristic aspects and you are probably hoping to find that and details of behind the scenes info which this book did provide just not as much as I was expecting.  If you would like to find out some of the background info on the reality world and how it is made this is an interesting read you might find enjoyable

The Housewives: The Real Story Behind the Real Housewives by Brian Moylan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I will admit I have watched an episode or 2 of the housewives. The glamorous settings combined with the drama is a bit addicting. Perfect shows for binge watching and this book helps clarify the work that goes into that appeal and how they set up the cliffhanger in every episode. It gives a birds eye view of the process that goes into the making of a series and an episode. There is a bit of history into reality tv as well. While I found it well written and interesting I was hoping for me tidbits on the housewives and the show events. It was enjoyable but did not totally fill my need for inside information

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #96
2. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #103
3. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #117
4. Non Fiction Reader  #2021ReadNonFic  #12. Published in 2021 
5. Pick your Poison #26-1 A book with a crowded cover

Jackpot

 

This is the next installment in the Teddy Fay series co written by Stuart Woods.  I really enjoyed this book with an added bonus of an author starting with a Q so it was a double winner for me.

I am finding I enjoy the Teddy Fay series more than the Stone Barrington books these days probably because they seem to focus more on the clandestine operations and less about the gratuitous sexual encounters.  I am not a prude but it does get old reading about Stone's escapades.  

This book finds Teddy in Asia- Hong Kong and Macau to be exact.  He meets up with a female who challenges him on his skillset and intelligence.  This subplot makes for interesting introspection by Teddy and for a great development of his character.  It makes him more human that's for sure.  

The mystery and intrigue is also well written and full of plot twists.  If you like reading spy novels that feel like a Bond movie then this will be a good fit for you.

Jackpot by Stuart Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teddy Fay adventures keep your on the edge of your seat

I am finding the Teddy Fay series to be more engaging than the Stone Barrington series these days This story is about the intrigue and action of the spy/intelligence business without the gratuitous sexual exploits of Barrington. The twists and turns and uncertainty of who’s on Teddy’s side is very engaging. The complexity of the characters and what is justified behavior keeps the book moving rapidly.
Great book if you’re looking for a foreign espionage book set in Macau

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #95
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  Macau (China)
3. AtoZ   #2021AtoZReadingChallenge  #AlphabetSoupChallenge  "J"
4. Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge  "Q"
5. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021  Teddy Fay #5 
6. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #102
7. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #116
8. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #98
9. Diversify your reading #DYRC21  Thriller
10. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #5a  Shot #6

Z Rex

 This book is definitely not in my usual genre choice for sure.  It is a middle grade reader that is definitely science fiction.   I also don't generally pick books about dinosaurs either.  This book just happened to cover to more difficult challenge prompts in one read though-  the letter Z and a book about dinosaurs.  So this is how I came to read it in 2021.

This book is a great book for young readers especially boys who may be reluctant readers.  The main character is a male who is trying to find his father all while encountering bad guys and real dinosaurs.  The book also incorporates video game features.  All the makings of a book that is interesting to young males.  Personally I found it a quick read once I got engaged in the book and finished it in one day.  I found it interesting if not exactly realistic.  It was a fun read.

I did enjoy it though so I guess the goal of reading things out of your norm by participating in challenges was achieved.  Who knows I might even pick the follow up next year to complete my alpha challenge again in 2022.  

Z. Rex by Steve Cole
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable read and would be a great pick for any young reader who likes fantasy and dinosaurs. It is not my usual choice of genres but I selected for a reading challenge. It was an enjoyable read with drama and a bit of mystery thrown in. All in all a fun read that had a bit of deeper ethical questions underlying it that sparks thinking from more mature readers

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #94
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  Scotland
3. AtoZ   #2021AtoZReadingChallenge  #AlphabetSoupChallenge  "Z"
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #101
5. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #115
6. PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge #32. A book whose title starts with “Q,” “X,” or “Z”
7. The Unofficial Magnus Archives Challenge  #TMARC21  #30. Change: about/involving dinosaurs
8. Pick your Poison #17-2 A book with a shape-shifting character
9. Monthly Motif #MonthlyMotifGXO  magic/super powers
10. Monthly Keyword #MonthlyKeyWordGXO-  One
11. 52 books in 52 weeks  #22 fantasy creatures

Fishing for Trouble

 This second book set in Elkview, Alaska centers around Charlie and her cafe.  I didn't care for this book quite as much as the first in the series.  I think I just didn't like the characters as much.   I did enjoy reading more of Charlie's backstory and meeting people from her past life before the series had started.   This development of her character and the added descriptions of Alaska are well written.

Unfortunately I found some aspects of the mystery a bit lacking.  At one point one of the characters makes a reference about knowing another character, who supposedly had just arrived in AK.  The mystery of why he had been there longer than he indicated was never cleared up and would have been a relevant piece of the solution since he was a realistic suspect in the murder.   For some reason that issue stuck with me.  

This frustration will not keep me from trying the next book in the series though and I recommend the books to anyone interested in small town diners and particularly if you like outdoor life and Alaska in particular.  

Fishing for Trouble by Elizabeth Logan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While I really enjoy the main character, Charlie and her core group of friends/detectives I just found myself not getting invested in this story for some reason. I think I just didn’t like the suspects/friends of the deceased that Charlie was trying to help. This made me not really root for finding the truth and felt like Charlie was wasting her energy. Even the parents of Josh were irritating and cold characters. I just couldn’t “bond” with them. That being said this felt like the author’s intention so in that sense it was well written. I just think I am not a big fan of stories where the protagonists aren’t appealing.
I did like reading about Alaska and the diner including it’s fare. I will look forward to reading more in the series

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #93
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  Alaska
3. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021  Alaska Diner #2
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #100
5. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #114
6. Calendar of Crime  #CalendarOfCrime2021   
7. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #65
8. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #97
9. Craving for Cozies  Book #83
10. Medical Examiner Challenge 1 Toe Tags
11. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 

Row 3
Bar, store, restaurant

• Weapons
• Row 1 
• Poison, poisoned food
• Detectives- Charlie
• Victims- Josh
12. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #71  Shot #2

Murder on the Orient (SS)

 This is the 2nd Agatha Christie Book Club mystery by C.A. Larmer.  The style of the writing of these cozies is a unique approach that I find enjoyable.  The books are modern twists on classic Agatha Christie stories.  What makes them especially unique is the fact the original book is discussed during the plot of the new cozy.  The only downside to this format is if the reader hasn't read the original Christie novel, the Agatha Christie Book Club version will give away the major plot points and outcomes.  So, if you are interested in reading the originals, do it first.

This book is a spin on the Murder on the Orient Express (my review of the original is found here).  The first in the series was a play on the strange case of the disappearance of Mrs. Christie herself( my review can be found here). I found this 2nd book to be better than the original and am glad I stuck it out with the series.

Larmer writes a compelling story with engaging characters that truly resonate with readers, they feel like people you would meet in real life.  The friendships and relationships feel authentic and believable.  This story captures the aspects of cruising quite well and is a perfect getaway while many are not traveling.  The twist is outstanding and not real predictable.   Readers of cozy mysteries and especially those who enjoy travel based mysteries will like this book.

Murder on the Orient (SS): by C.A. Larmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Enjoyable cozy set down under

This mystery was set aboard a cruise ship and was an enjoyable read. There are plenty of references to Agatha Christie‘s works. Note of caution if you haven’t read murder on the orient express and want to be sure to spread it first as this story gives the plot away.
This book feels like a good balance between descriptions and story/mystery. It is easy to visualize the cruise ship it is set upon and the different locations the scenes take place. The tensions between characters are well done and plausible. The mystery itself keeps the reader guessing until the very end

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Challenge Prompts

The Challenge Prompts I will use this for are:  

1. Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  Book #92
2. Literary Escapes  #LiteraryEscapes  New Zealand
3. Finishing the Series   #FinishingTheSeries2021 Agatha Christie Book Club #2
4. Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2021   Book #99
5. Back List Reader  #Backlistreader  Book #113   
6. Cruisin thru Cozies  Free choice #64
7. Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal  Book #96
8. Craving for Cozies  Book #82
9. Book Voyage  #bookvoyagechallenge July: Australia & New Zealand
10. Medical Examiner Challenge 2 Toe Tags
11. Beachcomber Challenge  
• Crime Scenes 
• Row 1
• Boat

Row 4

Hotel room

• Weapons
• Row 1 
• Poison, poisoned food
• Row 4
• Push or fall
• Detectives- Alicia
• Victims- 
12. Six Shooter Challenge  Target #  Shot #2

Review: Pulp Friction

Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really enjoyed this next book in the cider shop series. I appreciate how it depicts the struggles with owning a small business and the creativity and decisions that are needed to run it. Often times stories just portray running a business as an easy task outside of the long hours. They don't tend to talk about the financial struggles and the ever demanding need to evolve and stay current. This series feels realistic about that.
The mystery in the book is well written as well and a good balance of creativity and an honest reflection of small town The setting in the orchard makes me look forward to the fall and hopefully some apple picking or pumpkin patch activities.

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Review: Pulp Friction

Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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