Review: The Secret Life of Anna Blanc

The Secret Life of Anna Blanc by Jennifer Kincheloe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anna Blanc is about to elope to a man she adores. She's caught by the police. The marriage is annulled. She finds herself back in her father's home constantly being supervised by chaperones. Somehow she manages to sneak away and lie her way into a position with the police station. She tries her best to solve a crime that nobody else is paying attention to and maintain her secret.

I really did love the idea behind this story. It was very well thought out. There are so many things I want to gush about. I'm not even sure where to begin. There were also a few things that I just didn't care for. I love that it stuck true to the norms of the time era in which the story takes place. I wanted to fact check a few things, but I didn't bother. It's a fictional novel. It can have luxuries of embellishment if they exist.

My biggest issue with this story is Anna Blanc herself. I just really couldn't stand her. It's like she was intended to act like Scarlett O'Hara. It's just that she didn't quite pull lit off. While O'Hara was impossible, she actually listened to others. And her logic was easy to decipher. Anna Blanc is all over the place. I mean there are some things that I agreed with her on, but I stress the SOME. The other characters were interesting, but most weren't around for me to get a proper read on.

This book was narrated by Moira Quick. She had a very pleasant voice. Her voice acting was very well. I felt like she did her best to match the time period she was reading about. It added to the story in my opinion. I'm having problems finding anything negative to say about her narration. I would definitely love to hear other books narrated by her.

I really did enjoy this book. It may not have been a favorite for me, but I'm still willing to reread it again if the opportunity presents itself. The narration was inspiring and the writing was great. I'd of liked to see the main character's attitude get an adjustment, but it is a series. So it's possible that it might happen in the next few books. I'm curious to read the rest.

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Review: Dead to the World

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sookie is done with being put in danger all the time. She makes it a resolution to not get beat up. Her involvement with the vampires seems to be over for the moment, so she doesn't see this resolution being a problem. Until she finds Eric running around in the woods half naked with no idea who he is or anything to do with himself or his life. Sookie finds herself being sucked into the middle of all the chaos all over again.

I know it's silly, but this may just very be my favorite book in the entire series. It's kind of like all the characters in the series stepped into the Twilight Zone temporarily. I mean things go on like normal, but there had to be some upside-down feelings with Eric having no idea who he was! Then again, it was a secret to most of the population. It is a book that I would have liked to have seen multiple points of view. Just to see how others were thinking about the whole Eric situation.

I really started warming back up to Sookie in this book. She seemed to have really mellowed out. There were times where she was a bit too much for me. I don't know to explain it other than that. Eric's personality was something else in this one. Every time he made some comments that contradicted how he normally was, I laughed so hard. That was something to explain to my lovely fiance who was with me when I read now and then. There is a character in the series that wasn't in the show. His name is Bubba. He's my favorite character of the whole series!

I wound up listening to this book in audiobook as well. I'm praying that my life will slow down just a tad here soon. Either way, the same narrator (Joanna Parker) that narrated the first three books narrated this one as well. She did just as amazing in this as she did the first three and another series I read. I love how she just dives into the story like she's actually there. It helps pull me more into the story.

It's amazing. While I was reading this book, the first line of the next book kept popping into my mind. I couldn't figure it out until a certain part of the book came to light. Then I figured it out. I won't say too much. I don't like to give too many spoilers. That's why most of my reviews can be interpreted as vague. It's interesting how one change can really alter the entire dynamic around it.

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Review: Forgotten Soul

Forgotten Soul by Cheryllynn Dyess
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Angel Of Faith has defied God. He thought he was doing the right thing, but was reprimanded heavily. He was to live a thousand lifetimes until his faith in God has been restored. Skyler has been hired at a pretty amazing job. Everything seems perfect until he meets his boss.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a little choppy and hard to get into at first. I wish that there was a chapter somewhere explaining some of the previous lifetimes. Just kind of like a synopsis or whatever. That's just me though. I'm a curious being. I also totally misinterpreted this cover. I was convinced there would be some story about Indians somewhere.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Skyler seemed pretty interesting. Not somebody I could relate to fully, but I definitely connected to him and understood him. I feel like I related a bit more to Josiah than anybody in this book. Not fully, but in a way. I'd of loved to see more wit and humor through the dialogue.

This was a pretty interesting read. Had I not had to set it down, I would have probably finished it in one sitting. Probably in about an hour or two. There are some things I wish had been drawn out a bit more and enhanced, but that's just because I am in love with long novels. This book was amazing. I really did enjoy it.

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Review: The Liberal Record: Everything You Need to Know

The Liberal Record: Everything You Need to Know by Marcelo Brazzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a book that compares decisions made from both the Conservative and Liberal parties. It obviously supports the Liberal side more than the conservative side. It is pretty objective in most places though. It's a pretty short and decent read. It's something to think about.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I may not believe everything that was in the book. I also may question some of the facts that they added in as well. However, it is obvious that they put in a lot of research into the book. I'm not really putting any negativity in the book. Just because I don't agree with everything said in the book doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this.

I really did enjoy reading this book. It was a pretty enjoyable read. It's amazing. Most books like this tend to be directed at people who are in the situation and understand it. This book kind of talks in a way where everybody will understand it easily. I just say that the reader should keep an open mind as they read it.

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Review: The Nowhere Man

The Nowhere Man by Gregg Hurwitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Evan was taken from the orphanage he grew up in at a young age. He was trained to do horrible and unspeakable things for the government. Once his handler died, he left the project and went his own way. His mission was to protect those in trouble from dangerous situations they wanted out of. Everything is fine until he's tracked down. Now he's on the run for his life. He's a loose end that needs to be taken care of.

I'm seriously impressed with this book. I was kind of hesitant when I read the description of the first book, Orphan X. I gave it a chance anyway. In honor of the fifth book coming out this year (January 28th). I'm very glad I did quite frankly. It kind of reads like the Hitman. I also find it similar to the Jane Hawk series. I'm not sure if anybody has heard of that series, but it's good as well.

I still feel a disconnect with all the characters in the novel. I think that's kind of the point. Evan was raised as an assassin. He had no human interaction from anybody from a very young age with the exception of those who used him as a weapon. I realize that his handler tried to keep humanity in him, but one can only hold so much after they've killed many people. I really loved the neighbor chick and her son. She's very intelligent and down to earth. He has a connection with them as well. It's so obvious.

Like the first book, this book is narrated by Scott Brick. I picked up the first book because of time constraints, but I loved his narration so much that I got the second and third books in the series in audiobook as well. I plan to get the last two in the series in audio when I can get my hands on some credits. I also noticed there are some shot novellas that are reasonably priced that I plan to pick up as well. It's amazing how somebody can narrate normally and still add an intense thrill to a book.

I've really enjoyed this series so far. I believe that I will enjoy the rest of the series just as much. I may even enjoy it more. I can't wait to find out. I'm sure there are many things I can compare it to. Not that I like comparing. But it's screamed Hitman at me since I first started reading it. I can't ignore those vibes. It's an amazing read. I will reread it again in the future.

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Review: Capturing the Devil

Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Audrey Rose is in America. She's planning for Thomas' birthday and anticipating her father and aunt coming so that they can get her father's blessing to marry. In the midst of the chaos and planning, women start getting murdered and it would seem that everything Audrey Rose thought she knew was wrong. Only her brother's journals can help her find the answers she needs to take the devil down once and for all.

Why does this series have to be over? I don't want it to be. I want to read about Wadsworth and Cresswell for years and years! I want to know all about their future! I'm so not good with endings! I really did enjoy this series. I've been curious about them for ages. I didn't think I'd ever muster up the courage to actually get around to reading them. I'm glad I did. I was convinced I'd say that it wasn't up to the hype. I can't. It actually is more than the hype.

I fell in love with Wadsworth and Cresswell. They have to be some of my favorite characters of all time. However, there are quite a few amazing characters in this series. We have Audrey Rose's cousin, Liza. Then there is the wonderful duo, Daciana, Thomas' sister, and Ileana. The uncle is a pretty powerful character, but the consistency of his behavior is a little weird.

This book was narrated by Nicola Barber. I wound up listening to the audiobook due to some time issues. The narrator was fantastic. I wound up buying the rest of the series that I can go back and listen to them all one day. I'm not sure how to describe the voice acting without sounding a bit cliche. I fully recommend everybody give the narrator a chance. I'll be listening to other books by this narrator in the future.

I'm really sad to be done with this series. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to these characters. I'll probably go back and reread the series again in the future. By probably, I mean I definitely will. Probably more than once. Like I've said, I was curious about this series for a long time. I was afraid to give it a try. I'm glad I finally broke down and did!

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Review: Living Dead in Dallas

Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sookie is horrified to find a cook of the bar shoved into Andy's car. As if that isn't bad enough, she gets attacked by a paranormal on her way to see Eric to discuss a matter. Trying to figure out if these are related, she finds herself loaned out to vampires in Texas. Sookie must handle the task in Texas so she can get back home to Bon Temps and help with the issue going on there.

I wrote a review on book three first. I stated in that that I'm technically re-reading these books. However, I am beginning to wonder if I ever read these two books. I have no memory whatsoever of them. Well, I mean obviously I do now. Either way, I'm glad I'm reading the series "again". I remember being obsessed with the series the first time around. I still love the series very much.

I really feel like Sookie was a bit much in this book. She takes offense at every single nice gesture that Bill tries it seems like. I guess I was just raised differently. I get that being seen like a charity case is humiliating, but I feel its insulting to snub people who are offering you a gift as well. You're basically saying you're too good for their generosity. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it.

I listened to this book in audiobook. It was narrated by Johanna Parker. It seems the series is narrated by her. I'm not sure about books later in the series. I only got the first three. Either way, I really liked her narration. I'd listen to the entire series if I had the credits to do so honestly. I'm content with reading the rest of the series though.

I really loved this book. I've loved the series so far. I wish I could compare how I feel about the book now as opposed to the first time around. I can't because I have no memory of the first time at all. It is what it is. This probably won't be my last time reading the series in all honesty. I can't wait to see where the rest of this series is going to go!

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