My Review of "I Don't Want To Kill You" by Dan Wells and more about the John Cleaver Trilogy

I Don't Want to Kill You by Dan Wells

My rating: 4 1/2 of 5 stars

Another great book in the trilogy about John Cleaver teenage sociopath. It was as good as the other books, I only wished that John had had more interaction with the demon. It was not quite as intense as the first two books. The big scene where everything comes to a head ended way too fast for me. I wanted more action. This scene also totally floored me. I had no idea that things would end this way!!! I never would have guessed. I really want to read more about John Cleaver and more books written by Dan Wells. I give this book 4 1/2 stars.

If you want to read this series, please realize that it can be disturbing at times. Some of the words that would describe the series would be...

-chilling

-horrific

-dark

-mind-blowing

-gross

-riveting

-gory

I think you get the picture, but I loved this series. It is fun to read books that make you scared to read them at night.

Here are all of the books in the

series. (BTW, the first two books in the series have won Whitney Awards)

I Am Not a Serial Killer: (John Cleaver #1)

John Wayne Cleaver is dangerous, and he knows it.

He’s spent his life doing his best not to live up to his potential.
He’s obsessed with serial killers, but really doesn’t want to become one. So for his own sake, and the safety of those around him, he lives by rigid rules he’s written for himself, practicing normal life as if it were a private religion that could save him from damnation.

Dead bodies are normal to John. He likes them, actually. They don’t demand or expect the empathy he’s unable to offer. Perhaps that’s what gives him the objectivity to recognize that there’s something different about the body the police have just found behind the Wash-n-Dry Laundromat---and to appreciate what that difference means.

Now, for the first time, John has to confront a danger outside himself, a threat he can’t control, a menace to everything and everyone he would love, if only he could.
Dan Wells’s debut novel is the first volume of a trilogy that will keep you awake and then haunt your dreams.

Mr. Monster: (John Cleaver #2)

"I killed a demon. I don’t know if it was really, technically a demon, but I do know that he was some kind of monster, with fangs and claws and the whole bit, and he killed a lot of people. So I killed him. I think it was the right thing to do. At least the killing stopped.Well, it stopped for a while."

In I Am Not a Serial Killer, John Wayne Cleaver saved his town from a murderer even more appalling than the serial killers he obsessively studies. But it turns out even demons have friends, and the disappearance of one has brought another to Clayton County. Soon there are new victims for John to work on at the mortuary and a new mystery to solve. But John has tasted death, and the dark nature he used as a weapon---the terrifying persona he calls "Mr. Monster"---might now be using him.No one in Clayton is safeunless John can vanquish two nightmarish adversaries: the unknown demon he must hunt and the inner demon he can never escape.In this sequel to his brilliant debut, Dan Wells ups the ante with a thriller that is just as gripping and even more intense. He apologizes in advance for the nightmares.

I Don't Want To Kill You: (John Cleaver #3)

JohnCleaver has called a demon—literally called it, on the phone, and challenged it to a fight. He’s faced two of the monsters already, barely escaping with his life, and now he’s done running; he’s taking the fight to them. But as he wades through his town’s darkest secrets, searching for any sign of who the demon might be, one thing becomes all too clear: in a game of cat and mouse with a supernatural killer, the human is always the mouse.

In I Am Not a Serial Killer we watched a budding sociopath break every rule he had to save his town from evil. In Mr. Monster we held our breath as he fought madly with himself, struggling to stay in control. Now John Cleaver has mastered his twisted talents and embraced his role as a killer of killers. I Don’t Want to Kill You brings his story to a thundering climax of suspicion, mayhem, and death. It’s time to punish the guilty. And in a town full of secrets, everyone is guilty of something.

If you would like to know more about Dan Wells you can go here to his website.

All of Dan's books are available at Amazon.com

View all my reviews

Review of "Making Rounds With Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat" by David Dosa. M.D.

From Publishers Weekly

Dosa, a geriatrician with a strong aversion to cats, tells the endearing story of Oscar the cat, the aloof resident at a nursing home who only spends time with people who are about to die. Despite hearing numerous stories about Oscar's uncanny ability to predict when a patient's time is nearing, Dosa, ever the scientist, remains skeptical. Slowly, he starts to concede that there may be something special about Oscar. Dosa starts to pay more attention to the cat's decidedly odd behavior, noticing that Oscar seeks out the dying, snuggles with the patient and family members until the patient passes; with others, he smells the patient's feet, sits outside a closed door until admitted, or refuses to leave a dying patient's bed. Dosa discovers how powerfully Oscar's mere presence reassures frightened or grieving family. Ultimately, the good doctor realizes that it doesn't matter where Oscar's gift comes from; it's the comfort he brings that's important. This touching and engaging book is a must-read for more than just cat lovers; anyone who enjoys a well-written and compelling story will find much to admire in its unlikely hero. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Making Rounds With Oscar by Dr. David Dosa has become one of my favorite books. You might wonder, why a book about a cat that senses when someone is

dying would be a favorite book? I can answer this question by saying that Oscar is no ordinary cat, he is on a mission. Pets have always been known to bring love and comfort to people. Oscar is no different, except he comforts those patients about ready to pass. Here is what Dr. Dosa had to say about Oscar...

“When I first met him, Oscar didn’t want anything to do with anybody,” says Dosa. “He spent most of his time hiding or finding a quiet place to sit in the sun.”

But when a patient neared death, the physician relates, Oscar would quietly enter the room and remain until the patient passed away. Dosa described the cat’s unusual habit in a 2007 article in the New England Journal of Medicine:

Mrs. K. is resting peacefully in her bed, her breathing steady but shallow. … Oscar jumps onto her bed and sniffs the air. He … turns around twice before curling up beside Mrs. K.

A nurse walks into the room to check on her patient. She pauses to note Oscar’s presence. Concerned, she … grabs Mrs. K.'s chart off the medical-records rack and begins to make phone calls.

Within a half hour the family starts to arrive. … Oscar has not budged, instead purring and gently nuzzling Mrs. K. A young grandson asks his mother, “What is the cat doing here?” The mother, fighting back tears, tells him, “He is here to help Grandma get to heaven.” Thirty minutes later, Mrs. K. takes her last earthly breath. With this, Oscar sits up, looks around, then departs the room so quietly that the grieving family barely notices. "

Making Rounds With Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat, written by Dosa, an assistant professor of medicine and community health at Brown’s Warren Alpert Medical School, was published by Hyperion in early February 2010. The book recounts the stories of families who got to know Oscar and his unique ability. Dosa hopes that in reading Oscar’s story, readers also will learn more about terminal dementia and end-of-life care.

“End of life care is an important topic now as the health-care reform debate goes on,” Dosa says. “This book gives an inside look at how one works with families at the end of life – what they experience and what their thought processes are. And,” he adds, “it is much more readable and approachable because there is a cat involved.”

Even though there is death in the story, this book leaves you with a sense of peace. I read this book after my own Dad had passed away. I wasn't sad as I read this book, but I felt enlightened and blessed. I almost wished that Oscar had been there for my dad. This book also has given me great empathy for the families of loved ones who are living with Alzheimer's.

This is what I said on goodreads.com after I finished reading the book:

"

I really loved this book! I want my own copy so I can read it again. There are many sad stories that truly will touch your heart. You will look differently at Alzheimer's patients and also cats. It just makes me love my cat more."

So many people ask me for book recommendations for their book clubs and

individual

reading.

Making rounds with Oscar is a book that I

HIGHLY recommend to everyone.

I gave this book 5 stars on goodreads,

so

that also should say a lot how I felt about this book.

Making Rounds With Oscar can be purchased at Amazon.com

I would like to know what you think about Oscar and the research that Dr. Dosa has done.

Review of "River Whispers" by Kathi Oram Peterson and a Fantastic Giveaway!

Please watch thebook trailer before reading my review. Thanks! ;)

River Whispers is a novel very different from anything that Kathi Oram Peterson has ever written. She has written two young adult time travel books, The Forgotten Warrior and The Stone Traveler, and a best selling Christmas book, An Angel On Main Street. Now with River Whispers, she has written her first romantic suspense. Let's just say I was very impressed with this novel. Kathi did such a great job of hiding the true killer until the very end. She presented so many different suspects that by the end I was suspecting everyone in this small Idaho town.

River Whispers was written with two very strong lead characters. Regi and Samuel were romantically involved when they were teenagers. There were things that separated them and changed their lives. Now, many years later, Samuel is wanting to rekindle his relationship with Regi. Along the way there are many things still keeping them apart, including a murder. Regi and Samuel are both heavily involved as murder suspects. I loved both of these characters and was cheering them along hoping they would finally come together again. Once again, I found a man, Samuel, that I wish was around in real life. A girl can dream can't she?

I really loved the way that Kathi wrote this suspense novel. Each detail was laid out, chapter by chapter until finally you are able to piece the puzzle together. This is a fun novel to read. This has a little of everything, romance, suspense, humor, and of course the murder mystery. All I can say is "Nice job Kathi!" I hope that Kathi will write more romantic suspense. This book gets 4 1/2 stars from me!

Now the exciting news for all of you that follow my blog! You can win some great things by reading about the blog tour roundup. You won't want to miss commenting on this review. Check it out below!!

You can win this today, a necklace and matching pierced earrings, a "Welcome to the Ranch" plaque, and a small notepad.

Read the information down below from Kathi Oram Peterson in order to win this prize and possibly a $50.00 gift card to Amazon.com.

River Whispers Blog Tour Roundup!!!

The blog tour for River Whispers is only five days: May 23rd - May 27th.

Each day there will be a giveaway of prizes. For the prizes Monday through Thursday you only need to

do three things:

1) Be a follower of my blog.

2) Leave a comment on my blog for that day.

3) Leave a comment on the review blog for that day.

But on Friday May 27th, the

giveaway will be a drawing for a $50. gift card to Amazon. To qualify you need to:

1) Be a

follower of my blog.

2) Leave a comment on my blog each day of the tour.

3) Leave a comment on

the review blogs for each day.

I'll announce the winner Monday May

30th.

Kathi Oram Peterson was born in the small town of Rigby, Idaho. Since childhood she has loved reading and writing stories. After raising her family, she put her writing on hold to earn a BA in English and a minor in Sociology at the University of Utah. Upon graduation she worked for a curriculum publisher writing and editing concept and biography books for children. Her first published novel was a young adult time travel titled, The Forgotten Warrior, released in 2009. Her best-selling Christmas book, An Angel on Main Street, was published later that year. In 2010, The Stone Traveler, another YA time travel was published. Her first romantic suspense, River Whispers, will be released in 2011.

Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater

Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It is always hard when deciding to give a book a 3 or 4 star rating. After looking at all of the individual factors, it comes down to this for me, what was the over all feeling about this book. I liked Lament. I liked the characters, Dee, Luke and James. When there is a strong, female lead who is scared, but rises to the occasion to save people she loves...she has my vote. Deirdre is not passive, but sticks to what she knows must be done. I like a teen female being portrayed this way.


I also really liked the way the Fey were portrayed in this novel. I liked the authentic depiction of Celtic Faerie Lore. This to me was very refreshing. It is also great how many of the Fey characters in this story are good and bad. You will have to read the book to see what I mean. Trying to figure out if they are more good than bad is half of the fun.

One drawback in this book for me was the unnecessary swearing, including the f-bomb. I don't think it was needed in a teen book. There is also the teen "sex" talk about how attracted they are to each other and want things to go further. This is why I do recommend this book for older teens 16+ and adults. The teens in this story are mature and don't have that teeny-bopper feel, so adults will enjoy this book.


I want to read the sequel to Lament, Ballad, to answer some questions about the ending. I have heard from other friends though, that they weren't able to get through the sequel because of various reasons. I am going to give it a try just to see what happens next in the story. I like Maggie Stiefvater's writing. I have enjoyed her books Shiver and Linger. I will let you know what I think of the sequel Ballad.







View all my reviews

My Review of "The Third" by Abel Keogh

Synopsis:

When Ransom Lawe, a recycler in the Pacific Northwest, finds out his wife is pregnant with their third—and therefore illegal—child, he’s forced to choose between the government who proclaims a desire to save the planet and his hope for a place where his family can live in freedom. But with the Census Bureau Sentinels closing in on his wife and unborn child, Ransom’s choice will either save his family or tear them apart forever.

Abel Keogh offers a stark and haunting look at a not-so-distant future in this chilling new novel. Crossing lines between good and evil, freedom and oppression, and political and environmental responsibility, The Third is a gut-wrenching tale of intense loyalty and unconditional love.

The Third is a book about choices. These choices deal with being loyal to your country or your family or yourself. It is also a story about courage and pure love for your family. The main character will sacrifice everything in order to keep his wife and children safe. Abel has a way in this story, of bringing out so many emotions for the reader.You are anxious for the main character and his family, you are appalled that our country allows certain things to happen, and you want desperately for the unborn child to be safe.

One thing that crossed my mind, is that this is a fiction story that could someday be fact. This is not a fantasy story, but more a dystopian style novel. The story takes place in Washington state in 2065. It was fascinating and scary to read about what life MAY be like 54 years from now.

I felt so hopeless as I read The Third. I just couldn't figure out how Ransom was going to save his family, including his unborn child. As you can see, you literally are on the edge of your seats as you read this book. When you read this book make sure that you have plenty of time to finish it. I would have finished it in one sitting if I hadn't started it late at night. I did finish it the next day.

Am I impressed with Abel's writing? Oh yes, he is a great writer! He knows how to write an intense thriller, mixed in with strong characters, good and bad guys, and unique story ideas. This novel also has a great first chapter that will draw you in. Sorry folks, once it does, it will not let you go. I also wanted to let you know, that I gave this book 5 stars on goodreads.com. I don't give out 5 stars very often, but when I do, that book truly deserves it.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Third, follow this link.

I recommend this book to all readers. Regardless of your favorite genre of book, this novel has a little of everything that will appeal to the masses. I think that there will be a sequel coming out. There has to be, just from the way things ended, and the bad guy is still out there looking for Ransom and his family.

You can buy a personalized copy of The Third here at Abel's site.

You can also order The Third at Amazon.com

About Abel Keogh

Abel is the author of the novel The Third and the memoir Room for Two and numerous short stories and poems. For nearly a decade he has worked as a professional copywriter and composed hundreds of print and online pieces of marketing collateral for technology, real estate, health care, and education organiza¬tions—including several Fortune 500 companies. Abel and his wife, Julianna, are the parents of three boys and a girl.

To learn more about Abel and his writing, please visit his website.

"Z" is for Zzzzzzzzzzz Do You Get Enough Sleep?

Sleep is such an important part of our well being. How seriously do you take getting a good night's rest? I am a night owl, so I tend to stay up later than I should. I always regret it the next day when I am dealing with 24 second graders, plus my own two children.What does it take for us to realize that we need to make sure that we get our sleep? I found some very interesting statistics at www.bettersleep.org.

Each year, the Better Sleep Council (BSC) conducts a stress and sleep survey to find out what keeps Americans up at night.

This year’s findings revealed a range of insights on Americans’ stress and sleep cycles. Here are some of the results:

Who is More Stressed?

• 26% of women report trouble sleeping at least once a week compared to only 16% of men
• 19% of individuals ages 45-64 admit to losing sleep due to stress a few nights per week

This year’s survey also focused on women’s wellness and the results show an interesting

paradigm in how women approach their own health.

• 27% of women say sleep is the most important component to their overall well-being
• 16% of women would try getting a good night’s sleep to improve their overall wellness

• 31% of suburban moms are likely to make sleep a priority
• 50% of women with children agree that sleep is the best way to recharge, nine points higher than women without children

• 45% of women agree they feel most refreshed after a good night’s sleep
• 26% of women are likely to invest in a mattress as an in-home wellness item

The better sleep council gives

some recommendations of how we all can get better sleep. The BSC has developed

Ten Tips to help consumers start every day with a good night’s sleep.

1. Give yourself "permission" to go to bed. As hard as it may be to put away your "to do" list, make sleep a "priority." You'll thank yourself in the morning.

2. Unwind early in the evening. Try to deal with worries and distractions several hours before bedtime.

3. Develop a sleep ritual. Doing the same things each night just before bed signals your body to settle down for the night.

4. Keep regular hours. Keep your biological clock in check by going to bed around the same time each night and waking up close to the same time each morning – even on weekends.

5. Create a restful place to sleep. Sleep in a cool, dark room that is free from noises that may disturb your sleep.

6. Sleep on a comfortable, supportive mattress and foundation. It's difficult to sleep on a bed that's too small, too soft, too hard, or too old.

7. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise can help relieve daily tension and stress – but don't exercise too close to bedtime or you may have trouble falling asleep.

8. Cut down on stimulants. Consuming stimulants, such as caffeine, in the evening can make it more difficult to fall asleep.

9. Don't smoke . Smokers take longer to fall asleep and wake up more often during the night.

10.Reduce alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol shortly before bedtime interrupts and fragments sleep.

Maybe what it comes down to, is that we should be more like cats.

"Cats Sleep Anywhere"

Cats sleep anywhere, any table, any chair.

Top of piano, window-ledge, in the middle, on the edge.

Open draw, empty shoe, anybody's lap will do.

Fitted in a cardboard box, in the cupboard with your frocks.

Anywhere! They don't care! Cats sleep anywhere.

Eleanor Farjeon (1881 -1965)

"Y" is for youtube...The Good, The Bad, The Funny!

Youtube is a word that most people have heard of. It has become as common to hear youtube spoken of as it is to hear the words cell phone. You can find almost anything on youtube. There are clips of movies, TV shows, music videos, and of course many funny real life videos from people everywhere. My children and I often go to youtube and find our favorite videos. We sit around and laugh and have a lot of fun together. I am posting today some of our favorite things we like on youtube. I hope that you enjoy them also. (I have posted some of these before, but they are fun to watch again.)

This last video I could not get it to work. here is the link. Trust me, it is funny!
http://youtu.be/_0eINGyJHz8

"X" is for X-tra Great Thriller...My Review of Depth of Deceit by Betty Briggs

Synopsis:

Blonde and beautiful, fledging attorney Stephanie Saunders vows to protect the innocent even though as indigent defense attorney her clients rarely are. Does that include Josh Durrant who seems to be following her? Stephanie is dismayed when her peers begin calling her “Prom Queen” as her boyfriend, Todd Saxton, often does. Desperately trying to prove her worth, she falls prey to those who steal her innocence. Although she plans to forgive Todd for his ultimate betrayal, she is never given the chance. Her boss, Attorney Charles Connelly, offers solace, but is Stephanie’s welfare, or his own, top priority? The only thing that keeps Stephanie sane in her insane world are the horses she loves but does not own, especially the abused mare, Riskie Business, whose example helps Stephanie make the most difficult decision of her life. Relying on wit and courage, Stephanie must save herself and another during the final showdown where she proves a loyalty of which she never knew herself capable.

First off, this book was the 2010 Winner of the Silver Quill for second place in the Fiction category for the League of Utah Writers Publication Awards. You can see why after you read this novel. It is fast paced and so engaging you have to keep turning the pages. I especially loved the fact that you did not realize who was behind everything until the last few chapters.

The main character is likable, and she is written so you have great empathy for her. Sometimes, you want to shake her and tell her not to do something stupid. I always feel when a reader reacts this way to a character, kudos to the writer. There are many male characters in this book, and you are not sure who Stephanie can trust. My favorite male in the book is Josh Durrant. He gets under Stephanie's skin as well as yours. There is something about him that you want to know, but can you trust him? Actually, you feel this way about all of the men in this book. Who can Stephanie really trust? There is a huge puzzle to piece together and Betty leaves so many clues along the way. I know my friend Mindy could possibly figure out the real bad guys sooner than I did. After she reads this book, I will let you know if she did.

One central story line in the book does makes you so disgusted. I found it even hard to read about it. It involves date rape. No clear details are given, but be warned. Without this story line arc though, there would be no story. It is handled and written well. You still want to smack everyone who was involved in it.

This book will keep you on edge while you read it. Leave open a large amount of your time to read this novel. I can promise you, you will not want to stop reading. I gave this book 4 stars on goodreads.com.

If you would like to know more about Betty and her books here is the author's site: http://www.bettybriggs.com/

Here is the purchase link for the book: http://www.amazon.com/Depth-Deceit-Betty-Briggs/dp/0965630757/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1301331128&sr=1-1

I received a review copy of this book. In no way did this influence the review that was given.

"V" and "W" Makes a Vulnerable Writer

vul·ner·a·ble

   [vuhl-ner-uh-buh]

–adjective

1.

capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon:

a vulnerable part of the body.

2.

open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.:

anargument vulnerable to refutation; He is vulnerable tobribery.

3.

(of a place) open to assault; difficult to defend: a vulnerablebridge.

writ·er

  [rahy-ter]

–noun

1.

a person engaged in writing books, articles, stories, etc.,especially as an occupation or profession; an author orjournalist.

2.

a clerk, scribe, or the like.

3.

a person who commits his or her thoughts, ideas, etc., towriting: an expert letter writer.

After I missed posting yesterday, I found a way to combine "V" and "W". I think that most people that want to have a book published someday have felt like a vulnerable writer. It is sad that we leave ourselves open to this kind of vulnerability, but it is human nature. When we put our work "Out There" we are opening ourselves up to praise and criticism. I think that you have to decide what is worst, being vulnerable or never trying. One place will keep you safe, but the other may open up new opportunities for you. I have a feeling that even published authors still feel a little vulnerable when they have a new book coming out. If we never step outside of our comfort zone we will never get anywhere. We have to build confidence in ourselves and our writing. There will be many rejections along the way. As long as we continue to believe in ourselves and what we are doing, we will feel success.