Review: 3 Truths and a Lie by Lisa Gardner

3 Truths and a Lie (Detective D.D. Warren #7.5) by Lisa Gardner
Publisher: Dutton
Publication date: January 5th 2016
My rating: 4 stars 
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Boston Detective D.D. Warren faces her most brutal adversaries yet—a class of jaded thriller writers—in New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Gardner’s exclusive e-Book short story

In Lisa Gardner's second short story, after the New York Times bestseller The 7th Month, Detective D.D. Warren takes on her most intimidating assignment yet: a fifty-minute class meant to educate a horde of bloodthirsty thriller writers on the ways of actual police work. Yet sometimes life really does imitate fiction, as D.D. takes the writers through the reality of one of her most twisted cases—a case that involves a seedy motel room, drugs, prostitution . . . and a severed leg.

With Gardner’s trademark suspense, sharp observations, and thrilling storytelling, Three Truths and a Lie is a fascinating chapter in D.D.’s storied career. Includes an early look at Lisa Gardner’s next novel of suspense, Find Her, coming February 9, 2016.

My Thoughts:

Detective D.D. Warren and her husband, Alex, are taking a “vacation” in Wisconsin as featured guest speakers at the Writers’ Police Academy.  As a bonus they get to hobnob with popular thriller writers, and attend the other work-shops for free.  D.D.’s a little nervous; really a day in the life of a homicide detective is not nearly as exciting as the fictional mysteries they write. D.D. decides to regale them with one of the most bizarre mysteries of her career involving “seedy motel, a hooker, and a dismembered leg”.  With that lead in she has her class (and me) riveted to the pages as she goes through the crime and uncovers the murderer. 

3 Truths and a Lie was a fast, fun, Forensic Files type of mystery.   Real life authors Karin Slaughter, Kathy Reiches, and Joe Finder make an “appearance” with Joe showing off his knowledge of Locard’s principal.  D.D. managed to keep her audience on the edge of their seats until the last reveal.  

I revel in every scene where Alex and D.D. are featured.  I was a huge fan of their romance even though their relationship has usually taken a back seat to the mystery of the stories. There was a short exchange, but it was nice to see them still solid together as a married couple.  They went through some rough times in the last book, Fear Nothing, because of D.D.’s injury.

You don’t need to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this short story.  The audio copy is FREE on Audible right now! I listened to it after reading the e-copy because I adore the narrator, Kirsten Potter, and because this short story was that good.  Both e-copy and audio version includes the first 2 chapters of Lisa Gardner’s next mystery featuring D.D. Warren, Find Her.  I’ll be reading that soon!

 

Rock My TBR

 

Happy New Year everyone! What better way to kick off the new year with the Rock MY TBR challenge hosted by Sarah The YA Book Traveller. I'm the biggest hoarder when it comes to buying books and then letting them sit on my shelf all year long, so I thought this challenge would be perfect to get my out of control pile down. 

The challenge is to read a minimum of 1 book per month that you already own. So I'm going to make it my goal to read at least 12 books. Being the mood reader I am, I knew that I couldn't go with a set list, but a potential list of books that I could choose from: 

 

Are you taking part in the Rock My TBR challenge? If so which books are you planning on reading? I'm totally up for buddy reading! 

Review: The Trouble with Destiny by Lauren Morrill

The Trouble with Destiny by Lauren Morrill
Publisher: Delacorte
Publication Date: December 8th 2015
My rating: 4 stars 

It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey... With her trusty baton and six insanely organized clipboards, drum major Liza Sanders is about to take Destiny by storm—the boat, that is. When Liza discovered that her beloved band was losing funding, she found Destiny, a luxury cruise ship complete with pools, midnight chocolate buffets, and a $25,000 spring break talent show prize. Liza can’t imagine senior year without the band, and nothing will distract her from achieving victory. She’s therefore not interested when her old camp crush, Lenny, shows up on board, looking shockingly hipster-hot. And she’s especially not interested in Russ, the probably-as-dumb-as-he-is-cute prankster jock whose ex, Demi, happens be Liza’s ex–best friend and leader of the Athenas, a show choir that’s the band’s greatest competition. But it’s not going to be smooth sailing. After the Destiny breaks down, all of Liza’s best-laid plans start to go awry. Liza likes to think of herself as an expert at almost everything, but when it comes to love, she’s about to find herself lost at sea.  

The Trouble with Destiny was so much of a different read than I was expecting it to be. When I was first introduced to the characters, I thought I knew which way things would plan out, which characters would end up together and I believed myself to be a good judge of character too, but I couldn’t have been more wrong, Morrill really turned things on their head for me in this book, but I think I much preferred the character developments and story that Morrill gave us then what I thought was going to happen.

Liza knows this competition is her bands for last chance, the $25,000 is exactly what they need to keep their band going, if they don’t win the competition, the school will be making major cuts and Liza knows her band will be the one most affected. But the heat of the competition, being stuck on this cruise ship in order to compete and not getting enough band practice is really taking its toll on the band members that Liza knows she can’t bring herself to tell everyone the truth. Where I thought at first this was the best possible decision Liza could make, as the story progressed I could see that hiding it from everyone and at the same time trying to keep the band in check was becoming too much for Liza, so much that she was turning into somebody nobody knew, not even her best friend and snapping at band members wasn’t helping either. Then there was Demi and her show choir the Athenas who they have to compete with too, with her sabotaging the bands practice and making things worse there was only so much that Liza could deal with. I really did want Liza to go on and win the competition, not only so that the band could continue, but with all the effort Liza had put in, she deserved it. At times Liza could push people too hard or would misread things that were right in front of her, but under all that she was a decent person and I really wanted her to succeed.

Of course when Liza bumped into her old friend Lenny and former crush on the boat, it brings back all these old feelings flooding back and from the way he’d turned out now, Liza is ecstatic to see him. Lenny was adorable, I liked how when things would get tough for Liza, Lenny was there for her. But this is the part of the book that I liked the most Morrill throws in some neat, yet subtle character developments which really threw a spanner into the works, it had me double checking myself at times and really questioning characters at times. But the fun of events that Morrill implemented were great to watch unfold, as the character that I ended up liking the most (seriously he was the sweetest, he was totally under the radar until one point) and the way things ended up I couldn’t have wished for a better way. The Trouble with Destiny for me was a really cute read, it’s one of those books perfect for curling up with during these cold winter months, but what I loved a lot about it too was the fact that Morrill was able to weave in great underlying messages that our characters were able to take away and help them to make the right decisions. I think these take away messages will appeal to a lot of readers too.

 

Review: Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz

Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: December 8th 2015
My rating: 4 stars 
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No one does romantic suspense better than Jayne Ann Krentz. Now, the New York Times bestselling author of Trust No One and River Road delivers a novel that twists and turns into a read that will leave you breathless.

Madeline and Daphne were once as close as sisters—until a secret tore them apart. Now it might take them to their graves.

They knew his name, the man who tried to brutally attack twelve-year-old Madeline in her grandmother's hotel. They thought they knew his fate. He wouldn't be bothering them anymore...ever. Still their lives would never be the same.

Madeline has returned to Washington after her grandmother's mysterious death. And at the old, abandoned hotel—a place she never wanted to see again—a dying man’s last words convey a warning: the secrets she and Daphne believed buried forever have been discovered.

Now, after almost two decades, Madeline and Daphne will be reunited in friendship and in fear. Unable to trust the local police, Madeline summons Jack Rayner, the hotel chain’s new security expert. Despite the secrets and mysteries that surround him, Jack is the only one she trusts...and wants.

Jack is no good at relationships but he does possess a specific skill set that includes a profoundly intimate understanding of warped and dangerous minds. With the assistance of Jack's brother, Abe, a high-tech magician, the four of them will form an uneasy alliance against a killer who will stop at nothing to hide the truth....

My Thoughts:

Madeline and Daphne were best friends, “secret sisters,” when they were young.  They parted ways when a horrific event set them going their separate ways, but they are thrown together again when the nightmare resurfaces.  Eighteen years later secrets thought long buried have somehow been unearthed and Madeline and Daphne are once again in great danger.  They’re not alone, though.  Madeline’s head of security, Jack Rayner and his brother Abe are there watching their backs.  And Madeline feels safe with Jack in her corner.

Eighteen years seems like a long time to be apart, but it feels like nothing when they’re reunited and have a mystery to solve.  I appreciated the positive female bond between Madeline and Daphne, and liked the support and healing they provided for each other.

Sometimes, with a mystery the events of the past are kept hidden with only small bits of information parsed out, and this can be very frustrating.  I’m happy it was revealed, almost from the beginning, what happened with Madeline and Daphne in the past.  The main part of the mystery in the present is trying to figure out who is stirring up the past.  Who knows what happened back then besides the five sworn to secrecy? As the killer takes aim over and over, it becomes imperative to flush this person out before they all end up dead.

There was plenty of danger, twists and turns in Secret Sisters!  I’m happy that the drama and thrills came from the mystery instead of the romantic relationships.  Jack and Madeline were each strong-minded, with romantic issues, but this made it easy to relate to each other.  They understood and didn’t pressure.  I liked Jack’s take-charge, protective nature, and Madeline appreciated his expertise in the dangerous situation they found themselves in.  Jack was the more experienced one in their predicament, but he never diminished Madeline’s strengths or smarts, and he took her counsel to heart.  Abe and Daphne’s romance was more on the back burner, but I enjoyed it as well.  They were an odd, but cute match-up. 

This is my second Jayne Ann Krentz romantic suspense novel, and I plan on reading more from her.  Secret Sisters was a highly entertaining and satisfying mystery! 

About the author:

Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She has written contemporary romantic suspense novels under that name, as well as futuristic and historical romance novels under the pseudonyms Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick, respectively. Learn more at jayneannkrentz.com and connect with her on facebook.com/JayneAnnKrentz.

 

Monthly Recap: November

Hi everyone so November was one of the most craziest, busiest months, hence the reason this post took a while to be posted, but it was also one the most memorable!

What I've been up to.

I finally went to the Harry Potter studio tour with the amazing Allie and can I just say it was amazing! It totally reminded me of the reason why I fell in love with Harry Potter all those years ago. And I loved being able to get a glimpse of how they were able to bring it to life on the big screen. Allie and I were once again goofballs, but I love spending time with this lady, she makes my days full of adventure and fun and I'm always a bit down when I have to come back home (you should have seen our snap chat stories I think we both got way over excited!).

It was my birthday month!!! I have to say my family and friends really went all out for me, my sister threw me a surprise party, I was able to have a lovely meal with my closest friends and I got to experience Nottingham Winter Wonderland for the first time. I love Christmas, so this was really one of the best places to go, they had Christmas markets and we went skating (my first time) and we ate at Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant! Oh my gosh this guy makes the most amazing food, of course I was completely stuffed after the starters and mains, but I still made room for the heavenly dessert!







We put our Christmas tree up, like two weeks early, I'd started shopping for new Christmas ornaments ages ago, even though we had new ones from last year, so I was itching to get the tree up, now I just can't wait to get the presents wrapped and underneath. 

I went to watch Mockingjay Part two. And whilst it seems like just yesterday that I read the book, I honestly couldn't remember a single thing, but I think the movie was done fantastically. I remember the book left a sour taste in my mouth when I'd finished, but this wasn't the case with the movie at all!

Disney tree at St. Pancras

What I've been watching

So since I finished How to Get Away with Murder, (how intense was every single episode) I've been in a bit of a funk with what to watch, I need something mindblowingly spectacular, also I need someone as good as Frank *sigh* so I started back with Once Upon a Time and whilst its okay so far, I'm hoping to watch quite a few shows, before my favourites return after Winter break. The only other show that I've been following regularly on TV is The Apprentice, this year has surprisingly been a year of firsts with this show, I know who I'd like to win, so lets just hope they make it to the final! Also if you follow BBCApprentice on Twitter, they're ridiculously funny at recapping scenes from the nights show. 

Music I've been listening to.

Sorry by Justin Bieber

What is with Justin Bieber creeping into my life? One of his songs was featured as one of the songs I was listening to last month and now here he is again. I don't think this day would ever come, but seriously his music has matured quite a lot and I'm really liking it.

Naughty Boy - Runnin' (Lose it All) ft. Beyonce, Arrow Benjamin

How amazing is this song? I'm not normally one to love all the songs Beyonce features in, it's normally my sister, but I think I heard this song in the gym and fell in love, whereas my sister for once doesn't like this song :/

Sigma ft. Ella Henderson - Glitterball 

I know this song is quite old, but my cousin recently made a video on Instagram of my little nephew and his adventures in the fall, and this was the song he used over the video and it just made me fall in love with the song all over again, it also always make me feel a little nostalgic! 

Reading

I read 7 books in November and actually had first my five star read since March! This book was Cress, of course I fell hard and fast for the characters and couldn't believe that I waited this long to read this book!

Books reviewed (Click on book for review)

Fictional crush of the month: Wolf from The Lunar Chronicles! I devoured three books with him and fell in love with him that little bit more each time. There was so much to Wolf's character that I honestly wouldn't mind any more books that feature him, he was just an amazing guy! I loved his vulnerable side to him, but also his possessive side. I for one wouldn't mind someone like him protecting me! 

Three Books I'm looking forward to next month. 

(Click on book for Goodreads link)

Night Owls is a book which I've had my eye on for sometime now, so I'm grateful to the lovely Allie for sending me this book for my birthday, I actually was a fan of the U.S cover, but I finally had this in my hands I think I love this one more, I can't wait to get stuck in with this book! Written in the Stars was a book which I hadn't heard of before until Siiri put it on my radar, is sounds like an amazing read! So a big thank you for Siiri for gifting me this one. And Lisa Kleypas has been an author whose books I've been itching to start but I didn't know where to start until Miranda pointed me in the right direction! I hope this series ends up being a hit for me! 


I hope you all have a fabulous December! I'll leave you with the Trailer to The Huntsman: Winter's War, I loved Snow White and The Huntsman and I love anything with Chris Hemsworth, so was delighted to see the trailer for the new film, out sometime in 2016!