Redeye (The Wonderland Cycle #2) by Michael Shean

 Redeye (The Wonderland Cycle #2) by Michael Shean is a continuation of Shadow of a Dead Star. In the first novel we meet, Tom Walken, a cop who has to keep the streets of Seattle clean of black-market technology. Bobbi, aka Brain Mother, is a hacker who gets tangled in the mess. She helps Tom battle Wonderland technology which comprises of dolls, and all sorts of crazy. In Redeye, Bobbi is on the hunt to find out if Tom is still alive after a chaotic battle. 

Bobbi meets new friends and enemies like Redeye. Redeye was born a girl, but made into a machine. She has one mission, and that is to save the world. Although, she could destroy it in the process too. 

Bobbi finds herself joining Redeye's mission with the help of some friends. Can they save the world from strange beings called Yathi? Will Redeye be their salvation or damnation? 

The brilliance of this novel is due to Shean's eloquence. I read by paying close attention to each word, which is probably why I read so slow! To continuously choose the perfect word until you build a story is amazing. 

The fact that the writing is so clear makes the story's pace flow with ease. Normally, in the second book of a series, I get bored. There was not one point in the book where I felt my attention give way. 

For that, this is the best second book in a series that I've read. It makes a great part. It also makes a great stand alone novel.

The way anxiety builds as you read along is adrenalizing. You think, "Things can't possibly get any worse?" But you know they will. 

Shean's writing never ceases to amaze me. As a side note, you probably don't want to read right before dinner. Ha!

I also love the plot. Girls, fashion, technology, shoot 'em up, gore, paranormal elements, etc. It's like a perfectly made Turducken.

I never thought I'd like an author as much as Stephan King. I know, I can read any novel by King, and I will love it. I feel like Shean could write a book about paint drying, and make it sound cool.

http://www.michael-shean.com

On the Road to Death's Door by M. J. Williams

On the Road to Death's Door by M. J. Williams is a story about a group of friends getting together in a small Wisconsin town. The reunion was setup to help with Father Victor's scandalous book. When they all go out for dinner, and the Father doesn't show, the mystery begins.

Emily is a retired police officer. Stan is her scholarly husband. Jeremiah is running for office. His wife is Glenna. Malcolm and Audrey are a pair too.

Emily and Stan are on an RV excursion to see their daughter. Before the trip, Emily stopped at a few garage sales to hunt down some treasures. She ended up with more than she bargained for. Sheriff Pelletier and Emily are on a mission to solve the mystery.

The story is like a traditional mystery novel. I love a crime fighting duo such as Sherlock and Holmes, Inspector Lewis and Detective Sergeant Hathaway and the like. There are also notable solo detectives like Miss Marple, Luther, Wallander, Hercule Poirot, etc.

The actuality that I love a good mystery makes me like the book. I appreciate the wit too. The matter that Sheriff Pelletier calls Emily "Miss Marple" is amusing.

A good mystery never gives the answer away until the end. I couldn't figure the puzzle out which made me keep reading. I would definitely read more in the series.


http://madcitywriter.blogspot.com

Sihpromatum - I Grew My Boobs in China by Savannah Grace

Sihpromatum - I Grew My Boobs in China by Savannah Grace is a memoir series about one family's journey across the globe. The story features a teen girl named Savannah, her mother and two older siblings. What happens when a fourteen year old girl's parents divorce, and the rest of the family decides to go on a year long adventure?

It is a memoir, so I can't critique it like a fictional novel. These are actual people. This is an amazing story that is someone's life.

This memoir is ingeniously, flawlessly written. I loved the writing style, voice. I was there on the journey, apart of the family. Most people will never get a chance to travel to these places. This is your ticket.

It is quite an emotional read. You get to experience the world through a teenager's eyes. The traumas of selling your house, giving away a beloved pet, and leaving friends behind was just the beginning.

The hysteria of Savannah having to use the bathroom in a hole in the ground was horrifying and comical. I can relate as a camper. I own a P-Style, which is a female urination device, that allows one to stand while going.

The food options were horrendous! I am a vegetarian and a picky eater. I would never last!

The many friendly people the family met was touching. I nearly cried toward the end. I cannot wait for the next installment in the series!

http://www.sihpromatum.com

Catering to the Italian Playboy by Tamelia Tumlin

Catering to the Italian Playboy by Tamelia Tumlin is a romance novel about a lady who had a one night stand six years ago with a wealthy hotel owner named Maximus Rinaldi. Sophie Westbrook managed avoiding him until she popped out a cake in a G-string right in the middle of his high-powered meeting with Chinese investors. Oops!

Sophie doesn't want a man like her father, and Max inhibits all the traits she isn't looking for. Max doesn't know if he can handle the stress of a relationship. He grew up an orphan and had no family. Sophie has a secret that will change Max's tune.

I enjoyed Catering to the Italian Playboy. I liked the story. The pace was steady. The novel explained Sophie was a fiery redhead, and the female on the cover looks blonde. She could be considered strawberry blonde though.

My only other critique is multiple uses of the same expressions. It's just a pet peeve of mine. I could literally read the thesaurus.

Those are minor things.  I have a love-hate relationship with romance novels. Overall, I really liked the story. I recommend it!

http://tameliatumlinbooks.webs.com

Ringling the Last Laugh by Michael Lancaster

Ringling the Last Laugh by Michael Lancaster is a fictional story about the Ringling brothers and how they got into the circus business. It is based on a true story though. Does John get the last laugh?

The characters are the six brothers and other family, friends, enemies, etc. The point of view changes, but it is mostly from John's pov. The story is about how John gave birth to a dream and then watched his pie in the sky be eaten by backbiters. In the end, John made a pivotal decision right before he died that would affect his family years after his death.

I really enjoyed the story. I love the time period. The story is set in the early 1900s. I love how the book is divided. There are sections in each chapter. The first one contains a section for different family members. From there the chapters and sections progress to how the Ringling Brother's Barnum and Bailey Circus, The Greatest Show on Earth came into being.

It is also a great history lesson. The circus is as American as apple pie. Even though it is fiction, it offers some insight into what actually happened. 

http://www.ringlingbook.com