Review: Kiss the Bride

Kiss the Bride

A Tallwood Novella

by: Jody Wallace

Publishing July 29, 2013

 

Should you read this book? 

Answer: Maybe

 

Here's why:

This novella was not bad but it was not the best book I ever read. It was a short and entertaining. The story was told from two perspectives, that of Herman "Heck" Edward Heckley and Caroline Oakenfeld. Caroline is about to get married and her best friend Heck is her "maid" of honor. The story follows Heck as he tries to be the best maid of honor ever and Caroline as she prepares for a loveless, sexless marriage while making a last ditch effort to get Heck (her best friend, since forever) to FINALLY notice her. Jody Wallace manages to tell a full and complex story in a short format.

I typically don't mind when stories flip perspectives every chapter but in this particular novella I did not care for it. This stems from how Jody Wallace portrayed Heck, he was a caricature more than an character. He was a stereotyped construction worker who was not in touch with his feelings. Jody Wallace tried to throw in some tidbits about Heck to break the stereotypes (such as his love of romantic movies) but this did little to overcome the overwhelming stereotype. Jody could have also gone further to develop Caroline's character, which came across as flat for the majority of the book.

Overall, it was entertaining but for me the true judge of a book is if I would read it again. In the case of Kiss the Bride, I will never read it again which is why it only receives a Maybe rating. 

Next up on my reading list: Anybody But Him by Claire Baxter

P.S. Please post your thoughts about this book in the comments below! I would love to know what you thought.

Review: Killer Insight

Killer Insight

A Psychic Eye Mystery

by: Victoria Laurie 

 

Should you read this book? 

Answer: Have you been reading the series? 

If Yes, then you probably should to keep up with the story-line. 

If No, then I would pass.

 

Here's why:

This novel is not Victoria Laurie's best. While the book ends with a bang, it takes forever to get there. The last 50 pages are the best of the whole book, by far. The beginning of the book drags as Abby deals with personal issues about her relationship with Dutch and her burgeoning relationship with Duffy. The conflict between Dutch feels contrived and Abby's flight from Michigan (while remaining true to character) seem like an easy way to deal with the interpersonal relationship between Dutch and Abby which wraps up in a nice package at the end of the book.Victoria Laurie never really deals with what went on between her Abby and Dutch. For a book series that seems so extraordinary, Victoria Laurie always, previously, had her characters  seem so real, the way she dealt with them in this book seems to take after a romantic comedy.

The over-arching mystery in this novel takes a back-seat to the aforementioned romance triangle. This is sad, as the mystery could have been taken a lot further than it was. It wasn't gripping as the previous books in the series were. This book was much easier to put down than Victoria Laurie's previous books. The twist does redeem this book, that is if you can get through the beginning.

Don't feel disheartened by this novel in the Psychic Eye series, overall it is a brilliantly written series that balances both wit and intriguing mysteries. 

Next up on my reading list: Kiss the Bride by Jody Wallace

P.S. Please post your thoughts about this book in the comments below! I would love to know what you thought.

Review: A Vision of Murder

A Vision of Murder

A Psychic Eye Mystery

by: Victoria Laurie 

 

Should you read this book? 

Answer: Heck Yes!

 

Here's why:

The third time really is the charm! Victoria Laurie keeps the storyline fresh with this installment as she introduces ghosts (which allows her to write a spin-off Ghost Hunter series with M.J. Holliday, a spiritual medium). Abby, her sister Cat, and her handy-man Dave go into business together purchasing fixer-upper houses. The first house they buy together has a resident ghost. This installment follows Abby and Dutch as they try to piece together the decades old murder mystery. 

This installment really focuses on the relationship between Dutch and Abby. Abby must get used to Dutch's overbearing but loving nature as they are forced to play house after Dutch has been wounded. Dutch's character really comes together in this installment as you see him as a vulnerable man instead of the hardened cop / FBI agent. Abby learns through the course of this novel how to deal with the vulnerable Dutch versus the cynical Dutch she knew. 

The mystery in book is completely intriguing. You will find yourself trying to figure out the mystery before Abby and Dutch. Victoria Laurie uses Abby's intuition as a great foreshadowing tool, which if you can connect the dots, you may be able to solve the mystery before Abby!

Next up on my reading list: Killer Insight by Victoria Laurie

P.S. Please post your thoughts about this book in the comments below! I would love to know what you thought.

Review: Better Read Than Dead

Better Read Than Dead

A Psychic Eye Mystery

by: Victoria Laurie 

 

Should you read this book? 

Answer: Yes

 

Here's why:

Victoria Laurie yet again weaves a realistic yet magical tale of  Abby Cooper a psychic intuitive who gets herself into messy situations as she works to help the local detectives and her FBI boyfriend solve mysteries. This installment in the series finds Abby mixed up with the Detroit mob as she works with the local police to catch a serial rapist.

While not quite as good as the first book, this one definitely keeps you guessing until the very end. Victoria Laurie still manages to weave in humor as Abby bumbles around trying to catch a rapist.

This installment also sees Abby's relationship with her FBI agent boyfriend Dutch escalate. Dutch as a serious personality to the mix and is the perfect foil for Abby's lovable but sometimes ditzy character. 

Victoria Laurie is a master at creating characters. In this second book, Laurie develops all the characters further and you feel like you really get to know Abby and her friends.

Next up on my reading list: A Vision of Murder by Victoria Laurie

P.S. Please post your thoughts about this book in the comments below! I would love to know what you thought.

Review: Abby Cooper: Psychic Eye

Abby Cooper: Psychic Eye

by: Victoria Laurie

Should you read this book? 

Answer: Hands-down Yes!

Here's why:

This was Victoria Laurie's debut book as she transitioned her career from professional psychic intuitive to writer. Before reading this book I was skeptical of psychics, but if Victoria Laurie is half as good of psychic as her character Abby Cooper, then I definitely want a reading some day.

I would classify this book as a comedy / mystery. Laurie weaves a clever tale as Abby uses her intuitive skills to aid the police is solving the mystery of her murdered client. Abby Cooper is a very real and relate-able character despite her above average abilities. I found myself wanting to be a part of Abby's life. The story is told as an internal monologue interjected with Abby's humorous musings that had me on many occasions laughing out loud.

If you enjoy mystery and comedy than I highly recommend this book. Laurie makes this book an enjoyable read while also adding enough suspense to keep you hooked. She also throws in just enough romance to keep things spicy.

Next up on my reading list: Better Read Than Dead by Victoria Laurie

P.S. Please post your thoughts about this book in the comments below! I would love to know what you thought.