Book #94 - Whiplash by Catherine Coulter

This is another author where I was deeply disappointed by his/her last book in the series. I almost didn't purchase and read this one. Had it not been for the cover imagery, I don't think I would have. This one had a very interesting story woven about a drug company trying to rig the market so they could make more money. Great thriller that again, I wanted to skip to the end to see who the bad guy was. This book was much better than her last, but I have to say I enjoyed the early books in Catherine Coulter's FBI series far more.

Book #93 - Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

If you recall from the blog about the 16th in this series which I wrote a year ago, I had really lost interest in this series of books. I thought that book was terrible and the storyline was forced. However, I think Janet found her way back with this one. I was thoroughly entertained the entire time, and I was tempted several times to flip to the end to see if I had correctly guessed the villain (which I had). There were several of her characteristic "laugh out loud" moments, and plenty of adult content to keep you reading. Though year after year, we experience Stephanie Plum trying to take down skips and every book having a car of hers explode, this book had a fresh feel to it. It must be very difficult to keep it new and exciting when you are on the seventeenth version of a very similar writing style. By the end of the 16th book, I was so tired of the love triangle (Stephanie, Ranger, and Morelli), but I rather enjoyed the way in which that played out in this book. Definitely an easy and fun summer read.

Book #92 - The Devil Colony by James Rollins

If you like thrillers and you like science, then James Rollins is the writer. He is exciting to read, and he's always flipping between story lines to keep you on your toes. This is another edition starring the Sigma Force, and after 9 or so of these books, I am in love with these characters. I have invested time and energy into each of them, and I'm always wondering when the day will come that one of them won't survive a mission. This one had tied into it the founding fathers of the United States, and it adds a whole new dimension to his adventures. I highly recommend any book by this offer.

Book #91 - The Jefferson Key by Steve Berry

I felt like this was one of the best of Steve Berry's recent books. Perhaps the reason I feel this way is because this one was full of American History and intrigue. I love the conspiracy and folklore that was infiltrating this book. The characters were compelling and this was a major page turner. If you've never read a book by Steve Berry, he writes in a style that hops between several subplots. I kept finding each time he changed subplots that I was left hanging and wanting more. Excellent ending that leaves me waiting for his next book! He is truly a fantastic writer and his plots are always different and interesting.

Book #90 - Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham

I actually finished this book almost two weeks ago, but I've debated whether I wanted to continue this blog or quit. As you can see, I decided to continue it. Today is my son Samuel's 6 week birthday. So, as you can imagine, my reading has declined drastically in the last few months since trying to compete for time between a three year old and a 6 week old takes up my entire life. However, this book came at just the right time. I've decided (with nothing to back my theories up) that John Grisham is bored with doing the "adult lawyer" books. I think that's why the plots in those books have been overdone and not as fresh as his first few. But, I think he's bored with it, and Theodore Boone is his outlet to be creative. I'm sure Grisham grew up on the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew (if he'd admit to reading her), and he's created a character to rival them in Theodore Boone. I loved this book. It's easy language and enticing plot were just what I needed. I look forward to the next installment!!!

Book #89 - Dark Tort by Diane Mott Davidson

I have to say I had no idea who the bad guy/gal was until the author told me. Perhaps it was because she didn't give me enough details to figure it out, but the villain wasn't even on my list of suspects. This book seemed like it had a 380 page build up followed by a 20 page wrap up. It was almost like the author had been told by her publisher to wind it up even though she'd spent a huge amount of time building the plot. I don't think this was one of her best, and it almost felt like she's gotten into a rut on the "caterer who solves murders". There are only so many ways that a caterer can discover a dead body and only so often she knows more than the local police. But, this book allowed me to read without having to think, so it solved its purposed.

Book #88 - Private Scandals by Nora Roberts

This was a fascinating and fast moving short novel. Again amazing that this story was nothing like any of the others I've read by her. How does she do it? How does she come up with these stories that are from all walks of life, all different genres, and all different types of characters. I often think when I start a new novel by Nora Roberts that at some point, the story line has to be a repeat or very similar to others I've read. I have to say that for the first time, I was on to who the bad guy was....but still wouldn't have bet money on it until I got to the end.