Review: In the Dunes by John Leahy

In the Dunes is a novelette by John Leahy.

Book Description

When his friend vanishes into the sand dunes by a remote Irish golf course, Neil Marshall is mystified and worried. Rejecting the local advice never to explore the beach alone, Neil is determined to discover the truth about his friend's fate. What horror lurks in the dunes?

I think I'm going to spend every Sunday night curled up with a short piece of fiction. That is simply the best way to end the week.

In the Dunes was a quick and entertaining read.  I've always been a fan of Irish folklore and the unseen creatures hidden away in nature.  The creatures of In the Dunes's folklore didn't stay as hidden as I expected, but I enjoyed their strange horror.

I also enjoyed Leahy's writing style.  I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

Have you read any great short fiction lately?  I'd love some recommendations.

Review copy provided by author

Blog Hop Friday: Happy Mother's Day!

Today's Follow Friday question over at Parajunkee's View is:

Q. Circle time! Time to share. What character in a book would you most like to be?

I would definitely want to be someone with a magic power or special ability. It would be pretty cool to be Hermione Granger. She's pretty powerful with all types of spells.  It's kind of like wishing for more wishes.

I'd also like to be Lisbeth Salander for a while.  Not during the books - after the books.  LOL.  She has the whole world at her disposable.

What about you guys? Who would you want to be?

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Jennifer over at Crazy For Books asks: 

"Which book blogger would you most like to meet in real life?"

It would be awesome to know some book bloggers in real life!  It takes a lot of passion to do what we do.  It's great that I can feel that passion on so many blogs, though, and I can hop on twitter to get some great book buzz.

My top choices would be the fine folks who take the time to stop here, read my reviews, and comment back to me.  I love each and every one of you.  This book blogging gig is the best.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to each of you.  I ordered myself some kitchen stuff "from the hubby".  ;)  Have an awesome weekend!

Book Review: Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark

Guilt by Association is the debut book of both Marcia Clark (of O.J. Simpson fame) and Mulholland Books (a new imprint of Little, Brown).

Book Description

Los Angeles D.A. Rachel Knight is a tenacious, wise-cracking, and fiercely intelligent prosecutor in the city's most elite division. When her colleague, Jake, is found dead at a grisly crime scene, Rachel is shaken to the core. She must take over his toughest case: the assault of a young woman from a prominent family.

But she can't stop herself from digging deeper into Jake's death, a decision that exposes a world of power and violence and will have her risking her reputation--and her life--to find the truth.

With her tremendous expertise in the nuances of L.A. courts and crime, and with a vibrant ensemble cast of characters, Marcia Clark combines intimate detail, riotous humor, and visceral action in a debut thriller that marks the launch of a major new figure on the crime-writing scene.

When I first heard about Guilt by Association, I knew right away I wanted to read it.  Experts claim you should "write what you know", and there is an automatic expectation when someone like Marcia Clark (whose career was in spotlight) writes a book.  I'm happy to report Guilt by Association surpassed my expectations. 

Clark's insight into criminal behavior and law enforcement made Guilt by Association very authentic.  The characters were likeable - the kind you would want to go out and have a few drinks with at the end of the day.  The story was complex and complete.  If you are a fan of mysteries, crime fiction, or legal thrillers, Guilt by Association will not disappoint you.

Review copy provided by publisher

New Releases This Week

Earlier this week I read a great novella by Jude Hardin (writing as Carson Wilder) called Unborn.  You can read my review of Unborn here.  Jude Hardin released a new novel this week called Pocket-47.

Book Description

Fifteen-year-old Brittney Ryan has taken to the streets. Leitha, her older sister and legal guardian, hires private investigator Nicholas Colt to find her and bring her home. Piece of cake, Colt thinks. With Brittney's forbidden boyfriend's address in hand, he plans to make a surprise visit and put this one in the scrapbook.But something more sinister is behind Brittney's disappearance, and Colt soon finds himself in an ever-widening maze of deceit, betrayal, and murder. When Colt learns what the mysterious phrase "Pocket-47" means, he is haunted even more by the plane crash that killed his family and rock band twenty years ago-a crash he now realizes might not have been an accident.Determined to save Brittney, Colt struggles to untangle the threads of his own tortured past. Unfortunately, one of the most heinous and violent criminals in modern history has other ideas.

Expect a review in the near future!

Another book released this week was Cherry Beach Express - the debut novel from R.D. Cain who has "worked for the last 18 years in emergency services as a paramedic, firefighter, and police officer".

Book Description

When Steve Nastos is wrongfully accused of murdering his dentist—a man whom he believes committed an unspeakable crime against his daughter—he decides to take the law into his own hands. Freed on bail, he attempts to track down the actual killer in a town where laws are seen more as guidelines and law enforcement agents adhere to their own moral relativism. Handicapped by a recovering alcoholic lawyer, a rogue cop, and a two-faced judge, Nastos has the cards stacked against him. As his estranged yet beloved wife inadvertently becomes involved in the case, the stakes become higher, and Nastos is forced to protect her.

I'm looking forward to reading both of these!

Book Review: Unborn by Carson Wilder (Jude Hardin)

Last night was the end of a very long week.  All I wanted to do after putting the kids to bed was curl up and lose myself in a story, so I paid a visit to my favorite suspense junkie's blog The Man Eating Bookworm and "shopped" for a shot of adrenaline.  Unborn by Carson Wilder (Jude Hardin) sounded just right.

Book Description

The vengeful ghost of an aborted baby girl goes on a killing rampage. Highway drifter, day laborer, and world-renowned psychic medium John Rock tries to stop her.

Unborn is short, but it packs a big punch.  Do you remember that awesome scene at the end of Final Destination where the kid steps off the curb and BAM! gets hit by a bus?  Unborn is like that.

From the opening scene I was pulled in, and every page scared me.  I was scared of what was happening, and I was scared for what would happen next.  Now I can't wait for the sequel.

If you are easily disturbed, steer clear of Unborn.  If you love having a look of terror on your face as you read, please add Unborn to your list.  There is no better way to spend your hard earned $.99.