Review: Plum Loving' (Stephanie Plum #12.5) by Janet Evanovich

1 star for Plum Loving' (Stephanie Plum book 12.5) by Janet Evanovich.

Oh no! Not again..

It is not that I am against the between-the-numbers novel but after a taste of the earlier book 8.5 Visions of Sugar Plums, I am certainly not looking forward to this one.

Needless to say, skipping the book is an easy way out but it is never an option I want to consider as I do not want to miss no action in this Plum series. So, I put my fast-as-lightning speed reading skills to good use and survive this short story through gritted teeth and pursed lips.

Review: Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum #12) by Janet Evanovich

5 stars for Twelve Sharp (Stephanie Plum book 12) by Janet Evanovich.

Thus far we know that Stephanie has feelings for two men and does not know how to choose between them. Well.. I'm not exactly sure if I belong to Camp Morelli or Camp Ranger either. So, that makes two of us!

In this instalment, it is good to know and be reminded that the Man of Mystery is, after all, a mortal. No, not Batman. And definitely not any one of the rest Superheroes either. Just like that, it becomes crystal clear to Stephanie on the one who holds the key to her heart.

Review: Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum #11) by Janet Evanovich

5 stars for Eleven on Top (Stephanie Plum book 11) by Janet Evanovich.

Stephanie Plum is one of those golden long-standing series with a plot that actually moves along and makes me look forward for more.

To date, I am happy with the series. However, as at this book in time, I do have a grievance. And a BIG one. That is, I am getting antsy with Stephanie and her mentor-protector-and-friend relationship with Ranger. Where is it all leading to?

Review: Ten Big Ones (Stephanie Plum #10) by Janet Evanovich

5 stars for Ten Big Ones (Stephanie Plum book 10) by Janet Evanovich.

When life gets a tad too monotonous, a tad too stressful and a tad too hard-to-handle, I tend to think of Stephanie Plum, my go-to Romantic Suspense series.

Ten Big Ones is certainly an uplifting, entertaining read. I wave goodbye to all my worries and troubles the moment I immerse myself in Plum's world.

The one character that the author has me there is without a doubt, the Man of Mystery. I love almost everything about him, from his Bat Truck to his mysterious Bat Cave.

Review: Grave Visions (Alex Craft #4) by Kalayna Price

4 stars for Grave Visions (Alex Craft book 4) by Kalayna Price.

An enjoyable, entertaining read that is worth the long wait of 3.5 years.

Grave Visions is a good story with snippets of interesting tidbits that help readers refresh their memories about the fae and faerie, that is, after discounting the one annoying character, the Winter Queen whose power and greatness I certainly do not see eye-to-eye on.

On the topic of Death.. ah... I never know Death, also known as the Grim Reaper or soul collector or what have you, can be one such mystical yet charming character until the Alex Craft series. Yes, I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of him in the next instalment.

Review: Still Alice by Lisa Genova

5 stars for Still Alice by Lisa Genova.

Still Alice is not your run-of-the-mill story that you read and then forget about. It is a poignant portrayal of Alzheimer's Disease, the most common cause of dementia, a disease irreversible and where no known cure exists, that may one day hit you or me.

As Alice's condition progressively deteriorates, readers are thrust into an increasingly fuzzy world where protagonist and readers all seems to amalgamate as audience of one looking inwards into Alice's world yet outwards into Alice's self.

A compelling read that has me crying so many times that I have lost count.

Review: The Ice Twins by S. K. Tremayne

2 stars for The Ice Twins by S. K. Tremayne.

I am Kirstie
I am Lydia

I am confident and loud
I am thoughtful and quiet

I lived
I died

Or did I?

Seriously, I do not like this story. The more I think about it, the lower I want to rate it.

I read The Ice Twins because the - above - blurb on the back of the hardcover is superbly written and deeply enticed me to read beyond that which is disclosed.

The tale starts off well with intriguing, captivating characters, especially the sad, troubled twin with a delusional case of identity. Equally creepy is the background setting of a place with no internet access and no cell phone coverage - the isolation is intense.

Unfortunately, I am disappointed at the end of it all. The first and third person narratives are all too disturbing and melancholy for my taste. To top it off, it is more the wife's story than the twins'. In my opinion, The Aloof Wife makes a better title.

Leap Year 2016

Leap year comes but once every four years.

Here's to wishing those whose birthday falls on this special 29th February with year divisible by the number 4.

*** Happy Birthday ***