Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Review: Conflicts with Interest by Michael Ruddy

In Conflicts with Interest, the underdogs, T.R. Morgan and his son, Ryan, of Morgan Homes, Inc. find themselves unfairly targeted by big business and entangled in a builder's worst nightmare when they are served papers concerning Defect Litigation. Confronted by the Bay Area's shrewdest attorney they quickly find themselves in over their heads with insurance companies, lawsuits and the secrets behind closed doors. Having worked in the construction industry for over forty years, Ruddy weaves an ample amount of realism into the story as it gathers speed and rounds the bend to an ending that no one would have expected, least of all T. R. and Ryan.


Received from the publicist for review.

This one gets three stars. It had an interesting premise, but wasn't really engaging. I didn't really connect with or care about the characters and their problems. The rather dense language also included lots of legal terminology which was a bit overwhelming at times. This felt like more of a "guy" type book to me, but fans of legal thrillers should enjoy it.

★★☆☆ = Liked It



Review: The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry (Audiobook)

When Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile in 1821, he took to the grave a powerful secret. As general and emperor, he had stolen immeasurable riches from palaces, national treasuries, and even the Knights of Malta and the Vatican. In his final days, his British captors hoped to learn where the loot lay hidden. But he told them nothing, and in his will he made no mention of the treasure. Or did he?

Former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone isn't looking for trouble when it comes knocking at his Copenhagen bookshop. Actually, it breaks and enters in the form of an American Secret Service agent with a pair of assassins on his heels. Malone has his doubts about the anxious young man, but narrowly surviving a ferocious firefight convinces him to follow his unexpected new ally.

Their first stop is the secluded estate of Malone's good friend, Henrik Thorvaldsen. The wily Danish tycoon has uncovered the insidious plans of the Paris Club, a cabal of multimillionaires bent on manipulating the global economy. Only by matching wits with a terrorist-for-hire, foiling a catastrophic attack, and plunging into a desperate hunt for Napoleon's legendary lost treasure can Malone hope to avert international financial anarchy.

But Thorvaldsen's real objective is much more personal: to avenge the murder of his son by the larcenous aristocrat at the heart of the conspiracy. Thorvaldsen's vendetta places Malone in an impossible quandary—one that forces him to choose between friend and country, past and present. Starting in Denmark, moving to England, and ending up in the storied streets and cathedrals of Paris, Malone plays a breathless game of duplicity and death, all to claim a prize of untold value. But at what cost?



From the library.

This one gets three stars. It was ridiculously slow to start and very slow moving, which is surprising coming from Steve Berry. It was actually bordering on boring enough that I would have stopped listening all together had it not been read by Scott Brick. Scott Brick did his usual amazing job of reading. His accents were flawless (as far as my untrained ear could discern), and he truly embodied every character. If you decide to give this one a try, get it as an audiobook, otherwise it may be intolerable.

★★☆☆ = Liked It




Sunday, February 7, 2010

Winners: Marriage and Other Acts of Charity

The winners are:
  1. DCMetroreader
  2. Anne-Marie T
  3. Aik
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you so much to Hachette for providing the giveaway!

Thank you to all who entered!


Winners: Absolute Power

The winners are:
  1. areallibrarian
  2. Susan
  3. nfmgirl
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you so much to Hachette for providing the giveaway!

Thank you to all who entered!


Winners: The Unnamed

The winners are:
  1. wheresmyrain
  2. esme
  3. Simply Stacie
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you so much to Hachette for providing the giveaway!

Thank you to all who entered!


Winners: I Am Ozzy

The winners are:
  1. afineday
  2. christa @ mental foodie
  3. etirv
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you so much to Hachette for providing the giveaway!

Thank you to all who entered!


Winners: The Swan Thieves

The winners are:
  1. Tif
  2. amanda18228
  3. Jaime
Congratulations and I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you so much to Hachette for providing the giveaway!

Thank you to all who entered!