Book Review: Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight by Janet Evanovich

Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight

by

Janet Evanovich

 

A Stephanie Plum novel

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

 

Publication date: 23rd November 2021

 

Series: Stephanie Plum #28

 

Genre: Crime Fiction

Pages: 304

RRP: 32.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

My review

Although book 28 in a series, Game On is the first Stephanie Plum novel I have read. Stephanie Plum is a bail bond enforcement agent and the protagonist of 27 previous novels by Janet Evanovich. Even though this book is well into a series it reads fine as a stand alone.

As Stephanie chases up a few people who have skipped bail she comes across one that is proving to be quite elusive and very dangerous. Computer hacker Oswald Wednesday manages to stay one step ahead and is playing a cat and mouse game with Plum.

Evanovich's writing is fast paced making the book a quick read. The story is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and tension filled drama.

I loved the banter between Stephanie and Diesel, who is also chasing after Oswald Wednesday. Stephanie and Lula also have a great rapport and I enjoyed the way they bounce off each other.

I'm eager to read the previous books to see where Ranger, Stephanie's protector, and Diesel fit into Stephanie's love life. She is currently living with Detective Joe Morelli however is still enamored with Diesel and Ranger.

In between all the action, Stephanie's assistant Lula and Grandma Mazur add plenty of humorous moments and a good dose of spirit.

I am happy to have been introduced to this engaging series and I enjoyed this book so much I raced out and bought five more books in the series.

A vast array of interesting characters and some well placed one liners make Game On an entertaining read.

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Photo credit:Goodreads

Janet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Trouble Maker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, as well as the Fox and O'Hare series with co-author Lee Goldberg.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Book Review: Jack Gregson & the Stolen Sons by Peter Wilson

Jack Gregson & the Stolen Sons

by

Peter Wilson 

 

 A darkness grows. A mysterious prophecy from long ago is about to be fulfilled.

 

Publisher: Crystal Publishing

Publications date: 6th December 2021

 

Series: Jack Gregson Trilogy #2

 

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

 

Pages: 204

 

RRP: $19.95

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

My review

 

Often after I've read a fabulous first book in a trilogy I wonder if the author can do it again in book 2. Well, Peter Wilson has delivered again with Jack Gregson & the Stolen Sons.

 

Jack and his cousins, David & Rosie, are taken by a chaos fairy through the portal in the attic of their grandmother's mansion. They are told they must find Anthrow. Here they learn of the prophecy that must be fulfilled to stop the evil horde from devouring my planets. I love prophecies!!

There are the good guys (the ones we are barracking for) and the bad guys (the evil ones that must be destroyed) and then there is Shadow Man who was once human and has now been taken over by the top bad guy, Theorden. I did feel a little sorry for Shadow Man and didn't want him to be destroyed. He isn't bad by choice.

The magic is simple and easy to follow and it doesn't always go as planned which adds some humour. The world building isn't complex, therefore making for an easy plot to follow.

David and Rosie still argued in this book however they worked better together and I liked that David's character was a bit more confident.

The story is rich in action, danger, evil forces and magic. As the story unfolds the pace quickens and the suspense ramps up. Each chapter ends on a little cliff hanger. So good luck getting the kids to put this book down and go to sleep. They will always need to read just one more chapter.

I loved the inclusion of Jarl, the chaos fairy, she added a good dose of humour and gave me a few laughs. I hope she reappears in book 3.

Peter Wilson includes themes of defeating evil forces, invasion, displacement of people from their homes and rebuilding lives.

The Gregson's may have won this battle but the war isn't over yet. I'm looking forward to book 3.

Ages: 9+

Content: 

mild violence - not described, left to the reader's imagination.

infrequent very mild coarse language - bloody, what the hell, we're screwed, holy crap.

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Peter Wilson is an award-winning writer based in Sydney Australia. His first novel, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal has won awards internationally, in both the USA and United Kingdom, and quickly became a favourite with young readers.

In addition to children’s and young adult content, Peter is also interested in writing for the adult market and is currently working on a crime thriller set in his home city, Sydney.

 

 

 

 

Winner of an uncorrected copy of A family of Strangers announced!!

 

 

Once again thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway. This giveaway was only for readers of my blog (it wasn't advertised elsewhere) and although I didn't get the usual hundreds of entries I did get more than I thought I would. So thank you to everyone who reads my waffling on about books. It's good to know I'm not just talking to the void. 😀

The giveaway closed on the 31st March 2022 and the winner was randomly selected (using Random org). 


Congratulations to........   Penny

 

The winner has been notified and has seven days to provide a mailing address.

 Please look under the giveaway tab for more chances to win great books.

My next giveaway coming soon is for a copy of  The Poinciana Tree 

The Poinciana Tree follows the life of a brave and sensitive woman who never stopped caring for the people she loved. Aimée’s life stretched far and wide across Australia, though rarely to places of her choice. Wherever she went she found people to love, and delight amongst heartache.

The Poinciana Tree is told in two parts, first through the lens of Antony’s mother Aimée, portraying the sadness and loneliness of a young mother’s life in the vastness of Australia during and after the war. As Aimée’s life spans across Melbourne and Brisbane so does the author’s telling of her history, taking us through her idyllic marriage before the war and back to her lonely and at times isolated childhood in the West Australian Goldfields.

Following the tragedy of World War II, the second part of the novel takes us to post-war Brisbane as Aimée, now a penniless widow, brings up her two young sons.

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Company Ink by E.L. Lewis

Company Ink

by

E. L. Lewis 

 

Publisher: Cherry Publishing - English

Publication date: 18th June 2021

 

Series: Ink Series #1

 

Genre: Romance

 

Pages: 357

 

RRP: $6.61AUD (Kindle price @ 28/3/22)

 

Format read: eBook

 

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

After Cassie loses her job in event management she is desperate for work, she has a serious shoe obsession that needs funding, so she takes a temporary job as a PA in a law firm. Cassie is immediately attracted to her boss, the charming Adrian, but she also feels some connection  with her other boss, the quietly brooding Blake.

 

Company Ink was a nice, fun story it just didn't have that 'I can't stop reading' factor. Cassie started out sassy and flirty, going after Adrian. She was smart and funny. Then, she just suddenly did a back flip and wanted commitment. Cassie's best friend is getting married and she sees this as her cue to stop playing the field and get serious.

 

Cassie initially comes across as shallow and insincere but as we get to know here she is devoted to her best friend Monique and her cousin Vanessa. She really is a chilled character and I could see why everyone loved her.

 

Both supporting males are charming and handsome and I found it hard to pick a favourite and I enjoyed the tension between Blake and Adrian. It was never clear who Cassie would pick and there were plenty of misunderstandings between the three to keep the story interesting.

 

Love triangles aren't really my romance reading preference. However, I found Company Ink to be a light, fun read perfect for a holiday or beach read.

 

My rating 3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

I took a creative writing class in high school and quickly fell in love with the craft, but it wasn’t until quarantine, ten years later, that I had the time to actually sit down and put all the ideas running rampant in my mind on paper.

For Company Ink, the title actually came before the plot and voila, an office romance was born! I knew I wanted to incorporate a love triangle in the book where both of the love interests complimented my protagonist’s personality – but in very different ways.

Often in love triangles, one love interest outweighs the other, and for Company Ink, I wanted to keep readers guessing and on the edge of their seats. Who will it be? Adrian or Blake? Readers should expect to experience severe whiplash while reading!
For Cassie’s character, I wanted to write a relatable heroine that was bold, confident and fun but also had flaws – a true modern woman. I wanted to portray the relationships between Cassie, Blake, and Adrian as symbiotic, where they help each other grow into better versions of themselves, step outside their comfort zones, and confront their fears.

 

Flash Book Giveaway: A Family of Strangers by Fiona Lowe

 Thanks to the generosity of Harlequin Australia I have one uncorrected proof copy of A Family of Strangers to giveaway.

 

A Family of Strangers

by

Fiona Lowe

 

 About the book

 

With a coveted promotion dangling within reach, the last thing Addy Topic needs to do is waste precious time singing in Rookery Cove's choir. But when she's reminded how much music meant to her late mother, she can't say no. The building pressure raises the ghosts that sent her running from Rookery Cove years earlier - memories she's spent decades keeping hidden, silencing them with work, alcohol and sex.

For Stephanie Gallagher, Rookery Cove was meant to be a new beginning in the slow lane. A place where she and her husband can embrace community, parenthood and evenly share the load. But the sea-change is changing everything. How much longer can they survive as a family?

Brenda Lambeck is finding her feet after the death of her husband when her best friend, convinces her to join the choir. Beloved as a grandmother, Brenda is determined to mend the fraught relationship she has with her daughter, Courtney. But is that even possible when she continues to lie?

In the wake of a spectacular betrayal, three women are forced to face the uncompromising truths about the choices that have shaped their relationships with those they love most. The consequences will shatter their lives and all they hold dear. After such a disaster is rebuilding even possible?

 

Giveaway:

I have one uncorrected proof copy of A family of Strangers to give away.

 

Enter via the form below. (Open to Australian addresses only). Entries close at Midnight on 31st March 2022.

 

This giveaway is now closed and the winner was announced HERE

 

 

 

Book Review: A Family of Strangers by Fiona Lowe

A Family of Strangers

by

Fiona Lowe 

 

How can you know so little about those you love?

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

 

Imprint: HQ Fiction

 

Publication date: 2nd march 2022

 

Genre: Contemporary fiction

 

Pages: 544

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

In A Family of Strangers Fiona Lowe brings together three women, who would not normally mix, and has them supporting each other and solving problems together.

Set in the small seaside community of Rookery Cove, Tasmania, Brenda is trying to get back on her feet after the death of her husband. She is hoping to connect with her daughter Courtney. Their relationship has always been fragile. Encouraged by her friend Marilyn, Brenda joins the Rookery Cove choir.

 

Stephanie and husband Henry have come to the Cove to start a new life, a more relaxed way of living, with their young son and Henry's 12 year old daughter Zoe. But Steph finds herself doing the lion's share of the parenting and starts to resent Henry and his daughter. She joins the local choir for some me time.

 

Addy is back at the Cove to renovate her late parent's home. Meanwhile she is taking on large amounts of work and the pressure has her turning to alcohol as a release. When new friend, Steph, asks her to join the choir she is torn between friendship and old ghosts.

 

This is such a big book, I tend to shy away from anything over 400 pages because I easily get bored with the characters. However, I was totally immersed in the story of these characters. I loved them all and genuinely cared about their lives.

I am amazed how Fiona Lowe can include a diverse amount of topics that are relevant to women and the story does not sound at all contrived. (I don't think I did a single eye roll).

Some themes included are; alcohol abuse, helicopter parenting, step parenting, relationships after a partner's death, bullying, misogyny in the work place, shaming by social media and infertility.

 

I love the idea of a choir as the glue for the friendships. It's a hobby that is all inclusive and not bound by gender or age.

Each woman has her demons that need to be overcome and I loved the way they supported each other even when they weren't at their best. Forgiveness, acceptance and support are key themes throughout and Fiona Lowe shows how our decisions can impact on family and relationships.

 

Fiona Lowe is a counsellor herself and I like how therapists and counsellors have a sort of ghost appearance in her novels. Their value in society is sometimes overlooked. 

 

My rating  5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

For more about Fiona Lowe see my author interviews:

 

 https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2022/03/author-interview-fiona-lowe.html

https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2019/02/author-interview-fiona-lowe.html 

 

 

 

 

Mailbox Monday - March 21st

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week (or month). I post my new books on the last Monday of the month. EDIT: only just realised the 21st isn't the last Monday of March (life has been crazy this month) 😄 Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday Blog

 

 Happy Monday!

 

We have had son no. 2 at home with a broken ankle for the last month. He is slowly recovering and goes to see the surgeon again in three weeks to see if he will be able to start load bearing on his foot. He is sleeping in our spare room in a tiny double bed and I am sure he is looking forward to going back to his own place as soon as he can.

 

The Book Fairies were out and about all over Australia leaving copies of The Sky is Everywhere for people to find. These are a couple of the books I left. 

 

There has been an abundance of gorgeous flowers blooming at the moment. These are some I came across on my walks.

              

Books I purchased after reading and loving book #28 in the Stephanie Plum series. These were found at my local Op Shop.

 

 Books Purchased with a Dymocks voucher I was given. The book with the sprayed edges is The Witches by Roald Dahl. 

 Books received during March for review

 

 In a New York Minute - Kate Spencer

 

The Gosling Girl - Jacqueline Roy

 

The Kaiju Preservation Society - John Scalzi

 

The Understudy - Julie Bennett

 

The Nurses  War - Victoria Purman

 

Rising Dust - Fleur McDonald

 

Sister Stardust - Jane Green

 

Her Time to Shine - Fiona McCallum 

 

What has arrived in your mailbox lately?