First Grave on the Right

It is rare for me to find a book that is both funny and heartfelt honest. Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Darynda Jones' First Grave on the Right is a book that fills both of those categories. The main character in the story is Charley Davidson---and if you can picture the type of woman that can stand up to that name, you'll know what a feisty character she is! Charley is a part-time private investigator and a full-time grim reaper. What, exactly does that mean? Charley literally sees dead people and it's her job to convince them to "step into the light"--and apparently she is very sparkly and attracts a lot of dead people to her. When the dead people that Charley sees have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), they often ask Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Charley has a few admirers amongst her retired police officer father's former co-workers, and continues to help her police officer Uncle Bob solve cases with the help of her dead friends. Added to this mix is a mysterious, misty, stranger who keeps slipping in and out of Charley's dreams and waking life and who she can't seem to stop thinking about. The most entertaining part of this book is when Charley carries on conversations with the dead people (that she can see) while she is sitting in cars/ restaurants/ offices with live poeple (who can't see the dead people)---it is hilarious! If you like Janet Evanovich's books starring lingerie-seller-turned-bounty-hunter Stephanie Plum, you will enjoy getting a taste of this entertaining story by Darynda Jones.

Harvest Hunting

Yasmine Galenorn's latest book, Harvest Hunting is another great entry in her Otherworld series. This book is mainly about Delilah, the middle sister of the D'Artigo sisters, although the book does further the story of her and her sisters Camille and Menolly and their husbands and partners. I love this series, because it blends supernatural and romantic elements in an action-packed, believable world. The D'Artigo sisters are half-Fae, half-human and each posesses unique qualities and talents. Delilah is a werecat who also changes into a panther and is on her way to becoming a Death Maiden for the Autumn Lord, Camille is a witch who's powers often backfire and who has aligned herself with three men who help her magic strengthen and Menolly is a vampire who is learning how to exist in the world. A lot happens in this book, in the D'Artigo sisters (and their friends) attempts to defeat the Shadow King and other demons in their path to find the spirit seals and defeat their enemies. The series is a great read--the characters are very interesting and complex and have just as many issues as the rest of us, even though they are only half human.

Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place...

If you love stories about resilient people succeeding in tough situations, make sure you check out 127 Hours, a new movie that has just been released to DVD. It is based on the story, Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston, and tells the story of a harrowing hiking adventure. Aron is an adventure junkie, who enjoys hiking in Blue John Canyon in Utah. An avid mountain climber, 127 Hours is the true story of his remarkable mountain climbing adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crashes on his arm and traps him in an isolated canyon. He spends five days trying to free himself while examining his life, friends and family and surviving the elements and a lack of water. I admired Ralston's courage and tenacity and his amazingly upbeat attitude that remained throughout the five days. The movie is visually beautiful and I enjoyed the juxtaposition of this wonderful natural world contrasted with the gritty struggle of Ralston to break free from the boulder. The movie stays true to the book that it is based on, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, and I think it's worth it to read the book as well as watch the movie in order to get the story in Ralston's own words. A truly great performance by James Franco (it will keep you riveted to your seat) and an incredible courageous story of survival about a man who deserves to be a hero.

A Decadent Way to Die

I've been reading this series by G. A. McKevett sine the beginning (Just Desserts is the first one) and have loved every one. This is the best book yet though and I can't wait to read the next one. This series is about a private detective originally from Georgia, Savannah Reid, and A Decadent Way To Die is set in the fictional town of San Carmelita, CA. Savannah is a plus-size woman and she left the San Carmelita Police Department due to issues with her weight. She now runs the Moonlight Magnolia Detective Agency with her friend and assistant Tammy, and two retired FBI agents. Her one-time partner at the police department, Dirk Doulter, often helps them on cases and she returns the favor.

In the latest installment, Savannah is commissioned to find out who wants to do harm to Helene Strauss, the 81 year old owner of Strauss Doll Works, Inc. There have been two suspicious "accidents" and the evidence and motive are pointing towards members of Helene's own family. Savannah is on the case but has to do some work alone because Tammy's time is taken up with a new boyfriend who seems intent on controlling her every movement. Savannah's efforts to get Tammy to see the boyfriend's controlling nature are met with resistance until Tammy is savagely beaten. Savannah doesn't let anybody get away with that! As the case of who wants to kill Helene draws to a close, there are some unforseen consequences for Savannah and perhaps at long last the simmering attraction Savannah and Dirk feel for each other will come to a head--or will they once again part ways as just friends?

G. A. McKevitt is a pseudonym for Sonja Massie.

What the Night Knows

I have been on a "thriller" kick lately, and the one I recently read was What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz. As a matter of fact, I flew through the last 44 pages at a record speed last night, heart pounding, because I just HAD to know how it ended! This book is a wonderfully written story with supernatural elements, a psychotic killer (or two) and lots of red herrings that will keep you guessing until the very last page how the story will end. I am a huge fan of Dean Koontz' work and this book did not disappoint me. The hero is John Calvino, a semi-retired police detective who was instrumental in stopping a serial killer when he was a teen ager. Twenty years later, the killings start again and John must figure out how to stop the cycle and keep his family safe. I truly enjoyed Koontz' descriptions of the Calvino's house and the heart-stopping roller-coaster ride of events. The book reads like a good suspense movie and I will not be surprised if a version of this book makes it onto the big screen in a few years. If you like Dean Koontz' books, try also reading Stephen King and Peter Straub, two other authors who write with expertise in this genre.