Author: Alexandra

Top 5 Reasons I Love To Read

Published by Alexandra

Shanah, over at the Bionic Book Worm, has asked us to pick our Top 5 Reasons I Love To Read, for this week’s challenge. And really, when all is said and done, don’t we all just need one reason to read: because we love to. But, she’s asked for 5, so here goes, I’m listing my top five reasons: #1. Stories — Because of the stories, stories that transport us to other places, other times, even other dimensions. We can literally go anywhere in space and time. #2. Characters — All those crazy, quiet, mixed-up, funny, annoying characters, character we fall in love with, characters we hate. Characters we want to be when we grow up. #3. Books — Yes, it’s true, some of us love books because of the way they look, or how they smell, or, just because … we want them, we need them. We have to have them, even if we’re broke. We horde them like a dragon does their treasure. #4. Knowledge — Reading brings us knowledge, and knowledge is …

Book Review: GLASS HOUSES

Published by Alexandra

DETAILS Title: GLASS HOUSES Author: Louise Penny Publisher: Minotaur Books ISBN: 9781250066190 Genre: Crime | Mystery BACK COVER BLURB When a mysterious figure appears in Three Pines one cold November day, Armand Gamache and the rest of the villagers are at first curious. Then wary. Through rain and sleet, the figure stands unmoving, staring ahead. From the moment its shadow falls over the village, Gamache, now Chief Superintendent of the Sûreté du Québec, suspects the creature has deep roots and a dark purpose. Yet he does nothing. What can he do? Only watch and wait. And hope his mounting fears are not realized. But when the figure vanishes overnight and a body is discovered, it falls to Gamache to discover if a debt has been paid or levied. Months later, on a steamy July day as the trial for the accused begins in Montreal, Chief Superintendent Gamache continues to struggle with actions he set in motion that bitter November, from which there is no going back. More than the accused is on trial. Gamache’s own …

Space Fleet Banner

Anchors Away

Published by Alexandra

Captain Helena Blackthorn cordially invites you to join her, and the other members of Space Fleet’s elite, on an adventure of a lifetime. “Come and join us at http://terranincognito.ca/  where the fictional future of SPACE FLEET is being written—follow character’s stories in a series of Data Entries, Personal Logs, and Story Episodes. Join up, or just join in, the choice is yours!”

First Impressions Friday: GLASS HOUSES

Published by Alexandra

Following on from the excellent TH1RT3EN, a kick-ass legal thriller from Steve Cavanagh, I picked up Louise Penny’s thirteenth book (see, see what I did there) in her Armand Gamache series, GLASS HOUSES. And, before I knew it, was almost half way—over half way?—through the book. And, at this break neck pace, I look set to finish the rest of it possible tonight, in one sitting! Yes, it’s that good. Yes, it’s that absorbing. This has been, so far, one very powerful read. So much so, I was cussing Penny’s good name last night. Yelling at Gamache, no, literally, I was that absorbed with the character, and what was happening! My partner asking me what was wrong and, on seeing my face, thought I might throw the book at the wall. No! I can’t tell you at this stage why, it would spoil everything. Just know that when I do finish and get around to writing my review, there will be some big time spoilers involved. There will be no other way to talk about …

Book Review: TH1RT3EN

Published by Alexandra

DETAILS Title: THIRTEEN [Eddie Flynn #4] Author: Steve Cavanagh Publisher: Orion Books ISBN: 9781409170662 Genre: Legal Thriller BACK COVER BLURB They were Hollywood’s hottest power couple. They had the world at their feet. Now one of them is dead and Hollywood star Robert Solomon is charged with the brutal murder of his beautiful wife. This is the celebrity murder trial of the century and the defence want one man on their team: con artist turned lawyer Eddie Flynn. All the evidence points to Robert’s guilt, but as the trial begins a series of sinister incidents in the court room start to raise doubts in Eddie’s mind. What if there’s more than one actor in the courtroom? What if the killer isn’t on trial? What if the killer is on the jury? WHAT I THOUGHT “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” — Christopher McQuarrie, The Unusual Suspects It doesn’t get any better than this! Steve Cavanagh has done it again, pulling out all the stops to bring another …