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Reviews by Christie K. (Hobbs, New Mexico)

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Amy Falls Down
by Jincy Willett
Funny! (6/23/2013)
Yes, the book was humorous in many places throughout. But that's about all I received from this novel. I believe the story got lost in all the extra adverbs and phrases...and the seemingly trying too hard to entertain the reader. I would have loved to get to the heart of Amy's story more...a good mixture of humor with seriousness. If I could have seen the human side of Amy, the one more serious about her health and her writing career, etc...then I think the humor would have been even funnier and I WOULD HAVE gotten a good story out of it. Let's have a mixture of humor and seriousness. My opinion...too much humor is distracting and too abstract. I got tired after awhile of reading all the jokes. On the other hand, a light hearted read for those who enjoy these kinds of books.
Her Last Breath: A Kate Burkholder Novel
by Linda Castillo
Excellent Read (5/6/2013)
Wow, what a well written story! The writing is smooth, clear, and concise. We don't read anymore than what we need to in this book. And this makes it a read that's not overdone with flowery language or too much description. The story is wonderful. I found it hard to put down after the first two pages...just a really good story. I like Kate. She's tough and intelligent and a darn good Chief on the trail of the killer. I loved the surprise ending. I must admit I wasn't expecting a lot from this story. But I was wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone.
The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat
by Edward Kelsey Moore
Entertaining, But That's All (4/3/2013)
I liked the book The Supremes At Earl's All You Can Eat, but over all, I was disappointed. There were too many characters and character references, and too much backstory to remember. It would have been nice if the author had focused more on the Supremes deep-felt triumphs and heartaches, instead of lightening it with fodder and over-done banter. The book is filled with humor, though, and the author has a great sense of humor. I would have liked to FEEL something from this book as well as enjoy a light-hearted read. I think the author is a good writer, and has a wonderful sense of how women think, considering he's a man, and I found that interesting. This is a good book if you want frivolity and not much depth. I kept looking for MORE in it.
A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee
A Thousand Pardons (11/8/2012)
I believe this book started out fairly well. But early on I lost interest in it. I found the plot meager at best, and the character's unbelievable and not very interesting. I like to give a book a chance, to let it develop (or in this case, get better) over time, but couldn't engage with this book to it's ending.
The Devil in Silver: A Novel
by Victor LaValle
The Devil in Silver (8/21/2012)
I must admit I didn't care for this book. The storyline seemed compelling at first, but over time, I got lost in the stereotypical behaviors of some of the characters, and in the way the book was written. I haven't read anything else Lavalle has done, but it seems, being a writer myself, he submitted an unfinished draft and had it published. Too many cheeky lines, exclamation points, and cliches that got in the way of the story. And, while it reminded me of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, I think it was modeled TOO much after it to be really interesting. I kept thinking of the movie instead of focusing on the plot. This book was disappointing to me. On a good note, I think the idea of the story was awesome.
The Woman at the Light: A Novel
by Joanna Brady
The Woman at the Light (7/18/2012)
I found Brady's The Woman at the Light to be an interesting read. Emily is a brave woman (for having ran the lighthouse and for allowing herself to love a black man-- only two examples listed here-- there are more that appear later in the story) and what I found incredible is her strength. I did have some trouble with Brady's use of language, which seemed out of character for the era. Some of her descriptions and dialogue weren't very original or in accordance with most of her style of writing. However, I found the plot packed with twists and turns, and particularly interesting was her relationship with Andrew. Emily is bold and pursues what she wants. This is an entertaining read. I would recommend this book to readers.
Heading Out to Wonderful: A Novel
by Robert Goolrick
Heading Out to Wonderful (5/17/2012)
I read Robert Goolrick's new book, Heading Out to Wonderful, in two days. While this isn't unusual for me, I found I couldn't put this particular book down. Just as in A Reliable Wife, this novel exhibits a compelling plot with clever, heartfelt characters. Goolrick is quickly becoming a master in creating a uniquely different story...one that has plot twists and turns, and one that has unique, insightful characters that speak of humanity and offers insight into the human condition. Goolrick's characters offer both sides of a person, drawing us into their personal motives, and at the same time, creating compassion for them. But not all the characters in this story are good, which lends excitement to the plot, and gives further insight into how people deal with decisions of the heart, and in this case, maybe life and death. I loved this story. Charles is a good fellow to love, and you'll be drawn in by Sam, the little boy who is most affected by the character's actions. Goolrick is talented in creating a setting that draws the reader in, makes you feel as if you're there, a part of it. I applaud Goolrick's style, his rich language, honest depictions, and the twists he lends his stories. Loved the surprises! As they say, this is a "must read!"
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