what i’ve read :: february 2011

Last month I started what will hopefully be a monthly “feature” here on the old blog called “What I’ve Read”.  I always enjoying seeing what other people are reading & getting ideas for new books & authors. So, here’s my list for February 2011:

Heartbreaker by Julie Garwood

Synopsis from Shelfari:
Bless me father, for I will sin.... In the still shadows of the confessional, a madman tauntingly reveals his plan for a murder he is going to commit, pulling Father Thomas Madden into a twisted game by disclosing his next intended victim: Tom's sister, Laurant. In a frantic race to protect her, Tom calls upon his best friend, elite FBI agent Nick Buchanan, to track the predator who is closing in on Laurant. Now, as an electrifying attraction grows between Laurant and Nick, so does the danger -- and one false move will cost both of them everything that matters. Let New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood take you on a thrilling excursion into the soaring heights -- and the darkest impulses -- of the human heart.

One of my besties, Rebecca, recommended this book and I’m so glad she did. Up until the moment the identity of the “unsub” {unknown subject} was revealed, I had no idea who it was. I love when the author can surprise you like that.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Synopsis from Shelfari:
Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared, the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood, but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.
The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school.
Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.
The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night.
Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves.
But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

I had really high expectations for this book based on another blogger’s review but, unfortunately, was disappointed. The story was interesting, but I never really felt an emotional connection to the characters. I just feel like it was missing something. It’s the first in a series, so maybe I’ll give the others a try when I’m lacking for a book.

 

Shattered by Karen Robards

Synopsis from Shelfari:
After Lisa Grant loses her job at a Lexington, Ky., law firm in this seductive romantic thriller from bestseller Robards (Pursuit), she heads home to Grayson Springs, a once thriving Kentucky horse farm, owned by her mother, who's dying from ALS. Lisa becomes a research assistant for former crush Scott Buchanan, the Lexington-Fayette County DA. While she initially finds Scott's grumpy personality unappealing, she begins to feel differently after looking into a cold case: the inexplicable disappearance of Michael and Angela Garcia and their two children, Tony and Marisa, in 1981. Astonishingly, Lisa discovers that both a treasured childhood doll and herself as a young girl resemble Marisa. Lisa's informal investigation leads to dangerous repercussions, including an act of arson at Grayson Springs, in which she and her mother almost perish. Scott's timely rescue tightens their budding relationship as the action builds to a startling if far-fetched conclusion.

It took a long time for me to get into this book, but I think that was mostly because I didn’t pick it up often. I thought it was pretty good. Sometimes it felt kind of rushed and others it was slow. It seemed to take forever to get any real info as to what was going on. Overall I’d say it was good.

 

Pray for Silence by Linda Castillo

Synopsis from Shelfari:
In the quiet town of Painters Mill, an Amish family of seven has been found brutally murdered on their farm. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to secrets, but she can't get her mind around the senseless brutality of the crime. State agent John Tomasseti arrives on the scene to assist. He and Kate worked together on a previous case during which they began a tentative relationship, but each is wary of commitment. The disturbing details of this case will push them to their limits and force them to face demons from their own troubled pasts. When Kate discovers a diary, she realizes a haunting personal connection to the case. One of the teenage daughters may have been leading a lurid double life. As the case develops, Kate’s list of suspects grows. Who is the attractive stranger that stole the heart of the innocent young Amish girl? Did her estranged brother—a man with a violent past who was shunned by his family and the Amish community—come back to seek out revenge? Driven by her own scarred past, Kate swears she'll find the killer and bring him to justice—even if it means putting herself in the line of fire. Topping her own bestselling debut, Linda Castillo once again immerses readers in the world of the Amish with a chilling story that is both a fast-paced thriller and compelling psychological puzzle.

This is the second book in a series about Chief of Police Kate Burkholder. Last month I read the first in the series, Sworn to Silence, and loved it! This one was just as good! I had the killer figured out fairly early, but there was still a twist that I wasn’t expecting. I love it when that happens.

I felt like I hadn’t read very much this month, but four books isn’t too bad.

Did you read anything good this month?