Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly - 5 Stars & a Heart

Andi lives in modern day Brooklyn and feels her life is a mess after the loss of her brother. Her father has left and her mother is barely hanging on. She's about to be expelled for her prestigious private school when she is made to tag along on her father's trip to Paris.

Alex lives in eighteenth century Paris and dreams of becoming a star. However she gets caught up in the Revolution in a way she never dreamed.

When Andi discovers Alex's diary it pulls her in and changes her life.

I loved this book!  The two lives of the girls are woven together and the twist at the end was something that I didn't see coming. Two thumbs up for Revolution.

Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich - 5 Stars

Stephanie is at it again in the 13th installment of the Stephanie Plum series. This time, her ex husband, Dickie Orr has gone missing and Stephanie is the prime suspect after having a meltdown in Dickie's office. Once again, Stephanie finds herself on the run from the bad guy and torn between her current off again on again boyfriend, Joe, and the mysterious Ranger.

I really liked this installment. There were several LOL moments in the book. Looking forward to reading # 14.

The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight - 5 Stars

Wylie hasn't heard from her best friend, Cassie, in over a week, but when she receives a text from her asking for help, Wylie rushes to her aid. But instead of coming out and saying where she is, Cassie just sends cryptic clues and vague texts. Wylie and Cassie's boyfriend Jasper head north and follow the clues with hopes of finding Cassie before something terrible happens. Things turn dangerously really quick. What is Cassie hiding and what lies ahead for Wylie and Jasper?

This was a fast paced read that kept me turning pages. It's the first in a series and the ending definitely left me hanging. I will probably pick up the 2nd one when it comes out.

Dying to Call You by Elaine Viets

4 Stars

On the run from her ex-husband and once lush life, Helen has found herself working as a telemarketer. Selling septic tank cleaner may not be a fancy life, but it pays her bills...in cash, which is what Helen needs.
One night Helen hears what she thinks is a murder on the phone. The police dismiss her claims and she sets out on her own to uncover the truth. Helen soon gets in over her head. Will she discover who was murdered and why?

This is the 3rd in the Dead-End Job cozy mystery series. It was a fun read.

2017 New to Me Challenge

http://theherdpresents.blogspot.com/2016/12/2017-New-To-Me-Sign-Up.html

1 - Spilled Milk by KL Randis - new author
2 - Here Today, Gone Tamale by Rebecca Adler - New Author/New Series
3 - What She Left Behind by Ellen Wiseman - New Author
4 - We Were Liars by E. Lockhart - New Author
5 - When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead - New Author
6- Clammed Up by Barbara Ross - New Author / New Series
7-Finding Jake by Bryan Reardon  New Author
8 - With Malice by Eileen Cook - New Author
9 - Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven - New Author
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The Botox Diaries by Kaplan/Schnurnberger - 3 Stars

Jess and Lucy are best friends facing their 40's and midlife crises. Much to Jess's disappointment, Lucy announces that she's got a lover and Jess is worried Lucy's husband, Dan, will find out. But Jess soon finds herself in the middle of her own love predicament when her sexy, French ex-husband shows back up in her life.

The cover describes the book as an "entertaining look at two women's midlife adventures". While there were adventures, I didn't find the book that entertaining and was skimming over the ending just to finish. I found that Lucy's character was self-centered and flat. Jess was slightly better, but over all the book fell flat for me.

2017 Craving for Cozies Challenge

Craving for Cozies

Peckish, 1-10 Cozy mysteries

1 - Here Today, Gone Tamale by Rebecca Adler

2 - Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke 

3 - Clammed Up by Barbara Ross

4 - Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke 

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