Review: Thirteen Across by Dan Grant

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Summary:
With the clock running fast and societies livelihood on your back, could you solve THIRTEEN ACROSS: A Puzzle with a Violent Solution?

In present-day Washington, DC, a brilliant, tech-savvy madman with an agenda has concocted a labyrinthine trail of terrorism with an FBI special agent named Kate Morgan at the end. It appears he wants her dead. In the opening scene of Dan Grant’s newest thriller, Kate finds herself crawling over body parts to escape an underground subway train wreck. Kate was on her way to a congressional hearing where she’d been summarily summoned, most certainly already in big trouble with the federal government. Stunned from the horrific attack on the train, Kate is shocked and confused when cops find a briefcase with her name on it shoved under a bench at the subway station. Inside is a page of human skin, tattooed with a set of seven clues coinciding with seven subway stops that will unlock the mystery of what’s happening and sending the FBI, the Army, and Kate herself on a grisly chase.

Review:

For those of you who love suspense and thrillers, Thirteen Across takes you on a labyrinth of plot twists through riddles leading to the ultimate crossword finale chase.

I’ll be honest. It took me a while to get into the book. This wasn’t your typical suspense thriller novel. It was detailed with scientific, technical medical jargon to support the facts in the plot. At times it was a little distracting but overall I found the intention of where the storyline was heading worth investing to where it would go. I found it creative and unique using the premise of the cross word puzzle guiding the plot to solve the crime.

I didn’t realize going into this book that there was another book that would’ve introduced Kate and Philip better. Since I didn’t read it, I can’t tell you how much of an influence this would have here but I think there’s enough to base your conclusions on this as a standalone. You do get a good idea of who they are as people and the plot is straight forward from there. Despite this, it might be beneficial to read first for background information.

The character Kate in the book it’s worth mentioning as a fantastic female lead character in the book. I wasn’t sure how I felt about her early on but as the book progressed she became more likable and I felt drawn to her every move.

As a former DMV resident, it was easy to picture the action in the book of the locations and that gave it piqued my interest a little more. It gives these places a more realistic visual and makes me hope that what happened in the plot stays on the fictional side.

This was a different genre for me that I would’ve never jumped right in partly due to the scientific elements but it opened my interests for the future. Some fascinating elements to note was that it touched on was medical research teetering on the conversation of bio-genetics and training humans in the lab. This put a different perspective on this subject as well as visiting the theme of autonomous vehicles gave it an interesting twist in thought.

I’m on the fence about a couple of things. There was some information that came out towards the later part of the book that may have benefited the story in the beginning. I think it would’ve given the reader a different point of view but aren’t sure if that was intentional or not. My opinion is that it would’ve influenced the perception of the characters where we may have understood them better rather than make presumptions from the plot. Second, I wish there could’ve been a better resolution for some of the characters involved because I was curious what happened. Not sure if they will be revisited in the next book but we’ll see what happens next.

Overall, this was a good read once it got going for me. Nice thriller with an interesting plot. Nonstop action with some interesting twists thrown in the plot. If you like medical thrillers, check this one out.

Review: Side by Side by Anita Kushwaha

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Summary:

Kavita Gupta is a woman in transition. When her troubled older brother, Sunil, disappears, she does everything in her power to find him, convinced that she can save him. Ten days later, the police arrive at her door to inform her that Sunil’s body has been found. Her world is devastated. She finds herself in crisis mode, trying to keep the pieces of her life from falling apart even more. As she tries to cope with her loss, the support system around her begins to unravel. Her parents’ uneasy marriage seems more precarious. Her health is failing as her unprocessed trauma develops into more sinister conditions. Her marriage suffers as her husband is unable to relate to her loss. She bears her burden alone, but after hitting her lowest point, she knows she needs to find a better way of coping. Desperate for connection, she reaches out to a bereavement group, where she meets Hawthorn, a free-spirited young man with whom she discovers a deep connection through pain. After being blindsided by a devastating marital betrayal, she wonders if a fresh start is possible in the wake of tragedy. Will she escape her problems and start over? Or will she face the challenges of rebuilding the life she already has? Side by Side is a story about loss, growth and the search for meaning in the wake of tragedy, illuminated through one woman’s journey from harm to care.

Review:

This was one of those books that reach a part of you that you can’t describe in words. Partly at the moment, dealing with my own familial grief, this book has really brought to the center many emotions as well as comfort. This was a book that reaches to the deepest part of your soul, grabs your heart and illuminates your mind to the resilient strength of a woman finding the light through the darkest despair of grief.

This book has many layers that draw out thought provoking moments. This is a beautifully written book that brings you emotionally and physically to a place of empathy, compassion and conscious to the depth of the affects of grief one person can bare. What do you do when someone you loves dies so tragically? The intensity of love one shares with that love one can cripple your existence, especially when no one understands or feels your pain.

Side by Side, introduces us to Kavita Gupta. For those of you lucky to have a sibling that you are really close with, than you will be able to relate to this character. I love the bond that she has with her brother. When he succumbs to his emotional captivity and is found dead, I appreciate the delicacy of the series of events that led up to that moment. It was humane, compassionate and showed another perspective, one that is not often allowed to be heard under the circumstances.

The emotional journey of guilt, wandering if you made a different decision would they still be here. The overwhelming feeling of your heart broken, unable to put the puzzle together back of your life without him complementing the other pieces. This weighing heavy on her life including her marriage, familial obligations, the decline of her family and cultural influences, she tries to find her way through while everything else if falling down around her.

I found this book a true blessing in my life right now. I found it extremely comforting and Kavita’s journey a real help to my own grieving process. Overall, the book was a beautiful gift of words that will move and resonate with those who can relate. The vulnerability and authenticity of Kavita and her family allow us an unspoken invitation to their lives to experience their journey that I’m sure will leave a memorable impression beyond reading this book. This was a wonderful book that I would definitely recommend reading.

Review: Summer by the Tides by Denise Hunter

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What can I say…another charming read from Denise Hunter. This is probably my favorite book so far. I just knew when I started this book, this was going to be a good one. Summer by the Tides captures your heart with a story of three sisters who past has haunted them, forgiveness and finding love when you least expect it.

Let’s begin with Maddy. After being betrayed by her boyfriend and her job, she get an unexpected message about her grandmother being missing and heads out to her beach house in Sea Haven. Surprised to see her sisters Nora and Emma, they got the same message and went there as well. There is a bit of a backstory between Nora and Emma, not going to spoil it for you but makes the book very interesting. All I’m going to tell you is that the last time they were here at this house, it change there lives forever.

During this time, as they go through the house, memories and mementos bring back the past. Buried secrets come to light with as their past and present rewrite their family’s story. Will they let history repeat itself or will they change the narrative to write another chapter. So much happening in this story that makes you realize how precious time is, especially with family.

Honestly, I took my time with this one because I didn’t want it to end. I loved everything from the sisters, the grandmother and the budding romance between Maddy and Connor. Both have some issues that make it tough but you really want to see them have a hea. Like I said before, after reading this one, I have to say this is my current favorite. If you are a fan of Denise than you will love this one. Here’s another good one to add to the list.

Review: Ice Cream And Suicide by Jack Ray

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Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

This book was written out of pain, regret, and sorrow. This is evidence in the poems. The author clearly had a very bad breakup and he is struggling to move on. In some poems he is practically begging for his lover to return and others are written with venom and disgust. This lover clearly did a number on him.

The thing about poems is that they sometimes feel like you are reading someone's diary. Ice and Suicide was no different. I felt uncomfortable sometimes because it felt personal and angry. As readers, we are looking at a small window of the situation, one that the author was so kind to share.

Everyone's feelings are valid so we can't really judge on how something comes across when we don't know everything. The only thing we can do is understand and relate. I personally haven't been in a similar situation so I was unable to relate to Ice and Suicide, but I can see how someone else might be able to. Losing someone isn't easy, especially when that person willingly chooses to walk away.

Final Analysis

Ice and Suicide is a set of raw poems of someone who has lost their love. The two main reoccuring emotions are angry and sadness.

Review: Blessed in the Darkness: How All Things Are Working for Your Good by Joel Osteen

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Summary:

Find comfort in dark times and grow your trust and faith in God with this inspiring and insightful guide from Lakewood Church pastor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen.

All of us will go through dark times that we don’t understand: a difficulty with a friend, an unfair situation at work, a financial setback, an unexpected illness, a divorce, or the loss of a loved one. Those types of experiences are part of the human journey. But when we find ourselves in such a place, it’s important that we keep a positive perspective. Joel Osteen writes that if we stay in faith and keep a good attitude when we go through challenges, we will not only grow, but we will see how all things work together for our good. Through practical applications and scriptural insight, Blessed in the Darkness focuses on how to draw closer to God and trust Him when life doesn’t make sense.

If we will go through the dark place in the valley trusting, believing, and knowing that God is still in control, we will come to the table that is already prepared for us, where our cup runs over.

Review

Joel Osteen’s positivity and encouragement have been a source of inspiration to me for many years. Depending on where your spirituality lies or not, what always stands out from his commentary is a positive narrative. Say what you want about him but in a world like today, two things we need more than anything, positivity and hope.

Blessed in the Darkness, probably rises to the top if my favorites from him. We are in such hard times right now and more people than ever are struggling to find the light in their darkness. This book is such an uplifting ray of sunshine promoting staying in faith and never losing hope to stay positive.

Through his own personal examples, everyday people, you are made to not feel alone. You feel as if someone has your back to let you know that no matter how bad things seem, there is a reason we don’t know but we will come out bigger and better. Many times we might disagree but through trials and tribulations, we we grow strength and find our way. It’s through our deepest desperation, we find an invigorating strength.

For those of you who are faith based, this is a timeless book that you will find comfort and solace. Whenever you feel challenged by life, this can be one of those go to for upliftment and clarity to stay rooted in faith. I thought it was a wonderful book for those who this will speak to. For my faith based readers, I’d recommend adding this to your list.

Disclaimer: This title/cover is different from the hardcover and the paperback.

#Sponsor by FaithWords

Review: Make Me Bad by R.S. Grey

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Buy on Amazon | Audible

Buy on Amazon | Audible

R.S. has a particular style of books that she writes. The male lead is always an alpha male and usually the one who has everything seemingly in order. The female lead is always struggling and tends to go to the male lead for help. She always uses the same formula; you always know what you're getting into when you pick up one of her books. There's romance. There's comedy. It's steamy. It's always the same.

Even though I'm aware of her specific brand of books, R.S.'s books tend to be a hit or miss for them. I either really enjoy them or I enjoy dislike them very much. The last book of hers leaned towards the latter opinion which is why I was hesitant to pick this one up. But I couldn't stay away for long because the possibility of really enjoying this Make Me Bad was more greater than disliking it. So I gave it chance. And fortunately, I found myself enjoying it very much.

Make Me Bad is about Madison and Ben. Madison is this over protected young adult who is tired of being safe. She wants adventure and excitement. Ben is the bad boy who has been described as "entitled". After Ben practically saved her life, Madison asks him for a small favor-she wants him to make her bad.

I found Make Me Bad to be the romantic comedy that I have been looking for. It was funny and every bit addicting. It was so captivating to watch these two characters interact and develop a romantic relationship. Everything felt right about this book.

Characters

It was impossible to not love the two main characters. Madison was just this light, who unfortunately was trapped due to her overbearing family.

Typically, the male leads in Grey's worlds tend to be too "alpha male" for me but I found Ben to be the perfect amount of it. He wasn't too overbearing and he was extremely understanding.

Final Analysis

Make Me Bad was a nice and refreshing romantic comedy that is worthy of praise.