Intricately plotted and emotionally magnetic
923672
Twisted emotions, love gone wrong . . . those are the basic ingredients in this gripping tale of love, revenge, abuse and human fragility. And, although the carefully crafted plot is in some ways a classic "whodunnit" that'll keep you guessing, it's beautifully wrought character that makes it almost impossible to put down.

I suggest you don't.
1690221
This is an emotionally difficult book, very well written, which captures the reader from  the outset and takes you through the twists and turns of the minds of a set of damaged characters, including a child murderer.  The plot is a page turner, well constructed and spiced with suspense.
129167
As a reader who loves stories full of intense emotions and complicated and tarnished heroes, I was sucked into this story from the very first time I met Camden in a previous installment of the Gloves Off series.  He's a bad boy who's done some truly bad things who's now alone because of his choices.  He was once at the top of the UFC with fame and fortune but fell very far into a dark abyss of illegal fighting which caused him to make many enemies.  One in particular, Scar, wants him dead for his betrayal and it's put Camden on the run from one safe house to the next.  Camden might not feel he deserves help in staying safe but there are those who still care about him despite everything he's done.  Camden doesn't feel worthy of forgiveness though.  He's in a dark place, a lonely place that's closed off his emotions.  The scars he carries on the outside have permeated inward to leave him numb and emotionally lost.  It's going to take a lot to gain forgiveness, and acceptance of that forgiveness, to return him to the land of the living.  It's a rocky journey, with surprising emotional depth, amidst a threat of danger and all along you can feel Camden's turmoil.  He's been running for so long, but there comes a time when you can no longer run from yourself.

Police detective Brooklyn has been running too.  Ever since her sister died and her boyfriend cheated on her she's been left alone and adrift.  She was assigned to watch over Camden from afar, never getting close to him.  Fate had a different idea though and throws these two lost and damaged souls together to help each other heal from their pasts.  Brooklyn's a strong-willed woman who tells it like it is.  She knows she shouldn't get close to Camden but his pain is palpable and his loss calls to her.  She's a good woman who sees a bit of goodness left in Camden and wants to help foster it.  While pulling him out of the darkness she too finds a sense of peace amidst the battling of demons in their chaotic journey to HEA.

Theirs is an intensely emotional and steamy relationship, full of dangerous twists and turns, along with uncompromising honesty.  They're an engaging couple and compelling individuals surrounded by equally engaging secondary characters whose stories have been told in previous installments and who bring heart, and a sense of family, to the story.  Camden's truly tortured by what he's done but when given a chance at happiness he grabs on to it wholeheartedly, he doesn't wallow in pity, which made for a richly rewarding and romantic journey to HEA.  All in all I found this an immensely satisfying story with an unforgettable and multi-faceted hero and an uncompromising heroine.  It's an unforgettable story and for those who haven't read Ms. Dover's Gloves Off series yet, here's a reason to start NOW.
4115241
This was a fascinating and moving book. There are three separate stories that gradually come together.

At first there is an unidentified woman in a coma who remains unidentified for months and the efforts of her doctor, Charlotte, to keep her alive after others at the hospital who were advocating taking her off life support. Keeping her alive and trying to identify her became an obsession for Charlotte. Then there was the story of Raney and Bo who became childhood friends under difficult circumstances. Their relationship is quite touching. Charlotte has a boyfriend/lover who is a writer who also has a background of a difficult childhood; their sometimes emotionally distant relationship and the reasons for the ambiguity also are gradually revealed.

The intriguing and emotionally touching descriptions and plots of their lives really pull the reader into the story. In the end we learn of a surprising physical/medical condition that is essential to solving the mystery of the identification of the comatose woman.

I don't want to reveal more, but if you both like mysteries and reading about the complicated lives of people as they grow up, you will surely like this book.
3924810
Bleeding Heart is an intricately plotted story that weaves together the lives of two groups. The Notaro sisters who run an architectural design firm have just lost their father, John. The patriarch of their family, he was brutally murdered by unknown factions.

The sisters come to learn they are descendants of the Medici, a bloodline that dates back to the time of Michelangelo. Another group, the Brotherhood of Medici Protectorate has safeguarded the Notaro line for centuries. When the sisters learn of their legacy and the Brotherhood, there are immediate clashes especially between Franki (Francesca) Notaro and Gianni, of the Brotherhood.

The mythology in this book is extremely well-developed. The author really took her time in building a believable and fascinating history for each group. As an example, Gianni and his adopted brothers each carry a stone dagger which is a focal point and an extension of the powers they wield. Giannis talent is related to blood and passion. He is able to both heal and inflict wounds, his fiery temperament nowhere more evident than in his passionate relationship with Franki. Their romance is at times steamy and tender, even combustible, but always full of heart.

As someone who grew up in an Italian family, I loved the old-world essence of this book. There are references to the Catholic Mass, Italian cooking, and family traditions. Franki and her sisters fight and argue but are always there for one another. The same with Gianni and his brothers. The guys disagreements tend to be explosive, but their loyalty for one another is unquestionable. The mystery kept me flipping pages, but the characters stole my heart. If you love elements of the paranormal, woven with romance, and intrigue, this is one book you don't want to miss!
4969323
So compellingly written and packed with clever and intellectual wordplay that the humanity of the story snuck up on me. This is ultimately a very touching story of discovering and connecting with one's past, and about love, forgiveness, and reinvention. I was hooked by the opening chapter and intrigued by the unfolding story as it got richer, deeper, and more complex. The ending genuinely surprised me (I thought I knew what was going to happen...) both by the story itself and by how much it affected me emotionally. I have to admit that it was not until after I woke up the day after finishing the book that I finally pieced together the whole picture. The author doesn't feed us the story in a conventional manner. We get pieces of it at a time (and the occasional false lead), and in the end it's organically complete and satisfying. Highly recommended.
4054384
This is an emotional book, heart-wrenching in places, and it really made me think about my own life and relationships. There were moments when I wanted to cry, because the heartache, guilt and remorse were so vividly portrayed.

The characters are skilfully written, in a simple but stark manner, with the protagonist, Matthew, portrayed as a gentle, kind and confused young man who is suffering tremendously under the weight of his disabled brothers death and his own encroaching mental deterioration.

The writing style is fluid and accessible, although the narrative jumps around a lot, disjointed in places, which can be slightly difficult to follow (though I know this was intentional  as a means of portraying the protagonists schizophrenic mind).

For me personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the earlier parts of the book, when Matthew was younger and his illness was developing. The opening chapter is very powerful and dragged me right into the story. However, I began to lose interest in the final part of the book. There was a lot of repetition and it began to drag once everything had been resolved and the book just kept on going! I felt that the plot should have converged on a final moment of closure, instead of continuing on to explain the aftermath which I felt was unnecessary.

I listened to this on audiobook and the voice actor was perfect for this book. He spoke clearly, was easy to understand and gave a genuine warmth and personality to each character.
3080067
Eulogy is, in short, gorgeous. The plot pulls you along, foreshadowing disaster throughout and incredibly suspenseful, while the language is woven into a tapestry equally as rich as the setting. Without spoilers, it's hard to give a taste of the unique mix of despair and hope that the novel inspires, but suffice it to say that Asaria's story compels you to follow her no matter the destination (and said destination, unsurprisingly, is a dark one). The first person narration makes it possible to get inside Asaria's head and to empathize with her in a way that an objective or omniscient perspective would not. Later in the narrative, this empathy becomes uncomfortable and even disturbing as the character with whom you empathize falls farther from the moral high road, and the effect is cathartic in the highest degree.

I've read a lot of high fantasy/medieval adventure/assassin stories, and though Eulogy undoubtedly follows in their footsteps, it's unique (yes, actually). To have a protagonist who is not only female but also a lesbian is hugely refreshing. The whole cycle of the novel, too, breaks established tropes and expands upon traditional settings, bringing in a historical realism that enrichens the settings throughout. Readers of adventure genres will love Eulogy. Readers of any genre, I suspect, will love Eulogy. It's a beautiful novel.
613319
The Hills Of Home is the ambitious second installment of T.L.Greylocks trilogy, which began with The Blood-Tainted Winter and tells the story of a reluctant hero on an unintended journey. Like the first book, this second novel is intelligent, thoughtful, complex, violent, pensive, and atmospheric. The impressive cast of characters from book one remains but with deeper emotion, stronger friendships, and more treachery.

With many novels, what you see on the surface is what you get. The sympathetic hero is in big trouble, and he has to fight many battles in pursuit of his ultimate enemy. The Hills Of Home includes these story components as expected. However, the reader senses that there is something more complex going on beneath the obvious story. As the facade becomes more clear, one is eager to look behind the curtain and see the shape of this larger thing thats hinted at but not revealed until late in the game. When the revelation comes, it is intriguing and satisfying, and it cements the realization that the reader has been in very good hands throughout.

As The Hills Of Home opens, protagonist Raef Skallagrim, lord of Vannheim, has been in a brutal war that followed the death of the king. In addition to his involvement in the larger conflicts, Raef also desires vengeance for the murder of his father, the former lord. But as Raef pursues the identity of the killer, he is ambushed and choked into unconsciousness.

When Raef awakens, he is all alone on a small ship. The ship is drifting at sea. Land is in view, but it is no land that Raef has ever seen. Raef is starving, and when he makes landfall, his main focus is to find food. During his search, he comes across fantastical creatures - dragon-kin - that can fly. A strange race of people called alfar ride them like horses. There are also giants and an assortment of gods.

Having left his own world, Raef becomes a pawn in the conflicts of this other amazing world, and the reader wonders if this place, and Raefs involvement in it, are real or metaphorical or a mix of both. It reminded me of the grand mythical stories that are ubiquitous in past cultures around the world. While the allegorical possibilities were many, I soon decided to stop trying to figure out what the author was up to and instead just go along for the ride.

In time, as Raef is challenged by death at the hands of giants, he engineers an escape, which leads him to a complex labyrinth. Every move is a puzzle, and false steps are punished by death. Yet Raef eventually emerges to find that he is back in Vannheim.

The local warriors, having thought him dead, receive him as a returning hero and crown him king. But all is not well in the kingdom. Other would-be kings and their allies are plotting strategy. Personalities clash, and many battles remain to be fought.

The Hills Of Home ends with a cliffhanger, though one that intrigues rather than frustrates. I very much look forward to the third novel in the trilogy.
3729560
Kite's unforgettable characters, startling prose and a vivid sense of place are woven artfully through this tale of love, deception and intrigue. The story delves deep into the human psyche and the gritty neighborhoods where the tale takes place.

Neely Sharpe, the story's irreverent, sharp-witted protagonist, is in love with Angela Archer. When Angela goes missing, Neely, an outsider in Angela's West London neighborhood, embarks on a search that will bring Neely into the darkest corners of Angela's past. Along the way Neely will meet a fascinating cast of characters and be forced to face her own deeply held beliefs about herself.

Riveting and wrenching, The Hope and the Anchor is tethered to the London streets where Kite's tour-de-force takes place. With unforgettable characters and a spellbinding plot, I highly recommend this unflinching and deeply moving debut.
3934797
The Map of True Places features the character of Zee Finch, who is a real enigma for the reader.  She's very broken by her past and has been unable to accept her mother's suicide, even though it happened many years ago.  She hasn't really been able to move on past that - even her career choice was affected by her mother's death.  However, she's also incredibly appealing - the reader wants, above all, for Zee to find some semblance of healing, to be able to move on and really live life on her own terms.

I also appreciated Zee's devotion to her father, Finch.  Their story was touching and very moving.  In the book, he is in the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease, and Zee is determined to help him in any way she can, even when he doesn't seem to want it.  It's sweet, but it also says a lot about Zee as a character.  Though she doesn't appear to be the strongest person because of her issues with the past, the way she tackles her father's problems show that, underneath, she really is a strong woman.

This book moves a bit more slowly than Barry's debut novel.  That's not a criticism by any means; The Map of True Places is a much more introspective novel.  It's quiet and thoughtful.  The driving force behind it is the skillfully drawn characters, rather than advancement of the plot.  The reader is taken in by these incredible personalities and really gets to know them over the course of the novel.  It's a lyrical, emotionally gripping book, and I'm glad I read it sooner rather than later.
1732000
Raleigh Harmon's emotional pain bleeds from the page like a severed artery.

How can it be that a young woman so eager but afraidto give love,who empathizes with the grief-stricken,who searches out the truth no matter the personal cost,who wants so desperately to find what it takes to be loved, can't find the key to that elusive and most basic of needs?

The Waves Break Gray is the kind of book you don't want to end, but you want to put a tourniquet on the pain, you want to keep reading but you have to set it down because it hurts too much to continue, and you're almost praying for a good ending but fear it won't happen.

Raleigh Harmon resigned from the FBI but still does consulting work for them in forensic geology. Jackstill works for the FBI and insists he and Raleigh are "two of a kind".Captivated by Jack, Raleigh fights falling hard, but it's too late, and she knows it.
Raleigh and her mother's dog "Madame"live with a grand old woman (Eleanor)who used to do theater and met Raleigh when she worked a case at the racetrack involving Eleanor's race horses. The unique relationship affordsRaleigh the use of Eleanor's classic sports car which she uses to get to her new case in Leavenworth and up to theasylum where herparanoid schizophrenic mom now lives. The excruciatingand demanding visits with Madameto see her mother produce the intense painshe's enduredsince her childhood. That singular rejection haunts Raleigh every day of her life and influences her thoughts and actions bringing both vulnerability andcynicism to her approaches innearly every circumstance. Ascene at the asylum after yet another rejection will bring tears to your eyes and point to the novel's title. 
I would love to tell you more and quote some of the superb writing in this novel, but there's just too much. With an unusual plot twist I never saw coming, The Waves Break Gray goes from frustrating to bizarre. Fascinating and rewarding, the ending is perfect, and now it will be very difficult to wait for the next Raleigh Harmon Mystery. If you love these books, this one will both break your heart and make you cheer.
Thank you, Sibella, for another Raleigh Harmon story that exceeds the norm for today's mysteriesand re-establishesRaleigh as the best female character in contemporary literature.
3124116
McGrath has created an evocative, shadowed mystery all the more compelling for the fact that it is born in childhood experience, young Charlie Weir the heir of a dysfunctional family that ultimately casts him in the role of caretaker. With parents that lash out at one another and a gregarious brother who seeks his identity outside their troubled home, Charlie is the de facto caretaker of his alcoholic, depressed mother, who pens somewhat successful mysteries in her later years, ever praising older son, Walt, a successful artist, while denigrating Charlie's efforts to bring a modicum of peace and order to his mother's self-destructive days. While Fred Weir abandons his family for a younger woman and a wasted life of philandering, Charlie is the only one willing to step into the breech and protect the family from complete disintegration. It is no surprise, then, that in the 1970s Charlie should become a doctor who specializes in treating the mental disorders of returning Vietnam vets suffering from PTSD.

One of these damaged vets, Danny, is the focus of Charlie's professional energy, the young man severely traumatized by what he has seen- and done- while in service to his country. Danny's sister, Agnes, is an unexpected gift to the young doctor; Charlie and Agnes marry and have a daughter, Cassie, embracing the tormented Danny as a part of their small family. But Danny's slow disintegration ultimately takes a toll on the marriage, Charlie unable to comfort Agnes when she most needs him. His work becomes salvation until his mother's death, when Charlie's careful house of cards comes crashing down: he assumes her chronic depression, a cloak of dread that weighs upon every aspect of his life. Charlie finds brief respite in Agnes' kindness and a chaotic romance with an equally-damaged Nora Chiara; but Charlie soon realizes that the needy Nora, while thrilling and seductive, is an emotional burden he cannot carry.

In an effort at self-preservation, Charlie changes jobs and location, drawn to a familiar place to confront his family drama. Subconsciously searching for safety, Charlie comes face to face with his own truth. His protagonist the heart of this complex psychological thriller, McGrath exposes the layers of denial and pain that have shielded Charlie Weir from the memory he fears. The human mind as dark and many-chambered as any nightmarish crime scene, this illness is far more subtle and pervasive, turning a well-meant life into a series of painful episodes that batter Charlie's psyche and leave him unable to navigate the world. Facing his brother, Walt, and an indifferent father in a heart-stopping moment of reckoning, Charlie's harrowing confrontation with the past is long overdue, his path strewn with loss and disappointment. A broken man, Charlie must find the strength to save the child he once was from a long-buried memory, to return to a life worth sustaining. Luan Gaines/ 2008.
3604834
Tranquility is an unforgettable emotional roller coaster ride which will melt the hearts of even the most jaded and cynical of readers. It is a warm and gentle jaunt through the life of a young careworker, but it is also the gripping tale of a no-let-up quest for justice.

When Sarah transfers to the Dementia unit of the Tranquility Nursing Home, she suspects that the tranquillity is only skin deep. Indeed, the homes idyllic facade masks a plethora of daily traumas  from residents with psychotic illnesses to incontinence. But Sarah and her colleague Tracey increasingly fear that there is a dark and twisted evil in the care homes very gut. They vow to expose it at any cost.

Tranquility is about a fight for justice when no-one wants to listen, but it is also the poignant story of the love between four generations of women living under the same roof. The great-grandmother, Elaine  Gran, the grandmother, Brenda, single mother Sarah and her six-year-old daughter Kayla. These four steel magnolias indomitably support one another through love and loss.

The real stars, though, are perhaps the residents of Tranquility themselves. Their banter is a timely reminder that an elderly person  perhaps especially a dementia sufferer  is not a shell to be discarded but a labyrinth of memories, thoughts, hopes and dreams. From the caddish Sam to the vivacious Rose to forever-young twins Lily and Beth, their personalities shimmer and thrive.

Who could forget the haunted Mrs W? Who would mess with the feisty Edie? At its heart, the book is a telling reminder that the death of an old person is not an inevitable relief but the burning of a vast and great ship that has sailed the seven seas.

Tranquility evokes an ocean of buried feelings, and it will be very hard not to succumb to the tidal wave of emotions. In other words, keep the Kleenex handy!
4076974
Codex is a cleverly plotted thriller that blends ideas from advanced artificial intelligence with long-held religious beliefs about how secret codes have been hidden in the bible.  While the main character - Jack Bernstein - is initially not very likeable, the book draws you (and him) into the murky underground world that surrounds the death of his estranged daughter.  There is just enough of an emotional and intellectual tug to bring you to the third way mark, when Dawson really starts cranking up the stakes.

I know that some reviewers have complained that there is too much internal dialogue and not enough action, but I think that Dawson manages that balancing act well.  The ideas in the novel are complex and interesting enough to warrant proper examination - and they are woven into the emotional development of the characters convincingly.  That level of detail gives the book's ending the excitement, credibility and depth that I personally look for in a thriller.

This is an amazing achievement for a first book and I'd definitely recommend it.
2339658
I really enjoyed this tale of intrigue which kept me on my metaphorical toes, especially towards the end. There were many surprises unravelling that I hadnt anticipated even though I did manage to work out a few of the mysteries. There were parts of the description which made me feel as though I was watching a horse riding event on TV- which I used to enjoy years ago but haven't indulged in for some time.
Various themes are covered in this complicated plot- coping with a physical issue that others may not need to organise their life around; genetic manipulation of stock; illegal drug use; sabotage and murder  to name some of the themes.
Though Armand Sabatier is a tortured soul at the beginning, and theres a wee bit of repetition of this,  its worth reading on because I felt he was a character who blossomed very well as the plot unfolds. There are some lovely characters and some who made my teeth grit frequently but Ill leave the new reader to work out if they feel the same after finishing this action packed story.
3624516
The vivid descriptions virtually transport you to the Hawaii island, and carry you to the city of Chicago, an ivy league university, and to France.

A complex story with tragic situations and reactions. The main character, Rochelle, is faced with the challenges of getting on with her own life or helping others with their challenges. Her life does not turn out as she always thought it would.

There's an underlying suspense surrounding how Rochelles mother died, and Rochelles guilt over her mothers death is felt throughout most of the story. But thats not all. There are primary forces driving chaos in her life and those shes come to love. Theres the complexity of plots and sub-plots as Rochelle is drawn from one tragedy to another.

The characters are so well-drawn that you feel you are right there with them, wanting to help but unable to prevent the next heartbreak life throws their way. You will cry, laugh, and revel in their victories over lifes unrelenting obstacles.

I highly recommend this character-driven tale with strong relationships, as well as intrigue, action, and yes, some romance too.