Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Accidents Happen by Marlene Sanchez

Genre: Suspense/Mystery
Publisher: Romantic Trysts Publications 
Publication Date: 18 April 2010
Stand alone or series: Series
Pages: 223 pages
Book Received from: Author
First Lines: It seemed as if he had the target in sight. When he aimed his .38 caliber revolver and pulled the trigger, she saw him close his eyes as the recoil threw his arms in the air.

Synopsis:
Martina Rosequete isn’t a cop anymore. But when her best friend, Jen, is killed in a fall from her own balcony Marti’s cop instincts tell her it isn’t an accident. Her investigation into Jen’s death leads Marti to a string of accident’s that aren’t… In the seedy underworld of Miami run by the notorious Pascual crime family Marti put’s her life on the line to find the truth. There is only one man she can trust, her neighbor, sometime-lover Eddie. But when Eddie buying things he shouldn’t be able to afford on a cops salary, Marti begins to wonder if she really can trust anyone. Nothing is ever as it seems when Accidents Happen….

My Thoughts:
Accidents Happen is the story of an ex cop Martina, who finds herself on an unofficial investigation when her friend Jen apparently commits suicide.  Marti knows Jen wasn't the sort of girl who would deliberately end her life.  When Marti goes through some old momentos and photos she's kept, she comes across an envelope that she doesn't remember being there before... and so begins the questions.

I enjoyed reading about Marti, Eddie and Jackie and was pretty engrossed in the story but there were a few things that I found that annoyed me a little.  It seemed a bit of a slow start in Chapter One, and while the lead up to Jen's 'suicide' did help to set the scene and get to know the characters, I felt that it could have been left up to the reader to work it out for themselves.

Marti is a strong and independant character and reminds me of myself a bit in terms of her liking to do things for herself and not relying on others.  She's witty and feisty too, another strong trait I like in main characters.  I got the impression Marti was supposed to be a bit impulsive but I didn't really see much of it shown in her actions up until one point where she goes and does something without waiting for the others.  To me it felt out of character though. 

Marti and Eddie's (her friend with benefits) relationship was amusing at best and at times I could have sworn it seemed like they were an old married couple. 

My only other gripe was that the end of the story seemed to end abruptly for me and I wanted there to be a bit more finality in that last scene.  That's just my personal opinion though. 

All in all, I did still enjoy Accidents Happen.  It was a great story that kept me interested all the way through.  It did feel a little raw around the edges but am curious to see what else Martina gets up to next!

Fave Line:  Marti.  I'm hurt.  Sex isn't the only thing I think about when I ask you if you need any company.  I just want to cuddle." - Eddie

Monday, January 17, 2011

Spellbound Bookshelves (3)


Welcome to my new feature Spellbound Bookshelves! Each week I'll be posting up pictures of Readers Bookshelves. As this is just starting out, I'll need to ask you help in spreading the word and hopefully sending in pictures of your bookshelves. I'll also be including awesome bookshelves to store your books in for a bit of variety.

This week I've included some very cool Ikea bookshelves that I seen being used in store.  I know I'd have all of these in my house if they'd fit!





If you'd like your bookshelves featured on here please send me your pics at melissa@spellboundbybooks.com  

Sunday, January 16, 2011

In My Mailbox (45)

In My Mailbox is a weekly post created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture.

Bought:

What did you get in your IMM?

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Sticky Beak (41)


Sticky Beak is all about sharing. Sometimes we can't all get around to every single blog and website available so that's where Sticky Beak comes in. By word of mouth (well you get what I mean) we are more likely to get to those blogs that we wouldn't have normally seen without someone pointing them out to us.

The links could be to your own post, a favourite blog post you would love to share, an authors blog/website, book/writing contests, reviews you really enjoyed, tour info or anything you would love to share with others. Just use the comments below to add your link!

Here's Mine:

Cool Stuff to Check Out:
Diversity in YA: is a website and book tour founded by two young adult authors, Malinda Lo and Cindy Pon, to celebrate diverse stories in YA.
Huffington Post: New Zodiac Sign Dates.  How weird is this?  And how do you pronounce that new one?

The Story Siren: Books to Pine For
La Femme Readers: Tantalizing Future YA Releases
Book Lovers Inc: New Releases for January 10-16 !

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Spellbound Noticeboard (2)



Welcome to Spellbound Noticeboard. Here is where Authors, Bloggers and others can send in anything that you'd like promoted. Competitions, book releases, blog events etc. This is your spot! So feel free to send me a line if you have anything book related (Including books made into movies) and I'll be sure to post these up! Just email me at melissa@spellboundbybooks.com 

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 Reggie from The Undercover Book Lover Book Blog has a new challenge that she is hosting called: The 2011 YA Contemporary Challenge.  It's a really great way to priotize young adult contemporary books in the midst of all of the paranormal books flowing through the market! So check it out, get involved and spread the word!!

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Crime Beat is Scott Nicholson's newest novella!  In Crime Beat, when John Moretz takes a reporter job in a small Appalachian town, a crime spree erupts that quickly escalates to serial killing... and Moretz seems to know a little more than he's printing to page.  You can get the kindle version on Amazon.  If you're after the Nook version you can get it at Barne's and Noble

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Thank you to everyone who sent their stuff in to be promoted.  I love spreading the word around the blogosphere and thats what this Noticeboard is specifically for!

Have a good night!


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday (45)

Waiting on Wednesday was brought to you by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly post for you to share what upcoming books you can't wait for!


This week I've picked Drought by Pam Bachorz.  This one will be released on the 25th January 2011.

Synopsis
Ruby Prosser dreams of escaping the Congregation and the early-nineteenth century lifestyle that’s been practiced since the community was first enslaved.

She plots to escape the vicious Darwin West, his cruel Overseers, and the daily struggle to gather the life-prolonging Water that keeps the Congregants alive and gives Darwin his wealth and power. But if Ruby leaves, the Congregation will die without the secret ingredient that makes the Water special: her blood.

So she stays.

But when Ruby meets Ford, the new Overseer who seems barely older than herself, her desire for freedom is too strong. He’s sympathetic, irresistible, forbidden—and her only access to the modern world. Escape with Ford would be so simple, but can Ruby risk the terrible price, dooming the only world she’s ever known?

What are your Waiting on Wednesday picks?

Flood Pictures in Queensland

Hey all,

Going to be updating as the day goes with pics of flooding around the area.  So stay tuned.

The above pics are taken of the Bremer River at Rosewood yesterday afternoon (11 January)

The One Mile bridge in Ipswich Yesterday afternoon (11 January)

View of Coles in Ipswich early this morning (12 January) 


These 2 pics above are of Goodna early this morning. (12 January)
This was added in You Tube on the 10th January. 

UPDATED

This is my work this morning.  :(  (12 January)
A shot further back of my workplace (12 January)

Turley Street this morning (12 January)

At Hungry Jacks at Bundamba this morning.  Click on this to get a bigger picture! (12 January)

Videroni Street, Bundamba this morning (12 January)
(Behind the Racetrack)


One of many housese on Videroni Street, Bundamba.  The water was coming up as I was taking these pics (12 January)



Bundamba Creek.  It was up over the bridge real early this morning (12 January)

Crazy Clarks early this morning at Goodna (12 January)

Videroni Street Bundamba this morning (12 January)



Bachmann Plant Hire around 9 this morning (12 January)

Ipswich Highway at Goodna facing towards Brisbane this morning (12 January)


Ipswich Road, Oxley taken today (12 January )


More Updates Soon

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