Carolyn Chambers Clark

I don't think I have ever ate so much candy while reading a book before. Good thing it was after Halloween so I had a stash to raid on hand. Candy aside, I honestly had fun reading this book. It is fast paced and crazy.
There is a fair amount of violence in the book but nothing too graphic. It is a murder mystery so some violence is to be expected. There was no heavy sex scenes even though there is a possibility of romance. No bad language so it is perfect for those who wish to read without language issues. We meet Cookie's family and I really loved the strong bond presented there. There are recipes scattered throughout the book. I liked that they were spread throughout the book, appearing wherever they were mentioned in the story. The one thing I would ask the authors to do is add an index with the titles of recipes and location of the recipe listed. Full review is on my blog.
* I reviewed this book as part of Indie of the Month. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions are my own.*… (més)

I had high hopes for this book based on the previous customer review and the synopsis. It had all the things i like about romantic spy books.
"Love tales of foreign intrigue filled with suspense, fantastic settings, and romance?" Yes, I said, yes i do. I guess i should say i like tales that are halfway plausible, not overly confusing, with a bit of originality (i don't need much just a lil bit. i know these books are formulaic- i like the formula).

I was sooo disappointed. It is a free eBook so i don't expect that much from first time authors who probably self-published. (yet i see they have written books before. really?!!!)

the first chapter is just... sigh. It starts off with Captain Caitlin Stanwyck going to meet with a General in an Intelligence facility that has numerous guards and cameras and she has to be escorted to the meeting, yet she sees a man she knows and goes chasing after him and no one stops her! I will not insult your intelligence by pointing out the many fallacies in this little scene.

another problem i had with the story was the relationship between Keller and Stanwyck was confusing and not very well explained, not enough background. their relationship was the normal "hate-that-i-like/lust-maybe love-you" back and forth but it was just lacking that something that makes you root for them and want to see them together.

also she is investigating murders that happened at an Army facility in Germany. this Army hospital sure has some very talkative and helpful employees that just show her all sorts of things and let her wander around the facility unescorted and all she has is a fake press badge. i don't think so, couldn't sell that scenario to me for a million dollars, just not buying it. NO organization- government or civilian- lets a journalist wander around freely after having a disaster of such epic proportion happen there.

did i mention how very un-spy like they are at times. a little too trusting of folks, not very good at tailing others, can't sneak information, etc. i could go on but i started to skim chapters after the awful car chase scene. oh and the mystery of the murder and the intrigue SPOILER SPOILER(a traitor and a secret trying to take over the world organization) i figured out in less than 5 minutes- and i was skimming chapters by that time.

so it had all the basic requirements for a good lil romance spy story but it fell far short of my little expectations.
… (més)

I had high hopes for this book based on the previous customer review and the synopsis. It had all the things i like about romantic spy books.
"Love tales of foreign intrigue filled with suspense, fantastic settings, and romance?" Yes, I said, yes i do. I guess i should say i like tales that are halfway plausible, not overly confusing, with a bit of originality (i don't need much just a lil bit. i know these books are formulaic- i like the formula).

I was sooo disappointed. It is a free eBook so i don't expect that much from first time authors who probably self-published. (yet i see they have written books before. really?!!!)

the first chapter is just... sigh. It starts off with Captain Caitlin Stanwyck going to meet with a General in an Intelligence facility that has numerous guards and cameras and she has to be escorted to the meeting, yet she sees a man she knows and goes chasing after him and no one stops her! I will not insult your intelligence by pointing out the many fallacies in this little scene.

another problem i had with the story was the relationship between Keller and Stanwyck was confusing and not very well explained, not enough background. their relationship was the normal "hate-that-i-like/lust-maybe love-you" back and forth but it was just lacking that something that makes you root for them and want to see them together.

also she is investigating murders that happened at an Army facility in Germany. this Army hospital sure has some very talkative and helpful employees that just show her all sorts of things and let her wander around the facility unescorted and all she has is a fake press badge. i don't think so, couldn't sell that scenario to me for a million dollars, just not buying it. NO organization- government or civilian- lets a journalist wander around freely after having a disaster of such epic proportion happen there.

did i mention how very un-spy like they are at times. a little too trusting of folks, not very good at tailing others, can't sneak information, etc. i could go on but i started to skim chapters after the awful car chase scene. oh and the mystery of the murder and the intrigue SPOILER SPOILER(a traitor and a secret trying to take over the world organization) i figured out in less than 5 minutes- and i was skimming chapters by that time.

so it had all the basic requirements for a good lil romance spy story but it fell far short of my little expectations.
… (més)

I had high hopes for this book based on the previous customer review and the synopsis. It had all the things i like about romantic spy books.
"Love tales of foreign intrigue filled with suspense, fantastic settings, and romance?" Yes, I said, yes i do. I guess i should say i like tales that are halfway plausible, not overly confusing, with a bit of originality (i don't need much just a lil bit. i know these books are formulaic- i like the formula).

I was sooo disappointed. It is a free eBook so i don't expect that much from first time authors who probably self-published. (yet i see they have written books before. really?!!!)

the first chapter is just... sigh. It starts off with Captain Caitlin Stanwyck going to meet with a General in an Intelligence facility that has numerous guards and cameras and she has to be escorted to the meeting, yet she sees a man she knows and goes chasing after him and no one stops her! I will not insult your intelligence by pointing out the many fallacies in this little scene.

another problem i had with the story was the relationship between Keller and Stanwyck was confusing and not very well explained, not enough background. their relationship was the normal "hate-that-i-like/lust-maybe love-you" back and forth but it was just lacking that something that makes you root for them and want to see them together.

also she is investigating murders that happened at an Army facility in Germany. this Army hospital sure has some very talkative and helpful employees that just show her all sorts of things and let her wander around the facility unescorted and all she has is a fake press badge. i don't think so, couldn't sell that scenario to me for a million dollars, just not buying it. NO organization- government or civilian- lets a journalist wander around freely after having a disaster of such epic proportion happen there.

did i mention how very un-spy like they are at times. a little too trusting of folks, not very good at tailing others, can't sneak information, etc. i could go on but i started to skim chapters after the awful car chase scene. oh and the mystery of the murder and the intrigue SPOILER SPOILER(a traitor and a secret trying to take over the world organization) i figured out in less than 5 minutes- and i was skimming chapters by that time.

so it had all the basic requirements for a good lil romance spy story but it fell far short of my little expectations.
… (més)