Provided Summary by Book:
When a summer thunderstorm drives 12-year-old Samuel Chambers into a local antique shop, he finds himself watching through a crack in the door as three old fortune tellers from a visiting fair scratch a message onto the surface of a table: “Find the Tree of Life.” Tragedy strikes his family less than 24 hours later, and as those words echo in his mind he realizes that Finding the Tree of Life is his only hope. His quest to defeat death entangles him and his best friend Abra in an ancient conflict, and a series of strange events leads them closer to the Tree, closer to reversing the tragedy that took place. Can death be defeated? But as his own personal quest unfolds, Samuel comes face to face with a deeper, more difficult question: Could it be possible that death is a gift?
First Impressions:
It was very nice to receive a hardback for a change, while all books sent to us for reviews are adored and added to our collection the hardbacks just look nicer come photo-shoot time because the spine hasn't been bent awkwardly.
The use of simplistic colors and patterns makes me think of the simplistic authors that write young adult novels that I read like five and six years ago which is nice, kinda nostalgic.
From the side of the books (not the spine, the other side) you can already tell that the book has been divided into sections which will make it nice to section off for separate days of reading. Along with this, the use of quotes at the beginning of each section is nice.
Notes:
*will be updated soon*
Overall Review:
This novel was rather difficult for me to get deeply engrossed in, which seemed rather odd given how much I have looked forward to and enjoy receiving books to read and review from companies and fans. Initially the book flashed a lot between past and present without explanation which left me with many questions. Eventually these questions were answered but it would have been nice to be eased into the situation than just left to ponder the course. The topic itself was very heartening and I am sure that in some ways it may be a good novel for preteens who have experienced some form of loss and are having trouble grasping what has happened as well as for the youth who are ill themselves and fear what is to become of them. I highly doubt this is what the author intended but it comes off as such a novel to me. It may not be the best novel for everyone but it is something I am sure plenty of people will enjoy regardless of the critics.
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley
*AS ALWAYS WE ADVISE OUR READERS THAT IF THEY DO NOT WISH TO SEE SPOILERS THAT THEY SKIP THE NOTES SECTION AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE OVERALL REVIEW PORTION OF THE PIECE*
Provided Summary by Book:
"In an effort to get her security consulting business off the ground, Kelsey Allen has been spending a lot of time up in the air, rappelling down buildings and climbing through windows to show business owners their vulnerabilities to thieves. When she is hired to pose as a conservator at the Pink Palace Museum in order to test their security weaknesses after some artifacts go missing, she's ecstatic. But when her investigative focus turns from theft to murder, Kelsey knows she's out of her league--and possibly in the cross hairs. When blast-from-the-past Detective Brad Hollister is called in to investigate, Kelsey may find that he's the biggest security threat yet . . . to her heart.
Crackling with romantic tension and laced with intrigue, this suspenseful story from award-winning author Patricia Bradley will keep readers guessing--and looking over their shoulders."
First Impressions:
Right off the bat, I must say it did take me a while to receive this book. Also, I feel it is important to say that I have never read a 'Memphis Cold Case' novel nor had I ever heard of them prior to being sent this book and thus I am not sure what number this is in the series or if the books are all connected and that will affect the impact the novel has on me. I do especially love the dedication in the book however, "to our heroes in blue who put their lives on the line 24/7", it's the first I have seen of something like that and it makes me happy.
Notes:
Pg 9 - I kinda figured as much but it is nice to know it is a 'Memphis Cold Case' because it takes place there and not because it is a character's name
Pg 9 - Okay this may just be me over thinking but if she is investigating a case why is she breaking in??
Pg 10 - Sabra? like the humus??!?
Pg 11 - I love that slowly it is becoming more reasonable for females to be tech savvy and spies and work alone and sooo many things they wouldn't have been 50 years ago...
Pg 12 - Question ... if she is working for a guy who's working for a guy... did it get cleared with that top person???
Pg 14 - What is this business? Why is somebody there so late? Why does he have a gun ready???
Pg 19 - Grigri: a belay device for rock climbing
Pg 20 - okay how old is Kelsey?? Sabra is 30 something but Kels is thinking of marriage and kids??
Pg 22 - SHE'S 35!!
Pg 23 - What leads her to believe that he suspects her? other than him showing the video I mean
Pg 24 - Ah, nevermind.
Pg 25 - She went to school to be a conservator? Ew. Why? That's her parents' preference I thought
Pg 26 - Why are they discussing this now if they have business matters to attend to??
Pg 27 - Okay so I guess the cold case is the missing artifacts then ... could it all be her dad? that would be upsetting...
Pg 31 - The dudes name is Brad. He os bound to be a self-centered jerk right? maybe ...
Pg 32 - And now we hop to a new point of view ... why is this so common in books today to have more than one main character?!?!?
Pg 33 - YES. I hope its a deep red and not a bright red
Pg 33 - AWW! so precious! a three legged puppy! Damn you Brad!!
Pg 33 - WHY IS THIS MY DREAM LIFE?!?!
Pg 34 - I can't believe she is 35 and being set up on a date...this is definitely my future ...
Pg 36 - HOW DO THEY REMEMBER THIS 17 YEARS LATER?!
Pg 39 - When I hear the name Brad I think 6'4" muscular, jerky quarter back ... not skinny
Pg 44 - I was waiting for him to be mentioned ... Also I imagine a great gesture like a magician lol
Pg 50 - DAMN!! I was so close!!!!
Pg 52 - Did she make sure he left first? What if he follows her and calls the cops?!
Pg 55 - Always trust your gut!
Pg 56 - WOAH. Not good. Dead things and getting caught breaking and entering....
Pg 58 - So now she is Ms.Allen? And where the heck is Rutherford?!
Pg 58 - NOW HOW WILL SHE CLEAR HER NAME?!?!?!?!
Pg 59 - On the bright side ... she couldnt have done it if she is ready to pass out from the sight of it ... also, why did Tomlinson not question her appearance at the scene?
Pg 63 - Would this information clear her of the murder???
Pg 65 - Its funny taking a criminalistics class and being able to watch shows or read books and know that they are inaccurate...
Pg 73 - Wow. Brad is already letting his 'non-existent' emotions get the better of him.
Pg 75 - Makes me think he was the one with the gun...
Pg 78 - sounds like an affair to me... how did they meet anyway? and why is it such a big age gap?! he was graduating high school when she was getting ready for pre-k!!!
Pg 81 - MARY POPPINS!! lol
Pg 83 - If she thinks it ended so poorly that he deleted her number than its over... why is she calling?
Pg 86 - She just got out of a relationship. BET.
Pg 86 - On the bright side maybe she will keep him distracted from Kelsey and the whole truth
Pg 91 - Why did he feel the need to mention his brother isnt the thief?
Pg 93 - Could it be the IT person then?
Pg 94 - 'Whet' ... typo???
Pg 95 - Phew. She's covered!
Pg 96 - Was he that anxious to switch positions?! Jeez! Also, if he is no longer with homicide can't he not work the case anymore???
Pg 97 - WOAH WOAH WOAH Brad has another sister? And she is dead?! How long ago?! It is a cold case after all ...
Pg 97 - Stereotypes to the rescue! lol nobody even suspects it is Kelsey because she is female!
Pg 98 - Okay. Wait. They definitely have to be linked. Plus they are going to pin it on the Phantom Hawk! It has to be the guy who shot at Kels...
Pg 99 - Such a girly gossip thing to do...
Pg 99 - You see but won't that bring on more teasing from the guys?
Pg 102 - You see though how is he going to ask her about the Phantom Hawk stuff w/ an ex-burglury investigator there? And he can't ask her out on a date now either...
Pg 104 - On the who what?? Circus?!?
Pg 105 - PEACH TEA IS AMAZING THOUGH
Pg 110 - Way to be blunt about it Brad
Pg 110 - SHIT.
Pg 112 - DOUBLE SHIT. Atleast there is paperwork I guess
Pg 113 - YES! Somebody is firing at her which will help play into her innocense!!!
Pg 116 - Austere: severe
Pg 118 - What if there is a camera in the conference room recording their conversation though...???
Pg 119 - Yeah. Thats a fabulous explaination...
Pg 120 - Why has Sloan suddenly accepted Brad's presence? Shouldn't she push him away?
Pg 120 - Way to take charge Kelsey!
Pg 121 - Well she may know the photo isnt from Thursday but what about the detectives? can they electronically find a time stamp??
Pg 122 - WOW! I never thought of that loop hole! Photo shop. wow.
Pg 124 - BUM BUM BUM! I have no thoughts ... Could the killer have listened in on her phone call through the cameras? Could it be her stepfather?
Pg 126 - Obviously the chat is an IT type thing but what is it for???
Pg 127 - He hasn't really thought of Elle this whole time...
Pg 128 - PENNSYLVANIA!
Pg 128 - He suspects her stepfather as well!!
Pg 129 - What ever happened to him working on cold cases? Obviously he is looking at her father's case but what about these new cases involving her? They aren't exactly cold....
Pg 130 - Why would he ever want to get back with her if she couldn't accept his job and asperations back then???
Pg 131 - If the police didn't suspect foul play then why did the trustee? Sam was the trustee at the time wasn't he? What if he killed Kels' real dad?!?!?!
Pg 133 - I wonder what kind of work they do with kids...
Pg 134 - I thought she wasnt telling anyone about the cops?... Maybe she is the killer? It would be cool for the story to be mostly female...
Pg 135 - Maybe it wasn't actually sent by them... What if its a trap??...WHAT IF ITS A BOMB?!?!?!?
Pg 136 - Oh joy!
Pg 136 - Could it happen to be another person from a business she checked the security on?? Or maybe her father??... I'm sure the cops love her right now, so does the Pink Palace...........
Pg 139 - Point one to Kelsey
Pg 141 - And another point to Kelsey. This is so me, being a know-it-all
Pg 142 - Wow. She suddenly got very friendly... Also why does she allow Kelsey to sit in if she thinks it could be her? And why did the lieutenant need to get involved....????
Pg 146 - Its odd to me that they are telling Kelsey so much about the case
Pg 147 - Why is making a connection so easy in books but not in real life??? I would love to make a more accurate love hate relationship and see how that goes over with readers.
Pg 149 - Damn. He's got an alibi then ... or maybe not...
Pg 150 - Ray-Ray makes me think of the firefly from the Princess and the Frog
Pg 153 - They could have told her though...
Pg 155 - Yes Maggie! I feel the same! We are all so concerned about Male vs Female or Black vs White, instead of the end goal!
Pg 158 - He's always putting his nose where it doesn't belong...
Pg 161 - Do they have clearance to do this demonstration?!???
Pg 162 - She's on the wrong side of the law as in she should be a detective....or as in she is a criminal?? She had permission though...
Pg 166 - Honestly, why is he even puzzled anymore? she scales buildings, she can handle herself pretty well I would think...
Pg 166 - Oh joy. Her mom will absolutely love him tagging along...
Pg 167 - She acts like two acres is a lot to own...
Pg 168 - Thats good though! Thats how all people should be raised. I hate snot nose rich people.
Pg 169 - Dude. That is not police protocal. Write it in your notes, not on your phone.
Pg 170 - I feel like these emotions are staged. Why is she crying???
Pg 172 - Does that mean Kelsey was born before their marriage??
Pg 173 - I'm surprised there isn't details of the mom prying Brad for details on him personally or his thoughts of Kelsey.
Pg 175 - Yeah. Why? The property only just came up with Brad and mention of her real father....
Pg 176 - Why wouldn't they just give the house to Kelsey? If they own it then she could have her own place instead of living with her sister...
Pg 178 - That seems hard to believe. Well there is that hacking thing I guess.
Pg 180 - Wow. Now its Daddy. Must be a special memory.
Pg 180 - That would have made me laugh and stop crying instantly.
Pg 181 - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! You suckers are gonna fall for eachother!!!!!!!
Pg 184 -
Overall Review:
This is by far one of my favorite books to have received from the Bethany Publishing house! I only recently joined their group of book review bloggers but it has been great, I do wish I had more time to sit and continue reading all of their books however being a full time student as well as a part time employee and 'life' long blogger, takes up a lot of time on top of the other groups I partake in... Regardless, these was a very well structured 'criminalistic' novel and I can not wait to read more! As always there were some portions of the story-line that fell victim to the CSI effect but there were not as many as I had originally thought there would be. The characters are very sarcastic yet lovable and they draw you in with every snide remark. I myself found that I put myself in the shoes of the main character because the plot followed my dream life all too closely, even the wanted to be hunted by somebody because I know something I shouldn't (or they think I do anyway). Five stars all the way, wish I could give it ten!!!
Provided Summary by Book:
"In an effort to get her security consulting business off the ground, Kelsey Allen has been spending a lot of time up in the air, rappelling down buildings and climbing through windows to show business owners their vulnerabilities to thieves. When she is hired to pose as a conservator at the Pink Palace Museum in order to test their security weaknesses after some artifacts go missing, she's ecstatic. But when her investigative focus turns from theft to murder, Kelsey knows she's out of her league--and possibly in the cross hairs. When blast-from-the-past Detective Brad Hollister is called in to investigate, Kelsey may find that he's the biggest security threat yet . . . to her heart.
Crackling with romantic tension and laced with intrigue, this suspenseful story from award-winning author Patricia Bradley will keep readers guessing--and looking over their shoulders."
First Impressions:
Right off the bat, I must say it did take me a while to receive this book. Also, I feel it is important to say that I have never read a 'Memphis Cold Case' novel nor had I ever heard of them prior to being sent this book and thus I am not sure what number this is in the series or if the books are all connected and that will affect the impact the novel has on me. I do especially love the dedication in the book however, "to our heroes in blue who put their lives on the line 24/7", it's the first I have seen of something like that and it makes me happy.
Notes:
Pg 9 - I kinda figured as much but it is nice to know it is a 'Memphis Cold Case' because it takes place there and not because it is a character's name
Pg 9 - Okay this may just be me over thinking but if she is investigating a case why is she breaking in??
Pg 10 - Sabra? like the humus??!?
Pg 11 - I love that slowly it is becoming more reasonable for females to be tech savvy and spies and work alone and sooo many things they wouldn't have been 50 years ago...
Pg 12 - Question ... if she is working for a guy who's working for a guy... did it get cleared with that top person???
Pg 14 - What is this business? Why is somebody there so late? Why does he have a gun ready???
Pg 19 - Grigri: a belay device for rock climbing
Pg 20 - okay how old is Kelsey?? Sabra is 30 something but Kels is thinking of marriage and kids??
Pg 22 - SHE'S 35!!
Pg 23 - What leads her to believe that he suspects her? other than him showing the video I mean
Pg 24 - Ah, nevermind.
Pg 25 - She went to school to be a conservator? Ew. Why? That's her parents' preference I thought
Pg 26 - Why are they discussing this now if they have business matters to attend to??
Pg 27 - Okay so I guess the cold case is the missing artifacts then ... could it all be her dad? that would be upsetting...
Pg 31 - The dudes name is Brad. He os bound to be a self-centered jerk right? maybe ...
Pg 32 - And now we hop to a new point of view ... why is this so common in books today to have more than one main character?!?!?
Pg 33 - YES. I hope its a deep red and not a bright red
Pg 33 - AWW! so precious! a three legged puppy! Damn you Brad!!
Pg 33 - WHY IS THIS MY DREAM LIFE?!?!
Pg 34 - I can't believe she is 35 and being set up on a date...this is definitely my future ...
Pg 36 - HOW DO THEY REMEMBER THIS 17 YEARS LATER?!
Pg 39 - When I hear the name Brad I think 6'4" muscular, jerky quarter back ... not skinny
Pg 44 - I was waiting for him to be mentioned ... Also I imagine a great gesture like a magician lol
Pg 50 - DAMN!! I was so close!!!!
Pg 52 - Did she make sure he left first? What if he follows her and calls the cops?!
Pg 55 - Always trust your gut!
Pg 56 - WOAH. Not good. Dead things and getting caught breaking and entering....
Pg 58 - So now she is Ms.Allen? And where the heck is Rutherford?!
Pg 58 - NOW HOW WILL SHE CLEAR HER NAME?!?!?!?!
Pg 59 - On the bright side ... she couldnt have done it if she is ready to pass out from the sight of it ... also, why did Tomlinson not question her appearance at the scene?
Pg 63 - Would this information clear her of the murder???
Pg 65 - Its funny taking a criminalistics class and being able to watch shows or read books and know that they are inaccurate...
Pg 73 - Wow. Brad is already letting his 'non-existent' emotions get the better of him.
Pg 75 - Makes me think he was the one with the gun...
Pg 78 - sounds like an affair to me... how did they meet anyway? and why is it such a big age gap?! he was graduating high school when she was getting ready for pre-k!!!
Pg 81 - MARY POPPINS!! lol
Pg 83 - If she thinks it ended so poorly that he deleted her number than its over... why is she calling?
Pg 86 - She just got out of a relationship. BET.
Pg 86 - On the bright side maybe she will keep him distracted from Kelsey and the whole truth
Pg 91 - Why did he feel the need to mention his brother isnt the thief?
Pg 93 - Could it be the IT person then?
Pg 94 - 'Whet' ... typo???
Pg 95 - Phew. She's covered!
Pg 96 - Was he that anxious to switch positions?! Jeez! Also, if he is no longer with homicide can't he not work the case anymore???
Pg 97 - WOAH WOAH WOAH Brad has another sister? And she is dead?! How long ago?! It is a cold case after all ...
Pg 97 - Stereotypes to the rescue! lol nobody even suspects it is Kelsey because she is female!
Pg 98 - Okay. Wait. They definitely have to be linked. Plus they are going to pin it on the Phantom Hawk! It has to be the guy who shot at Kels...
Pg 99 - Such a girly gossip thing to do...
Pg 99 - You see but won't that bring on more teasing from the guys?
Pg 102 - You see though how is he going to ask her about the Phantom Hawk stuff w/ an ex-burglury investigator there? And he can't ask her out on a date now either...
Pg 104 - On the who what?? Circus?!?
Pg 105 - PEACH TEA IS AMAZING THOUGH
Pg 110 - Way to be blunt about it Brad
Pg 110 - SHIT.
Pg 112 - DOUBLE SHIT. Atleast there is paperwork I guess
Pg 113 - YES! Somebody is firing at her which will help play into her innocense!!!
Pg 116 - Austere: severe
Pg 118 - What if there is a camera in the conference room recording their conversation though...???
Pg 119 - Yeah. Thats a fabulous explaination...
Pg 120 - Why has Sloan suddenly accepted Brad's presence? Shouldn't she push him away?
Pg 120 - Way to take charge Kelsey!
Pg 121 - Well she may know the photo isnt from Thursday but what about the detectives? can they electronically find a time stamp??
Pg 122 - WOW! I never thought of that loop hole! Photo shop. wow.
Pg 124 - BUM BUM BUM! I have no thoughts ... Could the killer have listened in on her phone call through the cameras? Could it be her stepfather?
Pg 126 - Obviously the chat is an IT type thing but what is it for???
Pg 127 - He hasn't really thought of Elle this whole time...
Pg 128 - PENNSYLVANIA!
Pg 128 - He suspects her stepfather as well!!
Pg 129 - What ever happened to him working on cold cases? Obviously he is looking at her father's case but what about these new cases involving her? They aren't exactly cold....
Pg 130 - Why would he ever want to get back with her if she couldn't accept his job and asperations back then???
Pg 131 - If the police didn't suspect foul play then why did the trustee? Sam was the trustee at the time wasn't he? What if he killed Kels' real dad?!?!?!
Pg 133 - I wonder what kind of work they do with kids...
Pg 134 - I thought she wasnt telling anyone about the cops?... Maybe she is the killer? It would be cool for the story to be mostly female...
Pg 135 - Maybe it wasn't actually sent by them... What if its a trap??...WHAT IF ITS A BOMB?!?!?!?
Pg 136 - Oh joy!
Pg 136 - Could it happen to be another person from a business she checked the security on?? Or maybe her father??... I'm sure the cops love her right now, so does the Pink Palace...........
Pg 139 - Point one to Kelsey
Pg 141 - And another point to Kelsey. This is so me, being a know-it-all
Pg 142 - Wow. She suddenly got very friendly... Also why does she allow Kelsey to sit in if she thinks it could be her? And why did the lieutenant need to get involved....????
Pg 146 - Its odd to me that they are telling Kelsey so much about the case
Pg 147 - Why is making a connection so easy in books but not in real life??? I would love to make a more accurate love hate relationship and see how that goes over with readers.
Pg 149 - Damn. He's got an alibi then ... or maybe not...
Pg 150 - Ray-Ray makes me think of the firefly from the Princess and the Frog
Pg 153 - They could have told her though...
Pg 155 - Yes Maggie! I feel the same! We are all so concerned about Male vs Female or Black vs White, instead of the end goal!
Pg 158 - He's always putting his nose where it doesn't belong...
Pg 161 - Do they have clearance to do this demonstration?!???
Pg 162 - She's on the wrong side of the law as in she should be a detective....or as in she is a criminal?? She had permission though...
Pg 166 - Honestly, why is he even puzzled anymore? she scales buildings, she can handle herself pretty well I would think...
Pg 166 - Oh joy. Her mom will absolutely love him tagging along...
Pg 167 - She acts like two acres is a lot to own...
Pg 168 - Thats good though! Thats how all people should be raised. I hate snot nose rich people.
Pg 169 - Dude. That is not police protocal. Write it in your notes, not on your phone.
Pg 170 - I feel like these emotions are staged. Why is she crying???
Pg 172 - Does that mean Kelsey was born before their marriage??
Pg 173 - I'm surprised there isn't details of the mom prying Brad for details on him personally or his thoughts of Kelsey.
Pg 175 - Yeah. Why? The property only just came up with Brad and mention of her real father....
Pg 176 - Why wouldn't they just give the house to Kelsey? If they own it then she could have her own place instead of living with her sister...
Pg 178 - That seems hard to believe. Well there is that hacking thing I guess.
Pg 180 - Wow. Now its Daddy. Must be a special memory.
Pg 180 - That would have made me laugh and stop crying instantly.
Pg 181 - AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! You suckers are gonna fall for eachother!!!!!!!
Pg 184 -
Overall Review:
This is by far one of my favorite books to have received from the Bethany Publishing house! I only recently joined their group of book review bloggers but it has been great, I do wish I had more time to sit and continue reading all of their books however being a full time student as well as a part time employee and 'life' long blogger, takes up a lot of time on top of the other groups I partake in... Regardless, these was a very well structured 'criminalistic' novel and I can not wait to read more! As always there were some portions of the story-line that fell victim to the CSI effect but there were not as many as I had originally thought there would be. The characters are very sarcastic yet lovable and they draw you in with every snide remark. I myself found that I put myself in the shoes of the main character because the plot followed my dream life all too closely, even the wanted to be hunted by somebody because I know something I shouldn't (or they think I do anyway). Five stars all the way, wish I could give it ten!!!
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