Look Back Wednesday, November 16, 2016

LOOK BACK WEDNESDAY IS A FEATURE HERE ON THE BLOG.  THERE ARE SO MANY REALLY GOOD BOOKS I HAVE REVIEWED ON GOODREADS SO I DECEIDED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME FROM THE PAST.  THIS MONTH I AM FEATURING BOOKS POSTED ON MY GOODREADS MYSTERY SHELF.  EACH REVIEW IS A DIRECT POST FROM MY GOODREADS REVIEW.  THIS MONTH I AM FEATURING PARANORMAL MYSTERIES.

Marked by Alex Hughes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have been looking forward to Book 3 in the Mindspace Investigation series. After reading it I came away with mixed feelings. Before I go further I do want to say that this is not a series you just drop into. Go back to the beginning and start with book one, Clean.

On the plus side Marked continued with the world building started in the first two books. There is more background about the Tech Wars and the Guild. Along with the world building the characters continue to be fleshed out. Finally Adam and Cherabino start to work on their attraction, just working – nothing resolved.

On the minus side the main premise for Marked just does not make sense. Why on earth would Adam ever go back to help the Guild. They used him to test a drug that was very addictive and threw him out instead of helping him when that experiment left him an addicted. I have never liked the Guild and I really had trouble believing he would every willing walk back into a situation that gave them any power over him. They have not changed - they do not treat him well this time either.

Having said all of that after I got over how stupid I though Adam was the plot was interesting. Like Adam I would think I knew what was going on only to be fooled again and again. I do hope the next book leaves the Guild way, way in the background. I like Adam and did not enjoy seeing him back in the power of the Guild.


View all my reviews

Vacant (Mindspace Investigations #4) by Alex Hughes

Science Fiction/Urban Fantasy

From Goodreads:

Nothing ruins a romantic evening like a brawl with lowlifes—especially when one of them later turns up dead and my date, Detective Isabella Cherabino, is the #1 suspect. My history with the Atlanta PD on both sides of the law makes me an unreliable witness, so while Cherabino is suspended, I’m paying my bills by taking an FBI gig.

I’ve been hired to play telepathic bodyguard for Tommy, the ten-year-old son of a superior court judge in Savannah presiding over the murder trial of a mob-connected mogul. After an attempt on the kid’s life, the Feds believe he’s been targeted by the businessman’s “associates.”

Turns out, Tommy’s a nascent telepath, so I’m trying to help him get a handle on his Ability. But it doesn’t take a mind reader to see that there’s something going on with this kid’s parents that’s stressing him out more than a death threat…

I like this series and the interaction between Adam Ward and Isabella Cherabino keeps the series going.  This time though Adam and Isabella are not together for most of the story.  There are two parts to this story.  The main story is about Adam and how he handles a new job away from Atlanta.  The other story is in the backgound .  Cherabino is under fire and Alan cannot be there to help her.

Hughes uses the story to add more detail to the world of Mindspace Investigations.  Vacant is more of a side story.  It adds a lot to the series but most of the action is there to set the stage for the next chapter in the lives of Adam and Cherabino.

While Vacant could stand alone I recommend reading the other novels in the series first.

Roc published Vacant by Alex Hughes in 2014.

Stacking The Shelves, December 6, 2014

Books Stacked on My Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I added to my shelves this week. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves. 

This was a busy week in the book department.

From Amazon Vine:

A Murder of Magpies by Judith Flanders

The Strangler Vine by M.J. Carter

Purchased:

Coming Home by Jack McDevitt

Universal Alien by Gina Koch

Vacant by Alex Hughes

Free on Amazon:

The Brands Who Came For Christmas by Maggie Shayne

Deadly Secrets by Terry Odell

Her Dakota Man by Lisa Mondello

A Kiss for Luck by Grace Burrowes

Jamen's Yuletide Bride by Rebekah Gainer
Christmas at Copper Mountain by Jane Porter

Marked (A Mindspace Investigations Novel) by Alex Hughes

Paranormal Mystery

From Goodreads:

FORESEE NO EVIL.

Freelancing for the Atlanta PD isn’t exactly a secure career; my job’s been on the line almost as much as my life. But it’s a paycheck, and it keeps me from falling back into the drug habit. Plus, things are looking up with my sometimes-partner, Cherabino, even if she is still simmering over the telepathic Link I created by accident.

When my ex, Kara, shows up begging for my help, I find myself heading to the last place I ever expected to set foot in again—Guild headquarters—to investigate the death of her uncle. Joining that group was a bad idea the first time. Going back when I’m unwanted is downright dangerous.

Luckily, the Guild needs me more than they’re willing to admit. Kara’s uncle was acting strange before he died—crazy strange. In fact, his madness seems to be slowly spreading through the Guild. And when an army of powerful telepaths loses their marbles, suddenly it’s a game of life or death.

I have been looking forward to Book 3 in the Mindspace Investigation series.  After reading it I came away with mixed feelings.  Before I go further I do want to say that this is not a series you just drop into.  Go back to the beginning and start with book one, Clean.

On the plus side Marked continued with the world building started in the first two books.  There is more background about the Tech Wars and the Guild.  Along with the world building the characters continue to be fleshed out.  Finally Adam and Cherabino start to work on their attraction, just working – nothing resolved.

On the minus side the main premise for Marked just does not make sense.  Why on earth would Adam ever go back to help the Guild.  They used him to test a drug that was very addictive and threw him out instead of helping him when that experiment left him an addicted.  I have never liked the Guild and I really had trouble believing he would every willing walk back into a situation that gave them any power over him. They have not changed - they do not treat him well this time either.

Having said all of that after I got over how stupid I though Adam was the plot was interesting.  Like Adam I would think I knew what was going on only to be fooled again and again.  I do hope the next book leaves the Guild way, way in the background.  I like Adam and did not enjoy seeing him back in the power of the Guild.

Roc published Marked by Alex Hughes in 2014.

Stacking the Shelves, April 12, 2014

Books Stacked on My Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I added to my shelves this week. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves.

Purchased:  

The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Dawn's Early Light by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris

Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens

Marked by Alex Hughes

From the Author:

The Accidental Duchess by Madeline Hunter

For Review:

Fool's Assassin by Robin Hobbs

Carter Trueblood and the Lunar Rescue Company by Homer Hickam

The Scandalous Adventures of the Sister of the Bride by Victoria Alexander 

Waiting on Wednesday, April 2, 2014

 

 Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature sponsored by Breaking the Spine.  It is a great way to share upcoming releases.

I am waiting on a book that was released yesterday.  I have it on order and it should be on the way.  The book:  Marked (Mindspace Investigations, #3) by Alex Hughes.  I love the series and have high hopes for book three.

From Goodreads:

FORESEE NO EVIL.

Freelancing for the Atlanta PD isn’t exactly a secure career; my job’s been on the line almost as much as my life. But it’s a paycheck, and it keeps me from falling back into the drug habit. Plus, things are looking up with my sometimes-partner, Cherabino, even if she is still simmering over the telepathic Link I created by accident.

When my ex, Kara, shows up begging for my help, I find myself heading to the last place I ever expected to set foot in again—Guild headquarters—to investigate the death of her uncle. Joining that group was a bad idea the first time. Going back when I’m unwanted is downright dangerous.

Luckily, the Guild needs me more than they’re willing to admit. Kara’s uncle was acting strange before he died—crazy strange. In fact, his madness seems to be slowly spreading through the Guild. And when an army of powerful telepaths loses their marbles, suddenly it’s a game of life or death.

Stacking the Shelves, January 11, 2014

Some of the Books Stacked on My Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I am adding to my shelves. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves.

 I have been snowed in most of the week and hope to get out today. I did received several books in the mail.  

Won from Should Be Reading and Alex Hughes the first two books in the Mindspace Investigations series;  Clean and Sharp.  In addition there were book marks for the next book in the series Marked and a nice note from Alex Hughes.

From Amazon Prime for review:  Avalon by Mindee Arnett.

From Netgalley for review:  The Sea Without a Shore by David Drake and  The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaliegh Johnson

And another win a bright orange T-shirt from Monte Dutton.

Book Beginnings, November 15, 2013

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

My Book Beginning this week is from Clean by Alex Hughes.  This is a book I read over a year ago and just looked up on my book shelves.  It is the first in a series really like. The author is going to be a Coastal Magic in February and I hope to go.  I am waiting to hear how long the recovery from surgery on a torn meniscus will be before I sign up.  Here is the beginning.
 
"My first interview of the night was Esperanze Mensalez-Mar, a thirty-something woman dress in a pink-pressed suit I suspected cost more than my last paycheck.  Not that I'd seen the paycheck, but that was the kin of impression she gave off, like she had too much money to copy.  She was here as a suspect in the death of her husband."

Goodreads says this about Clean:

"I used to work for the Telepath’s Guild before they kicked me out for a drug habit that wasn’t entirely my fault. Now I work for the cops, helping Homicide Detective Isabella Cherabino put killers behind bars. My ability to get inside the twisted minds of suspects makes me the best interrogator in the department. But the normals keep me on a short leash. When the Tech Wars ripped the world apart, the Guild stepped up to save it. But they had to get scary to do it—real scary. Now the cops don’t trust the telepaths, the Guild doesn’t trust me, a serial killer is stalking the city—and I’m aching for a fix. But I need to solve this case. Fast. I’ve just had a vision of the future: I’m the next to die."

  

Clean, A Mindspace Investigations Novel by Alex Hughes

Science Fiction/Mystery

Goodreads Summary:

“I used to work for the Telepath’s Guild before they kicked me out for a drug habit that wasn’t entirely my fault. Now I work for the cops, helping Homicide Detective Isabella Cherabino put killers behind bars. My ability to get inside the twisted minds of suspects makes me the best interrogator in the department. But the normals keep me on a short leash. When the Tech Wars ripped the world apart, the Guild stepped up to save it. But they had to get scary to do it—real scary. Now the cops don’t trust the telepaths, the Guild doesn’t trust me, a serial killer is stalking the city—and I’m aching for a fix. But I need to solve this case. Fast. I’ve just had a vision of the future: I’m the next to die.”

Clean has everything to make a good story.  The book has a flawed hero, a by the book cop, and a good plot.  Add the fact that it is Science Fiction and what more could you ask for.

Clean is set sometime in the future.  Tech became the enemy and had to be severely controlled.  The Telepath’s Guild helped win the Tech Wars and are now a major but not really trusted part of society.  The world building is excellent and helps make the story.

The flawed hero is Adam but the story is told in first person and we do not learn his name until the end of the book. He was involved in a drug experiment while in the Telepath’s Guild.  It turned out the drug was addictive and he did not kick the habit after the experiment was over.  Because of his drug habit he was kicked out of the Guild.  He is clean now but has to work every day to overcome his cravings.  He is working with Isabella Cherabino and they have a push pull type of relationship.  That also adds to the tension in the story.

This is Alex Hughes first novel and the first in the Mindspace series.  The series is off to a great start and I am looking forward to the next book, Sharp, due out in April of 2013.

ROC published Clean by Alex Hughes in 2012.

Stacking The Shelves November 10, 2012

Welcome to my Stacking The Shelves post!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews so follow the link and check out what other stacked on their shelves this week.  

Stacking The Shelves is all about the books I am adding to my shelves each week letting me share with you my excitement for my newest books.

From Amazon:  I got a large order this week.

Lord's Fall by Thea Harrison

Unclaimed Bride by Lauri Robinson

Polterheist by Laura Resnick
Kris Longknife:  Furious by Mike Shepherd
The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
Still Life with Shape-Shifter by Sharon Shinn

From Barnes and Noble:

Clean by Alex Hughes
Dead Iron by Devon Monk

From Netgalley:

Wildcat by Cheryl Brooks

Won:

Wild Encounter by Nikki Logan (From contest at Reading Reality)
Murmur of the Lonely Brook by Debashis Dey (From contest at The Readdicts)