Telly Says.....

I don't know why it took me so long to pick this up. I finally did and I laughed so hard I had to leave the room because people couldn't hear the TV!

The words of wisdom that Dr. Halpern often gave his children were funny and yes, they actually had lessons to be learned in them. Maybe it's not how you would talk to your kids or your parents talked to you, but some of us are very open and very vocal and just lay things out the way they are. That is all I saw Dr. Halpern doing, being brutally honest but always with love and support.

I enjoyed reading about the father/son moments that the author shared. Maybe he didn't have a Ozzie Nelson dad but he has a dad that loves him and that came across very strongly for me. Family meant everything to Dr. Halpern and he tried to not protect his kids but see life with their eyes open, that life is not always peaches and cream.

I am not easily offended. Swear words do not bother me and I come from a family that could be just a little "off" so nothing in this book made me wince. That being said, IF you offend easily or don't like swear words or have a certain opinion about parenting, this book may not be for you. Even so, I always say try it before you form an opinion, you just may be surprised.

I picked this book from netgalley on a whim. I usually do not read animal books but something about this caught my eye and I am glad I gave it a chance.

The mystery is of course who killed Charles and why. Pru is trying to come to terms with her "gift" of hearing the animals, the gift that caused her to run from the big city home to small town of Berkshire where everyone knows your name and your business.

I found Pru to be an adorable main character who is able to communicate with animals. Pru is working with a pit bull who is blamed for her human's murder but Pru knows otherwise. Lilly is traumatized by what she's witnessed and is not able to give Pru the answers she needs to clear her and save her life. Clearing Lily also means pointing the finger towards herself as the murderer! That doesn't stop her from investigating on her own.

Add to this Pru's narcissistic cat, Wallis, who has an opinion on everything but is not always willing to share. She is also not a fan of dogs saying that they are not as smart as cats and she doesn't understand why Pru would waste her time on one! Wallis was good for more than a few laughs with her interaction with Pru and her definite catitude!

Dogs Don't Lie is a fun cozy that was a nice break from the heavy thrillers that I normally read. I loved the "voices" of the animals and seeing things the way they do. Wallis reminds me of my quirky cat Molly in so many ways. Listening to her complain about the "infant" that Pru brought home was like reliving our experience with Molly when we added a kitten to the family. Of course I could not hear Molly's comments and maybe that was for the best.

I have to say Wallis was my favorite character. The book kept me guessing and even though I did figure it out it was still fun watching Pru figure it out. I look forward to more in this series.

This book was free from Netgalley in the hopes of a reveiw.

It is hard to give a good review of this book without giving too much away. I will say this is my first book by Reginald Hill and I don't know how I missed him!

The Woodcutter is a revenge story but so much more. It's also a psychological thriller that gets us into the mind of an accused man. I love that it was a non-stop guessing game. I felt like I was in one of those labyrinths where you think you know where you are going only to hit a wall. It was mystery after mystery with an end that I never saw coming or even imagined coming. I think I am blue from holding my breath to see what was going to happen next.

I actually picked this book up to read the first page or so just to see if it would appeal to me and I was going to read it at a later time. BUT, it pulled me in and I could not put the darn thing down. I was tired for work the entire week.

I really developed a fondness for Wolf Hadda. Not to say he was the nicest of men but he was a good soul who got a dirty deal from those he trusted. I enjoyed his humor and his relationship with his psychiatrist, Dr. Ozigbo. I loved the scene where she found him showering in the forest.

The Woodcutter is one hell of a thriller and I will be looking for more books by this author.

I have to admit, I almost passed on reading this book because Marcia Clark is not my favorite person. Then I thought if the old saying "write what you know" is true, she should be able to write a damn good book. I tried it and I was very surprised at just how good it was.

Ms. Clark does write what she knows and writes it in such a way that keeps up glued to the pages. The 'big' story is that of DA Rachel Knight finding out that her partner and friend Jake has been found dead and possibly was involved in some horrible things. She does not believe it and decides to poke around and find out the truth.

While doing that she also must take over his biggest case which involves the rape of a young girl. Again, things are not as clear cut as they seem.

I really enjoyed the characters. The friendship between Rachel, Tori another lawyer and Baily a policewoman was fun. Outside of work they are just girls hanging out and having a good time. They really clicked with me. It's great to have a bunch a girlfriends to be yourself with.

I don't want to give away any of the book so you just need to read it. I was floored by the ending. I had in my mind who I thought it was and things seems to point there but that was Ms. Clark's way of messing with our minds. I never would have guessed.

If you enjoy legal thrillers give this one a read. I actually hope there is more to come from Marcia Clark and that maybe I will be able to visit my new friends in another book.

I am not an easy person to shock but holy crap! What I found in the pages of this book did more than shock. It made me sick and angry. How can a person who is a mother treat a child in this way? It is beyond all reasoning. Not only the mother but the pieces of dirt men that come to abuse this child. One being a doctor!!! No one opens their mouth and puts a stop to it? NO. Sad, sick and should never happen to another child.

Empty Chairs is not an easy story to read but it is very well written. I forgot while reading that Sassy was just 11 years old! She was so mature and wise for her years. I guess one of the saddest parts of child abuse is forcing a child to become an adult way before it is time.

I wish the author never had to go through what she did but she handled it with dignity and a bravery that even I as a grown adult could not do. Thank goodness for people like the biker Animal who helped her. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for bikers. They get a bad rap and yes there are some dirtballs but most of those guys have hearts as big as the moon.

I will admit that I was disappointed with the ending. I even looked to make sure that I had received the entire book! I would love to know what else happened. How Ms. Danson got off of the streets, how she overcame her past and turned into the wonderful woman she is now. It sounds awful in a way to say this but I do hope there is another book with the rest of the story.

What is even more sad? Child abuse has not ended. Every single day somewhere in this world a child is abused and neglected. How much longer will people turn their backs on it? How many children will not be as lucky as Ms. Danson? We do not need anymore empty chairs.

I have mixed thoughts on this book. While I thought it was very well written and included lots of facts and background, I also found it very repetitive. There was not a lot of new information or different views of the case. It was pretty much straight forward with letting us know the characters and what could have happened and how it was investigated. As the book went onto the trial it was in my opinion just repeating what the author had already set up in the beginning.

In spite of that it did read very well. I only wish there were more angles discussed. I did not care for the ending. For me it left me hanging because I don't know what happened to Michael at his new trial. Unless he hasn't had it yet in which case the author should have told us that.

Do I think he is guilty? I honestly can't say for sure. Everything points to him but there was no rock solid evidence to convict him without a doubt. If I were on the jury I would have had to go not guilty based on the evidence. One of the lawyers said..."It's better to let a guilty man free than to convict an innocent one" and I would have to agree with that in this case based on what was in the book.

If you like true crime it is worth a read. I'd be interested to hear what others thought.

Read more of my reviews on my blog: Reading,Reading&Life

We have all tried to lose weight only to give up or gain it all back. This book will help you turn that cycle around. I don't normally read "diet" books because I fail on every one. For some reason The Small Change Diet jumped out at me and begged me to read it so I did and boy am I glad.


Keri makes it so easy. No pressure, no stress just great tips on how to change the way you eat, sleep, exercise and basically live you life. You take this book one step at a time, there is no time limit for finishing each step. A definite go at your own pace lifestyle change. I don't want to say diet because for me it was more about changing your lifestyle then just what you eat. If you rush through the steps you are only cheating yourself so I agree with Keri, take it slow and don't move on until you have mastered each one.


The book is based on these ten steps:


1. Create a healthy eating schedule

2. Eat more fruits and vegetables

3. Cut empty beverage calories

4. Increase fiber intake

5. Reduce the undercover calories of dressing and sauces

6. Eat leaner meats

7. Find the right fats and lose the bad fats

8. Curb sugar and salt cravings

9. Stay healthy in social situations

10. Exercise



Keri breaks each step down in a chapter with very easy and honestly small changes that really do work. This is one "diet" book that will truly help you make the changes that you want to make with very little effort. I am the newest fan of Keri Gans!!!


Recommended for anyone who wants to lose weight once and for all or just live a healthier life.

I have always been a lover of medical mysteries. Maybe it's because I am in the health care field or maybe it's because I like blood and am fascinated with doctors and surgery. A reason is not really necessary though is it? Public Anatomy is right up there with Michael Palmer and Robin Cook.

Reading it was scary at times because we are so close to this Robotic Surgery, it's already being preformed to some extent. And reality shows? Seems like that is all that is on anymore. Imagine a reality show where operations are streamed on the internet and can be watched live. Now imagine a horrible error, blood everywhere, OR staff scrambling to try to save the patient and ALL this is streaming across the internet! That is exactly how our story opens. Are we heading in this direction? I for one hope not. Nothing takes the place of a human doctor in my opinion.

I really connected with all the characters. Some in a good way and some not so good but every one made an impact on me while I was reading the book. How could I not root for Dr. Eli Branch, a main character, a former surgeon who was injured and can no longer operate so he works the graveyard shift in the ER. I didn't know when I started this book that it was the second one, the first being RUPTURE. In that book we get the full story on Dr. Branch and how he was injured, etc. I will for sure pick that up.

The relationship between Dr. Branch and Meg Daily, the pathologist was funny and touching. They used to be a couple but are not now. It's very obvious that the feelings are still there and I hope to see them in future books where that can be explored.

I have to say my favorite part of the book was with the detective investigating the murders, with the help of Dr Branch of course, was telling Dr Branch about how his mother used to take him all the time to visit the Victorian Mansions in Memphis because she wanted him to grow up with some class. It was a very witty conversation with Dr. Branch saying: "Did you say doilies?" You must read the book to appreciate the humor in that but it was by far my favorite sentence in the book.

Having lived in Memphis and Oxford Mississippi it was enjoyable to visit again. I loved knowing the places where the story took place. It was nice to be able to picture them while I was reading.

This book if chock full of some pretty grisly murders. Dirty doctors, amateur sleuth doctors, alcoholic professors and so much more. It is full of twists and turns and I had not figured it out until the author was revealing it. I had my suspicions but they turned out to be wrong every time.

I highly recommended this book for mystery lovers looking for an engaging and fast read that they will be thinking about long after reading the last page.

Jack Swyteck is a character who first appeared in THE PARDON, he was a lawyer defending death row inmates. He is of course still a lawyer defending the underdog and still knocks my socks off! Theo Knight is also back in this book. I love Theo, he is one of my favorite characters. If I could meet a character in real life it would be Theo. I would love to have a drink in his bar. Jack saved Theo from death row and yes he was innocent. He has stood by Jacks side every since. Theo brings humor into the books but he is also a loyal friend.

Afraid of the Dark is very much a stand alone novel. You don't need any back stories on the characters to enjoy this. If you've read his other books you will notice the reappearance of some characters and be happy to see them. Kinda like meeting with an old friend who you haven't seen in awhile. Knowing the characters stories and histories is always interesting but definitely not necessary to enjoy this novel.

This book is filled with twists and turns. I read it slowly, not because it didn't grab me but because I savor Grippando's books, try to make them last so it doesn't seem like such a long wait for the next one to come out!

I had a love/hate relationship with Chuck who is the father of the murdered girl. At times I wanted to cry for him and at other times I felt he knew so much more than he let on. Sgt. Vince Paulo stands out as a character with strength and bravery. Now blind he rarely feels sorry for himself and still manages to live life and help get to the bottom of things. He is a character who I would love to continue meeting in future books.

I found the plot amazing. At first I thought "oh no, another terrorist attack book" but it really was so much more. The mystery and suspense is high. The characters are well developed and lovable. I highly doubt you will figure it out before the unbelievable ending.

In my opinion Mr. Grippando writes some of the best suspense that you can get your hands on. You will find yourself holding your breath a lot in reading this book. There are not many books that I would want to re-read but anything by this author will be a book to go back to because you will enjoy it even more the second time around.

My favorite parts of the book as always are the scenes with Jack and Theo. They are always good for a smile or laugh and are a nice interlude in such a high suspense novel.

I can not recommend this book highly enough. Not just this book, any of Mr. Grippando's books. I can't say that I ever read one that was bad. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

My Review: Originally Published in Suspense Magazine

Meet Jeremiah and Cindy: Jeremiah is a rabbi and Cindy a church secretary. People are dying around them and it seems to be linked to a developer who wants to buy Green Pastures Campground. They join forces to try to get to the bottom of things before more people are killed.

Reading this book gave me a look at the different ways people handle relationships and danger. It shows the reader that it is possible to pull strength out from down deep inside yourself. You are stronger then you think you are.

I liked the characters. I enjoyed Cindy's ‘nothing will stop me’ attitude even if at times I felt she was not thinking things through. Trying to take on people she suspects are part of these crimes by playing darts with them in a bar? Not so smart in my opinion. Jeremiah agreed to take some children camping at Green Pastures only to have trouble find them. A washed out bridge, a bombing in their cabin just to name a few. He handled things much better than I would have.

“Lie Down in Green Pastures” is the third book in the Psalm 23 Mysteries and the first one I have read. I felt like I was missing key information about Cindy and Jeremiah. For me it made the book just a bit more confusing to follow and not one I would call a stand-alone read.

Overall, it's a nice cozy mystery that can be read on a rainy weekend. I recommend reading the books in order.

I love Ronald Reagan and I loved this book. Read my full review on my blog Reading,Reading&Life

Review will be coming March 16 on my blog Reading,Reading&Life

review to come

Great collection of short, horror stories. Read the full review on my blog, Reading,Reading & Life

A fun, fast paced mystery. Read the full review on my blog, Reading,Reading&Life

WOW, what a story. What kind of people are there in this world? Full review can be found on my blog: Reading,Reading&Life It will be posted March 1, 2011 during Pump Up Your Book virtual book tour.