Mel Lenore Reads

Bright Side, Sad Side

Revisado: 05-15-18

At first I wasn’t sure what to think of this book. It was good, but not the romance I was expecting. Kate is definitely Bright Side. Readers don’t find out how strong and impressive it is that she remains positive until close to the end of the book. Kate endured a ton, and the way she handles life is impressive.

This book is the kind of book that you start of thinking “Yeah this is pretty good, but I don’t know what is so special about it.” Then you move to “Oh I’m starting to see. This is really good.” To, “Crap. Now I’m bawling.” Bright Side is emotional, gut wrenching, funny, and romantic.

I enjoyed the romance between her and Keller. It was very quick, and while it had to be, reader’s don’t necessarily know that yet. I felt like the build up to the romance could have been explored a little more. We don’t even get introduced to Keller for quite some time, and it is even longer before we see things through his point of view. I felt like some of the set up to that point could have been used exploring their relationship. I really enjoyed Kate’s relationships with those around her. From her friends, to her family, to her co-workers, she brought life to every room.

I will warn you that this book is sad, but in such a beautiful way. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a read that has a little bit of everything. I also listened to this book. Lidia Dornnet did a great job voicing Kate. Roger Wayne brought life to Keller. I enjoyed his narration, but it took me longer to get used to his narration than Lidia’s. Overall the story and narration were great. I recommend this book.

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Funny, romantic, and smart

Revisado: 05-15-18

This is my 4th book from Emma Chase, and I can say I was not disappointed. While it took me a few chapters to get into it, I quickly fell in love with Prince Nicholas. He is your typical tortured hero, but his charismatic personality and quick witted first person narration will make readers love him. Liv is a good match. I enjoyed her strength and desire to help her family, but I wish the back story with her mother and father (and resolution) had been a bit more fleshed out.

The queen and Henry, however, stole the book for me. I am greatly looking forward to the next book in the series.

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A good sequal with great narrators

Revisado: 05-15-18

Killman Creek picks up right where Stillhouse Lake left off. Gwen and Sam are ready to hunt down her vile husband and put an end to the terror once and for all. The second installment takes on a bit more of the traditional thriller vibe. Reader’s are taken through Gwen and Sam’s eyes as they hunt down Melvin. We learn clues as they do leading up to the end. We also get a peak into Laney and Connor’s life through new narrators. I enjoyed this addition and think it added nice depth to the book.

I expected a lot from this book based on how much I enjoyed Stillhouse Lake. Killman Creek is still very very good (and I reccomend it if you liked the first book), but rated this book 3/5 stars for a few minor points. I’ll try to explain my frustrations without giving anything away. The first is a plot twist involving Gwen. I felt like it was included more to provide shock and keep the reader guessing (even though, to me, it was obvious what was happening) rather than move the story forward. The second involved Brady/Connor. I suppose this is a way an 11 year old would react to the circumstances, but I became frustrated with the amount of emphasis placed on it. Connor was raised very differently than a normal kid, and I can’t help but wonder if he would therefore not react like a normal kid. Again, this did not really help move the story forward, and I felt like there were other ways it could have been expanded upon that were left alone.

Overall Killman Creek is exhilirating, suspeseful, and engaging. If you enjoyed the first book in the series, I think you will be pleased with the sequal. The narrators added to this book did a great job at portrayng all the characters. I liked being able to see through more than one viewpoint and having additional voices for all of these really gave an added bonus to listening to the story.

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A New Take on Thriller

Revisado: 05-15-18

Minor spoilers for the book. Everything constituting a spoiler in this review is either revealed in the first chapter or the synopsis.

Gwen Proctor has been on the run 4 years since her husband, Melvin, was convicted as a serial killer. Her only focus now is keeping her kids safe. So far, she has managed to, and now they have finally found a home at Stillhouse Lake. Unfortunately, someone has other plans. Gwen doesn’t know who she can trust, and soon, she’ll discover the only person she can trust...is herself.

I really enjoyed this book. It is quite different than the typical detective mystery. Over half the book explores the horrors people go through even after they are found innocent of a crime. Rachel Caine does a great job portraying the depravity of people when they feel justified against another human being, and, no matter how great or poor our justice system may be, innocent does not always mean innocent in the eyes of the general population.

Much of the character development of Gwen happens in the four years since her husband’s conviction. Readers get flashbacks through Gwen’s thoughts to help give a full understanding of what she went through, who she was then, and who she has become. I really enjoyed the supporting characters such as Sam, the mysterious neighbor next door, her kids (Laney and Connor), and other occupants of Stillhouse that help Gwen along the way.

Even though I did not feel the “twists and turns” were all that shocking, it still kept me entertained until the very end. I listend to this book from Audible and the narrator, Emily Sutton-Smith, did a fabulous job bring Gwen and the other characters to life. Immediately after finishing this book, I purchased the sequal Killman Creek, and I cannot wait to get started.

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My favorite of the series!

Revisado: 04-12-15

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I loved listening to book one, BEAUTIFUL BASTARD. I’m not sure why I took a break from this series, but BEAUTIFUL STRANGER reminded me that was not a good idea! Sara and Max are sizzling hot, and I’m not sure which couple I like more. Christina Lauren has a knack for creating the hottest me, the hottest lines, and the most envious female leads.

I loved how they were able to take such a taboo topic (or two) and turn it around into something incredibly hot! Even though Max and Sara were strangers, because of Sara’s past, it was completely understandable why she would choose to flirt with Max. This, coupled with her need for public/ private sex, made the story hotter than ever.

The narration was also excellent. Grace Grant did a fantastic job on BEAUTIFUL BASTARD, but somehow she was able to take Sara and make her voice entirely new. Not only that, but she has different and distinct voices for each character. Somehow she pulled off a sexy, alpha male with a British accent wonderfully.

Jonathan R. Cole did a great job as well. While I did not find him as impressive as Grace, he still did a wonderful job bringing Max to life. I wish he had been able to give the characters a more unique voice. Often times, the British accent Max has would carry over into his other voices. He had a hard time distinguishing male and female as well. However, his voice is a pleasure to listen to, and he did a great job being Max. I love when an audiobook has both female and male narrators. Grace and Jonathan did an excellent job!

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They've done it again!

Revisado: 04-12-15

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I highly recommend this series to fans of funny, romantic, sexy contemporaries. This is my fourth book by Christina Lauren (I'm working on getting all caught up!), and not once have I been disappointed. While Hannah and Will find themselves in a situation trope of a sort, geeky girl with hot player boy, somehow Christina Lauren manages to take it and make it all new.

Hannah is adorably dorky, and all nerdy girls will be able to relate to her. I loved her spunk and sass. I loved that she had virtually no filter, and anything she thought came right out her mouth. Will falls head over heels for Hannah the first day they hang out. I really enjoyed that while he was a player in the past, once he found a woman he wanted, he went for her. Feelings up front and out there. More often than not it is the man that hides his feelings or is in denial. It was refreshing to find a guy who isn't afraid to be upfront and honest.

Another excellent addition to the series BEAUTIFUL PLAYER does it again. I highly recommend this series on audio. Grace Grant is by far my favorite female narrator. She can not only switch from female to male voices and make them sound normal (I know right!?), but she also manages to take all the leading ladies; Chloe, Sarah, and Hannah; and make them sound unique and their very own. While I enjoyed Jonathan R. Cole's reading of Max, Sebastian York did a fantastic job (as usual) bringing Will to life.

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Nocturne: I can stop whining now!

Revisado: 06-25-14

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(language amended for Amazon review)

After my whining involving the second book in the series, from the first chapter of WTZA (White Trash Zombie Apocalypse) I knew we were back to the good ole days. Angel is studying hard for her GED and debating what she wants to do in the decades to come. She's going on dates and arguing with her dad. Oh and don't forget the autopsies. However, Angel still has booties to kick because the zombie research isn't over. With the perfect balance of "real life," mystery, and action WTZA is a definite winner in my book!

The narration in this one is actually why I knocked off a half a star. It is still excellent, don't get me wrong, but McLemore seems to tone down Angel's Louisiana accent. Especially in the dialogue. I miss the southern and trashy twang! Still, Allison McLemore is Angel for me, and she does a wonderful job once again bringing her to life.

Overall, I enjoyed this book thoroughly. My issues regarding book two over the 180 in plot are seamlessly fixed, and readers are given a great balance of Angel's everyday life and the trouble she gets into. I was always looking for times to listen and never bored with the story. I am very excited for book 4, HOW THE WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE GOT HER GROOVE BACK (these titles are a mouthful aren't they?!), coming out next week July 1, 2014. More of Angel kicking butt and eating brains!

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Nocturne: Too Different

Revisado: 06-18-14

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MY LIFE AS A WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE blew me away. It was snarky, compelling, thrilling, and good zombie fun. I enjoyed it so much I bought the sequel (on audio of course) before I even finished the first. I wish I could say I felt the same way about EVEN WHITE TRASH ZOMBIES GET THE BLUES, but sadly I cannot.

The snark Angel possessed in book one seemed to turn into silliness and too much effort. Her knee jerk spouting off just wasn't the same. It seemed forced. I miss the old Angel, the one who knew who she was, wanted to be more, but also was down to earth and just a good time. Regardless, Allision McLemore still did a fantastic job narrating. She continues with that Louisiana drawl we all love, and even manages to throw in a couple of accents or two. I love how well she differentiates between characters. Aside from "being Angel" for me, she also has a great interpretation and narration of the other characters. McKinney the head of security for example.

The biggie issue for me was that EVEN WHITE TRASH ZOMBIES GET THE BLUES didn't follow the same tone as book one. The introduction in to the zombie world was just that, an introduction. It followed Angel and her new life as a zombie. The simple things, while an underlying mystery slowly developed in the background. This time, however, the mystery, science, and action takes center stage almost too forcefully. I wanted more of Angel's job, more of her life which I became accustomed to in book one. I feel like EVEN WHITE TRASH ZOMBIES GET THE BLUES was too different to be really enjoyable. The seriousness clashed too much with the silly and the snark.

Overall, though, I still enjoy Angel and the crew, and Rowland's writing. McLemore saves the day with her narration. Without it, the books would just not be the same. Readers will get some answers to the long awaited questions from MY LIFE AS A WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE while more will arise. I am still looking forward to book three, WHITE TRASH ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE even with my complaints on this one.

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The Stutter Won Me Over

Revisado: 06-12-14

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-By far one of the sweetest, heart-wrenching, emotional stories I have read in a very long time.
-This book was a sequel that completely blew me away. I thought I would not ever love a book in the series as much as FALLING INTO YOU, but I was so wrong!
-Becca and her stutter completely stole my heart. Piper Goodeve made Becca come alive for me, and I am so glad I got this using Amazon's Whyspersync!
-I did not think I would, but I really enjoyed the way FALLING INTO US begins when they are just kids. This allows the readers to really go on the full journey with the characters, not just hear about past experiences.
-This book made me cry. That is really hard to do, let me tell you. I am usually of the mindset, it is only a book. So what? Wilder made me FEEL unlike any other writer out there.

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Angel Came Alive

Revisado: 06-11-14

Would you consider the audio edition of My Life as a White Trash Zombie to be better than the print version?

Allison McLemore has become one of my favorite narrators based on this story alone. She brings Angel alive, and I don't think I would have enjoyed this story quite as much without Allison brining her to life. Spunk, snark, and a Louisiana accent, make up Angel, and Allison nails it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Angel and I could be best friends. She is spunky, a survivor, and has a really smart mouth.

“But then again, I was about as far from touchy-feely as you could get. Unless you’re fu***** me, don’t put your hands on me.”

She sold the story for me. Her character goes through more, has deeper development, than any story I have read in a long time. She goes from trash to normal naturally. As she grows and finds herself, she doesn't lose her personality just her loser status. This book is vivid. Rowland holds no punches when giving us the gory details of Angel's life and thoughts. Angel should definitely win the award for most creative similes.

Which character – as performed by Allison McLemore – was your favorite?

Angel hands down. She really brings out her personality and thoughts. Without Allison's narration, the story would not have been the same.

Any additional comments?

At first, I was not sure about My Life as a White Trash Zombie. I couldn't fathom how a story about casual life as a zombie would be entertaining. But it was. Throughout the beginning of the story there are subtle hints that more is going on than just Angel finding her way. Someone is killing, and taking heads with them. The mystery, again, is subtle until the end when pieces finally click into place, and we get the final showdown.

Angel and I could be best friends. She is spunky, a survivor, and has a really smart mouth.

“But then again, I was about as far from touchy-feely as you could get. Unless you’re fucking me, don’t put your hands on me.”

She sold the story for me. Her character goes through more, has deeper development, than any story I have read in a long time. She goes from trash to normal naturally. As she grows and finds herself, she doesn't lose her personality just her loser status. This book is vivid. Rowland holds no punches when giving us the gory details of Angel's life and thoughts. Angel should definitely win the award for most creative similes.

Allison McLemore has become one of my favorite narrators based on this story alone. She brings Angel alive, and I don't think I would have enjoyed this story quite as much without Allison brining her to life. Spunk, snark, and a Louisiana accent, make up Angel, and Allison nails it.

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