Arena 13 by Joseph Delaney

Arena 13 Trilogy, Book 1

Synopsis: Welcome to Arena 13. Here warriors fight. Death is never far away . . .

Leif has one ambition: to become the best fighter in the notorious Arena 13. Here, punters place wagers on which fighter will draw first blood. And in grudge matches, they bet on which fighter will die.

But the country is terrorized by the creature Hob, an evil being who delights in torturing its people, displaying his devasting power by challenging an Arena 13 combatant in a fight to the death whenever he chooses. And this is exactly what Leif wants . . .

For he knows Hob’s crimes well. and at the heart of his ambition burns the desire for vengeance. Leif is going to take on the monster who destroyed his family. Even if it kills him.

Review: Joseph Delaney has created an interesting world although sometimes a little too complex. I liked the similarity between the programming lacres and the programming computers. However, I expect now a lot from the author about the lacres and their consciences in the next book.

The characters are well introduced but I could not connect with the hero, Leif, neither with Kwin (I hope that she will grow up fast and change her behavior). The author has a nice writing-style that allowed me to enjoy this book despite this lack of attachment to the characters. The last part of the book deserved to be a bit more developed too.

It is a good read that makes you want to know what happens next. Attention to sensitive readers because there are bloody scenes; from 13 years old seems ok to me.

I tried this book with the Lecthot bookclub  in exchange for my review.

3-5

Cass

Arena 13 de Joseph Delaney

Arena 13 Trilogy, Tome 1

Résumé : Les temps sont funestes pour l’humanité qui a presque disparu de la Terre, vaincue par des machines douées de conscience. Les derniers humains vivent confinés dans le pays de Midgard, entourés par une infranchissable barrière de brouillard. Dans une citadelle vit une sinistre créature, Hob, qui exerce une tyrannie sanglante sur la population. Des arènes de combat ont été ouvertes… La plus populaire et terrifiante est l’Arena 13 : c’est là où combat Hob. Un jeune garçon de 16 ans, Leif, décide alors de l’affronter. Pour cela, il va alors convaincre le meilleur des entraîneurs, Tyron, de le former au combat…

Avis : Joseph Delaney a créé un monde intéressant même si parfois un peu trop complexe. J’ai apprécié la similitude entre la programmation des lacres à celle des ordinateurs. J’attends toutefois beaucoup de l’auteur à propos des lacres et de leur conscience dans le prochain livre.

Les personnages sont bien introduits mais je n’ai pas pu m’attacher au héros Leif, ni à Kwin (j’espère qu’elle va grandir vite et changer de comportement). L’auteur a une belle plume qui m’a permis d’apprécier ce livre malgré ce manque d’attachement aux personnages. La dernière partie du livre aurait aussi mérité d’être un peu plus développée.

C’est donc une bonne lecture qui donne envie de connaitre la suite. Attention aux lecteurs sensibles car il y a des scènes sanglantes ; à partir de 13 ans me semble bien.

J’ai pu lire ce livre grâce au bookclub Lecthot en échange de mon avis.

3-5

Cass

 

Devious Minds by Colleen Helme

Shelby Nichols, Book 8

Synopsis: It’s been almost a year since a near-fatal gunshot wound left Shelby Nichols with the ability to read minds. In that time she’s faced one problem after another. She’s been shot at, framed for murder, and targeted by a serial killer, just to name a few. Now she’s trying to help her lawyer husband win a murder trial that will enable him to become a partner in his law firm. Sounds easy, right? But nothing ever goes as planned when it comes to Shelby Nichols.

When special agent, Blake Beauchaine, shows up to collect a debt from Shelby, things get even more complicated, and Shelby is soon on her way to Paris. A routine meeting with a rogue agent reveals a sinister plot, putting Shelby into the cross-hairs of a known terrorist. Even worse, she doesn’t speak French, so it seems her mind-reading abilities won’t help her this time.

Things go from bad to downright dangerous for Shelby, especially since her usual guardians, Uncle Joey, and his hit-man, Ramos, are back in the states. Lost and on her own in the streets of Paris, can Shelby escape the cold-blooded killer in time to stop his devious plans, or will this be the end of the line for Shelby Nichols?

 

Review: I really like this series. I gave a score of 3.5/5 for Carrots, the first book of the series. The following books have all received the rating of 4/5 stars. I have something for this 8th episode of Shelby’s adventures because it is happening in France.

The situation is serious because Shelby is confronted with a terrorist plot in Paris where nothing goes as planned (which is usual with Shelby). Fortunately, she can count on the help of Ramos who came to France to protect her. The attraction between them is becoming stronger in each new book. Uncle Joey does not appear much in this story, I missed him because the interactions between him and Shelby are always very funny. The plot is very good, the story is full of action and suspense.

The only gripe I can do is regarding the french in the book because there are some small errors, not very important but it is my language so I can only notice them but it did not hinder my reading.

I highly recommend this series!

4-5

Cass

Devious Minds de Colleen Helme (VO)

Shelby Nichols, Tome 8

Résumé (traduction personnelle) : Cela fait presque un an qu’une blessure par balle presque fatale a laissé Shelby Nichols avec la capacité de lire dans les pensées. Pendant cette période, elle a dû affronter un problème après l’autre. On lui a tiré dessus, elle a été piégée pour meurtre et a été la cible d’un tueur en série, pour n’en nommer que quelques-uns. Maintenant, elle essaie d’aider son avocat de mari à gagner un procès pour meurtre qui lui permettra de devenir un associé dans son cabinet d’avocats. Cela semble facile, non? Mais rien ne se passe comme prévu quand on parle de Shelby Nichols.

Lorsque l’agent spécial, Blake Beauchaine, apparaît pour recouvrer une dette de Shelby, les choses deviennent encore plus compliquées puis Shelby part pour Paris. Une réunion de routine avec un agent corrompu révèle un sinistre complot, mettant Shelby dans la ligne de mire d’un terroriste connu. Pire encore, elle ne parle pas français, il semble donc ses capacités à lire les pensées ne lui seront pas utiles cette fois.

Les choses vont de pire en pire pour Shelby, d’autant plus que ses gardiens habituels, oncle Joey et son tueur à gages, Ramos, sont aux Etats-Unis. Perdue et seule dans les rues de Paris, Shelby peut-elle échapper au tueur de sang-froid à temps pour arrêter ses plans sournois, ou est-ce que ce sera la fin pour Shelby Nichols?

Avis : J’aime vraiment beaucoup cette série. J’ai donné la note de 3,5/5 à Carrots, le premier livre de la série. Les livres suivants ont tous reçu la note de 4/5. J’ai un coup de cœur pour ce 8e épisode des aventures de Shelby car il se passe en France.

La situation est sérieuse car Shelby se retrouve confrontée à un complot terroriste à Paris où rien ne se passe comme prévu (ce qui est habituel avec Shelby). Heureusement, elle peut compter sur l’aide de Ramos qui est venu en France pour la protéger. L’attraction entre eux est de plus en plus forte dans chaque nouveau livre. Oncle Joey n’apparait pas beaucoup dans cette histoire, il m’a manqué car les interactions entre lui et Shelby sont toujours très drôles. L’intrigue est très bien, l’histoire est pleine d’action et de suspense.

Le seul petit reproche que je peux faire est au niveau du Français dans le livre car il y a quelques petites erreurs, pas très importantes mais c’est ma langue donc je ne peux que le remarquer mais cela n’a pas gêné ma lecture.

4-5

Cass

 

Carrots by Colleen Helme

Shelby Nichols, Book 1

Synopsis: Shelby Nichols is an average woman who is married to the only guy she ever fell for. Her life is organized and predictable, revolving around her husband and two children. All that changes the day she stops at the grocery store for some carrots. As the cashier rings up her purchases, a gunman is busy robbing the bank inside the store. When a customer grabs the robber’s mask, he is shot and everyone runs for cover. Everyone except Shelby, who finds herself face to face with the killer. The next thing she knows, she’s lying on the floor with a bullet wound to her head. Luckily, the bullet only grazes her scalp, and she doesn’t suspect any lasting affects until later, when she suddenly ‘hears’ what people are thinking. With this uncanny ability, her life takes on a whole new dimension. Her kids think she’s bossy and too old to understand them, but that’s nothing compared to her husband. He says he loves her, but what is it about the redhead at work that he doesn’t want her to know? As if that isn’t enough, the gunman knows she can identify him, and he’s out to silence her forever. In her fight to stay alive, she is saved from certain death by a handsome hit-man with ties to organized crime. This pulls Shelby even deeper into danger, where knowing someone’s thoughts can not only hurt her feelings, but get her killed.

Review: This story could be referenced as a cozy mystery (light reading and humor) and a thriller (very serious) with a touch of paranormal. It’s an easy read and there is no downtime.

The characters are well described and easy to enjoy, even the mob boss and especially Ramos the hit-man. One exception: you will hate the redhead 🙂 Shelby is a strong woman who fights back and who discovers that reading thoughts has advantages and also disadvantages. She also has a strong tendency to get into trouble.

What is good is that the plot is not super simple and I did not guess the end. The suspense remains whole during all the reading.

This is a read that I recommend if you want something a little different from the usual cozy mystery without wanting a super serious thriller.

3-5

Cass

Carrots de Colleen Helme (VO)

Shelby Nichols, Tome 1

Résumé (traduction personnelle) : Shelby Nichols est une femme trentenaire qui est mariée à la seule personne qu’elle n’ait jamais aimée. Sa vie est organisée et prévisible, tournant autour de son mari et ses deux enfants. Tout cela change le jour où elle s’arrête à l’épicerie pour quelques carottes. Alors que la caissière enregistre ses achats, un homme armé est occupé à voler la banque à l’intérieur du magasin. Quand un client saisit le masque du voleur, il est abattu et tout le monde court se mettre à couvert. Tout le monde sauf Shelby, qui se retrouve face à face avec le tueur. La dernière chose dont elle se souvient, c’est être couchée sur le sol avec une blessure par balle à la tête. Heureusement, la balle a seulement effleuré son cuir chevelu, mais elle ne se rend compte des effets secondaires que plus tard, quand elle ‘entend’ soudainement ce que les gens pensent. Avec cette étrange capacité, sa vie prend une toute nouvelle dimension. Ses enfants pensent qu’elle est autoritaire et trop vieille pour les comprendre, mais ce n’est rien comparé à son mari. Il dit qu’il l’aime, mais qu’en est-il de la rousse au travail dont il ne veut pas qu’elle soit au courant? Comme si cela ne suffisait pas, le tireur sait qu’elle peut l’identifier, et il est prêt à la faire taire à jamais. Dans son combat pour rester en vie, elle est sauvée d’une mort certaine par un beau tueur à gages ayant des liens avec le crime organisé. Shelby s’enfonce encore plus profondément dans le danger, où connaitre les pensées de quelqu’un peut  nuire à ses sentiments, mais aussi la faire tuer.

Avis : Cette histoire se situe entre un cosy mystery (lecture légère et humour) et un thriller (très sérieux) avec une pointe de paranormal. Cela se lit très facilement et il n’y a pas de temps mort.

Les personnages sont bien décrits et faciles à apprécier, même le chef du crime organisé et surtout Ramos le tueur à gages. Une exception: vous allez détester la rousse 🙂 Shelby est une femme forte, qui ne se laisse pas faire, et qui découvre que lire les pensées a des avantages et aussi des inconvénients. Elle a aussi une forte tendance à se retrouver dans le pétrin.

Ce qui est bien c’est que l’intrigue n’est pas super simple et du coup je n’ai rien deviné avant la fin. Le suspense reste donc entier pendant toute la lecture.

C’est donc une lecture que je conseille si vous voulez quelque chose d’un peu différent des cosy 

3-5

Cass

Sprinkled by Gina LaManna

Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries, Book 1

Synopsis: LACEY LUZZI RESUME
——————————————————————————-
CURRENT: MOBSTER (in training)
2 YEARS: LAUNDROMAT WENCH
TOO MANY YEARS: MANAGER AT STRIP CLUB
1 NIGHT: MISERABLY FAILED STRIPPER
8TH GRADE – SPELLING BEE CHAMPION
——————————————————————————-
Lacey Luzzi’s rollercoaster of a life has been filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. She just never expected the lows to be so… sparkly.
After falling on her face during an attempt to follow in her recently-deceased mother’s stripper-boots, Lacey realizes she’s not cut out for life on stage. She sets out on a year-long investigation to find her true family, never expecting she’ll find it with a capital “F.”

With a rumbling stomach, a need for money (check engine lights don’t fix themselves!), and a conscience that operates at 78% on a good day, Lacey is sucked into a whirlwind of Family secrets, hard-as-cement cookies, and mysterious, sexy men who unfortunately shoot guns, sometimes aimed at her face. The long-lost-granddaughter of Carlos Luzzi, the Godfather of the Italian Mafia, Lacey accepts her first assignment for the mob: finding fifteen million dollars of ‘the good stuff.’

Even after she enlists the help of her mouthy best-friend and her cousin, a technical genius and social disaster, she finds that going toe-to-toe with the rival Russian mob is more dangerous than expected.

No one chooses their Family, but Lacey Luzzi will be lucky if she can survive hers.

** **

Lacey Luzzi: Sprinkled, is a full-length, laugh-out-loud, humorous cozy mystery with a strong female protagonist in the spirit of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, albeit one working for the wrong side of the law…

Review: Looking for something to read available on Kindle Unlimited, I found this book which attracted me with its comparison with the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. As you can see, the comparison is made in the summary of the book by the author and or editor; I hope, moreover, that Janet Evanovich is aware of the use of her name…

The story is different from the Stephanie Plum one as the heroine, Lacey, works for the mafia and is not on the same side of the law. However, my reading was spoiled because of a blatant plagiarism of the characters. Lacey’s best friend  is very round, very mouthy… is the copy of Stephanie’s best friend Lula. The beautiful mysterious guy who greeted her with a single word (Doll) is a copy of Ranger (he says babe).

About the story, there are things that I have a problem with. Her mother had hidden from her family her whole life to the point of working as a stripper but apparently remained in the same city… (weird) Lacey found and joined the family without worrying about the reasons for her mother to run away (weird too). Lacey is separated from her ex-boyfriend because she did not want to introduce him to her family but she brings a man she barely knows for dinner (actually 2 different men on the same day, one for lunch and one for dinner!)

When I guessed where the bag of “good stuff” that she had to find was (and frankly it was obvious), I felt like banging my head against the wall because Lacey has clearly not understood . Anyway, she does not even know what she is looking for as she did not read the file; she is looking for a bag of “good stuff” whatever it may be.

I am very disappointed and I can not recommend this book.

2

Cass