Upcoming

I just received "The Spark" from the author, John Kenny, today.  Since it is a first read, I will begin reading it now.  Look for the review shortly.

I wanted to have this thriller for you at Halloween, but my timing is off.  I will be reading it after "The Spark", and will review it as soon as I finish.

~Also ~ 

I will be reviewing "Power" by Debra Webb next week.

The Complete Kitten Care by Amy Shojai ~ An Overview

As you know, I am currently listening to "The Complete Kitten Care" by Amy Shojai, which I will be reviewing.  In the meantime, Ms. Shojai was kind enough to provide an overview to whet your appetite.

Complete Kitten Care is the Whole Kitten Caboodle!

This is it – – the one book you need when you're ready to add a new kitten to your household. The award-winning1st Edition has been revised and updated for this Kindle Edition with the latest care and behavior information. You can also get the read by the author! This book offers a veritable "Kitten 101" packed with feline facts on…

•  choosing, training, and communicating with your kitten
•  the personalities of different breeds
•  pedigreed versus shelter kittens
•  introducing a kitten to your family members and pets
•  understanding feline behavior
•  food and grooming considerations
• common medical concerns
•  living a long and happy life with your kittens as they grow into adulthood
• cat legends, myths, and fun facts
•  plus an updated list of kitten and cat resources: HOT LINKS to the best kitten Web sites, cat associations, magazines, and pet product stores

Kudos:

“What baby expert Dr. Benjamin Spock did for people, Amy Shojai has done for cats… Everything you need to know to begin a blissful life with your kitty.”

         –  Ed Sayers, President, San Francisco SPCA

"When you purchase a kitten, there should be four requirements by law: food, water dish, litter box, and this book."

       – Steve Dale, Pet Central and Animal Planet Radio Host and Syndicated Columnist

"Finally there's an informative, fun filled guide to help us raise the best cats possible… filled with practical solutions, delightful stories, and the latest in kitten-care research.

      – Bob Walker and Francis Mooney, Authors of  The Cat's House and Cats into Everything

"Covers kitten selection and care issues from A to Z… [a] thorough guide to getting your new baby off on the right paw."

     – Carol Nelson Douglas, Author of the Midnight Louie Mysteries

"Hairspray and Homicide" by Cindy Bell

“Hairspray and Homicide” by Cindy Bell is a cozy mystery which is a series. The main character, Bekki, a top hairstylist in New York City, has just had her world cave in around her. She has lost her reason for living; her man has dumped her. She does what any girl in her position would do; she goes back to her roots. Back home, she finds her mom, dad and a long-lost love. However, she also finds herself in the middle of a feud between her mom and her mom’s business rival, which leads to murder.

This is the first cozy mystery which I have read, and while I find it a little simple, it was enjoyable to spend a few hours instead few days reading one story. Unlike most of the series that I read, I am not enticed to read the second book. I realized that a cozy mystery is by nature a shorter version of a story. However, I am used to having the characters fleshed out for me, which was not the case in “Hairspray and Homicide”. I will give the genre, Cozy Mysteries” another try at a later date.

Coming Soon ~ Power Review

Keep your eyes open for the review of the third book of "Faces of Evil" series, "Power" by Debra Webb.

The Ritual Bath by Faye Kellerman

Who doesn’t like a mysterious crime?  Especially one filled with intrigue, suspense and served up with a little romance on the side.  That is what “The Ritual Bath” by Faye Kellerman has to offer.  This is the first book of the Decker/Lazarus series. The story takes place in a yeshiva community in the California hills in Los Angeles. The people of this small, remote community keep to themselves; however their peace is disturbed by a violent rape. Detective Decker is sent to solve this case. While doing so, he meets Rina Lazarus, the witness and a religious widow with two small boys.  Soon after, Decker is called up to the same location for a murder.  The witness again is Ms. Lazarus.  Soon, both Decker and Rina find themselves in a precarious relationship, as Rina’s religion prohibits her from involvement with Decker.

Faye Kellerman is a prolific author, well-known for her crime novels. This series alone has nineteen dealing with Detective Decker and his cases, while telling his further involvement with Rina and her sons. This is the first of Kellerman’s books that I read.  She obviously did her share of researching, which I admired greatly.  I found her type of writing easy to read, and the book hard to put down.  I enjoyed the story line and look forward to continuing with the series.

Next Review..."The Ritual Bath" by Faye Kellerman

Watch for our next full review on "The Ritual Bath" by Faye Kellerman.  Also, a special synopsis by Amy Shojai.

"Impulse" by Debra Webb

“His singular motive is pleasure. The only way he can feel it is by torturing his victims in the most depraved ways” (Webb). This is the profile of Eric Spears a.k.a. ‘The Player’, a serial killer and Jess’ personal stalker. Spears was introduced to us in the first book of “Faces of Evil” series by Debra Webb.  “Impulse”, the second book, takes off where the first book of the series ends. It tells the continuing the story of Jess Harris, who is hesitantly going on to the next part of her life, after leaving everything for which she had worked so hard. She was working as a profiler for the FBI, but her rogue ways led her to quit before she was dismissed. Before she knew it she had accepted the position of Birmingham’s Deputy Chief of Special Problems Unit.

“Obsession”, the series’ first book, ended with Spears kidnapping Detective Lori Wells to get Jess’ attention. In the second novel, Jess and her new unit, rush to save Detective Wells from certain death. Meanwhile, Jess and Police Chief Dan Burnett work on their personal lives together, as they work to close the case. But The Player has some tricks up his sleeve, as he tries to get them to play a dangerous game. “A grin spread across his lips.  ‘Ah… So you’re ready to play, are you?’” (Webb)

Ms. Webb writes a very tight, fast paced story which grabs the reader’s imagination from the very beginning. I enjoyed this book even more than the first, and, needless to say, I am addicted to this series.

Watch for the second book of the Faces of Evil series, "Impulse" by Debra Webb.

"Obsession" by Debra Webb

“Obsession” is a perfect title for Debra Webb’s first book in the Faces of Evil series. This fast-paced book introduces Special Agent Jess Harris, a profiler for the FBI, just when she is at the lowest point of her life. Her marriage is on the rocks and her job is not far behind. Because of her mismanagement of one of the biggest cases that she has ever been on, a serial killer is set free.

A broken Jess is called back to her hometown by an old flame, Police Chief Burnett, to help solve a kidnapping case. Five young women were taken, including the Police Chief’s stepdaughter. While following leads which Ms. Webb uses to take the reader on a breathless journey to the end of this case, Jess is contacted by the now free serial killer, Spears.

Although I gave the book four stars, I really like Ms. Webb’s style of writing. I related to the character of Jess, and liked the Police Chief, as well. I’m hoping to find out more about the other characters as I read this series.  It is a fast read and the cliff hanger ending led me to crack the spine of book two, Impulse, immediately. 

Invitations

We invite our readers to suggest titles and your favorite authors.  Also, we would love it if you sent us reviews and appear as guest reviewers.  Please send reviews, titles and authors to dsbookshelves@gmail.com.

Obsession Review Coming

I just finished "Obsession" by Debra Webb last night.  The write-up is upcoming.  I had to go to the next book of this series, as I was intrigued by the cliff-hanging ending.  I will install my dictating program and write the review soon.