Masquerade by Gayle Lynds ** 2 Stars

Masquerade by Gayle Lynds


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
In a nut shell, I would say that if you are at one of those camp grounds that has a lending library and you are without a really good book, this book is finishable.

In it's honor the last 1/3 was pretty good and did keep me coming back to the end. If a book is all out horrible I quickly move on to something better. However the good part was working to wrap up and make sense out of the first 2/3 of the book.

For me a book revolves around the characters and the plot. While the book did start off as promising, the characters seemed too random as the story tried to include them all for the big reveal at the end. To me it seemed as though the book was written with the end in mind and then the characters were worked in through out the book so they could be used later. As the ancillary characters pop up in the book, it's not very clear as to why you would even care about these people and then they get dragged into the whole conspiracy at the end.

The plot has an interesting premise, but was not fully executed in a way that builds much suspense or great intrigue. Scenes seemed a bit pat and already done and lead me to understand much of it in the first half. However, it was an easy read and I was curious to see exactly how it would work out. Although I was hoping for a surprise ending (which I didn't get) it wasn't the worst book I have ever read.

View all my reviews >>

Challenge Stats:
100 Book Reading Challenge: 1
Mystery/Thriller Challenge: 1
Read Your Bookshelf Challenge: 1 (gave me the inspiration to keep going, typically I would have jumped ship)
Genre Challenge: 1 Mystery

2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

*How Cute is this banner?*

Anyways, yes I found yet another challenge. But have no fear. I get almost ALL of my books from the library. I read waaaay too many books to purchase them. Of course there are some that I can't resist, but overall they come from the library. It seems that I don't even mind paying the late fees because I know it supports them, which in turn supports me and my habit! Support your local library!!!!

If you would like to join in on the fun head on over to J. Kaye's Book Blog.

 

There are four levels:

--The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.

--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.

--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books. -This is my goal!

--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.

I will update this post with my books!

As always, happy reading!

Heather

Read Your Bookshelf Challenge

Yeah! Another great book challenge that can be incorporated into the challenges I have already picked out for 2010. Take a look at my previous post and you will shortly learn that I desperately need this challenge. Head on over to Miz B's to see what it's all about!

I also recently discovered The Book Chick City. She has all kinds of tempting challenges too. The Thriller and Suspense Challenge along with the Anita Blake Challenge seem to be calling me. Of course these are books that I would not be able to count as a new genre in my Genre Challenge.


I mean seriously! Do I need to be further tempted to pick up a ginormous series and delve into it at the risk of no sleep and procrastination of my studies and term papers?

On the flip side, I must admit that I love finding these yummy treats when most of the books have already been published. There is little worse than waiting for the next book in a series. (Don't even get me going on the Dark Tower/Gunslinger Series by King) When they are so readily accessible I feel that I am able to get to know the characters better and my need for instant gratification is met.

I find that lately I am drawn to the epic type of story that unfolds and develops through the series. Once I find a great book and invest in the characters it is hard for me to say goodbye. I always want a little more...well a lot more.

I guess I am a book addict. Well that's obvious, but just envision of the typical portrayal of a crack addict shaking and begging for their next fix. Well, that's me but only I am at the library instead of the street corner!

I mean just look at that image. I spend so much time in the real world taking care of everyone's problems that it is nice to pick up a fun read and get lost into it as the main character kicks some ass!

So I am wondering, what type of book do you like to get lost in and why?

Happy Reading!
Heather

2010 Genre Book Challenge *Updated with Rules*

First off, let me just say how weird it is to type 2010. It just looks and feels futuristic to me. Am I the only one? Anyway...drum roll please...I am hosting my own reading challenge!

I often get stuck in a rut of reading out of the same genre. Soooo....I started this challenge to encourage me to break out of the same ol' same ol'. Anyone care to join me?

Here are a few ideas to get you started:


Action/Adventure
African American Literature
Autobiography/Biography
Christian Classics
Comedy/Comics
Court Room Drama/Lawyers
Detective/Spy
Family Drama
Fan Fiction (e.g. Star Trek)
Fantasy
GLBT
Graphic Novels
Historical
Horror
Indigenous People
Local History
Literary
Medical/Forensic
Mystery
Picture Books
Poetry
Police
Romance
Romantic Comedy
Science
Science Fiction
Sports
Suspense
Thriller
War
Western

I have heard concern over what to do with this challenge. It is ment to be as flexible as you wish. You can set your own goals. I'm personally shooting for 15-20.

I should have known however that there are those of us that find comfort in guidelines. So in the name of adding a bit of spice into it how about some extra things you can do and interact with the challenge?

Sign up below and come and join my group at bookblogs. I added 2 Amazon gift card giveaways


The fine print:
Have fun and enjoy!

My 100+ Book Challenge for 2010

Yup, I'm going for it. I know there are some weeks when I plow through a few books in one week. Heck I read all of the Twilight books in 6 days, while I was working full time! Let's see if my obsession is as bad as what I think it is.

Since it's not yet 2010, I am just saving a place. As I find some that I want to polish off I'll post a pic here and then update as I finish them. A few of these I am using on the other two challenges I am working on. Childhood Favorites and Awesome Authors. Feel free to comment about any of them. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

1. Boxcar Children









2. Catching Fire










3. Where the Sidewalk Ends









4.Vampire Academy










5. Uncle Tom's Cabin











6. Undead and Unwed

7. The Secret Holocaust Diaries

8. Ulysses

9. The Shadow of the Wind