Eerie by Blake and Jordan Crouch

Book Description
TRAPPED INSIDE A HOUSE
On a crisp autumn evening in 1980, seven-year-old Grant Moreton and his five-year-old sister Paige were nearly killed in a mysterious accident in the Cascade Mountains that left them orphans.

WITH A FRIGHTENING POWER
It's been thirty years since that night. Grant is now a detective with the Seattle Police Department and long estranged from his sister. But his investigation into the bloody past of a high-class prostitute has led right to Paige's door, and what awaits inside is beyond his wildest imagining.

OVER ANYONE WHO ENTERS
His only hope of survival and saving his sister will be to confront the terror that inhabits its walls, but he is completely unprepared to face the truth of what haunts his sister's brownstone.

My thoughts
A gripping prelude of a car crash that leave Grant and Paige virtual orphans. Jump thirty years later to the present where Grant is a Seattle detective who is estranged from him sister. Investigating a case of two missing men leads Grant to a possible connection; a prostitute who happens to be his sister. When confronted, he soon learns there is more than meets the eyes and he and Paige are for a wild and terrifying ride trapped inside her rented home.

The first few pages of the new book by Blake Crouch and his brother Jordon, pulled me in with a promise of horrific terror but although, I enjoyed the character development and the slow steps building up to the end, it didn’t grip me as it did others and I found it to be an ordinary story of familial love

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the author. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Isaac's Live Lip-Dub Proposal

Now that's a Proposal!

A Fatal Debt by John Gapper

A Fatal Debt: A Novel

Book Description
This timely debut thriller by an award-winning Financial Times columnist is a gripping tale of lethal intrigue set in the high-stakes Wall Street world—where wealth and privilege are no match for jealousy and betrayal.

Ben Cowper, an attending psychiatrist at the prestigious New York–Episcopal Hospital, is stunned to learn the identity of the emergency patient he’s just been assigned to treat: Harry Shapiro, a Wall Street colossus and one of Episcopal’s most prominent donors. But a high-profile reversal of fortune has left the once powerful investment banker jobless, bitter, and possibly desperate—judging by the handgun his wife finds him clutching. In Ben’s expert opinion, Shapiro is a suicide waiting to happen. But when the headstrong financier balks at an extended stay in the hospital psych ward, Ben reluctantly releases him, bowing to political pressure from Episcopal’s chief administrator, who’s more concerned with the patient’s money than his mind.

Days later, the shocking news breaks: There’s been a shooting death in Harry Shapiro’s Hamptons mansion. But even more shocking is the identity of the victim. A tragedy sets in motion an explosive chain of events that turns Ben Cowper’s life upside-down.

As hard-nosed cops close in with harder questions, the hospital closes ranks to protect its own interests. But with colleagues freezing Ben out, innocent circumstances conspire to incriminate him. Hounded by a DA who’s out for blood, and haunted by the specter of a shattered career, Ben has no choice: He must delve into the hearts and minds of the people who know Harry best, uncover the secrets they’d rather die—or kill—to keep, and expose the truth behind a web of malice disguised as madness.

My thoughts
Harry Shapiro, a former Wall Street banker, is admitted to the hospital for psychiatric tests after losing his prestigious job. His wife thinks he is suicidal and wanted him to be evaluated. Ben Cowper, the psychiatrist, wants to admit but Harry is soon released and a few days later there is a death at his Hampton’s home. Ben Cowper’s life is soon turned upside when his home is vandalized and his attacked.

Filled with a lot of financial data that is interesting, but falls flat on mystery and thrills. Although, it is well written, I didn’t connect with Cowper and therefore couldn’t absorb myself into his predicament.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from librarything.com. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Most Wanted by Thomas J. Foley and John Sedgwick

Most Wanted: Pursuing Whitey Bulger, the Murderous Mob Chief the FBI Secretly Protected

Book Description
June 23, 2011. The news of the notorious gangster Whitey Bulger’s capture—after sixteen years on the FBI’s Most Wanted list—swept the nation. Many breathed a sigh of relief. But for Thomas J. Foley, a former Massachusetts state police colonel and the investigator who sparked Bulger’s flight from Boston, the moment was bittersweet. The FBI may have caught Bulger, but as Foley had painfully discovered almost two decades before, they were also responsible for his escape.

It has been known that Whitey Bulger was a secret informant for the FBI, but it has never been revealed—until now—that the FBI was actually actively protecting Bulger from Foley, effectively derailing Foley’s efforts to stop Bulger’s horrific crime sprees time and again. At one point, the FBI even presented Foley with a plaque at a holiday party that read “the Most Hated Man in Law Enforcement,” a not-so-subtle suggestion that he and his team should lay off their investigation.

Most Wanted is a true-life thriller, and Foley is the hero at its center. His investigative efforts resulted in criminal convictions of a half-dozen of Boston’s most notorious thugs and also led to the conviction of John Connolly, one of the FBI agents who abetted Bulger; Connolly is now serving a forty-year prison sentence. In this book, Foley, a cop’s cop, honestly recounts how his wide-eyed admiration for the nation’s top law enforcement agency was gradually transformed by dark realities he didn’t want to believe.

My thoughts
This is real life account of the hunt and capture of murderer and gangster Whitey Bulger. Although on the FBI’s most wanted list, it was Massachusetts state policeman Thomas J. Foley and his task force’s commitment and many hours that finally led to many indictments.

Not only does this show the ruthlessness of Bulger’s killings, the painstaking man hours of dedication, it also shows corruption within the FBI and the many obstacles encountered through inter-agency cooperation or lack thereof. This is a truly intense reading that kept my interest until the last page.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Jellio's Pop-Up Sweet Shop

Way back in 2010, I had read an article about Jellio in Time Out New York and posted about here. I loved the furniture and the trip through childhood. And though I could not afford such furniture, I always dreamed of owning one of their creations. Well, A few weeks ago, Jellio had a pop-up shop for two days in Manhattan, and I was lucky enough to go. Although, I still can’t afford their furniture, I was able to see and touch their creations. I also took many photos. Check them out!

Kellogg's Sunshine Cheez-IT Mozzarella Cheese

Kellogg's Sunshine Cheez-IT Mozzarella Cheese, 13.7-Ounce (Pack of 4)

Product Description
Kellogg's Sunshine Cheez-IT Mozzarella Cheese

My thoughts
I love Cheez-ITs and have been eating them for as long as I can remember. White cheddar is a favorite of mine, and when I was on a diet, the Reduced Fat ones were just as tasty. Now for their latest flavor; mozzarella, I would have to say it is just okay. The flavor is mild and almost bland. Not to my liking and I would probably not purchase them.

Disclosure: I received this product for review through the amazon.com vine program. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

OREO 100th Birthday Sweepstakes Winner

Some of you may remember my posting of photo of me with the Oreo cookie that was roaming around my local Shoprite when they were celebrating Oreo cookies 100th birthday. Here’s a link to that post. Anyway, I posted my photo on the Oreo cookie Facebook page and would you believe that there was a surprise package awaiting me when I got home last Thursday night!

I was a winner in the OREO `100th Birthday Sweepstakes. In the packages, was a Vivitar DVR 426 Digital Video Recorder (still have to check that out), coupons to redeem for a free package of Oreo cookies, a gallon of milk and 75 cents off of Breyer’s ice cream. Yummy! We also received two Oreo cups (with the slogan ‘Got Milk?”, two Oreo plates, two Oreo t-shirts, an Oreo cookie jar, two Oreo sunglasses and a Oreo Poster. Does Oreo know how to celebrate their birthday or what?

The Rock Star in Seat 3A by Jill Kargman

The Rock Star in Seat 3A: A Novel

Book Description
It's Hazel's thirtieth birthday and she has everything she's ever wanted: a kickass job, a dream apartment in New York City, and the perfect boyfriend—who's just days away from proposing. Hazel thinks she's happy but isn't quite ready to settle down. So when her most far-fetched fantasy enters the realm of the possible, shouldn't she drop everything to see it through?

The morning after her birthday, Hazel boards a flight to L.A. only to get the surprise of her life. When she's bumped up to first class, extra legroom and free drinks are absolutely the last things on her mind when she catches sight of her seatmate: her all-time biggest celebrity crush, rock star Finn Schiller! Only the night before she'd confessed her infatuation with the gorgeous musician, and her boyfriend joked that she had a free pass if she ever met him. Hazel can't believe fate has actually thrown them together.

Even more unbelievable is that during the flight they genuinely connect. Finn likes her uncensored cursing and wicked sense of humor, and that she's unlike all of his groupies; Hazel likes his killer looks, ripped physique, and soulful music. But what started as a fantasy quickly becomes a real attraction, and after a dream date and taste of the rock-star life with Finn in L.A., Hazel is forced to examine the track her life is on. Indulging in a passionate affair with a rock star seems crazy—but could she ever forgive herself if she walked away from her wildest dream coming true? And is her wildest dream the stuff that happiness is made of?

A lively novel about a down-to-earth New York City girl who suddenly finds herself in a rock 'n' roll Cinderella fantasy, The Rock Star in Seat 3A is seasoned with Jill Kargman's signature wit and hilarious dialogue. This is a fairy-tale romance with a twist.

My thoughts
Hazel thinks she’s happy: loves her job, loves her chef boyfriend and living a great life in NYC. After celebrating her thirtieth birthday, her company sends her to LA to scout locations for a big event. And while seated in first class, she is sitting next to Finn Schiller, this one rock star that she has been drooling over for most of her life. They start talking; hit it off and the next thing one knows; life has changed for Hazel.

This novel is a quick ride to a fantasy that many think about, but never realized the consequences of having their dreams come true. I wouldn’t say it is a Cinderella story, but Hazel does wake up one day to the realization of who she really is. This is none of those books that one can read on a rainy afternoon. It was fun, but not outstanding.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

The Boy Who Stole The Leopard's Spots by Tamar Myers

The Boy Who Stole the Leopard's Spots: A Mystery

Book Description
A decades-old murder, a strange superstition, an enormous snake, and one giant secret are about to rock the beautiful Belle Vue to its core.

It is a time of great upheaval for the Belgian Congo and Belle Vue is not safe from the changes. But there are more pressing problems as an unsolved disappearance brings up issues for some of the denizens of the village. Add to that a sudden influx of strangers and a horrible storm that literally divides the village in half, and suddenly danger seems to be everywhere.

The lovely young American missionary Amanda, the police chief Captain Pierre Jardin, and the local witch doctor and his wise-woman wife, Cripple, all become embroiled in the mystery as evil omens and strange happenings at every turn suggest that more lives will be lost before the true killer is unmasked.

My thoughts
Although listed as a mystery, this story is more of life in the Belgian Congo (circa 1958). There are also chapters that alternated to the same area during 1935. Author Tamar Myers using her own experiences to write a descriptive narrative of what it was like during this turbulent time. Other than that, I didn’t care for the plot (no mystery) or feel for the mail characters. IS it because I haven’t read the first two books in the series? Not sure, but I will not go back to read them either.

Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.

Jump From Paper Bags

Some people are so creative. You should check out JumpFromPaper™. I found this site while surfing the ‘net and had to share. You would think these handbags are an illusion, but they are real! If you want to look like you jumped out of a comic book, check out their bags. Note: They are sold out until June. Must be very popular.

From their website:
JumpFromPaper™ is a playful and innovative line of handbags created by Taipei-based design duo, Chay Su and Rika Lin.

One cozy afternoon, the two girls were chatting, when they got to sketching their dream designer handbag. A surprising idea popped up – “How amazing it would be if a two-dimensional hand-drawn illustration could come to life as a real bag!” They explored every possibility, rendering fantasy handbags in perspective, and giving birth to JumpFromPaper™

Cartoon-like outlines and bright and cheerful colors add a brisk yet funky flavor. And despite the slim appearance, each JumpFromPaper™ bag has a roomy interior to accommodate personal belongings and even a laptop.

JumpFromPaper™ takes handbag design on a new journey, ready to twist people’s view!