Book Review: The Chill of the Night by James Hayman

 
The Chill of the Night by James Hayman

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Publish Date: June 22, 2010

Paperback, 352 pages

My Review:
Why I read this:  I received a copy of this from the author through Pump Up Your Book Promotion. I jumped at the chance to review The Chill of the Night because I reviewed The Cutting by James Hayman last year, which was his first novel and I loved it.  You can find the review here.

How is the novel driven: The Chill of the Night is mostly plot-driven but there is more character development of McCabe in this one as well as there was in the first one.  I love getting to know McCabe more and seeing how his mind works.  I'm most fascinated with his eidetic memory.

My thoughts:
After reading several young adult novels in a row, it's nice to get back to an adult thriller book.  And what better way to do that with an author I fell in love with last year with his first book, The Cutting.  And even better than that, In the Chill of the Night continues the story of the main character from The Cutting, Michael McCabe.

The action starts from the beginning.  We are introduced to the first victim and the next thing you know it's two weeks later and that victim is found murdered.  Of course the murder has a twist and that twist takes Detectives McCabe and Savage through the twists and turns of solving this before more victims are found.

Great action and suspense, I was intrigued and kept intrigued through the book.  I loved also that I learn more about McCabe.  He is not just McCabe the detective as some mysteries do, but he is also Father, ex-husband, boyfriend, and friend.  I love all sides of him and the fact that he tries no matter what to do what is best.

I found this one a little more gritty than the first one.  There are more sexual references (due to the crimes), the language seems a little harsher.  I remember this because I gave the first book to my dad to read and I don't give him ones that are too rough, because he prefers to stay away from those.  However I don't feel it was too gratuitous in this book and I still highly recommend it.  It really wasn't meant to titillate, it's more the nature of the crimes.

Overall a wonderful thrill ride.  If you enjoy police procedural type thrillers with great characterization then this is the book for you.  No real need to read the first one, this stands on it's own, but reading the first one does give a stronger understanding of McCabe and his life.

One thing I really loved:  McCabe - he's probably my second favorite character in a suspense book and I look forward to reading more books about him in the future.


My Rating:  4.0/5.0

About the Book:

Fresh off the success of The Cutting, James Hayman brings Detective Michael McCabe back in an even more powerful tale of duplicity, murder, and revenge

Glamorous young Portland attorney Lainie Goff thought she had it all—brains, beauty, and a fast-track to a partnership in a top-ranked firm that was going to make her rich. But then one cold winter night she pushed things too far, and her naked frozen body is found in the sub-zero temperatures at the end of the Portland Fish Pier. The only witness to the crime: a mentally disturbed young woman named Abby Quinn who mysteriously disappears the very same night. With the discovery of Lainie Goff ’s body and the disappearance of Abby Quinn, Portland homicide detective Michael McCabe finds himself on the trail of a relentless and clever killer. A killer he must find before another life is lost. With The Chill of Night James Hayman returns to tell a gripping tale of evil and deceit and creates characters so real and so human, we want to meet them again and again.

About the Author:
JAMES HAYMAN spent more than twenty years as a senior creative director at one of New York’s largest advertising agencies. He and his wife, artist Jeanne O’Toole Hayman, now live in Portland, Maine. This is his second novel.

James Hayman's website
His Blog

For more information see my tour post here.

FTC Information: I received this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book Promotion for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Tour: The Chill of the Night by James Hayman

Join James Hayman, author of the thriller novel, The Chill of Night (Minotaur, St. Martin’s Press), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in July and August ‘10 on his second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!

About James Hayman

Like McCabe, I’m a native New Yorker. He was born in the Bronx. I was born in Brooklyn. We both grew up in the city. He dropped out of NYU Film School and joined the NYPD, rising through the ranks to become the top homicide cop at the Midtown North Precinct. I graduated from Brown and joined a major New York ad agency, rising through the ranks to become creative director on accounts like the US Army, Procter & Gamble, and Lincoln/Mercury.
We both married beautiful brunettes. McCabe’s wife, Sandy dumped him to marry a rich investment banker who had “no interest in raising other people’s children.” My wife, Jeanne, though often given good reason to leave me in the lurch, has stuck it out through thick and thin and is still my wife. She is also my best friend, my most attentive reader and a perceptive critic.
Both McCabe and I eventually left New York for Portland, Maine. I arrived in August 2001, shortly before the 9/11 attacks, in search of the right place to begin a new career as a fiction writer. He came to town a year later, to escape a dark secret in his past and to find a safe place to raise his teenage daughter, Casey.
There are other similarities between us. We both love good Scotch whiskey, old movie trivia and the New York Giants. And we both live with and love women who are talented artists.
There are also quite a few differences. McCabe’s a lot braver than me. He’s a better shot. He likes boxing. He doesn’t throw up at autopsies. And he’s far more likely to take risks. McCabe’s favorite Portland bar, Tallulah’s, is, sadly, a figment of my imagination. My favorite Portland bars are all very real.
Visit James on the web at www.jameshaymanthrillers.com.

About The Chill of  Night

Some Crimes Can Never Be Forgiven.
Lainie Goff thought she had it all. The ambitious young attorney was brilliant, beautiful, and on a fast-track to a lucrative partnership at one of the top firms in New England. But then, one cold night, a dark and ugly secret comes back from Lainie’s past and she pushes things too far. Soon her body is found, frozen solid in sub-zero temperatures at the end of the Portland Fish Pier.
A mentally ill woman named Abby Quinn witnesses the brutal crime. But when she tells what she has seen, nobody will believe her. Not until she too mysteriously disappears.
In The Chill of Night, Portland homicide detective Michael McCabe finds himself finds himself fighting memories from his own past as he races to find the killer before another life is lost.
James Hayman once again tells a gripping tale of evil and deceit and creates characters so real and so human, we want to meet them again and again.

Read the Excerpt!

Abby looked up and saw a low dark thing moving toward her. A black form, now visible through the whipping snow, now obliterated by it. With each step it grew clearer and bigger. At twenty feet it began to take shape. Animal. Not human. A large dog, gray fur glistening under crystals of snow, cruel icy eyes shining through the night, more wolf than dog. She stopped but the animal kept coming. She could hear its rumbling growl. Low. Menacing. Commanding. Her heart beat against the walls of her chest so hard she was certain it would break through. She knew what the creature wanted. She knelt on her hands and knees. It bared a fang long enough and sharp enough to penetrate the soft flesh at back of her neck. She lowered her head and waited for release. But release didn’t come. Finally, after a minute or two, she looked up and it was gone. She could see nothing in front of her but the snow-covered street and the wind-swept flakes still hurtling down through the night sky. She stayed where she was, kneeling in the snow. She could hear a child crying. She listened. After a bit she realized the sound was coming from her. She got up and started walking again.

The Chill of Night Tour Schedule

 
Tuesday, July 6
Book reviewed at Rundpinne
Wednesday, July 7
Book trailer spotlighted at If Books Could Talk
Thursday, July 8
Guest blogging at Readaholic
Friday, July 9
Book reviewed at Readaholic
Monday, July 12
Guest blogging at Beyond the Books
Tuesday, July 13
Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking
Thursday, July 15
Book reviewed at Musings of an All Purpose Monkey
Friday, July 16
Book reviewed at Marta’s Meanderings
Monday, July 19
Book reviewed at Cheryl’s Book Nook
Wednesday, July 21
Book reviewed at Lucky Rosie’s
Thursday, July 22
Guest blogging at Writing Daze
Friday, July 23
Guest blogging at The Book Boost
Monday, July 26
Guest blogging at The Naked Hero
Tuesday, July 27
Book reviewed at Blog O’ the Irish
Wednesday, July 28
Guest blogging at The Writer’s Life
Thursday, July 29
Guest blogging at Blogging Authors
Friday, July 30
Book reviewed at A Room Without Books is Empty
Monday, August 2
Interviewed at Literarily Speaking
Tuesday, August 3
Book spotlighted at Virginia Beach Publishing Examiner
Wednesday, August 4
Book reviewed by Book Reviews by Buuklvr81
Thursday, August 5
Book reviewed at My Reading Room
Friday, August 6
Book reviewed at Chrissy’s World of Books
Monday, August 9
Interviewed at Broowaha
Guest blogging at Thoughts in Progress
Tuesday, August 10
Book reviewed at Books R Us
Wednesday, August 11
Book reviewed at DK’s Book Reviews
Thursday, August 12
OPEN
Friday, August 14
Guest blogging at CMash Loves to Read
Monday, August 16
Interviewed at Examiner
Tuesday, August 17
Book reviewed at Reading at the Beach
Wednesday, August 18
Guest blogging at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Thursday, August 19
Book reviewed at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Friday, August 20
Book reviewed at Teresa’s Reading Corner
Monday, August 23
Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking
Tuesday, August 24
Book reviewed at CMash Loves to Read
Interviewed at Divine Caroline
Wednesday, August 25
OPEN
Thursday, August 26
OPEN
Friday, August 27
Book reviewed at The Book Connection

Book Review: Premiere by Melody Carlson

 
Premiere by Melody Carlson (On The Runway #1)

Publisher: Zondervan

Publish Date: May 7, 2010

Paperback, 310 pages

My Review:
Why I read this:  I received a copy of this from the publisher (Zondervan) through FIRST Wild Card Tours. I have read other Melody Carlson books and really enjoyed them so I wanted to try out this new series.  I love sewing and fashion so I thought this series would be a perfect fit.

How is the novel driven:I think this first book is mainly character-driven.  There is a lot of getting to know Paige and Erin and some of their friends (and frenemies) around them.  There is a great plot as well that helps move the story along but I'll go with the characters being front and center in this one.

My thoughts:
A fun and thoughtful book.  I really enjoyed a look at two ordinary girls who are suddenly thrust into the spotlight.  I also loved that one had the looks and the other had the brains, but eventually the both found they had some of both.  The story is mainly told from Erin's  point of view, but Faith is the sister that seems to make things happen, and Erin has to come to terms with this.  Erin is the only Christian in the family but her mom and sister do have values at heart, her sister just has to learn from her mistakes. Faith loves to be in front of the camera and Erin wants to be behind it, but Erin has a very savvy way of making things work out for both sisters.

I enjoyed the aspects of the girls joining the reality show "Malibu Beach" to up the publicity and interest in their show and I love how Erin reacts to all that is going on around her.  It's a very interesting look at how reality is staged (like we didn't know that) to get viewers and interest.

It's a fun book and it reads quickly.  I am looking forward to starting Catwalk in the next few days and seeing what happens to Erin and Faith next.   There is romance, the chance to meet stars, lessons learned and so much more packed into this book.  I think fans of Melody Carlson will really enjoy it and look forward to learning more about Erin and Faith and their show On the Runway.

One thing I really loved:  The Barbie descriptions of the two sisters in the Prologue - it really did describe them and it was cute and funny.


My Rating:  4.0/5.0

About the Book:
A recipe for success or a design for disaster? Although they're sisters, Paige and Erin Forrester are like oil and water, night and day, denim and silk. Paige is an outgoing fashionista who loves to be the center of attention, while Erin is more comfortable sporting vintage garb and recording the action around her. When a near disaster turns into the opportunity of a lifetime, these two very-different sisters are given the chance to star in their own fashion-TV show. A guest spot on a hot teen-reality series and their first big red-carpet assignment give this unlikely partnership plenty of room for success---and even more for failure.

About the Author:
Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. 'I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction,' she says. Her wide variety of books seems to prove this theory.


Melody's website
Facebook

For more information see my tour post here.

FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher through FIRST Wild Card Tours for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Tour: Premiere by Melody Carlson

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Melody Carlson

and the book:

Premiere

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

Review coming later today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. “I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction,” she says. Her wide variety of books seem to prove this theory.


Visit the author's website.



Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310717868
ISBN-13: 978-0310717867

Press the browse button to view the first chapter:

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Book Review: Final Touch by Brandilyn and Amberly Collins

Final Touch by Brandilyn Collins and Amberly Collins

Publisher: Zondervan

Publish Date: May 7, 2010

Paperback, 310 pages

My Review:
Why I read this:  I received a copy of this from the publisher (Zondervan) through FIRST Wild Card Tours.  I have read the first two books in the series and really enjoyed them and wanted to read the next one to learn more about Rayne, Shaley, Gary and others in the band.

How is the novel driven:  This one is plot-driven.  We do learn more about several of the characters, but this book is driven by the kidnapping and what goes on during it.

My thoughts:
Final touch is a quick read.  It has a good suspense plot and is executed well.  I really enjoyed the chapters switching back and forth from Shaley's point-of-view (as the one kidnapped) to her family and friends' point-of-view as they awaited news of what was going on.  This really kept the book going and gave insight into what it is like to be on both sides.  I also liked Shaley's point-of-view because it showed how strong she was.  I really enjoyed her character in this book and her determination.  Another thing I liked was the fact that at first everyone wonders why God would let something like this happen (I mean who wouldn't in that situation), but the characters all learn from this and attitudes change through the book.  It makes an interesting Christian lesson, it's not at the forefront of the book, but it's definitely a message that is there.

Final Touch is a great third book in this series that starts out about Shaley and her mom, Rayne who is the lead singer in a band.  While the first two books in the series are wonderful, I think this can be read on it's own.  The events of the first two books are briefly covered in the third and you would have a little more insight into the characters from reading the first two, but the storyline of the third book does stand on it's own.

I'm not sure if the series is over or not, if it is, it ends in a satisfactory manner.  If not, I look forward to more from Rayne, Shaley, Gary and the whole gang.


My Rating:  4.0/5.0

About the Book:
The day Shaley O'Conner has dreamed of all her life is shattered by a nightmare. On a lavish estate in California guarded from the media, Shaley's mom, rock star Rayne O'Connor, is marrying her teen sweetheart and Shaley's father, Gary Donovon. It's a dream come true for Shaley, who has always longed for the father she never knew. But minutes before the wedding, Shaley is kidnapped. Who is this man who has taken her---and why? As Rayne and Gary race against time to find their daughter, Shaley's abductor eludes the FBI at every turn. Fearing for her life, Shaley wills herself to stay strong. But as the days pass, she realizes that no one can save her but herself.
About the Author:
Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels. She and her family divide their time between the California Bay Area and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Amberly Collins is a college student in Long Beach, California majoring in marketing with a minor in fashion. She's active in her Alpha Phi sorority and dotes on her Yorkie puppy, Bear.

Brandilyn's website
Brandilyn's blog

For more information see my tour post here.

FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher through FIRST Wild Card Tours for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Book Tour: Final Touch by Brandilynn and Amberly Collins

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card authors are:

Brandilyn Collins and Amberly Collins

and the book:

Final Touch (Rayne Tour, The)

Zondervan (May 7, 2010)

***Special thanks to Krista Ocier of Zondervan for sending me a review copy.***

My review is coming later today.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Brandilyn and Amberly Collins are a mother/daughter team from northern California.

Brandilyn Collins, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense, is the bestselling author of Violet Dawn, Coral Moon, Crimson Eve, Eyes of Elisha, and other novels.

Visit the Brandilyn's website.

Amberly Collins is a college student in Long Beach, California, majoring in marketing. She’s active in her Alphi Phi sorority and dotes on her Yorkie puppy, Bear.


Here's a video about the first book in the Rayne Series:



Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (May 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031071933X
ISBN-13: 978-0310719335


Press the browse button to view the first chapter:

Z

Browse Inside

Browse

Info

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Teaser Tuesday - August 3

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Later, I realize that the one question that didn't even cross my mind was the most important one of all:  Will you keep my secret?

From Marked by Ally Condie (out 11/30/2010) - quote is from the ARC.



This book is so good - you just get absorbed right into the story.  I'm about 100 pages in at the moment and can't wait to see what happens next.  Think something along The Hunger Games, yet different.  That's just the type of book it reminds me of, not similarity in plot, but the way you get sucked right in.