Catch Me (#review) by Lisa Gardner

Last night I finished the book Catch Me by Lisa Gardner.  All I can say is "wow."  I can see why her last book was on the NY Times "Best Seller List". I had not previously heard of this author, prior to my request to review Catch Me via Netgalley.com.  After reading this book, in all of it's intensity for 2 nights, I can definitely say that I will be looking for more of her reads!


From the Publisher:

In New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner's latest D.D. Warren thriller, the relentless Boston investigator must solve a coldly calculated murder--before it happens. 

In four days, someone is going to kill me . . . Detective D. D. Warren is hard to surprise. But a lone woman outside D.D.'s latest crime scene shocks her with a remarkable proposition: Charlene Rosalind Carter Grant believes she will be murdered in four days. And she wants Boston's top detective to handle the death investigation.

It will be up close and personal. No evidence of forced entry, no sign of struggle.  Charlie tells a chilling story: Each year at 8:00 p.m. on January 21st, a woman has died. The victims have been childhood best friends from a small town in New Hampshire; the motive remains unknown. Now only one friend, Charlie, remains to count down her final hours.

But as D.D. quickly learns, Charlie Grant doesn't plan on going down without a fight. By her own admission, the girl can outshoot, outfight, and outrun anyone in Boston. Which begs the question, is Charlie the next victim, or the perfect perpetrator? As D.D. tracks a vigilante gunman who is killing pedophiles in Boston, she must also delve into the murders of Charlie's friends, racing to find answers before the next gruesome January 21 anniversary. Is Charlie truly in danger, or is she hiding a secret that may turn out to be the biggest threat of all?

In four days, someone is going to kill me. But the son of a bitch has gotta catch me first.

What I thought:
As I said above, "wow".  This book had it all:  family drama, cops v. robbers, and even a little glimpse of romance (not too much so don't go thinking this is a romance, not a chance.)   There were a few scenes where I actually found myself holding my breath, waiting to see what happens next. 

If you're a thriller fan, this book is right up your alley. Mysteries?  Yes, this book is mysterious too.  As I read books, I often think of what my Husband would think of the book (he is a non-reader - he waits for the movie to come out) and how long it would take him to figure out the "who," "what," and "why" of the book.  He is usually pretty quick with figuring things out.  I have a feeling that this one might give him a run for his money. 

Catch Me was released last month and is the sixth installment of the Detective DD Warren series.  (This is my first of the series and I didn't feel like I needed to read the previous five in order to enjoy this one!) It can be found at any major bookseller, as well as on Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. 

I received a galley copy of Catch Me compliments of the Publisher via Netgalley.com.  I was not required to provide a positive review of the book, although I am pleased to do so.  I received no compensation for this review.  All opinions are my own. 

Feed Your Kindle -- Apathetic is free TODAY!

You heard me!  Feed your Kindle (or free Kindle reading app) for FREE.  The chilling story from Heather Muzik is available for free today, Monday, March 26, 2012!!  (Due to popular demand, the promotion has been extended through Tuesday, March 27! Spread the word!)


 I know that some of you do not have a Kindle, but as I mentioned above, you can also get a free Kindle reading app from Amazon for your PC, your iPod or your iPad.  I even have one on my iPhone for situations when I'm really desperate. :-)

If you're dead set against reading electronically, there is a paperback version of the book available on Amazon.com, but not for freeeeeeee.......

clipix: Organize Your Family Life!

clipix  is a cool new tool that is taking over the online organization challenge!  Have you ever seen a recipe or product online and when you're ready to make or purchase, you can't remember the website of where you saw it?  Clipix will solve this problem for you and keep things that you find online in one place, by creating "clipboards" of all of your favorite things.  

Even cooler?  You can maintain privacy settings for all of your different clipboards!  If you want to keep "baby" a secret for a little longer while still dreaming of new nursery design, baby names or clothing styles?  Keep that clipboard "private" but still clip away, saving all of your ideas to the baby clipboard.  If you find great recipes that you want to share with everyone, leave the clipboard open to everyone.  You can even have a clipboard set to "friends only" so that only those you wish to share with can see your dreams, memories and favorite things. 

It's really easy to work too!  You simply drag a bookmark called "clip" to your bookmarks toolbar.  Then when you see something that you want to remember, click on the "clip" button and save.  You can even tweet your clips out so that people can see what you're looking at - this is totally optional - but very cool to be able to do!  I clipped a Rachael Ray recipe to my clipboard yesterday and it even brought the recipe name over for me.  I only needed to click "save" and I was set. 

There is also a feature called "Syncboards."  These let you clip items collaboratively with your friends or family. When anyone adds a clip to the syncboard, everyone else you collaborate with will see it in real-time. Sounds perfect for planning a family reunion, family vacation or even a wedding!  Another awesome feature of Clipix is the Multiboards feature. Think grouping all of your recipes  onto one Multiboard.  Mine would be:  30 Minute Meals, Once a Month Cooking, Diet Recipes, etc.  Or all of your clothing "wants" into subcategories - spring, summer, fall, winter, vacation, prom, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

See how cool and easy it is: 

Clipix is not only available online but they have an awesome iPhone app as well - available right from the App store. 

Check Clipix out!  I'll be adding a button to my blog and hopefully to my FB account so that you can check out my Clipboards and maybe even follow along!  What will you use Clipix to create?  Please drop me a comment to let me know what you think about Clipix - good and bad - I'd love to hear your opinion!

 

Promoted Post

Franklin's Valentines - an Ebook Review

We're a Franklin kind of family.  The character that was first introduced to us on the TV channel Noggin when DinoBoy and Twinkletoes were younger.  The kind of boy who you want to be your son - Mom and Pa Turtle were are role models for me as a parent.  They never lose their temper.  They never yell at their son.  They quietly explain and discuss situations the way a "perfect" family would.   I strive for their zen when dealing with their son's antics.  

I was asked by the Publisher to review this ebook, Franklin's Valentines via Netgalley.com.  I am so excited to do so.  While it is a few weeks past the big Valentine's Day, there is no reason this book can't be read to your children any day.  We've read it quite frequently the past few weeks, me and Sweetart, on the iPad.  

Here's a blurb from the Publisher:  

In this Franklin Classic Storybook, it’s Valentine's Day and Franklin can’t wait to give his friends the cards he has made. But when he gets to school, he discovers that they’re missing. Franklin is heartbroken and worried that now his friends won’t want to give him any cards. Big hearts prevail and Franklin soon learns that he has very good friends—and that he can be a good friend, too.

Here's what Sweetart and I thought (keep in mind she is going to be 4 soon):   WE LOVED IT.  I heard a lot of "more mamma's" and "again" out of her.  She wanted to flip the page.  She wanted to tell the story based on the illustrations.  She also wanted to tell her friends that it is okay and accidents happen but they're still friends anyway.  

A great book with a great lesson behind it! Franklin's Valentines is a winner in our house! 

If you would like more information about Paulette Bourgeois, the author of this fabulous story, please visit her website.   

Note:  I was provided a copy of this ebook, free of charge, from the Publisher via NetGalley.com.  I was not compensated for this review, only asked to provide my honest opinion of the book, which I am pleased to do.  

I'm Thankful.

With all of the hubbub during the past few weeks, I haven't found the strength nor the time to prepare a blog post.  That isn't to say that I don't have a lot to say - I have plenty - and I have book reviews that need to be written and published.  I've been reading a ton to keep my mind elsewhere ---

In the beginning of January, we placed our house on the market.  I am happy to report that it sold.  We had it under contract in 15 days.  We hit a few snags in the road to our new house - which we'll settle on in mid-March - with a seller who is losing his shirt (or at least his undershirt) in that sale because he bought at the top of the market in 2005 and is selling in a recovering but not yet overinflated market.  I think we're giving him a fair price for his home.  It's been on and off of the market since 2010, so I'm taking a gander that he just wants to be done with it now.

I am going to miss our house.  Our "big green house" as Sweetart tends to call it. She is confused when we ride by the new house which is conveniently located less than a mile from our current house.  When I tell her we are going home from somewhere she wants to know which home she is going to:  the big green house or the new house.  I wonder how long we'll think of it that way:  "the new house."  I wonder how long it will take for it to become home?

We're leaving behind 12 years worth of us in our house.  Our fence.  Our playground. Our patios. Our flowers and trees.  Our neighbors.  Our new kitchen!  The blood (skinned knees and having babies counts,right?), sweat and tears that went into everything we've transformed our little cape cod into for the next young family.  Our family is now older, wiser and bigger ... in need of just a tad more space for the kids to play without wanting to choke one another.  (one can dream, can't she?)

On another note, our twin nephews arrived safe and sound on Tuesday, February 7!  Both boys, Mason and Dalton, are still in the hospital but are doing better and better each day.  As of last week, all IVs have been removed from them, although they are still receiving nourishment from feeding tubes and are still hooked up to all kinds of bells and monitors that watch their breathing and heart rates (and probably much more than I could even begin to imagine.)  So my brother and sister in law have had their hands full with their almost four year old and the addition of these two little ones who have yet to come home.  I had the honor of meeting them last week when I was off from work on Friday.  I even got to hold little Mason for a long time!!  (He slept the whole time and is ever so precious!)  His brother, Dalton, got to sleep in his isolette while he was having a bottle fed to him through is feeding tube.  *UPDATE* Both are now off of the feeding tubes and amping up to come home! I am so excited!! 

Basically, this post comes to this:  I'm thankful that the boys arrived into the world safe and sound.  I'm thankful my sister in law was able to deliver them without any complications and is doing fabulous!  I'm thankful that our house sold quickly! and we'll be moving in two weeks.  I'm thankful for the support of those who have listened to me moan, groan and cry in the past few weeks.   Thankful for my husband who supports me even when he thinks I am totally off of my rocker and for my mom who listens no matter what.   Thankful for our beautiful children who are growing used to the idea of moving and I think are even getting excited about it -- they're helping build my excitement too!  And, I'm thankful that my Kuerig hasn't taken a crap on me in the last few weeks - I've really needed that morning coffee!