Literary Elements Book Reviews - Weeks 1 & 2

Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson - 4 STARS
DJ's life is being threatened by an unknown source.  Alex, Randolph, Jean Lafitte are helping her survivie the attacks of the Axeman historical undead.  DJ is part Wizard and part Elf.  Their friend Ken is involved too and a human.  In the end power hungry elves wanted to kill DJ and take control over the Wizards.  DJ lived.  Alex and DJ get back together in her father's house, her new home.  Her bonded husband is jealous of their love.

I liked this book.  Toward the end it felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading it.  -- Review by SB





Insurgent by Veronica Roth - 4 STARS
I liked Insurgent even better than the first book in the series, Divergent.  The characters were more developed and there was more action.  Tris, the main character, realized what the government was doing by trying to split people up into factions to control them.   -- Review by AM








The Good Sister by Wendy Corsi Staub - 5 STARS
Seeking revenge for past wrongs, a killer punishes the guilty.  The author slowly reveals the "wrongs" and who was the killer, until the surprising ending.  -- Review by LM







Naked Heat by Richard Castle - 4 STARS  (Nikki Heat series, #2)
I always enjoy a crime thriller mixed with some romance.  It was a good follow-up to the first book.  -- Review by MG










Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs - 5 STARS
She covered a lot of true-life situations and the characters handled these situations with such up-and-down emotions, like in real life -- like having cancer and finding the right true love. -- Review by LB






With Grateful Hearts by Sunni Jeffers - 5 STARS  (Miracles of Marble Cover series)
Beverly, Shelley, and Margaret are helping Diane while she goes through chemo treatments and all are trying to save the railway station as a historical building.  Shelley, mother of three, with her husband's support, plans to manage a coffee shop someday, besides her baking business.

I really liked how everyone helped each other and encouraged each other to follow their dreams.  -- Review by SB





Crocodile on the Sand Bank by Elizabeth Peters - 4 STARS
This book is about a prominent woman from England who goes on an expedition in Egypt.

The book is addictive.  I didn't want to put it down.  There is always something happening and a mystery to solve.  -- Review by CM