The Next John Sandford is here! Owen Laukkanen's Criminal Enterprise ( Stevens and Windermere #2)

Criminal Enterprise by Owen Laukkanen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Owen Laukkanen's 2nd entry in the Stevens and Windermere series proves that The Professionals (Stevens and Windermere #1) was no fluke. The writing is assured, the plot well thought out and fast moving. Laukkanen is quickly making his mark in crime fiction and is a welcome addition to other great Twin Cities standbys such as Sandford's Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers. This series is a wonderful companion and will be a worthy successor once Sandford decides to hang it up. Which I hope is years down the road.
In Criminal Enterprise, we meet Carter Tomlin, a well paid CPA that lives in a McMansion in an affluent area. His perfect life falls apart pretty quickly when he is laid off and resorts to a life of crime to keep the mortgage paid, etc..
Unfortunately for Tomlin, he likes the life, it gives him a thrill and his crimes escalate quickly.
Windermere is hot on the case while dealing with a reluctant partner and Stevens is trying to resist the lure of the excitement of the FBI. Their jobs collide again and the ending is cinematic and climactic.
You will love this series.
Caution: There is language and a few sexual situations.

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The Next Great Young Adult book is here! Alive by Scott Sigler

Alive by Scott Sigler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay. Do you remember how you felt when you began reading about Trice in Divergent or about Katniss in The Hunger Games. You kind of knew that you were beginning a special journey. Alive by Scott Sigler is such a book. I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy of this book and the author politely asks that in potential reviews or blogposts that spoilers not be present. I couldn't agree more. It is rare when a book captures your attention and is so compulsive that you have to know what happens next. Em will join the ranks of great young adult characters. This book is part Hunger Games with a dash of Maze Runner and Divergent thrown in for good measure, but totally and utterly original.
Trust me. Alive is not to be missed.

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Innocence by Dean Koontz

Innocence by Dean Koontz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are very few words to describe what kind of book Dean Koontz writes. They defy description. But one thing they all have in common is beautiful writing and wonderful characters and a very deep ability to make you think and wonder at this world we live in.
Innocence is no exception. I have to admit that I do not read the newest Koontz as soon as it is released. I always know that I have Koontz to rely on when I need to be enthralled.
I don't know if Mr. Koontz knows just how truly good he is. Twenty years ago when we lived in California I always had the great, good fortune to meet him and talk with him at his Book Carinval book releases. I once asked him how he got his ideas. He told me that he always had 3 books in his head. The one he was writing and the next two. This amazed me. I know he takes his craft seriously, he works hard at it, much to our benefit and delight.
When I had my publishing company I always was looking for another Koontz. They don't exist. He is original. And it seems so effortless.
In Innocence, not all is as it seems and try as you might, you cannot figure it out until it us revealed to you.
No spoilers here. Read this book and Addison Goodheart's story.. Keep a highlighter with you, because there are lines and sections that every reader would be inspired by. Mark them. Read them again and pass them on.


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Independence Day by Ben Coes !!!

Independence Day by Ben Coes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ben Coes is without a doubt one of the best of the new breed of thriller writers that have emerged over the last few years. His Dewey Andreas series is one of the best out there. It took me a little while to pick up the first in the series, "Power Down" just because the title didn't speak to me. But, once you start the book you realze that this is a writer with great skill.
The pace of Independence Day is blistering. It is up to Dewey and company to stop a potential terrorist attack from a brilliant hacker bent on revenge. All of the familiar cast of characters are present, with a damaged Dewey still recovering from a devastating personal tragedy, trying to come to an understanding of his courage in the face of adversity and the love he feels for his country.
You will not be sorry reading any of Coe's books with this being extremely timely for a great summer beach read leading to Independence Day.

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Joe Ledger Lives! Predator One by Jonathan Maberry

Predator One by Jonathan Maberry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay. Listen up. Jonathon Maberry is one of our ten best thriller writers writing today period. He is also an awesome guy who deserves all the success that comes his way. Saying that. If you have not read a book in the Joe Ledger series, you are missing out on one of the great series out there.
I already knew that Maberry was a master of horror with his Pine Deep trilogy, but then a friend introduced me to Joe Ledger #1 "Patient Zero" Which has one of the greatest openings I've read in the last 20 years. I was hooked. I try to get the new Ledger and save it for when I really need a good book, it never happens. It is always devoured quickly leaving me hungry for more.
In this the 7th outing for Ledger, Echo Team, Ghost, Junie, Church and others, there are no holds barred and everyone is fair game including a wonderful fight scene with Aunt Sallie (I wish there was more detail, but my imagination is pretty good). Maberry has some of the evilest villians in the game and "Predator One" is no exception. One we have met before who is just bugnuts crazy.
The only thing keeping you and me and my little dog safe is Joe Ledger.
Just trust me. Pick up Patient Zero and start today. You will be glad that there are 6 more in the series to keep you going.


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By Schism Rent Asunder by David Weber (Safehold #2) Awesome!!!

By Schism Rent Asunder by David Weber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book 2 in the Safehold series was as good and in many ways better than Off Armageddon Reef, book 1 in the series. I am so glad that I stumbled into this series. It is hard to find a great epic set in a world you can get lost in with the detail that Weber has instilled in this book and series. It has everything you could hope for. Put this into your "To Be Read" list. You will not be sorry.
The detail and thought that went into this concept is astounding. There are many surprises in book #2, but, you will have to see for yourself. On to book #3!!

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Light of the World by James Lee Burke (Dave Robicheaux #20)

Light of the World by James Lee Burke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What can you say that hasn't been said about James Lee Burke. He is truly one of the great crime fiction writers of his generation. His writing is descriptive, introspective and just plain beautiful. In this #20!! book of the Dave Robicheaux series, he may have created his biggest work yet with one of the most evil villians you would never want to encounter. Burke's genius lies in his ability to write about the human condition in a way that makes you ponder anew what it means to go through this life.
An example:
" At a certain age, you realize the greatest loss you can experience is a theft you perpetrate on yourself- the waste of days given us. Is there any more piercing remorse than the realization that a person has thrown away the potential that resides in everty sunrise?"

A whole book could be written of Burke's quotes in his various series. They are that brilliant and deep.

I know that may seem grandiose, but read Burke and you will understand.

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