
Take Off Your Pants: Outline Your Books for Faster, Better Writing by Libbie Hawker
I am currently doing a developmental edit for an author and thought this would be a great book to read (as he used it for his outline) to understand the author’s process of writing and plotting a novel. It was super easy to read and understand and had excellent examples and a pretty solid method to outline any story. It also is a great way to determine where a book/novel may have issues that need attention, such as plot holes or characters not having a story arc. I would high

Magpie Murders: A Novel by Anthony Horowitz
This book was equivalent to reading a history book, a historical fiction, and a modern-day mystery. My niece recommended I read Magpie Murders, and she usually has good recommendations, so when I first started reading the book I thought, “what did she get me into,” but after the initial couple of chapters and the more I read, the more I liked this book. The book was a mystery, wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in another mystery. The characters were pretty well developed, and the

The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald
The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald is a book that truly starts with a bang. I appreciate how well the author was able to weave the story back and forth between Olivia and her mom, Abi in alternating chapters. The story is very descriptive and packed with feeling; I cried so many times due to how the author was able to portray the raw emotions of the characters. I enjoyed the roller coaster ride and being on the journey with Olivia and Abi and watching them transform

Two Book Reviews
I have two book reviews for you today. One is non-fiction about networking for introverts, the other is a mystery novel. I hope you enjoy the reviews. The following is my review of Taking the Work Out of Networking by Karen Wickre. I love the fact the author is from San Francisco as I am also from the Bay Area and like to read local authors. Networking is a scary process for an introvert especially for me having to push myself into networking and having to talk about myself.

The Perfect Alibi by Phillip Margolin
I gravitated toward this book because the synopsis intrigued me. I especially enjoyed the female characters in the storyline. Most of the men, however, were not likable and about 55% of the way through the book there was just too much corruption to the story. Many cases were being prosecuted and storylines interweaving (which is usually fine when I read), but there seemed to be a lack of cohesiveness in the stories, and the middle of the book felt heavy and clunky. The story

The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni
The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni took a bit for me to get into, but once I did, it became quite the page-turner. This book is different from his Tracy Crosswhite crime novels, but still in the same vein regarding suspense, drama, and heart-pounding action. The storyline of an ex-CIA agent back in play had many twists and turns, keeping me on my toes of what guessing and rethinking characters and the plot line. The theme of the book is very relevant for this time in our worl

Turning Secrets: A Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery by Brenda Chapman
I had a hard time getting involved with this book and the characters. I did like the character of Kala and her dog and thought Kala was a strong lead. The storyline and premise of the book sounded intriguing and suspenseful, plus the topic is relevant to events happening all over the world. For me, it was a slow read, and I wasn’t completely invested in what would happen in the story or to the characters. Since this is book 6 in the Stonechild and Rousseau, maybe reading the

Her Final Confession by Lisa Regan
Her Final Confession (A Josie Quinn Mystery) by Lisa Regan was quite the addictive book (as described). Josie Quinn is a strong lead female character, and I enjoyed the interactions between her and the other characters. Their dialogue and interactions were believable. The book even has the typical higher-up that clashes with Josie and Chitwood fit the bill perfectly for being a difficult adversary. There were parts in the story where I felt I missed some backstory regarding t