July 2015 Wrap Up

Last month I was apparently in a bit of a reading slump, only finishing three books. Since I had finished my Goodreads goal for the year I decided to just do whatever instead of reading in my self-prescribed reading times. This month started off much better with me getting a book done before the very first week was out.

So far I have read 1 books this month. Wow, I hit a slump. I didn't actually think I'd read a book. Let's get on with the mini-reviews!

Book #1: Lessons for Suspicious Minds by Charlie Cochrane

In the innocent pre-war days, an invitation to stay at the stately country home of a family friend means a new case for amateur sleuths Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith. In fact, with two apparently unrelated suicides to investigate there, a double chase is on. But things never run smoothly for the Cambridge fellows. In an era when their love dare not speak its name, the risk of discovery and disgrace is ever present. How, for example, does one explain oneself when discovered by a servant during a midnight run along the corridor? Things get even rougher for Orlando when the case brings back memories of his father’s suicide and the search for the identity of his grandfather. Worse, when they work out who the murderer is, they are confronted with one of the most difficult moral decisions they’ve ever had to make. 

I got this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.  I adored it and you'll see all of my thoughts in the review posted around the 4th of July. 

Review: Lessons for Suspicious Minds by Charlie Cochrane

This book was published by Riptide Publishing on April 18th, 2015. I received a copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review. 

In the innocent pre-war days, an invitation to stay at the stately country home of a family friend means a new case for amateur sleuths Jonty Stewart and Orlando Coppersmith. In fact, with two apparently unrelated suicides to investigate there, a double chase is on. 

But things never run smoothly for the Cambridge fellows. In an era when their love dare not speak its name, the risk of discovery and disgrace is ever present. How, for example, does one explain oneself when discovered by a servant during a midnight run along the corridor? 

Things get even rougher for Orlando when the case brings back memories of his father’s suicide and the search for the identity of his grandfather. Worse, when they work out who the murderer is, they are confronted with one of the most difficult moral decisions they’ve ever had to make. - Goodreads.com

I loved it. Absolutely loved the way they wrote it. I rated this book 5/5 because I adore mystery books. I live for watching shows like this where they have to figure out who did it. Ms. Cochrane completely pulled me in with this book. It is the tenth volume in the set, but can (obviously) be read as a stand-alone novel. 

Jonty and Orlando are experienced sleuths by the time this book is set. They have been called out to investigate an apparent suicide at the home of Jonty's mother's godmother. On their way there they stop at an island for lunch and are asked to look into another suicide that someone believes was not a suicide at all, but a murder. Everyone believes the two cases to be completely separate and that they were simple cases of suicide and nothing more.

Leave it to Jonty and Orlando to connect the dots and figure out what happened. I thought it was interesting that the actual perpetrator was never accused of doing anything. He came forward of his own free will and just spilled the story when they were talking about a completely separate case. I didn't see it coming and I don't think many other people would either. Especially fans of Sherlock Holmes (which I am).

I don't think I've ever seen sex described quite that way before. I actually had to pause and take a picture of my Kindle screen over one and send it to my mother. Ms. Cochrane describes the act of intercourse as if it were a naval battle and refers to their sexual organs as "great guns" which I think made me laugh harder than it should have. I will admit to having a juvenile sense of humor. 

I loved the book and and would definitely recommend it to anybody. In fact, I've already told my fiance she has to read it.

Review: Odin's Child by Bruce Macbain

I received this ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review. It was published on May 26, 2015 by Blank Slate Press. I received a copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

An old grudge erupts into violence as Odd Tangle-Hair refuses to back down from the men he believes shamed his father and betrayed their heritage by turning away from the old gods in favor of the White Christ. But when the violence escalates and Odd's family bears the brunt of it, he must leave his beloved Iceland behind and find his own way in the world.The golden age of Viking conquest is fading when he takes to the seas, but his journey is full of adventures, and he meets priests and politicians as well as many unscrupulous men all too eager to take advantage of a young man abroad for the first time.Beautifully written, impeccably researched, and deeply rooted within the oral tradition of story telling, Bruce Macbain has woven an evocative saga that will sweep readers into the past and plant them firmly in Odd's rapidly changing world. - Goodreads.com 

I don't know exactly what made me decide to pick this up aside from the epic looking cover. I don't think I've ever actually read any books about Vikings or Norse mythology...or Iceland. I picked it up because it had a nice cover.

I really don't know what to say about this book. I rated it a 4/5 stars because it was very well written despite being not really my cup of tea. I hope to have a better review (or really a review) for you for my next book I'm reading. I apologize for the lack of review. I was just meh about the story line.