Review: Inferno by Dan Brown

Inferno by Dan Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What made me continue reading Dan Brown’s latest offering, Inferno, which is the 4th book in his Robert Langdon Series???

I had to seriously try to get this image of Langdon from my head (after watching the Da Vinci Code movie, which I absolutely HATED….mainly because of casting Tom Hanks as the hero…talk about BAD BAD casting…..i had to work really hard at getting to like Langdon in the next books after my encounter with TH..)
And then….“Haven’t I read this story before?” I t asked myself on numerous occasions, as I continued turning page after page…yes, I had to continue even when I questioned my reason for doing so. You see, it was like I was reading Da Vinci Code or perhaps Angels and Demons again, with a couple of minor changes!!!!!!

The hero – out to save the world….this time he’s running around in Florence and a teeny bit in Istanbul, using his solving puzzles and riddles talent to save humankind.

The heroine – of course there has to be one!!! This time it’s a young, very smart..in fact a genius prodigy…doctor, who just manages to save the hero from being killed by an assassin and then proceeds to keep up with the hero as he unravels the mysteries that will get them both to save the world. It’s a good thing that she’s a doctor…because poor hero has amnesia when he comes to in a hospital ” and needs the heroine’s help to get out and go on the run from the killers and bad guys and even the good ones…..

The plot – this time we have an ego-manic who’s bent in wiping out the world’s population..or at least half of it because there’s too many people in this world, which will not be able to survive with the ever growing numbers….right…we all know this…!!! The hero and heroine now have to use Dante’s Inferno – yes that famous book!!!!... as the basis to solving all those cryptic poems, riddles and puzzles that are facing them. I even learnt something new…..neo- eugenics…. The proposers of ways to improve human beings, especially by selective breeding. These are the so called fanatics that the hero is trying to stop.!!!
Of course, it felt like a formula of a book I’d read before….

But hey..did that stop me??? …No way…. the pages just kept flipping over and over…..whilst I was taken on an incredible tour of the places that the hero goes to…..I learnt about the Divine Comedy, the story of David (yes…that famous statue in Florence), the Renaissance art and famous names, about the piazzas, the gardens…oh I did so enjoy a tour guide of Florence and Istanbul!

I followed Langdon’s quest as he discovered clues and revelations along the way……what amazes me is how the author still managed to surprise me so many times. Just when I thought I knew the answer or who the bad guys were…bam……..SO WRONG….so another surprise...another twist.

So, I continued on this fast paced journey….rather trip because the story happens over a day or two…..ooh and does a LOT happen in that short time.
I did think that the ending was a bit “naff”, (view spoiler)[ what, no bad guys!!!!! That’s right…in the end, even the bad guys turn out GOOD!!! (hide spoiler)] which kind of left me thinking…..YES….there’s another movie coming out soon about Robert Langdon’s latest adventure….JUST PLEASE PLEASE….don’t cast Tom Hanks in it………he’s too old, too dull and just too damn BORING...

and then maybe, just maybe I might brave myself to go and see it!!!

Okay, so I enjoyed reading this latest offering by Dan Brown….but did I love it???? No….I had Tom Hanks on my brain as I turned the pages……….but I have to be honest ….I did love all the info on the history of Florence/Istanbul and it even made me take out my copy of Dante’s Inferno!!!!!! And I liked the book cover!!!!

I can recommend this book if you liked the others in this series.

View all my reviews

Inner Harbor (Quinn Brothers of Chesapeake Bay #3) by Nora Roberts

I have become so familiar with the characters in this series and the more books I read the more I have fallen in love with these 4 amazing guys. . I have been along on the Quinn brother’s journey to becoming a strong and close family since the sudden death of their adopted father, Ray Quinn and it feels as if they are now my friends, who I care for and want to ultimately see happy.

The 3rd book tells the story of Phillip Quinn, the sophisticated, stylish, and gorgeous advertising man, that likes designer labels and good wine 

and who has pushed away the ugliness and horrors of his past before he was rescued and saved by Ray and Stella Quinn to become a person of worth

Dr Sybill Griffin, a well-know socialist and author arrives in the area supposedly to do research for her next book. But she’s there to check on Seth, who we discover, is her nephew. I found it difficult to warm to her. She just shut herself off and so emotionless …. She does not allow anyone close to her, preferring to observe people. 
But the more I got to know her, the more I understood why she showed that face to the world, living the life she had until now. Underneath that shield was a person with a kind heart and mind and suddenly I wanted Phillip and her to find the way to being happy together.

After discovering Sybill’s secret, Phillip’s reaction is more than just betrayal:

“Oh, and Dr Griffin, you may want to look over your notes again. When you do it might be interesting, psychologically speaking, to ask yourself why you find it so much more rewarding to observe than to participate.” 

But they cannot ignore the growing attraction for each other. Wow, Phillip just knows how to seduce a woman…champagne, flowers and climbing up the side of the hotel to get into Sybill’s room because she’s not opening the door for him. Loved it!!!!!

The sexual tension is hot. Phillip slowly helps her opening up her heart and to admit that she’s a person that’s worth loving.

There is so much in this story that really pulled my heartstrings - 

*Discovering the secret of Seth’s parentage
*Sybill putting Gloria straight about Seth 

*Sybill walking Foolish, the dog to meet Seth after school (was she really hoping for????

*Seth’s birthday party with his friends leaving Anna in a “frazzle”
*Seth’s birthday present from Sybill
*The bond between the four brothers and their interaction
*The kinship between the Quinn’s
*Ray’s “visit” to Phillip – what great advice he gave his son (just like he did with the other two before)
*The first time Phillip makes love to Sybill on the small boat….i smiled when she lost the one shoe!!!!
*Sybill arriving unexpectedly at Phillip’s city condo and unable to finish a sentence, feeling so uncertain…….and Phillip…he’s just an adorable and lovable man, both kind and sexy too.

The dialogue is really fabulous (is it not always if written by NR???)

“Is this your definition of a distraction?” she countered. “It fits my definition of a confrontation.”
“You’re right.” He pulled his own sunglasses off, tossed them aside. “We’ll analyze later.”

“Your family won’t approve.”
“Family approval important to you?”
“Of course.”
“I don’t discount it either. Normally, this wouldn’t be any of their business. In this case, it is.” It bothered him, more than a little. “But it’s my family, and my concern, not yours.
“This may sound hypocritical at this point, but I don’t want to do anything else that will hurt or disturb Seth.”
“Neither do I. But I’m not going to let a ten-year-old take charge of my personal life. Relax Sybill.” He skimmed his fingers over her jaw. “This isn’t the Montagues and the Capulets.”
“I’m hardly thinking of you as Romeo, she said, so dryly that he laughed and kissed her again.
“You might, darling, if I put my mind to it. But for now, let’s just be who we are.” 

If you love romance, endearing characters, great dialogue and fabulous plots, then read this series. You will love it.

I can’t wait for Seth’s story.

Rising Tides (Quinn Brothers of Chesapeake Bay #2) by Nora Roberts

The 2nd book in Nora Robert’s Chesapeake Bay Saga continues with the lives of the adopted brothers, Cameron, Ethan, Phillip and Seth Quinn, who all have painful histories and were adopted by the amazing Ray & Stella Quinn when they were children.


Ethan had always shared his father’s passion for Chesapeake and whilst the other two brothers – the gypsy Cam had traveled the world racing boats and cars and Phillip, the urbane city lover advertising hotshot moved away, he stayed home working the waters that he loved so much. src=" 
But the Quinn’s never give up!!! With some help and push from Anna, Cam’s wife (who I absolutely adore…see my review on her story Sea Swepthttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33...}, Grace shows Ethan what she wants…him.These two are such a sweet and adorable couple.I loved their story and enjoyed seeing the closeness and love between the growing Quinn family. Getting to know more about the brother’s past lives, more about Seth. Love the bond between him and little Audrey….
My favorite scene in this book is when Ethan is getting ready for his date with Grace – Cam is naturally helping him get himself together, when Anna suddenly appears demanding to know who stole her flowers. Boy, these grown-up men are reduced to little boys when Anna uses “her” voice. And the two guys giving him the different options on who could possibly have done such a terrible deed…rabbits, deer, dogs…..Now why didn’t someone tell her about those things before!!!! LOL!!!!

This is such an incredible series about the love and closeness of a family I have come to love and I can’t wait to read Phillip’s and Seth’s books.

Sea Swept (Quinn Brothers of Chesapeake Bay #1) by Nora Roberts

I love Nora Roberts - she's my all-time favorite romance writers. ..i just adore her stories, her characters.
This is the 1st book of one of my favorite series.
I'm going thru yet another Nora Roberts "phase" and reading her books again.

I have always loved this series and Cameron's HEA is one of my favorites. He's just as a fabulous alpha-hero. Playboy boat racer who is suddenly faced with great changes in his life, after his adopted father's death.

Nora Roberts writes the most amazing family sagas and this is one of those. Three troubled teenagers who are adopted by the Quinn's who are having to deal with Seth, who was in the process of being adopted before the tragedy.

I loved the social worker, Anna. No helpless female here...she's focused, independent and is not afraid to make the first "move" on Cameron.

Great interaction between the characters, especially Cameron and Seth.
There's such a sense of family love that I absolutely loved.

Great sparkly and witty dialogue, endearing characters and a great story line is what this author knows how to do.

wow...time sure flies!!!!!

I cannot believe that I have not written anything since end of last year!!!

I know...have been hectic....and GOOD READS  just takes up so much of my time....these days!!
Forget Facebook....i'm so totally into GOODREADS...what an awesome site...it's like the facebook of books....!!!!

Work at my store has been a case of ups and downs...suppose that's with all biz these days.

Anyway...going to start writing more reviews... more stories...more anything from now on!!!

Have discovered AMAZING new authors and some incredible new books which I am going to tell you all about..i promise...

check it out!!

REVIEW: On the Run by IRIS JOHANSEN

I love Iris Johansen....

Book Info: For eight years, single mother Grace Archer has been living a picture-perfect life raising her daughter on a horse farm in the small town of Tallanville, Alabama. Watching Frankie grow into a talented and confident young girl has made Grace as happy as any mother could hope to be. Happy enough, even, to forget the past. But the past never quite goes away. Which is why a certain charismatic man also moved to Tallanville eight years ago to watch over her. 
But when violence threatens to shatter Grace and Frankie's idyllic home, the waiting is over. The ghosts of the past have returned. And they're hungry for blood. Now Grace must resume an identity she thought she had cast off forever, and match wits with an opponent as deadly as he is cunning. The prize: an extraordinary secret that only she can unfold. The forfeit: losing the thing more precious to her than life itself.

MY THOUGHTS:
This was not the best Iris Johansen book I have read but it’s not exactly the worst one either. Action-packed, fast paced thriller from the first to the last page. Spies, ruthless killers, a touch of paranormal, second chances in love, betrayals and loyalties.

Whilst there are some really likeable and engaging characters, I somehow felt I did not get to know them really well….Grace is this strong, protective woman who had been a CIA agent and when she became pregnant with one of her trainers, Jake, had to disappear because Marvot, the notorious owner of the most incredible Arabian horses known as the Pair, needs her to work with them to find a very valuable item in the Sahara desert, which men and woman will kill for. 

Her daughter Frankie is very lovable but at times I wondered how an eight-year old could be so adult and mature….although she is a child prodigy. 

Jake…so much I wanted to find out who he was exactly. How did he get here? Who is he? Not much back-story…his life kind of begins when he’s working for the CIA and training Grace.

The plot was actually interesting….some may feel a bit far-fetched but it is written in such a way that you feel it could be possible for it to happen. The settings were great…from a farm in Alabama, to Wyoming and then Morocco and finally the oasis and dunes in the Sahara Desert.

This is an enjoyable page-turner story with lots of action, romance, love, and amazing horses and holds you to your seat.
(less)