Review Dark Places Gillian Flynn

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read Gone Girl about a year ago and LOVED it, ever since then I have been wanting tor read more of Gillian Flynn's work and finally this summer I made it happen! I read this book while on vacation in the Smokey Mountains and it was a GREAT vacation read! All I wanted to do was sit on the porch of my cabin and finish this book - forget site seeing and hiking - I had a fantastic novel to read!
Libby is a well fleshed out character, dark, moody, depressed, lazy and nasty. Despite her fowl personality I wanted her to overcome her past and have some resolution and healing.
I really enjoyed reading the three perspectives of Ben, Patty and Libby and how the day of the murders played out for them. Each was so vastly different, yet how they came together was masterful writing. The book is dark and gritty but full of real characters and real emotions and things the reader can connect with. I remember growing up in the 80's and hearing rumors of devil worship and animal sacrifices in vacant lots and tree rows around where I grew up in the mid-west. I also remember the farm crisis of the 80's and many of the radical ideas that came out of it, as well as the fear.
The ending of this book was unexpected and a great who-done-it - even though I was alert through the whole book trying to find the foreshadowing that would tip me off to the real killer. It's there, the book is so well written though that you pass it by and only realize it when you turn the last page.
Must read book!

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Friday Feature & Follow - English Lit Class

Happy, Happy Friday everyone! I am excited to meet new book blogging friends again this week and I enjoyed putting together my book list for my fictional English lit class! Hope you want to take it!

English 356 American Authors - American History This class will explore American History through the writing of American Authors and works both classic and contemporary and various genres. (this is a college course didn't want to have to censor my book choices!) Colonial Period - The Scarlett Letter Nathanial Hawthorne

Civil War - Cold Mountain Charles Frazier

Western Expansion - Giants of the Earth Ole Rolvaag

Great Depression - The Bones of Plenty Louis Phillips Hudson

World War II - Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand

Race Relations - The Help Kathryn Stockett

Modern Era - I Know this Much is True Wally Lamb

And lastly for extra credit (cause my reading list might be getting a bit long) Native American History - In the Spirit of Crazy Horse Peter Matthiessen

Would your take this course? What would you like to read in the various categories? Any category suggestions?

Review Jump Cindy Paterson

Centuries of loyalty His code of honor was respected without question, until he consumed the blood of an enemy in exchange for a mortal woman to be set free from certain slavery. He can’t forget her Despite knowing, he will be imprisoned and put to death if caught, Balen, a fierce Senses Tracker, returns to Toronto to find the mortal woman, Danielle, he left behind two years ago. Haunted with memories of the torture they endured in the hands of a Senses enemy, Balen’s determination to see her again, drives him to risk everything. But when he does, a new enemy comes into play, one he can’t defeat. To conquer the wrath of fear Determined to find some sort of peace after her abduction, Danielle finds solace in painting a man from her nocturnal unconsciousness. When he comes knocking on her door, her world is shattered and Danielle must face her worst fears in order to survive what is coming after them. It won’t stop. It can’t. For the ancient spell has no compassion. A journey of tenacious desire that refuses to fade even though that is what will destroy them. Because—in order for Danielle to live, first she must die. **Note from Author-the prologue is violent and some may have a difficult time reading. This book is intended for mature audiences.** Jump by Cindy Paterson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is not a genre I would normally read or be drawn too, but I agreed to review a copy of the book I received from the author in exchange for a fair review. I enjoyed this book to a point - the writing was good, the storyline moved along well and the were well developed and the author did a great job of writing about all their various phobias. I also really liked the dynamic between Danielle and Balen. Things that lowered the review, it was difficult to keep all the characters straight, the plot was convoluted and hard to follow at times and the amount of unnecessary (in my opinion) violence and sex scenes. While this book kept my attention this type of paranormal, fantasy genre still does not appeal to me. I am equating this to how I feel about watermelon - every year I try it, but after one bite I know I don't want anymore. Every now and then I try this genre, because it is so popular, but after one I know I don't want anymore.
In conclusion - if you like this type of novel I highly recommend it, if you don't your probably not going to enjoy this one.

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Congrats to the winner of the $15 Barnes & Noble Gift Card!

Thanks to the everyone who contributed to the 459 entries my Summer Giveaway Hop 2013 garnered and thanks to all those that are new followers!  I appreciate each of you! 
Congrats to Jamie @ http://vailiapageturner.blogspot.com/ the winner of the $15 Barnes & Noble gift card! 
Again, thanks for making my first give away a rousing success and watch for more in the future!