Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
First Sentence: "I've got to get rid of her, Birch."
Someone is stalking Calista Langley, the proprietor of an exclusive introduction agency in Victorian London Her stalker leaves her small gifts generally given to someone in mourning. Calista enlists the help of recluse crime writer Trent Hastings, the brother of one of her clients, to help her find the person responsible for the sick gifts and put a stop to him or her. Calista and Trent carry relationship baggage, and the last thing they are looking for is a relationship. However, the attraction between them is hard to ignore. I quite enjoyed 'Til Death Do Us Part. It is atmospheric, dark and romantic. Not to mention, I really liked Trent and Calista who are both smart and witty, and make a good team.
To learn more about Jayne Ann Krentz, aka Amanda Quick, and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Facebook.
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Source: E-copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
First Sentence: Harper Grayson had seen lots of people burn on TV, everyone had, but the first person she saw burn for real was in the playground behind school.
The Fireman was a fun read, entertaining as well as thought provoking. It takes a hard look at society: mob mentality, mass panic, the power and draw of religion, the significance of hope, among other things. Reminiscent of The Stand by Stephen King (which the author credits), The Fireman is in the same vein but very different.
To learn more about Joe Hill and his work, please visit the author's website. You can also find him on Twitter and Tumblr.
© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
'Til Death Do Us Part sounds like a great combination of romance and suspense. I wish I'd enjoyed The Fireman more. However, I do think the world building was great with some intriguing characters.
ReplyDeleteMelody - Oh, yes, I really enjoyed 'Til Death Do Us Part. I wasn't blown away by The Fireman, but I did enjoy it.
DeleteI still have not read anything by Joe Hill! Both books sound like fun, though. :)
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I like Hill's writing and think he is a good storyteller. His books are a bit more horror driven than I prefer, which I think will keep him from ever being a favorite.
DeleteI really enjoyed The Fireman. I am thinking of another book by Joe Hill this fall. Have to see how that goes!
ReplyDeleteKelly - I enjoyed A Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. 20th Century Ghosts was also good--a nice variety of different types of stories.
DeleteHearing lots of good things about The Fireman. I can feel myself wavering and adding this to my wish list.
ReplyDelete'Til Death Do Us Part doesn't however appeal to me that much.
Tracy - If you do decide to read The Fireman, I hope you like it.
DeleteI have and would like to get to Til Death Do Us Part soon. It seems like one I would very much enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to read The Fireman but after reading a small amount of the Heart Shaped Box by Hill, I don't know. Too dark for me, I think. Thanks for sharing these!
Rita - I really enjoyed it. More than I thought I might, even. I hope you will too when you get to it.
DeleteI thought The Heart-Shaped Box was darker than The Fireman, if that helps. I understand though. I liked The Heart-Shaped Box, but it was more on the horror side than I generally like.
Joe Hill is Stephen King's son, so his horror inflections aren't too surprising. I've tried to read 3 SK books and didn't finish any of them. Was curious about Joe Hill's though. Thanks, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteNicole - I've read other of Joe Hill's work and enjoyed them. I try not to compare him too often to his father because I'm sure he gets that a lot. He's definitely an author who doesn't need to stand on his father's coattails to go far. He's very talented in his own right.
DeleteBoth of these are appealing to me. I've not yet read any of Joe Hill's books, but just the description of this one reminded me of THE STAND, which is one of my favorite reads ever. And I've read lots of Amanda Quick/Jayne Ann Krentz books through the years. Know I'd like this one too. Thanks, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteKay - I had mixed feeling about The Stand, but enjoyed it overall. I think you might enjoy The Fireman. I hope to read my first Jayne Ann Krentz book soon (at least under that name). I am looking forward to it.
DeleteI thought 'Til Death Do Us Part was a very fun read...mostly because of her two characters: Trent and Calista. They made me laugh. :) I haven't ever read any of Hill's books.
ReplyDeleteLark - Trent and Calista were great characters. :-) I wouldn't mind inviting them to lunch.
DeleteI have been very curious about Fireman. Glad to hear that you liked it. The size of the book is making me not want to read it right away but maybe some day.
ReplyDeleteAthira - I read it during the July read-along, but it took me forever to get to my review (hence the mini review). I've been terrible about review writing as of late. It reads pretty fast despite the size, so don't let that put you off!
DeleteI'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the Amanda Quick book. Of all romance writers, she's one of my favorites. Her characters are always smart and like you said, always make a perfect team! I've read a lot of her books and always look forward to new books by her.
ReplyDeleteIliana - I am glad to hear it! I like her writing and definitely will be reading more by her in the future.
DeleteI've added both of these to my list. I like the mini reviews!
ReplyDeleteHeather - I hope you enjoy them if you read them, Heather!
DeleteI keep hearing about The Fireman but I haven't picked it up yet! I really should though, soon! Gonna see if I can place a hold on it using the library app(:
ReplyDeleteEustacia - It was an entertaining read :-)
DeleteBoth of these are on my TBR though to be honest I'll probably reach for the Amanda Quick book first. I used to read her ages ago and I really like her books under the Jayne Ann Krentz name.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I really enjoyed the Amanda Quick novel, especially. :-)
DeleteI've been on the fence about The Fireman, but your comparison to The Stand has me hooked. ;-)
ReplyDeleteStephanie - I think you might enjoy The Fireman if you liked the other.
DeleteThey both sound good! Till death do us part sounds a bit too creepy for my taste, but I like the sound of how atmospheric and romantic it is.
ReplyDeleteThe Fireman has an unique sounding set-up and I am glad to hear it was a good read and thought provoking!
Lola - Both were fun reads. I can see them being more fall-ish type reads though.
DeleteTil Death Do Us Part looks great! It reminds me of Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas, even if the plots look quite different :) Great books again, Wendy!! Thanks for the mini-reviews! :D
ReplyDeleteNina - I will have to look up Dreaming of You. I think I might like that one too!
DeleteJoe Hill is Stephen King's son. I loved his references to other books and songs too. I read it in July and have yet to review it. I liked it.
ReplyDeleteDebbie - I think we both read it for the read-along. :-)
DeleteI haven't read any Joe Hill so I don't know if this would sound silly, but I wasn't expecting you to say entertaining - I thought it an interesting idea but given what you've said I'm particularly intrigued. And yep, still liking the sound of the Quick.
ReplyDeleteCharlie - I suppose my description of the book doesn't make it sound like it would lean in that direction, but it did. At least for me.
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