Review: Survival of the Fritters by Ginger Bolton

Survival of the Fritters

By: Ginger Bolton

Series: Deputy Donut Mystery

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Length: 303 pages

Synopsis From Goodreads:

Emily Westhill runs the best donut shop in Fallingbrook, Wisconsin, alongside her retired police chief father-in-law and her tabby Deputy Donut. But after murder claims a favorite customer, Emily can’t rely on a sidekick to solve the crime—or stay alive.

If Emily has learned anything from her past as a 911 operator, it’s to stay calm during stressful situations. But that’s a tall order when one of her regulars, Georgia Treetor, goes missing. Georgia never skips morning cappuccinos with her knitting circle. Her pals fear the worst—especially Lois, a close friend who recently moved to town. As evening creeps in, Emily and the ladies search for Georgia at home. And they find her—murdered among a scattering of stale donuts . . .

Disturbingly, Georgia’s demise coincides with the five-year anniversary of her son’s murder, a case Emily’s late detective husband failed to solve before his own sudden death. With Lois hiding secrets and an innocent man’s life at stake, Emily’s forced to revisit painful memories on her quest for answers. Though someone’s alibi is full of holes, only a sprinkling of clues have been left behind. And if Emily can’t trace them back to a killer in time, her donut shop will end up permanently closed for business . . .

My Review:

Rating:

***I received this copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.***

When I read the synopsis for this book it sounded like it could be a cute, funny mystery novel. The title had this adorable appeal, that had you expecting this suspenseful mystery with a twist of humor. However, I was slightly disappointed once I started reading it, the dialogue was awkward and I had a hard time staying engrossed in the story. 

This novel follows the owner of Deputy Donut, a police themed donut/coffee shop, as she tries to solve the murder of one of her customers; a Mrs. Georgia Treetor. She investigates the crime with the help of her new neighbor and Georgia's old friend Lois, as well as her cat and coffee shop mascot, Dep. 

This story had so much potential and while it started out interesting the further on I read the more I lost interest. There were many moments in which I felt the story wasn't progressing and aside from Emily, we never really got to know any of the other characters. And even Emily's character wasn't quite developed. The dialogue seemed to be lacking in personality as well. There were many conversations between Emily and her friends or family that seemed awkward. Unfortunately, those awkward conversations really took away from the story.

Now while the dialogue and character development were lacking at times, Ginger Bolton did a remarkable job describing the scenery. You could really picture the Deputy Donut shop, Emily's home and the conjuncture in which Emily and Lois's home were connected. Those descriptions really helped bring the story to life. 

I am glad I got the opportunity to read and review this book, the cover was absolutely adorable and is what honestly drew me in. I can't saw that I would read any more of the series as it just did not hold my interest, unfortunately. 

Published by: K

Review: See Me by Nicholas Sparks

See Me

By: Nicholas Sparks

Genre: Romance

Length: 486 pages

Synopsis From Goodreads:

See me just as I see you . . .

Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot. With a history of violence and bad decisions behind him and the threat of prison dogging his every step, he's determined to walk a straight line. To Colin, that means applying himself single-mindedly toward his teaching degree and avoiding everything that proved destructive in his earlier life. Reminding himself daily of his hard-earned lessons, the last thing he is looking for is a serious relationship.

Maria Sanchez, the hardworking daughter of Mexican immigrants, is the picture of conventional success. With a degree from Duke Law School and a job at a prestigious firm in Wilmington, she is a dark-haired beauty with a seemingly flawless professional track record. And yet Maria has a traumatic history of her own, one that compelled her to return to her hometown and left her questioning so much of what she once believed.

A chance encounter on a rain-swept road will alter the course of both Colin and Maria's lives, challenging deeply held assumptions about each other and ultimately, themselves. As love unexpectedly takes hold between them, they dare to envision what a future together could possibly look like . . . until menacing reminders of events in Maria's past begin to surface.

Rich in emotion and fueled with suspense, SEE ME reminds us that love is sometimes forged in the crises that threaten to shatter us . . . and that those who see us for who we truly are may not always be the ones easiest to recognize.

My Review:

Rating:

First I must apologize from being absent for so long; this year has been busier than expected with my best friends wedding, family reunion and my cousin moving in for her last year of school, I haven't had much time for reading. And being as I haven't had much time for reading I have found myself in bit of a slump. Every book I had picked up just was not holding my interest, that is until I started reading See Me by Nicholas Sparks. 

Nicholas Sparks' books have always been able to pull me out of my reading slumps, I don't know what it is exactly I just know that once I start reading I have a difficult time putting the book down. See Me was no different, I didn't want to put it down. 

See Me follows the newly developing relationship of Maria Sanchez and Colin Hancock, two unlikely people who develop a love for one another through trying times. 

Sparks has this amazing way of writing that just captures your heart and has you hooked to the lives of these characters. You find yourself engrossed in this epic love story that many crave. 

I love the way Nicholas Sparks captures this beautiful relationship while also adding a pinch of mystery. He intertwined the two genres perfectly without it being cheesy. At every turn he had you wondering who the real culprit was and what they really wanted from Maria. He worked his magic and wrote a beautifully captivating love story. And the thing I love most about his books is that these stories seem so real, he truly puts his heart and soul into every word and every detail. 

So I must say a big thank you to Nicholas Sparks for helping me escape my reading slump!! I can't wait to read more of your books. 

If you haven't already read this book I would definitely take the time to sit and enjoy this story, Nicholas Sparks has done a remarkable job yet again!! 

Published by: K