Review: Flawless Execution: Use the Techniques and Systems of America's Fighter Pilots to Perform at Your Peak and Win the Battles of the Business World

Flawless Execution: Use the Techniques and Systems of America's Fighter Pilots to Perform at Your Peak and Win the Battles of the Business World by James D. Murphy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Had some good concepts and tools for being more effective in life and at work, but man alive did it drag on and on!

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Review: Tan­gled Schemes

Tan­gled Schemes by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was really awesome to get to see this character's perspective on things. It does make me sad to know that her sister is right there and she's unaware. I'm looking forward to when they're honest with each other and seeing how that plays out!

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Review: Tan­gled Dreams

Tan­gled Dreams by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

It was neat to read a story from these two Air elemental dwarves' perspectives. I'd like to know more about them both.

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Review: Venom

Venom by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great entry into the life and times of one Gin Blanco.

Good character development, nice setting up of future plots, relationship growth on both the romance and family front... overall, a really fun book.

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Review: Wasted

Wasted by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I do love me some Finn. I'd let him charm me, but alas, I don't think I'm his type. Though I certainly wouldn't mind helping him explore new avenues. :P

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Review: Web of Lies

Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gin Blanco is kickass. She knows it. Everyone else knows it. She makes a few mistakes in this one, but they end up with some positive results: (view spoiler)[the Foxes can keep their home/store! and stronger ice magic! and confirmation of the Mab Monroe killed her family theory! (hide spoiler)]

Solid entry. I've heard this series gets better and better. I'm having fun already, which means I'm in for a really great ride!

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Review: Twittering from the Circus of the Dead

Twittering from the Circus of the Dead by Joe Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, who knew you could tell such a story through tweets! Love Joe Hill!

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Review: Heaps of Pearl

Heaps of Pearl by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seriously one of the best meet-cutes I've read! I love those two!

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Review: Against the Grain

Against the Grain by Charlie Cochet
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was my least favorite of the series so far. Not because of the story -- the plot progression was actually pretty good -- but because of the annoying repetition of lust, feelings, etc. Over and over and over and over and over and OMG WE GET IT YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH HIM, THINK HE'S HOT, DON'T DESERVE HIM, etc.

The interesting plot twists (while predictable, still fun) are the only reason this got a "meh, not awful" three stars instead of a "seriously, you think this is worthy of an entry in your series?" two stars.

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Review: Web of Death

Web of Death by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

See, you can be an assassin and still be the "good guy," the "hero"... Gin has rules! And those rules include helping people in the clutches of evil, disgusting villains. :)

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Review: Spider's Bargain

Spider's Bargain by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

#byecliff #seeyawouldntwannabeya #karmaisabitchnamedthespider

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Review: Poison

Poison by Jennifer Estep
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Decent little short story from Finn's POV regarding his feelings about Gin joining the family!

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Review: The Fred Factor: How passion in your work and life can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary

The Fred Factor: How passion in your work and life can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by Mark Sanborn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This simple book really made me think. And it makes me want to be a better Fred!

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Review: Beyond the Ice Limit

Beyond the Ice Limit by Douglas Preston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finally, the sequel we've all been waiting for -- BEYOND THE ICE LIMIT! Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have already proven repeatedly that they know how to come up with a smart, believable thriller -- just take a look at their long-running Pendergast series and their large library of standalones (even more counting their solo novels!). This one is no exception. While there were a few things that were a little predictable upfront, the resulting chaos caused in the story certainly made that little bit of predictability less noticeable. For example, there's a moment when a lab sample seems to be missing some of the matter, it's pretty obvious what actually happened. And yeah, it turns out that is the case. But then what that leads to is crazy fun story -- I'm just glad I'm not on that ship in the middle of nowhere in that kind of pandemonium!!!

Overall, this was another solid entry into the Gideon Crew storyline, and a decent follow up to Preston & Child's hit The Ice Limit. I love that they even kept the name they gave the sequel in their Pendergast book Still Life with Crows. That being said, there is some predictability, some cheese, and the ending tied things up a little too quickly and without enough explanation for my tastes, so I give it four stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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