Review: Totally Killer

Totally Killer by Greg Olear is the story of Taylor Schmidt, a 23 year old from Missouri who came to New York in search of her fortune. But this is set in 1991, where unemployment was the norm – especially for a recent college graduate with a meager resume. The narrator, Todd Lander (who is Taylor’s roommate), takes us back to 1991 to tell the story of Taylor’s final months. That’s right, I said final months. Poor Taylor is dead.

Taylor spends a lot of time in employment agencies trying to find the perfect job. Unfortunately there isn’t a whole lot out there for her. When a post card for the Quid Pro Quo agency turns up in her mail, a desperate Taylor decides to give it a shot. The agency finds Taylor the perfect job – but the repayment is…totally killer. Taylor gets sucked right into the game. This book combines a murder mystery (how did Taylor die!? Who killed her?!) with conspiracy theory. It is intriguing in a way that makes you not want to go to work and keep reading.

While I never thought too much about the 90’s (especially 1991 – I was 12!), it was awesome to hear about it. Olear obviously did his research – or just vividly remembers the early 90’s! The slacker mentality, the ‘fashion,’ the music, all comes alive with his descriptions. The characters and the conspiracies keep you tied into this quick moving story.

If you are looking for a fun read – this book is Totally Killer, dude!!

Review: The Ice Chorus

The quote on the cover of The Ice Chorus by Sarah Stonich was the first thing that hooked me. “Any woman who ever had her heart cracked open by a man should read The Ice Chorus.” Wow, right??

The Ice Chorus is a story about Lise, a woman who is finding herself. She married young, and married the wrong man. While life with her husband hasn’t been horrible – she has a wonderful son – it hasn’t been happy or filled with love. While in Mexico, Lise meets another man – a man who changes everything.

The story is set in Ireland, where Lise goes to find herself and reexamine her life. It tells the story of her marriage, her affair, and even parts of her childhood through flashbacks. This story is so vivid – you can smell the salt in the air, you can see the sunset off the beaches of Mexico. There are so many different kinds of relationships, mother and son, husband and wife, new love, friendship, and each one is believable. The characters are so strong and every one is important to the movement of the story.

I don’t think you need to have had your heart cracked open to read and appreciate this novel. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a good love story.

Thank you so much to Sarah Stonich for sending me a copy of this book!!!

And the winner is...

Congratulations to...

Rebekah!!!!

I've sent you an email for you to send me your snail mail address!! Congrats - I hope you love this book, too!!!

I have a couple reviews in the works right now! I just finished an amazing novel called The Ice Chorus by Sarah Stonich, and am in the middle of a thriller called Totally Killer by Greg Olear. I can't wait to get those reviews up for you - so keep your eyes out!!!

Thanks again for reading!!!