Melody's Reading Corner: Anthology

Showing posts with label Anthology. Show all posts

Short Story Peril: Me & Mr. Rafferty by Lee Child

Melody

ISBN-13: 9781408807583
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Published: September 2010
Source: Personal Library

Me & Mr. Rafferty by Lee Child (The Dark End of the Street: New Stories of Sex and Crime)

When I saw the list of authors' names printed on this anthology, I just knew I have to get it. Well how could you possibly say no to big authors like Lee Child, Laura Lippman, Joyce Carol Oates and Francine Prose (just to name a few)? I know I couldn't, so there you go.

Me & Mr. Rafferty is actually the fourth story in this volume, and Lee Child is the main reason why I jumped into this story instead of starting from the first because I enjoyed reading Killing Floor, which is the first book of his Jack Reacher's series.

I have to say that Me & Mr. Rafferty is somewhat slow paced as compared to Killing Floor, and I don't meant it as a bad thing considering that the tone and the writing style is totally different. Killing Floor is intense, explosive and very action-oriented, whereas I find Me & Mr. Rafferty is more focused on the build up, as if Lee Child wanted us to take the time in exploring the narrator's thoughts and getting to understand him better. And in my opinion I think this approach is simply fantastic because you absolutely have no idea who the nameless narrator is except that he kills and his victims are often associated with prostitution. And he loves playing hide and seek games with a detective named Mr. Rafferty.

And I confess: It is about more than just equilibrium and partnership. It is about the contest. Me and Mr. Rafferty. Him against me. Who will win? (Pg 61)

As much as this is a mystery, what made this story such a delightful read is Lee Child's writing style and the satire behind it. In the end it was the overall reading experience that overrides the feelings of finding out who won eventually and to me, that is the real satisfying treat.

Labels: 4.25 stars, Anthology, Book Review, Mysteries, RIP V Challenge, Short Stories 6 comments |

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle

Melody

ISBN-13: 9780142414996
Publisher: Speak, Penguin Group
Published: 2009
352 pgs

I am in the mood of reading a holiday theme book, so when I saw this on the shelves I know I have to read it (plus Nymeth had read and loved it).

The first story is The Jubilee Express by Maureen Johnson; it is about a girl named Jubilee Dougal (she has issues over her name) and one day she find herself in a train journey to Florida for a stay with her grandparents because her parents are taken into custody over the Flobie Santa Village (a series of collectable ceramic pieces that can put together to form a town and her parents are a huge fan of them) incident. Jubilee is stumped because that means her plans to celebrate the holidays with her boyfriend, Noah, is spoiled. But the worse is to come when there are problems with the train and she is stuck at a Waffle House together with fourteen overly enthusiastic cheerleaders and there she befriended Jeb (who is also travelling on the same train as her), a man dressed in tinfoil and Stuart, a boy covered in plastic bags. I will not elaborate further, but just want to say this is a heartwarming tale that leave a cozy feeling in my heart. I liked how Jubilee and Stuart are connected, and I am sure their encounter will bring a smile to your face.

The second story is A Cheertastic Christmas by John Green. John is the only author I have read among all in this novella and after reading Looking for Alaska and enjoying it, I really look forward to reading the rest of his books. In this story, John focus the relationship of three friends (two boys and a girl) and how a trip to the Waffle House in a blizzard will change their outlook of life and a new love to blossom along the way. I had fun reading this story because some parts are hilarious, and I find it romantic reading about friends turning to lovers. Though I enjoyed reading this little story, I think it lacks a little of a cozy feeling but that is just me.

And last of all, The Patron Saint of Pigs by Lauren Myracle left a big smile to my face because it is about a reconciliation between a couple and a teacup piglet. Addie is feeling heartbroken over her breakup with Jeb, and she thinks there will be no future between her and Jeb until an incident (and a miracle) happens that involved a teacup piglet.

Let it Snow is a wonderful holiday theme anthology that really captures the spirit of the holiday season, but what I loved most is the novellas are interconnected (be it characters or settings) and each novella has great characterizations. I liked reading the different personalities of these protagonists and how they deal under difficult situations. This anthology is more than a romance stories to me as it also focus on friendships, connections and well, it is also about finding one's self. I am amazed by the three authors for connecting these stories so well that sometimes I forgot they are merely novellas. I enjoyed reading all three, but I have to say The Jubilee Express remains my favourite.

Other reviews:

Becky's Book Reviews
Fyrefly's Book Blog
Things Mean A Lot
(Let me know if I missed yours.)

Labels: 4 stars, Anthology, Book Review, Christmas, Young Adult 17 comments |

Christmas Getaway

Melody

ISBN-13: 9780373837298
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: November 2008
282 pgs

From the backcover:

Take Eloise. First she's kidnapped by Santa, and now she's camping out in an abandoned lighthouse with the most infuriatingly intoxicating cop she's ever met. Is she sleeping with the enemy…or the man destined to make her Mrs. Claus?

Meanwhile Jean is abducted to a remote ranch, stuck teaching a handsome Texas Ranger how to enjoy a little sensual Christmas cheer.

And Molly? Her nuptials are shot up and her fiancé's a no-show, but when she arrives at a supposedly private Australian hideaway to recoup, she's not alone… and the heat is enough to melt the mere memory of a white Christmas.

Three women, connected by friendship and fate, are taking cover…with men sexy enough to unwrap!

Claus and Effect by Anne Stuart

Boston Police officer James "Fitz" Fitzpatrick is on the run after he has shot another cop out of defense. His ex-partner, Barber was involved in covering up a multimillion-dollar jewel robbery and he and the others have every intention of getting rid of Fitz. Fitz thought Dr. Eloise Pollar will provide all the answers to the mess he had stumbled into, after all he has seen her attending to Erica's funeral, whom he believed Erica and her husband were both dead due to the connection of the robbery case.

Meanwhile, Eloise is busily preparing for her wedding to Richard and having her wedding dress altered at a mall when there is an emergency evacuation. During the chaos, someone dressed as Santa abducts her. Eloise did not think it is funny to be abducted by Santa, but after she found out he was shot and apparently on the run, she stayed with him despite the danger. After all, she is a doctor and making sure her patients are well and alive is her job. Although she did manage to help Fitz about his gunshot wounds, but could she help herself from falling in love with him?

Caught at Christmas by Tina Leonard

Librarian Jean Norville is the maid of honor of Molly, her best friend's marriage at the Southfork Texas Wedding Chapel. However, chaos broke when shots are fired and everyone scrambled for safety. It seems that the Boston's IA Department is investigating the possibility that Connor O'Bannion, Molly's husband-to-be, and the other cop and a few other bad cops got wind of a diamond theft and in the takedown killed the real thief and kept the stones for themselves. Molly's handsome brother, Sam Broadbent who is a Texas Ranger offers to protect Jean and leads her away from the chaotic scene. Jean does not need any help from anyone but Sam thinks otherwise, not after she has accidentally walked into O'Bannion heated telephone coversation with someone.

They then meets Len Hughes, a helpful trucker after their car's tyre had been hit and he gives them a ride and offer an accommodation at his cabin. Jean could run away from whoever someone who is after her but could she run away from a sexy ranger like Sam, after all the attraction they have for each other?

Candy Canes and Crossfire by Marion Lennox

Sam Broadbent's sister, Molly is getting all ready for her marriage to Connor O'Bannion at the Southfork Texas Wedding Chapel but unfortunately, her wedding ceremony is disrupted by gunfire. In truth, Molly could see little point to this wedding. Although she and O'Bannion had been together for three years, she felt she knew very little of him except that he is a cop with the Boston P.D., and that they have to get married if he is to move up in the force. As for Molly, being a corporate lawyer she is aware that having a partner in her life would make her seem reliable and respectable in her profession.

Meanwhile, Joe Cartland did not want to do anything with Christmas or weddings but when her nephew and nieces bribed him into attending O'Bannion's wedding, who happens to be their late father's cousin, he has no choice but to agree, after all he is their only uncle. And it proved that his attendance is a bad choice when there is a gunfire and he has to knock someone down in the middle of the rosebushes to keep her from being shot.

As much as he wanted to keep Molly out of harm's way, Joe needed to get his nephew and nieces out of the place so they agree to find refuge at their parents' holiday house in Queensland, Australia. However, someone also told Molly that there is a house vacant in Australia and perhaps she could go there as a recoup from this unfortunate event.

Could Joe and Molly stay peacefully under one roof, together with his three preadolescent nephew and nieces?

* * *

Christmas Getaway consists of three inter-related novellas about three different women finding their true love during their 'escapade'. Although I enjoyed reading all three novellas, there is not enough intense and chemistry between the characters but I understand this is only an anthology and it would be unfair to compare this with other novels with more well-developed characters and plots. I have to say Anne Stuart's Clause and Effect stood out from the others because her story is fast-paced and humourous. Christmas Getaway is a fun and entertaining read and it is a good book to curl up with during this festive season.

Note: I want to thank Alice for agreeing to read this anthology with me. As usual, it was fun and I am looking forward to reading more books with her (and Julia) in the near future!

Merry Christmas to all!