Time To Do The Hop.... The Book Blogger Hop... With A Twist!

It's that time again.... time for the weekly Book Blogger Hop!  Brought to you by Jennifer at Crazy For Books, this is a fun way to get to know other book bloggers.

This week Jennifer has added a "twist" to our weekly fun.... now we have to answer her "question of the week".

This week's question is:  "Tell us your name and why you started blogging".  So, here goes nothin':

My name is Jeanne.  I started blogging because I had heard so much hype about it.... the posts, the following, the comraderie... I wanted to see what it was all about.  At first I thought, "what could I possibly have to say that people would actually want read about?"  Then I thought, "duh.... BOOKS!"  I've loved reading ever since my kindergarten teacher put that first book in my hands, and I haven't looked back since.  I love talking about books I've read, books I want to read, and even books I don't want to read!  But, since nobody in my household ever even looks at a book, I don't have anyone to tell these things to.  So I started this blog in hopes of finding a kindred spirit out there who feels as passionate about books as I do!

I am so thrilled with the direction my blog has taken, and am awed by the amount of followers I now have!  It is truly awesome that there are folks out there who are interested in my opinions.  It's humbling, and I appreciate all of you who take time out of your day to read my posts.

I hope you all have a great 4th of July weekend!

Enjoy all of the festivities, and BE SAFE!!

And, as always....

Happy Reading!

Review: A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams

A Killer Plot  by Ellery Adams is a brand new "Books By The Bay" mystery.

Oyster Bay is a small town located on the coast of North Carolina.  Home to Olivia Limoges, a well-to-do reclusive type who keeps to herself, and her trusty standard poodle, Captain Haviland.

In the midst of writing her first novel, Olivia is struggling with writer's block.  When she meets Camden Ford, a member of the Bayside Book Writers club, he convinces her to join the group and make friends with other aspiring authors.  But when Cam is found dead in an alley with a haiku poem nearby, the new friends set out for justice.  Soon, another murder has occurred and it seems that the killer is out for his own justice.

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The mystery itself was an enjoyable one.  The story line was good.  But (I know... a big BUT here)... I did not like Olivia's character in the least.  Yes, she was standoff-ish and reclusive, so of course someone like that can come off as kind of snobby.  But I felt she was over the top.  She has a lot of money, and owns half of the town's buildings.  She owns the most exclusive 5-star restaurant in town, The Boot Top.  She was portrayed as being "entitled" to do the things she does.  For example, she takes her standard poodle (which is not a small dog) with her wherever she goes.  Restaurants, the police station, the bookstore, etc.  And it seems that she feels that Captain Haviland (love the name!) should be welcomed with open arms in these establishments. 

Another example of Olivia's "haughtiness" would be that she parks her car wherever she likes.  Handicap spots, the mayor's reserved spots, even in fire lanes.  There is reference at one point in the book that Haviland is a "workin' dog" and Olivia has "a whole list of disabilities", giving the dog the right to be in the diner where Olivia's friend is a waitress.  But no other reference was made to these so called "disabilities", so I wasn't sure if she really has them, or if Dixie the waitress was trying to defend her choice of allowing the dog inside.  That part really confused me.  But it could lend credence to why Olivia parks her car where she does, and why the dog is allowed in all of these public places.  It was left kind of ambivalent.

As far as the dog, Captain Haviland.... I loved him!  He's almost human in the way Olivia relates to him and treats him.  He definitely lives up to the nomer of "man's (or woman's in this case) best friend".  He is obedient and loyal, and I would love to see how the author is going to develop the Captain's character even further.  The dog is really what had me turning the pages in this one.

Bottom line:  I liked this book.  As I mentioned above, the story line and mystery were good!  I just wasn't crazy about Olivia Limoges' portrayal.  That wouldn't keep me from reading about her further adventures with Haviland.  I think it's good sometimes for authors to create characters who are dis-likable.  I feel like it kind of broadened my horizons as a reader.  After all, it isn't all sunshine and lollipops in this world.  There are lots of people who come across others on a day-to-day basis that they may not be crazy about.  That's what makes the world go 'round. 

And after reading A Killer Plot, I realized that that's what makes the literary world go 'round, too!  I discovered that not every mystery hero/heroine I come across is someone I would want to be best friends with.  Maybe in future "Books By The Bay" mysteries, I will grow to really like Olivia, and figure out what makes her the way she is.  Or maybe not.  Maybe she'll be one of those characters I love to hate.  Either way, I look forward to finding out.



******this book was graciously sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way to write a positive review... just an honest one.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.