Hello everyone! Today I will be Reviewing both Book 1 & 2 in the Rose Gardner Mystery Series, written by Author Denise Grover Swank! I want to also thank ATOMR Book Blog Tours for letting me participate! So continue on reading below and thank you for stopping by!
Book 1: Twenty-Eight And A Half Wishes
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For Rose Gardner, working at the DMV on a Friday afternoon is bad even before she sees a vision of herself dead. She's had plenty of visions, usually boring ones like someone's toilet's overflowed, but she's never seen one of herself before. When her overbearing momma winds up murdered on her sofa instead, two things are certain: There isn't enough hydrogen peroxide in the state of Arkansas to get that stain out, and Rose is the prime suspect.
Rose realizes she's wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She's well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won't help with number fifteen-- do more with a man. Joe's new to town, but it doesn't take a vision for Rose to realize he's got plenty secrets of his own.
Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they'll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn't her biggest worry after all.
Winner of The Beacon 2010 Unpublished Division, Mainstream Category
Rose realizes she's wasted twenty-four years of living and makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt: twenty-eight things she wants to accomplish before her vision comes true. She's well on her way with the help of her next door neighbor Joe, who has no trouble teaching Rose the rules of drinking, but won't help with number fifteen-- do more with a man. Joe's new to town, but it doesn't take a vision for Rose to realize he's got plenty secrets of his own.
Somebody thinks Rose has something they want and they'll do anything to get it. Her house is broken into, someone else she knows is murdered, and suddenly, dying a virgin in the Fenton County jail isn't her biggest worry after all.
Winner of The Beacon 2010 Unpublished Division, Mainstream Category
Review
First, I want to say, I really, really enjoyed this first book. It absolutely stunned me. There are a few mysterious situations after chapter 1 and from then on, you will just be hooked, like I was. I love a good mystery read and this was wonderful. I have not really read any mytseries that take place in the South, but I now have a deep appreciation for them, especially this one. As I was reading, it’s like I can hear Rose Gardner’s southern accent, and the others that live in Henryetta, Arkansas.
The story itself is really intriguing. I always like to have an open mind when I read any story, so I was reading chapter 1, and was, okay, already trying to predict what may happen, but was actually shocked what did, and it was very unpredictable. There are a few mysterious discoveries that are in the story; one involving more about the death of Rose’s Mom, and more into Rose’s family.... Every chapter, there is definite humor here, and I could not get enough!
I loved the characters, including twenty-four year old Rose. She has an infectious personality. I like that this is from her POV, as from her voice, I have a better understanding what she went through as a child to her present time, and I felt for her, as it seems like it was no picnic dealing with her Mother. Also, Rose has some sort of vision that is really intriguing to read about, and adds to her character. I like that she finally stands up for herself, makes decisions without anyone caring, and I really saw her grow up into more of an adult, from a sheltered and strict household. Other characters, including Joe were wonderfully written, and I felt that ok there was going to be a romance between these two, there just has to be, but there’s something mysterious about Joe (who happens to live next door to Rose) that has you thinking if he is right for Rose or not. For some reason, I got a Desperate Housewives vibe when I thought about the neighbors, especially Rose living next to Joe situation. Anyways, you just have to read this novel and find out yourself what happens to them! Lastly, I just want to write that this was a creative, and again, wonderfully written story, and I’m so excited to read the next book in Swank’s series. This Novel I definitely recommend!
My Rating: 4.7/5
I would say a more Mature PG-13 Rating.
Book 2: Twenty-Nine And A Half Reasons
When Rose reports for Fenton County jury duty she figures she’s lucky to get out of a morning working at the DMV. Instead, despite a disastrous encounter with the new assistant district attorney, Mason Deveraux, she’s picked as a juror on a murder case. As the trial progresses, she realizes an ominous vision she had in the men’s restroom proves the defendant is innocent. And there’s not a cotton picking thing she can do about it.
Or is there?
As if things weren’t bad enough, Rose’s older sister Violet is going through a mid-life crisis. Violet insists that Rose stop seeing her sexy new boyfriend, Arkansas state detective Joe Simmons and date other men. Rose is done letting people boss her around, but she can’t commit to Joe either. Still, Rose isn’t about to let the best thing in her life slip away.
Or is there?
As if things weren’t bad enough, Rose’s older sister Violet is going through a mid-life crisis. Violet insists that Rose stop seeing her sexy new boyfriend, Arkansas state detective Joe Simmons and date other men. Rose is done letting people boss her around, but she can’t commit to Joe either. Still, Rose isn’t about to let the best thing in her life slip away.
Review
"Crappy Doodles!" this second book is a definite must read! If you have read the first book, then this one is next. If you have not read the first book, then I encourage you to, as this is an another excellent mystery/romantic story that follows up the events from the end of the first one. The story here is also intriguing once again. There is a new feeling to it as there is a new relationship (Rose & Joe!) and you see how they're doing after over a month of dating. We read the mysterious aspect and that is when Rose reports for Jury Duty and literally bumps into the arrogant Mason Deveraux. Hmm something tells me we will read more of him. He himself was an interestingly written character, and I would love to read more about him. Anyways, ok so Rose is a Jury Member. The suspect (Bruce) is in question for a murder, that some are convinced that he did commit. This brings Rose into curiosity as from a vision she had, she believes him to not have committed the crime, but will everyone else agree with her, especially Deveraux? Just how far will Rose go, to prove that Bruce is innocent? Hmmm... Along this, there are other family situations that occur between Rose and her sister. We also will know some interesting facts about the reclusive Joe Simmons!
The characters again were spot on; written wonderfully. We definitely see Rose a good different type of character; in ways different from the first book. She is more independent, but at the same time not so sure about a few things, including her relationship with Joe. There are tender, loving moments between these two, and you just know they are meant to be, but other people might not think so; just read and see! All in all I was very happy with this second book; there was a good flow again, and I simply cannot wait to read a third book!
My Rating: 4.8/5
A More Mature PG-13 Rating
Author Bio
Denise is a single mom who lives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri raising five of her six kids. (The oldest has gone off to live on his own.) She loves to embarrass her children whether it be spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen or making her teens’ friends think she’s funny/cool. *gasp* (Even if its in her own mind.) On rare occasions, she is known to post stories about her crazy life on her family blog There’s Always Room for One More.She keeps her sanity by creating worlds to escape to and characters to hang out with.
Thank you for hosting me today! I'm so glad you loved both books!
ReplyDeleteThank you; I loved hosting! I really enjoyed your books; Rose is an awesome and unique main character and I really cannot wait for a third book :)
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