Straight forward medical suspense novel: Lethal Remedy by Richard L. Mabry

October 2011; Abingdon Press; 9781426735448 
audio, ebook, print (288 pages); suspense

by Donna Huber


After getting my Nook, I signed up for Netgalley.com. It is a place where reviewers can request ARCs from publishers. I browsed through the list of books (it's a bit overwhelming) and came across a Christian medical suspense novel. I'm always trying to find new Christian books that aren't romances so I thought I would give it a try. I was not disappointed. 


Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

If you combined the medical investigations of House with the amateur sleuthing of Diagnosis Murder, Christian principles of Facing the Giants, and the feel-good vibes of a Hallmark movie in written form, you would have Lethal Remedy. All the things I best liked from the shows/movies were rolled up in this book. The writing style was excellent, making it an easy and relatively quick read. The mystery elements were just enough to keep you intrigued, while not making you have to think super hard to follow along. For a mystery/suspense lover, Lethal Remedy would be a wonderful beach read, unfortunately, you have to wait until October to get your copy.


I made a rather odd observation while reading this medical story. I read a lot of medical set stories (the possible tragedy, the compassion of the characters in such a setup, etc always seems to draw me in). I don't know why I have been taking note of this because it is just odd. But in several recent stories that I have read there has been a similar phrase. If the patient has an IV it is always noted when someone would hold the patient's hand they were careful (or similar phrasing) of the IV. It was mentioned at least twice in this book. I just find it funny that authors would add in this detail.


My only complaint with Lethal Remedy... I didn't feel the author tied up the storyline about the digital recorder well enough. Maybe it was a plot point that was supposed to distract the reader from what was really happening in the story, but I would have liked for it to have been resolved a bit more.


Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Lethal Remedy. It's probably a book I would read again. It was a nice change from the pulse racing, blood pumping thrillers I had been reading. But at the same time, it engaged me in a good whodunit plot line. I recommend this book to any reader who likes a bit lighter mystery/suspense novel.

*Note: I sent my review to the publisher prior to it appearing on my blog. I received an email from the author Richard Mabry. In the email, he addressed my concern over the digital recorder and said in the final version there is more resolution to this point. I thank Dr. Mabry for taking the time to email me.

Buy Lethal Remedy at Amazon

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Tips on Thursday

 

During Armchair BEA there was a day were bloggers shared tips and tricks that were really helpful. Also I'm part of a Twitter group that share ideas, opinion, and tips useful to book bloggers. I know a lot of bloggers out there have information they can share with their fellow bloggers so I have started a weekly Tips on Thursday meme. Link to any post (recent or not so recent) on your blog that provides helpful information to book bloggers.  

One of the best tips I have received was from Cait of The Cait Files. In a #BookBlogHelp chat she mentioned that it is a good idea to leave a link to you blog in the comments you leave on other blogs. I tried it out last week. I did not know how to make the link clickable and again Cait walked me through it. It is a simple piece of html code.

<a href=URL> Text to appear </a>

In place of URL you put the full address to your blog. For me it would be http://girl-who-reads.blogspot.com. In the "text to appear" space you type whatever you want to be visible. I use Girl Who Reads (works as a signature and also is the name of my blog). Now Girl Who Reads will be a clickable link in the comment.

I really think it has helped send traffic to my blog. I know that I am more likely to visit someone's blog if all I have to do is click the link. Also I often read the comments left on other blogs and will follow links left in the comment section.

I hope this is helpful for you. Do you have a tip or trick to share? Link to a post on your blog or leave a comment with a tip (remember to practice making a clickable link). If you have questions or want an opinion on book blogging, you can use the hashtag #bookbloghelp on Twitter where several book bloggers meet up for impromptu, informal chats about book blogging.

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Waiting on...

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly awaiting. I won't be doing this every week, just when a book I'm particularly excited about announces its release date or book cover.

K. B Hoyle revealed on her blog On Alitheia the cover for the third novel in the series Monday. You may remember I reviewed the first two in the series - The Six and The Oracle - early in my blogging days. I absolutely fell in love with the series. 

K. B. Hoyle's  The Gateaway Chronicles is a modern day, set in the US, Chronicles of Narnia type series for young adults, but highly enjoyed by adults, too. The White Thread is due out Fall 2011.

I highly recommend you start reading the series now so you will be ready to jump right into the continuing tale of 6 kids (now high school students), a prophecy, and a race to save Alitheia. I wonder if Darcy's feelings have changed for the prince. I'm sure he has grown up a lot (I think he will be much more man than boy in this book) while she has been away for Alitheia. I also hope we get a glimpse at least at Yahto Veli. Just thinking about the wonderful story that Hoyle is weaving together makes me all excited and wanting to pull out my copy of The Six to once again enter Alitheia. 

Why did I choose this book? It Had To Be You

It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars, #1) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
audio book, Narrator Anna Fields
Published 1996 by Book on Tape
ISBN 9781415944967
Listened May 2011


I can't remember why I chose to listen to this book. I'm not sure what drew me to it. I was looking for another fun chick-lit type novel, but this is more of a romance novel. 


First of all, the story was slow to get started. I thought it was ironic that it started out at a funeral since the last audio book I listened to also started at a funeral. Heading into chapter 4, I was skeptical if I would make it to the end. The story finally picked up once Phoebe arrived in Chicago and started running the Chicago Stars. I, also, had trouble listening to narrator. Her voice grated on my nerves a bit; though, I did become accustomed to it. And I found some of the male football player voices comical.


Now that I've gotten the negative aspects out of my system on to what I liked about the book. You can't help feel for Phoebe. She is an abuse survivor, but because no one helped her with the trauma her coping mechanisms are a bit screwed up. She plays the part of dimwitted bimbo because she thinks that is what is expected of her. And honestly, after years of being told as much it is easier to fill the role than try to change others' minds. Understanding why she is the way she is doesn't keep you from wanting to shake her and tell her to stop the act. Her growth as a character is well done in the book and it is rewarding to see her thrive when provided the right encouragement and environment.


Dan is your typical male. Though he does try to do the right thing, sometimes his maleness just gets in the way. I wanted to shake him a time or two - Don't you see the scared little hurt girl? I wanted to ask him. When he starts to learn of Phoebe's past, he sheds the tough guy routine and hurts along side her. He is tender and caring, just what Phoebe needs to learn that not all men are bad.


The younger sister Molly is a side story. At first I thought her purpose was to show that Phoebe was wrong about her father not loving her, but soon you realized that he is even more unloving. He pitted the two sisters against each while destroying each in turn. The interactions between Molly and Dan also serve to show that he isn't really your typical football guy, but can be a truly wonderful father figure.


There was several sex scenes in this book and pretty detailed. Since it's an audio book, I couldn't easily skip over it. The first sex scene made sense to be a bit detailed. Having suffered sexual assault in the past, it was important to relaying Phoebe's emotional and mental reaction. However, the other two scenes I could have done without the detail. 


Though I enjoyed the story and connected with the characters, the amount of sex will keep me from continuing with this series (which from my Left Behind post you know is very hard for me. Even now I'm wondering what's next for these two).

What am I reading?

 

It's Monday! So it is time for What Are You Reading? Last week, I finished up a couple of books. So I found myself starting the weekend with a whole new crop of stories.

Print books

Sebastian and the Afterlife by William j. Barry
Though fantasy isn't typically my thing, I'm enjoying Sebastian and the Afterlife. It has a Harry Potter like feel to it.

From GoodReads.com  Sebastian awakes to find himself in a mystical realm somewhere between the living and the dead. Unspeakable dangers lurk in this realm. The Grim Reaper and his loyal agents work to maintain the law, as the threat of soul pirates (the wicked harvesters of spirit energy) has been on the rise. The infamous leader of the pirates, Axis Red, has a treacherous plan to take over the realm and set himself as the supreme authority.

While Sebastian and his new-found friends learn to cope with the wonders and perils of this strange spirit realm, Sebastian finds himself longing for his lost love Sarah, who is still alive in the mortal world. Some things are forbidden; some lines cannot be crossed. What will Sebastian risk to be close to her again? Join them on the journey of a lifetime and beyond

Vaccine-nation: Poisoning the Population, One Shot at a Time by Andrea Moritz
I'm still plugging along with this book. I try to read a bit of it each day.

From GoodReads.com  Author of a dozen books, including the bestselling Timeless Secrets of Rejuvenation and Health and Cancer is Not a Disease, Andreas Moritz takes on yet another controversial subject, this time to expose the Vaccine Myth. In Vaccine-nation, Moritz unravels the mother of all vaccine lies - that vaccines are safe and they prevent disease.

On my Nook

Lies Inside by Lindsey Gray
I have wanted to read this book since before it came out

From GoodReads.com  How do you say goodbye to the love of your life when you are only twelve years old? Finn O’Malley and Lucy Butler had to figure out how to do just that as Finn left his home in Clarkstown, New York for Two Roads School of Music in California. Being a young talented musician, Finn thought it best for his future but wasn’t sure about leaving Lucy behind.

Now, just one semester short of graduation and a promising future at UCLA, he throws it all away to return home. This leaves his family and friends questioning why.

The Finn that has returned home is not the same boy who left. He’s broken and withdrawn. Lucy and his sister Rylan want nothing more than to bring back the Finn they know and love.

From the moment Finn reconnects with Lucy, he feels the one thing he hasn’t felt in years—hope. As Lucy starts to bring him out of his shell, Finn begins to realize what real love really is.

When his past collides with his future, how will Finn deal with the love he needs and the love he despises? Can Lucy help heal what lies inside?

Audio Book

I haven't found anything that tickled my fancy and was AVAILABLE at the digital library in audio books. I'm on the waiting list for Water like Elephants and The Peach Keeper.

That is what I'm reading this week. How about you? What's keeping you entertained this week?

In My May Mailbox

 

 In My Mailbox is a meme started by The Story Siren. I really like the graphic and since I received several books this month in both the mailbox at the end of my driveway and the one that resides in cyberspace I thought I would participate. I will probably only do this meme once a month. Click on the graphic above to learn more about In My Mailbox.

I love getting books in the mail. I get a lot of requests for reviews, so sometimes I forget what is coming. It's a wonderful surprise and so much better than the bills! These are the books that showed up in my mailbox this month:
Plain Jane by Schledia Benefield
Tribulation Point by Ricci Lane
Dance Lessons by Aine Greaney (if you didn't read her guest post on Wednesday, you should go read it now).

See that white box poking out the back of the picture? That's my newest toy and I love it! I still really like reading traditional print books, but the convenience of the Nook can't be beat. I had it with me on Saturday while shopping. I was standing in a long line for the dressing room, so I pulled out my Nook and read several pages of my book.

I've always accepted ebooks, but now with my Nook, I'm accepting more. I signed up on Netgalley.com, too. I received my first two requests from Netgalley this month. Here is a look at what I have received in my email box this month:

Lethal Remedy by Richard L. Mabry

From Goodreads.com  Dr. Sara Miles’s teenage patient is on the brink of death from an overwhelming, highly resistant infection  with Staph luciferus, known to doctors as “the killer.” Only an experimental antibiotic, developed and administered by Sara’s ex-husband, Dr. Jack Ingersoll, can save the girl's life.

Seeking to put his life back together after the death of his wife, Dr. John Ramsey joins the medical center faculty staff. But his decision to do so could prove to be costly and even fatal.

Potentially lethal late effects from the experimental drug send Sara and her colleague, Dr. Rip Pearson, on a hunt for hidden critical data that will let them reverse the changes before it’s too late. What is the missing puzzle piece? And who is hiding it? 

The First Victim by J. B. Lynn
Steven George & the Dragon by Nathan Everett

I've also visited my digital library for audio books, purchased a book at the bookstore, and downloaded Nook freebies this month:

The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker
Twenties Girl  by Sophie Kinsella

It had to be you by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

From Goodreads.com  The Windy City isn't quite ready for Phoebe Somerville -- the outrageous, curvaceous New York knockout who has just inherited the Chicago Stars football team. And Phoebe is definitely not prepared for the Stars' head coach Dan Celebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. Celebow is everything Phoebe abhors. And the sexy new boss is everything Dan despises -- a meddling bimbo who doesn't know a pigskin from a pitcher's mound.

So why is he drawn to the shameless sexpot like a heat-seeking missile? And why does the coach's good ol' boy charm leave cosmopolitan Phoebe feeling awkward, tongue-tied....and ready to fight?

The sexy, heartwarming, and hilarious "prequel" to Susan Elizabeth Phillip's This Heart of Mine -- her sensational bestsellng blockbuster -- It Had To Be You is an enchanting story of two stubborn people who believe in playing for keeps.

 
Coffee Shop Conversations by dale Fincher and Jonalyn Fincher (I think this is an audio book)
Throwaway by Heather Huffman
Song of Renewal by Emily Sue Harvey

Well, there you have it. That is what's in my mailbox for the month of May. Did you pick up a good read this month?