Review + CONTEST!: 7th Heaven by James Patterson, Maxine Paetro

Hello, everyone!  Welcome back to another post here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  With the holidays still hanging around, it's been a little harder than usual to score some reading time, but fret not, I've managed to work some in regardless.  The subject of today's post is a throw back to yesterday for myself...

Favorite author of old, with some fresh new material....what better way to get re-acquainted, right?  When I came across the opportunity to read and review this title, I jumped at the chance.  (No really, I jumped....like to the keyboard as fast as fast can be....)  I mean I love reading new authors and even some of the yet-to-be-published stuff is really good, but a long time favorite re-introduced is like coming home....although in this particular series, it's a somewhat troubled one.  Couple that with the fact that I'm getting to host a contest in conjuction with this title thanks to the folks at Hachette Book Group....and yes, I am one happy reader!  Without further ado....today's book of choice is....

7th Heaven

by

James Patterson

Maxine Paetro

Detective Lindsay Boxer is one member of an informal group known as 'The Women's Murder Club'.  They first formed out of convenience when trying to solve a case back in the day.  At this point in their lives, they are old friends that know they are there for each other in both their professional lives and their personal ones.  Good thing too, as this story is a doozy!  We have not one, but TWO cases that are evolving within this novel all around that glorious season of.....Christmas.  (Yep...the opening chapter is quite an attention grabber.)  First, the death and supposed murder of Michael Champion, son of the ex-governor.  He had a bad heart and was living on borrowed time as it was, when he up and disappeared without a trace.  Strangely enough, a lead has come into the spotlight after much time as passed, indicating a possible suspect and an end to the mystery at long last.  Secondly, although somewhat more featured, are the murder arson combos occuring throughout their fair city.  No leads.  No suspects.  Just a firey end met by some of the cities more elite residents.  Whatever will they do?  No worries...when this group's on the case, nothing will stand in their way.

Say what you will about author James Patterson's many co-authored works...I know a lot of readers are very opinionated on the matter.  Some feel it's a cop out just so they can finish a book.  Others just seem to feel that it affects the overall project to the point that they do not recognize the story-telling style anymore.  Me?  In the case of this book series, it would seem the more the merrier is just fine.  I have admittedly not read a James Patterson novel for quite some time (longer than I realized when I truly looked at it...).  I had been following the Alex Cross series quite closely for a while, and even read one of the more chick-lit style books he's done, but for one reason or another, my interest simply dropped away from those books.  I mean they were good, but after a while I was needing a taste of something else. 

When I came upon this book, I realized I had read the first two (maybe three) books in the series, so I was a little worried about being lost in the details, but figured I'd give it a go and see what happened.  Lucky me, the Women's Murder Club series of books are written just as I remembered....in a take it as it comes fashion.  (I know, not the most professional description, but hear me out...)  This is the kind of series that you can just walk right into.  It doesn't matter if you read the first novel or the first six, you are still able to build a connection with the characters and follow the story with a clear head (and yes, you need one to figure out who's who and doing what to whom in this story).  That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the book (as if you couldn't tell that by now?).  I love how it's fast paced, but not too fast.  Detailed, but not overly.  It's a good balance of real world action with behind the scenes drama.  The super short chapters are classic Patterson style....making it all the harder to put down when you have to sleep (you know, the just-one-more-chapter syndrome?).  The ending...well, let's just say there's a twist you won't really see coming.  I'd highly recommend this one to all of his current fans and to those looking to step into the fiction/crime fiction genre.....to check out more about this book....

Excerpt

Reading Group Guide

Listen to a Clip

Download the Podcast

The good folks at Hachette Book Group were kind enough to send me a copy of this title for review and are now spreading the book love a little further by giving you a chance to win one of FIVE copies of this great novel!  (That's right!  There will be FIVE winners!)  In light of the holiday season, the length and means of entry for this particular contest are going to be a bit unorthodox.  Here we go.....

The prize....

...your very own paperback copy of this great book!

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How to enter....

Easy-peasey....just comment on the post!

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Extra entries....

(please try to keep all of your entries in 1 post)

+1 - for being a follower of my blog

+1 - for following me in Twitter!

(leave your Twitter name!)

+1 - for tweeting about the contest

(leave the link!)

+2 - for linking to the contest on your blog

(sidebar or post is A-OK, just be sure to leave the link)

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The rules....

(hey, you knew they were coming...)

*No P.O. Boxes please.
*US/Canada addresses only
(sorry, but I must follow their rules when posting my rules)
*All entries must be received by midnight CST on Saturday, January 16th, 2010.

The winner will be drawn no later than Monday, January 18th, 2010 and contacted via email.

*On that note, please include your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you win!  To avoid spammers, feel free to "code" ... for example, me(at)you(dot)com.

*Once contact with the winner has been made, you have 48 hours to respond back.  If a response is not received within this time frame, another name will be drawn. 

*Mailing information will be forwarded to Hachette Book Group for shipment ONLY and then discarded.

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There....all done.  Now, off for some more reading of my own....have fun entering and spread the word!

Until next time....happy holidays and happy reading!