The Doll's House by M.J. Aldridge

Genre: Adult, Thriller

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:

The bestselling author of Eeny Meeny and Pop Goes the Weaselbrings back Detective Helen Grace, who is hot on the trail of a twisted serial killer in this gripping new thriller.

Detective Helen Grace is on the trail of a twisted serial killer in this gripping thriller in the “taut, fast-paced”* international bestselling series.

Ruby wakes up in a strange room. Her captor calmly explains that no one is looking for her. No one wants her. Except him.

When the body of a woman is found buried on a secluded beach, Detective Helen Grace is called to the scene. She knows right away that the killer is no amateur. The woman has been dead for years, and no one has even reported her missing. But why would they? She’s still sending text messages to her family.

Helen is convinced that a criminal mastermind is at work: someone very smart, very careful, and worst of all, very patient. But as she struggles to piece together the killer’s motive, time is running out for a victim who is still alive... 

My Thoughts:

Let me start off by saying that I loved this third book more than the last one.  This one kept my heart pounding.  I felt like I was in that room with Ruby.  I felt the fear/terror she felt every time her captor was there. He expected her to behave in a normal manner at times. This in my opinion was part of his delusion. This book starts off with our favorite detective finding a body buried on the beach, then later two more. She knows it isn't a coincidence. This serial killer was more terrifying to me. He kept his victims for prolonged periods of time and even after they were dead he kept their loved ones believing things were okay because they received text messages from them. That scared me realizing that this could and has happened in our present time.

When Helen discovers Ruby Sprackling has disappeared she is sure that Ruby has fallen victim to this same serial killer. She is determined to do everything in her power to make sure Ruby comes home.  I found myself often holding my breath. There is so much tension in this book. If you haven’t read this series I would suggest you pick this series up and get started.

Pop Goes The Weasel by M.J. Arlidge

Genre:  Adult, Thriller

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

From Goodreads:

DI Helen Grace returns in Pop Goes the Weasel, the electrifying new thriller from M. J. Arlidge.

The body of a middle-aged man is discovered in Southampton's red-light district - horrifically mutilated, with his heart removed.

Hours later - and barely cold - the heart arrives with his wife and children by courier.

A pattern emerges when another male victim is found dead and eviscerated, his heart delivered soon afterwards.

The media call it Jack the Ripper in reverse; revenge against the men who lead sordid double lives visiting prostitutes. For Grace, only one thing is certain: there's a vicious serial-killer at large who must be halted at all costs . . .

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the Helen Grace Series.  I didn’t read the first book.  I loved that the chapters were short yet full of intensity. In this book we have a serial killer who is killing men who have visited prostitutes. What was disturbing was that the killer keeps sending body parts to the victims’ families. I loved this because it was just creepy enough to keep me reading, turning pages as quickly as I could.  The author has done a great job of creating characters that have flaws. This makes them more believable. If you like lots of description in your books then this is the book for you. I can’t wait to see what cases Helen Grace has in the next book, “The Doll’s House”. I feel like I definitely must go back and read the first book in the series.  I will leave this warning. This book is quite a bit on the dark side. Maybe that is why I liked it.

Fat Free For Life: 13 Principles for Guaranteed Weight Loss and Ultimate Health by Braxton Cosby DPT

Genre:  Nonfiction, Self-help
Source: I purchased a copy

If you are looking for a book that will help you set and keep your weight loss goals, then look no further. This book focuses on the whole you. In his book Braxton starts off talking about a time he had to face a persistent painn. It hampered his ability to do things. He finally realized he was dealing with fear. The fear of the pain was so real in his mind that it prevented him from moving forward.. He learned to move past the fear and the pain.  When I read that I really needed to hear it. I had stopped working out. I am facing double knee surgery  in about three months.  The procedures they had tried on my knees had stopped working. A few hours on my feet meant almost unbearable pain, so the idea of working out, doing my therapy, using my recumbent bike was out the window. When I realized that it was the fear of the pain that was keeping me from doing what I knew I needed to do, I took action.  After working out on my bike I realized that the knees actually felt better.

Through this book the idea that I had to have a solid plan and  be willing to execute that plan ws reinforced. I loved that Braxton reinforced my Christian beliefs that I must get my strength from god because this is definitely the hardest battle I've had to face. One of my favorite parts of this book is the "Cosby Corner" found throughout. He had one named "Why You Shouldn't Trust Yourself". He made a point that saying "I'll have just one" wo't work. I laughed because I knew how true this was. When i decided to make changes in the way I ate, I made a conscious decision to never eat another cream horn. This was before I decided to throw out ALL sugar.  I told my husband of my decision and he said he would help me by justing letting me have one. I reminded hi the last tie he said and did that I ate all six of them in one hour. There are some foods that I had to make totally off limits because I can't trust myself to eat just one.

Another important chapter to me ws Chatper 9 "Buddy Up"
this chapter encourages you to find an accountability partner. this is so important. When I began my journey into eating a Paleo Diet my husband not only supported me but joined me. He decided we would all eat this way. My83 year-old  mother lives with us and has lost 17 pounds just by eating what we eat.  After I finished my 30 day challenge with Braxton Cosby, I joined a challenge at school with some of my fellow teachers.  The motivation and lessons I learned from this book is what I will pass on to my friends and colleagues when I recommend this book to them.

So I have to ask you. Are you ready to set and keep your weight loss goals? Then purchase this book and get started.