Code Blue

Rating:
Summary: Less Than Exciting Second Book
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed KatLyn's first book, Storm Surge, and was anxious to read Code Blue. I gave this book three stars because I was able to finish reading it and all the plot lines were closed well by the end. The story idea is good and is easy to follow. However, I was disappointed with this book for several reasons.

First of all, as with Storm Surge, the back cover mentions things that aren't really addressed in the story (i.e., "Logan McGregor...losing the love of her life in an inexcusable way" - There is only a slight explanation of this and it doesn't seem to affect the character's approach to life and love in the book.) I think this is more the publisher's fault than the author's, but the reader doesn't necessarily get the story they're expecting.

Secondly, the first few chapters focus very heavily on the instantaneous relationship between the two main characters, but the murder investigation seems to take a back seat while these two go gallavanting. The remainder of the book focuses on the murder investigation, but the relationship doesn't seem to be a part of the story at all. On top of that, Storm Surge had too much sex, but this book has none at all. The one time things start to get heavy both the reader and the characters are left hanging. What a tease...

Rating:
Summary: Another uber-xena book
Review: I wish there was some way of identifying uber-xena books by their covers, so I wouldn't have to waste my time and money on them. Xena was a fabulous show, it's no longer on TV, let's move on with life and not waste any more time on fantasies. In particular, let's stop identifying the main characters by their physical characteristics; i.e., "the tall dark-haired woman", repeatedly throughout the fantasy. When repeated _ad nauseam_, it becomes just that: nauseating.

The second problem with the book: it's not very well-written. Let's take the POV as an example. An author chooses to write her book in first-person or in third-person, but settles on a point-of-view (POV) that reflects the main character. It's okay to shift POV, but identify it as a shift - set it off in a new paragraph or -- better yet -- as a new chapter. Think about it: reading a book is like meeting a new instant friend; you become the protagonist and you experience (vicariously) the life of the protagonist. As in real life, you should be puzzled by the motives of other characters, and -- as in real life -- you would not be privy to their inner thoughts or feelings. As the author, you can choose to show another character in the same situation -- omniscience -- but when you don't clearly delineate which character is the POV, you end up with an overall authorial omniscient POV - and this is quite irritating. It's a hallmark of poor writing and poor editing.

The third problem is the plot development: it's done in a "voice-over" mode - i.e., by talking - rather than in a "show me" mode. The author spends a lot of time explaining background or filler material when that could be something experienced by a character. A lot of background is not necessary to the story; it's meant to fill out the experience of the story - and should be part of the discovery by the reader. When presented as a voice-over, it only compounds the omniscient authorial POV and makes the entire book that much more boring. Show, don't tell. Live, don't talk.

Other mistakes abound; the most glaring error was in the introduction of Dr. Cavanaugh's dog: no veterinary practice would allow any doctor - even an orthopod - to assist in surgery, much less perform orthopedic surgery on an unstable patient, and finally, Dr. Cavanaugh would not have been allowed to stay in the practice with the patient. The author could have asked any veterinary assistant or veterinarian for assistance with such details.

Rating:
Summary: Excerpt Chapter One
Review: The elevator doors opened and Logan waited until Madison had cleared the doors before pushing off the sidewall and exiting the car herself. Silently they walked into the cafeteria and stood in line. Feeling the uncomfortable silence, knowing Angela's incorrigible behavior was the cause, Madison turned her head to speak and was caught off guard as she found Logan's dark blue eyes peering into hers. "I...umm, I'm sorry for, ahhh...back there." Jesus, Cavanaugh, you sound like a babbling idiot.

The glint in Logan's eyes barely preceded the smile that crossed her lips. "Sounds like you have your hands full with that one."

Madison grunted as she stepped further down the line. "The correct term, Officer, would be had. I had my hands full with that one." Madison couldn't help but chuckle as she replayed the scene in her head, remembering the confused look on Logan's face. "Luckily, I got out before she did any irreparable damage to my psyche. With other's, I'm afraid, I haven't been so fortunate."

Logan was surprised to find Madison so open about her lifestyle and took some time to digest the information as they made their way through the line. Madison prepared a cup of coffee then looked at Logan with gleaming eyes. "Remember, you're buying. I have an extra-large double mocha latte, and a bagel." Logan shook her head and grinned as she watched Madison saunter away towards a table, purposely bypassing the cashier.

After preparing her own cup of coffee, Logan paid the cashier and made her way through the crowded cafeteria to the table Madison had laid claim to moments before. Sitting down across from the beautiful blonde, Logan took a moment to just look at Madison Cavanaugh as the woman looked out the window. Too soon, however, Madison's eyes turned back towards her and she no longer saw the teasing gleam that had been so evident a few minutes prior. "So Officer McGregor, what is it that's so important that you had to come all the way to Mercy, and then sit and wait on me for over an hour?"

Retreating into her professional persona, Logan's eyes met Madison's. "It's really quite simple, Doctor. There have been five people murdered along The Strip in as many weeks. It's Wednesday and so far, he hasn't claimed his next victim. I figure he'll strike tonight or tomorrow night, what with Friday and Saturday being too crowded to give him any amount of privacy." Logan looked out the window, knowing her next words were not going to sitl well with the independent and stubborn woman sitting across from her. "From what I understand, you visit The Strip on Mondays and Wednesdays. I'm here to ask you not to go down there tonight."

Madison's eyes bore into Logan's. "You mean to tell me you wasted both of our time to ask me not to do something that is vitally important to this community? I think not, Officer." Madison drained her cup and stood, but before she could walk away, felt Logan's hand circle her wrist. She couldn't help but notice the warm heat emanating from Logan's long fingers as she looked down at the bandaged hand that held onto hers. Her eyes traveled up the long arm, appreciating the taut biceps and firm deltoids, before taking in the dark silky hair, and finally coming to rest in the deep pools of blue sapphire.

Madison found that she was unable to respond as an unfamiliar heat spread throughout her body and paralyzed her with unexpected sensations that raced through her. Logan rose from the table and stood very close, so close that she could feel the heat radiating from the other woman. Madison's senses were further assaulted as Logan bent close to her ear and whispered, her warm breath teasing her earlobe. "Then let me come with you, Ms Madi."

Madison closed her eyes and inhaled as the faint scent of soap, and what could only be the essence of this mysterious woman, further battered her resolve. Her pulse quickened and she feared Logan would feel it under her fingers, as they gently gripped her wrist. Tearing herself from the onslaught of emotions, she roughly pulled her hand away, immediately feeling the loss of warmth. "No! Absolutely not, Officer. I'm going to The Strip tomorrow night just as I have for the last two years. I haven't needed your protection before. I don't need it now."

Logan watched at Madison Cavanaugh turned and bolted from the cafeteria. Sitting down at the table, she looked out the window and wondered to herself why and how this woman had suddenly gotten under her skin. Draining her cup of coffee, Logan tossed the cup in the trash on her way out the door. Fine Doctor, we'll do it your way. You've just made my job a little more difficult, but one way or another, I intend to see that you're safe tomorrow night.