Love Lies Bleeding: A China Bayles Mystery

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Summary: Old friends; forced plot
Review: It's good to be back in Pecan Springs, and surprise- another of China's neighbor's has been murdered. A few too many coincidences lead China to the solution of the mystery. On the personal side the resolution of one personal crisis shows China to be more big hearted and forgiving than any woman alive. The second personal crisis leaves the story hanging...

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Summary: China is a total moron in this book...
Review: Let me start of by saying China has always been one of my favorite characters. And I would love to have her back in the next installment. This China, the simpering idiot who blames herself when her boyfriend betrays her, is not the strong heroine of previous books. Bring back the real China!!

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Summary: Awesome story -- sad ending.
Review: Ms. Albert's latest book lies up to the expectations of anyone wo reads the series. The only problem I found with it was the end; the sad, tense conclusion was disappointing from an author who usually comes through with un upbeat ending that ties up all the threads of the plot without leaving anything hanging suspensefully.

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Summary: Who's writing under Susan W. Albert's name?
Review: Not only was the plot rather uninvolving, but our wonderfully independent heroine blames herself for her lover's infidelity! The reconciliation with her rival seems rather forced. Can you imagine a guy holding hands with his woman's younger, studlier paramor and vowing to be friends? Hah! Having said that, I am about to read the next installment, hoping that it will be back to Albert's usual stellar quality.

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Summary: My my my
Review: Still another stroll through the herb garden with former lawyer China Bayles and the amazing cast of characters that inhabit the imaginary town of Peacn Springs, Texas. I like the way Ms Albert strews tidbits of herb lore through this series. I recommend this and all the books in the series to anyone who enjoys curling up with a good book, a warm afghan, and a cup of hot tea.

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Summary: Excellent, to say the least
Review: Susan Wittig Albert is truly a gifted writer...her characters are superb, and there is never a dull moment...I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries.

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Summary: China is a total moron in this book...
Review: The author sure thew a twist into this one. Back from her haitus at Saint T's convent, China is trying to get back into the swing on things. However, McQuaid is acting different, and China fears he is having an affair. She overhears a phone conversation between McQuaid and a woman and confronts him about it. McQuaid admits it is true, but that it is over. Also, unbeknownst to China, McQuaid is working undercover with the FBI regarding an issue with Texas Rangers. While China is trying to sort out her feelings, McQuaid is shot while working undercover on his case. We never really get to see how China would have worked things out because once she hears that McQuaid has been shot, everything else is immaterial. Not only does she totally forgive McQuaid for his affair, but she befriends the woman with whom he had the affair (an FBI agent). To top it off, she takes responsibility for the affair by saying that if she had said yes to McQuaid one of the many times he had asked her to marry him, he wouldn't have looked elsewhere. No matter how much she loves McQuaid, I have trouble equating this simpering female with the headstrong,independent China from the previous books.

Rating:
Summary: An unexpected twist!
Review: The author sure thew a twist into this one. Back from her haitus at Saint T's convent, China is trying to get back into the swing on things. However, McQuaid is acting different, and China fears he is having an affair. She overhears a phone conversation between McQuaid and a woman and confronts him about it. McQuaid admits it is true, but that it is over. Also, unbeknownst to China, McQuaid is working undercover with the FBI regarding an issue with Texas Rangers. While China is trying to sort out her feelings, McQuaid is shot while working undercover on his case. We never really get to see how China would have worked things out because once she hears that McQuaid has been shot, everything else is immaterial. Not only does she totally forgive McQuaid for his affair, but she befriends the woman with whom he had the affair (an FBI agent). To top it off, she takes responsibility for the affair by saying that if she had said yes to McQuaid one of the many times he had asked her to marry him, he wouldn't have looked elsewhere. No matter how much she loves McQuaid, I have trouble equating this simpering female with the headstrong,independent China from the previous books.

Rating:
Summary: China goes wimpy
Review: The book was greatly written and I understand that you have to have lots of experiences to keep your character interesting, BUT, I can't believe the whole McQuaid thing. The situation itself had promise, but the way China handled it was not true to her character, I thought. She just curled up and pouted. There is no way what he did was equal to her reluctance to commit. What's next, Mike beating China up and her blaming herself for it? A character with flaws is one thing, stupidity is another. I hope China recovers some self-respect in the next book.

Rating:
Summary: Good Mystery - hated the personal stuff
Review: This is the first China Bayles novel. I must say that the mystery was good. I had a hard time with personal side of China. Not only does she blame herself for what happens, her friends blame her as well. I can't believe that the desciptions say that China is a strong woman - not after reading this book. I may read the prequels to this book; however, I will have a hard time buying the sequels.