"Posed for Murder" by Meredith Cole

"The only thing that could possibly be worse than having her friend murdered was the knowledge that another friend could be twisted and evil enough to have done it."
- Meredith Cole, Posed for Murder

I'm not one to read mysteries, simply because I get so sucked in to that mushy, girly, lovey-dovey type storyline. I'm a 21-year-old girl. I can't help it! Anyway, I realized I really wasn't appealing to a male audience, so I asked a few guys what they would prefer to read. Every single one of them said a mystery novel. So, with that, I went to the library, went to the mystery section, and literally picked up a random book to check out. I'd never heard of Meredith Cole before, but the inside flap seemed interesting, and I was excited to discover a new author!

Lydia McKenzie is a photographer trying to get discovered. Her current project is re-creating actual death scenes of girls that were never identified. She had read about them in a book and wanted the girls to have some sort of recognition. The night Lydia had been waiting for had finally come: opening night of her very own show at a gallery. She is beyond nervous before the show even begins, but when two detectives come inside to question her, her nerves go through the roof.

Apparantly, someone was so fond of her photographs that he/she decided to re-create them again. For real. Someone murdered a girl and posed her just like in Lydia's photograph. She was dressed almost the same and it was even in the same location. How can this be? The detectives are shocked to hear that Lydia took her photo over a year and a half ago. The body was found tonight. To add to Lydia's horror, the girl that was murdered was the actual girl that modeled for Lydia's photograph. Not only was she the model, but she was Lydia's friend. Who would do this and why would they try to frame Lydia?

I really enjoyed reading this mystery! It makes me want to read more mystery books! I loved how Cole would leave me hanging at the end of every chapter so I HAD to keep reading! It was fun being on edge with every page turn. There is a great twist at the end! The book is a quick read and very enjoyable! Typically, I like books to go deeper and last a little longer, but I still really liked this novel!

Is the killer after Lydia, or just her friend? Will he/she kill more of her models/friends? What does he/she want? What will happen to Lydia? Find out in Meredith Cole's Posed for Murder. Also, check out her follow-up novel about Lydia, Dead in the Water.

Other than the mention of some characters drinking a beer here and there, I don't think there is any material that is not suitable for young readers!

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"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

“The rest of the journey passed uneventfully, if you consider it uneventful to ride fifteen miles on horseback through rough country at night, frequently without benefit of roads, in company with kilted men armed to the teeth, and sharing a horse with a wounded man. At least we were not set upon by highwaymen, we encountered no wild beasts, and it didn't rain. By the standards I was becoming used to, it was quite dull.”
-Diana Gabaldon, Outlander

One of my readers suggested this book to me, and I was happy for the suggestion! Before she told me about it, I had never once heard of Outlander. When I was searching the books at the library, I finally found it. Whoa. It's huge. The cover looked old and, quite honestly, boring! My first thought: "Great. This book looks dreadful." Reluctantly, I checked it out and took it home.

Boy, was I wrong! Outlander completely took me by surprise! I know the common saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but everyone does. Everyone. I'm glad my reader suggested it though, because this was a refreshing new book (to me, anyway) that I loved! The plot was incredibly unique, and I've never come across anything quite like this book before.

Claire Beauchamp Randall and her husband, Frank, are on holiday in Scotland in 1945. She was a British combat nurse, so they had been separated for a long time due to the war. After exploring the lands, quite a bit, they come across an ancient stone circle. Upon touching the circle, Claire is thrown back in time two hundred years! The world has changed immensely in two hundred years, so Claire takes notice to things such as (or the lack of) electricity and simple medications. Not knowing how to return to her time and her husband, Claire has to make the best of the life being put in front of her in a land that existed before her time.

Because of her peculiar knowledge of the lands, the locals keep their eye on her, accuse her of being a spy, a witch, and other things. She tries her best to make a good name for herself by healing the wounded and the sick with her skills in nursing.

Proving that she is not a spy or witch is no task in comparison to controlling her growing attraction to Jamie Fraser. She just can't help it! The fact that she and he are forced to marry for her own protection does not make the matter any easier! Can she lose herself in her growing love for Jamie, or does she hold out for her husband Frank that she may never see again?

You will never believe all that lies within this book! Well, if you've seen the actual book, you can imagine it has quite a bit since it has over 600 pages, but I was completely entranced by it! It's just so different from anything else I've ever read! I've never read of such pure love and adoration between two people!

Outlander is full of adventure, and great humor, as well! The quote I chose at the beginning demonstrates that briefly. I often found myself laughing aloud or gasping in shock while reading this book! Also, since the book takes places in the 1700s and in Scotland, the humor is quite different than it is today. Diana Gabaldon stayed true to the Scottish accents as well as the culture throughout the entire book, which made everything fall perfectly into place. It's also historically accurate, as well! This book is greatly detailed, but it's necessary to understand the time period, the culture, and the events that are taking place.

Reading this book made me feel like I had traveled back in time myself. Things were simpler, but still more complicated, if that even makes sense. Yes, it's quite a hefty read, but it's worth the time and patience! Outlander is actually the first book in a series of eight books. The final book was released early this year. Reading the first book really makes me want to finish the series, especially after what I found out on the last page!

Some parts of the book are not fit for young readers. There are very mature scenes, as well as very graphic scenes dealing with torture and punishment (remember the time period). Some of the details even made ME cringe! (But that's great writing)! Also, due to the complexity of the novel, it may even be confusing to young readers.

Please let me know if you have read or are planning to read this book! Definitely consider reading Outlander! It really will surprise you! I'm interested to hear what you think about this one! I would really love to hear from someone who has finished the entire series!

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I loved that one of my readers introduced this book to me! She wanted to know what I thought before she started it. Got any books that you are curious about? Leave your suggestions on my Facebook page, and I will review a book for you!