Title: House of The Hanging Jade

Author: Amy M. Reade

Print Length: 246 pages

Publisher: Lyrical Underground (April 26, 2016)

Publication Date: April 26, 2016

Sold by: Penguin Random House Publisher Services

Language: English

ASIN: B0138NHCMO

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Not willing to cope with Washington’s brutal winters, Kailani makes the decision to break up with restaurant owner Geoffrey and leave her job to return home. Back to the warm weather and beauty that is Hawaii, black sand and the curling waves of the Pacific Ocean. In preparation to return, Kailani searches for employment and secures a position as personal chef to Lars Jorgensen, owner of Kaimana Surf Company and his wife Dr. Barbara Merriweather, on the West Coast of the Big Island in the district of North Kohala.

When she gets there, The Jorgensen’s house is beautiful and this sous-chef is ill prepared for what awaits beyond the lush tropical gardens of palm trees, midnight jasmine, red ginger, and pergola laden with hanging Jade. As Kailani settles in, a series of events begin to unfold that question the stability of the Jorgensen household. First, Lars and Barbie doesn’t seem to like each other much, which could have something to do with Barbie’s roaming eye (and other body parts).

The children are not very fond of Kailani’s healthy cooking although Barbie requires her to prepare more nutritional meals to curve her family’s appetite for junk food. Still, this is not the extent to Kailani’s problems. Things get weird when Geoffrey moves to Hawaii to be with her (even though she’s already told him its over), and a body is found on the Jorgensen’s property.

There are a few things I enjoyed about this book. Because Kailani is a chef, I enjoyed reading about the kinds of meals she would prepare for the family. (Especially when she started to get really creative to get the children to eat healthy.) It really gave me a sense of the Hawaiian culture.

I also like how the plot pretty much focuses on this one family. To me that gives the story a TV show kind of feel. Meaning, every time I put my Kindle down I’d think about what I’d read in tomorrow’s episode of the House of the Hanging Jade. Speaking of episodes, there’s plenty of drama to go around! Let’s just say the Jorgensen’s are off the chain.

There’s a lot going on in this house and I kept wondering why Kailani didn’t just quit her job. It becomes so dangerous for her that Lars has installed a new security system. Of all of this, what I love most about this book is the children! For those of you who know me you know I love the “itty bitty’s” and Marcus and Justine’s presence in the house added the breath of fresh air and light that I needed as a reader in the midst of the family’s raging storms.

It is in fact the children’s well-being and state of mind that makes this book worthwhile and that will keep you reading. What’s really going on in the house with the hanging Jade?

Ratings:
Plot Movement / Strength: 4/5
Entertainment Factor: 4/5
Characterization: 5/5
Authenticity / Believable: 4/5
Thought Provoking: 5/5
Overall Rating: 4 / 5 stars

House of the Hanging Jade is available  now on Amazon!

Be sure to contact this Best Selling Author at the links below!

Amy can be found online at the following places:

Website: www.amymreade.com

Blog: www.amreade.wordpress.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/8189243.Amy_M_Reade

Amazon: www.amazon.com/Amy-M.-Reade/e/B00LX6ASF2/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/AmyMReadesGothicFictionFans/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/readeandwrite

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/amreade

Instagram: www.instagram.com/amymreade

************

Did you just write a book? In need of more reviews? Register Your Book HERE! Please be sure to read through my guidelines and to register long books (300+ pages) far enough in advance for me to read them thoroughly  if you have a preferred date for your published review. I publish reviews to this blog every Friday (or every other Friday). I also post them to the authors Amazon and Goodreads page and feature the linked book covers on my  Author website and email list. Stay tuned for next weeks author!