Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event that is co-hosted by Marg and Eva.
...encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.


I have books pilling up high on my nightstand, but I couldn't resist visiting KPL today. Here are my goodies:









Remembrance Day

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl is a one of the greatest criminal minds the world has ever seen. He is heir to the Fowl family empire—a centuries old clan of international underworld figures and con artists. He is arguably the most cunning Fowl of all. He is also twelve years old.
Artemis' interest in mythology and an obsession with the Internet leads him to discover proof of the existence of "The People"- otherwise known as fairies, sprites, leprechauns and trolls. He learns every fairy has a magical Book. If he can find the Book, it will lead him to "The People's" vast treasure of gold.
With his brutish sidekick, Butler, he sets his plans in motion. Artemis tricks a drunken old fairy woman into loaning him her Book, a tiny golden volume, for thirty minutes. He scans it with a digital camera and emails it to his Mac G6 computer. Back in his mansion in Ireland, he is the first human to decode the secrets of the fairies.
Artemis needs a leprechaun to help him with this plan. He and Butler hunt down Holly Short, a tough, female LEPrecon, part of a gung-ho Fairy commando unit, who is on a reconnaissance mission. He kidnaps her, and a major battle begins. It's satyr against gnome, man against elf, and for the first time in his life, Artemis must decide what he values most.

I have heard nothing but good things about Eion Colfer's Artemis Fowl series. So, when I saw it listed on 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge, I knew I had to read it, or at least the first book of the series.

Well, here's another series that both children and adults can enjoy. I was hooked right from the beginning. I found the story entertaining and funny as well. It has a darkness to it that really appeals to me, but not so dark that I wouldn't let my nine-year-old daughter read. I loved the way that the author brings out the evil genius of Artemis but also the child quality that he doesn't show too much. And there's the kick-ass fairy, Holly, who has a very strict code of conduct but also a tender heart. And then you add a whole bunch of secondary characters that interesting and comical. The story cannot go wrong.

Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer (4.5/5) Children Fiction: Fantasy; Published: Miramax (4/2001); Series: # 1, Artemis Fowl; New Author; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (129); 101 Fantasy Reading Challenge (1);

Saturday, November 7, 2009

I Scream, You Scream

Tallulah Jones, proprietor of Dalliance, Texas’s old-fashioned ice-cream parlor, dishes up luscious ice cream that is simply to die for….

Unfortunately, Remember the A-la-mode’s profits are melting faster than a snow cone in July–and Tally’s stuck scooping sundaes for her two-timing ex-husband and his bodacious new girlfriend, Brittanie, at his company luau. To make matters worse, twenty years after she dumped him in the Tasty-Swirl parking lot, Tally’s high school beau, Finn Harper, comes back to town–looking every bit as delicious as a double-dip raspberry mascarpone waffle cone.

The cherry on top? Brittanie drops dead, and Tally’s suddenly the prime suspect in her murder investigation. To catch a killer, Tally will have to churn up Dalliance’s darkest secrets and dip deep into the past. But can Tally freeze out the real culprit before a murder charge puts her dreams on ice for good?

What's a girl to do when she's accused of murdering her ex-husband's current girlfriend? Find the real killer, even if that means getting help from her high school flame. Add a quirky cousin, her genius daughter and yummy ice-cream you have an entertaining read.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was a quick read, mainly because the it was a fast paced story, with great characters, funny dialogue and a murder mystery that had me guessing all along the way.

I'm looking to the next book, which comes out next year.

I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson (3.5/5) Contemporary Mystery; Published: Obsidian Mystery (10/2009); Series: # 1, A Mystery A La Mode; New Author; Debut Book; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (128);

Friday, November 6, 2009

A Passage To India

When Adela and her elderly companion Mrs Moore arrive in the Indian town of Chandrapore, they quickly feel trapped by its insular and prejudiced British community. Determined to explore the real India', they seek the guidance of the charming and mercurial Dr Aziz, a cultivated Indian Muslim. But a mysterious incident occurs while they are exploring the Marabar caves with Aziz, and the well-respected doctor soon finds himself at the centre of a scandal that rouses violent passions among both the British and their Indian subjects. A masterly portrait of a society in the grip of imperialism, A Passage to India compellingly depicts the fate of individuals caught between the great political and cultural conflicts of the modern world.

It took me while to get into the story. I knew what was going to happen (I watched the movie a long time ago), so I was dreading certain areas of the book. But I got over that and I inhaled it. I loved the way the author brought India to life for me, it was beautiful and scary. The prejudices that the British had towards the natives was shameful and ignorant. I felt for Aziz and for Fielding, and particularly their friendship.

I read this book as part of the Book Awards III challenge, A Passage To India won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction in 1924.

A Passage To India by E.M. Forster (4/5) Classic Literature; Published: Edward Arnold (1924); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (127); Book Awards III (4);

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Goddess of the Hunt

Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother’s best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion–one that could send all her plans up in smoke.

Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming, he must give his passions free rein. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart and claim her for his own?

I admit that when I first started reading this book I wasn't expecting too much. I thought it would be a nice read, and maybe the author would be one to be on the look out for, considering it's a debut book. And let me tell you, I'm blown away... I love this book.

Lucy, is an unconventional young woman, she's independent, outspoken and confident. And she's madly in love with one of brother's friend's, Toby. But Toby is oblivious of her feelings, and will soon be engaged to the "perfect lady". Lucy decides that she needs to practice her seduction on her brother's other friend, Jeremy. Jeremy is a rake, has a title and is very rich. And he cannot believe the scheme that Lucy has develop to snare Toby. And just when Jeremy thinks he has everything figured out, Lucy manages to surprise him once again.

I love the theme, "best friend's younger sister". The setting was wonderful and the characters were very entertaining. I loved the chemistry between Lucy and Jeremy, they're very hot. There are several hot encounters with these two, but I loved the wardrobe scene, very steamy.

I cannot wait to get my hands on the the author's second book, Surrender of a Siren.

Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare (4.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Ballantine Books (7/2009); New Author; Debut Book; Favorite Reads 2009; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (126);

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Wicked All Day

Miss Zoë Armstrong is beautiful, charming, rich -- and utterly unmarriageable. So, while she may be the ton's most sparkling diamond, her choice of husbands looks more like a list of London's most unsavory fortune hunters. Since a true-love marriage seems impossible, Zoë has accepted -- no, embraced -- her role as society's most incomparable flirt and mischiefmaker...until in one reckless, vulnerable moment, her future is shattered.

Stuart Rowland, the brooding Marquess of Mercer, has been part of Zoë's extended family since she was a child. As dark and cynical as Zoë is lively, Mercer has always known they would be the worst possible match...until his scapegrace brother Robert does the unthinkable, and winds up betrothed to Zoë. Now, secluded on Mercer's vast estate to escape a looming scandal and the ton's prying eyes, Zoë and Mercer may find that a dark obsession has become a tempestuous passion that can no longer be denied....

I've been waiting for Zoe's story (for years), she's a great character, full spirit and confidence...but in this book she isn't the Zoe of previous books. She and her cousin (and best friend) Robin are caught in a compromising position. You can figure out what has to happen, right?!

Anyway, they leave for the country where they're supposed to be planning the blessed event. But there we encounter three very confused and angry characters. Mercer, the Marquis, he needs to be in charge of everything, he needs to control, but the cannot control his feelings for his brother's fiancée; and he doesn't like that one bit. Robin, feels sorry for himself, he has to marry Zoe but he loves another woman. He has no problem showing his anger and lack of respect to Zoe (in my opinion he needed a swift kick in the behind). And there's Zoe who is having conflicting feelings for the wrong brother, but doesn't want to bring any more shame or scandal to her family. What a jumble!

And then the story just went on and on and on...I truly believe that the triangle could have been resolved sooner, there was a lot of filler in this book.

With all that being said...I still enjoyed it, but not as much as I thought I would have.

Wicked All Day by Liz Carlyle (3/5) Historical Romance; Published: Pocket Books (10/2009); Series: # 2, Tempted All Night; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (125);

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event that is co-hosted by Marg and Eva.
...encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.




And here are my goodies:

I read the first two books of this series by Lauren Royal, but never got around to reading this one. Couldn't resist picking it up when I saw it in the staff pick shelf.

I haven't read a Cathy Maxwell book in a very long time, so I'm looking forward to reading this one. I think it's part of a series though, so I may have to get my hands on the previous books before I can read it.

I couldn't resist this one, either. Notice the cover? Yep. I particularly don't like these types of covers, but the blurb sounded interesting...and in the book bag it went.

I'm reading Coraline for a couple of reasons: part of a challenge and my daughter wants to read it as well, we're doing a mother-daughter reading book club later in the month with a group of friends.

Sophester wants to start reading this series, but before I give her the okay, I'm checking it out. I'm sure she'll enjoy it, but she always has a lot questions and I want to be prepared.

I read Sheila Roberts' Love In Bloom, which I truly enjoyed. I'm looking forward on reading Angel Lane.

Okay, this I chose for its cover. Isn't it gorgeous? And the blurb wasn't bad either. It's about an unlikely friendship between a young girl and an old fisherman. And it's set in Ireland.

This book was on the hold shelf for me, and for the life of me I cannot remember placing it on hold. But I'll give it a try. Looks interesting enough.

My daughter loves this movie and I didn't realize there was a book. I'm reading for a challenge as well. And you never know Sophester may want to read it as well.

Oh my goodness! This book is huge! Another challenge read...Wish me luck! lol



You can join in the fun by visiting here.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading. Here's how you play:

* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall open to a random page.
* Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
* You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
* Please avoid spoilers!

I'm still reading A Passage to India but I've also started a new book, and that's where my teaser is coming from this time around.

Here's my teaser:
Finn pulled me to a park bench set on a grassy lawn surrounding the courthouse, a private spot nestled between two mature crepe myrtles. He sat down, but he didn't relax, his long body folded into uncomfortable angles on the hard iron bench.
~ taken from page 63, I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Shotgun Wedding

I haven't been feeling the best lately. I've had a cold for the past couple of weeks, and don't get me started on my cough. Anyway, I've been in the dumps and I wanted a picker-me-upper, and what can possibility go wrong with reading Maggie Osborne. I haven't read her in years, so I ventured downstairs to my TBR pit and dug through and found Shotgun Wedding. I first read this book when it was first published, I believe it was through the library. And when I found it recently at the UBS, I couldn't resist buying it.


Here's the blurb for Shotgun Wedding:
Annie Malloy is in a fix. She’s gotten herself into the worst kind of trouble and there’s really only one way out. It seems the town’s handsome new sheriff, Jesse Harden, has taken a shine to her–and has offered her a way to end the scandal once and for all. Marriage, she hopes, even a hasty one to a virtual stranger, will put an end to the gossip and return her life to something like it was before. But Annie soon finds that the quiet life she once lived has been exchanged for one full of chance, desire, and the breathtaking possibility of true love.

Jesse John Harden has always followed his instincts and has no doubt that he can turn this marriage of convenience into a true marriage of the heart. With each day that passes the bond between him and his pretty new wife grows stronger and the spark between them gets hotter. But Annie is hiding a secret that could destroy their delicate happiness. Now Jesse must convince Annie to let him stand beside her to face the past so they can have a chance at a happy future.

I'm so glad that I re-visited this story. It reminds me the reason I enjoy Maggie Osborne so much, she tells a great story. The characters are amazing, the dialogue keeps the story flowing and reading it for the second time it's still fresh and entertaining.

I loved the way the heroine is having a hard time with her feelings. She's a modern woman, she believes that she's doing the best she can in the situation but slowly she realizes that it's not only her that suffers the consequence of her "mistake". And there's Jesse who is willing to help her and take some of the blame, and wants to protect and love the child even if it's not his. Very commendable.

I wish I had more westerns in my TBR, but, oh well....If I could only get hands on I Do, I Do, I Do!

Shotgun Wedding by Maggie Osborne (4/5) Historical Romance: Western; Published: Ivy Books (11/2003); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (124);

Sunday, November 1, 2009

To Wed a Wicked Earl

He's on the hunt for a bride . . .

Adam Faramond, Earl of Rothbury, needs to find a wife—immediately!—or his beloved grandmother will leave him penniless. But Adam, an unrepentant rake, would reform for only one woman, the woman he's lusted after—and loved—for years. It's rather unfortunate, then, that Miss Charlotte Greene would never consent to be the blushing bride of a rogue . . . or so he thinks.

Charlotte believes that the earl, the only man whose touch leaves her trembling, would never want a woman like her. Weary of her wallflower ways, Charlotte decides that a friendship with the earl just might give her the excitement she desires. Keeping their true feelings hidden, she and Adam plan a sham ceremony to placate the dowager. But when the "marriage of convenience" takes an unexpected turn, will Charlotte and her wicked earl finally reveal their irresistible, unforgettable love—and delight in a lifetime of passion?

I'm quickly becoming a huge fan of Olivia Parker. I first read her debut novel, At The Bride Hunt Ball, when it was first published. And I've been patiently waiting for her second book, I finally read it and I wasn't disappointed. I adored it!

Both the hero, Adam Faramond, Earl of Rothbury, and the heroine, Charlotte Greene were introduced in the previous book. Rothbury is known to be a rake, a scoundrel of the worst sort. Charlotte is what they call a wall flower, she's near sighted and sometimes painfully shy. But these two strike a special friendship. Although Charlotte thinks that Rothbury is helping her with her scheme because of friendship, the truth is that he's been deeply in love with her for a long time. That one aspect is what I found to be different, usually it's the other way around. Add to the story two matchmakers, one a friend who doesn't mind meddling and the other a grandmother who pretends to be losing her mind.

It was a quick, funny, sensual read. It was definitely worth staying up late to finish the book. I wonder how long I'll have to wait to read something new by Olivia Parker...

To Wed a Wicked Earl by Olivia Parker (4.25/5) Historical Romance; Published: Avon (9/2009); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (123);

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Tempted All Night

Lady Phaedra Northampton is a proper English miss -- but burdened by a dark secret. She's buried her shame in running her wealthy brother Lord Nash's household while hiding behind a sharp wit and dull wardrobe...until a reckless village maid's disappearance pulls her into London's seedy underworld.
A former mercenary and jaded spy-for-hire, Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, now does little, and manages to do it scandalously. Though Tristan's an out-and-out rogue, when his dying father begs him to delve into the secrets behind a notorious brothel -- a perfect task for his talents! -- Tristan can't refuse. Is the brothel a front for a notorious Russian spy ring? Tristan is on the hunt -- until his path collides with the oh-so-tempting Lady Phae.

Soon what should be a simple assignment becomes deliciously complicated...when deception and desire lead to an explosive passion -- and deadly foes!

Finally got my hands on Liz Carlyle's Tempted All Night. The first book of a new series, and I've been patiently waiting for it. Or should I say I finally found it at the UBS.

I really enjoyed it. Surprisingly. I didn't care for the author's previous series, just couldn't into it. Anyway, this one hooked me right from the first chapter. The main characters, Phaedra and Tristan, are both very interesting. She's a proper English lady and he's a scoundrel, but they both have secrets that make them what they are now. They're basically thrown together when Phaedra (along with Zoe) find a dead body at Mr. Kemble's (I wonder if he'll get his book?)shop. And Tristan's father wants him to investigate. But, there's so much more going on though, but it doesn't take from the story, it adds to it.

I'm looking forward on reading Wicked All Day.

Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle (4/5) Historical Romance; Published: Pocket Books (3/2009); Series: # 1, Tempted All Night; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (122);