Wandeca Reads

Teaser Tuesday

2011-05-24T09:23:00.003-04:00

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!

My teaser this is week:

Whether it was prayer or the herbal incense or my medication or simply the passage of time, Miss Marmaduke reemerged into the world much improved in appearance and in manner. At dinner that evening I was surprised to see her wearing a forest-green frock that flattered her sallow complexion and displayed a figure more shapely that I had expected.

~ taken from page 71, The Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters

To read more teasers visit here.

Chasing Fire

2011-05-20T10:19:00.003-04:00

There's little as thrilling as firefighting-at least to Rowan Tripp. The Missoula smoke jumpers are in Rowan's blood: her father is a legend. She's been fighting fires since her eighteenth birthday. At this point, returning to the wilds of Montana for the season feels like coming home-even with reminders of the partner she lost last season still lingering.

Fortunately, this year's rookie crop is one of the strongest ever-and Gulliver Curry's one of the best. He's also a walking contradiction, a hotshot firefighter with a big vocabulary and a winter job at a kids' arcade.

Everything is thrown off balance when a dark presence lashes out against Rowan, looking to blame someone for last year's tragedy. Rowan knows she can't complicate things with Gull-any distractions in the air or on the ground could mean the end-but if she doesn't find someone she can lean on, she may not make it through the summer...

What's not to love in a Nora Roberts book? It has it all. Great characters, interesting settings, suspense, intrigue and a dash of romance. So picking up Chasing Fire wasn't a hardship. And I read it pretty quickly too.

I truly enjoyed this book. I thought the smoke jumping in the book was definitely well researched, but I thought it to be too much at times. The suspense was definitely there and it had me jumping to conclusions all the time, and some of the times I was actually right. The main characters, Gull and Rowan, were what to expect in a Nora Roberts book, interesting, strong individuals with some issues here and there. Now to the romance, there was only a little bit of it. I wish there were more relationship moments, to see them grow as a couple, but I guess they were too busy fighting fires. Personally I thought that the secondary romance got more of a spotlight in the "romance" department.

Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts (4/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: Putnam Adult (4/2011); Source: Library; Books 2011 (41);

Library Loot

2011-05-19T11:47:00.010-04:00

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that 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 got new loot! Yeah! Here's what came home with me:

You can join in the fun by visiting here.

TBR Challenge 2011

2011-05-18T09:55:00.006-04:00

I should be participating every month, but I've been bad. I haven't been meeting the objectives every month, but I have been reading books from my TBR pit.

Here's a recap of what I read so far:

Love and Mayhem
The Driftwood Cottage
Tate
Garrett
Austin

and earlier this year:

Dancing in the Moonlight

Visit here to join in the fun.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-05-17T09:20:00.004-04:00

L.B. got up from the table, walked quickly over to wrap an arm around Gull and Rowan in turn. "You're okay. That matters most. Next is finding the bastard."

~ taken from page 265, Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

Join in the fun by visiting here.

India Black

2011-05-16T13:54:00.004-04:00

In the red-light district of London, India Black is in the business of selling passion her clientele will never forget. But when it comes to selling secrets, India's price cannot be paid by any man...

In the winter of 1876, the beautiful young madam India Black is occupied with her usual tasks - keeping her tarts in line, avoiding the police and tolerating the clergyman bent on converting her girls. But when Sir Archibald Latham of the War Office dies from a heart attack while visiting her brothel, India is unexpectedly thrust into a deadly game between Russian and British agents who are seeking the military secrets Latham carried.

French, the handsome British spy, discovers India disposing of Latham's body and blackmails her into recovering the missing documents. Their quest takes them from the Russian embassy to Claridge's Hotel, from London to the English coast, all the while dodging Russians intent to do them harm.

But it is their own tempestuous relatiosnhip they will have to weather as India and French attempt to resist the mutual attraction between them - an attraction that can prove as deadly as the conspiracy entangling them...

I first saw this book over at The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader. Marg has a wonderful review of the book and being a fan of Victorian mystery I couldn't resist picking this book up at the library.

I was hooked right from the beginning. I absolutely loved the first paragraph of the book. It is written the first person and it took a me little time to get used that but India's voice maintained my interest. And then the story truly began.

This book has a great deal of interesting characters. There's India, a young madam who is the proud proprietor of Lotus House, there's French a British spy who gets India involved in this whole scheme, Calthorp the clergyman that wants to help the ladies of the house, Rowena a Caribbean beauty who likes India a little too much, but Vincent was the scene stealer in this book. He kept on turning up in the most unusual places. Loved him!

The blurb mentioned the attraction between India and French. I didn't pick up on that...yet. There's a definite curiosity and I'm hoping to see that attraction spark in the next book...I hope.

India Black by Carol K. Carr (4/5) Historical Mystery; Published: Berkley Prime Crime (1/2011); Series: # 1, A Madam of Espionage Mystery; New Author; Source: Library; Books 2011 (40);

Austin

2011-05-15T16:10:00.000-04:00

World champion rodeo star Austin McKettrick finally got bested by an angry bull. His career over, his love life a mess, the lone maverick has nowhere to go when the hospital releases him. Except back home to Blue River and the Silver Spur ranch. But his overachieving brothers won't allow this cowboy to brood in peace. They've even hired a nurse to speed his recovery. Paige Remington's bossy brand of TLC is driving him crazy. As is her beautiful face, sexy figure and silky black hair.

Paige has lost count of how many times Austin has tried to fire her. She's not going anywhere till he's healed—body and heart.

And by then her place in his life just might become permanent….

The final book of the trilogy and the final brother and sister. I know I've mentioned before but it still bothers me. This book also shares the theme of the first book, high school sweethearts.

Here's how I saw this one. Austin is a stubborn man, he knows what he wants and he isn't afraid to do the hard work to achieve it. But when he hurts himself bull riding his brother hire Paige as his nurse/babysitter. Paige is in between jobs and needs a distraction to all the wedding business going around so she accepts the challenge/job.

I found their story to be truthful. In the way that sometimes you carry these residual feelings from things that happened to you as a teen. Especially when you think you are in love. That being said, Austin and Paigeare good together, they have that connection that I didn't feel with the other two books. Plus their banter was very entertaining.

The secondary plot, which was develop throughout the series seemed to truly hit the high and low in this book. I found that too much happened too quickly. Maybe it could have been divided up a little better...but that's just my opinion.

Austin by Linda Lael Miller (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: HQN Books (6/2010); Series: # 3, The McKettricks of Texas; Source: TBR Read; Books 2011 (39);

Garrett

2011-05-14T07:44:00.000-04:00

Fast track up the political ladder, fast cars, fast women - that's Garrett McKettrick. Make that was. A scandal has brought him home to Blue River, Texas, a place where a man can slow down, take stock and plan his next move. Which doesn't include staying at the family ranch with his brothers. A city boy, Garrett doesn't think he has the land in his blood.

But Blue River has other attractions, like his former high school nemesis, Julie Remington. Now a striking woman, Julie comes complete with a four-year-old cowboy, a three-legged beagle and deep ties to the community. Good thing they have nothing in common...except their undeniable attraction a future brighter than the Texas sun.

Another nice story starring a McKettrick and a Remington. Am I the only one that thinks it's strange that three brothers would fall for three sisters - the premise of the series. I think it is, but that won't stop me from reading the books.

Garrett is in a crossroads of sorts, the Senator that he worked for is involved in a scandal and Garrett is licking his wounds at home. I found him somewhat naive when it came the the "good" senator. Or maybe just idealistic about this person he put on a pedestal. Julie is a high school English teacher who is also in charge of the theatre program at school, she has a asthmatic child who she at times over protects. All of the sudden the absent father wants to be a part of the child's life and Julia is having a hard time adjusting. Garrett and Julia are instantly attracted to each other and suddenly the feelings run deeper than they thought they would.

Like I said above it was a nice story, the characters likable enough, the sex scenes were good but I found their connection to be lacking. I'm starting to sound like a broken record....

Garrett by Linda Lael Miller (2.75/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: HQN Books (5/2010); Series # 2, McKettricks of Texas; Source: TBR Read; Books 2011 (38);

Tate

2011-05-13T14:29:00.002-04:00

There are barely enough hours for divorced dad Tate McKettrick to run the Silver Spur ranch, do the suit-and-tie thing for his business and run herd on his beloved six-year-old twin daughters. But time stands still at the sight of Libby Remington. When they were high school sweethearts, the wealthy McKettrick couldn't convince Libby he loved her. But now they're both back in Blue River, Texas. And cattle rustlers, a manipulative ex-wife and a killer stallion can't keep him from trying again.

Libby has her hands full taking care of her mother—and running the Perk Up Coffee Shop. Caffeine, she needs. Tate McKettrick, with his blazing blue eyes and black hair? No. Oh, heck—yes. But can they really hope for a second chance?

I tend to like the high-school sweathearts give it another chance theme. And I was pretty excited about reading Linda Lael Miller again. It's been years since I've read a book by her, she used to be a must read years ago. I loved her historicals.

I liked Tate and Libby. They are both very good characters, but for the life of me I cannot understand their attraction. There was something missing, and I can't pinpoint it either. So reading this book involved more skimming than anything else. I guess overall it was ok. Just ok.

Tate by Linda Lael Miller (2.5/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: HQN Books 1/10); Series: # 1, McKettricks of Texas; Source: TBR Read; Books 2011 (37)

Jane Austen Ruined My Life

2011-05-12T16:39:00.000-04:00

English professor Emma Grant has always done everything just the way her minister father told her she should -- a respectable marriage, a teaching job at a good college, and plans for the requisite two children. Life was prodigiously good, as her favorite author Jane Austen might say, until the day Emma finds her husband in bed with another woman. Suddenly, all her romantic notions a la Austen are exposed for the foolish dreams they are.
Denied tenure in the wake of the scandal and left penniless by the ensuing divorce, Emma packs up what few worldly possessions she has left and heads to England on a quest to find the missing letters of Jane Austen. Locating the elusive letters, however, isn't as straightforward as Emma hoped. The owner of the letters proves coy about her prize possessions, sending Emma on a series of Austen-related tasks that bring her closer and closer to the truth, but the sudden reappearance of Emma's first love makes everything more complicated.

In the end, Emma learns that doing the right thing has very little to do with other people's expectations and everything to do with her own beliefs. Laced with fictional excerpts from the missing letters, Jane Austen Ruined My Life is the story of a woman betrayed who uncovers the deeper meaning of loyalty.

Emma Grant is heading to England in search of Jane Austen's secret letters. She want to show the real Jane Austen to the world, in hopes of rescueing her academic career. But before she is able to get her hands on those rare letters, she needs to pass a series of tests.

I love the premise of the book. The idea of Jane Austen's romantic life is very appealing and it makes me wonder what person Jane Austen was, because there is very little known of her. I found the book very easy to read and by the end of it I wanted more. I even liked the way it ended.

Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo (3.5/5) General Fiction; Published: GuidepostsBooks (2/2009); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Books 2011 (36);

Driftwood Cottage

2011-05-10T16:39:00.006-04:00

Single mom Heather Donovan's dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O'Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son's father, Connor O'Brien. His parents' divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have left him jaded about marriage.

Then everything changes. Will the possibility of a future without Heather make Connor look at love and his career differently? Heather's just about given up on her old dreams—of love, of family and especially of Driftwood Cottage, the home she secretly wishes were hers. It's going to take a lot of persuasion—and some help from the O'Brien family—to make Heather believe that some dreams are worth fighting for.

Reading Sherryl Woods is like having comfort food. Soothing, satisfying and it hits the spot. And Driftwood Cottage definitely hit the spot.

Of all the quirky O'Brien's Connor is the least known. He's a very successful divorce attorney, and his job has left him jaded when it comes to marriage. Heather on the other hand, although she had a bad example for a god marriage growing up, she hasn't lost hope that marriage to the right person is magical and loving. If only Connor could see the light...

This book is all about Connor's reluctance to marry. And by the end of the book I was ready to scream. Enough! But overall it was what a wanted, cosy comfort.

Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: Mira (3/2011); Series: # 5, Chesapeake Shores; Source: TBR Read; Books 2011 (35)

Heavens to Betsy

2011-05-06T13:13:00.000-04:00

Blessed Are the Fabulous.

Life would be perfect for Reverend Betsy Blessing if it weren't for parishioners who keel over during her sermons, steal money from the collection box, and set her up with ex-cons. Not to mention the very inconvenient feelings she is suddenly having for her long-time friend, fellow seminarian, and verbal sparring partner, David Swenson. It isn’t until Betsy is thrust into the position of senior minister for her church, however, that she discovers the real cause of her discontent: her fear of failing has become stronger than her faith in herself.

Is it really possible to keep a good woman down? Can Betsy reclaim her confidence while reconciling her clerical robe with high heels and the right shade of lipstick? A fun-loving look at a single girl’s life on the other side of the altar, Heavens to Betsy is also a hilarious and joyful celebration of strong, stylish, and faithful womanhood.

After the disaster of the previous book I needed a pick-me-upper. So I chose to read Heavens to Betsey.

Betsey is having some issues. She's in love with a man that doesn't notice her in "that way", her parish would rather have a male minister, money from Sunday collection is missing and she may just have a change of heart regarding her calling.

And it was just what I needed. It was a fast and funny read.

Heavens to Betsey by Beth Pattillo (3/5) General Fiction; Published: WaterBrook Press (6/2005); Series: # 1, Betsey Blessing; Source/Format: Library Ebook for OverDrive App; Books 2011 (34);

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart

2011-05-05T13:12:00.000-04:00

She lives for passion.

Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.

He swears by reputation.

Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening—risking everything he holds dear—he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

What a mouthful!

The first book of the St John family series was amazing. It actually was my favourite read of last year. The second book was an entertaining read but it felt flat in comparison to the first. So you can imagine how much I was looking forward to the final book of the series.

I cannot tell you how disappointed I was with this book. It felt to me like it was written by the same author. Where in the first two books Juliana seemed to be fiery and exciting, in this one she came across as a klutz and attention seeker. Simon on the other hand was his usual self, you know the type...stick up you know where. A snob with a capital S-N-O-B! I couldn't understand their mutual attraction. I'm sure I'm missing something....

Bah!!

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean (2/5) Historical Romance; Published: Avon (4/2011); Series: # 3, St John; Format: Ebook for Kindle; Waste of Time; Books 2011 (33);

Any Man of Mine

2011-05-04T13:12:00.005-04:00

What happens in Vegas . . . doesn't always stay there.

Autumn Haven's Las Vegas "to-do" list said to catch a show and play the slots—not wake up married to a sexy jerk like Sam LeClaire. The first moment she saw him eyeing her like a luscious piece of the dessert buffet, her usually responsible self told her to run. And she did—right into the wildest fantasy weekend of her life. But Monday morning jolted her back to reality, and before she could say "pass the coffee," Sam was gone.

Now a successful wedding planner, Autumn hasn't clapped eyes on the heartbreaking hockey superstar for over two years . . . until she organizes his teammate's "Special Day," where Sam makes a big play to pick up where he left off! But she has vowed any man of hers plays for keeps. Is Sam the man for her or does she banish him to the sin bin forever?

I've been reading Rachel Gibson for years and she's always been a must read author for me; She used to be a must buy, but that's another story. I adore her hockey books, there's something about hockey players that make my heart do a little flip. Mind you there are some books that are better than others. And let's just say that this hockey just didn't do it for me.

I found Sam to be emotionally crippled and a jackass with a capital J. Although he did grow on me throughout the book. He made the effort to get to know his child and be a more active parent. But I just didn't buy the emotional connection to Amber, the physical one was awesome, but I didn't get anything other than that for their story.

Any Man of Mine b Rachel Gibson (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: Avon (4/2011); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Books 2011 (32);

Not That Kind of Girl

2011-05-04T13:11:00.004-04:00

Roxanne Bloom is through with love. Fresh on the heels of a bad break-up, she’s decided to devote all her time to her man-slamming website—and her man-hating dog, Lilith. But this pit-bull-Boxer is so good at unleashing her fury (and her owner’s) that the male victims keep piling up…and now it’s time to get some sensitivity training. Enter Eli Gallagher, one of the best—and hottest—canine experts in town.

The more Eli gets to know Roxie, the more he senses that she’s been hurt by men in the past—just like her dog. With a little gentle prodding, and a whole lot of patience, Eli hopes to gain Roxie’s trust and soothe her broken heart. Eli can see that Roxie’s bark is way worse than her bite. But she’s not putting her guard down just yet—even if she is falling deeply, madly, doggedly in love with him...

I'm making this short....well, shorter than usual...I didn't care for this story. Thing was I was really looking forward to this book, but I wasn't able to really get into the characters or the story for that matter. I found Roxie a pain the behind and Eli was ok but something about him didn't rub right. It was nice to see the rest of ladies though. And that little twist at the end just blew me away. Ewww....

This book was truly a waste of my time. And hate saying it, because I like the author. I was hoping for another He Loves Lucy and this one was anything but that. Grrr!

Not That Kind of Girl by Susan Donovan (2/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: St. Martin's Paperbacks (11/2010); Series: # 3, Dog Walkers; Books 2011 (31);

Bury Your Dead

2011-05-02T13:14:00.001-04:00

As Quebec City shovers in the grip of winter, its ancient stone walls cracking in the cold, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache plunges into the strangest case of his celebrated career. A man has been brutally murdered in one of the city's oldest buildings - a library where the English citizens of Quebec safeguard their history. And the death opens a door into the past, exposing a mystery that has lain dormant for centuries...a mystery Gamache must solve if he's to catch a present-day killer.

I'm a huge fan of Louise Penny's Armand Gamache series. I've loved all the books of the series, of course some more than others but to me the Armand Gamache series is awesome. The series has it all: great characters, great storylines and the best setting possible...Canada! Ok, Quebec. But it has the Canadian touch.

This book did not disappoint. The Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is in Quebec City to recover from a terrible accident. He needs time to recover pshycally and also psycologically. And the reader has a front row seat to his turmoil. It has an amazing experience seeing a great man remember and try to forgive himself his greatest mistake. Although Gamache's storyline is poignant, the scene stealer of the book for me was the history of the city itself. I think like many other English speaking Canadians I only know the minimal history of Quebec which is sad in a way, because it's a place full of rich history.

There was also the re-opening of the case involving Olivier, which was in The Brutal Telling. And what a twist in that story. My goodness I didn't see that one coming.

Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny (5/5) Mystery; Published: Minotaur Books (9/2010); Series: # 6, Armand Gamache; Canadian Author; Source: Library; Canadian Book Challenge (3); Favourite Reads 2011; Books 2011 (30);

The Month that was April

2011-05-01T12:29:00.005-04:00

April has been quite the month! Here in Canada it's Daffodil Month for the Canadian Cancer Society. On a personal note, my husband turned 40. He didn't really want to make a big deal so it was just a family celebration.

And of course there was the Royal wedding. Even I got caught up in this event, William and Kate make a beautiful couple, and I wish them all the best in their marriage.

My reads month for the month of April:

Dirty Rotten Tendrils
Simply Irresistable
The Trouble with Mr Darcy
The Snake, The Crocodile & The Dog
Suddenly One Summer
The Darkest Hour
Devil In My Bed
Rogue In My Arms
Scoundrel In My Dreams
Lover Unleashed
Compromised
No Place to Run
Love and Mayhem
The Sweetest Thing
Hidden Away

My favorite of read of the month:

Hidden Away

2011-04-30T08:30:00.000-04:00

A man who shoots first and asks questions later…

Most people would take an all-expenses-paid trip to the beach in a heartbeat. Garrett Kelly only accepts to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who’s in hiding after witnessing a murder by Marcus Lattimer, her half-brother—and a personal enemy of KGI. This gig may be beneath a disciplined soldier like Garrett, but if he gets a shot at Lattimer, it will all be worth it…

…and the ultimate moving target.

But Garrett hadn’t counted on falling for Sarah. He’d considered seduction as a tactical maneuver, but when he glimpses Sarah’s dark past, he feels an urgent desire to keep her safe—even after she disappears on him. Garrett doesn’t know exactly who, or what, Sarah’s running from, but whatever it is, she’s running for her life…

Seriously this is getting out of control. Funny stuff...couldn't help myself and bought the next novel of the KGI series. I really couldn't help myself.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I love Garrett. In the previous books he always seemed to be the calm, cool, collected with heart of gold type of guy. And he was the same guy in this one, but don't get me started on the heroine, Sarah. There's nothing wrong with being timid, and it was totally understandable her being cautious but it wouldn't have hurt to see some backbone. Or maybe I just missed something.

But what I really loved about this book was Rusty. I adore her. And the Kelly family is wonderful!

Hidden Away by Maya Banks (4/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: Berkley (3/2011); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 3, KGI Novels; Books 2011 (29);

The Sweetest Thing

2011-04-29T08:07:00.001-04:00

Two Men Are One Too Many . . .

Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.

The Sweetest Thing is the second book of the Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis. I read the first book, Simply Irresistible recently and I've been waiting oh so patiently to get my turn with this book through my local library.

People, I inhaled this book in one sitting! One sitting! I was so caught up with what was happening to Tara and Logan, that I forgot everything around me. It was the perfect read for an afternoon.

Although I found Tara to be harsh at times there was a deep affection about her. And you could see that when she is concerned with her younger sister's health, you can see it when she cooks, and when she finally meets her daughter. It was beautiful to experience. And Logan, he's the type of guy that always seems relaxed and ready to hop off to the next adventure, but it wasn't always care free he felt deeply about what had happened between them when they were teens.

The only concern I have is that I now have to wait until December for the next book.

The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis (4.5/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: Forever (4/2011); Series: # 2, Lucky Harbor Novel; Source: Library; Books 2011 (28);

Love and Mayhem

2011-04-28T07:52:00.000-04:00

Try getting married when your betrothed can wield an iron pot with deadly accuracy, her mad uncle thinks he's William Wllace, and her two maiden aunts can't finish a sentence - or a thought - on their own...

Sir Iain Armstrong is trying to wed Lady Marion, a convent-raised spitfire. All Iain wants to do is fulfill his father's wishes, appease two royal courts, and do what is best for the future of Scotland by putting an end to all the troubles in his part of the Borders. All Lady Marion has to do is agree to marry him, which is the last thing on her mind when Iain arrives at the convent. Until she realizes that Iain is a man of courage, intelligence, and seductively powerful shoulders. But now her eccentric family might do what she's already failed to do-drive him away forever.

I've had this book in my TBR pit for a very long time. I'm not sure when it was bought, but after reading the blurb I know why I bought it, funny historical MIK read. I love those!

And for the first half of the book I thought that I was correct, but somewhere it somehow just unraveled for me. I lost interest and I skimmed the rest of the book, and not even the mad rants of the heroine's uncle helped.

I hate when that happens!

Love and Mayhem by Nicole Cody (2.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Signet Eclipse (4/2006); New Author; TBR Read; Books 2011 (27);

No Place to Run

2011-04-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

Sam Kelly was her first love.

The last person Sam Kelly expected to pull wounded from the lake was Sophie Lundgren. Once they shared a brief, intense affair while Sam was undercover and then she vanished. She's spent the last months on the run, knowing that any mistake would cost her life and that of her unborn child—Sam's child. Now she's resurfaced with a warning for Sam: this time, he's the one in danger.

Now he's her last chance.

Sam has too many questions to let her slip away again—like why she disappeared in the first place. This time he vows not to be seduced. But one look in her eyes, and the passion burns again, and Sam knows he’ll do anything to keep her and his child safe. However, Sophie’s dark past is more dangerous than he imagines, and the only way for either to survive it is to outrun it.

I recently read the first book of the KGI series, The Darkest Hour, and I just had to get my hands on the second book of the series, No Place to Run. So I broke down and bought the ebook.

I wasn't disappointed in buying it. I was hooked right from the beginning. Sam swept in my life and captured it for a whole weekend. And I'm not complaining one bit. Ok, just one little complaint...the heroine. Don't get me wrong I really liked her, although her age was never revealed, she was young and she knew what she wanted. She wanted to keep her baby safe, and I can totally relate to that. My problem was her name, Sophie. It's a beautiful name but it's also my young daughters name, and I was having trouble ignoring that fact whenever a sex scene came up.

Sam is one of those heroes that I will look back with having the whole package. The looks, the alpha type, the dangerous job, the stubbornness, and after being lied to so many by the heroine he still wants to protect her.

No Place to Run by Maya Banks (4.5/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: Berkley (12/2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 2, KGI Novel; Books 2011 (26)

Teaser Tuesday

2011-04-26T11:32:00.003-04:00

It's been a day or two since I've held my quill but the campaign is not a part-time endeavour. Daniel, Lyndsay, Muriel, and the two Petes have got my shoulder to the wheel every waking hour.

~ taken from page 96, The High Road by Terry Fallis

Teaser # 2:

No other people or dogs in sight.
The bottom line? Owning Lilith was exhausting.

~ taken from page 39, Not That Kind of Girl by Susan Donovan

Compromised

2011-04-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Miss Gail Alton was not having a good day. Or a good year. First, she's strong-armed into attending the Season as a foil to her beautiful sister Evangeline. Then, while riding her mare in the park, she gets toppled by a stuffy, self-important, too-handsome-by-half "gentleman" who has the audacity to blame her for their fall into the chilly lake! Little does Gail know that the very same man will soon be found in a compromising position with her sister...

Forced into asking for Evangeline's hand in marriage, Maximillian, Viscount Fontaine, can't take his mind off the irksome girl who threw him from his horse and who can match wits with him at every turn. He's determined to follow through with his best intentions, yet he can't deny that Gail makes him want to cast propriety aside--and whisk away the sister of his soon-to-be bride...

I wasn't expecting too much out of this book. The book was recommended to me by a good friend, but we don't always have the same taste in books.

I was pleasantly surprised. It was one of those books that I managed to read within a couple of afternoons. I enjoyed the setting, Regency England, the characters were very interesting and there were quite a few of them. I thought that Gail and her sister Evangeline were great together, they had a very close relationship and I enjoyed their different ways on dealing with their stepmother. It took me a while to warm up to Max, at the beginning I thought that he was a somewhat spoiled and lazy sort of gentleman, but there was more than that to him.

Overall I thought that the book was charming and sweet, and I will be looking forward on reading more books by this author.

Compromised by Kate Noble (3/5) Historical Romance; Published: Berkley (2/2009); Source: Library; New Author; Books 2011 (25);

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T14:16:00.002-04:00

Lover Unleashed

2011-04-23T08:59:00.003-04:00

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.

When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.

As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

It says that this book is supposed to be Payne and Manny's story, but after reading the book I think it was Vishous' book. A revisiting Vishous and Dr Jane's relationship...Truth be told their original wasn't all that appealing to me, but for some reason I truly liked them in this one.

Not all the usual characters were shown in the book, but mere mentions here and there which was okay with me. But I really wanted more with Blay and Qhuinn and of course Payne and Manny. But the moments with Payne and Manny were great, I just wished that were more of than.

And like the last few books of this series, I find that the book was more urban fantasy than a paranormal romance. But I love the overall series and I will continue on buying these books. I cannot wait to see what will come up next.

Lover Unleashed by JR Ward (4/5) Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance; Published: NAL Hardcover (3/2011); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 9, Black Dagger Brotherwood; Books 2011 (24);

Scoundrel in My Dreams

2011-04-21T15:36:00.005-04:00

Some Mistakes Are Worth Repeating...
The child is his: Jack, or rather, Lord John Redgrave, knows it the instant he glimpses the blue-eyed girl who was abandoned on the steps of his gentleman's club. Her mother came to his room on dark night more than three years ago--and spurned his proposal the very next day. But when Jack visits Amaryllis Clarke to demand an explanation, he receives the shock of his life. For it wasn't proud, worldly Amaryllis with whom he spent that soul-stirring. It was her infatuated younger sister, Laurel.

Over and Over Again...

Laurel was only seventeen when she gave her innocence to Jack--and paid a steep price. She might be overjoyed with her reunion with little Melody, but Laurel won't surrender to her desires again. Jack, meanwhile, has no wish to give up the daughter he never knew he had. Nor will he part with the sensual woman who makes him feel alive with longing. He intends to use any means possible to convince Laurel to stay. After all, all's fair in matters of seduction--especially to a scoundrel in love...

After reading the previous two books of the series I really thought that this book would be spectacular or at least better than the others. The build it was there...the end result not so much. Jack and Lauren were great characters but halfway through the book, I couldn't deal with their bullcrap. There's only so much whinning and complaining about the injustice of "it all" that I could take. Oh why does this happen? Great characters but....at the end of it all it was just okay.

Scoundrel in My Dreams by Celeste Bradley (2.5/5) Historical Fiction; Published: St. Martin's Paperbacks (8/2010); Series: # 3, The Runaway Brides; Books 2011 (23);

Rogue in My Arms

2011-04-20T14:10:00.000-04:00

Laconic Sir Colin Lambert isn't at all worried about the prospect of fatherhood--not if it brings the lovely actress Chantal back into his life! She refused him once, but now with little Melody to tempt her, perhaps she will return to him and be his wife at last!

The only problem is, Chantal has disappeared!

Prudence Filby isn't as lowborn as she seems, but no one would hire a lady as a stage seamstress. Now that the obnoxious Chantal has fled without paying Pru, she doesn't even have that income and her little brother Evan is getting hungrier by the moment! When the lovesick Mr. Lambert offers to pay her to help him find Chantal--and help him mind little Melody on the journey--Pru has no choice but to take him up on it!

Colin wants to fly to Chantal's side, but with Miss Filby and the little ones in tow, he finds his way hampered by mishap after mishap. Along the way he realizes that the woman he wants is not the one he's chasing!

The second book of the series, The Runaway Brides by Celeste Bradley.

In this book Colin continues the search for little Melody mother. He believes that there is chance that Mellie is his daughter with an ex-mistress of his, Chantal a famous actress. Along the way the meets Pru and her brother Evan. Pru worked for Chantal in Brighton in a theatre company. But Chantal has disappeared and Colin enlists Pru's help in locating her and also helping with Mellie. Well you can probably figure out what happens next...gorgeous hunk and a very pretty girl. Anyway add a dishonest inn-keeper, a troupe of traveling actors and a outspoken designer and you get a pretty entertaining story. I just wish I liked the heroine more, for some reason she got on my nerves.

Rogue in My Arms by Celeste Bradley (3.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: St. Martin's Paperbacks (3/2010); Source: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 2, The Runaway Brides; Books 2011 (22);

Library Loot

2011-04-19T16:21:00.015-04:00

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that 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!

It's been two weeks since my last library visit. There was a lot of book traffic! ;)

Books returning to the library:
The Snake, The Crocodile & The Dog
The Darkest Hour
Suddenly One Summer
Dirty Rotten Tendrils
Simply Irresistible
Compromised - will post my thoughts soon
Sea Witch - returned unread; I didn't get around to it quickly enough, and wasn't able to renew because it was placed on hold by another patron.

My loot this week:

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson. I've been wanting to read this book for a while and it's finally my turn.

Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny. I love this series, it's a little piece of Canadiana...In Quebec!

In Bed with the Duke by Christina Dodd. I haven't read a book by this author in years, thought I would give her another try.

Icebreaker by Deirdre Martin. Hockey players. Need I say more?

Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis. I couldn't say no to that little face. Isn't he cute? It's the first book in a new series.

The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames. I cannot resist a cozy mystery. It's the first book in a brand new series, A Cheese Shop Mystery.

The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis. The second book of the Lucky Harbor series.

Kiss Me if You Can by Carly Phillips. Another author that I haven't read in years. Keeping my fingers crossed with this book.

Cook the Books by Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant. The fifth book in the Gourmet Girl mystery series.

Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella. I'm trying to catch up with the Shopaholic series.

Not That Kind of Girl by Susan Donovan. The third book of the Dog Walking series.

Any loot this week?

Devil in My Bed

2011-04-19T14:05:00.002-04:00

Three Lords and a Baby...

When Aidan de Quincy finds a precocious tot on the steps of his gentleman's club, he is sure he isn't the child's father...well, nearly sure. In order to find out, he needs to find the only woman he ever loved--the one who broke his heart!

Madeleine Chandler has a secret, but not the one Aidan thinks she does. Her past is about to catch up to her again and only Aidan can save her. All she has to do is tell one more tiny little lie...

The first book of Celeste Bradley's, The Runaway Brides. I picked up the third novel at the UBS not knowing that it was part of a series, so I quickly bought the other books. I need to read a series in sequence, otherwise it just does not work for me.

In Devil in My Bed we are introduced to Aidan, Colin, Madeleine and little Melody. Aidan, Colin, and Jack are members of Brown's, a gentlemen's club. Little Melody arrives at the doorstep of said club with a note saying that her father is a member, and through the process of elimination they will try to figure out who is her father.

I found the premise of the story to be very good. I enjoyed the characters, I really liked Aidan and Madeleine, enjoyed their story ans was rooting for them at from the start; but the scene stealer was Melody, she was a cute precocious kid, I'm a little surprised how well she spoke, but it's fiction.

Looking forward to the next book, Rogue in My Arms.

Devil in My Bed by Celeste Bradley (3.5/5) Historical Fiction; Published: St. Martin's Paperbacks (8/2009); Source: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 1, The Runaway Brides; Books 2011 (21);

Teaser Tuesday

2011-04-19T12:00:00.002-04:00

"When it were Miss Marchant what got offended." Evan grinned. "Then you hit him like a speedin' alecart when it were Pru he put his paws on." Evan tilted his head and gazed at them both. "That were beau'iful, that."

~ taken from page 155, Rogue in My Arms by Celeste Bradley

You can join in the fun by visiting here.

The Darkest Hour

2011-04-15T09:53:00.004-04:00

It's been one year since ex-Navy SEAL Ethan Kelly last saw his wife, Rachel, alive. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt over his failures as a husband, Ethan shuts himself off from everything and everyone.

His brothers have tried to bring Ethan into the KGI fold, tried to break through the barriers he's built around himself, but Ethan refuses to respond...until he receives an anonymous note claiming Rachel is alive.

To save her, Ethan will have to dodge bullets, cross a jungle and risk falling captive to a deadly drug cartel that threatens his own demise. And even if he succeeds, he'll have to force Rachel to recover memories she doesn't want t relive - the minute-by-minute terror of her darkest hour - for their love, and their lives, may depend on it.

After reading this book I have three questions.

Why has it taken me so long to read a book my Maya Banks? Honestly I cannot fathom the reason why it took me years...years, people!...to read Maya Banks. I have friends that rave about this author, but I kept on passing her by. But not any longer!

Where can I find myself a Kelly brother? What a group of yummy alpha-males. Num num. Not only are they gorgeous, military trained, they also have a kindness about them. In this book we're introduced to all the Kelly brothers, Sam, Garrett, Donovan, Ethan, Nathan and Joe. But the focus is on Ethan and his wife Rachel. I have to admit that my first glimpse of Ethan (drunk) was not a stellar introduction but it was an understandable condition. His pain and guilt were so deep that when he receives the note that Rachel is imprisoned, he changes...first he's angry with the bad joke and then something sparks, a what if. And then the story really begins for me. Being kept in captivity Rachel tries everything to remain sane, but her memory is starting the fade and the only thing that helps is the "medicine". I loved seeing Rachel and Ethan together, the love they have for each other is evident but it seemed there was something being held back (and find out the reason towards the end). It was a great romantic suspense story.

How long will I have to wait to get my hands on the next book? Not long I hope!

The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks (4/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: Berkley Sensation (9/2010); Source: Library; Series: # 1, KGI Novel; Books 2011 (20)

Suddenly One Summer

2011-04-14T15:03:00.004-04:00

Jenna Davies flees to the close-knit community of Angel's Bay with a seven-year-old child, a dangerous secret, and a heart full of pain. She wants nothing more than to live a quiet life, but when she sees a teenager plunge off the pier, she doesn't hesitate to dive in after her. But saving the desperate girl's life thrusts Jenna into a spotlight she can ill afford. Suddenly everyone in town wants to know her story -- a story that could cost her life.

Reid Tanner was a tough reporter until a shattering incident changed everything. Now all of his instincts are on alert. Who is Jenna, and what is she hiding? He wants answers, but his quest for the truth could put them all in danger. They say love is a miracle -- but can it keep Jenna safe in his arms?

I'm not sure what exactly happened but I had a hard time getting into the story. It took me up until halfway through the book to really enjoy what I was reading. It felt like the author was introducing way too many characters in a short amount of time. I realize that this book is the introduction to Angel's Bay and the people that make it a great family oriented community, but it was a little too much.

Saying that, I did enjoy Jenna, Lexie and Reid's story. I just wished there was more of them, but I'm hoping on seeing these characters in the next book(s) of the series.

Suddenly One Summer by Barbara Freethy (3.5/5) General Fiction; Published: Pocket Star Books (2009); Source: Library; Series: # 1, Angel's Bay; Books 2011 (19)

Teaser Tuesday

2011-04-12T09:05:00.003-04:00

The sleepy town she'd first moved into was now a frenzy of activity with the preparations for the weekend festival, a combined celebration of the founding of the town and the official beginning of summer. The festival was set to kick off in two hours with a wine, cheese, and art fair along the waterfront.

~ taken from page 51, Suddenly One Summer by Barbara Freethy

You can join in the fun by visiting here.

The Snake, The Crocodile & The Dog

2011-04-11T10:58:00.005-04:00

Amelia Peabody was unabashedly proud of her newest translation, a fragment of the ancient fairytale "The Doomed Prince". Later, she would wonder why no sense of foreboding struck her as she retold the story of the king's favorite son who had been warned that he would die from the snake, the crocodile, or the dog. Little did she realize, as she and her beloved husband sailed blissfully toward the pyramids of ancient Egypt, that those very beasts (and a cat as well) would be part of a deadly plot.

The expedition began so happily....Leaving their delightful, but catastrophically precocious, son, Ramses, back in England, Amelia hoped this romantic trip might rejuvenate her thirteen-year-old marriage and bring back the thrills that she feared were fading. She and her dear Emerson were returning to the remote desert site where they had first fallen in love, Amarna, the holy city of Akhenaton and his beautiful queen, Nefertiti. But their return would threaten not only their marriage, but their very lives with perils as chilling as a mummy'scurse.

An old enemy was determined to learn Amelia and Emerson's most closely guarded secret: the location of a legendary long-lost oasis and a race of people bedecked in gold. So cunning was his scheme that Amelia might overlook - until it was too late - the truth about the mysterious cat Anubis, the identity of the spy among their retinue, and the nature of the stunning blow that could rob her of all she held dear.

Reading The Snake, The Crocodile & The Dog by Elizabeth Peters was like visiting old friends. Those old friends that you don't visit often but catching up is always a treat. And this book was a definite treat.

Peabody and Emerson are back in Egypt, but this time without Ramses and the newest addition to their family Nefret. Peabody wants to rekindle the romance/love, but Emerson can't quite seem to figure that out on his own. They arrive at their destination and that's when the "accidents" happen and later the abduction. The "who dunit" process was very entertaining, I had my doubts on who the perpetrator was throughout the book and at the end I was wrong, but was pleasantly surprised with ending.

Although it took me longer than usual to read this book, it wasn't the books fault. I lie that solely on my children. Softball season has begun and a series of colds and fevers left me little time to read. But when I finally was able to sit and read it was truly enjoyable.

The Snake, The Crcodile & The Dog by Eliabeth Peters (4/5) Historical Mystery; Published: Warner Books (1992); Source: Library; Series: # 7, Peabody/Emerson; Books 2011 (18);

Teaser Tuesday

2011-04-05T09:16:00.003-04:00

We had decided to breakfast in our room, for the sake of greater privacy and also because Emerson did not want to get dressed to go downstairs. His shirt was open at the throat and his sleeves had been pushed up to the elbows, the sight of him lounging at ease, long legs stretched out, a pipe in one hand and a pen in the other, almost distracted me from the matter at hand.

~ taken from page 47, The Snake, The Crocodile & The Dog by Elizabeth Peters

You can join in the fun by visiting here.

The Trouble with Mr Darcy

2011-04-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

Is it even possible to have a perfect romance?

Sensual, happy, and steeped in all the luxuries of the lavish Regency period, Darcy and Elizabeth must still face the many challenges that every married couple confronts after the honeymoon is over. Just as the most intense issues of their marriage begin to arise, George Wickham returns to Hertforshire bent on creating trouble. Knowing Darcy as long as he has, Wickham knows just how to strike at his vulnerabilities. But Wickham is only a pawn for someone even more unscrupulous than he is - and much more powerful.

When everything Darcy cherishes most is thrown into deadly danger, and knowing that Wickham has nothing left to lose, Darcy must confront his enemy and his own demons at the same time...

I've been looking forward to reading this book since the release of the previous book of the series. You can say that my expectations on The Trouble with Mr Darcy to be high.

I'm not quite sure what to think of this book...I definitely found it different from the previous books of this series. Although I liked parts of it there were also others that could have been left out...but that's just my opinion.

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

I loved the way that the author dealt with postpartum depression. It's not only the mother that suffers but truly the family. I've been there and I know the feelings, and sometimes the lack of them that can turn your life upside down. For that I commend the author, she dealt with it very well. The anger and confusion were all there.

I enjoyed Kitty's romance with Artois. Found it to be very sweet and sensual. And it was also nice to see all the sisters together again for her wedding.

I found the Darcy's trip abroad to be a waste of time. I didn't care for the relatives and really couldn't understand what it had to do with the rest of the story. What really had me grumbling and complaining was the whole abduction/revenge came about. I understood the motive, but couldn't wrap my mind around it. But I guess that's the "crazy" Ormon for you. One good thing about it, was that Mrs Smythe is out. Woot! Never cared for her.

The Trouble with Mr Darcy by Sharon Lathan (3.5/5) Historical Fiction; Published: Sourcebooks Landmark (4/2011); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 5, Pride & Prejudice Continues; Books 2011 (17);

Simply Irresistible

2011-04-03T13:34:00.000-04:00

Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

I cannot believe that I hadn't heard of this author until now! I inhaled this book in one sitting. I kik you not! I began this book early afternoon and I refused to put it down until the very last page and now I want more! More!

I loved the main characters, Maddie and Jax. Both in their own way wanting to start a new and reclaim their lives. To Maddie that meant re-opening her mother's inn with her sisters. For Jax, that meant leaving a productive life in Seattle to living a happy life in Lucky Habor.

It was wonderful book!

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis (4.5/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: Grand Central (10/2010); New Author; Series: # 1, Lucky Harbor Novel; Books 2011 (17)

Dirty Rotten Tendrils

2011-04-02T14:37:00.000-04:00

What Do You Call One Murdered Lawyer?

Spring is blooming in New Chapel, Indiana, but Abby's beloved small town has become a media circus. Singer Cody Verse has returned home after winning on America's Next Hit Single with his song "Code Blue". He has brought high-powered lawyer Ken "the Lip" Lipinski with him to fend off a lawsuit from his former songwriting partner.

Then the Lip is in need of a code blue himself when he's found dead from a suspicious overdose. Abby finds it hard to swallow the opposing counsel - and her old boss - Dave Hammond could be the killer. Now Abby and her hot boyfriend, Marco, must prune the list of suspects for the murder of a man who had more enemies than his client has fans...

I've been reading the Flower Shop Mystery series for years and in my honest opinion that hasn't been a bad book in the bunch. And I'm hoping that it will continue to be that way... Of course there is always the odd book that doesn't quit measure to the rest, but it is a very entertaining series.

And this book didn't disappoint. Abby is being her usual self, nosy and pertective of her loved ones; and Marco is trying to keep her out of trouble, the usual. Add the rest of the gang, and a few new characters and you have a very interesting story to tell. Usually I'm able to figure it out halfway through the book, but with this one I was stunned on who the murderer was.

Dirty Rotten Tendrils by Kate Collins (4/5) Contemporary Mystery; Published: Obsidian Mystery (10/2010); Series: # 10, Flower Shop Mystery; Books 2011 (16)

Holly Blues

2011-03-31T11:06:00.003-04:00

China Bayles is fit to spit when her husband's troubled ex-wife, Sally, shows up at her herb shop, claiming to be broke with nowhere else to turn. China isn't sure if it's the goodness of her heart or the scent of Christmas wreaths, but she invites Sally to stay.

Then China starts receiving menacing calls from an "ex" of Sally's, who seems to have a connection to the murder of her parents nearly a decade ago. With her P.I. husband out of town, it's up to China to weed out the truth behind whatever it is Sally's running from before danger catches up to all of them....

Another nice installment to the Chine Bayles series. The book has the usual traits that I expect from the author: a warm welcome, good company, gossip with friends, a little tension here and there, a great whole dose of sleuthing by China, Ruby and McQuaid. While the previous book I found more emotional this one was entertaining to say the least. I even enjoyed the fact that Sally was around again. You need a little dose of crazy occasionally. I do have a concern though. Is it just me or are the China books getting shorter?

Holly Blues by Susan Wittig Albert (3/5) Mystery: Holiday; Published: Berkley Hardcover (4/2010); Series: # 19, China Bayles; Books 2011 (15);

Library Loot

2011-03-30T13:58:00.011-04:00

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that 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!

Library returns - Read:
Shoot to Thrill by P.J. Tracy
A Glimpse of Evil by Victoria Laurie
Holly Blues by Susan Wittig Albert - my thoughts on this book will come soon.

Library returns - Unread:
At Hidden Falls by Barbara Freethy - this book is part of a series and I hate reading series out of order.

My loot this week:

Suddenly One Summer by Barbara Freethy. The first book of the Angel's Bay series by the author.

Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra. The first book of The Children of the Sea series. Can you tell that it's a paranormal? ;)

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis. The first book of A Lucky Habor Novel series.

Compromised by Kate Noble. A friend read this book last year and loved it, she's been after me to read ever since. It's worth a shot.

Dirty Rotten Tendrils by Kate Collins. The tenth book of A Flower Shop Mystery.

The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks. The first book of A KGI Novel, a romantic suspense series by Maya Banks.

The Snake, The Crocodile & The Dog by Elizabeth Peters. It's been ages since the last time I read an Amelia Peabody book. Love her and scrumptious husband, Emerson.

This Body of Death by Elizabeth George. I miss Inspector Lynley!

You can join in the fun by visiting here.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-03-29T12:39:00.004-04:00

I swallowed hard, still trying to come to terms with what I had heard. I thought of Leslie, pretty, petite, perky, the third-grade teacher you always wished you'd had, who could turn the times tables into a giggly game or teach a kid how to hold a rabbit or build a drum out of an oatmeal box.

taken from page 135, Holly Blues by Susan Wittig Albert

You can join in the fun too, just visit here.

A Glimpse of Evil

2011-03-28T14:30:00.000-04:00

Professional psychic Abigail Cooper has received a cold welcome from some prickly investigators at the FBI. But that won't stop her from following her intuition...even if it brings her eye to eye with acts of true evil.

Some Cold Cases Are Better Left Cold...

As the FBI's newest civilian profiler, Abby Cooper has a tough job ahead of her. Not only does she have to use her powers of intuition to help solve a backlog of the bureau's cold cases, but she must also win over a frosty group of seasoned investigators and teach them how to develop their own perceptive abilities.

If it weren't challenging enough, Abby's sure that several of the cold cases are connected, but she's the only that is convinced. Things go from bad to worse when Abby and another agent are suspended for not following protocol, leaving Abby and her old partner, Candice, to investigate on their own. To discover how these pieces fit together, Abby will have to call on every intuitive bone in her body...before she's the one put on ice.

In this book we find Abby and Dutch working together in a new office in Austin. Interestingly enough it seems that the whole "crew" is relocating to Austin as well...which I find both strange and comforting in a way. Getting back to Dutch and Abby they along with other investigators are working cold cases. Every now and then Abby strikes gold, but there are a couple of cases that just don't sit well with Abby, and she has a strong feeling that they are connected.

Victoria Laurie's Psychic Eye series is one of those series that I cannot get enough of, the more I read the more I want. Case in point, A Glimpse of Evil, just finished reading it and now I want more....but it will have to wait. Good thing the next book is due out in July, so the wait won't be too bad. I hope...

A Glimpse of Evil by Victoria Laurie (4/5) Paranormal Mystery: Psychic; Published: Obsidian Maystery (7/2010); Series: # 8, Psychic Eye Mystery; Books 2011 (14)

Shoot to Thrill

2011-03-27T14:24:00.006-04:00

The Monkeewrench crew returns in a stunning new thriller. It's ighty-five degrees in the shade when Minneapolis detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth pull nto the MPD parking garage. They're driving a tricked-out Caddy, repossessed from a low-level drg dealer. It's not Beemer or a Mercedes, but it's got GPS, air-conditioning, and power seats with more positions than the Kama Sutra.

Things are heating up inside the station-house, too. The bomb squad's off to investigate another suspicious package at the mall, and kids are beating the crap out of one another and posting it on YouTube. And before Magozzi and Rolseth can wish for a straight-on homicide, the call comes in: a floater. Soon they're humping it along a derelict stretch of the Mississippi River, beyond the green places where families picnic and admire the views. They can see her - she looks like a bride in her white formal gown - facedown, dead in the water. And so it begins.

Across town, Grace McBride's Monkeewrench crew - the computer geeks who, after making a fortune on games, are now helping the cops with anticrime software - have been recruited by the FBI to investigate a series of murder videos posted on the Web. It's not long before Magozzi, Rolseth, and Monkeewrench discover the frightening link between the unlucky bride and the latest, most horrific use of the Internet to date. Using their skills to scour the Net in search of the perpetrator, the team must race against the clock to stop a killer in his tracks.

I'm not really sure what to think about this book. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't as good as the previous books of the series. I didn't find it as gripping or sitting at the edge of my seat reading. The genre that the writing team of P.J. Tracy promotes is thrillers but I cannot consider Shoot to Thrill a thriller it's more like a suspense read. Because in my mind there is a difference. Or maybe it's just me.

And then they had to "screw up" some of the characters dynamics and relationships. I understand that sometimes "relationships" change or end, but come on... I wasn't ready for this one. Why screw-up something so right? Or like I mention above, maybe it's just me.

I'm curious on where this series is heading. So rest assured I won't stop reading it, I'll just complain more about it. Grrr!

Shoot to Thrill by P.J. Tracy (3/5) Mystery Thriller; Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons (2010); Series: # 5, Monkeewrench; Books 2011 (13)

2011 RITA Nominations

2011-03-26T08:39:00.007-04:00

I was just checking the list of RITA Finalists and was amazed on how many books on that list that I didn't read. Let's take a look: Best First Book: Enemy Within by Marcella Burnard Firestorm by Kelly Ann Riley I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan The Iron King by Julie Kagawa Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer I read this one last year, sorry no review Contemporary Series Romance: Breaking the Sheikh's Rules in the Summer Sheikhs anthology by Abby Green Christmas Magic on the Mountain by Melissa McClone Christmas with Her Boss by Marion Lennox Dare She Date the Dreamy Doc? by Sarah Morgan Red-Hot Renegade by Kelly Hunter An Unexpected Father by Lisa Ruff Welcome Home, Cowboy by Karen Templeton Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon by Kate Hewitt Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure: The Baby's Guardian by Delores Fossen Case File: Canyon Creek, Wyoming by Paula Graves To Catch a Killer by Kimberly Van Meter A Cop in Her Stocking by Ann Voss Peterson Meltdown by Gail Barrett The Moon That Night by Helen Brenna Perfect Partners? by C.J. Carmichael Renegade Angel by Kendra Leigh Castle Contemporary Single Title Romance: And One Last Thing by Molly Harper Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts Read and enjoyed it! No review though Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl TBR Pit Not That Kind of Girl by Susan Donovan Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson I read this one! My thoughts are here. One Fine Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis Still the One by Robin Wells Historical Romance: Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee The Forbidden Rose by Joanne Bourne His at Night by Sherry Thomas A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James Last Night's Scandal by Loretta Chase A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick Open Country by Kaki Warner Inspirational Romance: A Convenient Wife by Anna Schmidt Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy Finding Her Way Home by Linda Goodnight In Harm's Way by Irene Hannon Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist Shades of Morning by Marlo M. Schalesky The Wedding Garden by Linda Goodnight Whisper on the Wind by Maureen Lang Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander Novel With Strong Romantic Elements: Blood Vines by Erica Spindler The Dead Travel Fast by Deanna Raybourn Killbox by Ann Aguirre On Folly Beach by Karen White The Search by Nora Roberts I just read this one recently. Loved it! Stormwalker by Allyson James Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas Paranormal Romance: Enemy Within by Marcella Burnard A Highlander's Homecoming by Melissa Mayhue Immortal Sea by Virginia Kantra Marked by the Moon by Lori Handeland Rebel by Zoe Archer Sins of the Heart by Eve Silver Unchained: the Dark Forgotten by Sharon Ashwood Water Bound by Christine Feehan Regency Historical Romance: His Christmas Pleasure by Cathy Maxwell The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean I actually read this one. One of my favorite from last year. Loved it! Provocative in Pearls by Madeline Hunter To Surrender to a Rogue by Cara Elliott Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare When Harry Met Molly by Kieran Kramer The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice Romance Novella: "Blame It on the Blizard" by Jennifer Greene in Baby, It's Cold Outside "A Dundee Christmas" by Brenda Novak in That Christmas Feeling "Friendly Fire" by Jill Shalvis in Born on the 4th of July "Love Me to Death" by Maggie Shayne in Heart of Darkness "Mistletoe Magic" by Sandra Hyatt in Under the Millionaire's Mistletoe "Mountain Rose" by Cheryl St. John in To Be a Mother "Shifting Sea" by Virginia Kantra in Burning Up "The Wrong Brother" by Maureen Child in Under the Millionaire's Mistletoe Romantic Suspense: The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb I read this one! No review though Kill Me Again by Maggie Shayne Love Me to Death by Allison Brennan Silent Scream by Karen Rose Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon All considering I think I did pretty well. But I got alot to catch up reading to do. lol

Library Loot

2011-03-24T11:16:00.009-04:00

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that 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!

This week I returned The Best Laid Plans, The Search, The Lady Most Likely and I also returned Sin and Surrender, and The Heiress, unread. Sin and Surrender, because it is part of a series and I like to read book in sequence. The Heiress because I couldn't get into the story.

I brought home mainly mystery books that are part of on going series that I read. And I also managed to grab a book that I saw last week online. Here's my loot:

You can join in the fun as well by visiting here.

The Search

2011-03-23T14:26:00.000-04:00

To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life-a quaint house on an island off Seattle's coast, a thriving dog-training school, and a challenging volunteer job performing canine search and rescues. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare...

Several years ago, Fiona was the only survivor of the Red Scarf serial killer, who shot and killed Fiona's cop fiancé and his K-9 partner.

On Orcas Island, Fiona found the peace and solitude she needed to rebuild her life. But all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He's the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy, foisted upon him by his mother. Jaws has eaten through Simon's house, and he's at his wit's end.

To Fiona, Jaws is nothing she can't handle. Simon, however, is another matter. A newcomer to Orcas, he's a rugged and in-tensely private artist, known for the exquisite furniture he creates from wood. Simon never wanted a puppy-and he most definitely doesn't want a woman. Besides, the lanky redhead is not his type. But tell that to his hormones.

As Fiona embarks on training Jaws, and Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona's life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands...

Having finished reading The Search by Nora Roberts I couldn't resist doing my happy dance. After reading her last couple of romantic suspense I didn't have high expectations on this one. But boy was I ever surprised! I loved it!

The setting was spectacular. There's something about the Pacific Northwest that has an appealing quality for me. Throw in a island, a few dogs and someone that is handy with his hands and I'm a goner. Ok, the heroine, Fiona wasn't bad either. Courageous, outspoken and independent. What's not to love? Fiona and Simon's relationship was unique, it was a nice change to "the normal" relationship portrayal that I've been reading lately. But the scene stealer's were the dogs, they were wonderful and entertaining. lol

Even the killer, excuse me... killers were both very interesting in a creepy sort of way. Their reasoning and thought process had me gripping the sides of the couch and at times even taking brakes from reading.

The Search by Nora Roberts (4.5/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: Putnam Adult (7/2010); Books 2011 (12);

Teaser Tuesday

2011-03-22T12:05:00.003-04:00

"Maybe I should tell him to find my tennis shoe. I don't know where the hell he put it." He looked at her, a long, thorough look that had her raising her eyebrows. "You run like the f****** wind, Fiona."

~ taken from page 191 The Search by Nora Roberts

You can join in the fun by visiting here.

The Lady Most Likely...

2011-03-21T11:57:00.003-04:00

Hugh Dunne, the Earl of Briarly, needs a wife, so his sister hands him a list of delectable damsels and promises to invite them— and a few other gentlemen—to her country house for what is sure to be the event of the season.

Hugh will have time to woo whichever lady he most desires . . . Unless someone else snatches her first.

The invitation list includes:

The horse-mad but irresistibly handsome Earl of Briarly
The always outspoken Miss Katherine Peyton
The dashing war hero Captain Neill Oakes
The impossibly beautiful (and painfully shy) Miss Gwendolyn Passmore
The terribly eligible new Earl of Charters
The widowed Lady Georgina Sorrell (who has no plans to marry, ever)

And your hostess, Lady Carolyn Finchley, an irrepressible matchmaker who plans to find the lady most likely . . . to capture her brother’s untamed heart.

Three authors that I enjoy: I'm a huge fan of Julia Quinn's, Eloisa James has been a hit or miss author for a while now and Connie Brockway I used to read religiously but stopped a few ago. So picking this book up wasn't a hardship, but I wasn't expecting too much out of it.

And I'm glad that my expectations were low, because although the story in "three parts" was good it wasn't a five star read. I really enjoyed the first part of the three part novel, but halfway through it started to bore me. I found it very predictable. And I admit that I only skimmed through the last part of the book. I just didn't want to bother with it. I'm so happy that I took it out of the library instead of buying it.

The Lady Most Likely... by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James and Connie Brockway (2.5/5) Historical Fiction; Published: Avon (1/2011); Books 2011 (11);

The Best Laid Plans

2011-03-20T15:46:00.003-04:00

Here’s the set up: A burnt-out politcal aide quits just before an election — but is forced to run a hopeless campaign on the way out. He makes a deal with a crusty old Scot, Angus McLintock — an engineering professor who will do anything, anything, to avoid teaching English to engineers — to let his name stand in the election. No need to campaign, certain to lose, and so on.

Then a great scandal blows away his opponent, and to their horror, Angus is elected. He decides to see what good an honest M.P. who doesn’t care about being re-elected can do in Parliament. The results are hilarious — and with chess, a hovercraft, and the love of a good woman thrown in, this very funny book has something for everyone.

I had several reasons on choosing this book. Canadian author, a satiracal story around Canadian politics and it was the winner of Canada Reads 2011. But the main reason is that I'm far behind in my Canadian Book Challenge and what I mean by far behind is that I only read one book so far.

I'm glad that I picked this book up. I truly enjoyed reading it. I found the setting, Ottawa inviting just as usual, although I could deal without the bitter cold of winter, having lived there for two years. It's a great feeling reading a book and knowing exactly where the author is describing. I loved the characters, Daniel, Angus, Pete1, Pete2, but my favorite was Muriel. Spanky and straight forward type of woman.

My only complaint was that I was expecting a more humorous book and don't get wrong there was alot to laugh at, but I didn't find it to be a laugh out loud type of book.

I'm looking forward on reading the author's next book, The High Road.

The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis (4/5) Fiction: Satire; Published: McClelland & Stewart (2007); The Stephen Leacock Award for Humour; 2011 Canada Reads Winner; New Author; Canada Reads; Canadian Book Challenge 4 (2); Books 2011 (10);

Library Loot

2011-03-17T14:08:00.008-04:00

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that 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 finally managed to visit the library this week. I can't remember the last time I was there to pick up something and not a quick run in for the kids. The kids and I spent quite some time there and came home with a bunch of goodies.

Here's my loot:

The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis. The Best Laid Plans was the winner of Canada Reads 2011. It's also an express read, so I have 7 days to read and return it. Better get cracking!

The Search by Nora Roberts. I've been waiting a while to get my hands on this book. I used to buy all NR books but her last couple Romantic Suspense books left me a little disappointed I decided to just read them through the library. I still buy her JD Robb ones though.

Sin and Surrender by Julia Latham. Looked interesting at the library, but I've just found out that it's the third book of a series. I hate when that happens. Grr!

The Lady Most Likely... by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James and Connie Brockway. I'm really curious about how this book will come together.

The Heiress by Lynsay Sands. Here's another author that used to be an auto-buy for me, but the last few books have been "misses" for me. I'm hoping that this one will be good. Keeping my fingers crossed!

What about you? Any new loot this week? Join in the fun here.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-03-08T09:40:00.000-05:00

A simple kiss that was threatening to turn her whole world upside down. Undoubtedly it would cost her any hope of winning a proposal of marriage from Hamilton.

~ taken from page 49 of The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham

Join in the fun by visiting here.

I may have found something....

2011-03-07T17:36:00.001-05:00

Today I decided to go through my keeper shelf and clean out the shelves at the same. I usually don't like doing that because I end up removing books from the keeper. But I'm desperate. In total I removed 20 books, and these books I know for sure I will not be re-reading again so they went into the donation bag for the next community pickup.

While I was cleaning out the shelves I found several books that I haven't read in years, which I put them aside. And some were a complete surprise to me. I guess my husband is right when he says that I don't know what I have....Love his humor!

Anyway, one of the books that just may help cure this slump is The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham. The book was originally published in 1988, I first read it in 2000 and it has been in the keeper shelf since. Maybe what I need is a sexy highlander?

Only time will tell!

This slump is starting to tick me off!

2011-03-04T13:01:00.003-05:00

Enough already! I want something good to read. Something that will help me get out of this slump. I haven't had a slump that lasted this long. I pick up a book read a couple of chapters and put it back down. I even tried reading the kids books. Miss S has been reading the Warrior series by Erin Hunter, but a group of talking cats doesn't do it for me (at the moment). Master K just started Frindle by Andrew Clements and although I thought the first couple of chapters were interesting, I quickly lost interest in the book. I'm truly in a pathetic state... I'm desperate!

Honestly, I'm still around....

2011-02-28T09:44:00.002-05:00

No, truly I am. I'm just suffering from an acute case of reading slump. I have a ton of books at my disposal (which my husband reminds all the time) and if I can't find anything that strikes my fancy in the Pit (my TBR), there's always my handy dandy Kindle. Oh well.... Hopefully I'll be able to participate on tomorrow's Tuesday Teaser. Well I'm off...I WILL FIND SOMETHING!

The Force

2011-02-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

More Books for the TBR Pit

2011-02-04T18:00:00.020-05:00

I had a lovely surprise waiting for me at home today. One of my friends dropped off a bag of books. Yeah!

In the bag were:

Reading Old Favorites

2011-02-04T10:31:00.000-05:00

With all the new titles being published and my (seems to me) endless TBR, I still find time to re-read my old Favorites. Yes, favorites with capital "F". Those books that mean so much to me that I need to re-read once a year. Or least try to read them.

My Favorites:

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice & Persuasion

L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables

Julie Garwood's The Bride, Castles, The Wedding and Ransom

Julia Quinn's Bridergerton Series

Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series

Jennifer Crusie's Bet Me

Susan Donovan's He Loves Lucy

Gaelen Foley's The Duke, and The Devil Takes a Bride

Jan Karon's At Home in Mitford series and the latest Father Tim series

These are just some of them. I guess you can say they are my comfort reads.

What about you? Do you have comfort reads too?

Dark Road to Darjeeling

2011-02-03T08:27:00.000-05:00

After eight idyllic months in the Mediterranean, Lady Julia Grey and her detective husband are ready to put their investigative talents to work once more. At the urging of Julia's eccentric family, they hurry to India to aid an old friend, the newly widowed Jane Cavendish. Living on the Cavendish tea plantation with the remnants of her husband's family, Jane is consumed with the impending birth of her child—and with discovering the truth about her husband's death. Was he murdered for his estate? And if he was, could Jane and her unborn child be next?

Amid the lush foothills of the Himalayas, dark deeds are buried and malicious thoughts flourish. The Brisbanes uncover secrets and scandal, illicit affairs and twisted legacies. In this remote and exotic place, exploration is perilous and discovery, deadly. The danger is palpable and, if they are not careful, Julia and Nicholas will not live to celebrate their first anniversary.

I've been waiting "patiently" until the ebook price lowered, but I broke down and bought it. And I'm happy to say that it was worth the money.

It was one of those books that you start and you do not want to stop. It was a definite page turner and the setting of the story was breathtaking. Plus my favorite characters were a fine form, Julia her usual curios self, Brisbane is still dark and mysterious, Plum and Portia were there as well. And there were a couple of old "friends" in this book as well. The characters that are introduced in this story, range from the lowest of servants to the mystical intrigues of a Raja. Not only all that but there were also two peacocks that had their own issues. The dialogue did not disappoint, I love the banter goes back and forth with the siblings. And Brisbane and Julia's arguments are the same as previous books.

The mystery, or rather, mysteries were very interesting and I was totally stumped on who the culprit was, and not mention surprised as well. There's a few answers to questions raised in previous books but at the same time more questions have come to mind. I wonder how long I have to wait the next book?

Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn (4.5/5) Historical Mystery; Published: Mira (10/2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 4, Lady Julia; Books 2011 (9);

When Beauty Tamed The Beast

2011-02-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty . . . Naturally, she's betrothed to a Beast.

Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.

Linnet is not just any woman.

She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love—in just two weeks.

Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return.

If she decides to be very wicked indeed . . . what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?

Once upon a time there was a woman who used to buy all of Eloisa James' books. But after a while she grew tired of being disappointed so she stopped spending money on that author. Until she read the above blurb and she could not resist spending money of that e-book.

Linnet is a beauty. A beauty surrounded by scandal. Her family has decided that to restore the family's good name she needs to marry quickly. And the answer to their prayers is Piers Yelverton. Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant is a talented physician who has a penchant for being rude, blunt and is also disabled. Their initial rejection of each other is slowly changed to a comfortable friendship and along the way the sparks fly. But when a terrible disease threatens them, will they be able to leave their fears and give in to hope.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I love the premise of the story. I love the beauty and the beast theme but to be frank I found the beauty tedious at times. I loved Piers, strong, rude, angry but beneath all that anger was a beautiful heart. Linnet had promised, feisty and outspoken at times she became an idiot by the end of the book. Why?! Why?! Why?! She could have been great but then she had to become a rambling idiot. Grr....

I hate it when I build up something in my mind and then I find it lacking. And it happened again with this book. Will I ever learn? Probably not. Don't get me wrong I didn't hate the book. I enjoyed it, it just wasn't up to "my" Eloisa James' standards (her earlier books).

What about you? Do you have an author that you love but lately the books have been less than stellar?

When Beauty Tamed The Beast by Eloisa James (3/5) Historical Romance; Published: Avon (2011); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Books 2011 (8);

Teaser Tuesday

2011-02-01T09:56:00.002-05:00

It stretches on and on. I live a thousand hours in a handful. I count from one to sixty beneath my breath, over and over, ticking away the minutes I make it through, thinking if I put enough of them between me and his death, the immediacy of the pain might dull and I will be able to catch a breath without a knife stabbing through my chest.

~ taken from about 6% location 626-637, Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

You can join in the fun by visiting here.

My One and Only

2011-02-01T06:35:00.001-05:00

I discovered Kristan Higgins last year and she has quickly become one of my favorite authors. The author has an ability to bring a love story to life that just draws me in, and it doesn't let go until the very last page.

Just when she thought she had life and love all figured out…

Divorce attorney Harper James can’t catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister’s destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she’s being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.

Harper can’t help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick’s eyes, Harper’s always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting—just around the bend.

Harper James is an intelligent, independent, beautiful and career oriented woman. But she wants more, she's decided that she wants to get married and have family, and she has the perfect candidate in mind, her eye-candy boyfriend Dennis Costello. The problem is that Dennis doesn't know about the plans yet. Harper's plans are interrupted when she gets a call from her sister, announcing that she's marrying Harper's ex-brother-in-law. Nick Lowery is a successful architect who still has strong feelings for Harper, those feelings range from anger to love. But can a road trip bring closure or re-ignite those feelings that are still raw.

To say that I loved this book is an understatement. The story has everything: a wonderful setting, awesome characters, a wonderful plot and killer dialogue.
The setting went from picturesque Martha's Vineyard to the glorious mountains of Montana and everything in between and a stint in Manhattan. Both main characters, Harper and Nick were great to get to know, their individual stories were real and touching. Harper has issues with abandonment, her mom left her when she was a young teen. Nick also has his own family issues, his parents divorced when he was young and he never had a close relationship with his father. You can sense that there's deep love between them both and sparks definitely fly. The secondary characters are quirky and funny. Which leads me to the dialogue, it was fast, funny and the banter between Harper and Nick was simply amazing.

This book had me laughing out loud and also crying. And if you're anything like me, when a book can make do that, it's a keeper. I highly recommend My One and Only!

You can find the book in stores this coming March 29! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read the e-ARC!

My One and Only by Kristan Higgins (5/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: Harlequin/Mira (3/2011); ARC Format: Ebook for Adobe Reader; Books 2011 (7)

None But You

2011-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Eight years ago, when he had nothing but his future to offer, Frederick Wentworth fell in love with Anne Elliot, the gentle daughter of a haughty, supercilious baronet. Sir Walter Elliot refused to countenance a marriage and Anne's godmother, Lady Russell, strongly advised Anne against him. Persuaded by those nearest to her, Anne had given him up and he had taken his broken heart to sea. When Jane Austen's Persuasion opens in the year 1814, Frederick Wentworth, now a famous and wealthy captain in His Majesty's Navy, finds himself back in England and, as fate would have it, residing as a guest in Anne's former home. Now, it is the baronet who is in financial difficulties, and Anne exists only at her family's beck and call. For eight long years, Frederick had steeled his heart against her. Should he allow Anne into his heart again, or should he look for love with younger, prettier woman in the neighbourhood who regard him as a hero? The mature sweetness of Jane Austen's Persuasion is brought to life in Wytherngate Press's, None But You, the first in the two-volume series, Frederick Wentworth, Captain, by Susan Kaye.

I guess the obsession is spreading to a different Jane Austen novel, Persuasion. I didn't help that I recently watched the movie version of it. I love Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth. And I simply couldn't resist reading this book, especially when I found out that it was in Captain Wentworth's perspective.

And like the previous book, I read this one very quickly as well. Surprising. I loved the way it started and I admit I had problems following it whenever the author went back and forth regarding Anne and Frederick's relationship. I loved that there was more information on Wentworth's career and gave me an idea on what a sailor had to deal with during those troubling times.

With all this going on, it felt a little strange that I didn't see as much as I wanted of Anne. Which reminded me on how much I truly love her character.

And when it was getting juicier, it stops. It was one of those moments when I just want to yell..."Come on, not now!".

I have to get the next volume. Which I will soon enough.

None But You by Susan Kaye (4.5/5) Historical Fiction; Re-telling of Jane Austen's Persuasion; New Author; Published: Wytherngate Press (2007); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 1, Frederick Wentworth, Captain; Books 2011 (6);

The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy

2011-01-24T10:19:00.005-05:00

And so the obsession continues... This is the first one of the new year. For you that don't know me well, I'm a P&P fanatic and I absolutely love the numerous re-tellings of this classic love story. And I found a new...The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen.

If the two of them weren't so stubborn...

It's obvious to Georgiana Darcy that the lovely Elizabeth Bennet is her brother's perfect match, but Darcy's pigheadedness and Elizabeth's wounded pride are going to keep them both from the loves of their lives.

Georgiana can't let that happen, so she readily agrees to help her accommodating cousin, Anne de Bourgh, do everything within their power to assure her beloved brother's happiness.

But the path of matchmaking never runs smoothly...

Oh my goodness! I read this book in a weekend. I cannot remember the last time I did that. Mind you it was a busy weekend, birthday parties, play dates, shopping and bowling. But the beauty of having a Kindle is that it's small enough (and light) to carry along with me. I read in between.

I was hooked right from the beginning. I found the that it was written in a way that was easy to follow. It actually like a sort of a companion to the original text. It had lots of fillers which I don't usually like but with this novel I loved everything single bit of it. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.

I loved that Anne de Bourgh and Georgiana had a more prominent role in the dealings of Darcy and Elizabeth. There was also other new characters introduced which was a added surprise. But Darcy and Elizabeth are the scene steelers, their banter was amazing and you could sense their mutual attraction. I just wished there was more.

The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lyndon Simonsen (4.5/5) Historical Fiction; P&P; Published: Sourcebooks Landmark (January 1, 2011); New Author; Books 2011 (5)

Immortal Warrior

2011-01-21T10:59:00.004-05:00

He came to England in search of treasure. Two hundred years later, he’s found her...

Ivar Graycloak is a brave warrior, a man known for his strength and integrity. He is also a man with a terrible secret. Long ago he was part of a Viking crew cursed by an evil sorceress to live for eternity as were-creatures. An eagle by day and a man by night, Ivar has lived a solitary existence for over two centuries. Then the king orders him to marry.

Lady Alaida is everything a man could want in a bride—intelligent, spirited, and beautiful--and their wedding night is a balm to Ivar's lonely spirit. Then a seer brings him word of a dark vision, one that makes Ivar vow to stay away from his lovely wife forever. But now that Ivar has sampled Alaida’s passion, her humor and warmth, he is enthralled. His traitorous body—his very heart—longs for that which he can never possess.

Lady Alaida may surprise him yet, though, for she has a power of her own—a power that will either destroy everything they hold dear or ultimately set them free…

Hello, I'm Leya, and I'm a sucker for cursed themed stories. Yes, I'm happy and (at times) proud of that. My pocket book, or (really) credit card aren't though. I came across this series by blog hopping. I read a review of the latest book of the series somewhere - bad me - I cannot remember where though, but anyway, I thank you!

The curse itself I found to be very interesting, and that the powerful sorceress cursed the invading Vikings was different. Different, to me. I don't think I read any recent books with that premise. Loved it!

Right from the start I was swept into the medieval paranormal world. And enjoyed it very much. Ivo, is a wonderful hero, proud, strong and just. Not to mention sexy. Just one little problem, he turns into an eagle at sunrise and turns back to human form at sunset. Alaida, the heroine, is a strong willed woman, who doesn't have issues speaking her mind. She is instantly attracted to Ivo even though she can't understand the pull. She cannot understand why Ivo is so fond of hunting, and repeatedly questions him on where he goes. I found the dialogue wonderful and very witty. It had me laughing out loud several times. And the sensuality between the hero and heroine is very satisfying.

Like I said before I truly enjoyed the story, but was a little disappointed at the end. I wanted just a little more. Now, I cannot say that it was the author's finishing touches that didn't do it for me, but.... I just wanted more!

But I guess I'll just have to get my hands on the next book, Immortal Outlaw.

Immortal Warrior by Lisa Hendrix (4/5) Historical Romance: Paranormal Medieval; Published: Berkley (2008); Format: Ebook for Kindle; New Author; Series: # 1, Immortal Brotherhood; Books 2011 (4);

TBR Challenge: Dancing in the Moonlight

2011-01-19T10:45:00.001-05:00

Lieutenant Magdalena Cruz had come home…And though all she wanted was to be alone, infuriatingly handsome Dr. Jake Dalton—of the enemy Daltons—wouldn't cooperate. And she needed him to, because the walls around her heart were dangerously close to crumbling every time he came near.…

Jake had spent most of his life trying to get closer to Maggie, with little to show for it. But she was the woman he'd always wanted, and no injury in the world could change that. Now if only he could convince her that the woman who stood before him was beautiful, desirable, whole…and meant to be his.…

Dancing in the Moonlight has been in my TBR pit for at least two years. I don't exactly remember when I bought but it came from my local UBS store.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed it, thought the plot was good, liked the characters, especially the hero...but the heroine, Maggie, got on my nerves at times. I found her strong and independent, but her feelings towards the Dalton family at times was ridiculous. And enough with the whining, please. I don't mind the occasional complaint, but come on now, yes, they did a great injustice to your family, move on already! Argh!

With that off my chest...I feel better. Ok, overall it wasn't a bad, far from it. It was a great story for a cold winter afternoon. You know type, cuddling in front of the fireplace and enjoying a nice book.

Dancing in the Moonlight by Raeanne Thayne (2.5/5) Category Contemporary Romance; Silhouette Special Edition (2006); TBR Challenge (1); Books 2011 (3)

Teaser Tuesday

2011-01-18T09:15:00.000-05:00

"How did you come to ask Ari where he's from?"
"We were talking of you, that first day, and he called you Ivar," she said. His touch was distracting, but not so much so that she failed to notice the glances between him and Brand again.

taken from Location 1789-1806 (28%) Immortal Warrior by Lisa Hendrix

You can join in the fun too. Just visit here.

The Two Towers

2011-01-16T11:47:00.005-05:00

The company of the Ring is sundered. Frodo and Sam continue their journey down the great River Anduin - alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.

In the second book of The Lord of The Rings trilogy, The Two Towers the real action begins. By no means The Fellowship of the Ring was boring, but this book has more battles and struggle. It's more of a inner struggle that I'm talking about. Mostly Frodo's. The weight of the Ring is starting to a toll on him, mentally and physically.

Like the first book, I was hooked right from the start. Although it took me a while to clear my head of the movie version, because the sequence is slightly different and there are little nuances that stood out. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. The little things, the dialogue and the characters for instance.

My husband asked me which medium I prefer, the movie or the book? I truthfully couldn't give him a straight answer because they're both great on their own. The book is the original creative work of the author, while the movie is Peter Jackson's interpretation of Tolkien's work. So, I like them both.

But you never know...I still have to read the final book of the series.

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien (4/5) Classic Fantasy; Published: George Allen & Unwin (1954); Series: # 2, The Lord of the Rings; Books 2011(2);

2010 Family Favorites

2011-01-14T17:43:00.007-05:00

It took me two weeks to get the gang to tell me their favorites of last year. We're a family that loves to read (obviously!), watching movies together and listening to music. Just your typical family, I guess.

There are four categories: Book, New to you Author, Movie and
Music.

Mr.J:

Hubby's choice for his favorite book was Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. He chose this one because it was fast paced and he managed to read fairly quickly. He usually takes months to read a book, and this one he read in just two weeks.

Last year he also discovered, H.G. Wells. He read The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds. He chose H.G. Wells as his favorite New to You Author.

Music wise Mr. J could not pick just one particular song, but he did mention that he thought This Afternoon by Nickleback was pretty catchy. I shuddered when he said that. Not that I don't like the song. But....really?

As for his favorite movie, he had no second guesses and gave a straight answer. He loved Inception.

Miss S:

My daughter is alot like me. She loves to read and when she finds a series that she enjoys, she does not rest until she reads all of the available books. She then complains that she needs to wait for the book .... yep, a lot like me.

Her favorite book of 2010 was The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. She started reading books this author right at the beginning of the year, she went the Percy Jackson series very quickly and she read The Red Pyramid (Book 1, Kane Chronicles) during the summer and then she got her hands on The Lost Hero in November. And Rick Riordan is her favorite New to you Author.

When I asked her about her favorite song of the year, she looked at me like I was crazy. Then she told me that it would be hard to choose just one. She likes Katie Perry, Black Eye Peas and Train. She narrowed it down to Train's Hey, Soul Sister. Good choice, kiddo!

When it came to her favorite movie of the year, she did not surprise me at all. I knew she would pick this one....Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Master K:

My son enjoys books but is not what I would call a true bookworm (unlike me or his sister). But there were a few books that he truly enjoys. In 2010, he began reading The Magic Tree House series, and he also discovered the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. Truthfully I really don't care for that series, I find it stupid (for the lack of a better word), but if he likes it and he's practicing his reading, I'm a happy camper.

His favorite book was The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby by Dav Pilkey. And said author is his favorite New to you Author of 2010.

Master K is a huge Black Eye Peas fan but when he told me that his favorite song last year was Pink's Raise Your Glass, it didn't surprise me. He loves his Pink - his words not mine.

It took him a while longer to pick his favorite movie, but it wasn't a surprise to me though...He loved this one in the theatre and he watches it at home all the time. His pick was Despicable Me.

Me:

When it came for me to pick my favorite book, I blanked. Truly. And then one book came to mind. The author is also my choice for New to you Author. I remember reading this book, not only enjoying it but marveling on how humorous it was. It kind of reminded me of the older Julia Quinn's novels. My pick was Nine Rules To Break When Romancing A Rake by Sarah MacLean.

Like the rest of the family I love music. And I think I may just have a broader taste in music. I love to listen to different types and styles not mention music other than English sang music. But this time I stayed close to home and chose a Canadian band with a very catchy song, Hedley's Cha Ching.

Now for the movie...Like my husband I really liked Inception, but I didn't like as much as this one...True Grit.

Shopping

2011-01-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've added more to my TBR pit.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-01-11T13:10:00.003-05:00

'I did not say so,' said Gandalf. 'Who knows? Have patience. Go where you must go, and hope! To Edoras! I go thither also."

taken from page 121, The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien

To join in the fun, visit here.

The Fellowship of the Ring

2011-01-07T10:13:00.004-05:00

I decided that this year I would finally get to read all those books that my husband, the science fiction/fantasy guru has been bothering me about to read for the past fifteen years. One of those books, or actually series has been Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series.

I know the premise of the books. I have watched the movies, and I must admit that I'm a big fan of them. And I think that along the way that's what really got me to give this series a try.

I also have to mention that years ago I tried to read The Hobbit, but to no avail...I put it down after the first few chapters. Maybe when (or, if) the movie comes out I will be able to read it.

Here's the blurb for The Fellowship of the Ring:

In a sleepy village in the Shire, a young hobbit is entrusted with an immense task. He must make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ruling Ring of Power - the only thing that prevents the Dark Lord Sauron's evil dominion.

At first I thought I would have problems reading this book. I thought it might drag on, and not be as exciting the the plot of the movie that I'm so familiar with.. But I was pleasantly surprised to have enjoyed the way the author set the picture in my mind, and along the way little pieces of what I saw in movie helped with my mental images.

I truly enjoyed the book. It's huge, it's over 500 pages, and I'm surprised that I read it in a week. I also enjoyed all the extra characters and stories, it truly was an amazing experience. With two more books to read, I think I may just become another Tolkien fan...shhh...just don't tell my husband.

TBR Challenge 2011

2011-01-05T15:38:00.004-05:00

Here's a challenge I can do without a struggle. My TBR pit has been growing and growing, but I haven't been reading all that much from it.

This year, the TBR Challenge is being hosted by Wendy, from The Misadventures of Super Librarian.

Here's some info on the challenge - taken from The Misadventures of Super Librarian:

What is the TBR Challenge? Simply put, it's where readers pick up a long neglected book from their TBR pile, read it, and comment on that read on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. The idea is to read those long neglected books that you just had to get your hands on at the time, but have been languishing in your pile, all lost and forgotten.

There are themes provided, which I think is a great idea. I need all the assistance I can get. The themes are - taken from The Misadventures of Super Librarian:

Monthly Review Dates And Theme Suggestions

January 19 - Category romance
February 16 - Ugly Ducklings (Heroes and/or heroines who aren't "pretty")
March 16 - New-to-you author
April 20 - Western (contemporary or historical)
May 18 - Marriage of convenience, arranged marriage or pretend engagement
June 15 - Contemporary romance
July 20 - Fairy tale themes (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella etc.)
August 17 - Steamy reads (Erotic romance, erotica, something spicy!)
September 21 - Series Catch-up - pick up a book from a series you're behind on
October 19 - Paranormal or romantic suspense
November 16 - Other genre besides romance
December 21 - Holiday themes (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, it's all good!)

For more information or to sign up for the challenge, visit here.

The Classics - 2011 Reading Challenge

2011-01-04T14:27:00.003-05:00

And it begins...

The Classics Reading Challenge is being hosted by Kim from Sugar Creek Cottage.

Here are some of the details - taken from Sugar Creek Cottage:

Timeline: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

Rules: To read EIGHT (8) "Classic" novels in 2011 (8 is the minimum but you can read more if you wish!)
You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them any time! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you are participating in.
You can join anytime!

My "Classics":

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

You can join in the fun too! Visit here!

Teaser Tuesday

2011-01-04T12:27:00.003-05:00

Sam was sitting on the grass near the edge of the wood. Pippin was standing studying the sky and weather. The was no signs of the Elves.

taken from page 113, The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien

Join in the fun by visiting here.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T10:33:00.002-05:00

Teaser Tuesday

2010-11-30T10:43:00.003-05:00

Zhivago worked at his old table by the staff-room window, stacked with charts and forms of every size and shape. He had pushed them to one side; occasionally, in addition to taking notes from his medical works, he wrote in snatches his "Playing at People, a Gloomy Diary or Journal Consisting of Prose, Verse and What-have-you, Inspired by the Realization that Half the People Have Stopped Being Themselves and Are Acting Unknown Parts."

~ taken from page 185 of Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

You can join in the fun by visiting here.

In Flander's Fields

2010-11-11T07:19:00.002-05:00

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flander's fields

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow
In Flander's fields.

Liet. Col. John McCrae (1872-1918)

Indulgence in Death

2010-11-04T13:30:00.000-04:00

First it was a limo driver shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then it was a high-priced escort found stabbed through the heart with a bayonet.

Random hits, thrill kills, murderers with a taste for the finer things in life-and death-are making NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas angry. And an angry Eve can be just as an efficient and dangerous predator as the killer.

As time runs out on another innocent victim's life, Eve's investigation will take her into the rarefied circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in-and into the perverted heart of madness...

The Eve Dallas series by JD Robb is my favorite romantic suspense series. I love everything about it, the characters, the setting and the way the author tells us the story. Then you must have figured out that I would be buying the latest immediately. And that I did.

It had everything! Romance, a short holiday in Ireland that was full of surprises for both Roarke and Eve; Sex, Roarke and Dallas are always hot; Humor, the banter between Dallas and Peabody always has me in stitches; the deepening of relationship between her friends, we're slowly getting to know Dallas' softer side, her feelings not only for her husband but also friends and her concern for their well being and safety.

And there's the crime, well, crimes. I thought the idea of killing the victims with "antique" weapons very interesting. I have to admit that I couldn't figure it out until I was about 80% done. The connections made it easily understood even if it was truly senseless and disturbing.

One thing though... I wanted more. I found the book short or maybe I just wanted more. I cannot wait for the next installment of Eve Dallas.

Indulgence in Death by J.D. Robb (4.5/5) Romantic Suspense; Alternate Future; Published: Putnam Adult (11/2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 32, Eve Dallas; Thriller & Suspense Challenge (8); Books 2010 (82);

WWW Wednesdays

2010-11-03T10:05:00.004-04:00

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a bookish meme hosted by MizB from Should Be Reading. To play along you need to answer three questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

My answers:

What are you currently reading? Last night I began reading the latest book of the Eve Dallas series, Indulgence in Death by JD Robb. Here's the blurb:

First it was a limo driver shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then it was a high-priced escort found stabbed through the heart with a bayonet.

Random hits, thrill kills, murderers with a taste for the finer things in life-and death-are making NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas angry. And an angry Eve can be just as an efficient and dangerous predator as the killer.

As time runs out on another innocent victim's life, Eve's investigation will take her into the rarefied circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in-and into the perverted heart of madness...

What did you recently finish reading? I finished reading a re-telling of Pride and Prejudice, Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise. You can find my thoughts on the book here.

What do you think you’ll read next? I'm not sure yet. But I do have some choices: Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts, One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare, The Various Flavor of Coffee by Anthony Capella and The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson.

Want to join in the fun? Visit here.

Darcy's Voyage

2010-11-03T09:30:00.003-04:00

A Tale of Uncharted Love on the Open Seas

In this enchanting and highly original retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet sets out for the new world aboard the grand ship Pemberley's Promise. She's prepared for an uneventful voyage until a chance encounter with the handsome, taciturn Mr Darcy turns her world upside down.

When Elizabeth falls ill, Darcy throws convention overboard in a plan that bind them to each other more deeply than he ever could have imagined.

But the perils of their ocean voyage pale in comparison to the harsh reality of society's rules that threaten their chance at happiness. When they return to the lavish halls of England, will their love survive

I'm a sucker for Pride and Prejudice and I'm sure if you have been reading my blog for a little while you would have figured that out already. Very rarely do I say no to a re-telling of one of my favorite stories, but what caught my attention in the blurb for Darcy's Voyage was that part of the book took place in a ship to America. Different, isn't it?

I was hooked right from the beginning and amazingly enough I was able to read the book within a two day period. It helped that the kids were occupied and with the kitchen reno still underway I could hide in the family room and read. I loved the way the author was able just to grab hold of my attention, I was truly lost in Pemberley's Promise, with the ups and downs of sea travel and the discovery of certain emotions.

Although it's a unique way of re-telling P&P, the usual (and some of my favorite) characters were present. It gave me a sense of familiarity which is always appreciated in my part. Elizabeth and Darcy as usual were wonderful, but I was also pleasantly surprised on the "new" characters in the story, it a fresh perspective, I simply loved Captain Wendell.

If you're looking for a quick and nice read you cannot go wrong with Darcy's Voyage.

Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise (3/5) Historical Fiction; Retelling of P&P; Originally published as Pemberley's Promise in 2007; Published: Sourcebooks Landmark (9/2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Books 2010 (81);

Teaser Tuesday

2010-11-02T09:49:00.002-04:00

As they walked in, Elizabeth heard music being played on a pianoforte. It was beautiful, and she wondered if it could be William's sister.

~ taken from about 46% location 4052-4074 of Darcy's Voyage by Kara Louise

Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord

2010-10-30T11:14:00.005-04:00

Since being named “London’s Lord to Land” by a popular ladies’ magazine, Nicholas St. John has been relentlessly pursued by every matrimony-minded female in the ton. So when an opportunity to escape fashionable society presents itself, he eagerly jumps—only to land in the path of the most determined, damnably delicious woman he’s ever met!

The daughter of a titled wastrel, Lady Isabel Townsend has too many secrets and too little money. Though she is used to taking care of herself quite handily, her father’s recent passing has left Isabel at sea and in need of outside help to protect her young brother’s birthright. The sinfully handsome, eminently eligible Lord Nicholas could be the very salvation she seeks.

But the lady must be wary and not do anything reckless and foolish…like falling madly, passionately in love.

I've been waiting "patiently" for this book ever since I read the previous book by Sarah MacLean, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. In the previous book I found myself drawn to Nick, there was a certain charisma about him that I found extremely appealing. So when I found out that the next story of the St. John series would be his, I was very happy...okay...close enough to be jumping for joy. Pathetic, isn't it? Well I got my hands on the ebook and I read.

I like beautiful, headstrong and independent heroines as much as the next girl, but Isabel rubbed me the wrong way. Don't get me wrong I liked her, I think she's a wonderful character but she just didn't know when to stop. There was a sort of pull and tug quality to Nick and Isabel's relationship. Which was alright at the beginning but it wore off a bit for me. It definitely had the heat that I was expecting, but it almost felt like everything was rushed. I did enjoy the fact that Nick's background was interesting and the scar was explained as well.

Overall it was a good enjoyable read but I feel like this book didn't live up to my expectations. I have no one to blame but myself. I certainly hope that the next one will better. Well, at least my expectations won't be high.

Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah MacLean (3.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Avon (10/2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 2, St. John; Books 2010 (80);

In the Arms of Mr Darcy

2010-10-22T08:55:00.001-04:00

Darcy and Elizabeth are as much in love as ever—even more so as their relationship matures. Their passion inspires everyone around them, and as winter turns to spring, romance finds nearly everyone.

Confirmed bachelor Richard Fitzwilliam sets his sights on a seemingly unattainable, beautiful widow, Georgiana Darcy learns to flirt outrageously, the flighty Kitty Bennet develops her first crush, and Caroline Bingley meets her match.

But the path of true love never does run smooth, and Elizabeth and Darcy are kept busy navigating their friends and loved ones through the inevitable separations, misunderstandings, misgivings and lovers’ quarrels…

I have read the previous novels of the Darcy Saga by this author and I can say that I've enjoyed them all. I honestly knew that I would be spending a few hours enjoying a nice and slightly spicy story involving Lizzie and Darcy.

I wasn't expecting much and I didn't take much out of the story. There were a few weddings, two presentations at court, hearts being broken and the finding of new loves. A few scandalous occurrences, an explosion and a death at an inn. Just the usual... for the P&P fan fiction. It was nothing extraordinary but it wasn't bad either, just an average and entertaining read. I was bit disappointed at few decisions that the author had (character pairings and such - which I don't want to get into, I don't want to spoil it for you) but everything turned out nicely enough.

After my reading drought, I think I chose a good book to re-introduce me to one of my favorite pastimes.

In the Arms of Mr Darcy by Sharon Lathan (3.5/5) Historical Fiction; P&P fan-fiction; Published: Sourcebooks Landmark (10/2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle App on the iPad; Series: # 4, The Darcy Saga; Books 2010 (79);

Finally

2010-10-21T08:58:00.002-04:00

Wondering what I've been working on for the past five/six months.

Here it is:

It's been ages....

2010-10-20T10:04:00.003-04:00

but I'm back!

The past couple of months have been event-less and book-less. I'm ready to get back into the groove of things.

I'm off to find something to read...will I find it on my shelves, the library or will I break down and just buy something? Choices...choices.

Working on it

2010-08-29T12:34:00.001-04:00

Working on my post on the deck. It's a beautiful day and I'm enjoying the weather while it lasts. I haven't been posting, I've had issues with our Internet provider and my laptop is on the verge of the big death... And I just haven't been in the mood for blogging. I have been reading, but it's been mostly old favorites. I'm hoping that once the kids go back to school I'll get back to my "regular" schedule.

Happy reading!

A Cottage by the Sea

2010-08-18T11:46:00.005-04:00

One Woman, One Man, One Shared Fate...

A remote cottage on the wild coast of Cornwall sounded to Blythe Barton Stowe like the perfect escape from the pain ad humiliation of recent events in her Hollywood life. But soon she seems to be reliving a centuries-old tragedy, and the handsome owner of the shabby mano house on the hill appears vitally entwined in her destiny. As they unearth one shocking family secret after another Blythe is forced to conclude that her intriguing neighbor is more than just an impecunious British gentleman bent on saving his ancestral home. And the impeccably honorable Lucas Teague begins to see Blythe as a lifeline in an otherwise bleak existence.

But is the unbridled attraction they're experiencing a dangerous distraction or could it be strong enough to transcend the insurmountable complexities of time and place?

Ever have that deja vu feeling while you are reading. Well that happened to me when I really got engrossed reading A Cottage by the Sea. I kept on thinking this sounds really familiar, but I couldn't remember if I had read this book before...until I did a little research online and found the original book cover and then it hit me. Yep, I had read the book. But that didn't stop me from re-reading it again and enjoying it.

I truly felt for both the main characters Blythe and Luke. What Blythe had gone through with her husband and her sister was such a betrayal that I could not blame her for wanting to hide from everyone. Luke lost his wife to cancer and is slowly getting back on his feet, he has a troubled relationship with his young son and there's also the family estate that needs to be ran and updated.

Then you add Blythe's visions. Whenever she touches the genealogical family tree she sees what happened to her namesake two hundred before. I found her namesake to be very cruel, insensitive and only cared for her own suffering, but on the other hand I can understand the cause of her troubles. I felt for Kit and Garrett, I found Ennis to be a pig and a user.

Bottom line: It was great to rediscover this book. It was entertaining and full of emotions, but I thought it showed its age. Not that it was a bad thing, it just felt a little dated, considering I was expecting one thing and I got another. Anyway, it was a very good book, and I thought that the historical parts of the book felt a little too over dramatic...or maybe it's just my personal feelings towards the two-hundred year old Blythe.

I found a few reviews online. You can find Marg's review over The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader. There's also Marnie's review at The Burton Review. There's also Bookfool's review at Bookfoolery and Babble.

A Cottage by the Sea by Ciji Ware (4/5) Contemporary Romance/Paranormal; Published: Ivy Books (3/1997); Format: Ebook for Kindle App on Ipad; Books 2010 (78);

All I Ever Wanted

2010-08-17T14:15:00.003-04:00

One Happily-Ever-After Rocking Chair…

And no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol' Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company's new Miss Perfect. If that isn't bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a three-oh birthday bash in the family funeral home.

Bad goes to worse when she stirs up a crazy relationship with the town's not so warm and fuzzy veterinarian, Ian McFarland, in order to flag Mark's attention. So Ian is more comfortable with animals…. So he's formal, orderly and just a bit tense. The ever-friendly, fun-loving and spontaneous Callie decides it's time for Ian to get a personality makeover. But dang, if he doesn't shock the heck out of her, she might actually fall for Vermont's unlikeliest eligible bachelor….

As you might have noticed I have been reading some serious stuff lately, and I needed to cleanse my palate so...I picked up the latest by Kristan Higgins. She's my newest feel good author. Her books are wonderfully written with great characters and full of family quirks which make me laugh.

Well I definitely got what I was looking for, I got the humor, the unique family dynamics and wonderful story about a woman and man finally realizing what they really want is each other.

Callie is an outgoing, sweet, and has a heart of gold. She likes everyone and people love her too. She has a little problem, her boss, Mark just doesn't see her in the same light. Ian is a shy man, who has had his own share of disappointments and heartache. Even thought they don't hit it off right at the beginning they became friends. Which I liked a lot. I like when an author takes time for the main characters to get to know each other before the sex gets mixed up in the situation.

Although I thought it was an amazing read I found it I wanted more of Callie and Ian time. There was a lot more going on in Callie's crazy mixed up family life, which was entertaining to say the least, but I wished it wasn't the center stage of the book. It's supposed Callie and Ian, not her crazy family.

All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins (4/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: HQN Books (7/2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle App on IPad; Books 2010 (77);

Teaser Tuesday

2010-08-17T12:20:00.003-04:00

My face warmed, and to hide my blush, I turned my head and looked out on Commonwealth Avenue. Mark chuckled.

~ taken from about 62% of All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins

For more teasers visit here.

P is for Potugal

2010-08-16T08:58:00.004-04:00

I chose to read Baltasar and Blimunda by Jose Saramago for my P entry for Alphabet in Historical Fiction. The book is set in Portugal during the 1700's.

Here's the blurb:

Portugal, 1711: an amorous friar is pursued naked through the rubble-strwn streets of Lisbon; an enthusiastic procession of flagellants roars with pleasure over the damnation of adultery; a royal prince uses hapless sailors for target practice; and women dressed in colorful finery watch as lapsed converts and sorcerers are put to death by flames. In the midst of the terrors of the Inquisition and the plague, a seemingly mismatched couple discovers the wonders of love. This poetic tale, graced with exquisite historical detail and full of magic and adventure, is a tapestry of human folly and human will.

I'm probably going to sound like a broken record but it seems like I always repeat myself when I read a novel by Jose Saramago. It took me a while to get into the story because of my need to get used to the language, the size of the sentences and the characters dialogue. And once that happens the book was a pleasure to read.

The author is an amazing story teller, and I was hooked, I wanted to know more about Blimunda and Baltasar and Padre Bartolomeu Lourenco and I loved reading about the Royal exploits. The book had everything, it was funny, sad, sensual, thought provoking and it was all set during true historical events. I feel like I have a connection to this book, I've been to that convent in Mafra, and actually it's one of my favourites places to visit when I'm in Portugal. Knowing the background of the construction along with the fictional re-telling of the events was quite an experience.

Baltasar and Blimunda by Jose Saramago (4.5/5) Historical Fiction; Translated from the Portuguese by Giovanni Pontiero; Published as Memorial do Convento in 1982 by Editorial Caminho; Published: Harcourt Brace 1987; 1001 You Must Read (80); Year of the Historical (11); Alphabet Historical Challenge (16); Books 2010 (76);

WWW Wednesdays

2010-08-11T11:53:00.002-04:00

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a bookish meme hosted by MizB from Should Be Reading. To play along you need to answer three questions.

What are you currently reading?

I'm reading Baltazar and Blimunda by Jose Saramago. I haven't read too much of the book yet, maybe 65 pages or so...but so far so good.

Here's the blurb:

Portugal, 1711: an amorous friar is pursued naked through the rubble-strwn streets of Lisbon; an enthusiastic procession of flagellants roars with pleasure over the damnation of adultery; a royal prince uses hapless sailors for target practice; and women dressed in colorful finery watch as lapsed converts and sorcerers are put to death by flames. In the midst of the terrors of the Inquisition and the plague, a seemingly mismatched couple discovers the wonders of love. This poetic tale, graced with exquisite historical detail and full of magic and adventure, is a tapestry of human folly and human will.

What did you recently finish reading?

I finished reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I loved it and I'm hoping that I will be able to get the second book of the series very soon.

What do you think you’ll read next?

As usual I'm not sure but there are several possibilities: One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare, The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen, All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins, A Cottage by the Sea by Ciji Ware or Heidi by Johanna Spyri.

To join in the fun, visit here.

Teaser Tuesday

2010-08-10T09:33:00.004-04:00

It is Dona Maria Ana who tugs the bell-pull, whereupon the King's footmen enter from one side and the Queen's ladies-in-waiting from the other. Various odours hover in the air and one of them is unmistakable for without its presence the long-awaited miracle could not possibly take place, and besides, the much-quoted immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary occurred but once so that the wolrd might know that Almighty God, when He chooses, has no need of men, though He cannot dispense with women.

~ taken from page 9, Baltasar and Blimunda by Jose Saramago

To join in the fun or to read more teasers, visit here.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2010-08-09T11:52:00.004-04:00

Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

For the past couple of years, I've seen this title around, I've heard people talking about it. Either love it or they just don't get the hoopla about its popularity. But I kept my distance...until recently. A few of my friends have been after me to read it, they wanted to have a group discussion. I checked at the library, but there was an absurd amount of people ahead of me that I just went out and bought myself a copy.

I found the first hundred pages or so slow. Don't get me wrong I was enjoying the story but I wanted the author to get to the point. And all of the sudden it just picked up and I felt like I was bombarded with tons of info and with all that information my emotions were all over the place. And I couldn't keep my hands off the book. I wanted and I needed to discover what or who was behind the mysterious disappearance. But there was also my curiosity about the secondary mystery of the story, the Wennerstrom issue, was Blomkvist set up or was he telling the truth.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed both Blomkvist and Salander. They are great characters, they both have their own issues to deal with, Blomkvist needing to put his life back together after the trial and Salander dealing with a creepy lawyer, and wanting a sense of normalcy. I think the author only scratched at the surface of Salander's personality and background. And I cannot wait to see more of her.

I loved this book! And I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book of the series, The Girl Who Played with Fire.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (5/5) Mystery/Thriller; Translated from the Swedish by Reg Keeland; New Author; Published: Penguin Group (2008); Series: # 1, Millennium Trilogy; Thriller & Suspense Challenge (7); Books 2010 (75);

WWW Wednesdays

2010-08-04T15:43:00.006-04:00

W... W... W... Wednesdays is a bookish meme hosted by MizB from Should Be Reading. To play along you need to answer three questions.

What are you currently reading?

I just began reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. I've been meaning to get around to this book, but the waiting at the library was just absurd that I broke down and bought my own copy.

What did you recently finish reading?

The last book that I read Louisa May Alcott's Jo's Boys. You read my thought here.

What do you think you’ll read next?

I'm not all that sure yet. It will depend on my mood.

You can join in the fun by visiting here.

The Month That Was July and Challenge Round-up

2010-08-03T16:16:00.003-04:00

I'm amazed on how fast the month of July went by, it was busy and tons of fun. And the bonus was that I managed to read more than I expected. Here are my July reads:

Northanger Abbey
Birthright
Little Men
Middlemarch
The Count of Monte Cristo
Hannah's List
Life of Pi
Jo's Boys

My favorite read of the month was:

It's Challenge Round-up time:

The Canadian Book Challange 4 July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011
13 books Read 1
1. Life of Pi by Yann Martel

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die No time limit
1001 Books Read 79
76. The History of the Siege of Lisbon
77. Middlemarch
78. The Count of Monte Cristo
79. Life of Pi

The Art History Reading Challenge January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
3 books

2010 DIK Book Reading Challenge January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
12 books - Read 1
1. Moon Called

What's In a Name? January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
6 books - Read 1
1. Pemberley By The Sea by Abigail Reynolds (A book with a body of water in the title)

451 Challenge January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
19 books - Read 1
1. Fahrenheit 451

Christy Awards Challenge November 1, 2009 to December 1, 2010
9 books - Read 2
1. You Had Me at Good-bye by Tracey Bateman
2. Home to Harmony by Phillip Gulley

Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010 January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
12 books - Read 5
1. Loyalty in Death by JD Robb
2. Fantasy in Death by JD Robb
3. In the Shadow of the Glacier by Vicki Delany
4. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
5. Careless in Red by Elizabeth George

The Colorful Reading Challenge January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
9 books Read 2
1. Beyond the Blue by Andrea MacPherson
2. Careless in Red by Elizabeth George

Year of the Historical: A 2010 Reading Challenge January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
12 books - Read 10
1. The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery
2. Eve: A Novel of the First Woman by Elissa Elliott
3. Mistress Shakespeare by Karen Harper
4. The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan
5. Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
6. Strongbow: The Story of Richard and Aoife by Morgan Llylewyn
7. Loving Mr Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley by Sharon Lathan
8. The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy
9. Lady Macbeth by Susan Fraser King
10. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees

18th & 19th Women Writers Reading Challenge 2010 January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
11 books - Read 5
1. Sylvia's Lovers by Elizabeth Gaskell
2. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
3. Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
4. Middlemarch by George Eliot
5. Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
12 books - Read 3
1. Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
2. Nation by Terry Pratchett
3.Twilight by Stephanie Meyers

Terry Pratchett 2010 Challenge December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010
5 books - Read 1
1. Nation by Terry Pratchett

The Alphabet in Historical Fiction
26 books - Read 15
1. A is for Allende
2. B is for Blindpsot (and Boston)
3. C is for Captain
4. D is for D'Artagnan
5. E is for Eve
6. F is for Fire
7. G is for Gilling
8. H is for Harper
9. I is for Ireland
10. J is for James
11. K is for Knights
12. L is for Lady
13. M is for McNees
14. N is for New York City
15. O is for Osborne

101 Fantasy Reading Challenge October 10, 2009 to October 10, 2010
15 books - Read 8
1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman
2. Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer
3. Artemis Fowl: The Artic Incident by Eion Colfer
4. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
5. The Eternity Code by Eion Colfer
6. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
7. The Opal Deception by Eion Colfer
8. The Lost Colony by Eion Colfer

O is for Osborne

2010-07-30T11:05:00.003-04:00

It's time for the latest installment of Alphabet in Historical Fiction, and like the previous one, instead of reading a book and talking it, I'll be "cheating" and posting a link to a book that I read a while ago. Let me say that I had good intentions, I got a book from the library to read by Maggie Osborne but I didn't read it in time.

Whenever I get in a mood for a western I read Maggie Osborne. She wrote one of my favorites, I Do, I Do, I Do, but I don't have a copy of it and I cannot find it anywhere. I hate when books are out of print. Grrr.

Anyway, here's the link to my thoughts on Shotgun Wedding.

For more O entries visit here.

Jo's Boys

2010-07-28T14:11:00.003-04:00

Better known for her novels Little Women and Little Men, Louisa May Alcott continued the story of her feisty protagonist Jo in this final novel chronicling the adventures and misadventures of the March family. Entertaining, surprising, and overall a joy to read, Jo's Boys is nevertheless shaded by a bittersweet tone, for with it Alcott brought her wonderful series to an end.

Beginning ten years after Little Men, Jo's Boys revisits Plumfield, the New England school still presided over by Jo and her husband, Professor Bhaer. Jo's boys -- including rebellious Dan, sailor Emil, and promising musicain Nat -- are grown; Jo herself remains at the center of this tale, holding her boys fast through shipwreck and storm, disappointment... and even murder.

Popular for more than a century, the series that began with Little Women continues to hold universal appeal with its powerful and affectionate depiction of family -- the safe haven where the prodigal can always return, adversity is never met alone, and our dreams of being cherished, no matter what our flaws, come true. With this new edition of Jo's Boys, readers once again have access to a treasured classic by one of America's best-loved writers.

Set ten years after Little Men, we see the regular set of characters. Obviously they are older and moving on with their lives and careers. Some are set on continuing their educations and others are not sure what or who they want. It was nice to see the Marsh sisters together again, although we see more of Meg and Jo than Amy.

I thought that it was a great conclusion of the series. But felt at times that it was a little bit preachy for my taste.

Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott (3.5/5) Classic Children Literature; Published: Roberts Brothers (1886); 18th & 19th Women Writers Reading Challenge (5); Books 2010 (74);

Library Loot

2010-07-28T14:00:00.003-04:00

Library Loot is a weekly event that is hosted by Marg and Claire.

...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.

It was a quick stop for me this week again. It was only to pick up a hold:

Want to check out more loot? Visit here.

Life of Pi

2010-07-28T11:43:00.009-04:00

Pi Patel is an unusual boy. The son of a zookeeper, he has an encyclopedic knowledge of animal behavior, a fervent love of stories, and practices not only his native Hinduism, but also Christianity and Islam. When Pi is sixteen, his family emigrates from India to North America aboard a Japanese cargo ship, along with their zoo animals bound for new homes.
The ship sinks. Pi finds himself alone in a lifeboat, his only companions a hyena, an orangutan, a wounded zebra, and Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. Soon the tiger has dispatched all but Pi, whose fear, knowledge, and cunning allow him to coexist with Richard Parker for 227 days lost at sea. When they finally reach the coast of Mexico, Richard Parker flees to the jungle, never to be seen again. The Japanese authorities who interrogate Pi refuse to believe his story and press him to tell them "the truth." After hours of coercion, Pi tells a second story, a story much less fantastical, much more conventional-but is it more true?

Life of Pi is at once a realistic, rousing adventure and a meta-tale of survival that explores the redemptive power of storytelling and the transformative nature of fiction. It's a story, as one character puts it, to make you believe in God.

I've been meaning to read this book for years. I've heard nothing but good things about it, and I've tried several times but I never managed to read past the first couple of chapters. Until I got over my moodiness and just sat down and read. And I'm so glad that I did. It was a wonderful book and I cannot believe it took me so long to actually pick it up and really give a try.

I loved the way the story is told by Pi (Piscine Molitor Patel) a sixteen year old from India. He's the second son of a zoo keeper/owner, he's curious about religion and their relationship with God, he loves animals and he wishes that he was more like his brother. A normal teenager. He's also the only survivor of a terrible shipwreck. Human survivor that is, there's Richard Parker, a Bengal tiger. This is their story. It's the story of their survival. But once he's safe and sound he's questioned about the facts of his ordeal. And until then you truly do not question his story. In the end I wasn't able to decide which story I liked the best. The story with the animals or the story with the people.

I only know that I loved the book.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel (5/5) General Fiction; Published: Knopf (9/2001); New Author; Canadian Reads; Canadian Book Challenge 4 (1); 1001 You Must Read (79); Books 2010 (74);

Library Loot

2010-07-21T08:13:00.007-04:00

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.

After our trip both the kids and yours truly needed to stock up our readings choices. I managed to the get a quick trip into the library on Saturday. Which was hard considering the kids wanted to linger, but that will have to wait until next week.

Here's what I brought home with me:

Did you get loot at library this week? Want to share? Visit here.