More Letters...

What can I say? I just can't get enough of the Darcy's.

The first book, Letters From Pemberley: The First Year, was Lizzie's letters to her sister Jane. But this book, More Letters From Pemberley: 1814-1819, the letters are written by Lizzie to different friends and family. It gives us a more detailed look at the life of the characters, the good times and the bad times. It shows us growth, at the beginning Lizzie is fun and carefree but the throughout the years you see her mature.



Here's the blurb:

The delights and the complexities of life at Pemberley

Now that she has been mistress of Pemberley for more than a year, Elizabeth Darcy's letters to her beloved sister Jane, her devoted husband and other characters who weave in and out of her sphere are intimate, sweet and full of insights.

Follow the Darcy family for another six years to the twilight of the Regency period in 1819, through the joys, celebrations and inevitable conflicts that arise in such an illustrious family.

Again incorporating Jane Austen's own words and characters from her other works, Jane Dawkins creates a satisfying, entertaining and endearing tale about a way of life always intriguing to modern day readers.

I'm always amazed on how books make me feel. This book ran a gamut of emotions for me, it made me laugh, it made me cry, I was surprised at times and angry at others, but overall the book made me happy.

I loved reading this book! I highly recommend it!

Rate: 4.5/5, Library Book

Letters...

Have you ever started reading a book and found it too familiar? As if you read it already? Yep, it happened to me! I'm not complaining, I enjoyed re-reading Letters From Pemberley: The First Year by Jane Dawkins. And then I had this nagging feeling that not only had I read it before but I had a copy in my Keeper Shelf. And yes! I have my own copy, just a different cover.



Here's the blurb(taken from the back of the book):

In this continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, one of the best-loved novels in the English language, Elizabeth Bennet, now Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy and mistress of Pemberley, finds herself in a very different league of wealth and privilege. Writing to her sister, Jane, she confides her uncertainty and anxieties, and describes the everyday of her new life. Her first year at Pemberley is sometimes bewildering, but Lizzy's spirited sense of humour and satirical eye never desert her.

Incorporating Jane Austen's own words and characters from her other works (who appear here with different names, either associated with Austen's life, borrowed from another of her novels, or a word-play on their original name), Jane Dawkins pieces together a literary patchwork quilt to tell the story of Lizzy's first eventful year as Mrs. Darcy. The result is an entertaining and satisfying tale that will surely delight Jane Austen fans everywhere.

I am looking forward to reading the other book by Jane Dawkins, which I got from the library as well. And I already checked I do not have on my shelf.

Rate: 4.5/5, Library Book and Keeper Shelf

Cape Light

I found a new addiction! Seriously!

For the past week or so I haven't been the best, and when this happens I tend to take comfort in the type of books that I read. Usually it's a Debbie Macomber or a Jan Karon novel but this time around I tried Thomas Kinkade (yes the painter) and Katherine Spencer's series, Cape Light. In the introduction to Home Song Thomas Kinkade says that Cape Light is a "small town where friendships flourish, where people enjoy the warmth of romance, the joy of family life , and the support of the entire community".


Here's the blurb from Cape Light:

Nestled in New England is the picturesque seaside hamlet of Cape Light, where everyone knows everyone, and folks still care about one another. But Cape Lighters have their share of hidden dreams, desires, and doubts, too. Like Mayor Emily Warwick, who sometimes feels that her identity and her job are inseparable, and her sister, Jessica, who has torn herself away from the big city’s excitement and sophistication to care for their ailing mother. Or Reverend Ben, who counsels and consoles an entire town while coming to grips with his own private sorrows, and Charlie, the owner of the local diner, who isn’t shy about letting the mayor know that he is after her job.

They are friends and neighbors, doers and dreamers. They laugh and love and build their lives together in the town of Cape Light-and they will work their way into your heart.

And here's the blurb from Home Song:

Cape Light is a small seaside hamlet where folks still enjoy a strong sense of community and care about their neighbors. It doesn't mean they don't have any problems. It just means that when they do, someone is there to help.

Cape Light mayor Emily Warwick has too much on her plate: the election, town conflicts, and a family feud between her mother and sister. She soon finds herself pulled in every direction, leaving no room for the dreams she enjoyed years ago. And as her sister's wedding draws nearer-and her mother's objections to the marriage grow stronger-it seems that family harmony is a hopeless dream. But in this quaint New England village, miracles do happen

Can you see why I fell in love with this series? Wonderful life stories starring your friends and family, everyday worries and blessings... that's what made me connect with the Cape Light series.

If you enjoy Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cover or Blossom Street series you'll enjoy this one as well.

I highly recommend them!

Rate: 4/5, Library books

Those Bones...

I picked up The Sacred Bones by Michael Byrnes at the library just by chance. I was just browsing, and ventures to the new books shelves and picked this one...hmm, thriller with a conspiracy theme to it. I tend to enjoy them so it came home with me and I'm glad that it did.

Here's the blurb:

Across the Mediterranean in Italy, American forensic scientist Charlotte Hennesey has been hired by the Vatican to examine the contents of a newly discovered archeological treasure: a two-thousand-year-old ossuary containing the bones of an unidentified, crucified man--the first complete skeleton of a crucifixion victim ever found. Together with Italian anthropologist Giovanni Bersei, Charlotte makes startling forensic and genetic discoveries that lead her to wonder--could these be the bones of Jesus Christ?

With the situation in Jerusalem veering out of control and the malevolent eye of Vatican security expert Salvatore Conte watching her every step, Charlotte puts two and two together. She knows that if the mortal remains of Christ are indeed in the burial box, the implications--for history and science, for religion and the Church--are frighteningly vast. And even more immediate is the question of whether the Vatican will allow the information--and Charlotte--to see the light of day.

The book deals with a very controversial subject. What would happen if the bones of Jesus were found? Can you imagine? This book gives us a little bit of that. It brings up questions: Are people ready for such an extraordinary discovery? What about other religions?

Questions aside. The book was wonderful. I loved the way that the author just grabbed from the beginning and didn't let me go until the very end. It was fast paced, the whole story takes place in seven days. The characters were interesting, and their own private stories blended into the book.

I highly recommend it!

Rate: 4.5/5, Library book and also added to my shopping list

A Ghost Hunter Mystery

what's a Ghoul's to Do? is the first book of A Ghost Hunter Mystery by Victoria Laurie. I have read Victoria Laurie's previous books, Psychic Eye series, and i enjoyed them all. So I was very excited about reading this book. So you know how it is, you build up something and you hope that it doesn't disappoint you.

Here's the blurb:

M.J. Holliday's a medium with a message -- her business is helping lost souls cross over to the other side. But what if the ghosts want to stay put?

M.J. Holliday has two rules. One, she and her partner, Gilley Gillespie, work alone; and two, she doesn't date clients. But when handsome Dr. Steven Sable needs her help, the specter-spotting sleuth is ready to break both of her rules.

It seems the hot doc's grandfather jumped from the roof of the family lodge in an apparent suicide. But Dr. Sable knows in his bones it was foul play, and strange keep happening at the lodge. He'll hire M.J. and Gilley -- but only if he can come along. Hey, the duo needs the money -- and looking at eye candy all weekend long doesn't sound too bad, either...

But once they reach the lodge, the three realize they're dealing with more ghosts than just Grandpa Sable's. And the spooks keep playing nasty tricks on their human visitors. To the untrained eye, it would appear that ghouls just want to have fun. But M.J. knows they're communicating their distress -- and it's up to her figure out why....

It didn't disappoint! It was very good. I enjoyed the characters, M.J. a tough cookie with an incredible gift, Gilley her best friend who has a wandering eye, Doc her pet parrot, Mama the coffee house owner that can't make a good cup a coffee if her life depended on it and Steven Sable, the yummy doctor. It's fast paced, funny and with a tad of romance, just what this girl loves! Can't wait to get my hands on the next book, the teaser at the back of the book really sparked my curiosity.

Rate: 4/5, Library book.

Fall Into Reading: The Lusiads

I finished reading the first book from my list for the Fall Into Reading Challenge hosted by Katrina.


The Lusiads by Luis Vaz De Camoes, is considered to be "the national epic of Portugal". It was originally published in 1572, the epic celebrates the achievements of the Portuguese people. It tells the story of their heroic voyage to India, of the explorer Vasco de Gama. Gama is the protagonist of this poem, he's the one that tells the story of the Portuguese people to the the king of native tribe in Africa.

I first read this book in Portuguese for one of my history classes. I enjoyed it then, and I was always curious on how different it would be if I read the English translation of the book. The only difference is that the original is in poem form and the English translation is in prose, which makes perfect sense.

I glad that I read this book. I had the opportunity to revisit old stories that I learned from my grandmother and my father, and later on that I read myself. And someday my children will read these stories and learn about the courage, and the achievements of the Portuguese people. I'm very proud of my Portuguese heritage.

About the author: Luis Vaz De Camoes was born 1524 to a lesser nobility family. His family was related to Vasco de Gama, so he had a interest in the discoveries and the creation of the Portuguese empire. He went to university in Coimbra, where he studied Latin, mythology and history. He went to Ceuta in 1547 as a common soldier, where lost his right eye. He traveled to India, and Macau, where he worked on The Lusiads. He returned to Portugal in 1570, and The Lusiads was published to little acclaim. He died June 10, 1580.

Lover Unbound

The latest book of The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward. Here's the blurb (taken from the author's website):

Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous son of the Bloodletter possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father's war camp, he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time- until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her.

I had high expectations for this book, and I wasn't disappointed. I found the book very different from the others of the series. It had the usual darkness of the story but it didn't have the usual fighting between the Brothers and lessers, the conflict was more of a personal fight within Vishous. It also gives us more information on how their society works. There are a few shocking scenes, wait, there were the good kind. It was definitely the steamiest of the bunch. Although I enjoyed the main plot, I was at times more interested in what was happening with John and his friends.

Looking forward to the next installment. I think it's to be released in March.

Rate: 4/5, Keeper Shelf

Thank You Apple!

Thanks to the new ipod nano commercials I have this song in my head.... Enjoy!



Feist's 1 2 3 4 ... I'll be shopping for her album! :D

I Do Not Want To Be Teen Again

Megan McCafferty's book Sloppy Firsts definitely brought back memories, some good, but mostly bad memories. I confess I'm one of those people who rather have a root canal then go back to school. I hated it! I hated it! Have I mentioned that I hated high school?! I still have very close friends from high school, but they're the ones that made it a better place for me.

Here's the blurb:

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyper-observant 16-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy-and-shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad's obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany's lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

I really identified with Jessica. I was Jessica in high school, well minus the track star bit. I found that Ms. McCafferty really got to the essence of being in high school. The layers of high school society that can drive a sane person insane. There were laugh out loud moments and hanky moments, just like the ones that you either remember or try very hard to forget (it all depends on your perspective.

Fashion Wire Daily said of the book: "Funny and touching.... Perfect for nostalgic adults who'll be happy they've grown up and alienated teenagers who'll be grateful for a book that tells it like it is."

Rate: 4/5, Library book

Fall Into Reading

Katrina from Callapidder Days is hosting Fall Into Reading. I thought it was a great idea so I joined.

Before I began really pondering on my list I decided that it would have to be books that I own which I haven't gotten around to reading. And let me tell you it's been very hard to pick without looking at the new releases.

Non-Fiction:

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

The Lonely Empress: Elizabeth of Austria by Joan Haslip

Fiction:

The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas

The Gospel According to Jesus Christ by Jose Saramago

Blindness by Jose Saramago

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

The Lusiads by Luis de Camoes (at least I can brag that I read both in Portuguese and in English)

The Ex, Why and Me by Susanna Carr

Just Give Me MIKs...

Seriously just give me MIK! It seems that's the only thing that sparks my interest....So far this month I've the read The Bride and The Highlander's Touch.


I've been looking through my shelves and the two books that I think that I'll re-read are The Dark Highlander and The Immortal Highlander, both books are written by Karen Marie Moning. See the pattern?

Well I'm off to cuddle with some yummy MIKs....

Trip to the library...

Took my little guy to the library after school and I grabbed a few books for myself as well.

Here's what came home with me:

Body Movers by Stephanie Bond
The Last of the Red-Hot Vampires by Katie MacAlister
A Place of Hiding by Elizabeth George
The Hourglass by Barbara Metzger
American Diva by Julia London
Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
The Sacred Bones by Michael Byrnes