It came!

It's here.

I'll be having a Sissi marathon....

The Sweater

Finally finished hubby's sweater!



I'm off to the next project...

Pharaohs and Dallas

The beauty of audiobooks.... I get to "re-read" my favorites and still do all that other work that keeps on pilling up in the K household.



I really enjoy listening to audiobooks, it's a wonderful experience, I already have a few favorite readers, I love listening to Christina Morsi, Barbara Rosenblat, Cristine McMurdo-Wallis and Simon Prebble, just to name a few.

Fast Food Nation

I read this book for the Fall Into Reading Challenge hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days



I've had this book in my TBR shelf for a long time. I've started reading it several times, but never got a chance to finish it. So I thought that having a reason to finish it would be a good thing... Well, yeah! Fall Into Reading was the little push I needed to do it.

I'm amazed on how much money companies put into their fast food divisions. I always knew that they put oodles into research and marketing, but I never thought that they had even schools for their employees.

I admit that their marketing techniques have persuaded me to stop off and pick up a few goodies, and also it helps that they also target children. My children like many others are addicted to certain little toys that are given with their meals, but I'm trying to cut down the number of times that we visit fast food restaurants. I guess that watching Supersize Me is helping my resolve, but that another topic.

Rate: 4/5

AAR Top 100 Romances

I found this list through Ana's blog. Well, that sparked my curiosity and I went to check out the list myself. You can find the list here.

These are the books listed that I've read:

#2 Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas (1994)
#3 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)
#4 Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (1991)
#6 Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh (2004)
#7 Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas (2006)
#8 Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (2004)
#9 Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie (2000)
#10 The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (2000)
#11 Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward (2006)
#13 The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (2000)
#14 It Had To Be You by Susan E. Phillips (1994)
#16 Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (2002)
#17 The Bride by Julie Garwood (1989)
#19 Naked In Death by J.D. Robb (1995)
#20 A Summer To Remember by Mary Balogh (2002)
#21 Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan E. Phillips (1997)
#24 Paradise by Judith McNaught (1991)
#27 Dark Lover by J.R. Ward (2005)
#28 The Secret by Julie Garwood (1992)
#29 Son of the Morning by Linda Howard (1997)
#30 Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward (2006)
#31 Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens (1998)
#32 A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux (1989)
#35 Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught (1990)
#36 Match Me If You Can by Susan E. Phillips (2005)
#39 A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught (1989)
#42 Ravished by Amanda Quick (1992)
#43 Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas (1993)
#45 Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught (1988)
#46 This Heart of Mine by Susan E. Phillips (2001)
#48 Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas (2001)
#50 Honor's Splendor by Julie Garwood (1987)
#51 Saving Grace by Julie Garwood (1993)
#52 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (1847)
#53 When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn (2004)
#54 Persuasion by Jane Austen (1818)
#56 It Happened One Autumn by Llisa Kleypas (2005)
#57 Born In Fire by Nora Roberts (1994)
#62 Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas (2002)
#63 The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh (1991)
#64 Once and Always by Judith McNaught (1987)
#65 More Than A Mistress by Mary Balogh (2000)
#67 See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson (2003)
#71 Whitney My Love by Judith McNaught (1985)
#72 The Duke by Gaelen Foley (2000)
#73 One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney (1997)
#74 Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney (1996)
#77 Frederica by Georgette Heyer (1965)
#80 The lady's Tutor by Robin Schone (1999)
#82 Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas (2003)
#83 Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth (2000)
#84 My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway (1998)
#88 Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie (1996)
#91 Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward (2007)
#92 Open Season by Linda Howard (2001)
#93 Born In Ice by Nora Roberts (1996)
#94 Ransom by Julie Garwood (1999)
#95 Venetia by Georgette Heyer (1958)
#99 The Prize by Julie Garwood (1991)

Wow! Pretty good, if I do say so myself...

Lisa Kleypas...

Is back! Well, that's just my opinion...

I really didn't care for her contemporary novel, Sugar Daddy, but her latest book, Mine Till Midnight takes us back to the mid 1800's, one of my favorite time periods.

Here's the blurb:

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship—but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter….

I'm so glad that Kleypas hasn't stopped writing her historical novels. I would miss them...She has a wonderful voice. The characters are wonderfully written.

In this book we get the chance to get to know Cam Rohan a little better, the character was first introduced in Devil In Winter. He a "uncivilized" Gypsy, living and working in London, but he missing living outdoors and the space and the freedom of his Gypsy roots. But then he meets Amellia Hathaway and he then starts questioning his decision.

Both Cam and Amelia are great characters, but I have to say that Win and Merripen were the scene stealer, and I'm looking forward to reading their book...if there will be one, keeping my fingers crossed.

Rate: 4/5, Keeper Shelf

Hmm...candy...

Saw this quiz at Ana's blog and I thought it would be fun to try out...

Butterfinger

They call you sticky fingers for a reason!

What Kind of Candy Are You?

Pss, just between us, I hate Butterfinger! I'm more of a KitKat girl.

Sissi

Read this as part Callapidder Days Fall Into Reading challenge.

I started my obsession with Empress Elizabeth of Austria when I was eleven or twelve. That's when I watched a series of movies starring Romy Schneider as Sissi (the Empress's nickname). At that time I didn't care about historical accuracy, I thought that the setting was so beautiful (Bavaria, Vienna, Venice, Madeira), the actors were amazingly attractive, and they had a great love story. And of course I thought all of what happened in the movies were true fact... Was I ever wrong!



The biography, The Lonely Empress: Elizabeth of Austria by Joan Haslip, shows us the young girl who fell in love, the young woman who lost something precious and the loneliness that she felt throughout her life. No longer I am the starry eyed girl who fell in love with the movies, but the woman who can (sometimes) understand the intricacies of life and love.



Has the obsession quiet down? No, not really. I will still watch the movies, and read about the actress that portrayed that special character that I love so much. Actually I just ordered a five DVD box set, The Sissi Collection from Amazon. I cannot wait to cuddle up on the couch and watch all five of those movies.

Rate: 4.5/5 Keeper Shelf

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