Adele

This is what I've been listening to lately. I just love her voice.

Canada Reads: Not Wanted On The Voyage

I've finished reading the second book for my version of Canada Reads. I made a personal challenge. I will read all the books listed for the CBC's Canada Reads challenge. I don't have a time line, let's face it reading thirty five books may take a while, especially when I tend to be very moody reader.

Not Wanted On The Voyage by Timothy Findley was a book selected on Canada Reads 2008, it championed by actor Zaib Shaikh.

I have read Timothy Findley before, I consider him to be one of the best, one of my favourites. I loved Pilgrim and The Piano Man's Daughter. So I was pretty excited about reading Not Wanted On The Voyage.

Here's the blurb:

Not Wanted on the Voyage is the story of the great flood and the first time the world ended. It is a brilliant, unforgettable drama filled with an extraordinary cast of remarkable characters: the tyrannical Noah and his indomitable wife, Mrs. Noyes; the aging and irritable Yahweh; a chorus of singing sheep; and a unicorn destined for a horrible death. With pathos and pageantry, desperation and hope, magic and mythology, this acclaimed novel weaves its unforgettable spell.

In my opinion the book started off great. I was fully interested in the story, in his point of view. But somewhere in the middle I started getting disinterested. There were times where I found it disturbing and others very touching. But I think the disturbing ones won out and really creeped me out. I felt for the women in this book, and my favorite character was a cat. Yep, a cat. I have a soft spot for cats, especially the black ones.

Overall I'm glad that I read this book. I loved the imagery, but it was a little too much.

Not Wanted On The Voyage by Timothy Findley (3/5) General Fiction; Published: Viking Canada (1984); Canadian Author; Canada Reads; Library Book;

You Give Me Fever...

There are paranormals and then there are Paranormals. And this is a Paranormal with a capital "P". I've been reading Karen Marie Moning for a while now, I love her Highlander series, but her Fever series is just outstanding. It seems to me that the darkness has increased with each book, and I have a feeling that somehow both these series are intertwined. I cannot wait until that happens! Can't she write faster?!

Here's the blurb:

I used to think my sister and I were just two nice southern girls who’d get married in a few years and settle down to a quiet life. Then I discovered that Alina and I descend, not from good wholesome southern stock, but from an ancient Celtic bloodline of powerful sidhe-seers, people who can see the Fae. Not only can I see the terrifying otherworldly race, but I can sense the sacred Fae relics that hold the deadliest of their magic.

When my sister was found dead in a trash-filled alley in Dublin, I came over to get answers. Now all I want is revenge. And after everything I’ve learned about myself, I know I have the power to get it….

MacKayla Lane’s ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland’s shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets.

In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh–a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V’lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.

For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.…

This book was just as engrossing and consuming as the first. I didn't not want to stop reading. If I had the time I would have read it in one sitting, but unfortunately children have several needs for a mother, or least mine do. Back to the book, it flowed beautifully without being scarce in the information, there were times were I found the information repetitive but it wasn't a major turn off.

I love characters, in this book Mac (unlike DarkFever) is showing maturity and the will to survive "the things that so bump in the night", she still is having a problems with trusting but she's getting there. And Jericho is the ever mysterious man, the type where you think that you may know him, and then all of the sudden he does a complete 360.

It's going to be a very long wait until September of this year, for the next installment of the Fever series.

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning (4.75/5) Paranormal Romance; Published: Delacorte Press (October 2007); Series: # 2, The Fever Series; Library Book;

The Hunter & The Chef

I haven't read a Dark Hunter novel in a very long time. I stopped reading the books, I was losing interest in the stories. I enjoy the Dark Hunters, but for some reason I cannot get into the Dream Hunter books. So, Devil May Cry was my reintroduction to the Dark Hunter series.

Here's the blurb:

An ancient Sumerian god, Sin was one of the most powerful among his pantheon. . . Until the night Artemis stole his godhood by trickery and left him one step from death.
For millennia, this ex-god turned Dark-Hunter has dreamed only of regaining his powers and seeking revenge on her. If only life were that simple.

Unfortunately he has bigger fish or in his case, demons, to fry. The lethal gallu that were buried by his pantheon are now stirring and they are hungry for human flesh. Their only goal is to destroy mankind and anyone else who gets in their way. Lucky Sin is the only one who can stop it—that is if a certain woman doesn’t kill him first.

Trust of any kind died in him the moment Artemis tricked him, but now he must rely on another woman or see an annihilation of biblical proportions. Enemies have always made strange bedfellows, but never more so than when the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Now a man who knows only betrayal must trust the one person most likely to hand him to the demons. Artemis may have stolen his godhood, but this one has stolen his heart. The only question is will she keep it or feed it to the ones who want him dead?

Sin, has trust issues. Not only because of what happened with Artimes but also from things that happened during his "life" time. Now he has put his trust in Katra, and it may be the hardest thing he'll ever do. You see this struggle, and it touched my heart to see his turmoil.

And there's Katra, whose parentage is found out (by the readers) in this book. I had my theories beforehand, but I blown away. I was so surprised! I will not mention who they are here, so it can be a surprise to you as well, just in case you haven't read the book yet.

Although I enjoyed the scenes between Sin and Katra. But scene stealer were the ones between Kat and her father. Touching, warm and full of surprises!

Devil May Cry by Sherrilyn Kenyon (4.5/5) Romance Paranormal; Published: St. Martin's Press (August 2007); Series: # 12, Dark Hunter; Library book;


I was a little skeptical about reading this books. It's a book from another series I have enjoyed in the past. I loved the first three books of Deirdre Martin's New York Blades series, but the previous books (for the lack of a better word)sucked big time. So you can see why I was skeptical about Just a Taste. Oh, there's another reason: I thought that the hero would be a baffoon. Let me explain, the hero, Anthony Dante, was first introduced in Fair Play and he was such a baffoon that I just could not see him as a romantic hero. But, once again I was pleasantly surprised.

Here's the blurb:

For delizioso pasta, go to Dante’s. For a sumptuous Cordon Bleu, go to Vivi’s. To really heat things up… get them together.

Since his wife’s untimely death, Anthony Dante has thrown himself into his cooking, making his restaurant, Dante’s, a Brooklyn institution. So far, his biggest problem has been keeping his retired hockey star brother out of the kitchen. But now, a mademoiselle is invading his turf. And you know what they say: too many chefs spoil the neighborhood…

Stunning Vivi Robitaille can’t wait to showcase her tastebud-tingling recipes in her brand new bistro, Vivi’s. Her only problem is an arrogant Italian chef across the street who actually thinks he’s competition. The table is set for a culinary war—until things start getting spicy outside of the kitchen…

Both Anthony and Vivi are perfectionists, two peas in the pod, comes to mind. They have the same passions: food, creating the perfect dish, their respective restaurants and family. The squable about everything, and like a character in the book said, their arguing is a type of foreplay.
They both struggle with their feelings, but it the end....well, you know the rest.

Just A Taste by Deirdre Martin (4/5) Romance Contemporary; Published: Berkley Sensation (January 2008); Series: # 6, New York Blades; Library book;

A Breach of Promise

Once again, I've been visiting with some of my favorite fictional characters, William Monk and Hester Latterly, and I also cannot forget their lawyer friend Oliver Rathbone.

Here's the blurb from A Breach of Promise:

In a sensational breach of promise suit, two wealthy social climbers are suing on behalf of their beautiful daughter, Zillah. The defendant is Zillah's alleged fiancé, brilliant young architect Killian Melville, who adamantly declares that he will not, cannot, marry her. Utterly baffled by his client's refusal, Melville's counsel, Sir Oliver Rathbone, turns to his old comrades in crime--investigator William Monk and nurse Hester Latterly. But even as they scout London for clues, the case suddenly and tragically ends. An outcome that no one--except a ruthless murderer--could have foreseen.

Rathbone is baffled, he cannot find anything that may help Melville's case, and even when he asks for Monk's help. Meanwhile Miss Latterly is employment in taking care of a returned soldier from India, where he lost his arm and was badly disfigured; there she meets a woman who is desperately looking for her two nieces that were abandoned by their mother. While Monk investigates both Melville case and the missing girls case, he suddenly discovers that they're both intertwined.

I really enjoyed this book, as usual Anne Perry has brought both the good and bad of the Victorian era to life. On one hand you have the rich with the beautiful buildings and extravagance, and on the other you have the decrepit life of the poor, people who abuse others and of course the war. She mixes them beautifully.

This was one of those rare books that I was able to enjoy in one sitting. I found it fast paced, without feeling that it lacked information... you can say that I was hooked from page one. The characters were wonderful as usual, but also the newly introduced ones too. And finally in this book, Monk and Hester come to an understanding! It only took nine books... My only peeve: I wanted more! I found that it ended abruptly. I wanted to know what happened to the person who committed the crime. WTH!

A Breach of Promise by Anne Perry (4.5/5) Historical Mystery; Published: Fawcett (September 1998); Series: # 9, William Monk; Library Book

Idols do The Beatles

I really enjoyed last night performances, but of all the twelve performances my favorites were Brooke White's rendition of Let It Be and Jason Castro's rendition of If I Fell.

Here they are, enjoy!:

Love Is A Battlefield

I don't think the ladies outdid the guys, but there was one performance that was completely amazing. I loved Brooke White's rendition of Pat Banatar's Love Ia A Battlefield.

A Visit to the 80's

The idols singing songs from the 80's. Here are my favorites from last night.

David Cook singing Lionel Richie's Hello:



Jason Castro singing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah:



I wonder how the ladies will do tonight.

Canada Reads: The Handmaid's Tale

I've finished reading the first book for my version of Canada Reads. I made a personal challenge, I will read all the books listed for the CBC's Canada Reads challenge. I don't have a time line, let's face it reading thirty five books may take a while, especially when I tend to be very moody reader.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood was a selected book on Canada Reads 2002, it was championed by former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell.

I've had this book in my To Be Read shelf, better known as the Pit, for a very long time. It's been recommended to my countless of times, but I never gotten a chance to read. I admit, that I've overlooked several times while I'm perusing the Pit. I'm so glad that I read it.

Here's the blurb:

In the world of the near future, who will control women's bodies?

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are only valued if their ovaries are viable.

Offred can remember the days before, when she lived and made love with her husband Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now....

I cannot believe that it took me so long to read this book. I loved it! I found it funny, moving and at times perturbing. It was one of the most powerful reads that I've experienced in a very long time. It brought me to tears!

Offred the handmaiden, the narrator of this story, and that's the only name we know her by. She's trying to live in a world that represses women, she's just a vessel, something to be used and when not needed any longer, she goes to next Commander. She longs for her husband and her child, not knowing where they are, she craves human touch (which is prohibited), she needs human interaction, but most of all she wants to feel. She's not living, she just going through the motions.

I highly recommend it!

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (5/5) General Fiction; Published: McClelland & Stewart (1985); Canadian Author; Canada Reads; Keeper;

R.I.P.

In memory of Jeff Healey.



Although I love Angel Eyes this one is my all time favourite. I was so lucky to have been able to see him perform.

Canada Reads 2008: We Have a Winner!

It's been a long week! But we have a winner:



King Leary was selected by Dave Didini.

Here's the blurb:

Percival Leary was once the King of the Ice, one of hockey’s greatest heroes. Now, in the South Grouse Nursing Home, where he shares a room with Edmund “Blue” Hermann, the antagonistic and alcoholic reporter who once chronicled his career, Leary looks back on his tumultuous life and times: his days at the boys’ reformatory when he burned down a house; the four mad monks who first taught him to play hockey; and the time he executed the perfect “St. Louis Whirlygig” to score the winning goal in the 1919 Stanley Cup final.

Now all but forgotten, Leary is only a legend in his own mind until a high-powered advertising agency decides to feature him in a series of ginger ale commercials. With his male nurse, his son, and the irrepressible Blue, Leary sets off for Toronto on one last adventure as he revisits the scenes of his glorious life as King of the Ice.

Canada Reads 2008: Fourth Book Off

The fourth book voted off:



Not Wanted On The Voyage was selected by Zaib Shaikh

Here's the blurb (taken from the publisher's site):

Not Wanted on the Voyage is the story of the great flood and the first time the world ended. It is a brilliant, unforgettable drama filled with an extraordinary cast of remarkable characters: the tyrannical Noah and his indomitable wife, Mrs. Noyes; the aging and irritable Yahweh; a chorus of singing sheep; and a unicorn destined for a horrible death. With pathos and pageantry, desperation and hope, magic and mythology, this acclaimed novel weaves its unforgettable spell.