Today In History

20th March, 1935: The American radio show Your Hit Parade makes its debut on the airwaves.

You can find more Today In History by visiting here.

Midnight Awakening

I enjoy vampire novels just as much as the next reader. There are some that over the top and other that are simply enjoyable to read. And one the newer series (at least for me) that I find satisfying (especially if you're in the mood for hunky, macho vampires) is Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed.

I finally got around to reading the third book of the series, Midnight Awakening:

With a dagger in her hand and vengeance on her mind, Darkhaven beauty Elise Chase prowls Boston’s streets in search of retribution against the Rogue vampires who took from her everything she cherished. Using an extraordinary psychic gift, she tracks her prey, well aware that the power she possesses is destroying her. She must learn to harness this gift, and for that she can turn to only one man—the deadliest of the Breed warriors, Tegan.

No stranger to loss, Tegan knows Elise’s pain. He knows fury, but when he slays his enemies it is with ice in his veins. He is perfect in his self-control, until Elise seeks his aid in her personal war. An unholy alliance is forged—a bond that will link them by blood and vow—and plunge them into a tempest of danger, desire, and the darkest passions of the heart. . . .

I really enjoyed the first two books of the series, and my expectations for this book were high. And I was not disappointed.

I was hooked right from the beginning...I couldn't and wouldn't put down the book. I can't pin-point exactly what made this book so great. The characters, old and new, were wonderful to read; both the hero and heroine of this book have suffered tremendous loss, but they're both willing the avenge their loved ones, regardless of what may happen to them. The setting: we have a warehouse is Boston, a beautiful house in Berlin, a questionable hospital, and a glimpse of Prague. It has the darkness that appeals to me without becoming too disturbing. And then there's this cliffhanger at the end....I need to get my hands on the next book.

I highly recommend this book.

Midnight Awakening by Lara Adrian (4.5/5) Contemporary Romance; Paranormal: Vampire; Published: Dell (12/2007); Series: # 3, Midnight Breed; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (34); 2009 Support Your Local Library (29);

Today In History

19th March, 1932: The Sydney Harbour Bridge the fourth-longest spanning-arch bridge in the world across Sydney Harbour officially opened.

You can find more Today In History by visiting here.

Devil of the Highlands

They call him the Devil . . .

He is the most notorious laird of Scotland: fierce, cold, deadly . . . and maybe even worse. Yet Evelinde has just agreed to wed him. Anything, she thinks, is better than her cruel stepmother. Though Evelinde should be wary of the rumors, she can't help but be drawn to this warrior . . . for the Devil of the Highlands inspires a heat within her that is unlike anything she has ever known.

They may call him whatever they wish, but Cullen, Laird of Donnachaidh, cares only for the future of his clan. He must find a wife, a woman to bear him sons and heed his commands. He has no need for beauty or grace, but one taste of his lovely bride's sweet lips and the sultry feel of her skin arouse an untamed passion. Perhaps there's more to marriage than he thought . . .

To get rid of her step-daughter, Edda, is willing to do anything. Even agreeing to marry her to a rumored murderer. But Evelinde doesn't think that the "Devil" is a murderer and she will prove it.

Lynsay Sands is a hit or miss author for me, and for me it was a miss. In my opinion the author had the opportunity to make the plot more enticing but it was not done. The characters seemed shallow and boring, the story was very much a one sided deal, I felt like I didn't to know Cullen. And the investigation of the "crimes" was a tad to simplistic. But it just my opinion....

And it wasn't so bad that I would consider it a waste of my time. Well, I guess that's the silver lining!

Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands (2.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Avon (2/2009); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (33); 2009 Support Your Local Library Challenge (28); 2009 Pub Challenge (8);

Back to our regular program...

It's been a while. Ah well...computer problems have a way of dragging on but I think
I fixed the problem.

And have I mentioned the children are home this week? Yes, March break. Insanity!

Proximidade Award

What a wonderful way to start the morning! Thank you so much for the award DeSeRt RoSe! I just recently discovered her blog, and I've been having a wonderful time visiting her, please don't forget to visit her. You can find her here.

Here's the information on the award:

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."

My choices:

Amy at Amy's Corner of the World

Ana T. at Aneca's World

DivineMissB at Less Traveled By

Kailana at The Written Word

Kristen at La Dolce Vita

Marg at Reading Adventures

Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Teena at It's all about me!

Today In History

10th March, 1964: The first Ford Mustang is manufactured ready for release on April 16.

You can find more Today In History by visiting here.

Corked by Cabernet

What's not to love about A Wine Lover's Mystery series? It's set in the Napa Valley, more presicely in a winery, it has fiesty and funny heroine, a sexy hero and it has recipes!

Here's the blurb for Corked by Cabernet by Michele Scott:

Nikki Sands is exactly where she wants to be as the Manager of the Malveaux Estates in Napa Valley—and "shacking up" with the owner, her boyfriend Derek Malveaux. But she starts to lose control when some self-helpers arrive and steal her peace of mind...

Nikki couldn't be happier settling into the vineyard with her boyfriend Derek. But when a guru and his followers check into the winery's boutique hotel and spa for a retreat, she feels far from enlightened as she's forced to take on the role of event coordinator. Their first outing on the famous Napa Valley Wine train reinforces her doubt when a member goes missing. The guru's devotee is found in the wine storage car where someone quite literally—and fatally—put a cork in him. It's up to Nikki to stop a killer who's developed a real taste for murder...

In the fifth installement of the series, we find Nikki organizing a retreat for guru Sansibaba and his followers - S.E.E. (Source of Enlightened Elite) the newest pet project of Simon and Marco. Derek is out of town for business. The first event Nikki finds the body of one of the members of S.E.E.. Detective Yummy, excuse, Robinson asks Nikki to keep her ears open, basically he asks for her help.

The book has the usual fast pace that I expect for a Michele Scott book. There's also the comic relief of Simon and Marco, I love those two, but they've also grown on me...there's a depth in each of them that I hadn't seen yet. We're also given a little info on Robinson's life, which explains a lot for me. And then there's Derek, although we don't see him all that much in this book, he does put on quite a performance at the end.

Getting to the murder, and the motive behind it, it just doesn't make sense, to me at least. It was explained, but it felt like a weak excuse.

Corked by Cabernet by Michele Scott (4/5) Mystery; Published: Berkley Prime Crime (2/2009); Series: # 5, A Wine Lover's Mystery; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (32); 2009 Support Your Local Library (27); 2009 Pub Challenge (7);

Today In History

9th March, 1959: Barbie doll makes debut at the American Toy Fair in New York, the doll was designed by Ruth Handler and introduced by Mattel Toy Company costing $3.

You can find more Today In History by visiting here.

Whispering Rock

The tightly knit community of Virgin River has been a safe haven for more than a few lost souls over the years -- and there's always room for more . . .

A decorated U.S. Marine reservist, LAPD officer Mike Valenzuela was badly wounded in the line of duty, but has found hope and healing in Virgin River. When he agrees to become the town's first cop, he does so knowing it's time he settled down. Twice divorced and the lover of too many women, he secretly longs for the kind of commitment and happiness his marine buddies have found -- a woman who can tie up his heart forever. He finds that woman in Brie Sheridan, a Sacramento prosecutor who understands his drive to protect and serve. Virgin River becomes a safe haven for Brie after nearly losing her life at the hands of a crazed criminal. Though tough and courageous, she's got some fears she can't escape -- but now she has someone who will show her just what it means to trust again.

Mike will do anything to help Brie free herself from painful memories. Passionate, strong and gentle, he vows to give back to her what she's so selflessly given him -- her heart, and with it, a new beginning.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I was more interested in the subplots in the book than Mike and Brie's story. I found the teenage serial rapist story interesting and enthralling, and I loved the way the author used charaters that we knew from previous books in this storyline. I also like the introduction to the new characters, Vanessa, her father and brother.

I admit that I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first, but it still was entertaining.

Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr (3/5) Romance; Published: Mira (2007); Series: # 3, Virgin River; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (31); 2009 Support Your Local Library (26);

Today In History

8th March, 1936: First car race in Daytona. This first race was organized specifically for stock car racing participants, and was considered an early start of what people now know as the Daytona 500.

You can find more Today in History by visiting here.

Mayhem in High Heels

I've been hooked on Gemma Halliday's High Heels series right from the first book, Spying In High Heels. I love the heroine, Maddie and her leading man Ramirez. I've been looking forward to this book for a long time.

Here's the blurb for Mayhem in High Heels:

Maddie Springer is finally walking down the aisle with the man of her dreams. And she's got the perfect wedding planner to pull it all off in style. Well, perfect, that is, until the woman winds up dead—murdered in buttercream icing. Suddenly Maddie's hope of a dream wedding melts faster than an ice sculpture at an outdoor buffet. And when her groom-to-be is assigned the detective in charge of the case, there goes any chance of a honeymoon. Unless, of course, Maddie can find the murderer before her big day.

With the help of her fellow fashionista friends, Maddie vows to unveil the cold-blooded killer. Is it the powerful ex-husband, the hot young boy toy, a secret lover from the past, or a billionaire bridezilla on the warpath? As the wedding day grows closer, tempers flare, old flames return, and Maddie's race to the altar turns into a race against time.

Maddie and her main man are finally getting married. Being her usual busy self, Maddie gets help from the best wedding planner she can find. But there's a little hitch, that said planner has met an unfortunate accident - buttercream frosting and a knife.

I really enjoyed this book. It had the usual fast paced, humor and just plain fun that I expect when I read Gemma Halliday. Maddie, Dana and Marco, their own version of Charlie's Angels is hilarious, but Dana and Marco are doing double duty...not only are the helping to solve the murder but they are also planning Maddie and Ramirez's wedding. I was truly surprised at the end when they caught the murderer. I was expecting someone else, but it did make sense, after it was explained to me...I was having a moment.

I was expecting a twist at the end. I truly was...Don't get me wrong, I loved the ending, but I've been spoiled with the previous books, there's always a twist or a big cliffhanger, and it didn't happen in this one. Which makes me wonder if this will be the last High Heels book in the series. I certainly hope not.

Mayhem in High Heels by Gemma Halliday (4/5) Mystery; Published: Dorchester (1/09); Series: # 5, High Heels Mystery; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (30); 2009 Support Your Local Library (25); 2009 Pub Challenge (6);