The Girl Most Likely To...

Kat Cavanaugh was sixteen when she hitchhiked out of Persuasion, West Virginia and vowed never to return. Who could blame her? She’d just stumbled upon her father’s adulterous affair, found out she was pregnant, got dumped by her boyfriend, and kicked out of her house and school . . . all in a single afternoon. Twenty years have gone by and Kat’s back—gorgeous, rich, and looking for an apology from everyone who’d turned their backs on her. First on that list is Riley Bohland, the boy who broke her heart before she could tell him about the baby.

But Kat didn’t count on Riley having his own axe to grind, or that he’d be just as delicious as he was at sixteen. She also didn’t count on her heart opening at the sight of him. When their anger ignites a passion intense enough to burn through two decades of secrets and lies, Kat must question everything she thought she knew about her past. And what about her future? The only place to find the answers may be in Riley’s arms…

Susan Donovan is a must read author (at least for me), but the last book left me a little cold. I didn't care for it as much as the previous ones. My expectations for The Girl Most Likely To... were somewhat subdued.

And I'm glad that they were...Don't get me wrong it wasn't a bad read. But it was a more of a "oh well" read. The humour was there, it had the quick dialogue that I adore, the characters were likable (and attractive), but there was way too much going on. The plot had a sub-plot and that sub-plot had it's own sub-plot...well you get the idea. And it felt rushed.

The Girl Most Likely To... by Susan Donovan (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: St. Martin's Paperbacks (1/2009); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (39); 2009 Support Your Local Library (34); 2009 Pub Challenge (11);

Today In History

31st March, 1943: The musical "Oklahoma!" debuts on Broadway. This play, written by the famed duo Rodgers and Hammerstein, was originally titled "Away We Go".

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Black Beauty

I love horses. Always have. They're graceful and beautiful animals, and also very kind. Because of my allergies and asthma I had to stop riding, but my love for horses has not diminished. When my daughter chose to read Black Beauty a few months ago, I just had to put it on my list. I hate admitting this, I never read this book before...it's one of those books I've always wanted to read but never got around to it.

The story is told by Black Beauty, it's his memoir/biography. It begins with him as a colt, and follows with various owners, some good and some bad and it ends with his retirement. It a beautifully written story, it's straight forward and entertaining. I think that being written in the first person adds to the experience, it makes it real. And I know from my daughter reading it, that it teaches children sympathy, compassion for animals of any size. And the message does not change when you read it as an adult.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (4/5) Children's Classic; Published: 1877; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (38); 2009 Support Your Local Library (33); Celebrate The Author (3); Young Readers Challenge (2); Spring Reading Thing (1);

Today In History

30th March, 1987: An anonymous foreign buyer purchased Vincent Van Gogh's masterpiece 'Sunflowers' for nearly $36.3 million.

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A little treat for you

Instead of Today In History, I'm going to share with you an amazing performance from last night's Idol. I was blown away...Enjoy!



But, if you want to check out Today In History you can find it here.

Smart Girls Think Twice

Where dangerously sexy men are concerned....SMART GIRLS THINK TWICE

With her job hanging in the balance, sociologist Emma Riley is back in her hometown of Rock Creek, Pennsylvania, for both her sisters' weddings. As if that isn't depressing enough, Emma also needs to stay focused on the research project that could save her job and launch her career. Her success hinges on sexy Rock Creek newcomer Jake Slayter.

Unfortunately, Jake wants nothing to do with Emma -- or her big project. He has his own motives for being in Rock Creek, and if there's one thing he can't afford, it's a distraction in the form of a brainy beauty like Emma. Too bad Emma has made it perfectly clear that she's way too smart to let him stand in her way. Too bad Jake has made it perfectly clear that he's way too smart to take no for an answer!

I've read the other books in the series and enjoyed them all. They were all fun to read and had great characters. But, I have mixed feelings about this book.

I enjoyed the setting, the characters, I liked the dialogue (even when at times it was repetitive), but it felt rushed...everything happened so quickly. I didn't get emotionally involved with either the hero or heroine...I wanted to know more about them and also wanted a more in depth resolution with Jake family.

Smart Girls Think Twice by Cathie Linz (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: Berkley (1/2009); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (37); 2009 Support Your Local Library (32); 2009 Pub Challenge (10);

Today In History

25th March, 1957: France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg sign the treaty in Rome establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), also known as the Common Market.

You can find more Today In History by visiting here.

What's On Your Nightstand?

It's the fourth Tuesday of the month, and it's time for What's On Your Nightstand? which is hosted by the lovely ladies of 5 Minutes for Books.

The number of books on my nightstand are increasing, but I'm sad to say that most books that were there last month are still unread. Let's take a look at my nightstand, shall we?

I've been reading Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Gift of Wings by Mary Henley Rubio for the past month. I'm not struggling with it, it's just big - it's taking a long time. And it doesn't help that I've been reading other books along with this one. I'm a huge fan of Anne of Green Gables but I didn't know all that much about the author, that's the main reason why I chose this book. Also I'm reading it for a couple of challenges: Chunkster Challenge 2009 and Spring Reading Thing 2009.





This is the other book that I'm currently reading. Although I have read some of the other books of the Tempe Brennan series, I never read the first book, Deja Dead. This year I decided that I wanted to re-read a mystery series, and this is it. I love Kathy Reichs, she has the ability to make me forget time and I truly believe that Tempe Brennan is one of the best characters around (if not the best).






Here's a book thats been on the nightstand for a while. My daughter read this book earlier in the year and she's been after me to read it. But for some reason or other I keep overlooking it. But The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Di Camillo is up next in line. I'm reading for Young Readers Challenge 2009 and Spring Reading Thing 2009.








The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe is a new addition to the nightstand. I'll be reading this book for three challenges: 18th and 19th Century Women Writers' Reading Challenge, Chunkster Challenge 2009 and Spring Reading Thing 2009.








North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell has been on my nightstand the longest, since last November. I've watched the BBC's miniseries based on the book, which I loved, but I'm skeptic about reading the book...I'm afraid that I won't enjoy it as much as the mini-series. Silly, isn't it? Anyway, I signed up this book for several challenges: 18th and 19th Century Women Writers' Reading Challenge, Romance Reading Challenge and Spring Reading Thing 2009.






I never read this book as a child, so I'm looking forward on doing so now. It's another new addition to my mightstand. I'm reading it for several challenges (again): Young Readers Challenge 2009, Celebrate The Author and Spring Reading Thing 2009.








The Duchess by Amanda Foreman is another book that's been on the nightstand for a long time. Two things that are keeping me from reading it, it's length and it's non-fiction. But it will be read this year! I'm reading it for a challenge: Chunkster Challenge 2009.









And here are the books that fall under "just because":













Don't forget to come and join the fun by visiting here.

Today In History

24th March, 1989: The Exxon Valdez, a 987-foot oil tanker, ran aground on a reef and ripped holes in its hull, spilling crude oil into Alaska's Prince William Sound. It spilled over 200,000 Barrels of Oil(more than 11 million gallons of crude oil) leaving a five mile slick making it one of the largest and most devastating environmental disasters at sea.



You can find more Today In History by visiting here.

Spring Reading Thing 2009

It's that time of year again, and as usual I cannot say no to a challenge hosted by Katrina, of Callapider Days. I'm a bit late signing up for Spring Reading Thing, but better late than never.

Here are the rules (taken from Callapider Days):

1. Make a list of books you want to read (or finish reading) this spring. Your list can be as long or as short as you’d like. (Also, feel free to modify your list during the challenge if it’s not working for you.)

2. Write a blog post containing your list and submit it to this post using the Mr. Linky below. (Please do not put your name on the Mr. Linky before you have your post done, and please link directly to your Spring Reading Thing post. If you don’t, your entry will be deleted. Read this post for more information.)

3. Get reading! The challenge goes from today, March 20th, through June 20th.
Check out other participants’ lists and add to your own to-read-someday pile!

4. Write a post about your challenge experience in June, telling us all about whether you reached your goals and how the Spring Reading Thing went for you. Oh, and if you don’t finish your books, or if you change your list half-way through, or if you only read two books…it’s OKAY. This is a low-pressure challenge that should be fun. As long as you do some reading this spring (and enjoy it!), that’s good enough for me.

My list:

I want to finish reading Lucy Maud Montgomery: The Gift of Wings by Mary Henley Rubio. ***Completed on April 11, 2009

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Conan Conan Doyle

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Di Camillo

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe ***Completed on April 22, 2009

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell ***Completed on March 30th, 2009

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee ***Completed on April 29th, 2009



You can sign up here.

Happy reading!

When A Stranger Loves Me

I'm not a huge fan of amnesia. I find it overdone, and there's only so many times I can read about a heroine who doesn't remember a thing, super vulnerable without a backbone to speak of. But what caught my attention in When A Stranger Loves Me by Julianne MacLean is that the amnesia victim is the hero.

Here's the blurb for the book:

I saved his life . . . and I had much to demand in return.

When he washed up on shore, I knew my prayers had been answered, and that I, Lady Chelsea Campion, need no longer fear poverty and heartbreak. To secure my family's estate, all I needed was a child. Handsome, clearly noble-born, and with no memory of his previous life, the mysterious man was perfect. All I had to do was visit his bedchamber and seduce him. I had expected him to be a skillful, scandalously wonderful lover, but once in his arms I was overcome by something more than mere passion. I had fallen hopelessly, desperately in love.

My plan has gone shockingly awry. But I will not give up a man who makes me feel such wicked ecstasy. No matter his true identity, no matter the secrets he struggles to remember, I will do anything in this world to make this stranger love me.

I enjoyed seeing Blake's vulnerability. He's physically strong, and seems that he has a strong personality, but the way he deals with amnesia, he shows that vulnerability, and I also enjoyed seeing the anger that he feels with Chelsea scheme. I hate to admit this, but I truly disliked the heroine. I thought she was interesting in the beginning, she had an independent streak that was entertaining until she decided to use the hero.

The book was fast paced and it had good dialogue, but, and this is a big but it lacked spice. I know I've mentioned this before with the previous book of the series, you can find it here. That spark, the chemistry, just wasn't there, in my opinion.

When A Stranger Loves Me by Julianne MacLean (3/5) Historical Romance; Published: Avon (2/2009); Series: # 3, Pembroke Palace; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (36); 2009 Support Your Local Library (31); 2009 Pub Challenge (9);

Today In History

23rd March, 1919: Benito Mussolini establishes the Fascist Party, in 1922 they took over power in Italy and ruled until 1943. The party promised they could take Italy back to the times of The Great Roman Empire.

You can find more Today In History by visiting here.