Booked On a Feeling

Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton (thoughts)

2012-02-18T15:46:00.001-08:00

Now You See Me was a gripping read that didn't let me go until the very last page. Lacey is a young police officer working off-duty on a case when she comes across a woman that literally dies in her arms. This vicious murder propels Lacy into the biggest murder investigation that she has ever been involved in. But unfortunately, the murderer seems to have an eerie attachment to Lacey and the murders seem to be mimicking Jack the Ripper. And of course everything isn't what it seems....

Now You See Me is one of those books that sucks you in from the very first page. The main character Lacey was a curious individual that had my interest from the very beginning. Lacey is one of those characters that has secrets, and the secrets add to both the mystery and atmosphere that is constantly present in the story. The atmosphere begins from the very beginning; it was a creepy presence that grew as the book went on. I loved the references to Jack the Ripper and all of the historical tidbits that were included. I felt like they really added to the book and made it just that much more creepy. The plot was both unique and compelling. It really made the book hard to put down! While I was reading, I was constantly trying to figure out what was really going on and who the killer could possibly be. I was left guessing until the very end which made the book stand out for me. And while the ending didn't take me by complete surprise (I guessed one part), the other parts did. I found it to be very satisfying while still leaving questions that left me thinking about the book after I finished.

All in all, this was an amazing read that kept me on my toes the entire time. I couldn't put it down, didn't guess the ending, and was left wanting more. What else could you ask for in a book??? I'm eager to read more by this author and have already added the other books to my wishlist. Highly recommended!

Bottom Line: A thriller that kept me hooked throughout with atmosphere in spades!

Disclosure: Checked out from my local library. This book was an Edgar Award Nominee for the Mary Higgins Clark Award which is why I picked it up as I'm trying to read all of them (personal goal). I'm so glad that I did because this was a great way to start this project!

Library Loot - Overwhelmed

2012-02-15T15:32:00.000-08:00

Library Loot is hosted by Marg and Clare and asks us to share our latest library finds.

Color me overwhelmed in bookish goodness lately...I just have SO MANY lovely books waiting for me to read. Most normal people would try to catch up, maybe not go to the library, or at the very least not add any holds on at the library. Not this girl though. This girl thought that it was a good idea to go searching for library goodness when she already had PLENTY checked out. And plenty to read. But really, when has that ever stopped me??? Look what I found though...

Remember when I said I had put a bunch of holds on at the library thanks to S.J. Bolton's Now You See Me? Well, they all came in and now I can't figure out which one to read first. (And yes, the cover to Darkwater by Eden is that hideous :) But it sounds SO good!) Bent Road was nominated for the Edgar award for new authors so I decided to pick it up in my quest to read the nominees. And Maisie Dobbs is a series that I've been meaning to begin for some time now. Bookish goodness, I tell you!

But before I begin any of these I must finish the wonderfulness that is Divergent. I'm loving it so far!!! It is AH-MAZING!!!!! Seriously. I'm drowning in books right now :)

The Sunday Salon - Mini Reviews (thoughts)

2012-02-12T10:09:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon Saloners! I'm getting a bit of a late start this morning as we just got back from a weekend away with the kiddos. We didn't actual go anywhere but instead spent the weekend at a local hotel where we had passes for free rooms. The kids got to swim, swim, swim which made for the "best weekend ever" according to my daughter :) Happily, we are all home now and laying low for the rest of the day.

On the reading front, I decided that today I would play catch-up and share my thoughts on a few books that I read in 2011 but never posted about. I've got about 9 books that I never reviewed from 2011 and sadly it is looking like posting my thoughts on those books is never going to happen. So I decided to remedy that and share my abbreviated thoughts on three of them today.

Watch Me Die by Erica Spindler

Erica Spindler is one of my favorite authors to go to when I'm in the mood for a good thriller. She didn't disappoint with this one and I found myself caught up in the suspense that was constantly present throughout the book. I enjoyed the setting of the story and liked how the story referenced Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath. The storyline was sufficiently creepy and the ending managed to take me by surprise. Both good things in my opinion. That being said, this wasn't my favorite by this author but it was still a VERY good read. Recommended!

14 by J.T. Ellison

Another thriller that kept me on my toes and my second read by this author. I liked this book WAY more than the first book, although I think that if asked I would have a hard time explaining why. Although it was quite gory at times, it was a book that I could NOT put down. I liked the mystery, liked the two main characters that were from the previous book, and just plain enjoyed this thriller. I'm eager to continue on and see what this author comes up with next. Recommended but with the warning that it can be quite gruesome at times.

(And I would start with book one if I were you)

Visions of Magic by Regan Hastings

I adored this book from beginning to end and cannot wait to read more! From the very beginning of the novel I was entranced, and when I finished turning the pages I was almost sad to see the story end. The storyline was both fresh and original. I loved the romance that grew between the two main characters. It was enjoyable seeing the two of them grow together as a couple. If this is how this series is going to go, then consider me an instant fan! I cannot wait to read more by this author. I would highly recommend this book to fans of paranormal romance!

That's all out of me for the day. I'm off to spend the rest of it doing laundry and maybe finishing off my current read. Happy Sunday!

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris (thoughts)

2012-02-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"Though a small town at heart, Lawrenceton, Georgia, has its dark side-and crime buffs. One of whom is librarian Aurora "Roe" Teagarden, a member of the Real Murders Club, which meets once a month to analyze famous cases. It's a harmless pastime-until the night she finds a member killed in a manner that eerily resembles the crime the club was about to discuss. And as other brutal "copycat" killings follow, Roe will have to uncover the person behind the terrifying game, one that casts all the members of Real Murders, herself included, as prime suspects-or potential victims."

My Thoughts:

Real Murders was an interesting beginning to this cozy mystery series and I'm looking forward to reading more! I've been wanting to begin this series every since I finished the last book in the Harper Connelly series (which I loved) by this same author. I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed in the least by this book and actually enjoyed it quite a lot. "Roe" is a part of a club that analyzes serial killers from the past. Unfortunately, one of the members of the club is found dead and soon it becomes very apparent that one of those same members must be the killer. Roe was such a great main character for a variety of reasons. She's a librarian for one which instantly made me like her ;) But she is also a character that is growing into herself. She starts off the book as a quieter, shy type of girl and by the end of the book she is really beginning to realize all of the possibilities that she has in front of her. I liked seeing the growth of her character throughout the story and I am looking forward to seeing it continue in future books. The mystery was a good whodunnit and for a cozy it was surprisingly grislier than I would have thought. It kept me hooked though as I tried to figure out who the killer could be. And let me tell you that I was nowhere close to being right...the ending took me by complete surprise!

This book ended up to a surprisingly good read, and this is a series that I will be continuing on with. Yes...another series (sometimes I wonder what I am thinking with ALL of these series). But I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Roe manages to get herself into next. Recommended to fans of cozy mysteries!

Bottom Line: A fun read that kept me guessing!

Disclosure: Another lovely book checked out from my local library :)

A Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom (thoughts)

2012-02-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

A Demon Does it Better was a fun read that left me wanting more. Set in a hospital for all things paranormal, Linda Wisdom creates a spooky and dark setting where something is amiss. Lili comes to work at the hospital in search of answers for her friend that has gone missing with no trace. Instead she finds even more questions as she is brought to the underground, dungeon-like part of the hospital where the mentally insane are kept. There she meets Jared who is a demon that she just can't seem to resist. And soon Lili finds herself drawn not only to Jared but also to the secrets that the hospital seems to hold close. Because everything isn't as it seems...

How spooky does that sound??? I loved the setting that the author created with this book. It filled the book with atmosphere at times that was both creepy and dark. Lili was quite the opposite which fit really nice as she was filled with light and goodness. The atmosphere of the story contrasted nicely with Lili's character which really worked well in the book. The chemistry between Lili and Jared was almost immediate which caused me to instantly root for them. I would have liked to seen Jared's character explored a bit more though...I didn't feel like we got to fully know him like we did Lili. In the end it didn't matter, as I was just waiting to see that they got their happy ending :) The plot kept my attention throughout the story as Lili searched for answers to the various goings on at the hospital. And although the ending was a bit faster than I would have liked, I felt that it tied everything up quite nicely.

All in all, this was another solid read by this author! I'm looking forward to whatever she decides to write next as she is on my auto-buy list. And I really, really like the darker turn that her last two books have taken. I just can't wait for more! If you haven't tried this author yet, the great thing about these books is that you don't have to read them in any particular order. Characters from previous books are mentioned but it won't affect your enjoyment of each individual book. (I'd start at the beginning and read them all though if I were you :) Definitely recommended!

Bottom Line: Another must read from this author!

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of this book from the publisher. My thanks!

Here is the link to my thoughts on Demon's Are a Girl's Best Friend if you are interested and my thoughts on Wicked By Any Other Name as well as Hex Appeal. I think I have one more book of this author's that I haven't read yet...and I'm definitely going to be remedying that soon :)

On My Wishlist (Radar) #12

2012-02-04T07:14:00.000-08:00

On My Wishlist is my way of sharing all of the books that I cannot wait to get my hands upon and read. These are a mixture of books that are about to be released along with some older titles that I really want to read as well. (All summaries are from Goodreads).

God Save the Queen by Kate Locke

"The undead matriarch of a Britain where the Aristocracy is made up of werewolves and vampires, where goblins live underground and mothers know better than to let their children out after dark. A world where being nobility means being infected with the Plague (side-effects include undeath), Hysteria is the popular affliction of the day, and leeches are considered a delicacy. And a world where technology lives side by side with magic. The year is 2012 and Pax Britannia still reigns."

This just sounds like my type of book. Seriously, I must have it!!!

Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire

"Ghoulies. Ghosties. Long-legged beasties. Things that go bump in the night... The Price family has spent generations studying the monsters of the world, working to protect them from humanity-and humanity from them. Enter Verity Price. Despite being trained from birth as a cryptozoologist, she'd rather dance a tango than tangle with a demon, and is spending a year in Manhattan while she pursues her career in professional ballroom dance."

I adore the cover of this one!!! And Seanan McGuire is also Mira Grant who wrote one of my favorite books from last year. Another one that I can't wait to get my hands on!

Nightshifted by Cassie Alexander

"Welcome to the secret wing of County Hospital—where vampires get transfusions, werewolves have silver allergies, and one nurse is in way over her head…

Nursing school prepared Edie Spence for a lot of things. Burn victims? No problem. Severed limbs? Piece of cake. Vampires? No way in hell. But as the newest nurse on Y4, the secret ward hidden in the bowels of County Hospital, Edie has her hands full with every paranormal patient you can imagine—from vamps and were-things to zombies and beyond…"

Oh my! I love the idea of a creepy hospital and all things paranormal. I WANT this one NOW!!!

House of Shadows by Rachel Neumeier

Orphaned, two sisters are left to find their own fortunes. Sweet and proper, Karah's future seems secure at a glamorous Flower House. She could be pampered for the rest of her life... if she agrees to play their game. Nemienne, neither sweet nor proper, has fewer choices. Left with no alternative, she accepts a mysterious mage's offer of an apprenticeship. Agreeing means a home and survival, but can Nemienne trust the mage?

I love the cover to this one as well, and this is an author that I've been wanting to try for some time now.

This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart

"British actress Lucy Waring believes there is no finer place to be "at liberty" than the sun-drenched isle of Corfu, the alleged locale for Shakespeare's The Tempest. Even the suspicious actions of the handsome, arrogant son of a famous actor cannot dampen her enthusiasm for this wonderland in the Ionian Sea.

Then a human corpse is carried ashore on the incoming tide ..."

I found this author thanks to the cover of S.J. Bolton's Now You See Me. The blurb on the front of the book compares it to authors Mary Stewart, Barbara Vine, and Daphne du Maurier (whom I already love). I figured that I needed to try these other authors out so I went to my library website and put some holds on. I'm impatiently waiting for this one to come in although my library doesn't have this gorgeous cover. Still sounds like me kind of book though :)

I'm eager to get my hands on all of these books. I just love doing these wishlist posts because it gets me so eager to read...2012 is shaping up to be a great year in books. Have you read anything by Dorothy Eden, Barbara Vine, or Mary Stewart??? These are all authors that I'm looking forward to trying hopefully soon. I love finding older authors that I hadn't heard of before :) Especially when they have big backlists of books for me to check out!

January in Review 2012

2012-02-02T11:59:00.001-08:00

(These are the kind of pictures that I love...and my son will probably hate. LOL!)

January was a great month of reading for me! I managed to finish 8 books which hasn't happened in a long time. And I've already written reviews for half of them which means that I'm behind, but not totally behind. I also focused on being on the computer less which is probably how I got all of this reading done :) January was the month where I uploaded all of my pictures onto my computer and EVEN printed some off. I'm so proud! It would probably be even better if they weren't still sitting in the envelope, but were in a photo album like I intended. That's gonna have to be a goal for February :) Back to books though, here is what I was able to finish last month:

Favorite book of the month was hands down My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier! I LOVED that book! But overall, I enjoyed each and every book that I read this month which I would call a success. I managed to read my first two books on my Kindle and knocked off a few review copies as well. Looking forward to February, my goal is to read at least one book off of my own shelves. I have entirely too many books waiting for me to read that are my own. It is time to read some of those and find them new homes :) And I'm hoping to read a chunkster this month....The Passage, I'm looking at you! I'm off for a trip to the library with the kiddos...but tell me, what did you read this month that I need to get my hands on???? New books to add to the towering TBR are always welcome :)

Frost Moon by Anthony Francis (thoughts)

2012-01-31T15:17:00.000-08:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"In an alternate Atlanta where magic is practiced openly, where witches sip coffee at local cafes, shapeshifters party at urban clubs, vampires rule the southern night like gangsters, and mysterious creatures command dark caverns beneath the city, Dakota Frost's talents are coveted by all. She's the best magical tattooist in the southeast, a Skindancer, able to bring her amazing tats to life. When a serial killer begins stalking Atlanta's tattooed elite, the police and the Feds seek Dakota's help. Can she find the killer on the dark fringe of the city's Edgeworld? Among its powerful outcasts and tortured loners, what kind of enemies and allies will she attract? Will they see her as an invader, as a seducer, as an unexpected champion ... or as delicious prey?"

My Thoughts:

Frost Moon was an interesting beginning to a dark and gritty urban fantasy series. Dakota lives in a world filled with magic and magical beings although it isn't acknowledged by all of society. She was one of the most unique characters that I have ever read about, and I really enjoyed her personality. I felt like we got a really good look at her character throughout the novel which helped me to connect to the story. The author wasn't afraid to take chances with the storyline which I really liked. I just never knew what to expect which kept me constantly on my toes as I was reading. My favorite thing about the book though was Dakota's ability to do magical tattoos. I loved the descriptions of the tattoos, the idea of how they could actually move, and everything else that went along with it. It was a unique concept and it really made the book more enjoyable for me. The book also had a variety of interesting characters that I hope to see in future books. My only complaint with this book was that at times it had so much going on that I would lose track of the mystery. Luckily enough though, the end of the book tied everything together very nicely which added to my enjoyment of the book that much more.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable beginning to this urban fantasy series. It was darker than I expected and very unique which added to my enjoyment of the novel. I'm looking forward to continuing on with this series....I'm sure that Dakota will manage to get herself in lots more trouble :) Recommended!

Bottom Line: An interesting beginning to an urban fantasy series with a main character that I can't wait to read more of!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. My thanks!

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier (thoughts)

2012-01-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

Why, why, why did I wait so long to read this book??? My Cousin Rachel blew me out of the water in its' greatness and left me wondering why I hadn't read it sooner! It is the story of Phillip Ashley and how his entire world changes when Rachel comes into his life. Rachel is the widow of his beloved Uncle Ambrose who is recently deceased. Everything Phillip has ever known changes when his cousin Rachel arrives.....and his life will never be the same.

This is basically going to be a gush fest so be prepared. I adored this book. Just adored it! The atmosphere and underlying tension in this book was just amazing. It had me well and truly hooked as I was reading. My Cousin Rachel has this creepy feeling to it where you know something bad is going to happen and all you can do is wait for it. This feeling made the atmosphere of the book so creepy and intense. I just couldn't put the book down! (And I'll admit to peeking at the ending when I was almost finished because I couldn't take it any longer. I had to know. And it still didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel.) Rachel and Phillip are on this destructive path together that neither of them realizes, and all the reader can do is wait for it to happen. Even then knowing that there couldn't possibly be a happy ending to the story, I was blown away by the ending. It left me thinking, and I had to go back and reread the first chapter again. And then the ending again. And I was still left wanting to discuss this one with someone. It was just that good!

I don't think I need to even summarize my feelings on this one. I LOVED it, plain and simple! I would reread it again without a second thought and want a copy of it for my own shelves. Just thinking about it now makes me want to read it again so what can I do but recommend it to all of you! Highly recommended!!!

Bottom Line: An amazing read.....nothing more to say other than that!

Disclosure: I checked this one out from my local library but you can bet I will be purchasing my own copy!

This book has me itching for a reread of Rebecca by du Maurier! I will definitely be doing that this year but I thought it would be fun to leave you a link to my original thoughts on Rebecca here.

Library Loot - Awards Edition

2012-01-25T00:52:00.000-08:00

Library Loot is hosted by Marg and Clare and asks us to share the latest books that we've found at the library.

I was super excited to see that the nominees for the Edgar Awards were announced the other day. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson made the young adult list which was one of my top ten reads last year. I decided that I wanted to try and read some of the nominees for this award. Which got me on an award search kick and the rest was history. I put a TON of books on hold at the library and am impatiently waiting for them all to come in. It's a mix of this years Edgar nominees, Orange Prize long/short lists from past years, and the Nebula award. Plus, I just read that the Printz award nominees will be announced this week so I'll probably be adding a few more holds :) Self control....I have none. Especially since I've been adding books for challenges as well. Anyways, here is what I've picked up from the library so far:

The best part about all of these books (besides the lovely covers) is that they have me so excited to read them. I love looking forward to reading so many great books! And these lists are giving me lots of good reading material to look forward to :) Do you like to follow award lists??? I must admit that I'm kind of hooked....

The Pleasure of Your Kiss by Teresa Medeiros (thoughts)

2012-01-22T14:13:00.000-08:00

The Pleasure of Your Kiss is one of the most enjoyable romances that I have read in a long time. Ashton Burke, a famous adventurer/bachelor, is asked by his estranged brother to rescue his brother's fiancee from a harem where she is being held captive. Ashton agrees but when he arrives at the stronghold where she is being kept he comes to realize that it is his secret childhood love Clarinda Cardew that he has been sent to rescue. Of course, old feelings between Ashton and Clarinda bubble to the surface while they try to figure out a way to escape.

Whew! That may sound like the most convoluted summary ever but the author actually does quite well with it. I found myself instantly immersed in the story and I didn't want to put the book down. What I really liked about this book was how daring the author was with the storyline choices that she made. I never knew what was going to happen next or how there could ever possibly be a happy ending for the two main characters. I mean, Clarinda the main character, was being kept in a sultan's harem for crying out loud. It helped to keep me on my toes which I really enjoyed. The romance and chemistry between Ashton and Clarinda was super steamy....especially the scene where they were locked in a tower together for the night. The ending of the book went a little bit faster than I would have liked but it was a solid ending in my opinion. I was just left wanting more but it looks like there is going to be another book in the future featuring Ashton's brother. I'm going to be looking forward to getting my hands on that one when it comes out!

All in all, this was a really great romance read! This was my first time reading this author but I'm going to be reading more by her for sure. In fact, I think I'm off to look at her back list of books right now :) Highly recommended especially to fans of historical romance!

Bottom Line: A steamy romance that was completely unpredictable. I loved it!

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher for a blog tour. I'm behind as always so my thoughts on this one are a bit late :)

Birthday Boy!

2012-01-20T16:56:00.000-08:00

I get tears in my eyes just thinking about how big you are getting these days. I swear it was just yesterday that I was holding you and rocking you in my arms. I love you more than words can say, so Happy Birthday Pickle Baby!!!! Mommy loves you!

The Sunday Salon - Book Group Reads

2012-01-15T06:39:00.001-08:00

Good morning everyone! I cannot tell you the last time that I participated in the Sunday Salon....it has definitely been awhile. We got our first batch of snow on the ground and the kids couldn't be more excited. They HAD to go outside that night and check it out which resulted in lots of fun and rosy red cheeks :) I snapped up this picture while they were in the midst of their fun, and I couldn't help but laugh. My youngest had gone down the slide and couldn't get up. He was like the little kid on A Christmas Story. Ha! It was too funny and I just can't help but smile when I look at this picture :)

It's been a busy reading week for me as I've been able to finish up two books. The first one that I finished was My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. OH MY GOODNESS!!! Why did I wait so long to read more by this author??? This book literally knocked my socks off with its' atmosphere...and all I can say is wow! I have yet to write up my thoughts on it but expect a gushing post. And I think that a reread of Rebecca is definitely in order now. I also was able to finish The Pleasure of Your Kiss by Teresa Medeiros. This was a really good romantic read that swept me away. I was left wanting more when I finished which is obviously a good thing :) Hopefully I will get my thoughts up on this one as well this week.

My experience with reading My Cousin Rachel left me wishing though that I had read this book with someone. That I had no one to discuss it with after I finished was kind of a bummer because it was SO good. And there was so much to talk about. This is a definite kind of book club type of read (at least I think that it would be a good one). So I started browsing the different online book groups that I am in (although I'm not a regular participant in any) for a group read that looked interesting. Because I want to discuss books with others after I read them especially books like that. I checked out a few books from the library that the book groups are reading but I'm mainly focusing on the Goodread's group Bookworm Bitches. They seem to be a really active group and there are always 4 different reads that I can choose from for each month. Which brings me to the book I've chosen to begin reading which is Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman. I don't think I read any nonfiction last year (awful!) so this is going to be a good change of pace for me. And I was thinking I should extend the offer...does anyone want to read this one with me???? Don't feel pressured if you have too many books on your plate already but if you are interested then just leave a comment or email me. It sounds like an interesting read just from the title alone.

Before this post gets any longer, I'll wish you all a good week....happy reading!

Under The Moon by Natalie J. Damschroder (thoughts)

2012-01-13T13:18:00.000-08:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"Quinn Caldwell is the epitome of a modern goddess. Her power source is the moon, her abilities restricted only by physical resources and lunar phase. She runs a consulting business and her father's bar, serves on the board of the ancient Society for Goddess Education and Defense, and yearns for Nick Jarrett, professional goddess protector and the soul mate she can never have.

But someone has developed the rare and difficult ability to drain a goddess of her powers, and Quinn is a target. With the world thinking Nick has gone rogue (whatever that means) and that Quinn is influenced by "family ties" she didn't know she had, keeping themselves safe while working to find the enemy proves harder each day."

My Thoughts:

Under the Moon is the beginning to a new paranormal romance series featuring goddesses and their protectors. Quinn is a goddess who derives her powers and abilities from the moon. It gives her great abilities during the full moon when her powers are the strongest and leaves her almost completely normal afterwards. I found this to be an interesting concept as it left Quinn very vulnerable at times. One of the things that was really unique about this book was the idea of goddesses and the fact that the goddesses got their powers from different things. Rain, oceans, and crystals were just some of the things that the different goddesses used to enhance their abilities. The book itself was very interesting as Quinn finds herself caught up in a mystery where her fellow goddesses are being drained of their powers. She soon comes to realize that the "leech" has something to do with her and the family that she knows little about. This made for an interesting storyline, and I found myself immersed in the mystery that was surrounding Quinn. Plus, there was a nice little chemistry going on between Nick and Quinn that really added to the book in my opinion. The only problem that I had was that I think I expected a little more focus on the romance. Instead, I found the book to be more plot oriented which worked out fine in the end once I adjusted my expectations. I also didn't entirely care for the triangle that was present between Sam, Quinn, and Nick. But I have a feeling that Sam may show up in later books which would be a good thing :)

All in all, I found this to be a good read with lots of potential! I'm looking forward to reading more in this series in the future. This was my first read on my Kindle Fire and it was a great experience (although I do think I will always prefer an actual book). Recommended to fans of paranormal romance!

Bottom Line: An interesting beginning to a new series....

Disclosure: I read this book on my Kindle courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher.

The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (thoughts)

2012-01-10T16:55:00.000-08:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"In a clockwork Brittania, Alice's prospects are slim. At 21, her age and her unladylike interest in automatons have sealed her fate as an undesirable marriage prospect. But a devastating plague sends Alice off in a direction beyond the pale-towards a clandestine organization, mad inventors, life-altering secrets, and into the arms of an intrepid fiddle-playing airship pilot."

My Thoughts:

The Doomsday Vault is a book made of pure awesomeness!!! Filled with adventure, zombies, inventions, gadgets, intrigue, and yes...a little romance, this book has just about everything that a reader could ask for. Alice is only looking for a simple life. She wants to find a proper husband that will help lift her and her father out of debt and bring her back into high society. But trouble has a way of finding Alice and she finds herself caught up working with a secret society while also falling in love. This book was filled with adventure from the very beginning to the last page. The author wasn't afraid to take chances, and there many unexpected twists and turns throughout the story. I liked that the story was told from the viewpoints of both of the main characters Gavin and Alice. It allowed for the reader to see both of their different adventures and how their adventures wound together. I thought that the book was a fast paced read and I had a hard time putting it down. I loved how this book was different from the other steampunk novels that I have read...it was a fresh and original storyline. My favorite thing about this book was that the author takes the book in places that I never expected...it left me reeling at different points. The ending leaves it open for another book and I am looking forward to reading the 2nd book whenever it comes out.

All in all, a great beginning to this series and an author that I want to read more of. If your looking for a brand-new take on the steampunk genre...look no further. And if you haven't taken the plunge and tried this genre out yet, then I think that this would be a great beginning read. I was taken up with the world that the author created and I can't wait to revisit it in the future! Highly recommended!

Bottom Line: I adored this book...and a great way to begin 2012!

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to find this one at my local library but I'm definitely going to add a copy to my own shelves :)

On My Wishlist (Radar) #11

2012-01-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

On My Wishlist is my way of sharing all of the books that I cannot wait to get my hands upon and read. These are a mixture of books that are about to be released along with some older titles that I really want to read as well. (All summaries are from Goodreads).

I swear that I am about to go book crazy this year! There are just SO MANY books coming out that I want to get my hands on. So expect a lot of these posts this year as I highlight the books that I can't wait to get my hands on. And I'll always include oldies that I've somehow missed but want to read in the near future :)

An Affair with Mr. Kennedy by Jillian Stone

"London, 1887. Part stoic gentleman, part fearless Yard man, Zeno “Zak” Kennedy is an enigma of the first order. For years, the memory of a deadly bombing at King’s Cross has haunted the brilliant Scotland Yard detective. His investigation has zeroed in on a ring of aristocratic rebels whose bloody campaign for Irish revolution is terrorizing the city. When he discovers one of the treacherous lords is acquainted with his free-spirited new tenant, Cassandra St. Cloud, his inquiry pulls him unexpectedly close to the heart of the conspiracy—and into the arms of a most intriguing lady. Cassie is no Victorian prude. An impressionist painter with very modern ideas about life and love, she is eager for a romantic escapade that is daring and discreet. She sets her sights on her dour but handsome landlord, but after she learns their meeting was not purely accidental, she hardly has a chance to forgive her lover before their passionate affair catapults them both into a perilous adventure."

This one comes out at the end of this month and I'm chomping at the bit to get my hands on it. Look at that cover!!! I'm blaming Jackie over at Literary Escapism for adding this one (and two others on my list) to my wishlist.

The Seduction of Phaeton Black by Jillian Stone

"In the gaslit streets of Victorian London, phantoms rule the night, demons dance till dawn, and one supernatural detective dares to be seduced by the greatest power of all. . ."

I cut the summary down because all I needed to do was read this first part and knew that I wanted to read this book. Same author as listed above.....and a new find for me! I love this cover as well and it hints at steampunk...so excited!

The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent

"In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.

Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals. As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world."

Love, love, love this cover! I told you that 2012 was going to be an awesome year of books, right?? It most definitely is!

Blood on the Bayou by Stacey Jay

"The second book in a new urban fantasy series featuring mosquito-sized fairies with poisonous bites that drive humans insane.

It's only been three weeks since Annabelle helped solve the murder of Grace Beauchamp, and in the process, she discovered a secret world of invisible, magic-working people who have decided she might have what it takes to join their ranks. "

Sequel to Dead on the Delta which was on my top ten list for last year. Need I say more???

The Poison Tree by Erin Kelly

"From an incredible new voice in psychological suspense, a novel about the secrets that remain after a final bohemian summer of excess turns deadly.

This taut psychological thriller begins when Karen and her nine-year- old daughter, Alice, pick up Rex from a ten-year stint in prison for murder. Flash back to the sultry summer in 1990s London when Karen, a straight-A student on the verge of college graduation, first meets the exotic, flamboyant Biba and joins her louche life in a crumbling mansion in Highgate. She begins a relationship with Biba's enigmatic and protective older brother, Rex, and falls into a blissful rhythm of sex, alcohol, and endless summer nights. Naïvely, Karen assumes her newfound happiness will last forever. But Biba and Rex have a complicated family history-one of abandonment, suicide, and crippling guilt-and Karen's summer of freedom is about to end in blood. "

I've had this one on my radar for awhile now but I saw a review at Coffee and a Book Chick and decided that I just couldn't wait any longer to read it. I put it on hold at the library and am eagerly waiting for it come in.

There you have it....some of the books that I am just waiting to get my hands on in the near future. Books, books, and more books! I'm going to drown in books one of these days :) What are you looking forward to reading this year??

2012 Goals and Challenges

2012-01-05T15:24:00.001-08:00

2012 reading goals.....I have none. I'm sure there are many things that I would like to accomplish like reading more, reviewing more, etc. but when it came down to it I couldn't think of a single goal that I just HAD to accomplish. I really liked what Andi from Estella's Revenge said about blogging passionately and reading deliberately. I like the sound of that... I think that as long as I am enjoying what I'm reading and finding time to read then that will be what is important for me in 2012.

Personal goal wise, I would like to begin some other projects. Like ACTUALLY print pictures off of my camera. Take more photos. Make a blanket for each of my kids. Begin a scrapbook. Work on organizing my recipes (thanks to Trish for the great idea). Eat healthier. Work out on a regular basis. De-clutter my house. Read more with my kids. It's the little things but they are all important so I'm going to focus on them this year :)

Finally, as usual I'm going to go overboard and join in on some challenges. I'm hoping to focus on participating in group reads and book group reads this year because I really enjoyed the ones that I found last year. But reading for me is community and I couldn't resist joining in on some challenges as well. I'm going to cheat though and just list the names of the challenges that I plan on joining in on.

Merely Mystery Challenge- 12 books (one for each mystery genre)
100+ Reading Challenge- I haven't really come close but still...
2nd Reading Challenge
First in a Series Challenge
Death by Gaslight Reading Challenge
Horror & Urban Fantasy Challenge
Mystery & Suspense Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge
Chunkster Reading Challenge
New Author Challenge

And that's all I can think of for right now. I'm sure there will be more. And I do plan to continue participating in readathons since I had so much fun doing them last year. I'm sure that 2012 is going to be a jam packed year....so bring on the books!

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent (thoughts)

2012-01-03T15:51:00.000-08:00

Blood Bound is the beginning to a very interesting urban fantasy series. Liv Warren lives in a very dangerous world where the city is controlled by two different power houses and their leaders. Liv is a skilled blood tracker who tries to stay on the outside fringes of the city and live in the neutral zone. Unfortunately, her talents have brought her to the attention of both sides of the city, and a friend from childhood brings her in the midst of a heap of trouble. But the trouble really begins when her ex-lover Cam Cabellero shows up....

Blood Bound was everything that a good urban fantasy should be. Vincent has created a unique, dangerous world that swept me away within the story. Liv lives in a city that is basically ruled by two "mob like" bosses who both want her skills under their control. These bosses use "binders" (another type of skill that certain individuals have) to bind people with prized skills to them to help keep them under their control. This caused a constant tension throughout the story that had me reading this book as fast as I could. Liv had a skill talent that was stronger than most which had me curious as to how it will play out in future books. And in typical Vincent style, the author kept me off balance as there were many surprising twists and turns that I definitely didn't expect throughout the book. I liked the idea that there were different skills that people could have and I am looking forward to learning more about these skills in future books. The whole world and storyline was such a unique concept. I just loved it! The ending of the book blew me out of the water. It took me by complete surprise and left me wanting more.

All in all, this was a great addition to the urban fantasy genre and a great beginning to this series! This book was SO close to landing on my top 10 reads from last year.....and I can't wait to read the second book when it comes out. Highly recommended to fans of urban fantasy.

Bottom Line: A must read for urban fantasy fans!

Disclosure: I checked this one out at my local library!

The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts (thoughts)

2011-12-27T17:13:00.000-08:00

From Goodreads:

"Sadie Novak's got the kind of job that kills cocktail chatter dead: she owns Scene-2-Clean a crime scene cleanup company. And if wiping up after murders weren't spooky enough, she can also see and talk to the ghosts of the victims...

When grieving relatives hire Sadie and her employee, ex-cop Zack Bowman, to clean up after the murder-suicide of Trudy and Grant Toth, Sadie figures she's bound to meet at least one chatty ghost. But Kent, the man Sadie first encounters at the scene, is very much alive--so much so, that Sadie soon finds herself agreeing to a date with him.

Then a real ghost shows up--the oddly silent spirit of Trudy, who seems determined to prove that her husband's innocence, and inspires Sadie to track down the real killer. But as she scours the crime scene, Sadie quickly realizes she's in way over her head, that Kent has a strange connection to the dead couple, and that someone wants her to give up the ghost...for good."

My Thoughts:

Hmm....I'm kind of stuck on what to say about this one. I was in the mood for a cozy mystery and I always enjoy the paranormal so I figured that I would end up loving this book. I ended up liking it but not loving it like I expected. Sadie has a job that no one wants to do and a "skill" that no one would believe in if she told them about it. Her only employee Zach knows that she is able to "talk" to ghosts but chooses to ignore the fact that she does. Sadie begins a new cleanup job and gets involved in the mystery surrounding the death. So this book was interesting in the fact that it is completely unusual. Sadie's job and her ability to communicate with the dead are different than what is out there relating to the paranormal. The mystery that she found herself caught up in was fascinating as the ghost wouldn't actually "speak" to Sadie. Sadie was left to trying to figure out herself what the ghost was trying to communicate which turned out to be a dangerous job for her. There was an instant chemistry between Sadie and Zach that left me intrigued. It was hinted at a couple of different times but nothing really panned out so I'll have to wait and see what happens in future books.

Although I enjoyed the mystery and the unique storyline, I never really found myself caught up within the story. I was a bit disconnected at times and found that I wasn't actually too worried about who the bad guy was. That being said, by the end I found my reading groove and didn't want to put it down. The ending was a bit of a surprise which is always a positive. All in all, a good read but it just wasn't my favorite. I'm still planning on continuing on with the series and hopefully it will get better as it goes on. Recommended but with a few reservations.

Bottom Line: An interesting read but not my favorite.

Disclosure: I checked this one out from my local library.

Wordless Wednesday - Let It Snow

2011-12-21T16:26:00.000-08:00

(Picture taken last winter)

We are waiting quite impatiently for some snow this winter......and crossing our fingers for a white Christmas. I will probably be offline for most of the rest of this week so I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! Merry Christmas from my family to yours :)

Creation In Death by J.D. Robb (thoughts)

2011-12-16T14:45:00.000-08:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"To police lieutenant Eve Dallas and her husband, Roarke, the corpse seemed like a ghoulish personalized greeting card. Not only was the young brunette victim an employee of Eve's billionaire hubby; products from his company were used in the staged crime scene. Dallas recognizes the slaying as the latest handiwork of "The Groom," an arrogant serial killer just returning from a nine-year break. What she doesn't realize immediately is that she herself is targeted as one of his next victims."

My Thoughts:

This series gets harder and harder to review the farther I get in to it because it is next to impossible to not share a spoiler here and there from past books. In this book Eve is up against a killer from a past case that was never solved. The killer seems to be taunting both Eve and Roarke, and it is turning out to be one of her toughest cases yet. What I liked about this book is that we got to see a little bit of Eve's past history as a rookie cop. This wasn't an easy case for Eve (back then and now) and it was a nice change to see her work so closely with Feeney. This series has become a comfort series for me that I go to whenever I need my Roarke and Eve fix or when I'm in the midst of a reading slump. This wasn't my favorite book of the series but it was a solid read.

This is a series that I can't help but recommend. Start at the beginning and watch as the characters grow throughout....I couldn't resist and found myself immersed in the world that Robb has created. Highly recommended!!

Bottom Line: Another great addition to one of my favorite series!

Disclosure: This book was given to me by a friend.

Embrace the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney (thoughts)

2011-12-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

From Goodreads:

"Cody MacBain let the woman of his destiny slip away. A member of an ancient clan of Scottish warriors, he grew up beside Shay Logan as her secret protector, but his heart compelled him to become more. Until Shay’s true identity was revealed, and the fated pair’s chance was gone…

But danger will drive them back into each other’s arms…

Shay fell for the boy next door, suspecting nothing of the ancient secrets he guarded. After a stinging betrayal, she’s determined to banish the memories of her first love forever. But the past can’t let go, and the boy she once loved has returned to her a warrior determined to protect her from the unspeakable evil fate has planned…"

My Thoughts:

Embrace the Highland Warrior was a fun read and an interesting take on the paranormal genre. Shay has lived a life filled with secrets which helped to drive a wedge between her and her childhood friend Cody. The chemistry between these two was instant and unrelenting. I started rooting for them to have a happy ever after from the very beginning of the book. I thought that the author took the paranormal genre and gave it a fresh twist with demons, highland warriors (of course), and even vampires. There was a lot of references to an ancient book that made me wonder if it will play a big part in the next book of the series. Shay was an awesome main character as she was both headstrong and tender at different times. She was surrounded for most of her life by both lies and secrets which came into play in the middle of the story. We got to see that she has some special abilities that hopefully we will learn more about as this series goes on. My only problem with this book was that there were so many characters that we didn't get to learn a lot about. I think that if I had read the first book in the series, this book would have been better for me and I would have enjoyed it more.

All in all, I did think that this was a good read that kept me entertained. I wish that I would have started with the first book, but I think that I'll go back and read it before continuing on with this series. That way I'll get the chance to get a better feel for some of the secondary characters. I would recommend this books to fans of paranormal romance but make sure that you start with Awaken the Highland Warrior!

Bottom Line: A good read and a series that I want to read more of.

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book for review from the publisher for review.

Library Loot - Last of 2011

2011-12-10T06:10:00.001-08:00

Library Loot is hosted by Marg and Claire and asks us to share what we've picked up from the library recently.

I love this time of year when it comes to books. The promise of the upcoming year and all of the great books that are waiting to be published alongside all of the best of 2011 lists. I cannot resist these lists which means I am constantly adding to my TBR wishlist and putting holds on at the library. I have no self control when it comes to books :) I have an obscene number of books checked out from the library right now (and I didn't tell you this but I have 4 holds waiting for me as well) but here is a taste of some of the books I've gotten from the library recently.

I have so many good books checked out from the library that I don't even know where to begin. It looks like 2011 is going to go out with a bang if I get a chance to read some of these. Do you look forward to the best of 2011 lists like I do??? And am I the only one that can't resist and puts a zillion holds on books at my library??? Tell me I'm not the only one :)

Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie (thoughts)

2011-12-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

Summary from Amazon:

"The first Miss Marple mystery, one which tests all her powers of observation and deduction.

“Anyone who murdered Colonel Protheroe,” declared the parson, brandishing a carving knife above a joint of roast beef, “would be doing the world at large a favor!”

It was a careless remark for a man of the cloth. And one which was to come back and haunt the clergyman just a few hours later—when the Colonel is found shot dead in the clergyman’s study. But as Miss Marple soon discovers, the whole village seems to have had a motive to kill Colonel Protheroe."

My Thoughts:

Murder at the Vicarage begins with the death of an unliked man where everyone in the village becomes a suspect in his death. This was my 1st Miss Marple read and I found it to be an enjoyable mystery. Agatha Christie was a very talented mystery writer and one of my favorite things about her is her ability to make all of her characters seem guilty at some point. This leads the reader into suspecting anyone and everyone which is exactly what I did :) In the case of this book I guessed the killer at the beginning but Christie had me so turned around as I was reading the book that by the end I didn't even suspect the killer which made the ending still come as a surprise. There was a colorful cast of characters (otherwise known as suspects) that all had reasons for wanting the victim dead that played various roles in the story. My only complaint was that I was taken back a bit by the fact that at times it seemed like Miss Marple didn't play an important role in the mystery that was going on. By the end of the book though, she shines as the reader sees how much of the mystery she was able to solve on her own.

This was a fun mystery that kept me guessing the entire time that I read the book. I'm looking forward to reading more Miss Marple mysteries and hopefully I will read everything that she has written at some point. And although this wasn't my favorite book by Christie, I found it to be a really solid mystery. Recommended!

Bottom Line: A great beginning to the Miss Marple series!

Disclosure: I checked this book out from my local libary ;)

October and November in Review

2011-12-04T16:30:00.000-08:00

This is me still attempting to get a lovely picture of all three kiddos...see how I struggle.)

December is here already and I'm left wondering where the year went. This is the time of the year when many of us mull over and make blogging goals, reading goals, and personal goals for the upcoming year. I'll admit that I've been thinking about it as well as I look forward to 2012. Is everyone else looking back on their 2011 reads and wishing that they could have fit a few more reads in?? There are SO many books that I want to read that came out in 2011 that I haven't had the chance to get my hands on....and there are even more that I am looking forward to reading in the next year. Craziness I tell you :)

October and November were both pretty lousy months of reading for me. It's to be expected though with school, activities, and all of the other fun stuff that comes with this time of year. My kiddos are super excited for Christmas and are having lots of fun looking at Christmas tree lights. I'm thinking that next weekend we might just take a drive to look at all of the lights :) Anyways, here is what I was able to finish in October:

A pretty solid month of reads even if I didn't finish that many books. My favorite of the month was Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent. Her new urban fantasy is dark and gritty....just the way I like it which is why it easily became a new must read series for me :) In November I read the following:

November was also a pretty good month of reading for me in terms of enjoying books. There wasn't a bad book in the bunch during either of these months! My favorite read of November was Dead on the Delta by Stacey Jay. This book was knock my socks off good....another gritty enticing world of urban fantasy that I couldn't get enough of. The 2nd book is coming out in 2012 and I cannot wait to get my greedy little paws on it!

Here is to hoping that December is a great month of reading. I'm looking forward to reading all of the best of 2011 lists and posts that will be coming up in the near future. Hope everyone finishes off this year with a bang!

Lethal by Sandra Brown (thoughts)

2011-12-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

Lethal by Sandra Brown begins with a bang as Honor Gillette and her daughter are kidnapped by a man believed to have already killed over six people. He seems to be searching for something and believes that Honor has what he wants. Unfortunately for Honor, she doesn't know what he is looking for and has no idea where to find it. And then she finds out that Lee Coburn isn't the only person that she could be in danger from.

It has been ages since I've read a book by this author and I had forgotten how fast I could fly through them! The book begins almost instantly with fast-paced action and that pace didn't stop until the end of the book. I've always enjoyed how her short chapters keep me reading far longer than I mean to....I keep thinking one more chapter and before I know it I'm halfway through the book :) While Lethal was fast paced and filled with action, I struggled with the beginning of the book. I think that a lot of this had to do with the fact that Honor AND her daughter were in danger. I was so worried about her daughter and what was going to happen that I had a hard time just enjoying the book. But the second half of the book was much better for me and then I had a hard time of even setting the book down. The ending was surprising for me as it was unexpected in a few different ways.

All in all, this was a good/solid read although I had a few issues with it. I'm going to have to go back and read some of this author's books that I have missed over the years because it has been awhile since I read anything by her. I think that romantic suspense fans will enjoy this read and I would recommend it.

Bottom Line: A good read but not my favorite by this author.

Disclosure: I was sent this book for review from the publisher. These are my honest thoughts :)

Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep (thoughts)

2011-11-28T17:36:00.000-08:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South — when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride."

My Thoughts:

This was a kick-ass urban fantasy that knocked my socks off!! I loved every single page of this book and instantly wanted more when I was done. Gin, otherwise known as the Spider, is an impressive main character who isn't ashamed of the person she is and doesn't offer any apologies for what she does. She plays by her own set of rules and although she is an assassin, she has a line drawn that she doesn't cross. When Gin's handler (aka her father figure) is killed, Gin is out for blood and won't stop at anything until she finds his killer. This storyline was action packed and fast paced throughout. I literally did not want to set this book down....I just couldn't get enough of the world that this author had created. My only complaint with this book was that I wasn't quite sold on Detective Donovan and the attraction there was between him and Gin. I didn't care for his condescending attitude that he had with Gin at times. But I'll admit that there was a pretty "hot" scene between the two of them so I guess we'll see what goes on in later books.

All in all, this was an amazing beginning to this urban fantasy series. Any book that leaves me wanting more is a must read, and I'm putting this one on my keeper shelf to be reread in the future. A strong, independent heroine and a fast paced plot helped to make this book an impressive read. Highly recommended!!

Bottom Line: A must read for any urban fantasy fan!

Disclosure: I won this one off of a book blog a year or two ago but sadly I can't remember whose blog. My apologies as I would love to leave you with the link to that blog.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Thankfully Reading

2011-11-21T07:13:00.000-08:00

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey who says:

"It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!"

It's been awhile since I shared what I've been reading on a Monday. My reading has slowed down drastically lately along with my blogging and commenting. With the every day "business" that comes from being a working mom to three and the holidays approaching, life has gotten quite crazy. I'm working to fit reading time in when I can but it has slowed down regardless. I'm starting to think I need a nice snowy or rainy day where all I do is read to get me back to reading :) Am I the only one that loves crappy weather???

I'm currently reading Lethal by Sandra Brown.

And I've recently finished reading Visions of Magic and The Name of the Star.

Up next is anybody's guess. Definitely something off of my own shelves or from my enormous library stack. I'm also planning on participating in the Thankfully Reading Weekend this year except I'm going to try and make it a reading filled week instead of just the weekend. It should be fun!

Happy Monday everyone!!

C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton (thoughts)

2011-11-18T16:55:00.000-08:00

Kinsey is back and investigating one of her most difficult cases yet. Her client, Bobby, has lost a good portion of his memory in a car accident that he is still working on recovering from. Unfortunately, he believes that the crash he was involved in wasn't just an "accident", and he has hired Kinsey to find out what happened with the hope that she can possibly help him to recover some of his memories. Kinsey has her work cut out for her as everyone in his family is convinced that he's overreacting, and Bobby's memories leave little evidence that anything bad really happened. And then everything changes and Kinsey finds herself over her head once again.

I love, love, love series!! Kinsey is one of those characters that I can just easily relate to even though I'm not a mystery solving private detective :) Sue Grafton has created a character that I want to read about and one that I could see myself being friends with in real life. The mystery was both unique and original. I was constantly questioning Bobby's memories from the very beginning trying to figure out if he was in danger or not. By halfway thru the book, I was completely sucked in and couldn't put it down if I wanted to. Be warned that the summary on the back of the book was very spoiler-ly in my opinion so if you like to be surprised don't read it. I had absolutely no clue who the "bad guy" was throughout the book and the ending was a complete shock! Wow! I also liked that we got to see more of some of the side characters and found the storyline concerning Henry very interesting.

All in all, this was a great read that solidified my love of this series! Grafton has created a series that draws me in, book after book, and leaves me wanting more. I can't wait to read more about Kinsey's adventures and have already picked up the fourth book from the library. I would highly recommend this series to any mystery fan out there!

Bottom Line: A must read series!!! Love it :)

Disclosure: I checked this book out from the local library.

If you are interested here are links (click on titles) to my reviews of A is for Alibi and B is for Burglar. You should really begin with the 1st book in my opinion.

Library Loot - My Latest Finds

2011-11-13T06:29:00.000-08:00

Library Loot is hosted by Marg and Claire and asks us to share the latest finds that we've picked up at the library.

Considering the library is one of my favorite places to go, I have a never-ending stream of books coming into my house and going back to the library. I've been kind of in a slump with reading lately so I've been placing holds at the library like crazy to try and kick start my reading. It may be that I've been just too busy lately and once life slows down a bit my reading mojo will come back :) Here are my latest finds that I'm excited to read:

Just looking at these covers makes me want to go read so maybe this is exactly the kind of post I needed to do :) I hope everyone is having a wonderful November so far. My son has his 1st basketball game of the season but hopefully I'll get a chance to catch up on all of your blogs later today. Did you all go buy the last Harry Potter DVD on Friday like I did??? I love me some Harry Potter and it was great to get to rewatch this movie! Hope you all have a wonderful week!!

The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (thoughts)

2011-11-08T16:40:00.000-08:00

What would you do if you found out that you had a twin sister that you had never known?? Lucy opens the door one day and the life that she knows changes forever as she meets her mother's twin sister for the first time. At first her mother and her new found aunt are completely opposite in every way, but as time goes on Lucy begins to realize that it is getting harder and harder to tell them apart. And then the unthinkable happens...

This book had such a unique premise that instantly intrigued me. I loved the idea of finding a long lost sister and seeing how it would affect the family and their everyday lives. The author gives the story a creepy, dark atmosphere where I was constantly questioning Lucy's new aunt and her motives and actions. The book had a sinister feel to it throughout that really made the book more enjoyable in my opinion. I liked getting the chance to see how Lucy's Aunt Helen affected the entire family and their everyday lives. As Helen began to act more and more like Lucy's mother, I became more and more invested in the story. I had to know what was going to happen next. The ending of the book was quite intense and I was hooked until the last page. My only complaint with this book was that I had trouble connecting to some of the characters at times. I'll admit that after the book finished everything made a bit more sense and helped to tie up the loose ends for me. All in all, an interesting and suspenseful read that I would recommend to fans of gothic novels.

Bottom Line: An intriguing premise and a solid read!

Disclosure: I checked this book out from my local library.

Halloween Fun (in November)

2011-11-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

Instead of reading or blogging last week, I spent the week working. And working some more. Not much fun (if I do say so myself) but before I went out of town for the week, we enjoyed some Halloween fun!

Like carving pumpkins...and getting quite messy :)

The finished products....and no I didn't carve any of these :) He did all the work!

Took the kiddos trick or treating where we got WAY too much candy.

After which we handed out candy to the trick or treaters that were still out.

All in all, it was a fun Halloween and the kiddos were able to crash out that night in a sugar-induced haze. I'm still trying to catch up from working 60+ hours which means that this week may be quiet as well around here. Thank goodness we get an extra hour of sleep tonight because I need it :) Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween and that you all have a great week!

Long Gone by Alafair Burke (thoughts)

2011-10-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"After a layoff and months of struggling, Alice Humphrey finally lands her dream job managing a new art gallery in Manhattan’s trendy Meatpacking District. According to Drew Campbell, the well-suited corporate representative who hires her, the gallery is a passion project for its anonymous, wealthy, and eccentric owner.

Everything is perfect until the morning Alice arrives at work to find the gallery gone—the space stripped bare as if it had never been there—and Drew Campbell’s dead body on the floor. Overnight, Alice’s dream job has vanished, and she finds herself at the center of a police investigation, with the evidence mounting against her. To prove her innocence and uncover the truth, Alice must undertake a dangerous search for answers that entangles her in a dark, high-tech criminal conspiracy and forces her to unearth long-hidden secrets involving her own family . . . secrets that could cost Alice her life."

My Thoughts:

Long Gone was a fun, interesting thriller that I enjoyed throughout. After reading the above summary, I knew that this was going to be a book that I would enjoy. The summary also kind of tells the reader a lot from the beginning so I went into the book knowing that things were going to go bad for Alice and fast. But that just made the book that much more interesting for me as I was looking for clues to who was behind everything from the very beginning. The story line was fast paced for the most part and kept me hooked as I wanted to know what was going to happen to Alice next. There were a few aspects of the mystery that I was able to figure out ahead of time but the ending did take me by surprise. And I honestly don't think that I would have figured out anything except I went into the book trying to guess who the "bad guy" was going to be. You gotta be right once in awhile, don't you??? Ha!

All in all, this was an enjoyable thriller that had me on pins and needles especially towards the ending. I'm going to have to check out if this author has a backlist because I can't wait to read more. And I honestly think that the best part of the book was the fact that it left me wondering what I would do if I was in Alice's situation. Quite a scary thought if I do say so myself!

Bottom Line: A thriller that kept me guessing throughout. Recommended!

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher for review. My thanks!

What I've Been Doing Instead of Blogging...

2011-10-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

Meet the newest member of our household, Kaiya. Kaiya's owner couldn't take care of her anymore so we had to bring her home. How can you resist that face??? She is one year old, pretty much house trained, and in need of lots of TLC. Who better to give her that than three dog-loving kiddos?? It has been lots of fun so far and she has fast become a part of our family. But don't be surprised if it is a little bit more quiet than usual for the next couple of weeks as we (and by we I mean me) adjust to having a dog :)

I'm also participating in the Bout of Books Read-A-Thon this week which shall be lots of fun. It started yesterday and I've already finished my first book. Woohoo! My goal for the week is to finish at least three books but I'm really hoping for 4 or maybe even 5. Hey, a girl can dream sometimes :) Hope everyone is having a wonderful week! Happy reading!!

Grave Witch by Kalayna Price (thoughts)

2011-10-19T03:24:00.000-07:00

Alex Craft has a unique talent as a "grave witch" which allows for her to speak to the dead. The shades that she raises are usually harmless and easy for Alex to control until the day when she is attacked by one of them. Before Alex knows it, she is caught up in a mystery filled with dark magic and even darker beings who care little if she comes out of all this alive or not.

Grave Witch was one of those urban fantasy reads that I didn't want to put down. It left me wanting more after I turned the last page, and I've already went out and bought a copy of the second book which should tell you how much I enjoyed this one. First of all, Alex has such a unique talent as she can talk to the dead otherwise known as shades. With her ability to communicate with them comes her "grave vision" which allows for her to see the world in a different perspective than the average human. I really liked that her talents came with a price and it took a lot out of her to use her skills especially when she was left basically blind for periods of time. It helped to make this book very unique from other urban fantasy reads that are out there. The mystery that Alex found herself caught up in was very dark and creepy. It kept me on my toes and turning pages long after I should have gone to sleep. My only complaint with the book was that I was never a huge fan of the romance that was developing between Alex and Detective Falin. I think that it was because Falin had so many secrets of his own that we were never really privy to. Maybe in the next book we will learn more about him. I'm really excited to see what happens next and how the story develops.

All in all, this was a really solid beginning to this urban fantasy series. It was dark, gritty and extremely compelling and I'm hooked on the world that Price has created. Highly recommended to fans of urban fantasy!!

Disclosure: I checked this book out at my local library and promptly bought a copy of the 2nd book after finishing this one.

Happy Birthday!

2011-10-17T17:18:00.000-07:00

Four years ago you changed my world. I love you more than words can say. Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!

On My Wishlist (Radar) #10

2011-10-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

On My Wishlist is my way of sharing all of the books that I cannot wait to get my hands upon and read. These are a mixture of books that are about to be released along with some older titles that I really want to read as well. (All summaries are from Goodreads).

Mirror Maze by Michaele Jordan

"Jacob, Liva, and Cecily are all victims of a single curse, which entrapped and destroyed their parents before them. Fate has drawn their descendants together again, and the curse is playing out in an erotic, chilling ghost story in a Victorian setting."

The summary said ghost story and I instantly added it to my wishlist. I'm such a sucker for a good ghost story :)

Property of a Lady by Sarah Rayne

"A house with a sinister past – and a grisly power - When Michael Flint is asked by American friends to look over an old Shropshire house they have unexpectedly inherited, he is reluctant to leave the quiet of his Oxford study. But when he sees Charect House, its uncanny echoes from the past fascinate him – even though it has such a sinister reputation that no one has lived there for almost a century. But it’s not until Michael meets the young widow, Nell West, that the menace within the house wakes . . ."

Doesn't this sound super creepy??? I already snatched this one off of my library's shelves and I cannot wait to read it!!!

The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow

"Emma Bannon, Prime sorceress in the service of the Empire, has a mission: to protect Archibald Clare, a failed, unregistered mentath. His skills of deduction are legendary, and her own sorcery is not inconsiderable. It doesn’t much help that they dislike each other, or that Bannon’s Shield, Mikal, might just be a traitor himself. Or that the conspiracy killing registered mentaths and sorcerers alike will just as likely kill them as seduce them into treachery toward their Queen. In an alternate London where illogical magic has turned the Industrial Revolution on its head, Bannon and Clare now face hostility, treason, cannon fire, black sorcery, and the problem of reliably finding hansom cabs."

I WANT this one so badly! Look at the cover...this is my kind of book!!!

Precinct 13 by Tate Hallaway

"The dead have tales to tell.
Sometimes they just won't shut up."

Short and sweet summary but I can't complain as I was still instantly intrigued. 2012 is shaping up to be an AMAZING year of books!

Never Tell a Lie by Hallie Ephron

"It all started with the yard sale. Ivy was eight months and one week pregnant when she insisted that she and her husband, David, clean out the junk they'd inherited with the old Victorian house they'd bought three years before. Call it nesting, call it nerves—she just wanted it all gone: the old electrical fixtures, the boxes of National Geographics from the 1960s, the four black wool greatcoats.

Neither she nor David recognized the woman at first. But it turned out that the customer asking about the lime-green glass swan dish—the woman who looks just about as pregnant as Ivy—was none other than Melinda White, a former high school classmate of David and Ivy's. When Melinda was a child she used to play in their new house, she explained. It looked like they'd been doing some work. Would it be all right if she took a look around? David took Melinda inside. And she never came out."

I found this book courtesy of Goodreads new recommendations and I couldn't help but add it to the wishlist. It sounds quite creepy and I've been reading thrillers like crazy lately.

So that's a few of the books that I've added to my wishlist lately. What have you added to yours??? (Seriously, tell me so I can add more to my out of control TBR list!)

Flawless by Carrie Lofty (thoughts)

2011-10-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"Lady Vivienne Bancroft fled England for New York, hoping to shed the confines of her arranged marriage to unrepentant rogue Miles Durham, Viscount Bancroft—though she never forgot the fiery desire he unleashed with his slightest touch. And when the gambling man arrives on her doorstep for a little sensual revenge for her desertion, he is met with Vivienne’s dilemma: She must earn her father’s inheritance by profitably running a diamond business worth millions in colonial South Africa. Swept together in an exotic undertaking filled with heated passion and hungry temptation, will Vivienne and Miles discover that the marriage vows they once made are the greatest snare—or the most treasured reward?"

My Thoughts:

I feel like I've read my fair share of romances this year and this is one of my favorites ones yet! What made Flawless stand out for me was the instant chemistry and attraction between the two main characters. I found myself wondering about their past relationship and wanting to see if they could find their happy ending. I loved that neither of them were who they thought they were, which left them to really discover each other throughout the novel. This enjoyment of the characters was enhanced by the setting of the story. It isn't every day that you read a romance novel set in Africa's diamond mines but this one was. I loved the unique setting and found that it really added to the story. The details that the author included helped to make me feel like I was really there while I was reading. There was a slight aspect of mystery and suspense to this book that helped keep my interest as well. But the main focus was the romance between Miles and Vivienne, and I couldn't get enough of it!

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I read another review of this book that said that the author uses lots of different settings in her stories and now I cannot wait to read more by her! This is a romance that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend!

Bottom Line: A lovely romance and one that made me an instant fan of this author!

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book as part of Gallery and Pocket Books Romance Blog Tour Group. I'm a bit late with my post though so sorry!

August and September Reads

2011-10-09T11:55:00.001-07:00

(From the 1st day of school...and yes, I'm just now getting around to sharing)

So August and September have both come and gone and we are already a week deep into October. I've been meaning to write this post for ages but life (and a serious case of laziness) has intervened. Mainly, I've been just trying to keep my head afloat as we finish up flag football, deal with school and homework, and I work my crazy job. So I've fallen behind in all areas of my life which has been a bit frustrating. I spent ALL day Friday cleaning and now my house is at least presentable (kind of). In the spirit of fall cleaning or something, I've been digging through the oldest child's room which is NO fun! Seriously, it is kind of disgusting and he is no where near to being a teenager yet. But rooms are getting cleaned out, clothes are being packed/given away, and hopefully a little more organization will help keep my sanity in check. Maybe. But enough of all that, let's get down to what I read in August.

August was my best month of reading yet this year....I think. I don't feel like going back to double check that statement but I'm pretty sure that it is true. I read 9 books in August which is almost unheard of for me. I was a little reading machine :) In August I read the following lovely books:

Wow! Just looking at all those books leaves me feeling impressed and a bit tired. LOL! My favorite read of the month by far was Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep but there wasn't a bad book in the bunch. Unfortunately, the majority of these books are still waiting for review and adding to my 11+ backlog. I'm working on catching up but it is slow going at the moment. September on the other hand, was one of my weaker months of reading where I only finished four books. Four. Here is what I managed to finish in September:

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson was definitely my favorite read in September. I handed my copy off to my Mom and she loved it just as much as I did. I have a feeling that I will be recommending this one for awhile now :)

There you have it. Two months worth of reads in a nutshell. The goal for October will be reading more than September and actually posting my October summary before Thanksgiving :) Ha! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday and have a great week!

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson (thoughts)

2011-10-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

Christine wakes every morning with no memory of the previous day, the week before, and without even a solid memory of her family and friends. She wakes up to realize that she doesn't recognize her husband or the woman that she has obviously become, and that waking up with no memory is a daily occurrence for her. And then she finds a journal that she has secretly been writing in which leads her to realize that her life isn't what it seems....

Wow! This was a thriller that didn't let me go until the very last page. From the very beginning of the book, I was drawn into it because the main character, Christine, realizes that the life she doesn't know or remember isn't exactly as it should be. And as she begins to read the journal she has written, the reader is left with questions about the reliability of what she has written. Of the reliability of the memory of a woman that forgets each night what happened the previous day as well as the previous years. It makes for quite the suspenseful read as I was constantly questioning everything that was happening. And the end...just blew me away because even though I might have suspected something in the beginning, I had believed it to be impossible by the middle of the book. Which meant that the ending came to be a complete surprise for me which made the book even better in my opinion. This was a thriller that kept me on my toes and I cannot wait to read more by this author! Highly recommended.

Bottom Line: One of the best thrillers that I have read in a long time. Simple as that :)

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of this book from the publisher.

Readathons, Reviews, and Readalongs

2011-10-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

Look what I found!!! A new read-a-thon to join in on which of course makes me ridiculously excited. The only requirement to participate in this read-a-thon is that we read one scary book. As I'm just beginning The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson I can honestly say that I'm good to go as this book is supposed to be a creepy, gothic read. The read-a-thon goes on all week long so let's see if I can make up for a crappy month of reading in September and make October that much better :)

I'm also reading The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson because I am participating in Carl's readalong. I'm super excited to participate in this readalong because so many others are and I think that it will be fun to discuss this book with everyone. Plus, there has been a TON of hype surrounding this book so naturally I'm curious to see what it is all about.

And then look what else I found while I was perusing my reader. Another read-a-thon although this one doesn't start for a few weeks. That's okay as it means that maybe I will get lots of reading done in October and have my best month yet. I can hope even though my busy life says otherwise :)

And finally, I just signed up to be a cheerleader for Dewey's read-a-thon! I participated last time it came around and had lots of fun. I haven't even checked my schedule yet to see if that is my weekend to work or not (9 times out of 10 it is though) but I'm still going to clear a few hours of my schedule and cheer the readers on. Probably later at night when the kiddos are asleep :)

I'm super excited about all of these different events and I'm thinking that October is going to be filled with bookish goodness. I almost forgot to share that I will also be "attempting" to focus on catching up on my reviews now that I'm 11 reviews behind and counting. I read a post about the No Old Review Club started by the Literate Housewife (hashtag #NORC). Catching up on reviews has been something I've been trying to do for months now so of course I wanted to participate. Maybe talking to others will help motivate me to catch up. Because I really want to review every book that I read in 2011. It has kinda become a goal for me :) Now let the reading commence!

Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences) by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris (thoughts)

2011-10-01T05:08:00.000-07:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"Evil is most assuredly afoot—and Britain’s fate rests in the hands of an alluring renegade . . . and a librarian.

These are dark days indeed in Victoria’s England. Londoners are vanishing, then reappearing, washing up as corpses on the banks of the Thames, drained of blood and bone. Yet the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences—the Crown’s clandestine organization whose bailiwick is the strange and unsettling—will not allow its agents to investigate. Fearless and exceedingly lovely Eliza D. Braun, however, with her bulletproof corset and a disturbing fondness for dynamite, refuses to let the matter rest . . . and she’s prepared to drag her timorous new partner, Wellington Books, along with her into the perilous fray."

My Thoughts:

This is one of those books that I just HAD to read. I saw the cover while browsing on the internet and then I read the above summary...I just knew that this was my type of book and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I'm happy to say that Phoenix Rising was as good as I hoped it would be and far exceeded my expectations! It was such a fun read and the action started on page one and didn't let up until the end of the book. One of the best things about this book was the two main characters Eliza and Books. They were completely opposite of each other in every way but it still allowed for a certain type of chemistry to develop between them. The adventures and mystery that they found themselves involved in moved the story along at a fast pace. And there were some funny moments inserted within the story as well. This all added up to a really solid read for me that I enjoyed immensely. I'm sure that this book will draw comparisons to Gail Carriger's Soulless series but I found that I liked this book for different reasons (and I'm an uber-fan of Gail's series). I'm eager to see what kind of trouble Eliza and Books can stir up next. Highly recommended especially to fans of steampunk!

Bottom Line: A fun, fast-paced read that I couldn't get enough of! I just became an instant fan of this series :)

Disclosure: Checked out from my local library.

Storm Front - Week 2 Questions

2011-09-26T05:46:00.000-07:00

Week two's question are here and I'm moving right along with finishing the book up. I couldn't wait any longer and continued reading. It is getting GOOD! Anyways, here are my thoughts on the middle portion of the book :)

1. What are your thoughts on the pop culture references Butcher includes in his work, largely coming from Harry himself?

Hmm...this question has me pondering and wondering what I missed. Because I'm drawing a blank other than the council reference that Carl made in the previous questions. I honestly don't know how to answer this question other than to say that I'm sure I'll find it interesting to read other participant's answers to this question :)

2. As I finished part two of Storm Front I realized that each section of the book thus far feels like a distinct act in a three act story arc. How do you compare the events in this second section of the book with what happened it part one? Is there a mood or theme or such that you feel is embodied by part two of Harry's adventures?

There is a definite different feel to the second part of the story. Harry is getting caught deeper and deeper into events and mysterious happenings that he cannot control. I'm definitely getting a different experience by rereading it this time around. I feel like all of the different directions that Harry is being pulled in make more sense this time and are really making the book that much more enjoyable for me. I'm still surprised by how much of the book that I've forgotten but by rereading it, I'm slowly starting to remember more and more. It has been an interesting reading experience so far!

3. One of many things Jim Butcher demonstrates in Storm Front is a healthy sense of humor. Share with us your thoughts on one (or more) of the humorous moments in the story thus far.

I loved the scene with the Harry, Susan, and the demon. It was over the top but not in a bad way and I couldn't help but chuckle while seeing Harry try to get out of all the trouble that he was in. Bob continues to be a favorite character of mine and I'm curious to see if we get to hear about what he did with his "free time". I'm guessing that he got into some kind of trouble that we will hopefully hear about :)

4. Our hero Harry had disastrous interactions with the women in his life in section two of the book (Four by my count). For first time readers, were you surprised by any of these and what are your thoughts? For those who've read the books before, had you forgotten about any of these? If so, or even if not, share your thoughts on Harry's luck with women.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, however you look at it), I had forgotten about all of these so I found it to be just like I was reading it for the first time with an "idea" of where the ending was going. I was surprised at how fun I found Harry's interactions with Susan to be. This could be because of everything that happens to them in that scene but I really enjoyed it. And I had forgotten how sad it was to see Murphy and Harry at odds with each other. I didn't like it and had to remind myself that she continues to play a role in future books. Harry just seems to have rotten luck when it comes to women and doesn't seem to be entirely comfortable with them either.

5. A few other popular characters have been brought up in the first round of discussion about Storm Front. What books, films, tv shows, etc. does this story/these characters call to mind and why?

I heard references to Harry Potter in the previous discussion which didn't really surprise me that much considering they are both wizards using magic (and the name of course). Honestly though, I'm having a hard time coming up with another book that has a main character like Harry Dresden. I think that his character makes the book unique which makes this book even more pleasurable to read. The loner aspect to Harry along with the unique abilities that he has reminds me a tiny bit of Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz but I really find Harry to be the more satisfying of the two characters. And saying that makes me realize how long it has been since I've read that series. Hmm...

6. For new readers, what is your overall assessment of the story thus far? For re-readers, what have you picked up on this time that you either forgot about or don't remember seeing from your first trip through the book?

Since this is my 2nd time reading this book, I feel like even though I don't remember a lot from reading the book the first time, I am able to see all of the threads that the author has created more clearly. It has allowed me to see how they relate to each other and to appreciate this book even more. I'm having a hard time putting this book down and can't wait to see what everyone thinks when they finish!

Until next week...

Sunday Randomness

2011-09-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Whew! It has been a busy, busy week here and I've been running around nonstop. I haven't been reading all that much, haven't been blogging, and haven't been commenting. Life. It get's in the way sometimes ;) As the rest of September and October don't look much better, I thought I would take the time to share some of the randomness that is floating around in my head. Does anyone else find that when they don't have time to blog they come up with tons of ideas for posts?? Seriously, all week long I've been toying with ideas of things I want to post about but haven't found the time to do any of them. Go figure, right???

For one, I'm WAY overdue on sharing my August reads post with all of you. And at the rate it is going I'm thinking that maybe a combined August/September post will be the way to go. Which caused me to realize that I've only finished 3 books so far this month. Three. So August may have been my best reading month of the year and September may be my worst. Nice. I've also been toying with starting to share a monthly post on the books that come in and out of my house. I don't usually do mailbox posts but I would like to keep track of how many books I bring home in a month and how many I end up getting rid of (and that wouldn't count library books...or maybe it would). I haven't decided yet. Would that be boring for all of you??? I still have at least 10 reviews that I need to write. Catching up on those isn't going well at all. And I always have a library loot post that I could share. Plus, I have SO many new books that I've added to my TBR list lately that I would like to do a wishlist post sometime soon. And I still haven't posted pictures of the 1st day of school for the oldest (even though that was a month ago). I'm just happy that they have been uploaded to my laptop :) Other posts that I've considering are related to my son and the books he reads. I have been considering sharing more about the books he reads, that we read together, and just posts that could help me come up with more ideas for books that he would enjoy reading. Because I can only get him excited about reading sometimes and would like to see that grow more. These aren't the only ideas that I've got rolling around in my head but you get the gist.

In other reading news while I may be having a crappy month of reading in September, I am reading. I just recently finished Long Gone by Alafair Burke. It was a solid thriller and (hopefully) I will share my thoughts about it soon. I'm still in the midst of rereading Storm Front by Jim Butcher which is most excellent. I think that I'm going to go ahead and keep rereading the series until I catch up to where I left off. And finally I've just begun Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent. I really have enjoyed her werecat series so I have high hopes for this book. Now if I could just carve out some solid reading time this week then I would be happy.

But instead of reading I plan on spending my Sunday catching up with all of you. And watching the Bears game of course!! There is a pot of chili in the crockpot and fresh chocolate chip cookies to munch on. Life is good! Happy Sunday to all of you :)

Storm Front - Week 1 Questions

2011-09-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

I'm in the midst of rereading Storm Front by Jim Butcher as part of a readalong for the R.I.P. VI Challenge hosted by Carl. I've read the first 3 or 4 books in this series (and enjoyed them all) but kind of stalled out on the series after that. I thought it would be fun to reread this one and then continue on with the series. Here are my thoughts on the questions for week one.

1. What are your first impressions of our main character, Harry Dresden?

Harry is one of those characters that you can't help but like. He is old school, gallant, and completely eccentric which makes me like him even more. One of the things that I noticed was that he wasn't completely sure of himself and even though he is a wizard, he has a healthy dose of fear for some of the individuals and things that go bump in the night. Harry isn't perfect, and I like him all the more for it.

2. In the first section of the book we are introduced to a large cast of characters. Some in support of our main character and others who are involved in the multiple investigations with agendas unknown to us. Are there any of the these characters who stood out to you?

Murphy stood out to me but of course that could be because I've read this book and a couple others before so I know what an important role she plays in the series. I was surprised at how much I had forgotten about this book but it was interesting to be "reintroduced" to some of the characters that play important parts in this series or are featured in other books. Bob, the talking skull, is my favorite character for sure though :)

3. Did you ever watch the Syfy channel's Dresden Files TV adaption? If so did it effect how you approached the novel? Were there positive and/or negative differences that stood out to you?

Nope, I didn't even realize that there was a TV adaption. I'll admit that I'm curious as to how it played out and wouldn't mind seeing an episode or two if they are still playing.

4. Any thoughts on Jim Butcher's magic system, Harry's Watcher, and/or the White Council?

You can already tell that Harry's relationship and role in regards to the White Council is both complicated and dangerous. I'm curious to see what the White Council is going to think about the different dealings that Harry is getting caught up in (and I honestly wish that I could remember exactly what happens.) As it is, I guess we will all find out as we read further into the book :)

5. Lastly, Any guess on were Dresden's multiple plot threads will lead and/or any favorite scenes the first section of the book?

I've got a vague idea as I have read this book before but because my memory is faulty and it has been a few years, I'm not exactly sure. I don't have any favorite scenes yet although the scene with Toot was fun to read about. I'm looking forward to continuing on with Harry's adventures!

Library Loot- RIP Challenge Edition

2011-09-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

Library Loot is hosted by Claire and Marg and asks us to share what we've recently picked up from the library.

I've been in the mood for creepy and dark, thrillers, and horror for months now. As soon as Carl posted about his challenge I went to my library website and started requesting books to fit with this challenge. This is my favorite challenge of the year and you can see why :) Look at all of those books! I'm super excited to read them all so let's share what I picked up recently. (And for the full extent of my library craziness check out my Library Thing widget in my sidebar)

Every single one of these is a perfect fit for the challenge. Now the question is how many of these can I read before RIP VI finishes up?? I haven't had a chance to check out the review blog yet and see what everyone else has been reading but you know I will. And more books will be added to my wishlist/holds list :) Books are addicting and this is my favorite time of the year!

Happy spooky reading!

BBAW- Readers

2011-09-15T04:13:00.000-07:00

Today's the 4th day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Man, this week is just flying by already! Today's topic is readers and says:

"Book bloggers blog because we love reading. Has book blogging changed the way you read? Have you discovered books you never would have apart from book blogging? How has book blogging affected your book acquisition habits? Have you made new connections with other readers because of book blogging? Choose any one of these topics and share your thoughts today!"

Dear blogging,

Let me count the ways that you've affected my reading starting off with my reading tastes. Prior to book blogging, I was a moody reader (still am) but stuck mainly to mysteries and books that I found browsing the library shelves. And then I found book blogging which opened me to new worlds of books. I found the paranormal and urban fantasy which I love (thanks to Jackie at Literary Escapism) and I began to branch out in other areas of my reading as well. Now I have a TBR list with hundreds of books on it and and it has no signs of getting any smaller. Thanks to blogging I can find a book to fit any mood that I'm in and that is something that just makes me happy. I've found readers and bloggers with both similar and different tastes than mine and I'm the richer for it. Blogging has changed everything for me when it comes to reading and the best part is that it has helped my love of books grow even more. I will never not have a book to read and you've gotta love that :)

I'm a bit late in the game and missed posting for the topic yesterday but I thought I would share just a bit since I still think that community is so important. I keep connected through commenting and feel that it is one of the most important things to build community in the blogging world. With so many blogs out there, it isn't possible to comment on every blog, every post, every day. I have a tendency to comment on my favorite blogs regularly and I always star those posts in my reader. But I also enjoy finding posts of books that I've already read. Nothing makes me happier than talking about books with someone who has already read the same book. And this allows for me to find new blogs while building community with the blogs that I already follow. So if you've ever read a book that I've read...send me the link. I would love to see what you thought and chat with you about it. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week and enjoying the community that we are building together!

P.S.- Felt like it has been awhile since I shared a cute pic of the little ones...I'm trying to enjoy this time when they get along with each other so well because someday I'm sure it will be different :)

BBAW- Community

2011-09-12T04:22:00.000-07:00

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is upon us and I'm excited to get the chance to participate again this year. I'm especially excited because the theme this year is of creating relationships and community between readers. I think that the relationships that bloggers can develop with one another is one of the absolute best things about blogging :) I'm looking forward to finding some new-to-me blogs this week and making new bloggy friends. The topic for today's post says:

"While the awards are a fun part of BBAW, they can never accurately represent the depth and breadth of diversity in the book blogging community. Today you are encouraged to highlight a couple of bloggers that have made book blogging a unique experience for you. They can be your mentors, a blogger that encouraged you to try a different kind of book, opened your eyes to a new issue, made you laugh when you needed it, or left the first comment you ever got on your blog. Stay positive and give back to the people who make the community work for you!"

There are so many AMAZING bloggers that I've met through my blog and events such as these. Unfortunately, I'm a wimp and just cannot single out certain blogs. Because for every blog that I might choose, there are 3 or 4 more that fit in as well. I'm lucky enough to have found multiple blogs that fit my varied reading tastes and moods that I read daily. Instead of singling out blogs, I'm going to thank each and every one of you that visit my blog. That takes the time to comment on my blog or respond back to one of the comments that I have left them. Thank you for listening to me, being patient with me when I needed breaks, and always coming back to visit me again. It is a joy to talk books with all of you and to have people that understand my love of reading. I hope that everyone gets a chance to build new relationships with bloggers this week. If your a lurker, talk to me this week. It may take me awhile to comment back but I always do :) Happy blogging and hope everyone has a wonderful time participating in BBAW!

In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare (thoughts)

2011-09-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"Chivalry is far from undead...

Matthew Halkett, Earl of Blodswell, is one of the few men in the ton who can claim to be a knight in shining armor- because that's precisely what he was before being turned into a vampyre. When he spies a damsel in distress in the midst of a storm in Hyde Park, his natural instinct is to rush to her aid...

But not every woman needs to be rescued...

Weather-controlling witch Rhiannon Sinclair isn't caught in a storm-she's the cause of it. She's mortified to have been caught making trouble by the imposing earl, but she doesn't need any man-never has, and is sure she never will...

But when Rhiannon encounters Matthew again, her powers go awry and his supernatural abilities run amok. Between the two of them, the ton is thrown into an uproar. There's never been a more tempestuous scandal.."

My Thoughts:

In the Heat of the Bite was an enjoyable read and I'm glad that I had the chance to pick it up. I didn't realize when I picked it up that it was the 2nd book in a trilogy and am happy to say that it never affected my enjoyment of the book. Rhiannon is a witch and part of a coven of other witches. She was a fun main character to read about as she had a lot of spunk to her even though she hasn't had the easiest life. The romance that develops between Rhiannon and Matthew was unique and amusing as they face many different obstacles throughout the book. This book made me smile at times when I was reading it as it was just one of those books that you couldn't help but like. The main characters were good, the plot was different than a lot of similar books out there, and it was just a solid read. The only problem that I had with it was Rhiannon's accent drove me a bit crazy at first. Now I'll admit right off the bat that this was a personal thing and didn't bother me by the end of the book. The beginning was a different story though until I got used to it. And while this wasn't my favorite read, I did find it to be a really good romance and a series that I want to read more of. I definitely will be picking up the first book in this trilogy to see how everything all started :) Recommended to fans of paranormal romance!

Bottom Line: A solid read with characters that I want to read more of.

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to be sent this book for review by the publisher.

Chime by Franny Billingsley (thoughts)

2011-09-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

Chime is Briony's story, a self-proclaimed witch with many hidden secrets. Briony has been taught many different things growing up as a pastor's daughter but the one thing that really has stuck with her is that witches are evil, and the reality in the swamp where she lives is that anyone found to be a witch is hung. This is where her story begins...

This book instantly swept me into its' pages from the first page. At the very beginning of the book, Briony tells us that she is a witch and that because she is a witch her anger causes her to hurt the ones that she loves. This is her secret that she carries with her and that plays a huge role in this book. Even though Briony shares her "horrible" secret with the reader, well...I couldn't help but like her. She was one of those characters that I instantly connected with and the relationship that she had with Eldric just felt real to me. Both the characters and the storyline were well developed in this novel. The author's writing had a magical quality to it that spoke of fairy tales while being both haunting and captivating at the same time. It was a book that I couldn't get enough of and found myself wrapped up in throughout. The ending was satisfying and unexpected which made the book all the better in my opinion. I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it!

Bottom Line: A wonderful read that swept me away in its' pages!

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book for review from the publisher. My thanks!

**In other news, I'm back and hopefully ready to catch up on reviews. So expect all reviews until I catch up except for when I share about my August reads. And maybe I'll post a review of my latest library finds for the RIP challenge (with more to come of course). Or I could post pictures from the first day of school like I've been meaning to for a week or two now. But I WILL catch up on reviews while I'm at it :) Sorry that I haven't been around visiting your blogs...I'll try to remedy that this week. Did I tell you that there is another readathon that I'm thinking about joining??? I'm kind of addicted to them now. Hope you are all having a wonderful week and I'll be by soon!

RIP VI Challenge

2011-08-31T12:24:00.000-07:00

It's baaaaack!!!! Silly me for forgetting that Carl's RIP Challenge was going to be starting soon. I know I promised you back to back reviews until I catch up (or the possibility of a blogging break) but this is something entirely different. This is exciting! I saw the first post this morning and was practically bouncing up and down before I had even finished my coffee. I LOVE this time of year and what it brings. Cooler days and nights, the leaves changing, and best of all... creepy reads! I would swear to you that I've been in the mood for these types of books for months and have been drawn to thrillers, mysteries, the gothic, and horror. I've got tons of books already checked out from the library that will fit in with this challenge and even more on hold.

I've decided to jump in with both feet and participate in Peril the First which requires the participant to read four books. This I can most definitely do. I'm also looking forward to participating in two of the three group reads that Carl will be hosting for this challenge. Storm Front by Jim Butcher will be a reread for me but it is one that I've been considering rereading for some time now. I'm a huge fan of this series even though I've only read the first 3 or 4 books. I will also be participating in the readalong for The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson. I've got this one on my shelves already and can't wait to read it! I've got tons upon tons of books that I want to read for this challenge but here are just a few of the possibilities that I'm considering:

And this is just the beginning. I have so many more possibilities that it kinda makes me giddy just thinking about it. Plus, as I go around and see what everyone else is reading...my TBR pile is going to grow by bounds! Yippee and hooray for fall!

(And now back to your regularly scheduled plan of catching up on book reviews...I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. Maybe...)

The Sixes by Kate White (thoughts)

2011-08-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

The Sixes tells the story of Phoebe Hall as she attempts to adjust to her new life as a small town college professor and the mystery that she finds herself wrapped up in. Because young college coeds are dying and the only hint that the authorities at the college have is of a "secret society" that has been rumored to have been the cause of lots of trouble in the past. Little is known of this secret society and Phoebe sets out to find proof that it exists while trying to keep her past behind her.

The Sixes is one of those books that you don't want to put down. The author creates a chilling atmosphere in a small town college campus where everything (and everyone) isn't what it seems. This creepy atmosphere was one of my favorite things about the story. There is a constant hint of danger throughout the book that kept me turning pages. The setting is in the fall/early winter and the descriptions of the weather tied into the story so nicely. It just all added up to maintain the sinister feeling that the author was creating. I loved the idea of a secret society that isn't really up to any good, and I felt that the author really did a good job of building on the hint of mystery that went along with "The Sixes". I kept wondering what they were going to do next and how they were involved with the deaths that had occurred. This novel was definitely a page turner and I just didn't want to put it down. The ending itself was a surprise that I didn't see coming. I was a bit disappointed though as I felt like the author did such a great job on the creepiness factor with The Sixes and then the ending was a bit of a letdown. Just not what I expected but I don't want to give away any spoilers so I'll leave it at that. All in all, a really solid read with atmosphere in spades. I've heard that this author has written other books and I'm anxious to check them out.

Bottom Line: A solid thriller that kept me on my toes throughout!

Disclosure: This was kindly sent to me for review by the publisher. Thanks so much!!

Sunday Randomness

2011-08-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

(Have I ever shared this one with you guys before??? Don't worry..it wasn't open :P )

It's late Sunday evening and I'm just now getting around to posting although I had plans (or maybe thoughts) of it this morning. Didn't happen. Hmm...I can't say that I'm surprised but it is what it is :) So lots of random thoughts for you on a Sunday night, let me begin:

First up, is my readathon wrap-up. I was semi-successful this week with the readathon as I was able to finish two books and begin a 3rd. Not as good as some participants I'm sure but I'm happy with the results. There is no possible way that I'll finish the book I'm currently reading before tomorrow so I thought that I would go ahead and share what I managed to read last week.

I'm currently in the midst of reading The Taker by Alma Katsu for a blog tour. I'm not too far into it yet but I've heard good things. I was able to finish both In The Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare and Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie. Both were good reads but Agatha Christie just rocks and she knocked my socks off once again! One day I will have read every single book that she has written. This readathon was a definite success for me and thanks to Amanda at On a Book Bender for hosting it!!

Unfortunately, my two successful weeks of reading have helped to create a HUGE backlog of book reviews. Seriously, I'm like 9 reviews behind which isn't even funny. So I was thinking about attempting to write a review every other day until I completely catch up. Wouldn't that be ideal??? Now what really is going to happen is you probably will find me MIA...life happens. And next week begins football practice every night for the oldest. Not to mention he just started back up to school (pictures to come) which means homework and all other fun school related things. Plus, I have two other young-ins who need just as much of my attention if not more. Craziness will ensue. I'm just hoping to keep the house clean and maybe possibly do laundry. Ha ha. Seriously though. I haven't a clue what the next couple of weeks will bring so don't be surprised if you don't see me around. I'll be visiting all of you whenever I can. And hanging on to the little bit of sanity I have left with both hands :)

The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie McGill (thoughts)

2011-08-24T04:15:00.000-07:00

The Butterfly Cabinet tells the eerie tale of two different women and one horrible event that ties them together forever. Maddie McGlade is a former nanny that is just now sharing her secrets from the past and telling her story to an old family friend. Alongside Maddie's memories is the prison journal of her former employer Harriet, who was sent to prison for the murder of her four year old daughter. Both stories intertwine to create a mesmerizing tale that is both dark and haunting.

Wow! The author of this book created atmosphere in spades that allowed me to be pulled deep into the novel. The Butterfly Cabinet is one of those books that you go into from the beginning knowing that the ending can't be good, that bad things may happen, but yet you still want to read it. And the author creates such a rich atmosphere that I felt like I was part of the book...like I was in the prison walls with Harriet and in the old castle with Maddie. I loved the way that the two stories that the women shared (one in memories and the other through her journal) complemented each other and allowed for what really happened to four year old Charlotte to come out at the end. This book wasn't a page turner in the normal sense, but instead I was content to just take my time and allow the author to draw me along with the story that she was telling. It ended up being a solid read for me that had me thinking about it days after it ended. The characters really stuck with me long after I closed the pages of this book. This is an author that I want to read more of and I would definitely recommend!

Bottom Line: A haunting tale that drew me into its' pages!

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book for review from the publisher as part of a blog tour for Free Press Blog Tours.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and a Readathon!!

2011-08-22T02:13:00.000-07:00

Hosted by Sheila at Book Journey who says:

"It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!"

I had a great week of reading this past week! I was able to finish two books and begin a third which is almost unheard of for me. Last week I finished reading the following books:

1. Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep- One of the best beginnings to an urban fantasy series that I've read in a long time. I couldn't put this one down.

2. The Sixes by Kate White- A creepy thriller that I enjoyed reading although the ending fell a bit short.

I'm now currently in the midst of reading In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare. I've heard good things about this author so I'm excited to read this book. In other book related news, I've decided to join in on another readathon. I'm notorious for not doing very well with readathons but I couldn't not participate. Especially since this readathon is about having too many books to read. It is hosted by On a Book Bender and is called the Bout of Books Readathon.

I'm hoping to finish two or three books this week which would be a MAJOR success for me. I'm going to begin with In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare and then who knows. I've been trying to alternate more between review copies and library books to allow for more flexibility in my reading and it really seems to be helping. Maybe with this readathon I'll hit an all-time high number of reads in August :) Or maybe I'll only finish one book but at least it will be fun to try. Wanna join in???

On My Wishlist (Radar) #9

2011-08-20T06:23:00.000-07:00

On My Wishlist is my way of sharing all of the books that I cannot wait to get my hands upon and read. These are a mixture of books that are about to be released along with some older titles that I really want to read as well. (All summaries are from Goodreads).

Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters

"In Victorian London, the Whitechapel section is a mechanized, steam-driven hell, cut off and ruled by two mysterious, mechanical gods-Mama Engine and Grandfather Clock. Some years have passed since the Great Uprising, when humans rose up to fight against the machines, but a few brave veterans of the Uprising have formed their own Resistance-and are gathering for another attack. For now they have a secret weapon that may finally free them-or kill them all.."

Look at that creepy cover! I can't wait to get my hands on this one!!

Black Swan Rising & The Watchtower by Lee Carroll

"When New York City jewelry designer Garet James stumbles into a strange antiques shop in her neighborhood, her life is about to be turned upside down. John Dee, the enigmatic shopkeeper, commissions her to open a vintage silver box for a generous sum of money. Oddly, the symbol of a swan on the box exactly matches the ring given to her by her deceased mother. Garet can’t believe her luck and this eerie coincidence until she opens the box and otherworldly things start happening. . .
That evening, the precious silver box is stolen. When Garet begins to investigate, she learns that she has been pulled into a prophecy that is hundreds of years old, and opening the box has unleashed an evil force onto the streets of Manhattan and the world at large. Gradually, Garet pieces together her true identity one that her deceased mother desperately tried to protect her from. Generations of women in Garet’s family, including her beloved mother, suffered and died at the hands of this prevailing evil. Does Garet possess the power to reclaim the box and defeat this devastating force?"

(Summary is for Black Swan Rising)

This is a series that I've wanted to begin for some time. And now the 2nd book is out so I need to get a move on. Love these covers!

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers

"The only person seventeen-year-old Jocelyn has ever been able to depend on is her brother Jack. That's why she's devastated by his unexpected death, until he contacts her! Determined to find out why Jack faked his death, Jocelyn starts following the clues he left. When this leads her back to Seale House and the eerie foster care world from five years ago, she has no choice but to seek help from Noah, Jack's long-time friend. Yet now Noah is far different from the boy she once secretly loved. After convincing him to help her, they set out to solve the riddle of Jack's disappearance."

Doesn't this sound creepy??? How am I possibly going to wait until next year to read it?

Envy by Gregg Olsen

"Crime lives--and dies--in the deceptively picture-perfect town of Port Gamble (aka “Empty Coffin”), Washington. Evil lurks and strange things happen--and 15-year-olds Hayley and Taylor Ryan secretly use their wits and their telepathic “twin-sense” to uncover the truth about the town's victims and culprits.

Envy, the series debut, involves the mysterious death of the twins' old friend, Katelyn. Was it murder? Suicide? An accident? Hayley and Taylor are determined to find out--and as they investigate, they stumble upon a dark truth that is far more disturbing than they ever could have imagined."

I found this one courtesy of Darlene at Peeking From the Pages and I instantly had to add it to my wishlist. Love, love, love the cover!

So here is the latest in the never-ending list of books that I want to read. I'm finding it hard to be patient when I see books that I really want to read that don't come out until 2012. LOL! I can hardly wait for books that come out next month. Patience....I have none. I'm off to spend the day cleaning and reorganizing the house. And maybe I'll get around to writing a review or two.

Innocent In Death by J.D. Robb (thoughts)

2011-08-17T16:48:00.001-07:00

Innocent in Death begins with the death of a teacher for no apparent reason. Eve is called in to investigate and instantly suspects murder. But Eve is thrown a curveball when Roarke's ex shows up unexpectedly and enters their life. Is there going to be trouble in paradise???

(Spoilers possibly ahead)

I love this series (which is old news)! What made this book great was the twist Robb put in this book with Roarke's ex popping up and trying to come into his life once again. We got to see another side of Eve as she tries to deal with this latest piece of Roarke's history. I could of kicked Roarke myself a few times throughout the book as he was being entirely too dense when it came to Eve's feelings. I felt like this really added to the storyline and I didn't want to put this book down. In fact, I was less concerned with the murder that Eve was investigating and more concerned about Eve and Roarke's relationship. The characters in these books really make them great and are the reason why this series is still going strong. I always highly recommend this series but you have to start at the beginning because seeing the characters develop along the way is what makes this series amazing!

Bottom Line: A must read series in my opinion!

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book from a friend who enjoys this series as much as I do.

Random Friday: July in Review

2011-08-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

(My quest for a picture with all 3 kiddos smiling at the camera and eyes open is still ongoing)

Nothing like a late post sharing my reading success (or lack thereof) in July. Somehow August is here and we are almost halfway thru and I'm just now writing this post. Time....where did it go?? I had a pretty average month in July as I finished five books. Not my best and certainly not my worst. I feel like I should be reading more but it just isn't happening. And it won't be getting any better as this month is filled with preparing for the oldest to go back to school and my daughter beginning preschool. How is this happening? I'm not sure that I'm ready but I know that she is. Here is what I read last month:

1. Vanished In the Night by Eileen Carr- A solid mystery that kept me guessing.

2. Demons Prefer Blondes by Sidney Ayers- A so-so paranormal romance that could have been better. We'll have to see what happens next as it is the beginning of a series.

3. Grave Witch by Kalayna Price- An amazing beginning to this series. I couldn't put it down!

4. Phoenix Rising by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris- Such a fun read that I absolutely loved!

5. Justice by Karen Robards- Romantic suspense that kept me turning the pages.

Looking over these books I enjoyed them for the most part other than Demons Prefer Blondes which ended up just being okay for me. These were all new to me authors and I'm looking forward to reading more by them. I still have a TON of books checked out from the library, sitting on my shelves, waiting for review, etc. I need August to be a great month of reading with all of these books but alas, it is only looking to be only about average right now. One of these days I'll catch up...

A Gentleman Never Tells by Amelia Grey (thoughts)

2011-08-10T04:47:00.000-07:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"A stolen kiss from a stranger...

As if from a dream, Lady Gabrielle walked from the mist and into Viscount Brentwood's arms. Within moments, he's embroiled in more scandal than he ever thought possible...

Can sink even a perfect gentleman...

Beautiful, clever, and courageous, Lady Gabrielle needs Brent's help to get out of a seriously bad situation. But the more she gets to know him, the worse she feels about ruining his life..."

My Thoughts:

This is what a romance should be! The two main characters absolutely made this book and were everything that they should be. Lady Gabrielle is spunky and doesn't bend to the will of the men in her life at every turn. Viscount Brentwood was the perfect gentleman with a hint of danger that lurked at the edges of his personality. The two of them together created such a great romance filled with romantic tension and desire. I loved reading about these two and couldn't wait to see their happy ending. The book itself was a fun read that didn't take itself too seriously. There were a few moments that had me laughing especially at (if you've read the book you'll understand) the golden orbs part. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the one even if it did win me a few weird looks in the break room. The ending of the book held my only complaint as it was a bit too easily wrapped up but I'll admit to not caring that much. All in all, this was a great read and this book was enjoyable enough that I would highly recommend it to fans of romance!

Bottom Line: A fun romance with characters that I couldn't get enough of!

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to be sent this book for review from the publisher.

Library Loot- Library Craziness

2011-08-08T15:27:00.000-07:00

Library Loot is hosted by Marg and Claire and asks us to share our latest finds at the library.

I have no words....I just can't seem to stop. Just look at all of those pretty covers though. I'm pretty sure that there should be a limit to my craziness when it comes to books but there isn't one. I just love browsing and finding books at the library. Here is what I've picked up in the last week:

(With a side note, that yes I do know that there are more books here that I usually even read in a month...LOL! Did it stop me from bringing these books home or wanting to bring even more? Nope.)

Gorgeous covers, aren't they?? I'm on a horror/dark fantasy/creepy, gothic books kick which should be explanation enough for most of these. I think that I'm already in the mood for fall weather and creepy reads that fit the season. But in August :) In fact, if you have any horror recommendations I am all ears. And seriously, one of these days I'm going to spit out a review or two. One of these days...

Summer Fun (and Why It Has Been Quiet Lately)

2011-08-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a bit quiet here on the blog recently and here is why:

Weekends spent up on the boat (heavenly!)

Swimming in the muddy Mississippi...actually it's a back lake but that is neither here or there :)

Sprinkler fun to keep cool with these hot temps...

The end of baseball season...which means football is right around the corner.

And lots and lots of time at the beach!

I couldn't ask for a better way to spend the summer! It is definitely cutting into my reading, blogging, and commenting time though but what can you do? Summer only lasts for so long and we have been trying to enjoy it while it lasts. Especially since I just registered the oldest for 3rd grade. *sob* I have no idea how this is possible...crazy how fast time goes. I'm off to get a little reading in but hopefully I'll post a new review later this week (cause even when I'm not reading as much I'm still behind in reviews). Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer as well!

Vanished In The Night by Eileen Carr (thoughts)

2011-07-28T04:17:00.000-07:00

From Goodreads:

"She doesn’t trust cops . . .

Veronica Osborne has had enough problems with the police, thanks to her volatile father. So when tall, strapping Sergeant Zach McKnight shows up at her door, she’s prepared for anything—except the news that her beloved missing brother, Max, has been dead for nearly twenty years . . . ever since he ran away.

. . . until she meets one who’d risk everything to protect her.

Appalled when the police suspect her father of Max’s murder, Veronica begins her own investigation. But as her surprising role in her brother’s disappearance surfaces, so do more bodies. The ghosts of Max’s past are working hard to hide the truth, while another, more sinister force will do anything to expose it. How far will a killer go to get revenge? And can Zach stop him before he targets the woman Zach’s coming to love?"

My Thoughts:

This was a book that I just didn't want to put down! From the very beginning, I was drawn into the story and into Veronica's life. This book was filled with suspense and was a fast-paced read. Veronica has lived a difficult life that isn't made any easier when the bones from her brother are found after he has been missing for over twenty years. She finds herself pulled into the investigation especially after the mysterious death of her father. I loved how the author wrote this book from multiple viewpoints. It kept me constantly turning the pages as I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The author's writing style almost reminded me a bit of Mary Higgins Clark who is an old favorite of mine. It was really good and the suspense was constant throughout. The romance between the two main characters was cute and added to the story but it really wasn't the focus of the book. The book was more a thriller than anything and I just couldn't get enough. My only complaint with the book was at times I had trouble keeping the characters straight especially at the beginning. Once I got further into the book though, I didn't have any problems and found myself immersed in the story. This is an author that I can't wait to read more of! Recommended to fans of romantic suspense as well as fans of mysteries and thrillers.

Bottom Line: A solid mystery that kept me reading nonstop!

Disclosure: I received this book as part of a book tour with Gallery & Pocket Books Romance Tour Group.

Really Random Tuesday - Readathon Fun

2011-07-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

My apologies for being so absent from the bloggy world lately! I haven't been my normal commenting self whatsoever and I have been HORRIBLE at responding to comments on my own blog. Bad Sam!!! But seriously, this week may be just as bad as I have a ton going on at work. Yuck! But on to the fun things for this week :)

I'm signing up to join in on a week long readathon. It is being hosted by The True Book Addict and all it requires is reading, reading, and reading all week long. I've been saying for awhile now that I need to just relax and read more and this is going to be my excuse to do just that. I've got tons of books from the library to choose from along with piles of review books and my own as well. And my goal is to get through a couple of them this week. So I may not be commenting or blogging that much this week but I will definitely be reading!

As for what I'm going to be reading, I'm going to start off with A Gentleman Never Tells by Amelia Grey. This is a review book that I have been wanting to read for awhile now. I just finished reading Vanished in the Night by Eileen Carr. It was a good read and I should be posting a review soon. Other than that, I'm not sure what I will read next but I'll definitely keep you updated. I'm off to begin some reading.....hope you all have a wonderful week!

Thanks to Suko who hosts Really Random Tuesday at her blog!

On My Wishlist (Radar) #8

2011-07-23T04:59:00.000-07:00

On My Wishlist is my way of sharing all of the books that I cannot wait to get my hands upon and read. These are a mixture of books that are about to be released along with some older titles that I really want to read as well. (All summaries are from Goodreads).

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver

"'What is it? What does it want? Why is it angry with me?' January 1937 Clouds of war are gathering over a fogbound London. Twenty-eight year old Jack is poor, lonely and desperate to change his life. So when he's offered the chance to be the wireless operator on an Arctic expedition, he jumps at it. Spirits are high as the ship leaves Norway: five men and eight huskies, crossing the Barents Sea by the light of the midnight sun. At last they reach the remote, uninhabited bay where they will camp for the next year. Gruhuken. But the Arctic summer is brief. As night returns to claim the land, Jack feels a creeping unease. One by one, his companions are forced to leave. He faces a stark choice. Stay or go. Soon he will see the last of the sun, as the polar night engulfs the camp in months of darkness. Soon he will reach the point of no return - when the sea will freeze, making escape impossible. And Gruhuken is not uninhabited. Jack is not alone. Something walks there in the dark."

A ghost story....need I say more??? I WANT!!!

Ward Against Death (Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer #1) by Melanie Card

"Twenty-year-old Ward de Ath expected this to be a simple job bring a nobleman s daughter back from the dead for fifteen minutes, let her family say good-bye, and launch his fledgling career as a necromancer. Goddess knows he can t be a surgeon the Quayestri already branded him a criminal for trying so bringing people back from the dead it is.

But when Ward wakes the beautiful Celia Carlyle, he gets more than he bargained for. Insistent that she s been murdered, Celia begs Ward to keep her alive and help her find justice. By the time she drags him out her bedroom window and into the sewers, Ward can t bring himself to break his damned physician s Oath and desert her.

However, nothing is as it seems including Celia. One second, she s treating Ward like sewage, the next she s kissing him. And for a nobleman s daughter, she sure has a lot of enemies. If he could just convince his heart to give up on the infuriating beauty, he might get out of this alive..."

Sound completely interesting and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Blood Rights by Kristen Painter

"The lacy gold mapped her entire body. A finely-wrought filigree of stars, vines, flowers, butterflies, ancient symbols and words ran from her feet, up her legs, over her narrow waist, spanned her chest and finished down her arms to the tips of her fingers.

Born into a life of secrets and service, Chrysabelle’s body bears the telltale marks of a comarré—a special race of humans bred to feed vampire nobility. When her patron is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect, which sends her running into the mortal world…and into the arms of Malkolm, an outcast vampire cursed to kill every being from whom he drinks.

Now Chrysabelle and Malkolm must work together to stop a plot to merge the mortal and supernatural worlds. If they fail, a chaos unlike anything anyone has ever seen will threaten to reign."

How gorgeous is this cover?!?! I wanted to read this book instantly before I even knew what it was about!

Hollow Pike by James Dawson

"When Lis London moves to Hollow Pike, she's looking forward to starting afresh in a new town, but when she sees the local forest she realizes that not everything here is new to her. She's seen the wood before - in a recurring nightmare where someone is trying to kill her! Lis tells herself there's nothing to her bad dreams, or to the legends of witchcraft and sinister rituals linked with Hollow Pike. She's settling in, making friends, and even falling in love - but then a girl is found murdered in the forest. Suddenly, Lis doesn't know who to trust anymore..."

Love the cover and the summary sounds quite creepy. I want!

That's all for me this week. What have you added to your wishlist lately?

Justice by Karen Robards (thoughts)

2011-07-21T04:22:00.000-07:00

Justice begins with a woman dying, two young runaways being the only witnesses, and an unexpected conclusion to a rape trial. Jess is a young, hard-working lawyer that is moving up in the ranks of the law firm where she works as she has just won a high profile case. But instead of celebrating Jess is trying to figure out why the prosecution's main witness recanted her story on the stand. With the help of her ex-boyfriend, Mark Ryan, Jess begins to investigate more into the case that she has just won. But then an attack is made on her life and it is time to figure out who is trying to kill her and why....could it be from the past that she is still trying to hide from??

This is what romantic suspense is supposed to be! From the very beginning, I was pulled into the story and the characters' lives. I liked that the two main characters, Jess and Mark, had a history with each other but each of them thought that their past relationship was completely over. It had me interested from the very beginning to see how everything would work out between them. The mystery aspect of the story was really good and helped to pull me into the book. I liked that the author was able to tie the storyline from Jess' past into the storyline with her current case. It really made me wonder who was out to kill her and kept me on my toes. The suspense kept me reading this book late into the night and I just didn't want to set it down. And I didn't see the ending coming from a mile away...I was totally surprised. All of this added up to a very enjoyable read for me and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. Recommended to fans of romantic suspense and romance in general.

Bottom Line: A fun read that kept me guessing the entire time!

Disclosure: This book was sent to me for review as part of a blog tour hosted by Gallery & Pocket Blog Tours. Thanks!

Tracking The Tempest by Nicole Peeler (thoughts)

2011-07-19T04:49:00.000-07:00

From Goodreads:

"Tracking the Tempest begins four months–and one eyebrow sacrificed to magical training–after the close of Tempest Rising. During that time, Jane’s been busy honing her supernatural powers and enjoying her newfound sense of confidence. Rockabill may not yet be heaven, but she’s realized it’s home. Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and Ryu - Jane's bloodsucking boyfriend - can't let a major holiday go by without getting all gratuitous. An overwhelming dose of boyfriend interference and a last-minute ticket to Boston later, and Jane's life is thrown off course.

But Ryu’s best laid plans inevitably create more upheaval than even he can anticipate, and Jane winds up embroiled in an investigation involving a spree of gruesome killings committed by a being of tremendous power . . .

. . . who, much to Jane’s surprise, happens to be another halfling."

My Thoughts:

So Jane is back and better than ever in my opinion. For those of you who haven't had a chance to read Tempest Rising then I would recommend that you start at the very beginning. Because this is a series that needs to be read in order as Tracking the Tempest begins basically right after Tempest Rising left off. (And for the record my review may have spoilers...you've been warned!) The story begins with Jane continuing her training with her new supernatural powers. Jane is one of those characters that you just have to love. She isn't quite confident with her new skills but she isn't afraid to give anything new a try either. She goes to visit her boyfriend Ryu and gets caught up within a new mystery relating to halflings and the evil Jarl. The storyline instantly had me hooked and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. I liked the way the author incorporated the idea of a "halfling" that had basically been raised in a lab as a test subject into the story. Very interesting and unique which really added to the book. I still found myself not really caring for Ryu (Jane's boyfriend) all that much so imagine my surprise when I read the ending of the book. I was both surprised and pleased and cannot wait to see what will happen in the next book. This book was a definite page turner and I found myself wanting more after I finished. What makes these books so good in my opinion is that they are both fun to read and slightly addictive. Highly recommended to fans of urban fantasy but like I said previously, start with Tempest Rising if you haven't had the chance to read it yet.

Bottom Line: A delightful read and a great series!

Disclosure: This was sent to me for review from the publisher quite awhile ago and unfortunately I'm just now sharing my thoughts. But the pleasure I got from reading this book was my own :)

P.S.- Here is a link to my thoughts on Tempest Rising. I'm thinking about bringing back my bottom line to my reviews considering I don't rate my reviews in any way. Thoughts on this anyone?? I'm also going to attempt and catch up a bit on reviews this week (still behind by 4) so be warned. And I've been mulling over some changes to my blog to freshen it up a bit. More on that later....happy reading!

Demons Prefer Blondes by Sidney Ayers (thoughts)

2011-07-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

Demons Prefer Blondes begins with Lucy Gregory opening an old chest and unleashing a box full of demons. Afterwards, she discovers that parts of her life have been hidden from her as she is half human and half succubus. Now it is up to Lucy and her friends to save the world while in the midst of all that she discovers love as well.

The premise of this book sounded unique and interesting which instantly made me want to read it. And while the storyline was interesting and fun, it ended up being just an okay read for me. Let's start off with what I liked first which were the characters. There were lots of characters in this story but one of my favorites was a secondary character named Kalli. The author portrayed her with a hint of mystery, her past is alluded to a couple of times, but what made me like her so much is that she wasn't your typical sidekick character. In fact, I wanted to read more just about her. The two main characters were likeable enough as well with Rafe's character being the most fleshed out. Lucy took finding out that she was a succubus amazingly well which didn't quite ring true to me. She had doubts at the beginning but then all of a sudden she was completely at ease with her new powers. The storyline wasn't amazingly original but what worked for it was the author's writing and the characters that added to it.

I did struggle with the book at times as it never really drew me in. I found it easy to set aside before picking it back up again. The page turning suspense was never really there for me which was a disappointment. I would have to like to have learned more about Lucy's new powers as a succubus as well. But overall while I didn't love this read, I did think that it was okay bordering on good. I would read more by this author especially if the next book she writes features Rafe's sister Coby as the ending left me with a few questions. Recommended but with some hesitations.

Disclosure: I was sent this book for review from the publisher.

Library Loot - Where Do I Begin?

2011-07-13T18:32:00.000-07:00

Library Loot is a weekly event hosted by Marg and Claire asking us to share the latest loot that we have picked up from the library.

Where do I begin when I have so many good books to read? I'm thinking that now would be a good time to join in on a readathon or maybe even have an unofficial one of my own. Because I have SOOO many good books that I want to read. Look at the latest beauties that I was able to pick up from my local library. Some of these were holds but the majority were random finds as I was browsing the shelves. It has been awhile since I had time to go to the library by myself and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

1. Heartless by Gail Carriger- How I love this series!!!! I was so excited to hear that it had finally come in at the library...now I need to buy a copy for my own shelves :)

2. Green-Eyed Envy by Kasey Mackenzie- I read and enjoyed Red Hot Fury by this author last year so I'm looking forward to reading this book. And check out that cover!

3. Sinners and Saints by Eileen Dreyer- A random find at the library that I'm super excited to read. I've been in the mood for a good mystery lately.

4. C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton- I *heart* this series and like I said before...I'm craving a good mystery!

5. Afterlight by Elle Jasper- A new to me series that I'm itching to begin.

6. The Drowning City by Amanda Downum- Haven't the slightest clue what this one is about but the cover has me intrigued.

All in all, a pretty great haul if I do say so myself :) I'm not sure how I'm going to find the time to read them all but you can be sure that I'll give it a good go. If I don't get completely caught up in the Harry Potter craze that is. I CANNOT wait for the final movie! A reread of this series is definitely going to be in my future. What have you picked up at the library lately??

Spotlight Review: Blameless by Gail Carriger (thoughts)

2011-07-09T04:21:00.000-07:00

Spotlight Reviews are my way of playing catch up. I read and didn't review a ton of of books from last year that I always wanted to share my thoughts on. These reviews will be short and sweet with just my basic thoughts and are my way of "catching up".

Summary from Goodreads (with possible spoilers):

"Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.

Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.

While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto."

My Thoughts:

I honestly just adore this series! Alexia is back and better than ever in Blameless. She is such a fun main character to read about. Alexia is witty, strong, and always surprising. I can never guess what she is going to say or do next which makes reading these books lots of fun. Without trying to give a lot away (considering this is the 3rd book in this series), I found the plot to be quite interesting and filled with suspense. After the second book finished, I honestly didn't know what to expect from this book but I wasn't disappointed. The storyline moved at a fast pace and before I knew it I was finished. Satisfied but impatient for the next book. What makes this book so good in my opinion is that the author constantly kept me turning the pages as I was invested in the characters. I love that the secondary characters in this series are just as interesting and well-developed as Alexia. It makes this series that much better in my opinion. All in all, this book is a must read for fans of steampunk and urban fantasy! But that being said you must start at the beginning with the first book to get the full flavor and experience. Trust me when I say that you will be hooked :) Highly recommended!

Disclosure- I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of this book from the publisher. Unfortunately, I am just now getting my review posted.

Here are links to my thoughts on the previous two books in this series Soulless and Changeless.

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens (thoughts)

2011-07-07T04:15:00.000-07:00

From the back of the book:

"Still Missing is that rare debut find. Chevy Stevens "pulls out all the stops" in this shocking, visceral, brutal, and beautifully crafted story of an abducted woman, her year held captive, and an escape that is just the beginning."

My Thoughts:

I decided to share that short and sweet summary for one reason only, and that is this is the type of book that you should go into reading knowing as little as possible. Let me tell you that not knowing what I was getting myself into made this reading experience all the more thrilling. This was a book that wouldn't let me go and kept me within its' depths until the very final page. I just could not put this book down. And when I did actually put it down, I found myself thinking about it and the main character Annie. I couldn't help but think about what I would do if I was in her position, how I would handle it, etc. This was just one novel that wouldn't let me go and I thought about it long after I put it down.

It is definitely a difficult read at times as some of the things that Annie experiences are just horrific. But the author keeps the reader turning the pages and guessing until the very end. I loved the viewpoint that the book was written in, and the writing style really kept my attention. I'm cutting myself short here as like I said before...this is a book to just read. I definitely don't want to give anything away. This is an author that I CANNOT wait to read more of and I'm super excited to pick up her next book. All in all, while this book isn't always an easy read, it is a captivating thriller that just wouldn't let me go. Highly recommended but with a warning that it isn't for the faint of heart.

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to receive my copy from the lovely Staci who blogs at Life in the Thumb. Thank you so much for sending this to me!!!!

Really Random Tuesday - June in Review

2011-07-05T04:32:00.000-07:00

Really Random Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Suko at Suko's Notebook.

Where in the heck did June go? Seriously, I want it back right now! As the month seemed to pass by in a blur...well so did my reading.My reading this month fell way back and I was only able to finish 5 books. Not horrible but certainly not my best reading month. My oldest just finished up baseball for the summer which may mean more down time. Or not as he made the all-star team and is super excited about it. So of course I'm excited too :P Here are the books that I was able to finish this month:

1. Chime by Franny Billingsley- A lovely YA fantasy that kept me entranced the entire time. I'm really looking forward to reviewing this one soon!

2. When You Dare by Lori Foster- A fun romantic suspense that kept my interest throughout.

3. Heart of the Highland Wolf by Terry Spear- A highland romance that ended up just being okay for me.

4. Innocent in Death by J.D. Robb- I just love this series and enjoyed this book. I've been missing this series!

5. Still Missing by Chevy Stevens- An unputdownable thriller that kept me on my toes the entire time.

So this was my reading month in June. I've got high hopes for July as there are a ton of books that I am wanting to read right now. I have a ridiculously high stack of books that I'm hoping to get through (I'll be honest and say that I would be happy to read half of them) which are a mixture of review copies, library books, and books from my shelves. But my main plan of action for the month of July is to just relax. I pre-scheduled some posts to help catch me up on reviews and I plan to just read. Because reading and blogging should never become stressful...it takes the fun right out of it :) So here is to a month of both relaxation and reading....join me??

On My Wishlist (Radar) #7

2011-07-02T04:16:00.000-07:00

On My Wishlist is my way of sharing all of the books that I cannot wait to get my hands upon and read. These are a mixture of books that are about to be released along with some older titles that I really want to read as well. I find that I am addicted to adding books to my to-read list on Goodreads. I can't seem to stop and I find that I have almost 500 books added on there right now :) If you aren't friends with me on Goodreads already, you should add me as a friend although I haven't the slightest clue how to tell you how to find me...oh well, on to the wishlist books!

All summaries are from Goodreads:

Into the Grey by Celine Kiernan

"A pacy, chilling ghost story from the creator of the internationally acclaimed Moorehawke Trilogy."

I love books with ghosts in them so I had to add this to the wishlist!

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

"The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities."

Oooh! This one sounds deliciously good. I can't wait to read it!

The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein

"An ages-old family secret breaches the boundaries between reality and magic in this fresh retelling of a classic fairy tale. When Berkeley student Will Taylor is introduced to the mysterious Feierabend sisters, he quickly falls for enigmatic Livvy, a chemistry major and accomplished chef. But Livvy’s family—vivacious actress Maddie, family historian Rose, and their mother, absent-minded Sylvia—are behaving strangely. The Feierabend women seem to believe that luck is their handmaiden, even though happiness does not necessarily follow. It is soon discovered that generations previous, the Feierabends made a contract with a powerful, otherworldly force, and it is up to Will and his best friend to unravel the riddle of this supernatural bargain in order to save Livvy from her predestined fate."

I have this one checked out from the library right now and I am chomping at the bit to read it! Love the cover!!

Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

"As a grave witch, Alex Craft can speak to the dead-she's even on good terms with Death himself. As a consultant for the police, she's seen a lot of dark magic, but nothing has prepared her for her latest case. When she's raising a "shade" involved in a high profile murder, it attacks her, and then someone makes an attempt on her life. Someone really doesn't want her to know what the dead have to say, and she'll have to work with mysterious homicide detective Falin Andrews to figure out why.."

This is a book that I have been wanting to read for some time now. And now the 2nd book in the series is being released and I haven't even read the first book.

I'm pretty sure that there IS such a thing as too many books as I cannot wait to read these! And there are so many other books that I really want to read as well! So many books, so little time...I must admit that I'm not the most patient person and want to read all of these now! What books have you added to your wishlist lately???

When You Dare by Lori Foster (thoughts)

2011-06-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

From Goodreads:

"Professional mercenary Dare Macintosh lives by one hard and fast rule: business should never be personal. If a cause appeals to him and the price is right, he'll take the mission he's offered. But then the lovely Molly Alexander asks him to help her track down the men who'd had her kidnapped—and for the first time, Dare's tempted to combine work with pleasure.

Fiercely independent, Molly vows to trust no one until she's uncovered the truth. Could the enemy be her powerful, estranged father? The ex-fiancé who still holds a grudge? Or the not-so-shy fan of her bestselling novels? As the danger heats up around them, the only anchor Molly has is Dare himself. But what she feels for him just might be the most frightening thing of all…"

My Thoughts:

What a fun read this was! A mystery and suspense mixed in with a hot romance was the perfect combination for me and I couldn't get enough of this book. The book starts off with a bang as Dare rescues Molly and gets caught up in all of her troubles. The beginning of the book was action packed and kept me on my toes while I was reading it. I just didn't want to put it down. I loved the chemistry that was building between Dare and Molly from the very beginning. I liked that they each tried to resist the feelings they had for one another but with little success. The romance that grew between them was HOT and I was constantly rooting for them. The mystery portion of the book was interesting and kept me constantly guessing while I tried to figure out who might have had Molly kidnapped. While I really enjoyed the book, I did find it a bit slow at times in the middle of the book. I'm not sure if I was expecting more action or what but that would be my only complaint with this novel. Although the end sure made up for it and once again had me turning pages as fast as I could. All in all, I found it to be a fun, fast-paced read that left me wanting more. I can't to read more by Lori Foster and I've heard that the 2nd book in this series is Trace's story. Recommended to fans of romance and romantic suspense!

Disclosure: This book was sent to me for review the publisher for review. And of course this is my honest opinion. Thanks!

Graveminder by Melissa Marr (thoughts)

2011-06-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

Graveminder is a dark, deliciously creepy tale that begins with a death in the small town of Claysville. As soon as Rebekkah hears of her grandmother Maylene's death, she realizes that she will need to return to the town where Maylene lived and died. But Claysville isn't your typical town and has many of its' own secrets; just like Maylene wasn't your typical grandmother and had secrets of her own. Before Rebekkah knows it she is caught up within the secrets of both the town and her grandmother and what results is something that she never could have imagined.

So let's just start off with saying that I loved this book! Seriously, I couldn't put this book down and stayed up way too late reading it. In fact, there was a huge storm going on one night while I was reading it (with possible tornado activity) and what do you think I was doing?? Reading...I could have cared less about the weather except it fit in with the atmosphere of the book so perfectly! With Graveminder, Marr has created a world where the dead walk and nothing is as it seems. I loved the creepy atmosphere that was present throughout this book. In the book, Rebekkah has to learn to tend the dead as she begins to fill in for her late grandmother. The world that Rebekkah begins to learn about and explore is more eerie than she can imagine and fits in perfectly with the atmosphere. This was just one of those books that I couldn't get enough of. Rebekkah was an interesting main character with lots of family and relationship issues that come into play throughout the story. One of those main relationship issues is with her ex-love interest Byron. Byron and Rebekkah find themselves intertwined with the secrets of the town and each other. And there lies my only complaint with this book...Byron and Rebekkah's relationship could be a bit much at times. But it honestly didn't affect my enjoyment of this book and this was a book that I couldn't get enough of!

All in all, I absolutely adored this book and can't recommend it enough! The author did an amazing job of creating a world where the dead live and secrets abound. The book was dark, creepy, intense, and suspenseful....a perfect mix that made this novel really stand out for me. Highly recommended!

Disclosure: I checked this one out from my local library....I'm going to need my own copy at some point though :)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (June 20, 2011)

2011-06-20T04:30:00.000-07:00

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Whew! This month is just flying by and I'm struggling to keep up with everything around the house and with life in general. Summer is here though and I'm loving this beautiful weather! Anyways, on to the bookishness :)

I'm currently reading Chime by Franny Billingsley which I just began reading. I've been looking forward to reading this one for awhile now after seeing some good reviews for it. I have high hopes and can't wait to find some quality reading time for it today. Last week I was only able to finish When You Dare by Lori Foster. This was my first book by Foster but it will definitely not be my last. It had a few slow points but for the most part was a really good read.

I'm not sure what is up next but I have a bunch of good choices waiting for me! I have a ton of reviews that I need to write (how did I get behind by 5 reviews??) and tons of books to read. I'm thinking about taking a week and just focusing on relaxing and reading. No worrying if I don't get the chance to comment like I like to, no Twitter which is a black hole for me, no Goodreads....just reading. I think that I'm going to enjoy it! Hope all of you have a wonderful Monday and rest of the week! And of course happy reading!

Heart of the Highland Wolf by Terry Spear (thoughts)

2011-06-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

From back of the book:

"It's a matter of pride....Modern day werewolf laird Ian MacNeill reluctantly allows a film production company to use his castle, but he knows his secretive clan has a big problem when a beautiful red werewolf female who insists she's working on the film keeps showing up in the wrong places...

And a matter of pleasure...Julia Wildthorn is not who she says she is-she's sneaking into Argent Castle to steal an ancient relic for her grandfather and to do research for her next werewolf romance novel. When she catches a glimpse of Ian, she realizes he's the perfect hero..."

My Thoughts:

A hunky highland werewolf, an old haunted castle filled with secret tunnels, and a romance writer with secrets of her own....this story had a great setup to it. Ian is the oldest of quadruplets and the leader of his werewolf pack. He has reluctantly allowed a movie production company to film at his castle in hopes to alleviate some of his money troubles. Enter Julia, a romance writer who writes about werewolves, and is a wolf herself. Julia has come to the castle pretending to part of the film crew but trouble follows her wherever she goes. She instantly catches the attention of Ian and the attraction between them instantly ignites. One of my favorite things about this book was the descriptions of Argent Castle. It had everything you would expect an old castle to have including trapdoors, hidden tunnels and passageways, and a ghost. It helped to create the perfect setting for this paranormal romance. I also liked the mystery aspect of the story as Julia is getting mysterious phone calls from someone that seems to know all of about her secret reasons for wanting to get in the castle. There were times that I couldn't put the book down as the author was great at creating a tense, suspenseful environment.

That being said though, I really struggled with the romance between the two characters. Or more accurately, I needed Julia to have more of a backbone to her. There were times when her strength of character showed through but unfortunately it was far and few between. I also struggled a bit with the switching of viewpoints between characters at times. There were a couple of times where I was thrown off balance and had to go back and reread a bit. Overall though while I didn't love this book, I did like it and I plan on reading more by this author. I'm sure that there will be romance lovers who can't get enough of this one so I would recommend it but with a few hesitations.

Disclosure: I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of this book for review from the lovely Danielle at Sourcebooks. My thanks!

And here is a link to my thoughts on Destiny of the Wolf by this author which I really enjoyed.

What I Spent My Weekend Doing...

2011-06-14T17:17:00.001-07:00

I spent my weekend playing on the beach...

Watching the kiddos swim....they are nuts as it was ice cold water :)

And spent quality time with the family. Couldn't ask for a better weekend and I'll be back with a review or two on Thursday.

Library Loot- Latest Craziness

2011-06-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

Library Loot is a great way to share all of the new books that you picked up at the library and is hosted by Marg and Clare.

"Latest Craziness" is right as I've been requesting books left and right lately. There are just SO many good books out there that I want to read. And with summertime upon us, I'm hoping to get the chance to sit outside and read once in awhile while the kiddos play. So I've been stocking up on books (that's my excuse anyways). Here is what I've recently picked up:

1. Rogue by Rachel Vincent
2. Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield
3. Hounded by Kevin Hearne
4. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
5. Ruined: A Novel by Paula Morris
6. Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Look at all of those pretty covers! I just want to eat them all up...LOL! Seriously though, I keep staring at them trying to figure out which book that I should read first. It's quite the struggle as I would hate to see any of these go unread back to the library. But then I look at this book and I can't help but grin:

Deadline by Mira Grant came in for me at the library this week and I seriously almost screamed I was so excited. I loved, loved, loved Feed and cannot wait to see what happens next with this trilogy. Happy days for me :)

The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen (thoughts)

2011-06-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

Summary from Goodreads:

"Twelve years after fleeing their burning chateau, Julien Harcourt, Duc de Valère, searches for his lost twin brothers. His frequent travels between England and France at a time when the exiled Napoleon is reported to be marshalling his troops raises the suspicions of English authorities who set secret operative Sarah Smith on his trail. A risky game of cat and mouse leads the two from the ballrooms of London to the prisons of Paris and into a fragile love that neither dares to hope for."

My Thoughts:

The Making of a Duchess was a great way to spend a few days as it was filled with romance, intrigue, and passion. The story begins with the main character Sarah, a governess, being coerced into becoming a spy and pretending to be a long lost duchess from France. As Sarah meets Julien, her "future husband to be", passion instantly begins to ignite between the two of them. What I liked about this book is the hidden secrets between the two main characters. Neither of them are being honest with each other at the beginning of the book which is a recipe for disaster. Especially as they are almost instantly attracted to one another....the passion in this book was HOT! The romance between these two built slowly and came across realistically. I really enjoyed it and wanted to see them get their happy ever after. I liked the way that the author shared Julien's past from when he was a child and how it tied into the rest of the book. It was the set-up for a really great storyline in my opinion and I can't wait to read more. The book was a really fast read and I couldn't set it down.

All in all, I found this book to be an enjoyable read and a solid romance. I'm looking forward to reading more with these characters as this is the beginning of a trilogy. And I've found myself a new romance author to watch. Recommended to romance lovers!

Disclosure: Checked out from my local library :)

Random Friday - May in Review

2011-06-03T04:02:00.000-07:00

I'm off for a mini-vacation with the familia this weekend. Waterpark, games, hotel rooms, craziness, I have it all coming and then some :) I'm looking forward to the getaway although I always seem to need a vacation from my vacation. LOL! And the kids are so excited that they are about to burst. May was a great reading month for me as I was able to finish seven books. Last month I finished:

Green-Eyed Demon by Jaye Wells: A great addition to this series as Sabina battles her Grandmother and searches for her sister.
The White Devil by Justin Evans: Quite a creepy ghost story set in a boarding school. How can you ask for more?
Dark Descendant by Jenna Black: Fast-paced urban fantasy and great beginning to a new series!
The Making of a Duchess by Shana Galen: A romance filled with intrigue...a fun read.
The Tender Mercy of Roses by Anna Michaels: A quiet mystery that focuses on hidden secrets.
Graveminder by Melissa Marr: Creepy novel that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Tracking the Tempest by Nicole Peeler: A fun visit back into Jane's world as she is sucked into a new mystery.

Wow! May was quite the reading month for me as I ended up enjoying all of the books that I read. Let's hope I can keep this kind of reading mojo up for June :) Favorite book of the month is a tie between Graveminder and Green-Eyed Demon but The White Devil sure came close. Links to the reviews for some of these books can be found under my 2011 reads list. I've fallen a bit behind in reviews. I still need to review the following books:

But that is all for a later date....I'll see you guys next week!

P.S.- The top picture is of my youngest...I love his hair in this one. It never stays down for me :)

Spotlight Review: Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler (thoughts)

2011-06-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

Spotlight Reviews are my way of playing catch up. I read and didn't review a ton of of books from last year that I always wanted to share my thoughts on. These reviews will be short and sweet with just my basic thoughts and are my way of "catching up".

From Goodreads:

"Living in small town Rockabill, Maine, Jane True always knew she didn't quite fit in with so-called normal society. During her nightly, clandestine swim in the freezing winter ocean, a grisly find leads Jane to startling revelations about her heritage: she is only half-human.

Now, Jane must enter a world filled with supernatural creatures alternatively terrifying, beautiful, and deadly- all of which perfectly describe her new "friend," Ryu, a gorgeous and powerful vampire.

It is a world where nothing can be taken for granted: a dog can heal with a lick; spirits bag your groceries; and whatever you do, never-ever rub the genie's lamp."

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this beginning to a new urban fantasy series. Jane is such a great main character and she really made this book that much better in my opinion. She is a little unsure of herself and inexperienced but always up for a challenge. And what a challenge it is as she is drawn into the middle of a deadly mystery where her heritage (she is considered to be a halfing meaning half human and half supernatural) plays a huge role in those that are dying. This book was a fun read filled with humerous moments. My only problem with the book was the instant dislike to Jane's new boyfriend Ryu that I developed. I just don't care for him and had problems figuring out why Jane is so enamored with him. The mystery aspect of the story was really good and I was constantly turning the pages to see what would happen next. Overall, I thought that this book was a wonderful beginning to a new series and I was instantly ready to rejoin Jane's world in the next book. Recommended!

Disclosure: I read this book last year but I'm 98% positive that I checked that out from the library. It was a good choice!

Green-Eyed Demon by Jaye Wells (thoughts)

2011-05-30T04:37:00.000-07:00

Warning: Spoilers may abound as this is the 3rd in the series!

Brief summary from Goodreads:

"The clock is ticking for Sabina Kane. She has to save her sister from her mysterious captors. And in order to do that, she has to broker a deal between the mages and the vampires before all hell breaks loose.

But as much as Sabina is focused on surviving the present, the past won’t be ignored. Before she can save those she cares about, she’s got to save herself from the ghosts of her past. Because the past is haunting her. Literally."

Likes?

I feel like it is cheating if I say everything but that is literally the truth. I loved this book, thought it was just as good as the first two (if not better), and couldn't put it down until I turned the last page. What more could you want from a book? I loved that we saw Sabina and Adam's relationship develop more in this novel, and I can't wait to see what will happen in future books between them. The story was filled with suspense as Sabina is constantly hunting down leads attempting to find where her sister is being hidden. I also liked that we are beginning to see more of Sabina's magical abilities and I'm hoping that we continue to see her grow in future stories. I loved the new characters that were introduced especially the drag queen appropriately named "Pussy Willow". Even with the new characters, Sabina was as kick-ass as ever while also having a little vulnerability to her. Her character is one of the reasons why this series is so great. Plus, Giguhl of course :) This is a book that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend! And if you haven't given Sabina a try already then you really should.

Dislikes?

My only dislike is that I have to wait so long for Silver-Tongued Devil to come out. I really don't think that I can wait.

Final Thoughts:

Enough with the gushing already...if you can't tell, I loved this book and I love this series! Jaye Wells is one of those authors that I would read ANYTHING that she has written (or is going to write). This series is just that good in my opinion. I thought that this book was a great addition to this series and I can't wait to see what kind of trouble Sabina finds herself in next.

Disclosure: I checked this book out from my local library but it is going on my buy list! I'm thinking a reread will be in order of this series soon :)

P.S.- Here is a link to my thoughts on Red-Headed Stepchild and The Mage in Black if you are interested. I would definitely recommend beginning with the 1st book in this series!

On My Wishlist (Radar) #6

2011-05-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

With all of the excitement of BEA and Armchair BEA this week, I was thinking about how many of my reads have been published in 2011. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE new releases (especially for books that I feel like I have been waiting forever for) but what about all of those other books that I want to read? So I thought I would give a little love to all of those books on my wishlist that were published earlier than 2011.

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

"October "Toby" Daye, a changeling who is half human and half fae, has been an outsider from birth. After getting burned by both sides of her heritage, Toby has denied the Faerie world, retreating to a "normal" life. Unfortunately for her, the Faerie world has other ideas...

The murder of Countess Evening Winterrose pulls Toby back into the fae world. Unable to resist Evening's dying curse, which binds her to investigate, Toby must resume her former position as knight errant and renew old alliances. As she steps back into fae society, dealing with a cast of characters not entirely good or evil, she realizes that more than her own life will be forfeited if she cannot find Evening's killer."

Every since I learned that Seanan McGuire and Mira Grant were one and the same I've wanted to read this! Feed was so freakin awesome that I have no doubts that this urban fantasy series will be made up of the same awesomeness :)

Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

(Summary for Ink Exchange)

"To 17-year-old Leslie, the tattoo is a thing of indescribable beauty, a captivating mark that she must make her own. But this subtle web of eyes and wings brings with it a transformation that no sweet young girl would ever imagine or welcome. Like its predecessor, this stand-alone sequel to Wicked Lovely plunges its youthful heroine into a faery world of almost constant peril. A tantalizing urban fantasy that won't let go."

I've read Wicked Lovely before but it was a few years ago...and after reading Graveminder by Marr and loving it, I'm looking forward to going back to her YA series. I'm thinking a reread of Wicked Lovely is in order before moving on. I can't wait!

What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris

"In London, 1811, a young woman is brutally raped and murdered, her body left on the altar steps of an ancient church. The prime suspect: Sebastian St. Cyr, a brilliant young nobleman still haunted by his experiences in the Napoleonic Wars. Now he is running for his life, desperate to catch the killer and prove his innocence. Moving from Mayfair's glittering ballrooms to St. Giles's fetid back alleys, Sebastian is assisted by a band of unlikely allies and pursued by a Machiavellian powerbroker with ties to the Prince Regent himself. "

As soon as I saw this cover I knew that I wanted to read this one. It is the beginning of a new to me mystery series and I can't wait to begin reading it!

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

"After climate change, on the north shore of Unlake Superior, a dystopian world is divided between those who live inside the wall, and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone, who live outside. It’s Gaia’s job to “advance” a quota of infants from poverty into the walled Enclave, until the night one agonized mother objects, and Gaia’s parents are arrested.
Badly scarred since childhood, Gaia is a strong, resourceful loner who begins to question her society. As Gaia’s efforts to save her parents take her within the wall, she herself is arrested and imprisoned.
Fraught with difficult moral choices and rich with intricate layers of codes, Birthmarked explores a colorful, cruel, eerily familiar world where one girl can make all the difference, and a real hero makes her own moral code."

I've been wanting to read this one for some time now. I've heard that the 2nd book is coming out soon so I'd better get moving and read this one. Love the cover of it as well!

So here are some older books that I really want to read as well. I could have added a couple of hundred other books but that will be a post for another day :) Any older books that you have on your wishlist???? Or do you read new releases only?

The Tender Mercy of Roses by Anna Michaels (thoughts)

2011-05-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

From Goodreads:

"While the body of rodeo star Pony Jones lies motionless in the northern Alabama woods, her spirit is on a mission to find her killer. Invisible to the eye but not to the sixth sense, the only thing Pony can do is guide the living to the truth.

Her grief-stricken father, Titus, wants nothing more than retribution for his daughter's death, so when former police detective Jo Beth Dawson comes to town, something compels him to seek out her help.

But when Jo Beth and Titus team up to track down Pony's murderer, it turns loose a whirlwind of intense emotion and unexpected encounters. As they uncover more and more clues leading them to the killer, dark family secrets are revealed and the two must search their souls for redemption."

My Thoughts:

The Tender Mercy of Roses was a quiet novel driven by the main characters and the secrets that have shaped their lives. The story is shaped by Jo Beth, a former detective turned self-destructive alcoholic, with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Jo Beth is one of those characters that I couldn't help but feel for from the very beginning. Both her past and her downfall are given to us in pieces throughout the story. This helped to add layers to the story as Jo Beth is pulled into the investigation of Pony's death. My favorite part of this book was hands down the characters in the story. I felt they were well developed, realistically portrayed, and just were plain interesting. I wanted to read about their stories, figure out the secrets that they were possibly hiding, and see how it all tied into the mystery of Pony's death. The mystery was part of the story but it wasn't the main focus. Instead, the focus of the story was the past and how hidden secrets affected all of the character's lives. It was Pony's story, her father Titus' story, and of course it was Jo Beth's story as well. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. The writing was gorgeous at times and I found myself just going along for the ride that the author was leading me. This wasn't a fast-paced novel by any means but instead a novel that was meant to be savored and enjoyed. I really liked the atmosphere created within the book. The author was able to create a haunting atmosphere where nothing is what it seems and the most important thing was staying true to oneself. I found the ending to be very satisfying and I was sad to see it end. All in all, this is a book that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend especially to those who enjoy literary fiction. Recommended!

Disclosure: I was sent this book to review from the publisher as part of a Gallery Books Blog Tour. My thanks for the chance to share my honest thoughts!

Booked On a Feeling

Now You See Me by S.J. Bolton (thoughts)

Library Loot - Overwhelmed

The Sunday Salon - Mini Reviews (thoughts)

Real Murders by Charlaine Harris (thoughts)

A Demon Does it Better by Linda Wisdom (thoughts)

On My Wishlist (Radar) #12

January in Review 2012

Frost Moon by Anthony Francis (thoughts)

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier (thoughts)

Library Loot - Awards Edition

The Pleasure of Your Kiss by Teresa Medeiros (thoughts)

Birthday Boy!

The Sunday Salon - Book Group Reads

Under The Moon by Natalie J. Damschroder (thoughts)

The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (thoughts)

On My Wishlist (Radar) #11

2012 Goals and Challenges

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent (thoughts)

Top 10 Reads of 2011

The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts (thoughts)

Wordless Wednesday - Let It Snow

Creation In Death by J.D. Robb (thoughts)

Embrace the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney (thoughts)

Library Loot - Last of 2011

Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie (thoughts)

October and November in Review

Lethal by Sandra Brown (thoughts)

Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep (thoughts)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Thankfully Reading

C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton (thoughts)

Library Loot - My Latest Finds

The Twin's Daughter by Lauren Baratz-Logsted (thoughts)

Halloween Fun (in November)

Long Gone by Alafair Burke (thoughts)

What I've Been Doing Instead of Blogging...

Grave Witch by Kalayna Price (thoughts)

Happy Birthday!

On My Wishlist (Radar) #10

Flawless by Carrie Lofty (thoughts)

August and September Reads

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson (thoughts)

Readathons, Reviews, and Readalongs

Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences) by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris (thoughts)

Storm Front - Week 2 Questions

Sunday Randomness

Storm Front - Week 1 Questions

Library Loot- RIP Challenge Edition

BBAW- Readers

BBAW- Community

In the Heat of the Bite by Lydia Dare (thoughts)

Chime by Franny Billingsley (thoughts)

RIP VI Challenge

The Sixes by Kate White (thoughts)

Sunday Randomness

The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie McGill (thoughts)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and a Readathon!!

On My Wishlist (Radar) #9

Innocent In Death by J.D. Robb (thoughts)

Random Friday: July in Review

A Gentleman Never Tells by Amelia Grey (thoughts)

Library Loot- Library Craziness

Summer Fun (and Why It Has Been Quiet Lately)

Vanished In The Night by Eileen Carr (thoughts)

Really Random Tuesday - Readathon Fun

On My Wishlist (Radar) #8

Justice by Karen Robards (thoughts)

Tracking The Tempest by Nicole Peeler (thoughts)

Demons Prefer Blondes by Sidney Ayers (thoughts)

Library Loot - Where Do I Begin?

Spotlight Review: Blameless by Gail Carriger (thoughts)

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens (thoughts)

Really Random Tuesday - June in Review

On My Wishlist (Radar) #7

When You Dare by Lori Foster (thoughts)

Graveminder by Melissa Marr (thoughts)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (June 20, 2011)

Heart of the Highland Wolf by Terry Spear (thoughts)

What I Spent My Weekend Doing...

Library Loot- Latest Craziness