True Believer by Nicholas Sparks

True Believer is about Jeremy Marsh, a journalist, who is on the brink of making it big. He writes stories that "debunk" the supernatural which is his reason to traveling to Boone Creek, North Carolina. In this quiet, small town there are mysterious lights that show up at an old cemetery only on foggy nights. There is talk that these lights are caused by ghosts but Jeremy is there to find the scientific explanation. Along the way he meets Lexie, the town librarian, and falls for her. But how can anything work out between the two of them when Jeremy is a big city guy that lives in New York and Lexie is just a small town girl with no intentions of moving away?
I read this as an alternate for the TBR challenge. I like Nicholas Sparks (he wrote The Notebook which is one of my ALL-TIME favorites!) but this one was just okay for me. I guess I was expecting more out of this book than what I got. Not that this was a bad book mind you just it was kinda....hmmm...now what am I trying to say here? Suffice it to say that I know he has written better. Oh well. They can't all be as AMAZING as The Notebook. :)
Challenges: TBR Challenge (alternate), A-Z Challenge ("T" title)
My Rating: 3 out of 5

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

I'm in love with these books! For the second book, Harry is back at Hogwarts and facing a mysterious creature that is "petrifying" students. We get to meet more of the Weasley family which is lots of fun in my opinion. Plus, we see more of some old favorites like Hagrid and Dumbledore. And btw, I didn't see the end coming!!

So I am really enjoying this series. It was the perfect read after finishing a book that was about a more difficult subject. It allowed for me to get pulled into Harry's world, filled with magic, wonder, and intrigue. I just was sucked in! I worried about Harry and his friends and when the journey was over was a little disappointed because it was all done. Seeing as the rest of the books look like big chunksters I don't think that it will be a problem with being done with the books too soon! To everyone that hasn't yet read this series, I restate an earlier opinion, "READ THESE!" They have definitely been worthwile so far.

Challenges: On The Porch Swing Challenge (Name title)

My Rating: 5 out of 5

In other news: Boy am I ready for spring! Every time I turn on the news there is a winter storm warning on the screen. My son has bronchitisis, I've gotten strep, and my daughter got pink eye. Could it be more crazy? :) The worst part was getting a huge q-tip shoved down my throat! Can I just say that you would think that they could have figured out a less painful (here's my wimpy side with being sick coming out) method of testing for this. The nurse practically had to coax me to stick my tongue out..LOL!! Ah well, what can you do???

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Wow! Can I just leave it at that? This was such an amazing book but at the same time it was such a difficult subject to read about. I found myself reading this book in smaller doses...which wasn't all that bad in my opinion. I've been hearing mixed reviews about this book and I can understand why. (Can you tell that I just finished this book..my thoughts are all jumbled)

First, a brief synopsis of the story: Peter, a young high school student, goes on a shooting spree and kills ten students along with injuring numerous others. This is the story of what led up to the shooting as well as the aftermath that follows. Picoult takes on the toughest subjects and writes, doesn't she?

In my humble opinion, she did an amazing job! This was a difficult book to read BECAUSE I'm a parent. The idea of a school shooting terrifies me. The thought of either of my kids being bullied..something I don't want to consider. Which are two reasons why other readers might not have enjoyed this book as much as I did. (speculating here :P) Add to the fact that Picoult makes the reader see BOTH sides of the story even when you don't want to..well...personally I think this is the mark of a great book and a great author. I definitely recommend this one!!

Challenges: Numbers Challenge, A-Z Challenge ("N" Title)

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Sidenote: I loved seeing Jordan and Selena back from Salem Falls (another good book by this author)

Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts

This is book one of the Circle Trilogy and it was pretty good. I always enjoy Nora Roberts when she writes trilogies with my favorite being the Key trilogy. Morrigan's Cross was a solid first book and I am excited to continue on with these characters and their stories. In this first story, a group of six is brought together to train and prepare for a battle against an evil vampire named Lilith. Lilith is planning on destroying all of humanity and they have to stop her or worlds will cease to exist. Toss into the mix some time travel, romance, shape-shifter, humor, and vampires and you come out with a pretty decent book. It isn't my favorite of her books though. (I felt like I should add that as a side note) :)
I am sufficiently intrigued enough to pick up the next book as soon as I go to the library again. I want to find out what happens!! Plus, sometimes I just love a nice easy read! All in all, it turned out to be a pretty good book.
Challenges: 1st in a Series challenge, A-Z Challenge ("M" Title)
My Rating: 4 out of 5

Last Known Victim by Erica Spindler

This is Spindler's latest thriller that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I just love a good mystery and this was a good mystery!! Set in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, this story revolves around a killer known as the "handyman" because he takes his victim's right hands. Captain Patty O'Shay discovers links that suggest that the handyman also killed her husband who was previously thought to have been killed by looters during the hurricane. Can she catch the killer before he strikes again?

Wow! I didn't figure this one out until the very end and I was guessing at the killer's identity left and right...lots of twists and turns. Every time I thought that I had it figured out the author showed me how wrong I was. I definitely recommend this book and this author, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

Challenges: Casual Reading Challenge, A-Z Challenge ("L" Title)

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5