Why You Shouldn't Read Two Thrillers at Once...

Because at some point you get to a really good part in both books....and then it is hard to tell WHICH book you should actually be reading RIGHT THIS SECOND.  I'm pretty sure that if I could I would be reading them both.  As I can't I'm just going to have to close my eyes and pick one (yeah I'm indecisive like that).  Thank goodness it is Friday and the weekend is finally here.  Maybe I'll have time to finish them both :)  TGIF!!!

Happy Birthday Bubby!!!

I can't even fathom how ten years have gone by when it feels like only yesterday.  It brings tears to my eyes when I  remember you toddling around clinging to my legs....I blinked and you turned 10.  Time moves so fast and you just keep growing.  I would like it to slow down just a bit please!  You are an amazing boy and I couldn't ask for a better kid.   Happy Birthday Bubby!  I'll love you always (and you'll always be my baby boy).

Once Upon A Time VII Challenge

It may not feel like spring (when it has been snowing all day long) but spring is definitely here when Carl's Once Upon a Time Challenge comes around!  Are you guys as excited as I am???  You should be!  Carl's challenges are always fun to participate in and a VERY easy way to add to the TBR list :)  I know that I always end up adding a bunch of books that I want to read after seeing everyone's lists and reviews.  He even makes it easy on you because it isn't really a challenge per say AND you can read as much or as little as you want.  Easy, peasy.  I'm signing up for the journey which only requires one read.  I plan on reading more but thought I would keep it simple and see what happens.

Nothing is better then coming up with a pool of books to choose from.  Never mind that half of the time I end up going in the opposite direction.  Or forget completely about my original list of books.  The fun is in browsing the TBR and coming up with possibilities.  Possibilities....I like that!  Here are just a few of the books that I'm considering for this challenge:

 

Lots of possibilities here and a good mix of books that I already have on my shelves and some that I will need to grab from the library.  It has been such a long time since I read the 1st book in the Jasper Fforde series that I might just reread the first book instead.  Howl's Moving Castle is waiting patiently on my e-reader just waiting for me to try it.  And this challenge wouldn't be complete without a little Harry Dresden!  Hooray for Spring and the Once Upon a Time Challenge!!!

The Black Dudley Murder by Margery Allingham (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Murder turns a weekend house party at Black Dudley Manor into a deadly affair when the host is discovered brutally slain. Nor do gruesome rituals, callous interrogations, and perilous traps add to the fun. Fatal mystification might win the day, if Albert Campion were not there to sift through the motives and clues as with brilliant detection and his signature charm he penetrates the heart of the crime."

My Thoughts:

 This book was an absolute delight to read!!  Reminiscent at times of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, this book was just as good but slightly less deadly.  It had the same tense, creepy atmosphere that kept me wondering what was going to happen next.  For such a little book, this one certainly packed a punch!  The setting of the house, the atmosphere that the author created, and the overall mystery added up in a way that was both dark and thrilling.  And I loved every minute of it!

I found this book to be a page turner the entire time I was reading it.  It was a bit unrealistic at times but that just didn't matter because I was so caught up in the entire reading experience.  I loved the idea of a secluded house party where a murder has taken place, everyone is a suspect, and you never know what is going to happen next.  It was the perfect read for me and I couldn't get enough.  I'm going to get a bit spoiler-ey  here but my only question was in regards to Albert Campion.  I don't understand why we didn't get to know him more as a character as it seems this mystery series is based on him.  This book was narrated by a different character who played more of a prominent role in the book.  And as a reader I never really got a true feel for Albert's character and his motivations.  Maybe in the next book of the series???  Anyone read any books by this author and want to chime in?  It wasn't a bad thing but it did leave me wondering. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!  The author did an amazing job in regards to the setting and atmosphere.  It was so creepy at times!  I can only hope that the other books in this series are just as good!  I will definitely be reading more by this Allingham.  I wouldn't be surprised if this book ends up on my top reads of the year list...it was just that good!  Highly recommended but especially to fans of vintage mysteries!

Bottom Line:  A thrilling, engaging read that I didn't want to set down!

Disclosure:  Checked out from my local library!  I read this as part of the Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge.

 

The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Antiques-shop clerk Maggie O'Neill was a little weirded out when she discovered her new boss Felicity was a witch. But when Felicity becomes the suspect in a local murder, Maggie must enlist Felicity's wiccan friends for help--and discover her own spellbinding talent."

My Thoughts:

The Trouble With Magic is the beginning to a cozy mystery series that I had wanted to begin for some time.  I'm so glad that I finally found the time to read it because it was quite an enjoyable read.  I love a good cozy mystery and I really don't think that I read enough of them.  This book made me wonder why because I just didn't want to set it down and it was such a pleasure to read.  

There was something about this book that just instantly drew me in.  This is the type of book that makes you want to curl up in a chair with a blanket and just read.  And that is exactly what I did at times.  There isn't a ton of action in a book like this but there doesn't need to be.  I just went along for the ride as Maggie works to discover who could really be behind the murder of Felicity's sister.  It was fun to see her try to figure out the mystery while also trying to deal with the paranormal elements that came along with working in Felicity's shop.  Maggie is a sceptic when it comes to believing that her boss is a witch but it isn't long before she starts to question her beliefs in the paranormal.  For me the paranoramal element to this book really worked!  I liked that Maggie was a non-believer and had to really adjust to the idea of working for a witch.  I'm eager to see what future books in this series will bring in regards to Maggie learning more about Felicity and her "witchy powers".  Heck, I'm just looking forward to reading more books in this series because I really enjoyed this one.  The mystery was well done, the ending was nice and suspenseful, and even though I guessed the murderer it didn't detract from my reading experience.  And I really appreciated that!  

All in all, I found this to be a pretty good read and I'm glad that I finally began this series.  Now I just need to find the time to read the second book!  If you are a fan of cozy mysteries (and especially those with a paranormal bent) then I would definitely tell you to give this one a go.  I would actually recommend this one to anyone who is a fan of mysteries if I'm being honest.  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A quiet but suspenseful read!

Disclosure:  This book was checked out from my local library.

Mysteries and More (Book Lists)

So this week has become an unofficial mystery week here at Booked On a Feeling.  I was trying to catch up on some of the books that I need to share my thoughts on and realized I wrote up reviews for two mysteries.  Hence, Mystery Week was born.  Now this isn't going to be anything fancy but instead an excuse for me to catch up on some long overdue reviews.  But I thought that I would start off the week sharing about some mysteries that I have on my own shelves that are patiently waiting to be read.  Here are just a few books that I have on my shelves and I'm hoping to read soon:

These are waiting on my e-reader for me to read and enjoy:

And here are some books that I have checked out from the library (and am also hoping to read at some point in the near future):

A person can never have too many mysteries, can she???  I think not.  I will tell you that all of this mystery talk is making me want to read one RIGHT NOW!  Now I just have to figure out which one :)  I hope you all enjoy my mystery filled week on the blog.  I've got two reviews written with hopes on getting my thoughts on at least one more book finished up.  Happy mystery reading! 

P.S.- If there are any amazing mystery series that you think I must read, by all means let me know!  I'm always open to more books and definitely more series :)

The Sunday Salon: Books, Books, Books

Good morning everyone!!  I have been quiet here on the blog so far this month which is what happens when I don't write up and schedule posts ahead of time.  I was doing really good with getting all of my posts written up but the past couple of weekends it just didn't happen.  And since I have family coming over later today, I will just have to wait and see if I can get ahead of the game or not.  I'm falling behind on book reviews though which means that I'm considering sitting down at some point and having a review-a-thon.  It would make it slightly less overwhelming if I didn't have so many books that I want to share with all of you about :)

Other happenings in my world are a very soon to be ten year old's birthday party planning.  Apparently it becomes quite the big deal on where to go and who to invite at this age.  He's leaning towards roller skating which would definitely be fun.  And dangerous when my kids are involved.  But fun :)  We've been to the library a few times and I'm WAY behind in sharing all of my library loot with you.  Work continues to be challenging but enjoyable and I'm hoping/praying that it stays that way.  Exercise has been nonexistent but after trying on swimsuits last week that is going to change.  Ugh!  Nothing like a slap to your self esteem by standing in front of a full length mirror with minimal clothing.  Let's just leave it at that.  And I'm SO READY FOR SPRING!!!!!!  I love the winter and am actually a huge fan of snow.  But for whatever reasons this year, I'm waiting (quite impatiently) for sunshine, warmer weather, and some good thunderstorms.  Mainly, I'm ready for the warmer weather!  Plus, my kids have spring fever and are more than ready to play outside to burn off some of their energy.  C'mon Spring!!

In reading news, I finished up Face the Fire by Nora Roberts last night which is the last book in one of my favorite trilogies.  These were a reread for me but I literally devoured the entire trilogy in a little over a week.  It was a delight to go back to this world that Roberts created and experience it again!  Since I didn't share my thoughts on these books with you guys the first time that I read them, I'm definitely planning on writing up my thoughts this time.  I'm not sure what I'm going to read next now though.  Before I started rereading this trilogy I was reading:

I'm definitely ready to dive back into Gone Girl and see what happens next!  Green-Eyed Envy is only turning out to be an okay read (as of right now) so I'm thinking about picking up something else before I go back to finishing it.  I haven't quite decided yet though and I just may go right back to these two.  Lastly, yesterday we went to the local thrift shop to browse and I came away with a few new to me books.  The books were buy one get one free so how could I possibly resist????  I found the following:

Barbara Michaels!!!!!!!!!  Yay, yay, yay!!!!!  I'm a huge fan and am currently stockpiling all of her books.  Seriously, every time I go to the used bookstore I look for ones that I don't have.  This one seems to be a sequel to one that Jenny has recommended to me a couple of times.  I think the next time I go to the library I'm going to grab Ammie, Come Home so I can finally give it a try!  Because I'm in the mood for some Barbara Michael's goodness :)

I'm off to start some laundry, pick up the house (that I just cleaned yesterday), and then hopefully find the time to fit a little reading in.  Happy Sunday to all of you!!!!

What I've Been Doing....Besides Blogging!

Trying to keep up with these three crazy kiddos.  Working.  Cleaning and other fun Mom stuff.  And reading.  Lots of reading!  I'm currently rereading and completely absorbed in these:

I'm about halfway through Heaven and Earth but already have the final book in the trilogy ready and waiting for me.  I promise that maybe I'll actually get back to blogging (because I have lots of ideas and plans for posts) after I finish these.  But I'm so glad that I decided to reread these...it was just what I needed :)  What have I missed with my impromptu blogging break????

A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"In a Golden Age where spark reactors power the airways, and creatures of Light and Shadow walk openly among us, a deadly game of Alchemists and Warlocks has begun.

When an unusual cargo drags airship-pilot Elle Chance into the affairs of the mysterious Mr. Marsh, she must confront her destiny and do everything in her power to stop the Alchemists from unleashing a magical apocalypse."

My Thoughts:

This was such an enjoyable read that really captured my attention from the very beginning of the book.  One of my favorite things (so far) about the steampunk genre is all of the books that I've read had strong, independent heroines.  This one didn't disappoint whatsoever!  Elle was not only strong and independent but she was also fearless and caring.  It made for quite the combination and I found her to be a joy to read about!  The book starts off with a bang and the action didn't let up until the very last page.  This is one of those books that you literally can't set down.  I kept telling myself one more chapter and then one more chapter turned into three.  Never a bad thing although I did end up staying up WAY past my bedtime to finish.  And I wasn't disappointed whatsoever with the ending.  This is the first book in a series and although the epilogue paved the way for the next book, this book ended quite nicely!  I was pleasantly surprised because I didn't think that the author would tie up so many loose ends.  I really appreciated that she did!  I also liked the chemistry that arose between Marsh and Elle.  Marsh's motivations were not always apparent to me as the reader but I liked the heat and verbal banter between the two of them.  I wanted everything to work out the way "I wanted it to" but I'll have to leave it at that.  

Overall, I really loved this book and am eager to read the next installment!  I just don't know how I'm going to wait for the second book to come out :/  Patience has never been my thing but what can a girl do??  This book was filled with adventure, twists, and turns on every single page.  I felt like I was transported back to a different time and I was entranced!  The author did an amazing job of really fleshing out the characters and I'm looking forward to revisiting them in the future.  In fact, I enjoyed just about every single thing in this book.  I would highly recommend this one and especially to fans of steampunk!

Bottom Line:  A must-read for anyone that loves adventure and intrigue!

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a TLC Book tour.  The thoughts and opinions are my own!

 

Friday Fun (Read-alongs and Such)

 

This sounds like the perfect way to start off March!   I need an excuse to pull off some of those unread books from my shelves so I'm joining in on the fun.  Plus, I'm thinking that I should use this as an excuse for a month long read-a-thon!  I always read more when I participate in those AND it would make a nice dent in some of my piles.  I'm thinking that this would also be a way to catch up on a series or two.  It looks like library books are included which makes me very happy :)  

I'm also officially signing up for the Outlander read-along.  I've never read Outlander (I know) but I've heard some amazing things!  If all works out well (since I'm writing this on Sunday) I should have already picked up my copy from the library.  I'm ready to dive in especially since I told myself I would read some chunkier books in 2013 and that hasn't happened yet.  Plus, the #nakedjamie hashtag has me quite intrigued!

I'm hoping that both of these events will make March a GREAT month of reading for me!  It should make March a fun month of reading at least.  There is also a read-along of Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones being hosted at We Be Reading.  I recently bought a copy of this one for my reader so I would like to try and fit this book in as well!  Fun times :)

Tell me, are there any other read-alongs/read-a-thons that I NEED to join in on????