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Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Wednesday Weirdness...


1. Would you rather be 3 inches taller, or 3 inches shorter than you already are? Definitely 3 inches taller!!!!


2. What are 3 words that could never be used to describe you? Arrogant, quiet, vain


3. Have you ever eaten something at the grocery store while you were shopping, prior to buying it? Did you pay for it when you got to the check out line? I think I've eaten a few grapes before paying for them in my time, but that's about it!!


4. If you could have any 3 materialistic things in this world without paying a single cent for any of them, what would they be and why? An inground pool, my renovations to be complete without headache, a weekend house on a lake.


5. Have you ever fallen asleep or nodded off during sex before? Nope...


6. What are 3 jobs you’d leave your current job for? If you don't have a current job, just list 3 jobs you would like to have. Seriously, I really don't want to do anything but stay home and raise my kids!!!!


7. Do you or have you ever answered the phone during sex? Nope

Betrayed (House of Night) by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.

This was such a great continuation of an awesome series!!!! I really love the way vampires/fledglings are described in this series and am enjoying the differences from many of the other vampire type books I have read. There was great character development in this continuation from book 1 and we are also introduced to some new characters as well, that I truly hope are developed more in book 3!!!! A wonderful addition to the series, and I know I will be picking up book 3 in the not so distant future!!!! 4.5/5


Sunday, July 27, 2008

Sweet Love by Sarah Strohmeyer

An irresistibly delicious novel about the power of love . . . and dessert.

Like other well-meaning mothers, Julie Mueller's believed she did the right thing when she secretly ended her teenage daughter's crush on Michael Slayton, a wild older neighborhood heartthrob with a penchant for Shakespeare and the pedigree of trailer trash.

Twenty years later, Betty Mueller has come to realize that was a big mistake. Her daughter Julie - divorced and raising a teenage daughter alone - is a workaholic obsessed with her career. And Michael, the one man who could make her happy, is the one man to whom she won't speak.

Now dying and determined to make amends, Betty stages her last great feat of motherhood by reuniting the couple in a dessert class where she hopes the sweetness of a chocolate almond Torta Caprese will erase the bitterness of a wretched misunderstanding.

"Sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said thy edge should blunter be than appetite," Shakespeare once pleaded - though it will require more than poetry and passion fruit for Julie and Michael to renew their love.

It will, in fact, require the sweetest sacrifice of all.

I simply loved this book. When I started it, I didn't realize it was set in the Boston area, and was delighted to see a trip to Mike's Pastries in the first chapter!!! Every time we head into the city, we must stop at Mike's for a cannoli!!!! :) This story encapsulates true love and how it can withstand time, it delves into many relationships and not just romantically. The mother/daughter relationships in this book are so true to life and I love how the story evolves. Major issues are discussed and explored but not too heavily. A truly great read!!! 4/5

Muttering, muttering, muttering.......


I say ... and you think ... ?

  1. Memory :: lost
  2. Original :: the first
  3. Exclusively :: dating
  4. Listings :: craigs
  5. Bucket :: mop
  6. Knight :: in shining armor
  7. Dusty :: house
  8. Choice :: mine
  9. Sunglight :: through the windows
  10. Change of plans :: us....today

Saturday, July 26, 2008

It's Saturday.......


~Summer Favorites~

1. Favorite Summer Activity: Swimming with the kids.

2. Favorite Summer Meal: Chicken on the grill with tossed salad, macaroni salad and corn on the cob!!!

3. Favorite Thirst Quencher: Water or Cherry Limeaide

4. Favorite Summer Weather: 80 degrees and sunny with a nice breeze

Friday, July 25, 2008

Fill Ins...............



1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

2. If you're good at something, you should never stop doing it and embrace your talent.

3. Why so glum.

4. Something is out there, it's just out of my reach.

5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled Because I'm a MOM, that's WHY.

6. Sitting on my back porch [if you don't have one, use your imagination] I see our back garage and the woods.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to nothing hopefully, tomorrow my plans include shopping and dinner with my bff and Sunday, I want to enjoy some family time!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Wowowow.......


Thank you, thank you so much to Lori from Lori's Reading Corner and also to Lallybroch at Shhhh I'm Reading for nominating my blog for this award!!!!! This is so darn cool!!!! :)

Lori is the one who encouraged me to start blogging, I had tried in the past and never kept up with it, but joining in with this awesome reading community, I have been really excited to keep up this time and am really enjoying myself. Writing in my blog and most definitely reading everyone else's. My PaperbackSwap WL grows larger every time I hit a blog and read a great review!!!! :)

Thank you so much ladies, it is such an honor to be nominated!!! :)

Now here is what you all need to do ~~ Once an award is received, the rules are as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

The Bookmuncher - I love reading this blog which is pretty much dedicated to YA Fiction. This has become a favorite genre of mine lately and I have added plenty to my WL because of Rachael's reviews!!!!

She is Too Fond of Books - Love, love this blog and visit regularly!!!! More wonderful reviews and the WL/TBR pile grows!!! :)

Rhonda's Corner of the World - I just love Rhonda's reviews and suggestions on books!!!! I also love when she posts pics of her adorable daughter Lydia!!!! :)

The Story Siren - Another awesome YA book blog. I just can't get enough!!! :)

Presenting Lenore - Another awesome book blog, great reviews, I visit often to see what she's been reading!!! :)

I could go on and on, but I know that many of my other faves have been nominated already!!!!


Make sure you check out these blogs, if you haven't already from my blog roll, they are all definitely worth reading!!!!!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain

When the body of a young woman is discovered in Portland’s Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the last time they found a body there, more than a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer’s first victim, and Archie’s first case. This body can't be one of Gretchen's—she’s in prison—but after help from reporter Susan Ward uncovers the dead woman's identity, it turns into another big case. Trouble is, Archie can't focus on the new investigation because the Beauty Killer case has exploded: Gretchen Lowell has escaped from prison.

Archie hadn't seen her in two months; he'd moved back in with his family and sworn off visiting her. Though it should feel like progress, he actually feels worse. The news of her escape spreads like wildfire, but secretly, he's relieved. He knows he's the only one who can catch her, and in fact, he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all.

Can I just say wow, I didn't think Cain could pull off a story as twisted as her first, but she sure does!!!! Sweetheart basically picks up where Cain's first novel Heartsick left off and the story continues in a twisted and sadistic ride. It picks up the two major stories of the first novel, of course the Gretchen/Archie story as well as the Senator/Molly story. The plot thickens and draws you into the twisted stories. This book had me turning the pages with anxiousness to see just what would happen next. Great character development for all that we met in Heartsick. Great, great book!!!!! 5/5

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel


“This was supposed to be my best summer yet, the one I’ve been working toward since practically forever. Now I’m being banished from everything I know and love, and it just doesn’t make any sense.”

Having recently discarded her dorky image--and the best friend that went with it--Colby Cavendish is looking forward to a long hot season of parties, beach BBQ’s, and hopefully, more hook-ups with Levi Bonham, the hottest guy in school. But her world comes crashing down when her parents send her away to spend the summer in Greece with her crazy aunt Tally.

Stranded on a boring island with no malls, no cell phone reception, and an aunt who talks to her plants, Colby worries that her new friends have forgotten all about her. But when she meets Yannis, a cute Greek local, everything changes. She experiences something deeper and more intense than a summer fling, and it forces her to see herself, and the life she left behind, in a whole new way.


I really enjoyed this YA read!!!! The book was told in a journal, email, letter and blog format which I really liked. I loved Colby's development throughout this book, she learned a few lessons and grew so much over this one summer. I loved reading her inner thoughts and watching her blossom into a wonderful young lady. Dealing with the divorce of her parents and major changes in her home life, Colby learns that no matter what life throws at you, as long as you keep yourself centered you will indeed *be okay* As an adult I truly enjoyed this read, and definitely think that teen girls would enjoy it as well, it tells a wonderful story!!! 4.5/5

Monday, July 21, 2008

Book Give Away!!!!!



The rules: (PLEASE READ)

  • Winner will receive an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of Tarnished Beauty by Cecilia Samartin
  • Open to residents of the US only.
  • Leave me a comment for this post........easy peasy!!!
  • You MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR ACTIVE BLOG ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT. Any comment that DOES NOT INCLUDE this information WILL BE DELETED. I have deleted several entries already for NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES. I have to have a way to contact you if you win!!!!
  • If you blog this contest and leave a link in your comment so I can check it out, you will receive an extra entry to the contest.
  • Contest ends @ 11:59 PM EST on August 11th. Winner will be posted on August 12th.

Green Monster by Rick Shefchik


After a second World Championship in four years, the Boston Red Sox have finally buried the Curse of the Bambino—or have they? Sox owner Louis Kenwood receives an extortion note signed “Babe Ruth” claiming that the 2004 World Series was fixed—and demanding $50 million to keep the information from getting to the press and the Commissioner’s office.

If the allegation of a fix becomes public, Kenwood fears irreparable damage to the value of his franchise and to his legacy as “Lucky Louie,” the man who finally brought a championship to Boston after 86 years. Thus, the Red Sox turn to private detective Sam Skarda to find out who’s behind the extortion plot.

Kenwood insists that his beautiful executive assistant Heather Canby accompany—and monitor—Sam on every step of his investigation. Unsure whom he can trust, Sam follows the clues to the Los Angeles underworld and then to the slums of Venezuela. Can he assemble all of the pieces to this puzzle before more lives are lost and scandal blasts the Red Sox Nation? Green Monster is the second novel in the Sam Skarda series, following Amen Corner.

Being an avid Red Sox fan sure made this book alluring to me!!!! But, I do believe any lover of a mystery or of baseball would truly enjoy this book!!! All the talk of Boston and the Red Sox was surely a high point in this book for me, but the mystery that ran along side it was great as well. Great character development, an intriguing plot and a bit of a twist at the end kept me turning the pages of this book!!!! 4.5/5

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Who's muttering today......ME


I say ... and you think ... ?

  1. Flicker :: Candle
  2. Styling :: Wax
  3. Episode :: Freak Out
  4. Sexier :: Lingerie
  5. Studious :: Books
  6. Mushroom :: Portabello
  7. 8 minutes :: In Heaven
  8. Bald :: Eagle
  9. Immunity :: Survivor
  10. Sectioned :: Off

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Saturday 9....



1. What is your favorite thing to do alone? Read!!

2. What is your favorite thing to do with your best friend? Dinner and shopping!!!

3. What is your favorite band? I don't really have a favorite anymore, but when I was younger it was Poison all the way......hehehe ;)

4. What is your favorite song? Right now: All Summer Long by Kid Rock

5. What is you favorite part of your job? Being able to watch my kids grow up!!!

6. What is your favorite TV show, on now? So You Think You Can Dance

7. What is your favorite TV show all time? That's so hard, I just can't pick one!!!

8. Who is your favorite actor? Robin Williams

9. What is your favorite film? The Cutting Edge and Save the Last Dance

Book Give Aways......

Reviewer X is giving away a copy of Backstage Pass by Gaby Triana, and also a copy of The Temptress Four by Gaby Triana. Visit her blog and comment to enter, also find out the other ways you can get extra entries while visiting!!! Contest ends August 1st!!!!

Harmony Book Reviews
is giving away a signed copy of Undone by Brooke Taylor. Visit her blog to enter, blog about it yourself and get an extra entry!!! :) Contest ends August 1st!!

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Katrina over at Stone Soup is having another of her fabulous pick a book give aways!!!! Visit her blog and choose a book that she has reviewed or has on her giveaway shelves. Contest ends at noon PST on August 3rd!!!

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Janicu is giving away a $20 BnN E-GC as well as your choice of a paranormal/urban fantasy book from a list of chosen authors. This is all in honor of her upcoming nuptials on 08/08/08.......very cool, isn't it?!?!?! :) Leave a comment on her blog post for entry, blog about it for a 2nd entry!! Contest ends at midnight EST on August 8th. Please be patient, this is her wedding day, so winners probably won't be posted until AT LEAST 08/11 :)

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BookRoomReviews is giving away one of those awesome Hachette Deals where you win 14 books!!!! 1 winner for every 50 entries, up to 5 winners. If they end up with 500 entries, a 6th winner will be pulled to win Stephanie Meyer's
Breaking Dawn. Contest open until August 9th, winner will be chosen on August 10th!!!!

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Lori from Lori's Reading Corner is giving away another book!!! :) An ARC copy of American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld. Visit her blog post and make sure to leave your email or blog addy in order to be included!!!! :) Contest ends August 10th, winner will be announced August 11th!! :)

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Badgerbooks is giving away an ARC copy of Summer Blowout by Claire Cook. Visit her blog post and let her know your favorite summer read in a comment!!! Contest ends @ midnight on August 14th!!!!

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Temple Library Reviews is giving away a copy of Rogue by Rachel Vincent!!! Visit the blog, read the rules and enter by leaving a comment or sending an email!!! :) Super easy and looks like a great read!! :) Contest ends on August 31st!! :)

Carbs and Cadavers by J.B. Stanley


James "Professor Puff" Henry may as well have "loser" stamped on his forehead. Divorced, overweight, shy, and living at home, he relies on books and his favorite snack-cheese puffs-for sweet relief from his problems. A former English lit professor at William and Mary, he moves back to Quincy's Gap, a small Virginia town in the Shenandoah Valley, to take care of his recently-widowed father. To improve his social life and waistline, he joins a supper club for dieters who lovingly call themselves the "Flab Five." Avoiding carbs is nearly impossible in this deep-fried potato-loving land, so a mysterious death in their small burg provides an effective, if disturbing, distraction. While dodging delectable temptations, Professor Henry and his fellow dieters work together to shed pounds and find the killer who has struck fear in this tight-knit community.

Love, LOVE, love, this book!!!!! What an awesome start to a new series for me!!!!! I could totally relate to the 5 characters in this book, so many of their conversations about weight and such are conversations I have had myself. I loved the way they bounced off of each other and the character development was terrific. I fell in love with the Flab Five and can't wati to read more about them all and their little town of Quincy's Gap!!!!! Kudos to J.B. Stanley for writing a book/series about real life people, with real life problems and including some real life, yummy recipes!!!! :) 5/5


Candy Girl by Diablo Cody


Decreed by David Letterman (tongue in cheek) on CBS TV's The Late Show to be the pick of "Dave's Book Club 2006," Candy Girl is the story of a young writer who dared to bare it all as a stripper. At the age of twenty-four, Diablo Cody decided there had to be more to life than typing copy at an ad agency. She soon managed to find inspiration from a most unlikely source— amateur night at the seedy Skyway Lounge. While she doesn't take home the prize that night, Diablo discovers to her surprise the act of stripping is an absolute thrill.

This is Diablo's captivating fish-out-of-water story of her yearlong walk on the wild side, from quiet gentlemen's clubs to multilevel sex palaces and glassed-in peep shows. In witty prose she gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at this industry through a writer's keen eye, chronicling her descent into the skin trade and the effect it had on her self-image and her relationship with her now husband.


I really enjoyed reading this book, from the other side of the coin!!!! There were some really funny stories, and it just goes to show that stripping isn't always what an outsider thinks it it. I enjoyed reading about her reason's for wanting to start and continue stripping, the stories of the other ladies in the industry and how they react to one another and the experiences she had in the different places she worked. This was a really quick and interesting read for me!! :) 3.75/5

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

And the winner is.........


Congratulations on winning my ARC copy of Aryn Kyle's, The God Of Animals!!!! :) I've sent you an email, please contact me with your mailing info so I can get it sent out to you early next week!!!! :)


A new giveaway will be posted next week some time!!!! :)

Thanks to all who entered!!! :)

Another vacation............

Heading out for a few days of R&R with hubby. Well, not sure how much R&R we'll actually get because we'll be in Atlantic City, but still anytime sans kids (although I love them to death) is considered R&R to me!!!!!

Be home Friday!!!! :)


Let's Take 5.....

Take 5 Tuesday

Todays topics:
List…

5 things you collect.

  • Books
  • Cow stuff
  • Anything Sunflower
  • Keychains
  • Did I say books?!?!
5 things about your hair.
  • I like it better short.
  • I just got it cut.
  • It's brown, but sometimes in the summer I get some glinty highlights.
  • It's been every shade of blond in the past.
  • I used to have a lot of body to it before I had kids
5 random things about your pets.
  • 2 of our dogs are named after characters from Blues Clues and that was *before* we had kids.
  • Gizmo is the only female animal we have.
  • Snowball needs a grooming............big time.
  • Tigga hisses a lot more now that Snowball is around.
  • Blue was supposed to be a working dog with hubby, unfortunately that fell through for him!! :(
5 things in your junk drawer.
  • Tape
  • Sewing kit
  • Old border from our bedroom
  • Push pins
  • Extension cords
5 of your favorite summer foods.
  • Watermelon
  • Corn on the Cob
  • Fresh Strawberries
  • Ice cream
  • Garden grown tomatos

Monday, July 14, 2008

A Little Less Talk and A Lot More Action by LuAnn McLane


Macy’s chance for love is slipping from her fingers. College football coach Luke Carter has a penchant for hot-bodied babes, not curvy hairdressers like Macy. And some big-time schools may be luring him away. Then a country singing star’s hair emergency turns into a big break for Macy.

Making it in Nashville boosts Macy’s confidence, but when Luke interviews for a job at a local university, she’ll have to put up or shut up—or lose him forever…

LuAnn McLane is definitely at the top of my short list of favorite authors!!!! She certainly knows how to write a book that will invoke emotion in a reader, especially this particular reader!!!!! Her books make me laugh out loud, cry, and ponder life along with her characters. I absolutely love the fact that she comes back to tell the story of Macy and Luke who were ever present in Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots it was wonderful to read more about these amazing characters. The groundwork for their story was set in Dark Roots, so it was awesome to see the character progression in this book. A one day read for me, as all of her books so far have been, I absolutely fell in love with this book!!!!!! Kudos to LuAnn McLane for another fabulous book!!!! :) 5/5





Sunday, July 13, 2008

Sail by James Patterson and Howard Roughan


Since the death of her husband, Anne Dunne and her three children have struggled in every way. In a last ditch effort to save the family, Anne plans an elaborate sailing vacation to bring everyone together once again. But only an hour out of port, everything is going wrong. The teenage daughter, Carrie, is planning to drown herself. The teenage son, Mark, is high on drugs and ten-year-old Ernie is nearly catatonic. This is the worst vacation ever.
Anne manages to pull things together bit by bit, but just as they begin feeling like a family again, something catastrophic happens. Survival may be the least of their concerns.
Written with the blistering pace and shocking twists that only James Patterson can master, SAIL takes "Lost" and "Survivor" to a new level of terror.

Once again Patterson has written a truly engaging suspense thriller!!!! I love the way his descriptions of characters make me truly love and hate the characters in his book, and this one did not veer from that path!!!! I enjoyed the way the story was weaved and there were unexpected things that popped up throughout. As was expected, this Patterson did not disapoint this fan!!! :) 4.5/5

Time to Mutter......


I say ... and you think ... ?

  1. Intimidated :: easily
  2. Brush :: stroke
  3. Masquerade :: party
  4. Procedure :: liposuction
  5. Tattoos :: I want another
  6. Square :: peg
  7. Tuck :: your knees
  8. Boyfriend :: girlfriend, steady dates, loverrrrssss
  9. Badass:: bitch
  10. Thousand :: islands

Friday, July 11, 2008

I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michele Bardsley

There's a new breed of soccer mom in town-with fangs.

Does drinking blood make me a bad mother? That's the question single mom Jessica Matthews faces when she wakes from a savage attack sucking on the thigh of Patrick O'Halloran, a super-hot Irish vampire who'd generously offered his femoral artery to save her from death...only to make her one of the undead.

Jessica can't rest until the beast that did this to her is caught. Meanwhile, she's having trouble committing to Patrick (in the vampire handbook, physical intimacy costs you several hundred years of being bound together) and keeping her kids in line.

I really liked this book, it was a great paranormal read and I will definitely continue on with the series. The only thing is there was more sexual stuff included in it that I didn't expect. Now, that stuff doesn't *bother* me, but I wasn't expecting it I guess. I like to know what I'm in for usually!!! ;) It's not the best paranormal I've read, but it certainly isn't the worst either!!! ;) 3.5/5



Filling in on Friday......



1. Oh, I can't wait until I have a completely renovated house with no more mess!!!!!

2. The gallon of milk is the first thing I see when I open my refrigerator.

3. I never leave home without my cell phone.

4. If I were a condiment, I would be relish because I feel all chopped up.

5. Bitchy MIL's are really high up on my list of pet peeves.

6. The last thing I thought of before I went to bed was how much my head was killing me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to bbqing and having a small bonfire with hubby and kids, tomorrow my plans include an anniversary party for hubby's grandparents and hopefully some fireworks with hubby, kids and our best friends and Sunday, I want to do nothing, but we have to go to hubby's cousins for a bbq!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Time to be weird......


Wednesday Weirdness #11: Five Things.

Five answers for each question.
Feel free to explain any answers you give. No need to limit yourself to one worded responses. Unless you want to then that is fine too. :)


Five things you always have in your refrigerator:
1.) Bottled Water
2.) Milk
3.) American Cheese from the Deli
4.) Miracle Whip
5.) Maple Syrup


Five actresses/actors that you think are over-rated:
1.) Angelina Jolie
2.) Tom Cruise
3.) Brad Pitt
4.) George Clooney
5.) Meg Ryan


Five things around the house that you hate doing:
1.) DISHES
2.) Sweep/vacuum the floors
3.) Clean the toy room........which won't be for much longer once the toys are moved to bedrooms!!
4.) Clean the litter box
5.) Clean the tub


Five of your favorite movies:
1.) The Cutting Edge
2.) Save the Last Dance
3.) Grease
4.) The Sound of Music
5.) The Wizard of Oz


Five businesses/stores (IE Circuit City, Kohls, Hollister, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, etc) you would love to win a $2,000 gift card to:
1.) Old Navy
2.) Best Buy
3.) Target
4.) Home Depot
5.) Lowes

Die, Decorator, Die by Franklin H. Levy


-INTRODUCING BUZZ AND ALLY LEVIN, THE SEXIEST COMEDY-MYSTERY DUO SINCE NICK AND NORA CHARLES. Buzz is a Yuppie Boston lawyer, whose wit is as sharp as his Mont Blanc pen. Ally is his career-savvy interior-designer wife??????intelligent, gorgeous, and quick as a whip. Their worlds collide only once a year when the Boston Designers' Annual Show House competition descends upon them, and Buzz will do all he can to stay out of Ally's way until the barrage of chintz and silk has subsided. This year, though, when the Show House is opened for the designers' preview and two most unpleasant surprises are uncovered: one decorator is discovered murdered and another found comatose from a violent attack.?? When a seemingly innocent suspect is charged with the crimes, Buzz takes on his defense and must solve the mystery to save his client. In the process, he encounters fabric scandals, love triangles, and power struggles of the decorative kind???not to mention a colorful cast of characters and the occasional design tip that will have you reeling with laughter??????and reupholstering, too!

I have to say that I enjoyed reading this book because it is set in my home state. I love that I really understood all the hometown references, that part for me was awesome. But, I didn't love this book. I enjoyed it and will read another if the series continues, but it wasn't a favorite for me. I felt there were parts in the book that had NOTHING to do with the storyline that most definitely could have been cut and I just didn't *feel* the characters. While I enjoyed the book with it's Boston references, I wasn't in love with the story line or the characters. 3/5

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Tina's Tuesdays


Summer Fun

  1. What's the current temperature outside in your area? Right now my Weather Channel icon says 77 degrees.
  2. Have you gone swimming this summer yet? Sure have!! :)
  3. What other plans do you have for the summer? We are planning a 3 day trip to Atlantic City next week, other than that, swimming lessons for the kids, a couple weddings and hopefully some relaxing in there somewhere!! :)

Monday, July 7, 2008

This Weeks Give Aways......

*****Means Newest addition

Holy Cow, you must head on over to Hey Lady, Whatcha Reading to see the amazing giveaway sponsored by Hachette Book Group USA. They are giving away an amazing 14 titles to up to FIVE people!!!!! Visit the site to enter, check out the ways to earn multiple entries as well!!! :) Contest open until July 12th.

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Teresa over at Shelf Love is hosting a *What Should I Read Next Contest* If she reads the book you choose for her, you will get her copy of the book once she reads it. Browse her list, she has lots to choose from!!! :) Enter by noon EST July 13th!!!!

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Rachel at The Book Muncher is giving away 3 books for reaching her 100th post!!!!! Congrats Rachel on reaching that milestone!!! Books being offered are: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen, and When It Happens by Susane Colasanti. Contest closes at midnight PST on July 15th, winner will be chosen on July 16th.

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Books on the Brain together with Hatchette Book Group is giving away a copy of Elin Hilderbrand's two latest releases: A Summer Affair which was just released and Barefoot, which was recently released in paperback. Visit today to enter and find out other great ways to get multiple entries. Leave a comment by July 15th!!!!

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S. Krishna is having another great giveaway!!!! She is giving away an autographed copy of A Page out of Life by Kathleen Reid. She just requests that she is giving away her review copy that once you read it, you review it somewhere, your blog, BnN, Amazon, etc... Sign up by 11:59 pm July 15th!!!! Make sure to check back the 16th to see if you've won!! :)

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Lori from Lori's Reading Corner is giving away an autographed copy of The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton !!!! Make sure you stop by and check it out!!!! Make sure to leave your contact info in your comment!!! :) Winner will be selected on my birthday.....July 17th!!!! :)

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Michele from Only One 'L' is having a fabulous give away. 3 ARC titles are to be given away, visit her site to enter, blog about it to earn extra entries. Books being given away are: Takeover by Lisa Black (available 8/12) Home Girl by Judith Matloff (released on 6/24) No One You Know by Michelle Redmond (released on 6/24). Winner will be chosen on July 17th!!!!

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Book Room Review's is giving away a copy of The Host by Stephanie Meyers and also a copy of Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter in a Pay it Forward contest!!! Sign up's are until July 19th!!

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Lenore from Presenting Lenore is hosting a give away for 3 Advanced Reader Copies of Fiendish Deeds (Joy of Spooking Trilogy, Book 1) by P.J. Bracegirdle. She also has a wonderful interview with the author posted too!!! Leave a comment and check ways to get yourself more entries by visiting her blog. Contest closes at 9 pm CST on July 20th.

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A Book Bloggers Diary along with author Jean Holloway is giving away an autographed copy of Ace of Hearts, along with a personal gift from the author. Head over and read the great interview and then help categorize the genre you think the book belongs in. Contest open until Midnight CST July 21st.

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Marie over at The Boston Bibliophile is giving away an ARC copy of Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. This was one of my very favorite books in my top 10 of all time, so head on over and leave a comment to enter. Contest ends July 22nd!!!

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Terry over at Terra's Book Blog is having a Christmas in July book give away!!!! Read her blog, then post a comment, blog about it and get an extra entry!!! :) So far there are 5 books posted with more to come as the month progresses!!! :) Contest ends on July 24th!!!

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The Koolaid Mom is having an awesome give away of a $20 GC to Borders............wahooooo!!!!! Stop by her blog for complete details!!! Comment on her post and see the other ways to get yourself more entries!!! Contest ends on July 31st!!! :)

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*****Bookshipper together with Hachette Book Group is having a fabulous contest where you can win 14, yes you read right, 14 books to 5 lucky winners!!!!! Leave a comment on her post to enter, you can also blog about it & add her to your blogroll and get more entries!!!! Contest closes at noon EST July 31st!!!!! :)

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Robert at Fantasy Book Critic is holding an AMAZING give away. Win a complete set of Stephanie Meyers Twilight Saga INCLUDING Breaking Dawn. Give away ends August 2nd at 11:59 am PST.

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Marked (House of Night, Book 1) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

This was a great start to a new series!!!! With a different take on vamps than I have read and angled at the YA crowd, this is a sure winner!!!! Zoey finds the thought of starting over a bit scary, but she also welcomes this change as her home life has not been all that great since her mom re-married. She embraces her *Mark* and the special powers that come along with it. She finds the meaning of true friends and works to her full potential, no matter what the stakes. I was deeply enthralled in this book, and finally having the time to sit and devote to it, I read through over 1/2 today!!!! I am already anxious to get to the next one in the series.......great, great book!!!!! 5/5


Monday, Monday......

Vroom Vroom Beep Beep

1. What's your main means of transportation? My Ford Windstar Mini-Van........yep, I'm a mini-van-mom!!!!
2. What was your first car? A Maroon Dodge Omni, I LOVED that little car!!!!
3. How old were you when you got your driver's license? 16.5
4. How many times did it take you to pass the test? Just once!!!
5. Do you name your cars? Nah, never have done that!!!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Muttering, muttering, muttering........


I say ... and you think ... ?

  1. Notificaiton :: foreclosure
  2. Cheat :: spouse
  3. Top Ten:: songs of the week
  4. Draft :: table
  5. Unbelievable :: say what?!?!?
  6. Cheap :: skate
  7. Spontaneous :: combustion
  8. Harass :: restraining order
  9. Lipstick :: on your collar
  10. Transpire :: what will

Friday, July 4, 2008

We Have Our Winner........

The winner for my ARC copy of How Far is the Ocean From Here is:

Sandee61

Ok, I never heard from Kimberly, so an alternate winner has been chosen!!!!! Congrats Sandee, make sure you check your email and send along your snail mail addy by July 8th so I can get it mailed out sometime early next week!!!! :)

Check out July's contest by clicking on the book in the right sidebar!! :)

Friday Fill Ins......


1. Holidays in the summer are enjoyed by all, and usually spent with friends and family.

2. Chicken and steak are my favorite things to grill.

3. My thoughts are constantly changing.

4. Fireworks and spending time with friends and family is what I'm most looking forward to this weekend!

5. My favorite book so far this summer is Glass-Slipper-dot.com by Rebecca Anderson.

6. Drinking lots of coffee is the best way to begin a day.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight we hung out with great friends, tomorrow my plans include fireworks and hanging out with good friends and Sunday, I want to go to the Longsjo bike races with my family!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Heartsick by Chelsea Cain

He can't forget the woman who kidnapped him. For ten days, she tortured him to the brink of death, then mysteriously set him free and turned herself in.

Now two years later, he's addicted to pain pills, estranged from his family, and obsessed with her.

Gretchen Lowell. She's beautiful. She's brilliant. She's a killer...And she still controls Detective Archie Sheridan-even from behind bars.

As Archie trails a new case, he needs Gretechen now in more ways than one - to catch a killer and to release his soul.

Wow, this was one twisted and sadistic book and I loved it. It was interesting to read about a female serial killer, that's not something that you see often, and it was so intriguing to see how she could just draw people in, and read them so well. Definitely a thriller with some crazy stuff going on, but a really great book. I liked the perspective from Archie as well, about how he felt about this woman who tortured him with a smile on her face. It was just a crazy and twisted book, and I can't wait to read the next one!!!!! 4/5

Booking Through Thursday.....


It’s a holiday weekend here in the U.S., so let’s keep today’s question simple–What are you reading? Anything special? Any particularly juicy summer reading? I am currently reading Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. I am reallllllllllllllly hoping to finish it tonight. I have been unusually busy this week it seems. Not juicy summer reading right now, but my next is going to be a YA cuz I need a little fluff..........hahaha :)

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

June Books.....

These are the books I completed in June:

  1. Shadowland (The Mediator) by Meg Cabot
  2. Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot
  3. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
  4. Bobbie Faye's Very (very, very, very) Bad Day by Toni McGee Causey
  5. Mates, Dates and Inflatable Bras by Cathy Hopkins
  6. Glass-Slipper-dot.com by Rebecca Anderson
  7. Tempting Evil by Allison Brennan
  8. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
  9. The Cracked Pot by Melissa Glazer
  10. How Far Is The Ocean From Here by Amy Shearn
  11. A Book I read for a Game on PaperbackSwap

New Give Away...


My newest give away will be an ARC copy of The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle. I know this one has already been released, but I absolutely loved this book when I read it last summer, and I happened across an extra ARC so want to share it!!!! :)

Not my typical read, I read it for review, but truly loved the story, and hope the lucky winner of this copy will too!!! :)

The rules:

  • Open to residents of the US only.
  • Leave me a comment for this post........easy peasy!!!
  • You MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR ACTIVE BLOG ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT. Any comment that DOES NOT INCLUDE this information WILL BE DELETED. I have deleted several entries already for NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES. I have to have a way to contact you if you win!!!!
  • If you blog this contest and leave a link in your comment so I can check it out, you will receive an extra entry to the contest.
  • Contest ends @ 11:59 PM EST on July 14th. Winner will be posted on July 15th.