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Saturday, June 6, 2009

Swimsuit by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro


Syd, a breathtakingly beautiful supermodel on a photo shoot in Hawaii, disappears. Fearing the worst, her parents travel to Hawaii to investigate for themselves, never expecting the horror that awaits them.

LA Times reporter Ben Hawkins is conducting his own research into the case, hoping to help the victim and get an idea for his next bestseller. With no leads and no closer to uncovering the kidnapper's identity than when he stepped off the plane, Ben gets a shocking visit that pushes him into an impossible-to-resist deal with the devil.

A heart-pounding story of fear and desire, SWIMSUIT transports readers to a chilling new territory where the collision of beauty and murder transforms paradise into a hell of unspeakable horrors. (From B&N)

This was SUCH a great read!!!!! The suspense was crazy and the plot line was amazing. You never knew what would happen next or who the next target of this maniacal serial killer would be. A definite page turner and very highly recommended!!!! Love Patterson!!!!!!!! :) 5/5

Friday, June 5, 2009

Reallllllllllllllly late.....but...


And...here we go!

1. Home sweet home.

2. My favorite thing for dinner lately has been anything I don't have to cook.

3. Snowball, enough already with your bark! bark! bark!

4. A nice long walk always helps to clear my head.

5. I'm due for some good news.

6. When all is said and done, I know who my true friends are.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to well, it's done now, but we hung out with our best friends and it was so much fun, tomorrow my plans include Dominic's T-Ball game and stuff around the house and Sunday, I want to relax during the day and then enjoy Bella's dance recital with Lillie at night!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Wednesday it is.....


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My choice for this week is:

The Missing Ink (Tattoo Shop Mystery #1)

Karen E. Olson

Publication Date: July 7, 2009

From B&N:

Murder leaves a mark

Brett Kavanaugh is a tattoo artist and owner of an elite tattoo parlor in Las Vegas. When a girl makes an appointment for a tattoo of the name of her fiance embedded in a heart, Brett takes the job but the girl never shows. The next thing Brett knows, the police are looking for her client, and the name she wanted on the tattoo isn't her fiance's...

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Tuesday, time to be Teased...


  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! ;)
My teaser for today is:

"A cop opened one of the back doors and called out, "Two DB's wearing their seat belts. I recognize them. Jesus God. It's the XXXXX. The Parents."

Taken from Swimsuit by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

May Reads.....

May Books

Moonlight (Dark Guardian #1) by Rachel Hawthorne


I see him and know what this turmoil inside of me means: He's the one. My forever.

kayla is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying—and thrilling—gene that will change her life forever.

lucas is dangerous, gorgeous . . . and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way.

As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny. (From B&N)

I really enjoyed this one!!! I am fairly new to the shifting parnaormal books, started with vamps and am working my way along, and I really enjoyed this story line. The characters were likable to me, the story itself kept me wanting to pick it up and keep reading, I was left wanting to learn more about this group of friends/shifters. Really good read for me!! :) 4/5

Friday, May 29, 2009

TGIF.......



And...here we go!

1. It's cold and rainy.

2. I love grape tomatoes.

3. My favorite health and beauty product is my Mary Kay face wash and moisturizer.

4. As a child I would always look forward to a nice long ride.

5. Well, first of all this rain can't stop soon enough for me.

6. Lil, Dom, Devon and Bella; those were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was really sweet.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging with Dominic while Lillie goes to Coco Key, tomorrow my plans include a girls night *in* with some friends and Sunday, I want to read, chill, and hang out with the family!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

The Battered Body by J.B. Stanley


There's trouble on the rise when the "Diva of Dough" arrives in Quincy's Gap to make the wedding cake for Milla and Jackson's Christmas Eve nuptials. The famous chef and television personality is Milla's sister, but while her confections are sweet and beautiful, the Diva herself makes enemies faster than you can say "praline pecan bundt cake." When the Diva is done in, her body found covered in cake batter, James and the other supper club members find themselves up to their elbows in suspects.

A cozy "village" mystery, The Battered Body is the fifth book in the warm and wonderful Supper Club Mystery series.

I absolutely LOVE this series and just cannot get enough!!! The town and characters are so warm and inviting, reading this series is like re-visiting old friends. There was a bit of a schocker thrown into this one, which I loved. Wonderful things are in store for the Flab Five and I hope to hear of another book in this series sometime very soon!!!! I certainly haven't gotten my fill of the Supper Club Mysteries yet!!!! 5/5

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Waiting..........on Wednesday


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My choice for this week is:

September Fair

Jess Lourey
Publication Date: September 5, 2009

Taken from the Author's Website:

The fifth book in the Murder-by-Month series unfolds at the Minnesota State Fair, where the recently crowned Milkfed Mary, Queen of the Dairy, a Battle Lake native, is murdered while getting her head carved out of butter. Mira James, covering the pageant for the Battle Lake Recall, overcomes her misanthropy to uncover a deadly State Fair secret.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Teaser Tuesday



  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! ;)
My teaser for today is:

"Never heard of somebody cookin' all night, but then again, I've never met someone like her." He raised his eyebrows quizzically. "When she didn't answer my knock this mornin', I felt in my bones that somethin' wasn't right, so I unlocked the door and there she was."

Taken from: The Battered Body (Supper Club #5) by J.B. Stanley


Friday, May 22, 2009

Friday Fill Ins....



And...here we go!

1. Moving sidewalks.

2. Live free or die.

3. My best quality is in the eye of the beholder.

4. I need lots of details.

5. In nearly 10 years, I have established myself as a *real* adult.

6. A good, stiff drink is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to a wedding, tomorrow my plans include hitting the $1 flip flop sale at Old Navy and cleaning around the house and Sunday, I want to enjoy a bbq with friends!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

WoW


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My choice for this week is:

The Penny Pincher's Club
Sarah Strohmeyer
Publication Date: July 2, 2009

From B&N:

Bestselling author Sarah Strohmeyer offers up a timely (and recession-proof) treat about the things money can—and can't—buy. Living in New Jersey—the state that boasts the most malls per capita—Kat's favorite recreational activity is a no-brainer: shopping. But when she discovers that her husband, Griff, has been hiding a secret bank account, her joyful consumerism suddenly loses its appeal. Are their fights about money more serious than she understood? Is he, as her friends suggest, preparing for a divorce? Just in case, Kat decides it's time to start saving.

Drastic times call for drastic measures: Kat starts by canceling cable and kicking her $240-a-month Starbucks habit. But what starts out as a simple effort to cut costs becomes an over-the-top obsession when Kat joins an eclectic but lovable group of savers called the Penny Pinchers Club. Soon she is pumping her gas at dawn (when it is thicker) and serving dinner made from food she retrieved at the grocery store dumpster. Kat is saving money, to be sure, but what she's really saving is time—time she spends with Griff, their two kids . . . and an old flame who resurfaces at precisely the wrong moment, offering Kat a life where money is no object.

An irresistible and wonderfully warm-hearted novel about the unexpected ways hardship can lead to happiness, The Penny Pinchers Club is the perfect pick-me-up for these troubled times.

Monday, May 18, 2009

The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt


A Bewitching mystery--first in the new paranormal chick-lit mystery series.

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. (From B&N)

This first in a series did not thrill me. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either, it was just ok, for me. I had a busy and emotional week while I was reading it, so part of it might have to do with that, but I won't be in a hurry to pick up the next book in the series. I just didn't feel invested in the characters or the plot line. I stopped several times mid-chapter, which is something I don't normally do. Again, it was interesting enough to me that I want to pick up the 2nd book at some point because I am curious about where the series will go, but it isn't on the top of my tbr!!! I will definitely give book #2 a try before making any final decisions on the series as a whole!!! 3/5

Friday, May 15, 2009

Friday Fill INS



And...here we go!

1. If we had no winter we wouldn't encounter the wonder of snowflakes.

2. That my husband sticks with me even when I'm a total bitch is a perpetual astonishment.

3. If I had my life to live over I would have spent more time with my loved ones who have passed on.

4. Confusion lies inside of four and twenty hours.

5. If you've never been thrilled you've never truly lived.

6. To be interested in the changing seasons is a way of life in New England.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging with Dominic while Lillie and Daddy are at the Daddy/Daughter dance, tomorrow my plans include T-Ball in the am and a bbq in the afternoon and Sunday, I want to stay home and relax BUT, I have a family party to attend and am excited about having my kids pictures taken with our best friends kids by an AMAZING photographer!!!!!!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Booking Through Thursday



Book Gluttony! Are your eyes bigger than your book belly? Do you have a habit of buying up books far quicker than you could possibly read them? Have you had to curb your book buying habits until you can catch up with yourself? Or are you a controlled buyer, only purchasing books when you have run out of things to read?

My eyes are most DEFINITELY bigger than my book belly!!!! Although most of my books come to me through PaperbackSwap, I still have the need to add every book to my wishlist there and have books coming in constantly, more than I can read in any short period of time!!! I do go on book buying spree's as well, and usually when I do that I'll read 1 or 2 right away and the rest end up on the shelf to get to eventually!!! Some days I think I should try to curb my book habit, but then I always change my mind!!!! I love to be surrounded by my books, they make me a happy girl!!!!! :)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Waiting On Wednesday


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My choice for this week is:

Doom With A View (Book 7, Psychic Eye Mysteries)
Victoria Laurie
Publication Date: September 1, 2009






From the author's website:

Business has been frustratingly slow for Abby. She needs any new commission she can get, even if it means agreeing to a job with the FBI that puts her at the center of a political struggle between two powerful agents, one of whom is flintly lead investigator and confirmed skeptic Brice Harrison. Abby's skills - and patience - are continually tested as she works to convince Harrison that she's the real deal and can help him locate three teens who have mysteriously disappeared.

Abby's intuition tells her these are not random abductions - and she foresees another victim being kidnapped. To get to the bottom of the case, she and Harrison will have to put aside their differences and work together to find the connection between the missing kids. And to do that, Abby will have to win over Harrison while keeping her psychic eye wide-open.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Teaser Tuesday



  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers! ;)
My teaser for today is:

"At the bottom of the sunken stairway, leaning up against my door, I found a sealed manila envelope with my name on it. I bent and picked it up. Not much heft to it. I slid my thumb under the flap and pulled out a note and a few photocopied sheets of paper."

Taken from: The Trouble With Magic by Madelyn Alt

Monday, May 11, 2009

Tattoo by Jennifer Lynn Barnes


Bailey Morgan isn't the type of girl who shows a lot of skin, but somehow, she ends up in a dressing room at the mall with her friend Delia applying a temporary tattoo to her lower back. Never one to suffer fashion doubt, trendsetter Delia knows exactly where she wants her own tattoo: on her stomach, right where her shirt ends—can you say "midriff"? Annabelle, the quiet one, chooses the back of her neck, and tomboy Zo plasters hers on the top of her foot. The tattoos will last for three days, and Delia's sure that with them, the four friends will absolutely kill at the school dance.

Unfortunately, killing is just what someone has in mind, and Bailey, Delia, Annabelle, and Zo are in for the battle of their lives. Along with her tattoo, each girl receives a gift—a supernatural power to help them in their fight. As Bailey's increasingly frightening dreams reveal the nature of their enemy, it becomes clear to the girls that it's up to them to save the world. And if they can get Delia to stop using her newfound power to turn gum wrappers into Prada pumps, they might actually stand a chance. (From B&N)

This book was pretty good. I didn't absolutely love it, but liked it enough and am intrigued enough to want to pick up and read the next book in the series: Fate which recently came out this past March. The last 100 pages were definitely the best part for me and the last 2 chapters were extremely captivating. The culmination of the whole story was really great and definitely has me wanting to read more about Bailey, her friends and the Sidhe. I think this author has great potential and look forward to reading the next in this series!! :) 3.5/5

Friday, May 8, 2009

Candy Apple Dead by Sammi Carter


Abby Shaw has returned to her hometown of Paradise, Colorado--leaving behind a career in corporate law and a cheating husband--to take over her aunt's candy shop, Divinity. But her sweet new life quickly turns sour when a fellow merchant dies in a fire. With all clues pointing to arson--and Abby's brother as the number one suspect--she must sink her teeth into finding the killer. (From B&N)

I really enjoyed this first book in the Candy Shop Mysteries!! It's been on my TBR pile forever and I have the rest of the series sitting there as well, so I'm pleased to say I will definitely be continuing on with them!!! Great characters, although I was sad that we weren't able to get to know Brandon a bit more before his demise. Loved the setting of the candy shop as well as the candy recipes included in the back of the book. Great start to a new to me series!! :) 4/5

Friday, Friday....


And...here we go!

1. Apples are to oranges as men are to women.

2. Time goes way too fast and that's all I have to say about that.

3. I think I hear my bed calling to take a nap.

4. Respect the American flag.

5. Do what you want to do, but like what you do.

6. Dominic was running and behind him was a Radio Flyer wagon; in the wagon was a bucket filled with baseballs.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing nothing, tomorrow my plans include T-Ball for Dominic and Bella's talent show and Sunday, I want to have a fantastic Mother's Day with all the moms in my life!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Girls Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky


Which is more unlikely?

Meeting a single, straight, reasonably attractive, willing-to-commit man?

Or discovering a secret cache of magic books?

For good girl Jane Madison, neither has a shot in hell of coming true--until the day she finds a hidden room….

Now she's done a bit of experimenting and found a spell that makes her irresistible to men--even those who have previously ignored her. And another that turns a cat into her witch's familiar (a snarky, critical, self-absorbed man--pretty much a typical male). Though her impulsive acts of magic have brought a warder (sexy, grouchy, elusive and determined to stop her from using magic) down on her, Jane's not willing to let go of this fantastic new life.

Though she wonders about having things that aren't "real," she's having too much fun to stop. After all, no one ever said being a witch was easy…. (From B&N)

This was such a cute and magical story, I just loved it!!! I'm always taken in by the witchy side of paranormal, and Jane is just learning about her new powers in this first in the series book by Ms. Klasky!!! I had such fun learning along with Jane about her affinity for witchcraft and crystals and who would not love her familair Neko?!? A really cute and fun story about the powers of witchcraft and all that surrounds them!!! Such an enjoyable read for me!! 4.5/5

Friday, May 1, 2009

Crank by Ellen Hopkins


Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, she meets a boy who introduces her to crank. At first she finds it freeing, but soon Kristina’s personality disappears inside the drug. What began as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul, and her life. (From B&N)

This book takes the reader on a journey, and not always a pleasant one. The depth reached by Ms. Hopkins in this book is amazing and truly makes the reader take a step back and realize what this horrible drug can truly to do a person. Of course I know of crank, but have never been touched by anyone who has used it in my life (so far, and I hope never) but this book makes me feel as if I did know Kristina/Bree. I felt for this girl and her family throughout the book and marvel at how well written this book truly is. Truly captivating. 5/5

April Reads

It's Friday....


And...here we go!

1. The first rule of working in an office and getting along is being considerate of your co-workers space and minding your own business.

2. Fried clams.

3. When I think of carnivals I think of all kinds of bad for you but yummy food.

4. Daffodils are my favorite spring flower.

5. Things on my desk include paper, pens, clutter.

6. Bad drivers makes me wanna scream.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling out at home, tomorrow my plans include Dominic's first T-ball game and a birthday party for Bella and Sunday, I want to relax, but have to go to a pre-Mother's day brunch! ;)

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Stiffs and Swine by J.B. Stanley


When the Supper Club members are invited to be guest judges at a regional barbecue contest, they accept the invitation faster than you can say "hog heaven." But the barbecue festival's family-oriented, finger-licking fun turns sour when a contestant is found dead. Things go from bad to worse when one of the five friends is accused of the murder and lands in jail. The strained relationship between James and Lucy is still no picnic, but the Supper Club members must stick together to find the real killer. (From B&N)

Another wonderful addition to the Supper Club Mysteries!!! I liked that this book took place out of town, at the Hog Fest. I love Quincys Gap, but it was nice to have a little change of scenery and see how the Flab Five worked out of their hometown!!! The secondary characters in this book were terrific, I have to just say that Jimmy was so well described I could pick him out anywhere if I were to ever *see* him....haha I truly love this series, and am so curious to see where the next book in the series will take us......in all aspects!!! :) 5/5

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Poison Ivy by Misty Simon


At 24, Ivy Morris has never lived outside her father’s home and in fact sleeps in the same room her mom decorated over a decade ago. Until she gets a letter with the words "your inheritance" offering her a home and a costume shop of her own 3000 miles away.

But when she arrives to assume her new life she is bombarded by a slew of people looking for the perfect dominatrix or disturbingly tight wrestler costume for the upcoming Harvest Ball. Between overpowering biddies and stolen lingerie from the worst-kept secret side business, things get even more complicated when a woman is murdered at the ball-a woman wearing the same costume as Ivy.

With the help of her new friends and a cute guy trying to rev up his journalism career with this mystery, and revving up her heart in the process, she must solve the murder before someone succeeds in their quest to POISON IVY. (From B&N)

I absolutely LOVED this book, which is the first in a series by Misty Simon. I term it a romantic comedy with a side of mystery and I thought it was fantastic. A super fast read that had me laughing out loud with the antics of Ivy, Bella and Ben, along with a slew of other secondary characters. In Ivy I found a character who was real and could be my best friend, she is far from perfect, but someone you just want to know more about. The push/pull relationship brewing between her and Ben was a trip to read about and definitely left me wanting more!!! Such a quick and easy read, I didn't want to put it down because I wanted to see what could possibly happen to Ivy next!! Loved this book, and highly recommend it to those who want a chuckle!!!! 5/5


Monday, April 27, 2009

Murder...Suicide...Whatever by Gwen Freeman


Fifi Cutter is an acerbic, bi-racial twenty-something, with family issues and a delightfully cynical world view. Just fired from her boring, but steady job at Colchester Casualty, she is barely making it as an independent insurance adjustor when her freeloading half-brother, Bosco Dorff, shows up with the news that their Uncle Ted has been murdered. Fifi is hired to investigate. Ted was an insurance broker to the stars–porn stars. Posing as grief counselors, Fifi and Bosco interrogate a colorful array of suspects, including Ted’s smoking hot mistress, his portly assistant, and his deadly competition, Corazon Villareal. Fifi zips around LA to check out the various and vaguely guilty suspects -- all classic LA characters. When Bosco disappears, however, Fifi is catalysed into immediate action, finding the unlikely killer and gaining an unlikely accomplice. (From B&N)

This was just an okay read for me! While I really enjoyed the zaniness of Fifi and Bosco, I wasn't overly thrilled with the story. I felt there was some information included that could have been left out as it didn't really have much to do with the plot and seemed to be filler material, which really wasn't needed. I will definitely give the 2nd book a try because although it wasn't one of my favorite cozy reads, it was entertaining and enjoyable enough to warrant another peek into the lives of Fifi and Bosco!!! 3/5

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine


The wait is over. dig into the feast...

In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced, though—especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town's living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It's only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he's set for Morganville. (From B&N)

As with all of the other books in this series, this one ends with quite the cliffhanger, so I see myself reading #5 sometime in the very near future!!! :) I love that new characters are being introduced, but not in huge amounts so you lose track of who's who!!! I loved the suspense of this book surround the *feast* and although I had an inkling of what would happen, the actual deliverance of the scene really delivered!!! Great book, great series, highly recommended!!!! 5/5

Too much......

To try to actually catch up on all my books read, so I'm just going to start with my lastest that I finished and try to keep up!!! ;)

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Life is Crazy.....

I want to take a minute to apologize to those who take the time to read my blog, life is crazy these days and I haven't been keeping up very well. I am trying to find time to just sit and update this week, so please bear with me and know I will be back up and running soon...........I hope!!!! :)

Monday, April 6, 2009

The Butterfly House by Marcia Preston


As a child, Bobbie Lee found refuge from her lonely life at her best friend's house. Rockhaven was a place of magic, colored by the butterflies that Cincy Jaines's mother, Lenora, studied. Her friendship with Cincy and Lenora soon became Bobbie's compass. But the tangled intimacies between them began to unravel, and in one night, Rockhaven became a place of unspeakable tragedy.
Now, a decade later, the long shadows of that night continue to haunt Bobbie, despite her attempts to hide from the past. When a stranger with ties to Lenora and Cincy arrives at her doorstep, she is forced to confront the memories she has tried to avoid, and the dark secret at the heart of the tragedy slowly emerges.

I absolutely loved this book. It's been sitting on my TBR mountain for far too long before picking it up!!!! The time jumps between when Bobbie was a young girl/teenager to present day as an adult to tell a well rounded story of the shared love between the women in the story. It was captivating and emotional and just a wonderful story!!!!! The characters were so well developed, I felt as if they could have been sitting next to me telling me their story as opposed to my reading about it. A fantastic book - one that should not be missed!!!!! 5/5

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

March Books Read

Smart Boys & Fast Girls by Stephie Davis


ON YOUR MARK. Natalie Page is overlooked and unappreciated. Yeah, sure, she can run fast. Yeah, sure, all the boys love her...as a buddy. Yeah, she has plans every weekend night...with her friends and their boyfriends. GET SET. It's time for the world to sit up and take notice. When Natalie makes the varsity cross country team, it seems like the fast track to being cool. The popular girls notice her, the hunky captain of the boys team is giving her rides home. Natalie Page is off and running. Then she starts to fail geometry. She has to get a tutor: a very annoying boy who thinks sports is for idiots. A very smart boy who thinks she's stupid. A very cute boy who already has a girlfriend and has no interest in her. A boy she told her parents she was dating. GO! Natalie Page can run. Now she has to decide how to finish...


Super fast, super cute YA read!!! Very light and fluffy, a battle between the jocks and the brains. I really enjoyed this read, it was a perfect in between book for me to segway a suspense novel to a heavier women's fiction. 3.5/5

Sudden Death by Allison Brennan


Heroic Justice

When a homeless veteran is found dead in a squalid Sacramento alley, FBI special agent Megan Elliott vows to find the murdered hero’s killer. Her investigation gets complicated fast, for the victim, a former Delta Force soldier, is just one link in a nationwide spree of torture and murder.

Straight off a job rescuing medical missionaries, soldier-for-hire Jack Kincaid returns to his home base in the Texas border town of Hidalgo only to receive the news that one of his closest colleagues–also ex-military–has been brutally murdered. Faced with an inept local police force, Jack takes matters into his own hands.

Now, as part of a national task force to stop the sadistic killings, by-the-book Megan and burn-the-book Jack form a tense alliance, sparked with conflict and temptation. But they struggle against more than passion, for a vicious pair of killers has only just begun a rampage of evil . . . and the primary target is much closer than Megan suspects.


Although this book took me close to 150 pages to really get into (mostly because I was crazy busy and not feeling well) once I got into it I didn't want to put it down!!! Lots of suspense, and action, and wondering going on in this 1st in a triology by Ms. Brennan!! I finished the last 300 pages or so in 1/2 the time it took to get into the first 150, definitely one of those hard to put down books!!! Great book, I really look forward to the next in this trilogy!! :) 4/5

Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday Fill Ins....




And...here we go!


1. "In a hole in the ground there lived
a little rabbit."

2. "
I'm tired again but that ain't no matter."

3. "After dark the rain began to fall again, and it lulled me to sleep."

4. "
Come forth from the hold of the Spanish galleon."

5. "There was a hand in the darkness, and
it tried to grab me and not let go."

6. "Accidents ambush the unsuspecting, so watch your back."

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to
my Godson's birthday dinner and Chuck E Cheese with our best friends, tomorrow my plans include movie theatre birthday party for said Godson and Sunday, I want to have a nice family day!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins


Sometimes you don't wake up. But if you happen to, you know things will never be the same.

Three lives, three different paths to the same destination: Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital for those who have attempted the ultimate act — suicide.

Vanessa is beautiful and smart, but her secrets keep her answering the call of the blade.

Tony, after suffering a painful childhood, can only find peace through pills.

And Conner, outwardly, has the perfect life. But dig a little deeper and find a boy who is in constant battle with his parents, his life, himself.

In one instant each of these young people decided enough was enough. They grabbed the blade, the bottle, the gun — and tried to end it all. Now they have a second chance, and just maybe, with each other's help, they can find their way to a better life — but only if they're strong and can fight the demons that brought them here in the first place.

Wow, this book completely blew me away!!!! This is my first read by Ellen Hopkins and most definitely will NOT be my last!!! I knew going into the book that it was dealing with some heavier subject matter, which is clearly pointed out in the book description. What I did not know was the impact the verse style writing would have about such subject matter. Although the book reads quickly because of the verse style it is jam packed with emotion and a subject matter that will stay with you. I found myself reading many pages out loud to myself, which I never do, but felt compelled with this particular novel. Just amazing, I can't wait to get and read more of Ms. Hopkins work!!!! 5/5

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Paper Scissors Death by Joanna Campbell Slan


Every scrapbook tells a story. Memories of friends, family . . .and murder?

Mousy housewife Kiki Lowenstein has two great loves: scrapbooking and her young daughter, Anya. But her happy family album is ruined when her husband, George, is found naked and dead in a hotel room. As Kiki tracks down George's murderer, she discovers his sordid secret life.

Cruel taunts by George's former flame compel Kiki to spout an unwise threat. When the woman is murdered, Kiki's scissor-sharp words make her the prime suspect. She could be creating scrapbook keepsakes for the rest of her life-behind bars. Supported by her loyal friends, along with a little help (and a lot of stomach flutters) from the dashing Detective Detweiler, can Kiki cut the true killer out of the picture and design a new life for herself and Anya?

This is a great start to a new series!!! Kiki is a great main character who is easy to like, you want her to succeed as she's been thrown some major curve balls in the recent past. I really enjoyed the many friendships that were formed as well as the mystery aspect. I was wrong about who I thought the killer was a couple times, I always like being wrong when I read a mystery!!! :) Great start to a new series, and I can't wait for the 2nd book to come out!!! :) 4/5


Redneck Cinderella by LuAnn McLane


Raised by her widowed father, Jolie Russell could keep up with any man—that is, until wealthy and sexy land developer Cody Dean struts into her life.

Cody buys the Russell farm with an impossible-to-refuse multimillion-dollar offer, then relocates Jolie and her dad to the Copper Creek Estates. But the country club atmosphere isn’t ready for Jolie’s kind of country. As her two worlds collide, Jolie wonders how she can ever hope to capture Cody’s heart without giving up her grits.

LOVED this book, as I have with all of McLane's, she is most definitely one of my very favorite authors of all time!!! :) This book surely does not dissapoint. I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with Jolie Russell and her attitude. She's a tough cookie with a soft side to her that she doesn't like to let show. And a girl who comes into money but realizes that doesn't have to change who she truly is!!!! Love, love, love the characters in this book. Another fantastic read by McLane!! :) 5/5