MariReads

Book Review: The Last Letter From Your Lover by JoJo Moyes

2012-02-14T10:11:00.000-08:00

The Last Letter From Your Lover by JoJo Moyes

Jennifer Sterling awakes in a hospital bed with no memory of the car accident that got her there or the people around her. She goes home with her husband, now a stranger to her, to a home and a life that seems new and foreign. She tries to act the part of the dutiful wife and socialite but feels lost until she discovers a collection of letters written to her from before the accident.

She finds these letters full of declarations of love and sentiment that are somehow more familiar to her than anything else. The problem- they are not from her husband. She is determined to find the mysterious B and in the process, over many years, learns much about herself, the love she once had, and the lies and unforeseen circumstances that have kept them apart.

Moyes' characters are likable and relevant. I found myself both laughing and crying with them. This was just such an entertaining and encompassing story. It is a bitter sweet love story that spans 40 years. It was the perfect read for my February book group! With Valentine's Day this week, we felt the need for a good love story but not a cheesy romance novel. This was just what we wanted.

4.5/5
Source: purchased ebook

Happy Valentine's Day!

A sweet smelling offer

2012-02-13T09:40:00.001-08:00

I will be a part of the blog tour for MJ Rose's The Book of Lost Fragrances in April. In perpetration, here is a great offer available to you...

M.J. Rose is asking if you've ever smelled a story?

“He struggled to separate out the notes he recognized from the ones he didn’t, searching for the ingredients that gave the blend its promise of hope, of long nights and voluptuous dreams, of invitation and embrace. Of an everlasting covenant ripe with possibility. Of lost souls reunited.” —The Book of Lost Fragrances

Discover the perfume inspired by The Book of Lost Fragrances

Pre-order The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J. Rose and we'll send you a free sample of Âmes Soeurs, the Scent of Soulmates. This exclusive fragrance, inspired by the novel, was created by Joya Studios and is not yet for sale. Joya’s Âmes Sœurs hints of Frankincense, Myrrh, Orange Blossom and Jasmine. It’s smoky uncommon finish suggests the past and the future, and lost souls reunited.

Just use one of the links at http://mjrose.com/fragrances/scent.asp and follow the directions there.

Offer ends March 1, but pre-order now since we have a limited number of supplies! US and Canada only.

Blog Tour Stop for Toby Neal's Blood Orchid

2012-02-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

"Drowning isn't pretty, even in paradise."

That first line got my attention and what came after kept me reading.

Despite the Hawaiian setting, don't expect mai tais and beautiful sunsets. This story is dark and shows the seedy side of the Hawaiian islands. A few seemingly unconnected crimes pulls a young, ambitious police officer deeper into a murder investigation than she intended.

Leilani Texiera is struggling with separating her past from her current life, yet it seems to help her in the search for a serial rapist and murderer. Her ambition to make detective and her prior acquaintance with one of the victims pushes her to become part of the investigation unknowingly making her a target. Her strength and stubbornness are both an asset and a danger when dealing a with more than one bad guy.

Neal is very good at making everyone Lei comes in contact with seem like the perp. I was sure several times that I knew who the murderer was. Wrong each time. Also, this book doesn't end when you think it should and just continues with the surprises and thrills.

4/5
Source: sent for review

Read on for an excerpt from Blood Orchids and see how that first chapter just grabs your attention and makes you want to keep reading.

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BLOOD ORCHIDS

A Novel by Toby Neal

Chapter 1

Drowning isn’t pretty, even in paradise. The girl’s features were bloated by water and nibbled on by wildlife. She lay half embedded in silty mud, naked as a seal carcass. Long hair that might have been blonde wrapped around her like seaweed, one sparkly hair tie still in place on the side of her head.

Leilani Texeira grimaced at the sulphurous smell of the mud as she stepped into it, shiny regulation shoes disappearing, and squatted to inspect the body. After three years on the force in Hawaii she’d seen several drowned corpses, and had learned to stay detached as she looked for any signs of violence. Still, she was thankful for the small mercy of the girl’s closed eyes.

Her partner Pono’s voice was a bass drone interspersed with static as he called in the discovery on the radio. Lei stayed on her haunches, her eyes slowly surveying the entire overgrown area of the small county park. Invasive christmasberry bushes and clumps of tall pili grass competed along the unkempt banks. Midmorning sun leached reluctantly from under cloud cover as she spotted what looked like a bobbing coconut a few yards out. Lei glanced around—no palm trees ringed the pond.

She pushed her pant legs up and splashed forward into murky water warm as blood, clots of yellowish algae dotting the surface.

“Hey!” Pono called. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Got another one,” Lei said. The water reached her thighs. Any deeper and she’d have to go back and take off her bulky duty belt. She approached the body, floating face down. Female, small build, brown skinned and nude—Lei mentally composed the report. She extended her baton and poked the corpse, wondering if something might fall off if she touched it, but the flesh was hard. Still in rigor. These girls hadn’t been dead long.

“Let the crime techs deal with it. You know you’re not supposed to touch the body—I don’t want you to get in trouble again” She ignored Pono, in the grip of a compulsion she couldn’t put words to.

There was something familiar about this body.

She grabbed a handful of trailing black hair and gently pulled. There was bit of give, but the hair held and the body moved sluggishly at her tug. Lei steeled herself and, walking backward, slowly towed the body to shore in a parody of rescue. She backed up into the shallows, bringing the girl up onto the muddy bank, and rolled her by flipping the shoulder. The brunette landed on her back with a splash next to the blonde.

Lei sucked a breath and bit her lip, bile rising.

The eyes were open this time, and she recognized them.

Haunani Something-or-other—a sixteen year old kid with an attitude. Lei had busted her for possession at the high school a week ago. The girl’s once-brown eyes were cloudy. Her open mouth was filled with water. Rigor kept the arms raised at an angle. Haunani looked as if she were waving for help, the motion frozen forever.

Off in the distance Lei heard sirens. She staggered out of the mud up onto the grass to stand beside Pono. Her stomach crawled back down her throat as she breathed in through her nose, out through her mouth and touched the tiny cowrie she kept in her pocket.

“I know her. I mean, I knew her.”

“Who she stay?” Pono used pidgin, dialect of the Islands, when he was upset. He rubbed his mustache with a finger and she knew he wanted a cigarette.

“Remember a couple weeks ago? Drug bust at the high school? Her name’s Haunani Pohakoa.”

The last name came to her along with a memory of the girl’s cocked hip and long shiny hair. Haunani had been vain about that hair, tossing it around like a pony flicking flies. Lei wished she could forget the slick feeling of the wet strands as her heart squeezed, remembering the fragile bravado Haunani had worn like armor—an armor they shared. She’d felt an immediate connection to the girl when she met her. Lei rubbed her hands briskly on soaked uniform slacks.

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Would you like to read on?

Luckily for you, I have a copy available for GIVEAWAY. If you are a US resident and enjoy a good mystery leave a comment on this post. Let me know what your favorite mystery novel is for an extra entry!

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For more information on the novel and author, Toby Neal, check out the following:

Website: http://tobyneal.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toby.w.neal

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/tobywneal

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Mailbox Monday

2012-01-29T22:00:00.000-08:00

Lots of books to share today. Yay!
For Review:Merciful Law by Darby Rae (paperback)Blood Orchids by Toby Neal (ebook)A Will to Murder by Hilary Thomson (ebook)Ugly to Start With by John Michael Cummings (ebook)
Purchased:The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown (paperback)American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition by Neil Gaiman (e-book)
Go visit At Home With Books, MM host this month and see what others got and/or share your new books. Happy Monday!_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

The Sunday Salon: January Wrap Up

2012-01-28T22:00:00.000-08:00

The first month of 2012 is almost done. Wow. Time flies, right?I know I should have posted my 2012 goals at the beginning of the month, but I am a little late doing most things lately. Anyway, so February will be my month to start working on these:
1. Turn the TV off while LO is awake. I fear it has been on a bit too much. We do go outside a lot for walks in Golden Gate Park and trips to the playground. Most recently-bike rides! Less TV is always a good thing.2. More Mommy time. I am a stay at home mom, so I am with the little girl all day, every day. I have tried getting some time for myself- I started a book group with friends, but it is not much. Once a month, and when the hubby is out of town for work I either miss or have to take E with me. Am thinking pedicures, yoga class, etc.3. Lose some weight! This has an ongoing struggle. I am more active these days than I have been in awhile, which is good. But my eating habits haven't changed much, which is not so good. I have a Weight Watchers online account that I haven't been using the past couple months. I need to start that up again. As far as being active- daily walks, sometimes walk/run Couch to 5k training- I have a 5K next Sunday, bike rides. 4. Cooking. One thing that would help with #3 would be to eat at home more. We eat out a lot and I know cooking some low cal, healthier meals at home would do some wonders. I have never been a fan of cooking, so this one will be hard.5. Reading. I need to put down the iPad games, turn off the TV and read more. I have missed my nightly reading and have in the past couple weeks started to go to bed an hour earlier so I can read before turning off the lights. Need to continue this.6. Blogging. I want to find more time to get online regularly to post and to read the blogs I have missed reading the past 1+ year. I am also excited to have some books lined up for reviews. It's been awhile since I felt that I had time to accept some.
Current Reads

Blood Orchids by Toby NealA Will to Murder by Hilary Thomson

Next books TBR and reviewed:
Ugly to Start With by John Michael CummingsMerciful Law by Darby Rae
On The Blog
GiveawaysCheck back soon
January Reviews
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson (review)The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (review)
Mommy NewsWant some nuggets with that ketchup? This girl can eat!
The little girl has discovered the fun of climbing! I fear many falls and bumps are in our future. This morning she slipped while trying to climb up on our bed and gave herself a bruise under her eye. Oh boy.

Happy Sunday!

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Quick Review: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson

2012-01-28T10:49:00.000-08:00

I finally finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, the third book in Steig Larsson's trilogy. What an amazing end to a great series of books. It is sad to think that there will be no more books by Larsson. He was quite an amazing storyteller.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest starts right where The Girl Who Played With Fire ended and brings all of Lisbeth Salandar's horrors to a satisfying end. I must say, Lisbeth Salandar has to be one of the best characters created in all the books I have read. She is an amazing protagonist and her story, Larsson's story, is just about perfect. She is such a well rounded character- she has weaknesses and strengths, she has a history that captivates and her possible futures intrigues.

These will go on my shortlist of re-readable books.

5/5

Source: borrowed

Author and story: Sweden

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Sunday Salon: January 22, 2012

2012-01-22T10:55:00.000-08:00

The weeks are flying by! I can't believe it is almost February already. January has been a quiet month in our casa. Not much going on, but it has been nice after the hustle and bustle of the Holidays. Here in San Francisco, the city is gearing up for the NFC championship. So, that is how my rainy Sunday will be spent- cheering on the 49ers.

Current Reads

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig LarssenA Will to Murder by Hilary Thomson

Next books TBR and reviewed:Blood Orchids by Toby NealMerciful Law by Darby Rae
On The Blog
GiveawaysCheck back soon
New Reviews
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (review)
Mommy News

The little girl continues to grow. She is 16 months old already! She requires a lot of time outside, either going for bike rides or playing at the playground. We are having a lot of fun finding out what she enjoys to do, to eat, etc. Her personality is coming on strong and we love it.

Happy Sunday!

Go Niners!

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

2012-01-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

What an amazing story.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a couple stories, actually. First and foremost, it is about Henrietta Lacks. In 1951, Henrietta, a 30 year old wife and mother, is a black women living in Baltimore. After the birth of her fifth child, she is diagnosed with cervical cancer and begins treatment at John Hopkins' Hospital. Unbeknownst to her or her family, cells taken from the large tumor on her cervix were cultured and grown in the lab of George Gey. She died in pain, her body riddled with tumors and charred from the radiation treatments but her cells lived on as HeLa cells. These cells were used in the development of vaccines and in researching diseases and are still used today.
This is also the story of Henrietta's family. Those she left behind and how the cells have affected their lives. Her husband, her children and grandchildren all have dealt with it differently. Deborah, her daughter, is deeply affected by what is said and not said about her mother. She wants her mother to have recognition, and yet the truth of how her mother died, what happened to her sister, and the history of the cells all cause her anxiety and stress. Others have had so much anger with the hospital and doctors for not informing them. And some were just confused about what exactly it meant that Henrietta's cells were still living on.
Deborah's relationship and interaction with Rebecca, the author, is really quite sweet and the stories she tells in her own words are wonderful. I really felt this was the heart of the book. Ms. Skloot is so open with the family and you can tell she really cared about them not just their story and information they could give her about Henrietta Lacks.
I found this book, deeply touching and very informative. It blended the science, the history and the human interest story so perfectly. I am so glad this one was picked for my book club because I probably would not have picked it up on my own.
I highly recommend this one.
5/5Source: Purchased ebook

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Blogger iPhone app

2012-01-06T11:05:00.001-08:00

Has anyone used it yet? What do you all think?

My internet connection is being iffy on my laptop so thought I would see if there was an easy way to post from here.

It's not bad. Pretty basic. I just wish there was an app for the iPad. I have to zoom in to use on here so it is a bit blurry. That would be my only critique so far.

Anyway, happy blogging and TGIF.

Mailbox Monday: Lasts books of 2011

2012-01-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

It's 2012! I have a few new books to share, though, that I received in 2011. Christmas gifts from the hubby and a couple ebooks for my new iPad. Here is what I got…
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
For the iPad, I got…
Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Nation by Terry Pratchett
and
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (for book group)
What came into your home this past week?
Go visit At Home With Books, MM host this month and see what others got and/or share your new books. Happy Monday!_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

TSS: Happy New Year!!

2012-01-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has recovered from their festivities celebrating the new year. I had a lovely time with the hubby and friends but happily made it home and in bed by 12:20am. Needed some sleep before the little girl woke for the day. :)So, saying hello to 2012 means looking back at 2011's accomplishments…Yup, time to look back at what I read this year. Not quite as many books as I usually read, but not bad.

Books Read in 2011

December
29. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (review)
28. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris = (review)

November
27. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris = (review)
26. Tempted by P.C. CAst and Kristen Cast (review)
25. Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe + (review)

October
24. The Shining by Stephen King (review)
23. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (review)

September
22. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (review)
21. Ada Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald + (review)

August
20. Ghellow Road by T.H. Waters + (review)
19. The Fall by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan + (review)
18. Ten Good Reasons to Lie About Your Age by Stephanie Zia + (review)

July
17. Samson's Lovely Mortal by Tina Folsom (review)
16. The Ambition by Lee Strobel + (review)
15. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett * (review)

June
14. Dead Giveaway by S. Furlong-Bolliver + (review)
13. The Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton + (review)

May
12. Dreamwalk by Sarah MacManus + (review)
11. Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth (review)
10. Gone With a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West * (review)

April
9. Top 100 Baby Purees: 100 Quick and Easy Meals for a Healthy and Happy Baby by Annabel Karmel (review)
8. Wings by Aprilynne Pike (review)
7. My Jane Austen Summer by Cindy Jones + (review)
6. Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (review)
5. The no-cry sleep solution by Elizabeth Pantley

March
4. Horns by Joe Hill + (review)
3. Electric Barracuda by Tim Dorsey * (review)

February

January
2. Living with the Dead by Kelly Armstrong (review)
1. Final Jeopardy by Linda Fairstein =

* ARC

^ LT Early Reviewers Program

# GoodReads First Reads Program

~ Giveaway Win

+ publisher/author sent for review (not ARC)

= Mooched/Borrowed

Purchased

Here's to a great book-filled 2012!_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

2012 Reading Challenges

2011-12-19T22:47:00.000-08:00

It has been a couple years since I joined in on a challenge other than R.I.P. I feel it is time to dip my feet back in a bit. I have been neglecting the blog and my reading habit for way too long. So, here are a couple challenges that I am looking forward to.

Literary Escapism's New Author ChallengeI will try for 15 books by new-to-me authors. Starting slow and going to attempt at least one new author a month. Seems doable.

Rose City Reader's European Reading ChallengeI will be attempting the Five Star (Deluxe Entourage)- Five books by different European authors or books set in different European countries.

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

November/December Book Group: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

2011-12-19T22:04:00.000-08:00

This months book: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Thoughts about the book:This was a DNF for me (my review). I just couldn't make myself finish it. I had plenty of time to, but I threw down the book (or would have if it wasn't an ebook on my iPhone) when the drama kept piling on, one event after another. It felt forced and not real and the last one just made me mad and I didn't want to read any more.

Everyone else really enjoyed the book and didn't have the same issues with it as me. There were a couple who agreed that the racing analogies were a bit boring and admitted to scanning over a lot of those chapters. In my reading, I felt that Denny was allowing a lot of these dramas into his life without fighting for what was best for him and his family. He seemed resigned to the pain, loneliness and guilt. I got fed up with him, really, not the book entirely. So, I have started back up again and am enjoying it a little better especially since Denny started fighting and Enzo agreed with my assessment of him a few pages in from where I quit.
Popular Question:How would the book have been different had Denny been the narrator instead of Enzo, the dog?So different. There is so much inferring done on his part when it comes to things that happen away from him. Also, I would finally understand what Denny was thinking and feeling as he starts losing everything in his life he holds dear. It would be a completely different novel.
Next Months book: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

2011-12-14T10:32:00.000-08:00

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

I started off really enjoying this book. I loved Enzo humour and take on life as a dog. His view on evolution and how "the man" is keeping him down is hilarious. I was laughing out loud for the first few chapters. Then the car racing analogies came in and they were a little boring but I could ignore that and still enjoy reading about Enzo's life with Denny, Eve and Zoe. It was still an enjoyable book and still had some funny parts and some sad.

<Spoilers>

Then, about half way through, the drama starts…wife gets sick but refuses to go to a doctor. Then, Denny allows her parents to keep her and their daughter at their house for months after she gets out of the hospital and ignores all the signs that they are trying to keep their daughter longterm.

Oh wait, there is more…Denny stupidly takes a teenage girl home from a ski trip and allows her to finagle a night stay not realizing she has developed a crush on him. His wife then dies, his inlaws sue for custody of Zoe, the girl accuses Denny of rape…

</spoilers>

There was probably a lot more but I gave up. I just couldn't continue. How completely oblivious can one guy be? How much crap could befall one person and have only the dog realize what is going on? I wasn't expecting a Jodi Piccoult type storyline in this book. I don't read her books for this reason.

Lighthearted and fun, this was not. I saw the dog on the cover and immediately thought this would be a book to put a smile on my face. I should have stopped reading around Chapter 11. If you like books full of drama and don't mind it being narrated by a dog you will enjoy it. This just wasn't for me.

2.5/5
Source: purchased ebook for book group
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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

2011-12-02T10:03:00.001-08:00

Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

Another fun installment but wasn't as good as the previous one. The storyline was all over the place and more focused on the shifters, who I am not all that interested in.

A sniper is roaming Bon Temps and with no apparent link between the victims, the police are stumped. Sookie, however, realizes that all who have been shot are shifters and despite her hope for some non-supe time for herself she is once again in the middle of it all.

Taking a break before starting the next book so I can get my book group book read, but will hopefully get started on Book 6 soon after.

3.5/5
Source: borrowed
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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

2011-11-22T10:29:00.001-08:00

Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

Another fun installment in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Getting my fill since I no longer have HBO and haven't seen the last two seasons of True Blood.

I am really wishing I hadn't missed this last season if it followed this book. Loved this Eric-centric storyline. Nice to have a little less Bill. I definitely prefer the Viking and his little red underwear.

Right, the story... Eric loses his memory and has to stay with Sookie to keep him safe from the witches that cursed him until they can be found and dealt with. Also, Jason goes missing and gets himself more entangled with the Supes.

Ready for the next book. Luckily for me, I have it right here.

4/5

Source: borrowed

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Current Read and Teaser: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris

2011-11-15T10:32:00.001-08:00

I am finally reading the books that my sister lent me back when the little girl first came home from the hospital. I easily read the previous two books while she nursed since they were paperbacks. The hardcovers were a little harder to hold while nursing. So, now that the little girl is over a year old and napping during the day and sleeping in her own bed at night, I am finally finding time and hands to read my hardcover books. Yay.

Anyway, here is a little snippet from this fun, Eric-centric installment.

"Eric was pulling on his jeans, with his back to me. He hadn't bothered with underwear, not even the itty-bitty red ones." page 88.

Woohoo. Can't wait to get to this part. ;)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page (I am usually not so random)
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!

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

The Hunger Games Trailer

2011-11-14T19:23:00.001-08:00

I can't wait! I think it looks pretty good. How about you? Does it look as you pictured it when you read the books? I am hoping it lives up to them._________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: Tempted by P.C Cast and Kristin Cast

2011-11-14T11:37:00.001-08:00

Tempted by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Well, this may be the end of this series for me. I hate not completing a series, but I am just not liking these characters anymore. And, they killed off my favorite!

Tempted starts off where the previous book ended with Zoey and co. cleaning up the mess that Neferet and Kalona left behind at the House of Night and the Sisters of Mercy. They managed to make them leave Tulsa but to truly end their attempt to reign over all the vamps, they must make a trip to Italy and go before the vamp council and prove that Neferet and Kalona are Nyx and Erebus incarnate.

Zoey is still dealing with too many boyfriends- no real point to this, but it does make her seem a bit slutty and I just don't care about her problems. She was so much more likable at the beginning of the series. Also, the one person that I liked and seemed to have some purpose in the storyline was killed off! I suppose it helps in lessening Zoey's boyfriend problems.

Anyway, I may read the rest of the series eventually but not now. I have other books on my shelf to read. No need to run off and buy the next book. It can wait.

2/5
Source: purchased
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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Mailbox Monday

2011-11-14T10:51:00.001-08:00

I broke down and bought a book. The little girl and I went for a walk the other day and came across a used bookstore. I couldn't walk by and not go in. Who could? There were so many books calling to me to take me home, but I managed to resist and left with only one.Patient Zero by Jonathon Mayberry

Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at the Mailbox Monday Blog this month. What books did you get this week?

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe

2011-11-08T20:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I wasn't too sure about it, hearing the premise, but it was interesting enough to want to read and I am glad I did. It was an entertaining read.
Cameron Martin is a normal conceited and popular 17 year old high school senior doing typical stupid teenager stuff. He only thinks of himself and getting in the pants of his girlfriend, even in the school library. His selfishness and rudeness ends up costing him his life. A witch puts a curse on him and he begins to age very rapidly.
It was interesting to see the changes in Cameron once the curse goes into effect. Not only does he age physically, but also emotionally and in maturity.
Happy Birthday to Me is available in paperback and as an ebook. The sequel, Happy Birthday to Me Again is now also available.
3.5/5
Source: author for review_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

RIP VI: Challenge Completed

2011-11-08T20:25:00.000-08:00

Carl's R.I.P Challenge is a favorite every year. A chance to read all my favorite types of books.

I was worried that I wouldn't get any books read but I actually did pretty good. I tried for Peril the Second. Here are the books I read and reviewed:

Ada: Legend of a Healer by R.A. McDonald

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

The Shining by Stephen King

Can't wait for next year's challenge!

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

October Book Group: The Shining by Stephen King

2011-10-26T22:37:00.000-07:00

I was so worried that I would be the only one reading this book. Everyone seemed so hesitant to read a horror genre book at our last meeting. Surprisingly all but one read it! Yay!- and on top of that, everyone really enjoyed it. I hosted this week and loved having people here to enjoy my Halloween decor. This months book: The Shining by Stephen King

Thoughts about the book:I was so excited to hear that everyone had a hard time putting this book down since I had the same reaction. I was reading it every chance I had. Most of us really liked the psychological aspect of the book- not knowing if what was happening was real or all in their heads.
The Overlook definitely had an affect on all of us readers. One had a creepy experience in a building with fire doors closing and alarms going off and getting freaked out by the fire hoses in the hall. Agh! The rest of us were just a little more aware of the dark and noises in our homes.
Popular Question:What was the significance of the wasps/wasp's nest?This was one that we didn't really have an answer for. It came up a few times- different character's experience with wasp nests and then again at then end. It seemed to simple that it was just a reference to the Overlook being its own kind of wasp nest. It seems like something more. Ideas?
We also had fun comparing the book to the movie. We all decided the book was better.
Next Months book: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Teaser Tuesday: Book for review

2011-10-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

I am finally making some progress with my review books. Here is a teaser from my current read, Happy Birthday to Me by Brian Rowe.

"I could still hear my little sister’s violin playing down the hallway. When I walked into the house, it had been fast and jovial. Now it was slow and somber, as if behind closed doors she could feel the sadness of my mother’s heart." Brian Rowe (2011). Happy Birthday To Me (Kindle Locations 186-188). Kindle Edition.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page (I am usually not so random)
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!

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FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Book Review: The Shining by Stephen King

2011-10-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

The Shining by Stephen King

I have been wanting to read a Stephen King book for a very long time. I read Christine years ago when I was a teenager but hadn't read anything else since. I decided to pick The Shining for my book groups October read. Probably not the best book for my easily scared group of friends, but for me-the perfect read.
Most, I believe, know the story, right? Jack Torrance takes a job as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel which is in the Rocky Mountains closed off to everything once the snow starts to fall. He brings along his wife, who is ready to leave him the minute he starts drinking again, and his son, Danny with his psychic abilities.
I enjoyed reading this all month long. I loved the slow build up of the supernatural scares to the big final battle between the Torrance's and the Overlook Hotel. It was interesting to me how much of this is a psychological thriller rather than blood and gore scares. There is that, too, but the psychological thrills were so much more disturbing and scary.
Next on my Stephen King books to read list: It.
5/5
Source: purchased ebook for iPhone Kindle App
RIP VI Challenge_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on title and image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.