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The Love of my Life <3

The Love of my Life <3

Monday, August 31, 2009

Awesome New Challenge!!




I've stumbled upon this awesome challenge and I can't wait to begin!! The challenge is being hosted by Bambi Reads and is called the Middle School Challenge!! I think this is a wonderful idea because you often find challenges for the older YA age bracket! (Books in this group are geared towards kids 8-12)



The competition is from September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2010

Guidelines for the Middle Grade Book Challenge
1. Anyone can join.

2. Read 12 middle grade novels (Challenge 1) or read 25 MG books (Challenge 2). You can read comics too, or listen to audio books. These can be in any language. You don't have to make a reading list now; you may select them as you go and you're free to make changes to your list.

3. The challenge begins September 1st, 2009 through August 31st, 2010.

4. You can join anytime between now and August 31st, 2010.

5. When you sign up with MckLinky right below, you will be redirected to another page. Type in your name, followed by the name of your blog. [e.g.: Linda Ellen (Bambi Reads)]. Then type in your blog's URL. Please follow these instructions or your link will be removed.

I will be in challenge 1 so I will read 12 books :

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Certain Girls

For those of you who have not read GOOD IN BED yet, please do - and skip over this post. It will spoil both books for you and I really don't want that.


We catch up with Cannie and Joy 13 years later. Many things have changed for them. When we left them - in the final sentences of "Good In Bed" Cannie's screenplay had just been sold and she has a new apartment with a tiny joy and Peter a new love interest.

Joy is no longer a tiny baby but a 13 year old on the verge of having her bat mitzvah. Both girls have to over come the past - which hides many troubling thoughts.

When Cannie was 28 and Joy was still an infant, Cannie wrote a book. In that book she she vents about her past : her father leaving when they were young, growing up with a dysfunctional family - and having her mother become a late-in-life lesbian. In the book Cannie also talks about Bruce and the pain she went through - including the unplanned pregnancy. The book became a best-seller catapulting her into success and fame. After the press died down, Cannie happily took the role as the stay-at-home mother.

Joy wants to know about her past. She's tired of her mother always hovering over her shoulder. She's a grown up now and she doesn't need to be babied. When she gets a copy of her mothers book "Big Girls Don't Cry" the past begins to unveil itself, but also leads to knew questions. Like who is her grandfather? Was her mother really that much of a whore in college? Joy begins to pull away from Cannie.

Both Cannie and Joy have to untangle the past, and learn who they are. Towards the end of the book - and curve ball is thrown. I would have never EVER guessed what happened. I cried - it was so sad - and I still can't believe it happened. I loved "Good In Bed" and now I have "Certian Girls" to add next to it. It's a wonderful book full of laughter, family bonding, love, friendship, loss. I'm glad that we got to see Cannie after the fame and "happily ever after" wore off.

Please read Good In Bed and Certain Girls. You won't be disappointed.

Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner. New York (c) 2008

Friday, August 28, 2009

Queen of Babble: In the Big City

She's baaaaaaaack!!!

Did that make you think of that really scary movie that, now after writing this I can't remember? Good.

We catch up with Lizzie and Shari in a dive bar called Honey's - in Manhattan! They have officially moved to New York!!! Yeah!!! Well, almost. The apartments are so tiny you need a magnifying glass to look at them - and the prices usually accompanied with the apartments are such an exorbitant amount! Chaz already has a place and wants Shari to move in with him - and she doesn't want to. She wants to live with Lizzie.

Well, Lizzie already has a place to live! With Luke!! On Fifth Ave!!!! *Freak out session!!* Now she just has to find a job - riiight.

With the help of Chaz, Lizzie gets a job as a receptionist at Chaz's dad's firm. Yes, she has a big mouth, but she seems to be able to keep it under warps. Lizzie also gets her dream job - but with NO pay. She begins working with Monsieur Henri at his bridal restoration shop - and she loves every minute of it. Well, almost. Monsieur Henri is constantly making her prove that she knows how to work with a needle and thread.

Change is on the horizon for everyone. Shari hasn't stopped working at her new job, and doesn't want to speak to Chaz anymore (can we say t-r-o-u-b-l-e?) Lizzie has met the infamous Jill ( a zoo worker who happens to be marrying the wealthiest bachelor in Manhattan) and has decided to work on her dress. As Christmas rolls around, Lizzie is certain that Luke will propose to her - he even bought her an investment for the future!

On Christmas Eve Luke tells Lizzie to open her gift - and when she does she . . .

I say this was a pretty good book. It picked up right were the 1st book left off. I guess what's still bugging me is Lizzie!! She seriously still can't be that dumb . . . I mean she loves Luke because "he'll be a doctor and save little kids' lives someday" - right. Like that is the reason to love someone and marry them. I will say in this book she does learn to be more of a human and less of a ditz. There were a couple of curve balls in the book - and I'm not sure how happy I am with the ending - it seems too cookie cutter for my taste. But overall I loved the new characters the Henri's and I love that just like the first book, you get samples of Lizzie's advice.

Books in this series :

2) Queen of Babble: In The Big City
3) Queen of Babble: Gets Hitched


Queen of Babble: In The Big City by Meg Cabbot. New York (c) 2007

Passing on the lurve!

I've been awarded the "Let's Be Friends" award by Nikola!!! Thank you!! :)

The rules of the award :

Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.

My 8 bloggers are . . .

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Friday-Fill Ins!!



1. He was a handsome man of 3 and twenty.

2. The beginning of school is what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend is currently at work.

4. I let fear hold me back, to be honest with you.

5. Appearances can be a make it or break it kinda thing.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was Vince!! :)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxation, tomorrow my plans include shopping!! :) and Sunday, I want to hmmmmm . . .

Thank God It's Thursday!! (PR 2)



HEY GUYS!! Episode 2 of Project Runway is on now!!! OMG! OMG!! I WATIED ALL WEEK FOR THIS!!

The challenge: To design a pregnancy chic look for Rebecca Romijn


Who I think will win: Shirin

Who won : Shirin!!


YES!! That means I'm 2 for 2 now :)!!!

Did you guys watch the show? If so what did you think? AND if you didn't . . . WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!!!! :P

ps Melvin was the one that was booted off - and I liked him :(

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I NEED YOUR HELP!!

I'm sure y'all know my HORRIBLE and DISGUSTING luck I've had with my local library!

No? Well here's just a brief synopsis

For the DBR Challenge I signed up for in June - I asked that some books be put on hold. AND I STILL DON'T HAVE THEM!!!! (I asked for the book in JUNE) And get this, they have the new GhostGirl out - Homecoming . . . BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE 1st!!! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >:X

So I was wondering what sites are out there that I could use. I've even been toying with the idea of creating my own library and telling the State Of New Hampshire that they NEED to fix the pitiful excuses called "libraries" in this state. *It's not too obvious that this is a sensitive subject right ;)*

Ok. So I have been looking at bookmooch but what worries me is 1) the points system and 2) what if I stop using it? Won't it make me look bad and therefore be less likely to mooch books? And if you give the book away do you get it back?! I don't know.

So does anyone know of other sites out there that are out there? Bookmooch scares me :/

It's like the Simpsons' Tree House of Horror but with books!

Hosted by Carl V.





Ok. So I first saw this challenge on Amanda's blog, and after some quick debating decided that I wasn't going to join. But still - that challenge lingered on the back of my mind. Then I saw it again on Julie's blog - and well I have to do it.

There are 3 sections. Section 1 your read 4 books, section 2 you read 2 books and section 3 you read 1 book. I will be doing . . .




which means I will be reading 4 books of any length from the designated genres :

  • Mystery.
  • Suspense.
  • Thriller.
  • Dark Fantasy.
  • Gothic.
  • Horror.
  • Supernatural.
I don't have any book picked out yet but that's ok!! (adds more to the suspense I think!)

The competition runs from September 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009!!

Good Luck everyone!

I WANT IT NOW!!! Wednesday

Hey guys! Welcome to another "I WAN IT NOW Wednesday" Now when you read this post, please feel free to imagine me as a 5 yr old throwing a temper-tantrum in the local store in between the rows and rows of book I can not get :)
Oh!! And please add the gossiping customers who are looking from me to my parent with scorn on their faces :)


Ok!! For this post the book I want is not out yet - and it better come soon of else I fear I will forget everything!! (That happened to me with Sister of the Traveling pants - each time I read the new book it took me ages to remember what happened!!)

The book is:

The Van Allen Legacy (Book 4 in the Blue Bloods Series)




I've taken the description right off of Amazon!

"With the stunning revelation surrounding Bliss's true identity comes the growing threat of the sinister Silver Bloods. Once left to live the glamorous life in New York City, the Blue Bloods now find themselves in an epic battle for survival. Not to worry, love is still in the air for the young vampires of the Upper East Side. Or is it? Jack and Schuyler are over. Oliver's brokenhearted. And only the cunning Mimi seems to be happily engaged."


This book comes out October 6, 2009. Which is only 43889738993492849823 days to me!!!! Oh the Agony!


Oh!! And PS

I SO WANT THE KINDLE!! I drool every time I see it!!

Can't wait to read what y'all are waiting for!! :)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

My 100th POST!!!!!! AND Teaser Tuesday!!

HAPPY 100TH TOO MEEEEEE!!!!! :)






Anyone can play along!
Just do the following :

1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from anywhere on that page.
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (be sure that what you share doesn't give to much away, you don't want to ruin the book for others.)
5. Share the title & author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR.

Here is my tease!! :)

"His voice trails off. That's because I've opened the garment bag. And now all five of us are staring at what I've revealed." (p 222)


Queen of Babble : In the Big City by Meg Cabot

Monday, August 24, 2009

Ms. Taken Identity

What would you do if you kept getting "rejection" letters in the mail? Rejection letters about the book you were trying to publish. Would you give up? Keep on trying? Half-heartedly attempt it? Would you try a new genre with a pseydonym?

Well that's exactly what Mitch does. He tries of all the "rejection" letters he keeps receiving on his 700 page masterpiece. He even went to a former student in hopes of getting his book published, but when he receives a rejection letter from his former student he losses it. He tears the rejection letter into little tiny pieces and then moves to his neighbor's magazines that happen to be in the right spot at the wrong time.

The next day he goes to the book store to purchase new magazines for his neighbor. A book display catches his eye - it's the new book from Katherine Longwell. She is a writer of chick-lit and to Mitch, that means she writes crap. He steals one of her books and goes to a coffee shop to read it and laugh at the horrible writing. It's there he meets Katherine and tells her that his cousin is writing a chick-lit book. She's thrilled and would love to help a fellow sister out! He doesn't say he will be writing the book. The one problem he has is he knows nothing of the woman's world. His research will lead him into a new path of life, one he never imagined would be available to him. He will endure heart-breaks and new love, friendship and loneliness, success and failure.

Funny, witty, well-written book, and I liked the ending of the book. It's not your typical "and they live happily ever-after" endings. I wish I could tell you it - but then I'd ruin it. As I was reading this book, I read certain parts to Vince (my fiance) and he likes the book. That only makes sense since a guy did write it after all. It was fun seeing a POV from a guy. I noticed at some points you didn't get the description of clothes, or why so-and-so was a total bitch; you got cold hard facts and feelings. As Vince's puts it - guys are less drama and that was the over all feel of the book. That's not to say it's stale (far from it!)

One thing that got my attention in the book is that Mitch "cheats" on his girlfriend. I put cheat in quotation marks because at the time, Mitch and Marie were apart. I asked Vince if we were apart and he has sex with another girl, and then we got back together would he tell me? He said yes, because it would weigh on his mind. But why? Clearly we would've been apart so the rules would not apply to us. The same goes for Mitch and Marie. He tells her about his one-night stand and she freaks. Personally I would've been upset but since we would've been apart, there wouldn't be much I could do and would move on from there.

How about you guys? If you were say on "pause" with your significant other and he/she or you have a one night stand with someone would you tell them and why? Would it matter? You guys are on pause - so are you still a true "couple"? I still don't know if I would. I can see both sides of the argument.

And please check out Nikola's review!!! :)

Ms. Taken Identity by Dan Begley. New York (c) 2009

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Think of the song Thriller when you read this . . .

Good morning y'all! Amanda over at The Zen Leaf has bestowed upon me an award that brings joy to me! :) THE ZOMBIE CHICKEN AWARD!!!! (I find it funny since I'm currently reading Pride Prejudice & Zombie!!!!) Thank you so much Amanda!! :D

This award says: The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all...

  1. Sara at Dragonfly Book Reviews
  2. Allison at Read Into This!
  3. Meggin at Serendipity Book Reviews
  4. The Girls at B.A.M. Book Reviews
  5. Darla at Books and Other Thoughts
Again, Thank you Amanda!! And Please, when you have time, check out these other wonderful book blogs :)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Oh How I love contests!!

Hey guys! I just came across this blog today!! And I'm smitten! Ok It's called Wirghty's Reads and guess what! She's hosting a book giveaway! - and we all know how much I love those! And It's for Geektastic! I've been wanting to read this book!! So HOP ON OVER! (Picture is hyperlinked :)



Thora: A Half-Mermaid Tale!


Thora is quite the unique young girl - for she is half human and half mermaid! Her mother fell in love with a human named Thor, but sadly he disappeared.

When Thora was born Halla had a problem, she couldn't take care of her new baby girl! She tried everything but nothing worked. In fear Halla swims to the sea witch begging to know the answer to keep Thora healthy. The sea witch snootily replies

"If you produce a child
Half of the land and sea
It will have to live in both
In order to be free."

Halla begins to worry because she doesn't know how she'll raise Thora on the land! Luckily for her a human named Mr. Walters hears Thora crying. He follows the sound to an old run-down boat named the Loki. There he finds a tiny baby crying her eyes out. He quickly hastens to the local cinema and asks the 3 ladies for help. They give him warm milk and a blanket. The next day Mr. Walters meets Halla and she tells him of her story. It's then that he decides to purchase the Loki and sale the world for the first 10 years of Thora being on the sea.

In the meantime there is a busy body named Mr. Frooty de Mare who wants to buy up all the real-estate in Grimli and make all the businesses his. The only 2 pieces he can not buy are the cinema and the Loki. After pursuing both Mr. Walters and the 3 sisters he gives up hope. If they won't join him than by god he'll destroy them!

Thora must now spend the next 10 years on land. The only problem is Mr. Walters her guardian is called away because his brother has died. Halla can not help Thora navigate the land, being a mermaid and all. Thora has to now learn the way of the humans and avoid the beady eye of Mrs. Grubb who thinks Thora is an abandoned child. Things get worse for Thora when her mother suddenly goes missing - but luckily she has her friends Holly, Ricky, and Lynne to help solve the mystery!


I liked this book. It was so cute - and I liked that mermaids weren't your typical mermaid. According to this author mermaids have blow-holes on top of their heads!! Thora is a smart, brave girl who tackles every problem with a level head. I love too that she is unique and helps other characters by her actions. I'm defiantly reading the next book :)

Books in this series:

1) Thora : A Half-Mermaid Tale
2) Thora And the Green Sea Unicorn: Another Half- Mermaid Tale
3) Thora And the Incredible Crystals


Thora : A Half-Mermaid Tale by Gillian Johnson. New York (c) 2003

Friday, August 21, 2009

Another Contest :)

Hey guys!!! The wonderful girls over at B.A.M. Book Reviews is hosting an awesome contest called "100 Followers Contest!!" The deadline is 9/10!!! Hope on over and enter - who knows you might even win this book (that is if I don't win :P)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Friday Fill-Ins #4



1. I remember, I remember when it was the first days of summer and everyone was excited!

2. Dear enemy I want you to know that you no longer have control over me.

3. Is that my size!!???

4. I'm trying to resist the temptation of fast food and mashed potatoes!

5. I'm saving a note just for you!

6. If I made a birthday list books would definitely be on it!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to vodka pasta, tomorrow my plans include hopefully a book review! and Sunday, I want to
be lazy :)




THank God It's Thursday!!! (PR #1)



O.M.F.G. !!!!!!!!!!!!!


Ok so for the "All-Star" competition I'm surprised they didn't bring back Christian from Season 4! He was one of my FAVS!! But they did bring back Sweet Pea, Uli, and Chris! And OMG! The fashion!!! I was drooling the whole time!!

Now I'm avidly watching the official show and so far my favs are:

  1. Qristyl
  2. Epperson
  3. Mitchell
  4. Shirin
  5. Irina
I can't wait to see how the designs turn out!!!

*DROOL!* The challenge for this episode was making a killer gown for the "red carpet" although some made dresses for other show awards! *sigh* I wish I could make dresses like those!

I think the winner is : Christopher
The winner was : Christoper


Thanks for reading my detour in book land! I love fashion! - and this show allows me self-indulge!! And now back to book reviews! :)


Thank God It's Thursday!!!



HI guys!! Ok. I. Am. Super. Excited. Right. NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is it that obvious?!

Ok. I don't know how many of you know or follow Project Runway - but those of you who do know how amazingly fantastic it is that it's back on air!! :) For those that don't here's the story - you see Bravo (the channel it used to appear on) I believe still had the rights to air the show - well Lifetime (the channel it will now be on) wanted to air it. They got in this big fight and it looked like no solution would come. BUT IT DID!!!!

so that means. . . . . . .

PROJECT RUNWAY IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love fashion so much (it's one of my hidden loves!) So now I get to oogle and drool over all the wonderful creations that will be made, and watch it with total green eyes!! But every Thursday I'll have a small blurb of my reactions and soon my fav. contestant! I hope you guys watch it too!!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

My painting was awarded . . .

So I hope you guys remember my post about Imogen finding this website where you could tweek your own pictures or create your own. Since computers are wicked hard for me to understand I just made my own.

Well she awarded me an ....well AWARD!! :) I've got my acceptance speech right here . . . it's got to be somewhere . . . NO!!! Ed drop the paper, drop it Ed! Blasted dog. Fine. I don't need that speech. . .


My Award :)
It's wicked cute!


Imogen, Sara, and Riri Williow all created masterpieces as well. Please go check them out!
And if you feel artsy as well create your own right here! :) If you do, it will give me a
chance to put on some "judge" glasses, lean really close to the moiniter and say things like
"Hmmm. I see the shading, hmm yes it could've been blended in more." or "OH! And look at
that html code! So sloppy!!"

And if you do make one, let Imogen know - she might even give you an award ;)
Enjoy!

WANTING IT NOW WEDNESDAY


Hey guys!! This is my own spin on "Waiting on a Wednesday!" I don't really get the meme but I have my own ideas. So here it goes . . . *DUN DUN DUN DUN DUUUUNNNNN!!!*


So the book I'm wanting this week is. . . . . .


I've copied this directly from Ghostgirl.com

The quote is as follows

"Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is invisible. Even worse: she's dead. And all because she choked on a gummy bear. But being dead doesn't stop Charlotte from wanting to be popular; it just makes her more creative about achieving her goal. If you thought high school was a matter of life or death, wait till you see just how true that is. In this satirical, yet heartfelt novel, Hurley explores the invisibility we all feel at some times and the lengths we'll go to be seen."

By Tonya Hurley


Released August 1, 2008
Genre : YA

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Biting The Bullet

Book 3 of the Jasmine Parks series - and man was I NOT disappointed :)

The team is now in the Middle East with a new target - The Wizard. Again, the team is fighting The Raptor's henchmen. This mission will be a bit different from the millions she's done before. She is paired with her brother - and they have to find a mole, and all her team is needed to find the mole.

Dave's team is tighter than a sealed jar which makes this mission hard. Their unit is strong and the fact that there is a mole is unbelievable. The CIA has given Jaz the wonderful task of finding the mole in Dave's squad after Dave's undercover were was killed in The Wizard's camp.

Dave and Jaz have some bad blood between them. Jaz was once in charge of the Helslingers (a tight group of elite killers.) Dave, his wife, Jaz's fiance, and others made up the group. They had just finished attacking a group of human servants when the Vampires attacked everyone. Both Jaz and Dave lost their friends, while lost his wife when Jaz had to kill her (she had been turned into a Vampire) and Jaz lost her fiance.

Jaz tells the crew some wrong information in hopes of flushing out the mole. But this isn't a regular mole. This mole is being controlled by another person - the mole is actually dead! Jaz has to fight a neomocracer (sp??) As if her plate wasn't full enough she has to fight demons that want her soul and her little niece's too, find the mole, and save some poor freedom fighter who's being set up. I'm so glad I'm not her :)

I'm sorry. I feel like this is not a good review. This book was ACTION PACKED!!!! but at times I felt that it wanted to scream for the scene to be over already. I don't know why. I love the books! I love how Jaz is a strong, clear headed person in her ordeals. Most people would be cowering underneath the bedcovers but not her :)

I hope she choses Vayl over Cole.

This book was recommended to me by Darla D!

Books in this series:

3) Biting The Bullet
4) Bitten To Death
5) One More Bite


Biting the Bullet by Jennifer Rardin. New York (c) 2008

Teaser Tuesday #3


I HOPE IT'S NOT TOOO LATE!!!!!



Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading

Anyone can play along!
Just do the following :

1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from anywhere on that page.
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (be sure that what you share doesn't give to much away, you don't want to ruin the book for others.)
5. Share the title & author so other TT participants can add the book to their TBR.

"My actions had brought them to this place, after all. In a round about way, ok, but still (p312)"

Bitting the Bullet by Jennifer Rardin

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Picasso ain't got nothin' on me!

Ok. So I hoped on over to Sara's blog and saw that she had a really cool picture!! AND I think she made it herself!!! :) and on the computer. Let's face it - I only know where the "on" button is on the computer. Anything that requires skills and/or knowledge is beyond me :)

So anywho Sara found the blurb on Imogen's blog.

My picture is above. Apparently you can manipulate your own pictures but to be able to do that was far beyond my knowledge so instead I was like a 3 year old with crayons and a wall :)

The title if you squint real hard is "The Stars at Night"




If you'd like to try it out, this is the website. Have fun!! :)

Remember When

I love J.D. Robb's work. I love absolutely LOVE Roarke!! I mean come on! Who couldn't??? I find though that even though JD Robb is an alias for Nora Roberts, I'm not so much a fan of her work. Go figure!

This book has 2 parts to it. So I will now break up my summery!! :)


PART 1

A frantic and scared man enters Lanie Tavish's shop. It's been raining out and it doesn't look like it will stop anytime soon. Lanie has other customers and doesn't really have time to talk in detail with him. He seems to sense this and pushes a card into her hands, pleading with him to give her a call. She agrees and goes back to talk with the other customers. When they hear a screech and see the man that was just in the store - hit the shop window they can't believe what just happened! Lanie quickly runs to the man to help him - and when she goes to help him she realizes that the man in the street is her Uncle William! But what is he doing here?!

When a hot studdmuffin of a PI walks into Lanie's shop a couple of days later, she doesn't suspect him of well, being a PI. They flirt and hit it off - and he asks her to go on a date. They go out on a date and while she's out someone burglarizes her house. They tear into everything: beds, pillows, couches, etc. They aren't neat about it either. When Lanie calls the cops she doesn't know why she is not a target; her old life is long forgotten. But what was it that Uncle William had said, "He knows where you are" - who knows?

Soon Max and Lanie uncover the mystery. Her father Jack O'Hara had finally scored the big deal. He, along with 3 other people, stole 78.8 million dollars worth of diamonds! *Can I just add that I am officially drooling thinking about that kinda sparkle??* The treasure was divided into 4 and each man went his own way. Except that theives are like supper greedy. Alex Crew can't get enough and he believes he is entitled to it all. He kills Myeres and goes after O'Hara and Uncle William. Jack never thought that Crew would follow Willy to his daughter Lanie.

Crew abducts Lanie and takes her to a cabin out in the boondocks. Max comes to save the day and both Lanie and Max uncover half of the missing diamonds. Alex Crew's portion as well as a little bit of Jack O'Hara's is still missing. Where could the be?. . . . .

Part 2

Fast forward 56 years later. The granddaughter of Max and Lanie have just published a book on the story of the diamond theft. While Samantha is away promoting her book someone breaks into her house and kills her best friend. Why?

Eve (of course!) grabs the case and begins to do the normal procedure of checking out everyone's background. She notices that Samantha has a maid service come by twice a week to clean her house - but the maid never came by. Following that lead Eve learns that the maid was killed - and that the killer used the maid to get the pass codes into the building. The puzzle is starting to fit together. But who is the killer, and why is he going after Sam's friends/associates?

They have to find the killer before he/she kills Sam. Eve and team believe that the killer thinks that Sam has the missing diamonds. The heist happened over 50 years ago, which means that Eve has to locate people of the past - people that never wanted to be found. She knows that Alex Crew had a son and wife. Did he pass the diamonds onto them? Did the ex-wife sell them? Is it possible that the son of Alex Crew is now killing people?

Like I said - I love JD Robbs work and not so much Nora Robert. I know, I know they are written by the same person. But I find that Nora Robert's style is at time a little to "eye rolling" "smuthering" with the lovey-dovey stuff. Unrealistic - yeah at times. I find that JD ROBB is hard hitting, sci-fi, cool as ice, in-your-face writing style. I like. PLUS can we say "ROARKE"?? I think I like him more than Ranger - but like he's totally devoted to Eve *fumes*

I liked how in the first part you were there when the heist happened and you saw how everything connected - and it echoed in part 2. In part 2 you got to see the after effects - and how the families involved grew. It was like a before and after - and I enjoyed finding out what happened to the diamonds.

Don't worry guys I'll tell you what happened - I'm wearing them! The shines a little too much right now but that's ok ;)

Ok. I lied :(

Remember When by JD ROBB and NORA ROBERTS. New York (c) 2003

Friday, August 14, 2009

OMG!! I bought some more books!!!

Ok!!!!! I just came home from B&N totally singing in the car about how I have new books. Vince was THE BEST!! He let me get 3 books!! (I'm currently not working so he's the only income!)

The books I bought:

  • Wuthering Heights by Ms. Emily Bronte
  • Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner [LOVE HER!! :) ]
  • Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
I must say as much as I do love buying books I HATE the fact that my library probably won't have classics like "Wuthering Heights." It's just so sad!! BUT I HAVE BOOKS!!


:) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I'm off to read!!!

Friday Fill-Ins #3

Hey guys. I just wanted to apologize for not being on that much in the past few days. I'm having family issues and it's distracting me. BUT I"M BACK!! YEAH!! So with that being said...bring on the FRIDAY FILL-INS!!!! :)




1. When will we finally dance under the stars?

2.
Queen of Babble was the last good book I read or movie I saw or tv show I watched.

3. Everything has its beauty but
there is still an ugly truth hidden behind the facade.

4.
Life cereal is what I had for dinner.

5. I'd like your
opinions for a new book to read.

6.
Ireland is where I want to be right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to
food, tomorrow my plans include TBA and Sunday, I want to Have posted a review!!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Since we all want to win new books . . .


Hey guys!!! Ok so Carrie at Carrie's YA Bookshelf just posted this amazing contest that is being held by Princess Bookie!!!! So if you want to win a ton, and I mean a ton of books then head over to Princess Bookies site!!! RIGHT NOW!! :)

Blood and Chocolate

Before I begin my windy and lengthy review of this book [ ;) ] I'd like to tell you a little snippet about myself. When I read a book - one of my favorite things to do is to guess how/why the author came up with the tittle of the book. Sometimes in the middle of the book I slap my forehead and go "AH! So that's where the title comes from!!" At other times I scratch my forehead and go "I don't get how the title fits with the book?" This book would be the later or the two. Well with that being said ladies and gents, the review awaits! . . .

Adam and Eve have nothing on the forbidden fruit (that was sooo 2006) what's new is: forbidden love! I'm sure at one point in time we have all been told that we can't have X - that X is bad for us. We were never told that we couldn't have X because it could 1) kill us or 2) endanger our family. When your a werewolf the whole "endangering your family" thing makes sense. You don't want a horde of slobbering humans (or in the book humans are referred as "meat-toys" ) with pitchforks and sliver running after you. It's a no-no win all around. When we meet Vivian her and her pack are in the mountains of West Virginia and are trying to escape with their lives. The humans are attacking! The only problem is not everyone escapes.

The pack has to relocate - and I'm sorry to say I can't remember where they relocated. I believe it's Maryland. Things are very tough for her - she lost her dad in the fire back in W.V., and she doesn't have any friends. The kids at school ignore her and the kids in her pack are hooligans (which she doesn't want to hang with.) What's worse is the Pack is in unrest since the death of their Alpha died (Viv's dad.) I'm sorry but that just sounds awful! No friends at school and no friends at home? Too bad she doesn't read ;)

Viv is a talented artist and when her teacher tells her to put on of her paintings in the local paper she does. When she looks at the picture she prays that there isn't some dodgy piece of art next to it - it would contaminate her work from the other page! There is a poem - and after reading it she notices that the poem is pretty dead on with what werewolves are. Two questions come to her mind - 1)Is he one of us? 2)If not then how does he know?

Viv decides that she will hunt (pun!) this guy down and find out the truth. When she does track him down, she never suspected that she would become his prey. It turns out that he is a human - and forbidden by pack law. Viv won't let that stop true love and still goes out with him - and one night she decides to show her true self to him (the boy is into magic and satan and all that stuff.) However, when she does he doesn't accept her - and she runs. A problem begins to brew when killings have started - and Viv has been blacking out. Adien (the boy) knows know of her true identity. She can't think back to those nights - they're blank - all she knows is that when she wake up there is blood all over her. But it can't be her! Can it?

Ugh. I'm not very impressed with my review - and I think that falls in line with my overall feeling of the book. Vivan annoyed me so much!!! I hate ABSOLUTELY HATE arrogant people! MY GOD! Ok, well you see why I didn't like her ;) At times there were some moments where she redemmed herself in my eyes, and by the next paragraph she was back to square one. Her mother was no help, being selfish and only caring about men.

Sorry for the horrid review!! It wasn't that bad - just not my cup of tea.

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause. New York (1997)

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

A challenge for myself (and any others who care to join...)


So I was just surfing blogs and I came across this list on BookEnds. I saw this list - and after quickly glancing I realized that I've probably only read 4 books from the list! I've read other books by the same author - like I've read Grapes of Wrath and not Of Mice and Men. So I'm going to challenge myself to read through all of these books. I don't know how long it will take me but just for fun I am going to say a year. I've already read Pride and Prejudice like 449 times but I won't mind reading it again! I'm going to create my own button - and for those that would like to join I guess you can put the button on your blog too or not :)



The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books here. How do your reading habits stack up? Instructions: Copy this into your blog. Look at the list and put an (X) after those you have read. Pass it along to other book lovers...

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen (x)
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling - (X)
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible - There are so many versions of it!!
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
Total: 1

11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien (x)
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger (x)
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
Total: 2

21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald (x)
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck (x)
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll -
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
Total: 2

31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini -
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden-
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
Total: 0

41 Animal Farm - George Orwell -
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery-
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
Total: 0

51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen (x)
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Mark Haddon -
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Total: 1

61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold (x)
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
Total: 1

71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Inferno – Dante
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
Total: 0

81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens -
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker -
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry -
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White -
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
Total: 0

91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad - (x)
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare (x)
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo
Total: 2

OMG! My score is 9!!! :( BBC wold be right about me BUT NOT FOR LONG!! :)