The top 6 are also DIK selections WHOOT!
1. Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran
2. Everthing and the Moon by Julia Quinn
3. The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley
4. Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas
5. Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas
6. Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas
Yeah now I need 6 more...
7. The Lion's Daughter by Loretta Chase
8. The Winter's Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
9. The Othe Boylen Girl by Philippa Gregory
10. Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke
11.
12.

All titles and selections are subject to change at my will.

Okay for the DIK challenge I picked the following:
1. Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
2. bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran
3. Smooth talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
4. Everthing and the Moon by Julia Quinn
5. The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley
6. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
7. Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas
8. Angel's Blood by nalini Singh
9. Iron Kiss by Patricia Briggs
10. Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas
11. For A Few Demons More by Kim Harrison
12. Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas

I am seeing a pattern here with Lisa's books but I am hoping they all work out.
Also my extra is: Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole

Alright those be the picks~! Wish me luck!

Challenges we got 'em! Okay so I signed up for some challenges last year...
100+ book challenge 71 books read in 2009
ebook challenge COMPLETE with 10 books read!
1st in a series challenge COMPLETE with 12 books read!
2nd in a series challenge Yeah I think I got like 8 read out of 12

and well I think I did pretty good. So I thought well I should sign up for some more challenges this year. And they are...

100+ reading challenge again!
ebook challenge (if they have it)
DIK reading challenge
Historical reading challenge!

All sound fun and interesting. I'm hoping on the smaller ones to list them on the side bar but for the bigger ones I will post a link to it.

How about you do you do any challenges? If so which ones are you signing up for?

OMG what a fantastic book! I'm totally suprised, enthralled and dying to read the next one. This book grabbed you from page one sucking you into their world. The world that might come. The Hunger Games is a brutal game the Capital puts on it involves 2 children ages 12 thru. 18 that are randomly choosen through a lottery. These children, one boy and one girl, compete in a game to the death. Winner is rewarded with prizes, money and are set for life. Looser well they die.

This book has it all, action, reaction, drama, emotion, laughter and of course the heart of the story is about a young girl dealing with all of this.

I know this isn't my traditional review but I have to say this book was a very good, fast and enjoyable read I hope you check it out.

Brandon Heath - I'm Not Who I Was Lyrics

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I'm not who I was

I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I'm not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was

When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it's a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I'm not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe 'cause I want it so much
I'm not who I was

I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was

Its a bittersweet song for me it hits home in so many ways! I hope you enjoy it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpOLyR8MwiA

So far we've seen Mac attempt to locate a little girl and her family. Although he has no history of PI he is determined to find them. This makes him a little more human and less robot like in my eyes.

Favorite line so far: "Damn some days I wished I'd been made a toaster." pg 80

Very good stuff so far I highly recommend.

is the newest read I'm working on here at work. So far pretty good its about a new world where robots are attempting to become citizens with regular humans. Mac is the robot in question who is having troubles adjusting since he's so big and well just hard to work around.

Mac has just learned his neighbor whom he considers a friend is in the middle of something bad and doesn't know what to do. So he reacts and no one seems greatful except the psyhic child who gives him a picture. "It didn't even occure to me to scan the back. If I had maybe what happened wouldn't have happened. But I didn't and it did." pg 21

I'm betting that whatever happens is what triggers Mac into becoming a dective considering right now he's driving a Taxi for a living but we'll see.

Has anyone else read this book? Is it good?

Since I am way beyond a fangirl stance with Harry Dresdan and Jim Butcher I don't feel I can give a good review so in instances like this I have choosen to instead give you my favorite quotes through out the book. Enjoy!

Thomas shook his head. "I doubt it. Or Justine woudn't have chosen to meet us here." Unless she'd been forced to do so, I thought to myself. I didn't say anything. I like to stay cozy with my paranoia, not pass her around to my friends and family. pg 49

I love being a Wizard everyday is like Disneyland. pg. 391

"Not my...augh." I threw another pencil. It missed Bob and bounced off the wall behind him. "With the skinwalker. Is it actually a male? Do I call it a he?" Bob rolled his eyelights. "It's a semidivine imortal, Harry. It doesn't procreate. It has no need to recombine DNA. That means that gender simply doesn't apply. That's something only you meat sacks worry about." "Then why is it that you stare at naked girls every chance you get," I said, "but not naked men?" "It's an aesthetic choice," Bob said loftily. "As a gender, women exist on a plane far beyond men when it comes to artistic appreciation of their external beauty." "And they have boobs," I said. "And they have boobs!" Bob agreed with a leer. (can't find page but trust me its in there!)

Oh yes I did and guess which one it was... Turn Coat by Jim Butcher and yes it rocked and yes I need to post a review but I can't b/c I'm such a HUGE fan of Butcher's series that I need to buy all of his books but I really only want them in hardback which is a HUGE cost but I think it is worth it... Anyway as I was saying a review would be hard because I love this series so much I don't feel like I could do a review justice. I tend to just go on and on about how great it is and really I never see any flaws in it until I've re-read it a dozen times.

I think instead of doing reviews I should focus on my favorite lines. Why you ask? Well b/c with this series we are 11 deep and I really think it will be hard to review this book without giving away the series. A lot of what we read up to this point is very entwined with all the other books so to discuss what happened in this one would give away other books that you may or may not have read. Also this time Butcher did work on some of the past flaws that I hated or annoyed me like constantly referring to the Beetle and describing it in great detail. He didn't repeat or sum up the story line to this point which he shouldn't b/c we are on book 11 and there is no point to sum it up if we don't know where we are odds are we don't care enough to read the first books so why sum us up. We are the ones that have been here the whole time.

Although if you read the review you take that risk no matter what... Needless to say I'm torn do I think it is a good book YES do I think that you should read it YES do you need to read the books in order YES (and I might be alone on that point but I truly feel that in order to understand this series you should really read it in order) Is this a series to invest in YES.

Other than that I think this is by far my favore Dresdan book. LOL not sure if that helped.

I'm actually reading something that doesn't have policy or procedures in the freakin title! YEAH ME!

Okay what am I reading? Well currently I am working on Turn Coat by Jim Butcher and per usual he has started off with a bang! LOVE BUTCHER LOVE HARRY LOVE THEM BOTH. I will say this time he hasn't bothered with descriping the beattle or some of the other lovely things he describes too much. I think he has finally figured out that if you haven't read the series up to this point you deserve to be lost LOL.

Okay so only on Chapter 9 favorite line so far? Harry thinks Thomas' girlfriend might have set them up... Unless she'd been forced to do so, I thought to myself. I didn't say anything. I like to stay cozy with my paranoia, not pass her around to my friends and family

Love it typical Harry thought. Anywho has anyone else read this series? If so what has been your favorite book so far?
Mine White Knight although I'm going to say this one is quickly toping it.

PS If anyone finds hardback books in this series for a good price drop me an email please: sarajohnson101 at hotmail dot com
Thanks

I haven't read a book since August? WTF? Seriously? That can't be right... Oh yeah I started a new job with weird hours, I got cable, went to Chicago, caught a bug and just stopped doing anything fun. That blows...

Well hopefully I can get a book read this month just so I don't feel so much like a loser... but we shall see. I think I only have a week left hum... okay maybe my goal should be to read a book in October. Yeah October sounds good!

In the meantime what have you guys been reading?

And time to do the end of the month recap. This month SUCKED so I didn't read much I blame getting cable and just being out and about with friends for the majority of the time. Anywho here's what I read in July:

1. The Unblessed King by Michelle Pillow re-read
2. The Farey Queen by Michelle Pillow 100+ Book Challenge, 2nd in a series Challenge
3. Stone Queen by Michelle Pillow 100+ Book Challenge
4. I Spy Something Bloody by Josh Lanyon 100+ Book Challenge, Ebook Challenge

Yeah that's about it so that brings my total for 100+ books up to 55

And if I could ever write my damn review of I Spy I would be finished with the Ebook challenge.

Then again I'm saving my reviews for this weekend LOL!

So Dracula is FREAKING me out. This is a scary book folks GEEZ the simple use of words that are killing me.

The story is told through the diaries of Mina and Jonathon, now Lucy has joined in the fun. It is also told through letters by the Dr. of Crazy people, Art and the Texan that all competed for Lucy's hand. Van Helsing is getting in the action and I have to say I am seriously wigged about a few things.

The first thing that wigged me out was the Jonathon describes Dracula and his hairy palms *shutter*
The second was the ship scene when Dracula is coming over to England from Romania and one by one the crew memebers begin to disappear.
The third time is Reinfield OMG that man is weird.

The writing is wonderful and full of life enough so your imagination can run with it. But not so bogged down with the tree was 5 feet high, green with a slight hint of brown, it's trunk was as thick as an elephants leg and round and rough like *insert roll eyes* that you can't stand reading it.

For those of you who don't know this is my first time reading this and I seriously had to put it away the other night when it was storming I WAS THAT FREAKED! Yikes.

So I've started reading Finding Hope by Katie Reus and I have to say so far so good I like how she is setting this up. It looks like it might be a secret sister that was kidnapped story that is going to lead to a suspense (other than the secret sister part) OMG I'm hooked and work isn't letting me read anything right NOOOOOOOOOO!!! Anywho I'll let you know how it goes.

So I tried to read Unquiet things yesterday and though it started off with a bang I have to say I'm going to put it on hold and go back to re-read Unshapely Things first. I have forgotten what has happened with these characters (its been too long since I've read this series) and well to do it justice I need to refresh the old memory and sweep out the cobwebs.

And seeing how this is the only thing I wrote about it back in 07 (damn has it been that long? NO wonder I don't remember LOL)
This book was fantastic I loved the suspense and action. I can't wait to see where it goes and it took me by surprise. I can't wait until next year for the new book.

Yeah see not helpful at all. Seriously. So another re-read is underway

TITLE: Faery Queen
AUTHOR: Michelle Pillow
COPYRIGHT: 2007
TYPE: Fantasy/Romance
PAGES; 233
SERIES: Yes
1. Unblessed King
2. Faery Queen
3. Stone Queen

REASON FOR READING: Read the first one as a re-read had to see where the series was heading

Summary : {From Goodreads}(NOT SURE WHY IT’S THE SAME SUMMARY BUT THERE YOU GO)
Immortality has a way of changing fate. Merrick, dark elfin King of Valdis, had once been heir to all that was good-happiness and pleasure his domain. Now, trapped as the ruler of mischief, king of necessary evil, he stands on a precipice of choice. On one side, his estranged brother, now ruler of what should have been Merrick's and, on the other, King Lucien of the Damned. Both would sway him. Damnation is winning. Lady Juliana of Bellemare is from a human family, protected by the blessed, coveted by the damned. Betrothed to an old friend of her father's, Juliana is resigned to living out her days close to her childhood home, longing for an adventure, never dreaming she'd get what she wished for. When her fiancée is murdered and the children of Bellemare are stolen, Juliana is sent on a quest in a strange realm where appearances are deceiving. Merrick brings more adventure and passion than any woman could want. Can she withstand the temptations of the unblessed king? The spell she weaves over him is more than he can resist and, desperate to be the one to rule her, Merrick offers her a choice; either come with him until he tires of her.or die.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I thought this book took off really well from where we were left in the first. The Earl promise the Faery queen he would be back but he hasn’t come. This makes her heart break b/c she really thought Hugh loved her. Slowly day by day that he doesn’t come she begins to loose her fairy magic and starts to grow darker. This is not good for the Fariy kingdom b/c they live off of pleasant things and happiness. Eventually the Queen grows so upset she makes a pact with Lucien the King of the Damned. And the story goes from there.

I have to admit at first I wanted to strangle Hugh and shake the Queen but eventually as Michelle let the story unfold I realized how great she made these characters b/c I really understood where they were coming from.

Finally we got our HEA with Hugh and the Queen only to discover that Juilianna King Merrick’s bride and Hugh’s sister has turned herself to stone. CRAP. So the story continues with Merrick get his HEA?

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it!!!

SCORE: 9 out of 10
*******
100+ Book Challenge

54 / 100 books. 54% done!

2nd in a series Challenge

6 / 12 books. 50% done!

TITLE: King of the Unblessed
AUTHOR: Michelle Pillow
COPYRIGHT: 2006
TYPE: Fantasy/Romance
PAGES; 268
SERIES: Yes

REASON FOR READING: This was my re-read for the month!

Summary : {From Goodreads}
Immortality has a way of changing fate. Merrick, dark elfin King of Valdis, had once been heir to all that was good-happiness and pleasure his domain. Now, trapped as the ruler of mischief, king of necessary evil, he stands on a precipice of choice. On one side, his estranged brother, now ruler of what should have been Merrick's and, on the other, King Lucien of the Damned. Both would sway him. Damnation is winning. Lady Juliana of Bellemare is from a human family, protected by the blessed, coveted by the damned. Betrothed to an old friend of her father's, Juliana is resigned to living out her days close to her childhood home, longing for an adventure, never dreaming she'd get what she wished for. When her fiancée is murdered and the children of Bellemare are stolen, Juliana is sent on a quest in a strange realm where appearances are deceiving. Merrick brings more adventure and passion than any woman could want. Can she withstand the temptations of the unblessed king? The spell she weaves over him is more than he can resist and, desperate to be the one to rule her, Merrick offers her a choice; either come with him until he tires of her.or die.

THOUGHTS/OPINION: in 2008
I liked this book a lot the reason it doesn't get five stars is simply the price I can't afford to buy it and the series it is creating. That being said I loved the story line. Merrick is the King of the Unblessed and becomes interested in a mortal woman. So interested he brings her into the Otherworld on an adventure that she craves. However Lucian King of the Damned is playing his own game with Merrick and Ean the King of the Blessed. Throw in some faries hot mortal men. Sexy Unblessed Men some graphic sex and a not too shabby story and well you get Chapter 1 in the Realm of the Immortals Series. The next is about Hugh one of the brothers of Julianna (The girl the Unblessed King wants) and his story of the Tania the Queen of the Faries. Can't wait to see how that one goes. I also want to see who she pairs the other two brothers with as well as the ever evolving story of Mia and Lucian. (Such a good side story too!) I gave it 4 out of 5 stars in 2008

THOUGHTS/OPINION: in 2009
Okay I really, really like this book. This is definitely a keeper!! I enjoyed reading it so much I re-read it in a day. Now granted there aren't a lot of pages but still! And this time I really enjoyed learning more about the characters. I saw more of the game playing and how it was working in Merrick's favor. I really enjoyed watching Juilianna come to the realization that Merrick wasn't all that evil and that he did care for her. I wanted to shake them both off and on for being so dense but then I wanted to cry when they realized their mistakes. Very GOOD!!!

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it!!! Still

SCORE: 8 out of 10


RE -READ Challenge

Some of you may or maynot know this quirk that I possess but usually I can't read an author back to back to back it makes me burned out. Recently however, this hasn't been true. For example I read a lot and I mean A LOT of the Harry Dresdan books back to back and had no problem with them. Nalini Singh's psy books are the same way.
And recently Michelle Pillows Realm of the Immortals books are the latest obession. For example I just finished my re-read King of the Unblessed, then moved on to book 2 The Fairy Queen and I am seriously hoping to finish The Stone Queen this weekend. WHY?

B/c they are just that good. They are so good I wan to read them and know what happens to the characters OMG I have to know if Thomas is going to find anyone will William become a wizard and what of Hugh and his Queen. and let us not forget about Julianna? She turned herself to stone WHY? I mean come on people what happened that she needed to do that?

Anyway you get the point. Luckily this was exactly what I needed to get over my reading funk. Now I'm going to work on I Spy Something Bloody by Josh Lanyon YEAH!!!

TITLE: One Scream Away
AUTHOR: Kate Brady
COPYRIGHT: 2009
TYPE: Suspense/Romance
PAGES; 464
SERIES: Yes strangely enough this is.

REASON FOR READING: Reading Romance sent me the Arc.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
Killer Chevy Bankes is a master of disguise, and just paroled, he's coming after the woman who sent him to jail, the beautiful antiques expert Beth Denison. A set of antique dolls brings Beth into his sight, and inspire Chevy's disturbing crimes as he draws closer to Beth and her young daughter. Chevy sends the dolls to Beth one-by-one and she soon realizes that these antiques carry the same marks as his victims, signaling that the final piece in his collection will be for her.

Neil Sheridan gave up his FBI shield five years ago, but his best friend Rick, a cop, pulls him in as a consultant on a case involving a serial killer who is eerily similar to a murderer Neil encountered in the past. The investigation leads Neil to Beth's doorstep, and he is certain she isn't telling him the truth. Neil is the only one who can get through Beth's defenses and, as they grow closer, discover the secrets that Beth is hiding about her fateful night with Chevy.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
First off I'm not a HUGE suspense/thriller romance reader. I like them every once in a while and when I feel like it a good one really hits the spot. This one didn't work for me. A lot of it was the characters. I know a lot of people will find the contradiction refreshing but I didn't. I felt that the heroine was SUPER weak one moment and than TOO tough the next. I understand that she had been through a lot of horrible crap and nightmares ect. are par for course but one moment she is ready to blow his head off, while the next she is shaking so bad simply being reminded of his name...

Another thing I didn't care for was how fast the hero came in and took over the heroine's life and she was fine with it.

Now that was all the bad things let me talk about the parts I liked:
I enjoyed the villain/bad guy he was well rounded or as rounded as a psycho killer can be. I was actually able to understand his breakdown and why he did what he did. That was very interesting.

All in all I thought the plot with the suspense was handled well, the background story of how the characters came together was also well done and the dolls used was wonderful.

While I didn't care for this book I feel that others might enjoy it based on the plot and tactics used. Even though this book didn't work for me I would pick up another by this author

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it.

SCORE:4 out of 10
*******
100+ Book Challenge

52 / 100 books. 52% done!

Every had just one of those reading funks where nothing no matter how good the book is, you just don't want to read anymore? Well I think sadly enough I am heading down that slippery slope. *gasp*

How do I know you ask? Well b/c I couldn't finish Scandal It is a great book and I refuse to mark it as a DNF but I just can't finish it. NOT b/c of the book just b/c I'm bored with reading. Then throw in Keeping it real and I'm in the same boat. Same with Bitten by Kelly Armstrong and my re-read. OMG what am I going to do?

Well I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to force myself to finish some books and write some reviews. It's about time I did anyway. So here's the goal! I'm giving myself until the end of next week to finish all the above listed books or they become DNF *sob* so I'd better get on it.

What do you do when you find yourself in a reading funk? Do you trudge on through or do you put it on hold?

OMG I am finally doing a re-read Lord talk about taking a couple of months off from the reading. Let's see King of the Unblessed is my re-read by Michelle Pillow. So far it is good I didn't remember parts of it but now that I am reading they make sense.

You know what I mean like one moment you remember the end but you don't understand how you got there? Or you remember the killer but not the clues on how to catch him.

Anywho that's where I'm at. Like I know who killed the fiance but now I am actually seeing the clues I missed first time around. Merrick is still sexy and I am seeing how much he cares for his lady by the simple gestures he does for her early on. It is so sweet!

Okay again only just started my re-read but still a nice one.

TITLE: Left Behind
AUTHOR: Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins
COPYRIGHT: 2000
TYPE: Christian
PAGES; 352
SERIES: Yes

REASON FOR READING: My mom’s been trying to get me to read this series forever!

Summary : {From Goodreads}
Piloting his 747, Rayford Steele is musing about his wife Irene's irritating religiosity and contemplating the charms of his "drop-dead gorgeous" flight attendant, Hattie. First Irene was into Amway, then Tupperware, and now it's the Rapture of the Saints--the scary last story in the Bible in which Christians are swept to heaven and unbelievers are left behind to endure the Antichrist's Tribulation. Steele believes he'll put the plane on autopilot and go visit Hattie. But Hattie's in a panic: some of the passengers have disappeared! The Rapture has happened, abruptly driverless cars are crashing all over, and the slick, sinister Romanian Nicolae Carpathia plans to use the UN to establish one world government and religion. Resembling "a young Robert Redford" and silver-tongued in nine languages, Carpathia is named People's "Sexiest Man Alive." (This reviewer, a former People writer, finds this plot twist plausible.) Meanwhile, Steele teams up with Buck Williams, a buck-the-system newshound, to form the Tribulation Force, an underground of left-behind penitents battling the Antichrist.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I thought this is a good book talking about the end of times. Most people tend to forget that this is fiction which means two people set down and wrote it. However, they based it off of facts in the Bible the book of Revelation. So with that in mind this is a Christian book and while it seems unbelievable to some to me it is what I would envision happening. And personally makes me hope I go in rapture so that I’m not sticking around to watch this happen to the world.
The book starts off with a pilot who is thinking of cheating on his wife only before he can he realizes people are missing from his plane. As they get closer to home they realize that millions of people around the world are missing. They just disappeared in the blink of an eye. All the children are gone as well which frightens those left behind.
Hence the title. Anyway this book sets up the series of what will occur on Earth before the Lord returns. I think it had some pros and cons. I do believe if you are curious as to what the whole rapture thing is about then I suggest checking out your bible then reading this book

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Keeping it going to see if I want the rest.

SCORE: 8 out of 10
*******
100+ Book Challenge

53 / 100 books. 53% done!

Okay I really haven't talked about this book and I feel bad for that. This is one of those books that you either enjoy or don't. It is a religion book which I have never read before but thought that since I am growing as a Christian and exploring new areas of my faith that reading Christian literature might be a good step. So what did I start with? A book about the the end of times. Yeah very scary stuff.

So far we have delt with 2 main characters and a few minor characters. We now know who is the anti-christ and how easily he will win the world over. Rapture has occured (for those of you unfimilar with this that is when God will call back his people and in a blink of an eye they will be gone) And now the world is wondering why they were left behind, who stole the people and what is going on. Those that had been to church realized it was Christ's hand while others are doubtful and looking for any excuse.

Rayford one of the main characters is left behind. His wife and son were taken and now Rayford realizes that he was left and who is responsible. He is coming to find the Lord while at the same time hoping his daughter Chole finds him as well. Rayford is also starting to realize all of his sins and how that hurt him in the long run.

The other main character is "Buck" a young reporter who is unsure of what is going on but is so enamored with his job he isn't looking for any particular reason. Buck is the one that will become close to the anti-christ and is helping him by making him a major story.

Somehow these two stories will either come together or fall apart. I can't wait to see which. Left behind is the 1st of 7 I think and I am about done with it. I will post a review when I finish.

Has anyone else read this series? Did you find yourself with goosebumps while reading it?

So figured out why brother is being such an ass. He thinks the hero is in love with the woman he loves, but can't have b/c her father doesn't think he's good enough. Seems like a good enough reason. I am worried that the heroine is going to talk herself out of getting with hero. I know that is foolish but its still a worry I possess! I am mildly surprised at how slow but yet engaging this romance is turning out to be. I shall try to read faster seeing how its due on Wednesday at the library.

So far its pretty good. I like that the heroine is not the prettiest girl in the world. Although it gets annoying that the "hero" keeps reminding himself of that. Then again he is a guy. Also enjoy that she keeps rejecting him. Oh I know why she does but it is amusing to me.

Not really sure why her brother is being such an ass to the hero after he declared his attentions to her. I get he doesn't want his sister to be upset but still he doesn't have to be an ass about it.

All in all pretty good haven't really gotten too far with it yet.

Another one bites the dust and lands in the DNF pile. That would One Good Knight. I just couldn't bring myself to finish that damn book. It kept irritating me with the whole plot thing and the fact that the names were different but didn't even remotely follow the fairy tale they were set up to follow irked the crap out of me. So I said good bye to it. Which sucks b/c it would have qualified for my 2nd in a series challenge which I am sorely lacking...

So now I've moved on to Scandal by Carolyn Jewel, Keeping it Real, and Left Behind. Figured I'd try 3 totally different books in hopes of clearing out the cobwebs and jumping back on the bandwagon sort to speak.

Alright well has anyone read any of these books? Which should I start with?

One Good Knight, still have no idea what fairy tale this is suppose to based on or where the friggin story is even going. Can I just say for the record how is this a sequel when it clearly has nothing to do with the first in the series other than it takes place in one of the 500 kingdoms? I just don't get it. And it has Greek names which is really confusing me b/c to me the Greek names mixed with a fairy tale is not right. I keep getting it messed up with Greek myths which just puts it in a whole nother ball game.

URGH I wish I could just get to the fairytale part just so I could see where she is going with it.

So I just started this one and it is A LOT different but not. This time it looks as if the story will take place in the Greek times/background which makes it hard for me to figure out what fairy tale they are going to give. Other than the hint that it has to do with Sir George the dragon slayer... I have to admit this one didn't snag me right off the bat like the other one did.

Has anyone read this?

TITLE: Broken Wing
AUTHOR: Judith James
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: Historical Romance
PAGES; 350
SERIES: No I don’t believe it is a series I might be wrong though

REASON FOR READING: Kristie kept talking about it and I didn’t want to be out of the loop

Summary : {From Goodreads}
Set during the chaotic beginnings of Napoleon's rule, this saga tells the story of Gabriel St. Croix, a street survivor searching for a place to belong. Abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, he has never known friendship or affection. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy façade, his only relationship is with a young boy he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is about to change. The boy's family has found him, and they are coming to take him home.

Sarah Munroe blames herself for her brother's disappearance. When he's located, safe and unharmed despite where he has been living, Sarah vows to help the man who rescued and protected him in any way she can. With loving patience she helps Gabriel face his demons and teaches him to trust in friendship and love. But when the past catches up with him, Gabriel must face it on his own. Becoming a mercenary, pirate, and professional gambler, he travels to London, France, and the Barbary Coast in a desperate attempt to find Sarah again. On the way, however, he will discover the most dangerous journey and the greatest gamble of all is within the darkest reaches of his own heart

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I have to admit this book shocked me. Not something I would have normally picked up but I'm glad Kristie talked me into it. The budding love was fantastic. I was upset at how Gabe acted but I understood his actions and still loved him for it. Very, very good romance.

Things I enjoyed:
-The characters were strong in their own right. They both had a lot to work through and yet Sarah didn’t let it stop her from being a caring person. And even though it took more time for Gabe it still didn’t stop him from loving Sarah
-How strong Gabe was just to survive. And yet he still managed to let another person into his heart. Yes it took a while but that is what made the romance so sweet.
-OMG the romance was fantastic how they fell for each other and the struggles they had to overcome in order to be with each was a nice touch.
- The teaching him how to kiss scene priceless

Things I didn’t care for
- Okay I’m probably the only one who didn’t like the scenes where Gabe was a way killing to survive. Yes it was important to character growth but at the same time I just ended up skimming over those scenes. It did nothing to help me grasp the situation nor did it matter at the end to me.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it for now will end up buying though.

SCORE: 9 out of 10

Anything Else: At first this book turned me off b/c its not my normal read but once I started reading it I fell in love with it.
*******
100+ Book Challenge

51 / 100 books. 51% done!

Review to follow I am thinking about shutting down my reading challenges website and start posting my reviews here there is no good reason to have this site and a reading site. But we shall see.

Okay on to the simi/small review. Broken Wings was excellent I will post a formal review later but for now I have to say hands down the best romance I've read between 2 characters in a long time. I really enjoyed watching them come to care for each other. They truly needed each other and I liked watching it turn into love. LOVED Gabe very good hero with a horrible past. And yet he managed to come out of it with the love of his woman. Very sweet.

Had parts that I had to wipe away tears from, parts that I smiled and parts that I wished it was me that rescued Gabe. The only parts I didn't care for had to do with when he was captured. I understand why it was written but I was so into the romance I ended up skipping most of them. Maybe next go I will read them in full.

If you have read this book what did you think of it?

Okay Kristie you win. I seriously didn't think I would enjoy this book. In fact I put off reading it 2 times b/c it just didn't sound like something I was interested in. And I have to admit the first few pages I was wondering why I was reading this but then something happened.

I got sucked in... literally sucked into this world this horrible beginnig turned happy in the middle. Now I can't claim to know what is going to happen and I know that something will b/c it can't stay this happy and innocent for much longer. Something has got to happen to Sarah in order to have Gabriel fight for her. Which saddens me b/c right now I'm totally digging his happiness and may I add his well deserved happiness.

*Sigh* But alas something tragic must occur in order for something wonderful to happen. So wish me luck right now I'm on 146 and I am just waiting for the other shoe to drop (and hoping I can survive it)

TITLE: The Fairy Godmother
AUTHOR: Mercedes Lackey
COPYRIGHT: 2004
TYPE: Fantasy Romance
PAGES; 496
SERIES: 1st in the series
1. The Fairy Godmother

REASON FOR READING: Apparently I am on a fairytale kick

Summary : {From Goodreads}
In the land of Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale…
Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella—until an accident of fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! Determined not to remain with her stepfamily, Elena set out to get a new job—and ended up becoming the Fairy Godmother for the land.
But "Breaking with Tradition" was no easy matter. True, she didn't have to sleep in the chimney, but she had to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who kept trying to rise above their place in the tale. In fact, one of them was so ornery that Elena could do nothing but change him into a donkey.
Still, her practical nature couldn't let him roam the country, so she brought the donkey—er, the prince!—home to her cottage to teach him some lessons. All the while keeping in mind that breaking with tradition can land everyone into a kettle of fish—sometimes literally!
And so begins a whole new tale…
THOUGHTS/OPINION:
This is a different telling of Cinderella and what could have happened. It tells that all fairytales are really happening but due to the Tradition that is forcing them alone. With the help of wizards and Godmothers (as well as bad) they are happening one way or another. Unless a very cunning Godmother can redirect the Tradition in a way that still satisfies the storyline.

Things I enjoyed:
-Elena was a good strong character she knew enough to take care of herself and she was going to no matter how bad her life had been.
-The fact that Cinderella got a chance to be something other than the same old same old was refreshing. The plot was good and strong and I enjoyed watching how Ms. Lackey made her world work and function.
-I like the twist on the fairy tale stories and I liked the explanation of why there are so many.
-The secondary characters were fantastic! I enjoyed the Brownies and the mirror both added just enough magic to the story to make it really cool but not childish.

Things I didn’t care for:
- I didn’t care for the way the fairies are the ones that played a big role in Alexander’s transformation. If he would have come to the conclusions on his own I would’ve been okay but it just was strange one page he was an ass (for lack of a better term) on the next not.
- Also there was no real reason to have this story turn into a romance. Did it add a little extra yeah but not enough to matter.
-The sex scenes are kind of boring and pointless. We didn’t need to know that about them she could have skipped over the scenes and been just as good. Instead they kind of took away from the story and I ended up skipping them

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it only b/c it was a library book. I may end up buying it though.

SCORE: 8 out of 10

Anything Else: If you like fairy tales you will really enjoy this book it takes a twist on fairy tales and makes them even more interesting
*******
100+ Book Challenge

50 / 100 books. 50% done!

Not a bad read. This was my first book by Ms. Lackey and I can say I will be picking up the next in the series. I enjoyed the twist on the fairy tales and how Godmothers play a role. Had a romance in it which was always a bonus.

I enjoyed both characters and thought that Elena was a great Godmother. Her story line was suppose to follow Cinderella but didn't have the HEA she thought she would get. So instead she becomes an Apprentice to a Godmother to eventually run that kingdom on her own. The only part I question was where in the world did Bella go when she handed over the reins to Elenda? Does anyone know?

I plan to start One Good Knight next week taking a small break to read Broken Wing I think. Anyway has anyone else out there read this series? How many are in it so far?

TITLE: Night’s Rose
AUTHOR: Annaliese Evans
COPYRIGHT: 2009
TYPE: Paranormal Romance
PAGES; 384
SERIES: 1st in the series
1. Night’s Rose

REASON FOR READING: I love the story of sleeping beauty and had to see what she did with the fairy tale.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
For nearly one hundred years, Rosemarie Edenberg has worked tirelessly to wipe the dreaded ogre tribe from the earth. Now the tribe has gathered in London to work a spell that will destroy the scourge of their kind, the one they call the Briar Rose.

Two magnetic men will unite to aid Rose--her mysterious fey advisor, Ambrose, and the vampire Lord Shenley, an earl of scandalous reputation and even more scandalous appetites. One will save her, one will betray her, and both will challenge her to face the past that haunts her.

Once upon a time, she was ensnared in the mists of enchantment, cursed to sleep one hundred years. But this beauty wasn't awakened with a kiss and has never known happily ever after. But with the help of her handsome allies, Rose may find it yet.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I have always enjoyed the story of sleeping beauty. So when I found out that this was the main fairy tale this book centered around I got really excited and couldn’t wait to read it. It had some really good parts that I enjoyed.

Things I enjoyed:
-I liked that all the characters were fleshed out.
-Watching Rose’s background come out with the legend of sleeping beauty was heartbreaking (b/c of what happened to her) and yet very well played I really enjoyed the twist on the story.
-I liked that Rose was such a strong character. She was able to fight and yet knew that she wasn’t always able to do it alone.

Things I didn’t care for:
- I have to admit I didn’t care for who she picked it seemed to me he tricked her in a way like the other one did (granted the other man in the picture did something horrible that was way worse) still he tricked her.
- I ended up skipping a lot of the battle scenes after awhile they became the same scene

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it.

SCORE: 5 out of 10

Anything Else: If you like fairy tales you will really enjoy this book
*******
100+ Book Challenge

49 / 100 books. 49% done!

1st in a series Challenge

Review to follow on the Challenge site soon! I did enjoy the book and the back blurb is mis-leading in a sense, but I still enjoyed it.

I hurt for Rose and laughed with Rose, I enjoyed her happiness and shared in her sadness which is something I admire in a good author. I do recommend this book to those who enjoy reading about fairy tales b/c it has a very nice twist on it. I think this might turn into one of those wishlist kind of books.

Renee just informed me book 2 is coming out so I will do some research on it to determine what its about and get back with you!

Did anyone else like it? Did you figure out who Rose would end up with?

So far so good. This takes the story of Sleeping Beauty to a WHOLE new level. And seeing how Sleeping Beauty is my FAVORITE Disney/Fairytale I have to say on the whole I'm impressed. So far...

Let me see plot in a nutshell... Rose was put to sleep by the fairies only to be awoken early when she went into labor with an ogre's child. She was raped and got pregant. When she woke up she saw him trying to eat her and the children (I think, I've gathered this mainly through flashbacks) Currently Rose is in charge of wiping out the ogre population and does it well with the help of Ambrosa a fey advisor and Garthe a vampire. One will betray her according to the back blurb and one will save her but who will do what is so far a mystery.

If I had to pick which one I like the best I'd go with the fey only b/c he's pretty and yet with drawn you know never shows his emotions sort of guy LOL.

Okay here's the blurb:
For nearly one hundred years, Rosemarie Edenberg has worked tirelessly to wipe the dreaded ogre tribe from the earth. Now the tribe has gathered in London to work a spell that will destroy the scourge of their kind, the one they call the Briar Rose. Two magnetic men will unite to aid Rose--her mysterious fey advisor, Ambrose, and the vampire Lord Shenley, an earl of scandalous reputation and even more scandalous appetites. One will save her, one will betray her, and both will challenge her to face the past that haunts her. Once upon a time, she was ensnared in the mists of enchantment, cursed to sleep one hundred years. But this beauty wasn't awakened with a kiss and has never known happily ever after. But with the help of her handsome allies, Rose may find it yet.

Interesting no?

TITLE: Proven Guilty
AUTHOR: Jim Butcher
COPYRIGHT: 2007
TYPE: Urban Fantasy
PAGES; 496
SERIES: 8th in the series
1. Storm Front
2. Fool Moon
3. Grave Peril
4. Summer Knight
5. Death Masks
6. Blood Rites
7. Dead Beat
8. Proven Guilty
9. White Night
10. Small Favor
11. Welcome to the Jungle

REASON FOR READING: Come on I’ve read them all up to this one so I had to complete the series.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
The White Council of Wizards has drafted Harry Dresden as a Warden and assigned him to look into rumors of black magic in Chicago. Malevolent entities that feed on fear are loose in the Windy City, but it's all in a day's work for a wizard, his faithful dog, and a talking skull named Bob.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
We are back in Chicago with Harry picking up where he left off in the last one. This one involved the Carpenters which I love to learn about. If you remember or you might not the dad Michael is a White Knight of the sword. This one also reminded me of an episode of Charmed where movie characters are coming to life so that kind of ruined the whole OOHHH factor However, the twist at the end was pretty good and I enjoyed it so that helped redeem the book.

Things I enjoyed:
-Uh duh Harry! He’s the best wizard EVER!!! *clears throat* Okay let’s be more specific. He is loyal, trusting, honest and well just wants the good guys to win even if that means getting his butt kicked. (Still sticking with this statement from the last review)
-This plot helped move the whole story further and I can see where we are heading with it.
-I really enjoyed watching the Carpenters come together as a family and seeing Charity being knocked down a peg. I also enjoyed learning why Charity hated Harry so much.
-I also enjoyed the humor Harry has the best one liners ever.


Things I didn’t care for: - Like I said the plot didn’t wow me like it could of considering that I’ve seen it before on Charmed. However, it did have a nice twist to it that did redeem it.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it only b/c it was a library book and sadly enough I haven’t kept any of the series.

SCORE: 6 out of 10

Anything Else: You need to read the series to understand the complex nature of this book. Too many of the sub plots are taken from other stories in the series.
*******
100+ Book Challenge

43 / 100 books. 43% done!

TITLE: White Night
AUTHOR: Jim Butcher
COPYRIGHT: 2007
TYPE: Urban Fantasy
PAGES; 416
SERIES: 9th in the series
1. Storm Front
2. Fool Moon
3. Grave Peril
4. Summer Knight
5. Death Masks
6. Blood Rites
7. Dead Beat
8. Proven Guilty
9. White Night
10. Small Favor
11. Welcome to the Jungle

REASON FOR READING: Come on I’ve read them all up to this one so I had to complete the series.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
Professional wizard Harry Dresden is investigating a series of deaths in Chicago. Someone is killing practitioners of magic, those incapable of becoming full-fledged wizards. Shockingly, all the evidence points to Harry's half-brother, Thomas, as the murderer. Determined to clear his sibling's name, Harry uncovers a conspiracy within the White Council of Wizards that threatens not only him, but his nearest and dearest, too...

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
We are back in Chicago with Harry picking up where he left off in the last one. Okay FINALLY we get a WHOLE book on Harry’s Half Brother Thomas whom I heart but not nearly as much as Harry himself!!! Not to mention the action was kicked up a notch. People from Harry’s past showed up to play and Lash became a main character! Well she sort of has been but she grew into a character I adored in this book.

Things I enjoyed:
-Uh duh Harry! He’s the best wizard EVER!!! *clears throat* Okay let’s be more specific. He is loyal, trusting, honest and well just wants the good guys to win even if that means getting his butt kicked. (Still sticking with this statement from the last 5 reviews)
-Okay like I said before we got to see more of Thomas and his interaction with Harry. Learning about him and what he’s been up to while hiding his secret (which was an excellent twist never saw that coming) was wonderful. Favorite scene was when the cops showed up at Thomas’ apartment and Harry acted like his gay lover LOL. OMG was ROTFLMAO seriously.
-I think this book had more humor in it that really offset the darker side of the story. Again this one is my favorite of the series because of Thomas.

Things I didn’t care for:
- There wasn’t much that I didn’t enjoy in this book. This one has been my favorite of the serious hands down

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it only b/c it was a library book and sadly enough I haven’t kept any of the series.

SCORE: 9 out of 10

Anything Else: You need to read the series to understand the complex nature of this book. Too many of the sub plots are taken from other stories in the series.

*******
100+ Book Challenge

45 / 100 books. 45% done!

TITLE: Rising Tides
AUTHOR: Nora Roberts
COPYRIGHT: 1998
TYPE: Romance
PAGES; 330
SERIES: Yep Book 2 in a 4 book series
1. Sea Swept
2. Rising Tides

REASON FOR READING: I enjoyed book 1 and really liked Ethan’s character so I had to read what happened to him.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
Set on the windswept shores of the Chesapeake Bay, Nora Roberts's Rising Tides, the second book in the Quinn Brothers trilogy, continues the story of the lives and loves of adopted brothers Ethan, Cameron, and Philip Quinn. Eager to honor their father's dying wish that their other brother, Seth, be cared for, the three settle into life with a 10-year-old. Of all the brothers, it is Ethan who finds himself drawn to the young boy, because both suffered horrific abuse before being adopted by the Quinns. Time hasn't extinguished Ethan's pain, only buried it deep within his heart, a fact that may keep him from the only woman he has ever loved

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
Ethan’s story is the one that I wanted to read the whole time I was reading Cam’s story. I really enjoyed how serious he was, how calm, and that he took his time before making a decision he appeared to be the kind of man you could like and respect. I also found that I was really interested in Grace’s story during book 1. She appeared to be the kind of woman I could be friends with and I just wanted to see her get a HEA. The book takes off a few months after the last one. Cam and Anna are married and on a honeymoon in Rome. Leaving Seth with Ethan which was good b/c Seth’s past was a WHOLE hell of a lot like Ethan’s the only difference was how far the abuse went. God what Ethan had to go through was horrible and I found myself crying with Grace while he told her. The shame and guilt he felt and the fact he believed he was tainted about broke my heart.
As far as Grace is concerned she is doing everything she can just to survive. She has a daughter with no father. Her own father cut her out of his life (but that was a mutual thing) she is working 2 jobs and trying to give her little girl the best life she can. She was exactly what Ethan needed.

Things I enjoyed:
-I really enjoyed that Ethan helped Seth come to terms with his shame and helped him to realize that he was still an okay kid even after what had happened to him. I really feel that Ethan is the reason that Seth started to connect with the family.
-I enjoyed Grace. Yes at times she was beyond stubborn but she figured out early in life you can’t count on anyone to take care of you but yourself and by God did she ever.
-Watching these two dance back and forth fighting their feelings, mis-reading each other and not talking would usually be a turn off for me. But in this case I really enjoyed it.

Things I didn’t care for:
-I didn’t care for the almost rape scene that happened at the bar and how Ethan reacted to. I thought it was a little out of character for him and didn’t do anything for the plot other than help Grace realize that maybe it is okay to ask for help.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it. It was a cute book but not a re-read for me.

SCORE: 7 out of 10

Anything Else: You really need to read book one in order to fully appreciate the situation with Seth and the brothers.
*******
100+ Book Challenge

47 / 100 books. 47% done!

2nd in a series

5 / 12 books. 42% done!

TITLE: Princess of the Midnight Ball
AUTHOR: Jessica Day George
COPYRIGHT: 2009
TYPE: Romance
PAGES; 280
SERIES: You know I’m not sure

REASON FOR READING: The ladies over at the Book Smugglers reviewed it and it was one of my favorite fairy tales as a child so I thought I would give it a whirl.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
A tale of twelve princesses doomed to dance until dawn…

Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above.
Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George's take on the Grimms' tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
I really enjoyed the sisters and there interactions with each other. However, it did get old having 12 of them in a conversation LOL. Yeah that’s me hard to please. The author was very good at setting up the story and telling it in a way that stayed true to the original myth I remembered as a child but yet added some things I didn’t know like the knitting (or at least that I didn’t remember). Galen was an interesting character and I enjoyed learning more of the Under Stone part of the story.

Things I enjoyed:
-Galen he was not a young man to be messed with after fighting in the war as long as he did. He lost the only family he ever knew but yet still had a sunny outlook on life. He wasn’t one to sit and brood about it or turn into an ass about it either. I enjoyed that even after a hard life he still enjoyed living.
-As I mentioned above the author stuck to the original fairy tale but at the same time managed to bring it to life without altering it too much.

Things I didn’t care for:
- -I did enjoy the 12 sisters but at times it was almost too much

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it. It was a library book that was cute but not a re-read unless I have children.

SCORE: 7 out of 10

Anything Else: If you enjoy fairy tale remakes this one is pretty good.
*******
100+ Book Challenge

46 / 100 books. 46% done!

TITLE: Small Favor
AUTHOR: Jim Butcher
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: Urban Fantasy
PAGES; 416
SERIES: 10th in the series
1. Storm Front
2. Fool Moon
3. Grave Peril
4. Summer Knight
5. Death Masks
6. Blood Rites
7. Dead Beat
8. Proven Guilty
9. White Night
10. Small Favor
11. Welcome to the Jungle

REASON FOR READING: Come on I’ve read them all up to this one so I had to complete the series.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
The new novel in the New York Times bestselling Dresden Files series.

No one's tried to kill Harry Dresden for almost an entire year, and his life finally seems to be calming down. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.

An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, the Queen of Air and Darkness-and she's calling in her marker. It's a small favor he can't refuse...one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skills-and loyalties-to their very limits.

It figures. Everything was going too well to last...

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
So wow its been a while since I’ve read this book so give me a second to think about it more. I know that in this one Harry finally starts to slow down with life and then WHAM Mab comes back to claim a favor he owes her. Gentleman Johnny Marcone is taken and Harry can’t determine if this is a good thing or not. Before he can make up his mind Mab comes in and request her favor. In the meantime Harry has the 3 Brother’s Billy Goats chasing him. Michael doesn’t trust him, the Denarians are back and badder than ever and its going to take everything Harry possess to keep them from getting what they want.

Things I enjoyed:
-Uh duh Harry! He’s the best wizard EVER!!! *clears throat* Okay let’s be more specific. He is loyal, trusting, honest and well just wants the good guys to win even if that means getting his butt kicked. (Still sticking with this statement from the last 6 reviews plus he’s in my hut now!!!)
-This had a lot more action than the normal Harry books. Harry gets the ever loving crap beat out of him and yet still manages to use his brains in order to save the day and a little girl. All in a days work.
-I liked that Harry has actually got a reward this time in the form of a Warden which I think added to making me appreciate how much Harry is a real person.

Things I didn’t care for:
- I got tired of constantly getting the reminders of people. Most of the people picking up this book are going to know that the Blue Beetle isn’t really blue, that Thomas is Harry’s half brother and that Mouse is a gifted dog.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it only b/c it was a library book and sadly enough I haven’t kept any of the series.

SCORE: 9 out of 10

Anything Else: You need to read the series to understand the complex nature of this book. Too many of the sub plots are taken from other stories in the series.
*******
100+ Book Challenge

48 / 100 books. 48% done!

TITLE: Sea Swept
AUTHOR: Nora Roberts
COPYRIGHT: 1998
TYPE: Romance
PAGES; unsure
SERIES: 1st in the series
1. Sea Swept

REASON FOR READING: Well I’ve never read a Nora book before and this one came HIGHLY suggested so I figured why not

Summary : {From Goodreads}
Sea Swept tells the tale of three brothers--all former juvenile delinquents adopted by Raymond Quinn and his wife, Stella. Cameron, Ethan, and Philip are as different as can be, but they are bound by their love and respect for their adoptive father, who has recently passed away. On his deathbed he asks his sons to look after their most recent brother, 10-year-old Seth, who--if the rumors are to believed--just may be Ray's biological son. Of course, the brothers don't know anything about caring for the young boy, and if social worker Anna Spinelli has anything to say about it, they won't. However, the sparks that fly over the fate of Seth are nothing compared to the romantic sparks that fly between Anna and Cameron

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
For my first Nora book it was pretty good. I enjoyed the setting St. Christopher Bay. The brothers were different all from a horrible background and taken in by wonderful people who gave them a chance to better their lives. The only hiccup was the fact they were all BEAUTIFUL, GIFTED, RICH, Ect… and so forth including the women listed. That got old but I cancelled that out based on their horrible childhoods and made it work. The brothers are living their lives when it falls apart. The man they call Dad just died and left behind a kid just like them. Only this time Seth is left with scandal. The town believes that he is Ray’s son which of course the brother’s don’t believe. This book focuses on the eldest Cam who races boats for a living and his “heroine” Anna who happens to be Seth’s Social Worker.

Things I enjoyed:
-Anna she was very strong, she knew what she wanted and wouldn’t stop at anything to get it. Plus when Cam was being an ass she decided that yes it would hurt but she didn’t need him to survive. She is a heroine after my own heart and I really enjoyed her whipping Cam into shape.
-The plot was pretty good and watching Seth and the brothers come to terms with their life being flipped around was very sweet. I also liked that Seth and Cam liked each other but at the same time didn’t know how to take each other. It wasn’t like the brothers became a family all at once.
-Seeing how the brothers interact with each other was fantastic. Their fights and arguments were very believable.

Things I didn’t care for:
- Like I stated above the brothers were almost too perfect. They were all handsome, rich, well to do, had a great job, ect. It was a little too much
- I didn’t care for “Ray” making a ghost like appearance I thought that was a little silly. I guess it worked but something about it was off for me.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it. While it was cute it just wasn’t a re-read for me.

SCORE: 6 out of 10

Anything Else: I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fluffy and quick romance read.
*******
100+ Book Challenge

44 / 100 books. 44% done!

1st in a series Challenge

12 / 12 Books. 100% done! DONE BABY!!!!

Okay I finished my first Nora book. All and all pretty good. I liked the characters, and even though they appeared to all be "too perfect" (everyone of them was handsome, beautiful, good with kids, had the money, great personalities ect.) I still found that I liked them. Maybe it was due to them having such horrible backgrounds or whatnot.
I liked that our hero actually had to fight for our heroine and that she would have been fine without him. She was capable and able to move on even though it hurt (that was very nice.) I liked that he had to admit that Seth was growing on him and that he allowed him in.

All and all good like I said and yes for those of you curious I will be reading book 2 by her in this series b/c I'm just that curious. And if that holds my attention I will pick up book 3.

So what did you like about it? What were you favorite parts? and whose your fav brother?

Well I finally did it. I took the plunge and began my first Roberts book. And man am I sucked in or what. The sad part no idea why other than the lady knows how to write a novel that tugs at your heart. But I digress the reason this is important is A) I've never read Nora b/c I had a prejudice against her and B) I figured it was time to grow plus most of her novels (that I know of) are contempoary romance and I just don't care for them.

Okay so I started it today during my 12 hour shift and was like okay no biggie. Then WHAM she hit me with a plot twist and 3 brothers that I must know all about. Ethan has my heart as does his possible heroine so really looking forward to that story. Cam is a woman's version of a wet dream and Philip is the one I would marry simple for money. But the backstories will make you want to cry and smile.

Seth's story is the one that's breaking my heart. Watching him grow has been wonderful and I can't wait to see what he does with his brothers or how the story pans out. So needless to say my first experience so far with Nora has been a winner. Makes me wonder why I'm so against contemporaries (and am I even spelling them right?)

So what's your favorite Nora story? Did you have the same notions I had about her?

TITLE: Riding Wild
AUTHOR: Jaci Burton
COPYRIGHT: 2008
TYPE: Erotic Romance
PAGES; 288
SERIES: 1st in a series

REASON FOR READING: Christine and everyone was talking about the latest release so I thought I should join in and at least read the first one.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
He's a Harley-riding ex-thief working undercover for the government. She's a gun-toting ex-socialite hired to protect a valuable museum exhibit. But in her attempt to stop a heist, she never anticipated having her breath and her heart stolen...

Mac Canfield was the last man Lily West expected to see again, never mind aim her gun at. But here he was, the bad boy who'd broken her heart years ago-still a thief, this time high-jacking a priceless artifact--and it was all she could do to push aside the memories of how it felt to have his perfectly chiseled body next to hers.

Mac was no less shocked to see the beautiful girl-next-door all grown up, threatening to shoot him on the spot. Little did she know she was blowing his cover-and now he had to figure out how to get her out of harm's way without succumbing to his crazy desire to take her on a hot trip down memory lane.

Unfortunately, Lily has no intention of going anywhere with Mac. Which means he has to resort to kidnapping. Unless, of course, she agrees to let him take her for the kind of ride destined to drive them both unbelievably wild

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
Okay don’t hold this against me but to be honest I don’t care that much for erotic romance. Usually I can do okay with it when I am so engrossed with the story/plot that I forget about what I’m reading or the sex makes sense. So bare with me through this review b/c while I LOVED the plot and the sex was HAWT. I could’ve done without five or six of the sex scenes. I didn’t think they helped anything in fact a couple of them were just pointless to me (and only me so don’t flay me alive).

Things I enjoyed:
-I enjoyed that Lily was able to fully enjoy sex without any reservations. She knew what she enjoyed in bed and wasn’t scared to try anything new. In other words she wasn’t your typical I love sex but really I have no idea what I’m doing.
-I liked that Mac really did love Lily and always had but thought he wasn’t good enough for her. Those kind of heroes always make me swoon. He’s a bad boy that knows it and only wanted what he thought was the best for Lily.
-I liked that Mac came to realize that only Lily knows what’s good and what isn’t for Lily not him and that he was going to have to let her experience things on her own without being the over protective alpha that doesn’t budge.

Things I didn’t care for: -Like I said above I could’ve done without some of the sex scenes and ended up skimming through most of them (the superficial ones) once they came together as a couple it was perfect.
-Another thing was introducing us to all the guys. I understand for interaction sake it was important and to let us know who the future books were about this was important but still it just seemed unnecessary.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it b/c it was a library book. If I like the next one I might considering buying but I doubt it. I just don’t do long series anymore.

SCORE: 5 out of 10

Anything Else: If you like erotica this is a fantastic book and I would highly recommend it.

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100+ Book Challenge

42 / 100 books. 42% done!

1st in a series challenge

11 / 12 books. 92% done!

Yeah I just couldn't get into this one. I tried I really did especially with Lesley and Katiebabs telling me that it picked up towards the end. But I just couldn't accept that and couldn't wade through it.

This really upsets me b/c the whole plot SOUNDED so fantastic only to fall flat in my eyes b/c of the characters. I am beginning to realize just how important me being able to relate to the character is important. Even being able to relate on a basic level is important to me. Or hell even liking the characters is important but for some reason I just couldn't with this one.

Maybe I was just in a reading funk. How about you did you like it?

Didn't work for me this time. Not sure what it was, it was written the same way as the first but this time it just didn't stick. I found I didn't care what happened to Dante (he appeared to be more childish then before) I really didn't care about Heather which is sad b/c I really liked her as the main character in the first one.

Maybe it was all the new people being added in. Or the simple fact it was a month since I read the first one but for some reason or another this one just didn't stick with me. So it became 6th DNF's for this year.

Let me know what you thought? Should I have stuck with it? Did it pick up?

TITLE: Dead Beat
AUTHOR: Jim Butcher
COPYRIGHT: 2006
TYPE: Urban Fantasy
PAGES; 448
SERIES: 7th in the series
1. Storm Front
2. Fool Moon
3. Grave Peril
4. Summer Knight
5. Death Masks
6. Blood Rites
7. Dead Beat
8. Proven Guilty
9. White Night
10. Small Favor
11. Welcome to the Jungle

REASON FOR READING: Come on I’ve read them all up to this one so I had to complete the series.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
Filled with kickass adventure and supernatural fireworks, Jim Butcher's Dresden Files novels have been compared to Harry Potter. Now, Harry Dresden must save Chicago from black magic and necromancy-all in a day's work for the city's only professional wizard.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
We are back in Chicago with Harry picking up where he left off in the last one. His hand is still mess and not working, he still fears using his fire magic due to the accident. He has conflicting emotions regarding Murphy (She is going to Hawaii with Kincaid and it burns his ass) However, he doesn’t realize it until its too late. There were a couple of twist including Wardens and Harry for once seeing eye to eye. And the demon coin he touched has taken on a more active role.

Things I enjoyed:
-Uh duh Harry! He’s the best wizard EVER!!! *clears throat* Okay let’s be more specific. He is loyal, trusting, honest and well just wants the good guys to win even if that means getting his butt kicked. (Still sticking with this statement from the last review)
-The plot continued to move forward letting us get to see the Warden’s and the war. What the effects are for the most part this has been happening in the background but not in this book.
-Also Mr. Butcher is very good and interweaving plots from previous books and showing you that just b/c the book has ended some of the loose ends will be wrapped up in another story line. I really enjoy that.
-I also enjoyed the humor Harry has the best one liners ever.
- I enjoyed SUE and BOB’s role in this book (you will know what I’m talking about once you read the book)

Things I didn’t care for:
- Okay I didn’t care for Butters at all. He annoyed me and I seriously thought someone needed to shoot him or just run him off. He kind of made up for his cowardly ways toward the end but not enough to satisfy the urges.
- And the Warden twist was good but I didn’t like the whole bait and switch (again you will have to read it to understand what I am talking about.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing on it only b/c it was a library book and sadly enough I haven’t kept any of the series.

SCORE: 8 out of 10

Anything Else: You need to read the series to understand the complex nature of this book. Too many of the sub plots are taken from other stories in the series.
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100+ Book Challenge

40 / 100 books. 40% done!

TITLE: Silent in the Grave
AUTHOR: Deanna Raybourn
COPYRIGHT: 2007
TYPE: Mystery
PAGES; 512
SERIES: yes first in a series

REASON FOR READING: Everyone kept talking about it and hey I wanted to join in. Renee actually was the first to suggest it.

Summary : {From Goodreads}
These ominous words, slashed from the pages of a book of Psalms, are the last threat that the darling of London society, Sir Edward Grey, receives from his killer. Before he can show them to Nicholas Brisbane, the private inquiry agent he has retained for his protection, Sir Edward collapses and dies at his London home, in the presence of his wife, Julia, and a roomful of dinner guests.
Prepared to accept that Edward's death was due to a long-standing physical infirmity, Julia is outraged when Brisbane visits and suggests that Sir Edward has been murdered. It is a reaction she comes to regret when she discovers the damning paper for herself, and realizes the truth.
Determined to bring her husband's murderer to justice, Julia engages the enigmatic Brisbane to help her investigate Edward's demise. Dismissing his warnings that the investigation will be difficult, if not impossible, Julia presses forward, following a trail of clues that lead her to even more unpleasant truths, and ever closer to a killer who waits expectantly for her arrival.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:
This book takes place in Victoria England which was a selling point for me. Anything during that time period is interesting. Add in that its not your typical romance and I was hooked. The book is 1st person POV of Lady Julia Grey and it starts off immediately with her husbands death. A death she assumes is from natural causes b/c after all Edward had a bad heart. During her year of mourning she comes to believe that he might have been murdered. At first this book started off really slow for me. And there were a few times I was tempted to put it down. However, as the mystery became deeper and deeper I found I couldn’t put it down.

Things I enjoyed:
-While the book was slow we did learn a lot about Julia Grey and I enjoyed that. Watching her grow into the woman she always was but didn’t realize was an interesting sub-plot
- I liked the mystery behind Nicolas Brisbane he was a fascinating character that I enjoyed learning about. I had hoped that Nicolas and Julia might end up together but alas this is a mystery not a romance so that didn’t happen.
-The mystery itself wasn’t too complicated until the end when extra pieces that fit together were thrown in. Usually I don’t like this but it worked really good for this plot.

Things I didn’t care for:
-Like I stated before this book moves really slow so unless there is something there that holds you interest you have a long way to go before the mystery is solved. Sometimes that got a bit old and I found myself skimming parts.
-The March family was really odd while some of it made sense some of them made me want to pull my hair out.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? This is a library book. If I read the second and enjoy it I might consider buying the series. But for now it would be a pass

SCORE: 7 out of 10

Anything Else: This is a good first book and sets up the characters well
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100+ Book Challenge

41 / 100 books. 41% done!

1st in a series Challenge

10 / 12 books. 83% done!