The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich
Ok so I'm cheating with this one and I'm using the whole series. I really couldn't pick just one book in this series that I have read. Seriously with all of the funny antics that Janet Evanovich writes in her stories, how can you just pick one. Again this was another series/author that Kristi suggested (honestly if she had her own blog I'd probably be linking her all the time on this site.)
The basic plot for the whole series starts when Stephanie Plum gets let go from her job and she's desperate for money. It just so happens that her cousin Vinny has a bail bonds agency and needs some help, so Stephanie decided to become a bounty hunter (or a Bail Bonds Agent, the more correct job title). Honestly because she isn't equip for it, hilarity ensues. Through out the books there is an array of crazy characters and some are recurring. I have to say Grandma Mazur is my favorite, I fell in love with her character from the first book when she shot the butt end off the turkey at the dinner table, and as the series progresses Grandma's character never fails to pump up the hilarity factor.
These books, seriously have me staying up all of hours of the night giggling my ass off. How Janet Evanovich was able to come up with the crazy characters and scenarios and yet they seem normal I have no idea. I do have to say though, there is a bit of romance. But the romance is very plausible and Stephanie's emotions are written in a way that everyone can relate too. While a majority of the book is based off of the bounty jobs, there is underlying story lines that continue through out the stories concerning family, romance, and the fact that Stephanie Plum always has a car destroyed.
If you ever need a good belly laugh, I suggest the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. You will no be disappointed.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Bakers Dozen 12
Ransom by Julie Garwood
So this was probably one of the first historical romance books that I had read, or at least in the wave of historical romance that I started. And you might find it weird but I remember clearly how I came about getting this book. I had read a little snippet of another book by this author, Mercy, in a Cosmo magazine. I hadn't bought that book but I found this book in the bargain book section at Borders for around 2 dollars. This book didn't have a cover wrap (it is a hard cover book) so there was no synopsis. But I figured for 2 bucks I can take a gamble. I think this was one of the first book that I fell in love with because it was about Scotland, and it totally made me think about a hunky Scottish warrior (I know kind of dorky, but hey I was like 15 when I got the book.)
The story starts off with Lady Gillian as a child and she is trying to escape from her manor with her sister after their father is killed by a greedy baron. The story then time warps to about 15 years later where Gillian is ordered to find her sister whom she hasn't seen for that time. She finds out that her sister is now living in the highlands and she must go to find her. She also sees that the greedy barons captured a boy that they plan to kill. But instead they escape and go into the highlands to bring the boy to his family. Gillian pretends to be the boys Uncle's, Laird Brodrick Buchanan's, bride in order to insure a safe return for the boy and to also get help finding her sister. Brodrick, feels the need to protect Gillian and soon sparks fly and they become married. There are so many plot twists and turns that keep you interested and I honestly couldn't put the book down.
This story is in theory a sequel to The Secret but the book has enough detail to stand on its own and you can read it with out reading The Secret first. I love how Julie Garwood mixed in the humor and to romance together and it seemed so seamless that they humor didn't feel out of place in the setting and time period of the novel.
Again, I just love this book. I have read several of Julie Garwood's other books and I have to say, I have never been disappointed by what I had read. If you're in the mood for a book that has a romance, humor and some action, I definitely suggest one of her novels.
So this was probably one of the first historical romance books that I had read, or at least in the wave of historical romance that I started. And you might find it weird but I remember clearly how I came about getting this book. I had read a little snippet of another book by this author, Mercy, in a Cosmo magazine. I hadn't bought that book but I found this book in the bargain book section at Borders for around 2 dollars. This book didn't have a cover wrap (it is a hard cover book) so there was no synopsis. But I figured for 2 bucks I can take a gamble. I think this was one of the first book that I fell in love with because it was about Scotland, and it totally made me think about a hunky Scottish warrior (I know kind of dorky, but hey I was like 15 when I got the book.)
The story starts off with Lady Gillian as a child and she is trying to escape from her manor with her sister after their father is killed by a greedy baron. The story then time warps to about 15 years later where Gillian is ordered to find her sister whom she hasn't seen for that time. She finds out that her sister is now living in the highlands and she must go to find her. She also sees that the greedy barons captured a boy that they plan to kill. But instead they escape and go into the highlands to bring the boy to his family. Gillian pretends to be the boys Uncle's, Laird Brodrick Buchanan's, bride in order to insure a safe return for the boy and to also get help finding her sister. Brodrick, feels the need to protect Gillian and soon sparks fly and they become married. There are so many plot twists and turns that keep you interested and I honestly couldn't put the book down.
This story is in theory a sequel to The Secret but the book has enough detail to stand on its own and you can read it with out reading The Secret first. I love how Julie Garwood mixed in the humor and to romance together and it seemed so seamless that they humor didn't feel out of place in the setting and time period of the novel.
Again, I just love this book. I have read several of Julie Garwood's other books and I have to say, I have never been disappointed by what I had read. If you're in the mood for a book that has a romance, humor and some action, I definitely suggest one of her novels.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Bakers Dozen 11
Shadow's Kiss by Joan Hohl
This is a historical/paranormal/romance novel, that really struck me as unique. Now I know that there are a million different historical romance novels and paranormal romance novels, but I have to say, this is the first that I have read that combined the two genres. Again, this author was another one suggested by Kristi and whenever she has suggested something to me I have never been disappointed (this is a reason why she is so awesome.)
Anyway, the story starts off with Darcy Flynn, leaving her Philadelphia home to Denver to help her mother for what she thought was a boarding house. When she gets there she found out that her mother had passed away and the boarding house is actually a whore house. Darcy who had lived in a all girls catholic school all her life, is shocked that her mother ran a whore house, but after she gets to know the girls, she realizes that her mother actually helped the girls by helping them escape from horrible upbringings. Being inspired by these girls stories, she decides to transforms the whore house into a school for ladies so that they can learn skills and be accepted into society.
The romance starts when two days prior to Darcy's arrival Jonathan Stuart is murdered in the whore house. He has unfinished business and his spirit walks the house. Only Darcy can see and feel his presence, she soon starts to fall in love, but obviously because he is a ghost it seems impossible. Or is it?
I just loved how this story was written. It was the perfect combination of romance/historical/paranormal, and it kind of had a little bit of girl power. Even though the character Darcy falls in love and that is a huge factor in the book, I just loved how Joan Hohl wrote this character to be very self-aware and very much empowered to help these women. I also felt the that the love story was very sweet, and you find yourself rooting for this couple even though it seems impossible.
This is a historical/paranormal/romance novel, that really struck me as unique. Now I know that there are a million different historical romance novels and paranormal romance novels, but I have to say, this is the first that I have read that combined the two genres. Again, this author was another one suggested by Kristi and whenever she has suggested something to me I have never been disappointed (this is a reason why she is so awesome.)
Anyway, the story starts off with Darcy Flynn, leaving her Philadelphia home to Denver to help her mother for what she thought was a boarding house. When she gets there she found out that her mother had passed away and the boarding house is actually a whore house. Darcy who had lived in a all girls catholic school all her life, is shocked that her mother ran a whore house, but after she gets to know the girls, she realizes that her mother actually helped the girls by helping them escape from horrible upbringings. Being inspired by these girls stories, she decides to transforms the whore house into a school for ladies so that they can learn skills and be accepted into society.
The romance starts when two days prior to Darcy's arrival Jonathan Stuart is murdered in the whore house. He has unfinished business and his spirit walks the house. Only Darcy can see and feel his presence, she soon starts to fall in love, but obviously because he is a ghost it seems impossible. Or is it?
I just loved how this story was written. It was the perfect combination of romance/historical/paranormal, and it kind of had a little bit of girl power. Even though the character Darcy falls in love and that is a huge factor in the book, I just loved how Joan Hohl wrote this character to be very self-aware and very much empowered to help these women. I also felt the that the love story was very sweet, and you find yourself rooting for this couple even though it seems impossible.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Bakers Dozen 10
So I couldn't do this list with out also adding The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. As I stated in the previous post, this was one of two books that Kristi suggested.
The story is set in the year 1066 in England during the transition from a Saxon England to a Norman England. The fierce warrior Wulfgar is in charge of an army to claim the land and residents of Darkenwald in the name of William, the Conqueror. But the conniving Ragnor gets there first, killing the Lord of Darkenwald, and he wishes to posses his beautiful daughter Aislinn. Fortunately for Aislinn, Wulfgar takes possession of Darkenwald and becomes their new Lord. Refusing to bow, she becomes Wulfgar's slave and mistress. Through out the story Aislinn and Wulfgar struggle with their feelings for each other but you see their love blossom.
Also I loved the the plot twist of Wulfgar's vengeful and evil sister, Gwyneth. Her presence in the story makes for an interesting plot and drama.
I have to say when I first read this story and The Flame and the Flower I actually preferred the other one more. Only because the speech is written how we would perceive 1066 English would be spoken. So as a 16 year old it was a little hard to follow. As I've gotten older though, this has become another one of the books that I pick up on a frequent basis and re-read over and over again.
If you are interested in reading historical romance, you can not go wrong with Kathleen E. Woodiwiss.
The story is set in the year 1066 in England during the transition from a Saxon England to a Norman England. The fierce warrior Wulfgar is in charge of an army to claim the land and residents of Darkenwald in the name of William, the Conqueror. But the conniving Ragnor gets there first, killing the Lord of Darkenwald, and he wishes to posses his beautiful daughter Aislinn. Fortunately for Aislinn, Wulfgar takes possession of Darkenwald and becomes their new Lord. Refusing to bow, she becomes Wulfgar's slave and mistress. Through out the story Aislinn and Wulfgar struggle with their feelings for each other but you see their love blossom.
Also I loved the the plot twist of Wulfgar's vengeful and evil sister, Gwyneth. Her presence in the story makes for an interesting plot and drama.
I have to say when I first read this story and The Flame and the Flower I actually preferred the other one more. Only because the speech is written how we would perceive 1066 English would be spoken. So as a 16 year old it was a little hard to follow. As I've gotten older though, this has become another one of the books that I pick up on a frequent basis and re-read over and over again.
If you are interested in reading historical romance, you can not go wrong with Kathleen E. Woodiwiss.
Bakers Dozen 9
The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
This book was recommended to me years ago by Kristi when she found out that I was starting to get into romance novels. In fact I remember her saying point blank, "If you love romance novels you have to read The Flame and the Flower and The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss." So I remember going to Boarders and buying them right away and LOVING them. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is definitely the queen of historical romance.
This book is set in the 1800's in post revolutionary war America. The story starts of with Heather, going with her abusive aunts brother to London to hopefully get a job at Lady Cabot's school for women. But the man has other plans and tries to rape Heather. Scared and frightened she runs from him after she accidental stabs him and comes across two men whom she thinks is a part of law enforcement but turns out they went out on their Captains orders to find a "pretty wench to spend the night with." After spending a couple of nights with the Captain Brandon Birmingham she flees back to her aunt. Unfortunately, Heather is with child and is forced to marry Brandon. They set sail to America where the antagonist Louisa is and she finds out that the conniving women is Brandon's former fiance.
The drama builds into a wonderful crescendo, and you can not put the book down. Seriously, every few months I find myself picking this book up and re-reading it from front to back cover repeatedly. I would love to go on and on about how much I love this book but I have to be honest words just don't describe how awesome this book is.
This book was recommended to me years ago by Kristi when she found out that I was starting to get into romance novels. In fact I remember her saying point blank, "If you love romance novels you have to read The Flame and the Flower and The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss." So I remember going to Boarders and buying them right away and LOVING them. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss is definitely the queen of historical romance.
This book is set in the 1800's in post revolutionary war America. The story starts of with Heather, going with her abusive aunts brother to London to hopefully get a job at Lady Cabot's school for women. But the man has other plans and tries to rape Heather. Scared and frightened she runs from him after she accidental stabs him and comes across two men whom she thinks is a part of law enforcement but turns out they went out on their Captains orders to find a "pretty wench to spend the night with." After spending a couple of nights with the Captain Brandon Birmingham she flees back to her aunt. Unfortunately, Heather is with child and is forced to marry Brandon. They set sail to America where the antagonist Louisa is and she finds out that the conniving women is Brandon's former fiance.
The drama builds into a wonderful crescendo, and you can not put the book down. Seriously, every few months I find myself picking this book up and re-reading it from front to back cover repeatedly. I would love to go on and on about how much I love this book but I have to be honest words just don't describe how awesome this book is.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Bakers Dozen 8
On the Bright Side; I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
So this is the second book in Rennison's Georgia Nicholson series and my favorite. This is also a young adult novel and at the time that I read it it was age appropriate. I think one of the reason's why this story stuck out in my head is because of the humor. My taste in humor is very slap stick and kind of juvenile. One of my favorite parts is where Georgia is holding her younger sister in her lap and her younger sister farts. That whole scene had me giggling for about 3 hours straight. But other than that the whole book is full of hilarity.
The whole series is based on Georgia's journal entries about her daily life and her affections of the opposite sex, especially her Sex-God boyfriend Robbie. The story takes place right after Rennison's first novel, Angus, Thongs, and Full-frontal Snogging so it is a series that you would probably want to start from first novel to the end of the series.
While the first three or four novels seem more juvenile,but you definitely see a character growth in Georgia as the series progresses. But Rennison never looses her distinct sense of humor as the series progresses. I have to say that she wrote an excellent modern-day, young adult version of Lucy and Ethel, as Georgia's best friend Jas plays side kick to all of Georgia's crazy antics.
This is definitely a book and series that will probably stay on my bookshelves for years to come. If you ever feel the need to indulge you inner teenager with some humor I definitely recommend this series to anyone, young or old.
So this is the second book in Rennison's Georgia Nicholson series and my favorite. This is also a young adult novel and at the time that I read it it was age appropriate. I think one of the reason's why this story stuck out in my head is because of the humor. My taste in humor is very slap stick and kind of juvenile. One of my favorite parts is where Georgia is holding her younger sister in her lap and her younger sister farts. That whole scene had me giggling for about 3 hours straight. But other than that the whole book is full of hilarity.
The whole series is based on Georgia's journal entries about her daily life and her affections of the opposite sex, especially her Sex-God boyfriend Robbie. The story takes place right after Rennison's first novel, Angus, Thongs, and Full-frontal Snogging so it is a series that you would probably want to start from first novel to the end of the series.
While the first three or four novels seem more juvenile,but you definitely see a character growth in Georgia as the series progresses. But Rennison never looses her distinct sense of humor as the series progresses. I have to say that she wrote an excellent modern-day, young adult version of Lucy and Ethel, as Georgia's best friend Jas plays side kick to all of Georgia's crazy antics.
This is definitely a book and series that will probably stay on my bookshelves for years to come. If you ever feel the need to indulge you inner teenager with some humor I definitely recommend this series to anyone, young or old.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Bakers Dozen 7
The Funhouse by Dean Koontz
So this was probably one of the first books in the Horror genre that I have ever read, and it's stuck with me 10 years after I have read it. I remember going through my mom's book collection because I was sick of reading nothing by V.C. Andrews and the title intrigued me. So I grabbed the book from the bookshelf and started to read.
The book is based around Amy Harper's life and how she is trying to cope with an overly zealous Catholic mother who is fighting demons from her past and taking it out on her children and turning to vodka to drive away her misery. Their are many key plot changers in this story that keeps you interested but ultimately you know what the final conflict will be. The story starts with a young Ellen (Amy's mother) married to an abusive carny, Conrad Straker, and she has given birth to a deformed, demonic child. Terrified and disgusted by the disfigurement of her first born son, Ellen kills the child and flees from the carnival. She then turns to religion and eventually remarries and gives birth to two normal children, Amy and Joey. After the prologue the story is mainly based on Amy with cutouts of Conrad looking for revenge. Amy finds out she's pregnant in prom night and tells her mother, who is terrified of what the child might look like because he was conceived in sin allows Amy to get and abortion and tells Amy that she is done protecting her soul and that she is basically emotionally alone. Amy turns to her best friend Liz, who is one of loose morals, and soon finds herself slipping into a darkness that she doesn't want to be a part of. When the carnival comes to town, Amy's little brother Joey decided he's going to become a carny because of his mom's abuse and runs into Conrad. Joey doesn't know that Conrad, has a second son who has grown to be what the first born was and he is seeking revenge for his son's murder by killing Ellen's two children. The final showdown is a fight between Gunther (Conrad's second son) and Amy, and these where Amy realized her positive view on religion.
Again, this story is a major first for me because it was a different genre that what I usually read. Now I still don't read a lot of horror book but this was a nice breath of fresh air and it's a good book to pick up from time to time to re-read.
So this was probably one of the first books in the Horror genre that I have ever read, and it's stuck with me 10 years after I have read it. I remember going through my mom's book collection because I was sick of reading nothing by V.C. Andrews and the title intrigued me. So I grabbed the book from the bookshelf and started to read.
The book is based around Amy Harper's life and how she is trying to cope with an overly zealous Catholic mother who is fighting demons from her past and taking it out on her children and turning to vodka to drive away her misery. Their are many key plot changers in this story that keeps you interested but ultimately you know what the final conflict will be. The story starts with a young Ellen (Amy's mother) married to an abusive carny, Conrad Straker, and she has given birth to a deformed, demonic child. Terrified and disgusted by the disfigurement of her first born son, Ellen kills the child and flees from the carnival. She then turns to religion and eventually remarries and gives birth to two normal children, Amy and Joey. After the prologue the story is mainly based on Amy with cutouts of Conrad looking for revenge. Amy finds out she's pregnant in prom night and tells her mother, who is terrified of what the child might look like because he was conceived in sin allows Amy to get and abortion and tells Amy that she is done protecting her soul and that she is basically emotionally alone. Amy turns to her best friend Liz, who is one of loose morals, and soon finds herself slipping into a darkness that she doesn't want to be a part of. When the carnival comes to town, Amy's little brother Joey decided he's going to become a carny because of his mom's abuse and runs into Conrad. Joey doesn't know that Conrad, has a second son who has grown to be what the first born was and he is seeking revenge for his son's murder by killing Ellen's two children. The final showdown is a fight between Gunther (Conrad's second son) and Amy, and these where Amy realized her positive view on religion.
Again, this story is a major first for me because it was a different genre that what I usually read. Now I still don't read a lot of horror book but this was a nice breath of fresh air and it's a good book to pick up from time to time to re-read.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Bakers Dozen 6
Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
This was another author that I had a hard time just picking one. I've read a few of Linda Howard's books and I have to say I enjoyed them all. Originally I put Open Season but then changed it to Mr. Perfect instead.
The reason I decided on including Mr. Perfect on this list was because the story is based in Michigan, although it was set in the Detroit area instead of west Michigan. The basic plot of these book is Jaine and 3 of her friends from work have the weekly girls dinner and after a few cocktails decided to create a list of what they think their Mr. Perfect should be. The first 8 or so are tame, like 'must be faithful' and put the toilet seat down, but then it starts to get more risque with comments about package size. Jaine is also struggling with her neighbor who she believes is a drug deal because of the hours he comes home, his car, and he's grouchy temperament. When the list gets out the 4 women now have a lot of unwanted attention from their co-workers and media. When one of the ladies of the list is murdered suddenly Jaine needs help from the grouchy next-door-neighbor, who is actually a cop, Sam Donovan. Of course romance blossoms.
One of the things that I love about this story is the character Jaine's smart-ass personality. She is one of the characters who tends to act fast and think later. But that I think what made that character stand out to me. Now while most of Howard's male characters (from the books that I've read) tend to kind of be along the same line: muscular, attractive but not perfect, either in law-enforcement or former military and they tend to save the day. I do like how Howard always makes it about the women in the story. Even if she has off-shot story lines she does make it about the main character.
Another thing that stuck in my head in this story was that she's cat sitting for her mom, and car sitting for her dad while they are on a European vacation. The cat turns out to be a little psychotic and the car is one of the original Ford Cobra's design because her dad was one of the original engineers. And with a murderer after her she's paranoid about the cat and car. Linda Howard had all of these little plots in the story but they all centered around Jaine so it was never hard to follow.
This is definitely one of those stories that I'm constantly picking up to re-read either the whole story or just my favorite parts when I'm not in the mood to start a new book.
This was another author that I had a hard time just picking one. I've read a few of Linda Howard's books and I have to say I enjoyed them all. Originally I put Open Season but then changed it to Mr. Perfect instead.
The reason I decided on including Mr. Perfect on this list was because the story is based in Michigan, although it was set in the Detroit area instead of west Michigan. The basic plot of these book is Jaine and 3 of her friends from work have the weekly girls dinner and after a few cocktails decided to create a list of what they think their Mr. Perfect should be. The first 8 or so are tame, like 'must be faithful' and put the toilet seat down, but then it starts to get more risque with comments about package size. Jaine is also struggling with her neighbor who she believes is a drug deal because of the hours he comes home, his car, and he's grouchy temperament. When the list gets out the 4 women now have a lot of unwanted attention from their co-workers and media. When one of the ladies of the list is murdered suddenly Jaine needs help from the grouchy next-door-neighbor, who is actually a cop, Sam Donovan. Of course romance blossoms.
One of the things that I love about this story is the character Jaine's smart-ass personality. She is one of the characters who tends to act fast and think later. But that I think what made that character stand out to me. Now while most of Howard's male characters (from the books that I've read) tend to kind of be along the same line: muscular, attractive but not perfect, either in law-enforcement or former military and they tend to save the day. I do like how Howard always makes it about the women in the story. Even if she has off-shot story lines she does make it about the main character.
Another thing that stuck in my head in this story was that she's cat sitting for her mom, and car sitting for her dad while they are on a European vacation. The cat turns out to be a little psychotic and the car is one of the original Ford Cobra's design because her dad was one of the original engineers. And with a murderer after her she's paranoid about the cat and car. Linda Howard had all of these little plots in the story but they all centered around Jaine so it was never hard to follow.
This is definitely one of those stories that I'm constantly picking up to re-read either the whole story or just my favorite parts when I'm not in the mood to start a new book.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Bakers Dozen 5
The Ghost by Danielle Steel
This novel has made my list because I think this was one of the first romance authors that I had ever read. This happened during my search for different authors time of life after I had read my 30th V.C. Andrews book. Now I'm not the biggest fan of Danielle Steel and I honestly can count on one hand how many of her books that I have read, but there was a couple that has stuck with me through the years and The Ghost is my ultimate favorite book by Steel. I also believe this is one that kind of kick started my love for historical romances also (I should go back and read my other baker dozens because I feel I'm repeating myself, but as I've said this list is mostly about my firsts.)
This book to me was unique because I actually had two different story lines that ended up tying together. The story starts off with Charlie, separated from his wife and going through a divorce, rents a house in New England. In the house he feels the presence of another and finds out that it is the spirit of Sarah who lived and died (of old age) in the house. He finds her diaries and starts to read them. Her story starts in England, in the late 1700's, as a young wife of a aristocrat who is abusive and she suffered numerous miscarriages. She flees to America and there meets and falls in love with a French noble man who was adopted by the Native Americans and became a liaison between the tribes and European settlers. They fall in love and get married (by a Native American ceremony since she is still legally married to husband in England) and start a family. Her story helps heal Charlie and helps him find love with a divorced women of a French celebrity who publicly shamed her by flaunting his mistress. Sarah's story and journey help give Charlie and the women he is pursuing the strength that they need to accept their love for each other.
One of the strongest things that I remember about this story was the non-graphic love scenes. They were written so that you know that the couple was being intimate but not so graphic that as a 15 year-old would have been exposed to too much. I loved the tie of the two different love stories and it wasn't hard to follow. Steel wrote each time line clearly so I was never thrown off.
Even though this isn't one of the books that I constantly pick up (because it was borrowed) I still remember little details of this book and I read it over 10 years ago. Crazy right?
This novel has made my list because I think this was one of the first romance authors that I had ever read. This happened during my search for different authors time of life after I had read my 30th V.C. Andrews book. Now I'm not the biggest fan of Danielle Steel and I honestly can count on one hand how many of her books that I have read, but there was a couple that has stuck with me through the years and The Ghost is my ultimate favorite book by Steel. I also believe this is one that kind of kick started my love for historical romances also (I should go back and read my other baker dozens because I feel I'm repeating myself, but as I've said this list is mostly about my firsts.)
This book to me was unique because I actually had two different story lines that ended up tying together. The story starts off with Charlie, separated from his wife and going through a divorce, rents a house in New England. In the house he feels the presence of another and finds out that it is the spirit of Sarah who lived and died (of old age) in the house. He finds her diaries and starts to read them. Her story starts in England, in the late 1700's, as a young wife of a aristocrat who is abusive and she suffered numerous miscarriages. She flees to America and there meets and falls in love with a French noble man who was adopted by the Native Americans and became a liaison between the tribes and European settlers. They fall in love and get married (by a Native American ceremony since she is still legally married to husband in England) and start a family. Her story helps heal Charlie and helps him find love with a divorced women of a French celebrity who publicly shamed her by flaunting his mistress. Sarah's story and journey help give Charlie and the women he is pursuing the strength that they need to accept their love for each other.
One of the strongest things that I remember about this story was the non-graphic love scenes. They were written so that you know that the couple was being intimate but not so graphic that as a 15 year-old would have been exposed to too much. I loved the tie of the two different love stories and it wasn't hard to follow. Steel wrote each time line clearly so I was never thrown off.
Even though this isn't one of the books that I constantly pick up (because it was borrowed) I still remember little details of this book and I read it over 10 years ago. Crazy right?
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Bakers Dozen 4
I know, I know, I've been lacking in posts. A lot has happened in the last two weeks and I honestly haven't picked up a book since I read Alterant. So here's another instalment for my Bakers Dozen Series! Enjoy!
When the Wind Blows by James Patterson
This is one of those books that has stuck with me because it was different. This was one of many books that my former boss at the book store, Kristi, told me that I had to read. If you have read any of Patterson's previous book (i.e. Alex Cross novels) this one is different and dabbles in the science fiction realm.
The plot of this story is where the lead character Frannie Devin O'Neill and FBI agent Kit Harrison, then come into contact with Max a girl who was taken from birth by her parents (who believe that she was stillborn) because of her special abilities. The scientist performed experiments on her and several others when they were in the womb by fusing their DNA with bird DNA hoping to extend the life of people. The children are at this school and are treated very cruelly, being prepped to be sold to major corporations. Max escapes and recruits the help of Frannie and Kit.
The book is packed with action and many plot twists. The story is easy to follow though so there is no need to worry about getting lost. This was one of the books that kind of renewed my interested in reading, I had hit a dry spot and found myself constantly reading the same genre so this book was a breath of fresh air for me. I had read a few of James Patterson's books prior to this so I was familiar to his writing style.
This book is one of my favorites because I was drawn in by the unique plot, while I'm sure there are other books that are like this out there, this was the first one that I read so it will always have a place in my head.
When the Wind Blows by James Patterson
This is one of those books that has stuck with me because it was different. This was one of many books that my former boss at the book store, Kristi, told me that I had to read. If you have read any of Patterson's previous book (i.e. Alex Cross novels) this one is different and dabbles in the science fiction realm.
The plot of this story is where the lead character Frannie Devin O'Neill and FBI agent Kit Harrison, then come into contact with Max a girl who was taken from birth by her parents (who believe that she was stillborn) because of her special abilities. The scientist performed experiments on her and several others when they were in the womb by fusing their DNA with bird DNA hoping to extend the life of people. The children are at this school and are treated very cruelly, being prepped to be sold to major corporations. Max escapes and recruits the help of Frannie and Kit.
The book is packed with action and many plot twists. The story is easy to follow though so there is no need to worry about getting lost. This was one of the books that kind of renewed my interested in reading, I had hit a dry spot and found myself constantly reading the same genre so this book was a breath of fresh air for me. I had read a few of James Patterson's books prior to this so I was familiar to his writing style.
This book is one of my favorites because I was drawn in by the unique plot, while I'm sure there are other books that are like this out there, this was the first one that I read so it will always have a place in my head.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Book Review: Alterant
Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love is part of the Belador series. While this series shares some similarities to Kenyon's Dark-Hunter Series it is a lot more different. If you aren't a big fan of romance, this might be a good series to look into. Also this series differs because instead of concentrating on just one character and their story line, it follows the story line of four different people who are tied together.
Now Alterant is the second release in the series and I suggest that you start with the first story because there were a lot of references of past problems that these characters came across. Now you don't have to read the first story, but I do think it would help.
The story starts off when Evalle Kincade, who is an alterant and belador, is called to a tribunal to find missing alterants. Alterants are these creatures who turn into monsters and are hunted. Evalle is different because she's also a belador, who is a group of people trying to protect the human race.
The similarities that this series shares with the Dark-Hunter series is the use of mythology. But in this series the mythology seems to be more specific with Celtic mythology. While there is use of other deities from other pantheons, a lot of the terms and usage is of Celtic origin.
While in the story there is romantic connections and references, there wasn't a whole lot of hook up. In fact there was only one, and it was in a dream so I don't think that counts.
From this book I get the feel that this series will be more a long the lines of Science Fiction and Fantasy. I think because Kenyon wrote this story with another author it had another feeling and vibe that none of Kenyon's other's books have.
I enjoyed reading the series, it was a different switch from other Sherrilyn Kenyon books that I have read. Because I'm such a geek, I enjoyed reading this book because it had been a while since I've read a book like this.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
On Deck:
Jennifer Government by Max Barry
Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber by Adele Lang
Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love is part of the Belador series. While this series shares some similarities to Kenyon's Dark-Hunter Series it is a lot more different. If you aren't a big fan of romance, this might be a good series to look into. Also this series differs because instead of concentrating on just one character and their story line, it follows the story line of four different people who are tied together.
Now Alterant is the second release in the series and I suggest that you start with the first story because there were a lot of references of past problems that these characters came across. Now you don't have to read the first story, but I do think it would help.
The story starts off when Evalle Kincade, who is an alterant and belador, is called to a tribunal to find missing alterants. Alterants are these creatures who turn into monsters and are hunted. Evalle is different because she's also a belador, who is a group of people trying to protect the human race.
The similarities that this series shares with the Dark-Hunter series is the use of mythology. But in this series the mythology seems to be more specific with Celtic mythology. While there is use of other deities from other pantheons, a lot of the terms and usage is of Celtic origin.
While in the story there is romantic connections and references, there wasn't a whole lot of hook up. In fact there was only one, and it was in a dream so I don't think that counts.
From this book I get the feel that this series will be more a long the lines of Science Fiction and Fantasy. I think because Kenyon wrote this story with another author it had another feeling and vibe that none of Kenyon's other's books have.
I enjoyed reading the series, it was a different switch from other Sherrilyn Kenyon books that I have read. Because I'm such a geek, I enjoyed reading this book because it had been a while since I've read a book like this.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
On Deck:
Jennifer Government by Max Barry
Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber by Adele Lang
Monday, September 10, 2012
Book Review: Escape From Cabriz
Escape From Cabriz by Linda Lael Miller
This is a romance story published in 1990 so it isn't current. And it's also part of a series by the publisher Silhouette called Desire (they're like a Harlequin series). It's short only 180 pages and doesn't have much meat, so it is the ultimate brain duster.
The story starts off when Kristin Meyer's is suppose to be marrying the Prince of Cabriz but she starts to regret her rash decision. The country of Cabriz is in political turmoil and a war is about the break out. Once Kristin realizes that she's making a mistake and any childhood affections that she had for the Prince are no longer there, it seems to be hopeless for her. But enter hunky hero Zachary Harmon, who is there to rescue her and stir desire and feelings that they both have buried for each other.
Now while you don't take much from the story, it was surprisingly detailed. Now I tried to do a little research for Cabriz and in the book it's a small Asian country, but what I found is that it is a small city in Portugal. Miller gave the reader enough information so that you could figure out the area and culture of this setting without overloading the reader with too much information. If Miller hadn't does any background you probably would have jumped to conclusions and like me, assumed that it was somewhere in South America.
Another thing that I liked about this story is that the two characters Zachary and Kristin share a long history, so it isn't a sudden whirlwind romance that starts, it's something that was built long before the story even takes place. So essentially this story starts with them rebuilding their trust and relationship.
Like I said this is good for your average, romance story. It's a basic brain duster, mind fluffer. So when reading this just take it for what it is and don't expect it to become something for deep thought. Books likes these are what you perceive of them and because I am a lover of romance I thought it was good.
Rating:
2.5 out of 5
On Deck:
Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Jennifer Government by Max Barry
Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber by Adele Lang
Bakers Dozen 3
So this one was hard for me decide, mainly because I love everything that this author writes. But I decided it wouldn't be fair if I put on this list 'Anything by Sherrilyn Kenyon.'
So I picked Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The reason I picked this book instead of some of her other ones is because of the lead female character Bride was described as a full figured woman. I don't mean a size 10 either, no Sherrilyn Kenyon wrote a character who is a size 18 and is beautiful and makes the hunky Vane's head turn and drool. So many romance writers don't go there when it comes to women and their figure and Kenyon made it so all women of different shapes and sizes can be happy with their body in these books.
Now the story itself is another instalment of the Dark-Hunter series and I believe it was one of the earlier releases (I think it was the 5th or 6th one) of this series, but it is the first full novel for the Were-Hunter series. The character Vane did make an appearance in a previous Hunter series book, so it was very pleasing to read his story.
I think another reason why I picked this story is because Kenyon wrote more about the Were-Hunter's and their mythology and history that binds this race to the Greek Gods. As a sucker for mythology this was a nice change up from a lot of the stories that I had been reading at the time. I was starting to slowly get into romance after reading nothing but one author so it was a nice change. I believe I started reading the Dark-Hunter series when I was 16-years-old.
Even though all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's stories (except for her Chronicles of Nick series) have love scenes, they aren't saturating the whole story. I love how all of the characters are written and I especially love the characters Bride and Vane, they do get mentioned in some of Kenyon's later novels so its kind of like you get to keep in-touch with a long lost friend.
I couldn't do this list without a Sherrilyn Kenyon novel and even though it was kind of hard to pick just one, I decided on Night Play mainly based on the character Bride because despite her "size" she was beautiful and strong and everyone wants a really hunky man by her side regardless of appearance.
So I picked Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The reason I picked this book instead of some of her other ones is because of the lead female character Bride was described as a full figured woman. I don't mean a size 10 either, no Sherrilyn Kenyon wrote a character who is a size 18 and is beautiful and makes the hunky Vane's head turn and drool. So many romance writers don't go there when it comes to women and their figure and Kenyon made it so all women of different shapes and sizes can be happy with their body in these books.
Now the story itself is another instalment of the Dark-Hunter series and I believe it was one of the earlier releases (I think it was the 5th or 6th one) of this series, but it is the first full novel for the Were-Hunter series. The character Vane did make an appearance in a previous Hunter series book, so it was very pleasing to read his story.
I think another reason why I picked this story is because Kenyon wrote more about the Were-Hunter's and their mythology and history that binds this race to the Greek Gods. As a sucker for mythology this was a nice change up from a lot of the stories that I had been reading at the time. I was starting to slowly get into romance after reading nothing but one author so it was a nice change. I believe I started reading the Dark-Hunter series when I was 16-years-old.
Even though all of Sherrilyn Kenyon's stories (except for her Chronicles of Nick series) have love scenes, they aren't saturating the whole story. I love how all of the characters are written and I especially love the characters Bride and Vane, they do get mentioned in some of Kenyon's later novels so its kind of like you get to keep in-touch with a long lost friend.
I couldn't do this list without a Sherrilyn Kenyon novel and even though it was kind of hard to pick just one, I decided on Night Play mainly based on the character Bride because despite her "size" she was beautiful and strong and everyone wants a really hunky man by her side regardless of appearance.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Book Review: Fifty Shades of Grey
Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James
So this story was one of the ones that I probably would have never had read if it had not been for hype and suggestion by friends. And it isn't because I thought the story was going to bad, but that I have so many book that I should be reading instead of buying. But of course I bought the book anyway.
Fifty Shades of Grey is in the erotica genre of fiction, but it boarders on romance. Now I have read several erotica novels before, but this was a little different.
The story basically starts when Anastasia Steele has to go and interview rich, hunky, business man, Christian Grey for her college newspaper. She makes an impression and Christian pursues her for a relationship, but he doesn't want the typical relationship, no he wants her to be his submissive. And for those of you don't know what S&M is, google it. Because I honestly don't know the complex nature of these relationships. And I feel that the author didn't really explain them well either.
Now if this story was a stand alone, I honestly don't think I'd pick up another book from this author. Mainly because most of the story is the main female character's inner dialogue and it was at times hard to follow. But because E L James hasn't told Christian's story, I want to keep reading, because through out the whole novel he's pretty much cryptic of why he is the way he is.
In the end, I was ok with this book. I don't think it was spectacular, nor to I think it is really in the erotica genre, because other then a couple of spankings and being tied up a couple of times, the rest of the love scenes (I use the word love loosely), were along the same as any other romance novel I've read. I still plan on picking up the two following sequels eventually just because I want to know what is Christian Grey's issue.
Also interesting factoid that I picked up from wikipedia (yeah I honestly don't know if this would be true but I thought it was interesting to share) but this story was actually originally written as a Twilight fan fiction on fanfiction.net but the author took it down because some felt it was too graphic so she then posted it on her personal website before taking it down to edit and turn it into an actual fiction. And people tell me that writing fan fiction is a waste of time.... hahahah.
Rating:
3 out of 5
On Deck:
Escape from Cabriz by Linda Lael Miller
Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Jennifer Government by Max Barry
Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber by Adele Lang
So this story was one of the ones that I probably would have never had read if it had not been for hype and suggestion by friends. And it isn't because I thought the story was going to bad, but that I have so many book that I should be reading instead of buying. But of course I bought the book anyway.
Fifty Shades of Grey is in the erotica genre of fiction, but it boarders on romance. Now I have read several erotica novels before, but this was a little different.
The story basically starts when Anastasia Steele has to go and interview rich, hunky, business man, Christian Grey for her college newspaper. She makes an impression and Christian pursues her for a relationship, but he doesn't want the typical relationship, no he wants her to be his submissive. And for those of you don't know what S&M is, google it. Because I honestly don't know the complex nature of these relationships. And I feel that the author didn't really explain them well either.
Now if this story was a stand alone, I honestly don't think I'd pick up another book from this author. Mainly because most of the story is the main female character's inner dialogue and it was at times hard to follow. But because E L James hasn't told Christian's story, I want to keep reading, because through out the whole novel he's pretty much cryptic of why he is the way he is.
In the end, I was ok with this book. I don't think it was spectacular, nor to I think it is really in the erotica genre, because other then a couple of spankings and being tied up a couple of times, the rest of the love scenes (I use the word love loosely), were along the same as any other romance novel I've read. I still plan on picking up the two following sequels eventually just because I want to know what is Christian Grey's issue.
Also interesting factoid that I picked up from wikipedia (yeah I honestly don't know if this would be true but I thought it was interesting to share) but this story was actually originally written as a Twilight fan fiction on fanfiction.net but the author took it down because some felt it was too graphic so she then posted it on her personal website before taking it down to edit and turn it into an actual fiction. And people tell me that writing fan fiction is a waste of time.... hahahah.
Rating:
3 out of 5
On Deck:
Escape from Cabriz by Linda Lael Miller
Alterant by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Jennifer Government by Max Barry
Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber by Adele Lang
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Baker's Dozen 2
So I'm back with another installment of my baker's dozen
Demon in my View by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is on this list because it was kind of a first for me. And just as a word of warning, a lot of the books on this list aren't necessarily fantastic literary giants, but are first for me so they have a lasting impression. This book is one of those.
This book was one of the books that I read after I had gotten burned out on V.C. Andrews books, and this was also my very first young adult novel that I had ever read. Actually no it wasn't. In the Forest of the Night by the same author was actually the first book that I had ever read in this genre, but this one has more of a lasting impression that the first one.
Now the book itself is only about 170 pages so it wasn't a very long book, but I was fourteen when I read this book. I think what first interested me into reading this book was that I saw some review or snippet about the book and I read that the author wrote her first book when she was 14 and this one when she was 16, and because I was close to that age and at the time had dreams of being a published author I thought 'I need to read this.' And I'm glad I did. After reading probably 20 or so V.C. Andrews books, I was kind of burnt out of reading the same thing. This was completely different than anything that I have ever read before so it helped renew my love for reading when I was younger.
This book is about Vampires, yes, people wrote about vampires in the young adult section long before Twilight, and this held a little bit of romance but not too much that as a young teen I would have been grossed out. Atwater-Rhodes wrote her vampire tales in the classic idea of the breed, their violent, search for blood and are the ultimate apex predator. But she also wrote about how they are essentially a family and they wish to keep their secrets hidden. They can go out in sunlight, go to church, aren't terrified of garlic (though the smell is very pungent to their keen sense of smell.) But I liked how the author wrote out the whole history and family in such a small book. And looking back at it as an adult now, I'm very impressed that she wrote so beautifully at such a young age.
Now I mentioned that there was a bit of romance in the story but it wasn't over blown, and that it true, essentially what happens is that Jessica is human and Aubrey is vampire (sound familiar huh?). But Aubrey has every intention of killing Jessica because she is a published author and wrote a story about Aubrey without realizing that it is true. But in the end they fall in love and become mates, and Jessica becomes a vampire. But I think what pulled me into the story wasn't the love it was how detailed the author was about who the character Jessica was, how she came to be, what her past was, how she was tied into the vampire book from birth.
This is a stand-alone book, but the character Aubrey has a brief appearance in In the Forest of the Night but you never hear from the characters again in any of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes following vampire books (now I've read that she has released more books that are kind of sequel's to some of her other vampire books so maybe she will have more on this couples story) so she ends the book in a way that you aren't left guessing what's going to happen to the characters. You get the feel that their going to be ok.
Although this book is relatively simple and easy to read I had to put this on my list simply because it was a first for me. It was my first young adult novel that I had ever read and it was also my first vampire themed book that I read.
Demon in my View by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is on this list because it was kind of a first for me. And just as a word of warning, a lot of the books on this list aren't necessarily fantastic literary giants, but are first for me so they have a lasting impression. This book is one of those.
This book was one of the books that I read after I had gotten burned out on V.C. Andrews books, and this was also my very first young adult novel that I had ever read. Actually no it wasn't. In the Forest of the Night by the same author was actually the first book that I had ever read in this genre, but this one has more of a lasting impression that the first one.
Now the book itself is only about 170 pages so it wasn't a very long book, but I was fourteen when I read this book. I think what first interested me into reading this book was that I saw some review or snippet about the book and I read that the author wrote her first book when she was 14 and this one when she was 16, and because I was close to that age and at the time had dreams of being a published author I thought 'I need to read this.' And I'm glad I did. After reading probably 20 or so V.C. Andrews books, I was kind of burnt out of reading the same thing. This was completely different than anything that I have ever read before so it helped renew my love for reading when I was younger.
This book is about Vampires, yes, people wrote about vampires in the young adult section long before Twilight, and this held a little bit of romance but not too much that as a young teen I would have been grossed out. Atwater-Rhodes wrote her vampire tales in the classic idea of the breed, their violent, search for blood and are the ultimate apex predator. But she also wrote about how they are essentially a family and they wish to keep their secrets hidden. They can go out in sunlight, go to church, aren't terrified of garlic (though the smell is very pungent to their keen sense of smell.) But I liked how the author wrote out the whole history and family in such a small book. And looking back at it as an adult now, I'm very impressed that she wrote so beautifully at such a young age.
Now I mentioned that there was a bit of romance in the story but it wasn't over blown, and that it true, essentially what happens is that Jessica is human and Aubrey is vampire (sound familiar huh?). But Aubrey has every intention of killing Jessica because she is a published author and wrote a story about Aubrey without realizing that it is true. But in the end they fall in love and become mates, and Jessica becomes a vampire. But I think what pulled me into the story wasn't the love it was how detailed the author was about who the character Jessica was, how she came to be, what her past was, how she was tied into the vampire book from birth.
This is a stand-alone book, but the character Aubrey has a brief appearance in In the Forest of the Night but you never hear from the characters again in any of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes following vampire books (now I've read that she has released more books that are kind of sequel's to some of her other vampire books so maybe she will have more on this couples story) so she ends the book in a way that you aren't left guessing what's going to happen to the characters. You get the feel that their going to be ok.
Although this book is relatively simple and easy to read I had to put this on my list simply because it was a first for me. It was my first young adult novel that I had ever read and it was also my first vampire themed book that I read.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Baker's Dozen
Hey everyone, so I decided to do a series of reviews that I'm going to call Baker's Dozen where I'm going to talk about my favorite 13 books that I have read. Now while I have read a lot of books there are those books that I always find myself gravitating towards to re-read over and over again. So let's start this off.
P.S. these books are not in any particular order in which are my favorite. I can't number them.
Baker's Dozen 1: My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews
My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews is considered a Gothic novel. Now V.C. Andrews was one of the first author's that I started to read at a very young age. I remember in middle school, I would eat lunch away from the cafeteria just so I could read these books in peace before I had to go to band class. Out of all of the V.C. Andrew books that I have read, My Sweet Audrina is special. Out of all of Andrew's books, this is her only stand-alone book, all of Andrews other books are a part of a series. Also this is actually one of the few books that Andrews actually wrote and completed while she was alive.
The author V.C. Andrews died in 1986, and after her death, members of her family saw all of the story ideas, plot and partial ideas she had and decided to hire a ghost writer, Andrew Neiderman, to finish the novels.
My Sweet Audrina follows the character Audrina Adair from the age of nine into her adulthood. Her whole life is basically based on a lie where she is told she was named after her older sister, whom she shares her name with, and is living in her shadow. The "better" Audrina died at the tender age of nine, as a result of a brutal rape by a group of boys she went to school with. Because Audrina grows up with the constant fear of boys and is sheltered by her father from the outside world, she lacks certain growth and development that a normal child would have (this is a constant theme with many of Andrews books, where the main characters have something traumatic in their life that is a road block.) Also the character goes through many tragedies, the loss of a mother, finding out that her father isn't who she thought he was and taking care of a young sister with down-syndrome.
As an adult, Audrina marries and tries to find normalcy with being an adult but finds that too much of her past blocks her from blossoming as a women. And let me tell you, there is a lot of drama and twists and turns in this book.
I first read this book when I was 14-years-old and find myself re-reading it. As an adult I find different facts and details that as a teenager I frankly didn't pick up upon. Now as I've gotten older and I have to be honest, I haven't read a V.C. Andrews book for almost 5 years. To me the newer books have lost their magic, I don't know if maybe the details on how Andrews wanted to write the books aren't as in depth since she died 26 years ago, so their are more of what the ghost writer wants. If you ever pick up a V.C. Andrews book, My Sweet Audrina is the one that I would suggest, it's classic Andrews writing with the Gothic tones throughout the book. Plus because this isn't in a series you don't have to worry about being lost in the book. While there are several V.C. Andrews books that I love this is my ultimate favorite and that is why this is part of my Baker's Dozen list.
P.S. these books are not in any particular order in which are my favorite. I can't number them.
Baker's Dozen 1: My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews
My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews is considered a Gothic novel. Now V.C. Andrews was one of the first author's that I started to read at a very young age. I remember in middle school, I would eat lunch away from the cafeteria just so I could read these books in peace before I had to go to band class. Out of all of the V.C. Andrew books that I have read, My Sweet Audrina is special. Out of all of Andrew's books, this is her only stand-alone book, all of Andrews other books are a part of a series. Also this is actually one of the few books that Andrews actually wrote and completed while she was alive.
The author V.C. Andrews died in 1986, and after her death, members of her family saw all of the story ideas, plot and partial ideas she had and decided to hire a ghost writer, Andrew Neiderman, to finish the novels.
My Sweet Audrina follows the character Audrina Adair from the age of nine into her adulthood. Her whole life is basically based on a lie where she is told she was named after her older sister, whom she shares her name with, and is living in her shadow. The "better" Audrina died at the tender age of nine, as a result of a brutal rape by a group of boys she went to school with. Because Audrina grows up with the constant fear of boys and is sheltered by her father from the outside world, she lacks certain growth and development that a normal child would have (this is a constant theme with many of Andrews books, where the main characters have something traumatic in their life that is a road block.) Also the character goes through many tragedies, the loss of a mother, finding out that her father isn't who she thought he was and taking care of a young sister with down-syndrome.
As an adult, Audrina marries and tries to find normalcy with being an adult but finds that too much of her past blocks her from blossoming as a women. And let me tell you, there is a lot of drama and twists and turns in this book.
I first read this book when I was 14-years-old and find myself re-reading it. As an adult I find different facts and details that as a teenager I frankly didn't pick up upon. Now as I've gotten older and I have to be honest, I haven't read a V.C. Andrews book for almost 5 years. To me the newer books have lost their magic, I don't know if maybe the details on how Andrews wanted to write the books aren't as in depth since she died 26 years ago, so their are more of what the ghost writer wants. If you ever pick up a V.C. Andrews book, My Sweet Audrina is the one that I would suggest, it's classic Andrews writing with the Gothic tones throughout the book. Plus because this isn't in a series you don't have to worry about being lost in the book. While there are several V.C. Andrews books that I love this is my ultimate favorite and that is why this is part of my Baker's Dozen list.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Book Review: The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Ok, I have to admit I was skeptical about this book just because everyone raved about the Twilight Series. Now while I enjoyed the the twilight series I personally feel that it didn't live up to the hype (especially the movies). But surprisingly this book kept me interested from the first to last word. This is a young adult novel but I have to say because of the type of violence in the books I would say that the later teens would probably understand the nature of the book without being freaked out.
The book is set in the future, and is based on the idea of a major calamity happened and the United States as we know it changes and we're under a communist ruling nation. The Hunger Games are created to remind the residents that the government has absolute power. While I'm sure everyone knows the base of the book, I'll still give a quick overview. The starts where each 12 districts give two tributes one boy and one girl to participate in the hunger games, which is a battle royal to the death. The only one person will win the games. The main female character Katniss Everdeen volunteer's as tribute when her 12 year-old sister is selected. Also with her is Peeta Mellark, during their whole time they are thrown together as a "romantic" couple. During the whole novel Katniss is struggling with her feelings for Peeta and her determination to survive for her family's sake.
This book is the first in a series of three, and the ending is definitely open for another book. Because of the nature of Suzanne Collins writing in the books, I see this series as one where you can just pick up a random book with out reading the other ones in concession without being lost. I think that these book appeal for young adult and also adult. Collins didn't dummy down anything nor did she simplify any of the situations to entice a younger crowd.
I really liked this book and I can't wait to read the sequels but I will hold off because I have a massive book sale coming up, plus Christmas. Collins got to the human side of the the characters but also tapped into the fact that when we're pushed into a situation like the hunger games our animistic and survival side kicks in.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
On Deck:
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Ok, I have to admit I was skeptical about this book just because everyone raved about the Twilight Series. Now while I enjoyed the the twilight series I personally feel that it didn't live up to the hype (especially the movies). But surprisingly this book kept me interested from the first to last word. This is a young adult novel but I have to say because of the type of violence in the books I would say that the later teens would probably understand the nature of the book without being freaked out.
The book is set in the future, and is based on the idea of a major calamity happened and the United States as we know it changes and we're under a communist ruling nation. The Hunger Games are created to remind the residents that the government has absolute power. While I'm sure everyone knows the base of the book, I'll still give a quick overview. The starts where each 12 districts give two tributes one boy and one girl to participate in the hunger games, which is a battle royal to the death. The only one person will win the games. The main female character Katniss Everdeen volunteer's as tribute when her 12 year-old sister is selected. Also with her is Peeta Mellark, during their whole time they are thrown together as a "romantic" couple. During the whole novel Katniss is struggling with her feelings for Peeta and her determination to survive for her family's sake.
This book is the first in a series of three, and the ending is definitely open for another book. Because of the nature of Suzanne Collins writing in the books, I see this series as one where you can just pick up a random book with out reading the other ones in concession without being lost. I think that these book appeal for young adult and also adult. Collins didn't dummy down anything nor did she simplify any of the situations to entice a younger crowd.
I really liked this book and I can't wait to read the sequels but I will hold off because I have a massive book sale coming up, plus Christmas. Collins got to the human side of the the characters but also tapped into the fact that when we're pushed into a situation like the hunger games our animistic and survival side kicks in.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
On Deck:
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Book Review: Infinity
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
This story is a young adult novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon. This is an off shoot of her Dark-Hunter series. In the Dark-Hunter series, Nick Gautier is an adult and a squire for the Dark-Hunter Kyrian. As Kenyon's Dark-Hunter Series developed and becomes more and more, Nick's life takes a serious turn and twist.
The Chronicles of Nick series is starts off with Nick as a 14-year-old high school freshman and becomes a squire for Kyrian after Kyrian saves him from being killed. This is where Nick gets pulled into the Dark-Hunter world and craziness ensues. This series is a little different from the Dark-Hunter series because everything is brought up right away with everything within the dark-hunter world, plus Kenyon added in some zombies (it is set in 'Nawlin's so you have to have some zombies). She also added in some regular characters from her adult novels but added in some eccentric new characters that help developed the story and plot.
If you're a fan of her adult novels, the transition to a young adult novel was seamless. She still writes in her same style that fans of Kenyon are used to but writes it so that it is appropriate for young teenagers. She didn't dummy down her writing in anyway, which I felt was good.
If you've never read a Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark-Hunter novel before this is a good one to pick up. There is no romance or sex in the book (which is good since it's geared towards the younger market) so it's purely on the development of Nick's character and life. If you have read one of Kenyon's adult Hunter series, you are not going to be spoiled for this series at all.
In the end, Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon was an amazing book. I loved reading every word from beginning to end and can't wait to pick up the second book in the series. It's action packed and I love that Kenyon is writing a story about a character that many of her readers fell in love with. Because of Nick's age in the series I feel it is appropriate to make it a young adult novel. It'll be interesting to see where she takes the series and if she'll make an adult novel for the character Nick Gautier.
Rating:
5 out of 5
On Deck:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
This story is a young adult novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon. This is an off shoot of her Dark-Hunter series. In the Dark-Hunter series, Nick Gautier is an adult and a squire for the Dark-Hunter Kyrian. As Kenyon's Dark-Hunter Series developed and becomes more and more, Nick's life takes a serious turn and twist.
The Chronicles of Nick series is starts off with Nick as a 14-year-old high school freshman and becomes a squire for Kyrian after Kyrian saves him from being killed. This is where Nick gets pulled into the Dark-Hunter world and craziness ensues. This series is a little different from the Dark-Hunter series because everything is brought up right away with everything within the dark-hunter world, plus Kenyon added in some zombies (it is set in 'Nawlin's so you have to have some zombies). She also added in some regular characters from her adult novels but added in some eccentric new characters that help developed the story and plot.
If you're a fan of her adult novels, the transition to a young adult novel was seamless. She still writes in her same style that fans of Kenyon are used to but writes it so that it is appropriate for young teenagers. She didn't dummy down her writing in anyway, which I felt was good.
If you've never read a Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark-Hunter novel before this is a good one to pick up. There is no romance or sex in the book (which is good since it's geared towards the younger market) so it's purely on the development of Nick's character and life. If you have read one of Kenyon's adult Hunter series, you are not going to be spoiled for this series at all.
In the end, Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon was an amazing book. I loved reading every word from beginning to end and can't wait to pick up the second book in the series. It's action packed and I love that Kenyon is writing a story about a character that many of her readers fell in love with. Because of Nick's age in the series I feel it is appropriate to make it a young adult novel. It'll be interesting to see where she takes the series and if she'll make an adult novel for the character Nick Gautier.
Rating:
5 out of 5
On Deck:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Book Review: Slow Burn
Slow Burn by Julie Garwood
Slow Burn by Julie Garwood is a mystery/suspense/romance novel. It is in theory a stand alone novel but also part of a series (if that makes sense). In a majority of Garwood's contemporary novels are based around the Buchanan family which is a large family where a majority of the boys are in law enforcement.
This book starts off with Kate MacKenna almost getting blown up but is saved by going behind a line of trees to remove her uncomfortable wonder-bra. After that event takes place Kate's life goes into a whirlwind where everything that can go wrong in her life goes wrong. Her life is in complete chaos and add in Dylan Buchanan, who is the brother to her best friend Jordan. He's on leave from the police department after being injured in the line of duty he gets pulled into Kate's drama.
This book is a quick read but isn't boring by any means. Each page has action and issues but aren't overloaded with drama. The plot is very realistic and the author wrote the chaos in such away that it seemed control, it wasn't too much going on at once. It was also nice to read a romance novel where the male and female characters had known each other for sometime so the romantic connection seems plausible. Both of them get under each other's skin but have also had feelings for the other for sometime before the romance forms.
My over all feeling about the story is that it was good and interesting. So many romance novels seem to be 1 dimensional but this one had several things going on that made this book more than just a romance novel. If you're not a huge romance lover but like a little this would be the book for you. It has just enough but the story is more centered around Kate MacKenna's life and her issues happening with in the book.
order from amazon
order from barnes and noble
Raiting:
4 out of 5
On Deck:
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
p.s. I know that the only people that read this blog is family and friends on facebook but if any of you have any comments, questions or critiques please don't be afraid to comment on the blog.
Slow Burn by Julie Garwood is a mystery/suspense/romance novel. It is in theory a stand alone novel but also part of a series (if that makes sense). In a majority of Garwood's contemporary novels are based around the Buchanan family which is a large family where a majority of the boys are in law enforcement.
This book starts off with Kate MacKenna almost getting blown up but is saved by going behind a line of trees to remove her uncomfortable wonder-bra. After that event takes place Kate's life goes into a whirlwind where everything that can go wrong in her life goes wrong. Her life is in complete chaos and add in Dylan Buchanan, who is the brother to her best friend Jordan. He's on leave from the police department after being injured in the line of duty he gets pulled into Kate's drama.
This book is a quick read but isn't boring by any means. Each page has action and issues but aren't overloaded with drama. The plot is very realistic and the author wrote the chaos in such away that it seemed control, it wasn't too much going on at once. It was also nice to read a romance novel where the male and female characters had known each other for sometime so the romantic connection seems plausible. Both of them get under each other's skin but have also had feelings for the other for sometime before the romance forms.
My over all feeling about the story is that it was good and interesting. So many romance novels seem to be 1 dimensional but this one had several things going on that made this book more than just a romance novel. If you're not a huge romance lover but like a little this would be the book for you. It has just enough but the story is more centered around Kate MacKenna's life and her issues happening with in the book.
order from amazon
order from barnes and noble
Raiting:
4 out of 5
On Deck:
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
p.s. I know that the only people that read this blog is family and friends on facebook but if any of you have any comments, questions or critiques please don't be afraid to comment on the blog.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Book Review: Knight of Darkness
Knight of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor
Well I finished another story, and I have to say, this was a very exciting book. And I'm more than likely being bias because I adore anything that this author writes. Kinley MacGregor is a pseudonym for Sherrilyn Kenyon. MacGregor's books are historical. The bulk of her books are centered in Great Britain.
Knight of Darkness is part of the Lords of Avalon series, which is MacGregor's take on Arthurian legends. The story takes place several centuries after the final battle that King Arthur had with his nephew Mordred. The novel follows Varian duFey who is the son of an evil demon and Sir Lancelot. Throughout the story he is in constant battle between good and evil within himself but also outside powers as well. He rescues a young maiden Merewyn who was his mother's servant/prisoner. The tale follows them through their quest to get away from Varian's mother and Morgen le Fey. During the journey, Merewyn finds herself falling for the man Varian is but he refuses to allow himself to have any feelings for her.
This story is a beautiful blend of romance, historical ideas, fantasy, and action. This is I believe the second book in the Lords of Avalon series, but there is no need to read them in order. There's enough back history to follow along with the story but basically it is centered around the characters Merewyn and Varian and their conflicts.
In all of Kenyon/MacGregor's book there is a theme of a rough childhood, which Varian had. You feel his pain and sorrow, but she has such a way of writing that it doesn't linger with you after you've finished a book. It's enough to make you feel the emotion while you're reading but it doesn't weigh you down. Plus she always finds away for her main characters to have a resolution even if the main issue that she's telling during the series isn't resolved.
In the end I loved this book. But then anything that Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor writes I suck it up like my favorite dessert. Her Lords of Avalon series is different than what I have read before by any other author. She made me become enthralled in the story/plot/and characters with her writing style.
order from amazon
order from barnes and noble
Rating:
5 out of 5
On Deck:
Slow Burn by Julie Garwood
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Well I finished another story, and I have to say, this was a very exciting book. And I'm more than likely being bias because I adore anything that this author writes. Kinley MacGregor is a pseudonym for Sherrilyn Kenyon. MacGregor's books are historical. The bulk of her books are centered in Great Britain.
Knight of Darkness is part of the Lords of Avalon series, which is MacGregor's take on Arthurian legends. The story takes place several centuries after the final battle that King Arthur had with his nephew Mordred. The novel follows Varian duFey who is the son of an evil demon and Sir Lancelot. Throughout the story he is in constant battle between good and evil within himself but also outside powers as well. He rescues a young maiden Merewyn who was his mother's servant/prisoner. The tale follows them through their quest to get away from Varian's mother and Morgen le Fey. During the journey, Merewyn finds herself falling for the man Varian is but he refuses to allow himself to have any feelings for her.
This story is a beautiful blend of romance, historical ideas, fantasy, and action. This is I believe the second book in the Lords of Avalon series, but there is no need to read them in order. There's enough back history to follow along with the story but basically it is centered around the characters Merewyn and Varian and their conflicts.
In all of Kenyon/MacGregor's book there is a theme of a rough childhood, which Varian had. You feel his pain and sorrow, but she has such a way of writing that it doesn't linger with you after you've finished a book. It's enough to make you feel the emotion while you're reading but it doesn't weigh you down. Plus she always finds away for her main characters to have a resolution even if the main issue that she's telling during the series isn't resolved.
In the end I loved this book. But then anything that Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor writes I suck it up like my favorite dessert. Her Lords of Avalon series is different than what I have read before by any other author. She made me become enthralled in the story/plot/and characters with her writing style.
order from amazon
order from barnes and noble
Rating:
5 out of 5
On Deck:
Slow Burn by Julie Garwood
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Book Review: Glass Houses
Glass Houses by Stella Cameron
So I have to be honest because I've been working so many hours at work, I've been having a hard time finding time to read, but I finished a book last night so here is my review.
Glass Houses by Stella Cameron is a mystery/suspense/romance book. It starts when photographer Olivia FitzDurham photographs a crime in progress without knowing it. The people involved realize the mistake and are now after her. She contacts a man name "Sam" who is actually in the scam, but his house is being watched by Aiden Flynn a New York police officer. Knowing that Olivia is in grave danger he asks her to come to New York.
This story started off slow for me. I don't know if it was because I've been tired whenever I have read or if the story really was slow. The character Olivia is from England so there is English slang in the dialogue which can be a little tricky to follow. Also the characters were hard to follow and like at first. If I was to give the book a rating at about half way through it would probably be a 2. But the book did pick up and started to get interesting. The love scenes are written more raunchy then some of the other romance novels that I have read in the same genre. But I did feel that the romance happened kind of randomly in the book and was hard to believe. But in the end it was a bittersweet happy ending with a twist that I never thought would happen. And because of that ending it was a nice difference than all of the other romance novels of any genre that I have read.
Generally I enjoyed the book, it was slightly different from all of the other books that I have read that are in the genre, but it was hard to get into at first. I think if I would have started to read this book when I had more time to really read it at depth and allowed myself more time when I read the first ten chapters I probably wouldn't have had as hard of time getting into as I did.
Rating:
3.5 out of 5
On Deck:
Slow Burn by Julie Garwood
Knight of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor
Where's My Hero? (anthology)
So I have to be honest because I've been working so many hours at work, I've been having a hard time finding time to read, but I finished a book last night so here is my review.
Glass Houses by Stella Cameron is a mystery/suspense/romance book. It starts when photographer Olivia FitzDurham photographs a crime in progress without knowing it. The people involved realize the mistake and are now after her. She contacts a man name "Sam" who is actually in the scam, but his house is being watched by Aiden Flynn a New York police officer. Knowing that Olivia is in grave danger he asks her to come to New York.
This story started off slow for me. I don't know if it was because I've been tired whenever I have read or if the story really was slow. The character Olivia is from England so there is English slang in the dialogue which can be a little tricky to follow. Also the characters were hard to follow and like at first. If I was to give the book a rating at about half way through it would probably be a 2. But the book did pick up and started to get interesting. The love scenes are written more raunchy then some of the other romance novels that I have read in the same genre. But I did feel that the romance happened kind of randomly in the book and was hard to believe. But in the end it was a bittersweet happy ending with a twist that I never thought would happen. And because of that ending it was a nice difference than all of the other romance novels of any genre that I have read.
Generally I enjoyed the book, it was slightly different from all of the other books that I have read that are in the genre, but it was hard to get into at first. I think if I would have started to read this book when I had more time to really read it at depth and allowed myself more time when I read the first ten chapters I probably wouldn't have had as hard of time getting into as I did.
Rating:
3.5 out of 5
On Deck:
Slow Burn by Julie Garwood
Knight of Darkness by Kinley MacGregor
Where's My Hero? (anthology)
Friday, July 6, 2012
Book Review: Tales From the Temple IV
Ellora's Cavemen: Tales From the Temple IV edited by Jaid Black
This book is an anthology with six short stories written by different authors. Now this book is considered erotic fiction and let me tell you they are very racy. The language in this book is way different then the typical romance novels out there. In fact I'm not afraid to say, it's kind of vulgar. But that is what you expect when you're reading these books. Each of the stories kind of follow a theme with it being of a paranormal nature. The stories are short between 40 to 60 pages and they get straight to the point. They don't have promises of love and forever, they're just written in the moment.
This is the type book that you want to read to get yourself all hot and bothered. If you do not like books that have vulgar language and descriptive sex scenes these are not the books for you. Some may find these books offensive.
Now me on the other hand, while some language is off putting, I'm not offended by the book. I like that to stories are well written, have a intro, climax (no pun intended) and an ending with out being cheesy.
Here are the short stories. Sometimes you can buy them individually as an e-book.
Night Scream by Denise A. Agnew
Body Chemistry by Tawny Taylor
Earthwork by Annie Windsor
Ghost of a Chance by Shiloh Walker
Past Running by Mlyn Hurn
The Beckoned by Jaid Black
order from amazon
Rating:
3 out of 5
On Deck:
Glass Houses by Stella Cameron
This book is an anthology with six short stories written by different authors. Now this book is considered erotic fiction and let me tell you they are very racy. The language in this book is way different then the typical romance novels out there. In fact I'm not afraid to say, it's kind of vulgar. But that is what you expect when you're reading these books. Each of the stories kind of follow a theme with it being of a paranormal nature. The stories are short between 40 to 60 pages and they get straight to the point. They don't have promises of love and forever, they're just written in the moment.
This is the type book that you want to read to get yourself all hot and bothered. If you do not like books that have vulgar language and descriptive sex scenes these are not the books for you. Some may find these books offensive.
Now me on the other hand, while some language is off putting, I'm not offended by the book. I like that to stories are well written, have a intro, climax (no pun intended) and an ending with out being cheesy.
Here are the short stories. Sometimes you can buy them individually as an e-book.
Night Scream by Denise A. Agnew
Body Chemistry by Tawny Taylor
Earthwork by Annie Windsor
Ghost of a Chance by Shiloh Walker
Past Running by Mlyn Hurn
The Beckoned by Jaid Black
order from amazon
Rating:
3 out of 5
On Deck:
Glass Houses by Stella Cameron
Monday, July 2, 2012
Book Review: Sweet Anger
Sweet Anger by Sandra Brown
Sweet Anger is romance tale about tv news reporter Kari Wynne and District Attorney, Hunter McKee. It starts when Kari's husband Thomas is killed by an out of control delivery truck only to leave his widow Kari alone to deal with a case against her husband, whom she has held up as a hero during their whole marriage. McKee smears her beloved husbands reputation and shatters Kari's world. She wants revenge and at every turn she has set out to smear his reputation just like McKee has done to her husband. But like every romance novel the two find themselves falling for each other.
This story is one of Sandra Brown's earlier novel's that was published in 1985. The love scenes aren't as racy and discriptive as the romance novels of today but it holds enough conflict to keep a reader interested if romance is their favorite genre. It is your typical romance novel though but the romance and conflict takes place over the course of a year. It's a slow build and the characters are written well to make everyone believe the story line.
Sweet Anger is a quick read and what I like to call a "brain duster" so it's not a very heavy book. I finished this book in about 4 hours so it's a book that you can read at the beach. I enjoyed the book and it is a good book to read after a really heavy book.
Rating:
3 out of 5
On Deck:
Elora's Caveman vol. 4 by various authors (anthology)
Glass Houses by Stella Cameron
Sweet Anger is romance tale about tv news reporter Kari Wynne and District Attorney, Hunter McKee. It starts when Kari's husband Thomas is killed by an out of control delivery truck only to leave his widow Kari alone to deal with a case against her husband, whom she has held up as a hero during their whole marriage. McKee smears her beloved husbands reputation and shatters Kari's world. She wants revenge and at every turn she has set out to smear his reputation just like McKee has done to her husband. But like every romance novel the two find themselves falling for each other.
This story is one of Sandra Brown's earlier novel's that was published in 1985. The love scenes aren't as racy and discriptive as the romance novels of today but it holds enough conflict to keep a reader interested if romance is their favorite genre. It is your typical romance novel though but the romance and conflict takes place over the course of a year. It's a slow build and the characters are written well to make everyone believe the story line.
Sweet Anger is a quick read and what I like to call a "brain duster" so it's not a very heavy book. I finished this book in about 4 hours so it's a book that you can read at the beach. I enjoyed the book and it is a good book to read after a really heavy book.
Rating:
3 out of 5
On Deck:
Elora's Caveman vol. 4 by various authors (anthology)
Glass Houses by Stella Cameron
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Book Review: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter By Seth Grahame-Smith
So I just finished This book and I have to be honest, I didn't think that this book was going to be good. In fact, I thought that this was just a movie since I've been seeing previews for the movie, it wasn't until I was at my Dad's house that my Step-Mom was telling me that it was a really good book. Now In all the years that I've known my step-mom I never heard her talk about the book the way she was talking about this one. So I knew I had to give it a go.
The basis of the story starts off when young Abe found out that it was vampires that killed his mother, not sickness. Because of that he grew a hatred towards the vampires and vows to hunt and kill every last one of them. The story follows his life from childhood to his assasination. The author ties in actual historical facts with the fiction of vampire mythology so seamlessly that you find yourself enthralled into the story and believe the tale.
While there is so many different vampire stories out there, this one finds a spot in the vampire genre that suits it. The Author was able to bring in the facts of Abraham Lincoln's life into the book and weave a tail that was very captavating. I had a hard time putting the book down once I started reading in and spent a lot of late nights (early mornings) reading this book.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is a different story than all of the vampires tales out there. While the vampires in a sense are more traditional, they story itself is different. It ties in historical facts with fiction that will keep you interested until the story is over.
Rating: 5 out of 5
On Deck:
Sweet Anger by Sandra Brown
Glass Houses By Stella Cameron
Elora's Caveman VOL. 4 (anthology)
So I just finished This book and I have to be honest, I didn't think that this book was going to be good. In fact, I thought that this was just a movie since I've been seeing previews for the movie, it wasn't until I was at my Dad's house that my Step-Mom was telling me that it was a really good book. Now In all the years that I've known my step-mom I never heard her talk about the book the way she was talking about this one. So I knew I had to give it a go.
The basis of the story starts off when young Abe found out that it was vampires that killed his mother, not sickness. Because of that he grew a hatred towards the vampires and vows to hunt and kill every last one of them. The story follows his life from childhood to his assasination. The author ties in actual historical facts with the fiction of vampire mythology so seamlessly that you find yourself enthralled into the story and believe the tale.
While there is so many different vampire stories out there, this one finds a spot in the vampire genre that suits it. The Author was able to bring in the facts of Abraham Lincoln's life into the book and weave a tail that was very captavating. I had a hard time putting the book down once I started reading in and spent a lot of late nights (early mornings) reading this book.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is a different story than all of the vampires tales out there. While the vampires in a sense are more traditional, they story itself is different. It ties in historical facts with fiction that will keep you interested until the story is over.
Rating: 5 out of 5
On Deck:
Sweet Anger by Sandra Brown
Glass Houses By Stella Cameron
Elora's Caveman VOL. 4 (anthology)
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Book Review: High Five
High Five by Janet Evanovich
Just finished reading High Five last night (well in theory it was four this morning but I'm counting it as last night), and it was definitely everything you expect from a Stephanie Plum novel. Cars exploding and stolen, the powder blue Buick, crazy grandma and the two hunky guys the Stephanie is attracted to.
The book starts off with Ms. Plum getting a little low on funds since nobody is skipping out on bail, desperate for some money, she ask Ranger to let her help out with his "business" ventures. But her family is also in a crisis because Uncle Fred is missing. His dispute with the garbage company has caused him to disappear because of a 2 dollar discrepancy.
So while Stephanie is trying to help search for Uncle Fred and work with Ranger, hilarity and catastrophe ensue.
I enjoyed the book, again, it was a quick read and whenever I started to read I had a hard time putting down the book. I love how Janet Evanovich give all of these random characters their craziness and personality where you can say, "I know someone like that." My favorite part in the book has got to be though when Grandma Mazur finds Stephanie's stun gun and well uses it, ON HER FATHER! I had to say, that had me giggling up a storm at four in the morning.
The book is the fifth book in the series, but you can read it out of order with out being lost. There are little inside jokes and stories that are through out the book that makes it easy to understand if you had read the previous four books, but you aren't completely lost if you hadn't.
I really enjoyed reading High Five and it's a good book to read in between I couple of heavy book or dramatic books. This book is a comedy and you find yourself laughing at the different scenarios that the characters find themselves in.
Rating: 4 out of 5
On Deck:
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Just finished reading High Five last night (well in theory it was four this morning but I'm counting it as last night), and it was definitely everything you expect from a Stephanie Plum novel. Cars exploding and stolen, the powder blue Buick, crazy grandma and the two hunky guys the Stephanie is attracted to.
The book starts off with Ms. Plum getting a little low on funds since nobody is skipping out on bail, desperate for some money, she ask Ranger to let her help out with his "business" ventures. But her family is also in a crisis because Uncle Fred is missing. His dispute with the garbage company has caused him to disappear because of a 2 dollar discrepancy.
So while Stephanie is trying to help search for Uncle Fred and work with Ranger, hilarity and catastrophe ensue.
I enjoyed the book, again, it was a quick read and whenever I started to read I had a hard time putting down the book. I love how Janet Evanovich give all of these random characters their craziness and personality where you can say, "I know someone like that." My favorite part in the book has got to be though when Grandma Mazur finds Stephanie's stun gun and well uses it, ON HER FATHER! I had to say, that had me giggling up a storm at four in the morning.
The book is the fifth book in the series, but you can read it out of order with out being lost. There are little inside jokes and stories that are through out the book that makes it easy to understand if you had read the previous four books, but you aren't completely lost if you hadn't.
I really enjoyed reading High Five and it's a good book to read in between I couple of heavy book or dramatic books. This book is a comedy and you find yourself laughing at the different scenarios that the characters find themselves in.
Rating: 4 out of 5
On Deck:
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
Monday, June 18, 2012
Book Review: The Guardian
The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Ok for those of you who do not know, I LOVE Sherrilyn Kenyon. I've been reading her books for a little over 10 years now. The first book of hers that I read was when I was 16 years old and it was actually a historical romance novel written under her pseudonym, Kinley MacGregor. Because I loved Taming the Scotsman so much I got into reading her paranormal fiction which she writes under her given name. Now at the time, all of the vampire novels really weren't as popular as they are now so for me it was something different.
Now Sherrilyn Kenyon took a different idea of vampires and tied in a lot of different cultural mythologies into her stories. Which also excited the geek in me because I've always been interested in mythology, especially Greek mythology.
The book, The Guardian, ties in different mythologies with Greek and Egyptian histories. This book is actually an off shoot from the Dark-Hunter series and is about what they call Dream-Hunters, who are essentially gods of sleep.
The story starts off with Lydia running in to try and save her Dream-Hunter father from being held captive and giving the evil guy, Noir, the power to kill all of the Greek gods. Instead she is held captive by Noir's guardian, Seth, while her father is set free to find the key. Seth, who is the love interest, is a Egyptian demi-god who was sold to Noir at the tender age of 12 and was abused his whole existence living in the underworld. Lydia has a kind heart and tries to appeal to Seth's good side, which he fears is no longer their.
The book itself was a really quick read and has enough facts and conflict to keep you interested till the end. This book is one of many in Sherrilyn Kenyon's series, but you can pick up any book in the series and read it and not be confused. She has this great writing ability to give enough facts from the past books without weighing the book down with too much back shadowing. You find yourself falling in love with the character's of this book and you feel their pain and hope for their happiness.
In conclusion, I loved the book, but then I have yet to read a Sherrilyn Kenyon book that I haven't loved. It's a good quick read, but it also has enough content where you don't feel like you're just reading mush. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes reading paranormal fiction but also romance. It isn't too heavy on the romance but just enough to make the story a romance story and not just a straight paranormal fiction.
Rating: 4 out of 5
On Deck (What I reading next):
High Five by Janet Evanovich
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter By Seth Grahame-Smith
Ok for those of you who do not know, I LOVE Sherrilyn Kenyon. I've been reading her books for a little over 10 years now. The first book of hers that I read was when I was 16 years old and it was actually a historical romance novel written under her pseudonym, Kinley MacGregor. Because I loved Taming the Scotsman so much I got into reading her paranormal fiction which she writes under her given name. Now at the time, all of the vampire novels really weren't as popular as they are now so for me it was something different.
Now Sherrilyn Kenyon took a different idea of vampires and tied in a lot of different cultural mythologies into her stories. Which also excited the geek in me because I've always been interested in mythology, especially Greek mythology.
The book, The Guardian, ties in different mythologies with Greek and Egyptian histories. This book is actually an off shoot from the Dark-Hunter series and is about what they call Dream-Hunters, who are essentially gods of sleep.
The story starts off with Lydia running in to try and save her Dream-Hunter father from being held captive and giving the evil guy, Noir, the power to kill all of the Greek gods. Instead she is held captive by Noir's guardian, Seth, while her father is set free to find the key. Seth, who is the love interest, is a Egyptian demi-god who was sold to Noir at the tender age of 12 and was abused his whole existence living in the underworld. Lydia has a kind heart and tries to appeal to Seth's good side, which he fears is no longer their.
The book itself was a really quick read and has enough facts and conflict to keep you interested till the end. This book is one of many in Sherrilyn Kenyon's series, but you can pick up any book in the series and read it and not be confused. She has this great writing ability to give enough facts from the past books without weighing the book down with too much back shadowing. You find yourself falling in love with the character's of this book and you feel their pain and hope for their happiness.
In conclusion, I loved the book, but then I have yet to read a Sherrilyn Kenyon book that I haven't loved. It's a good quick read, but it also has enough content where you don't feel like you're just reading mush. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes reading paranormal fiction but also romance. It isn't too heavy on the romance but just enough to make the story a romance story and not just a straight paranormal fiction.
Rating: 4 out of 5
On Deck (What I reading next):
High Five by Janet Evanovich
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter By Seth Grahame-Smith
Allow me to Introduce myself
Hello everyone please allow my to introduce myself, I'm Ande and I'm a complete book nerd. I love books so much that I have ever 2,000 in my collection. But I have only read about a forth of those books. How did I end up with so many books in my possession you ask? Well it started off when my first job was at a book store called Book Warehouse, it was a discount book store and I also got a 30% employee discount there. To further add to my collection that summer there was a massive used book sale by a private seller (who was looking to lower his product quantity) where I got hundreds of books for a fraction of a cost. The following February my precious book store closed but I ended up with a massive amount of books for free. The following years since I've gone to a yearly book sale held at a local city center where you can get used books for really cheap. Plus I'm a big shopper of the bargain book tables and all chain book stores (i.e. Barnes and Noble, Borders, etc.) So, In the past 12 years (probably longer than that) I've been acquiring books faster than I was reading them.
I decided to create this blog to review the books that I've read and to also connect with other fellow readers who love to read.
I decided to create this blog to review the books that I've read and to also connect with other fellow readers who love to read.
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