JUST BOOKS

REVIEW - MEGAN'S WAY

2012-01-27T10:19:00.000-05:00

This book is for 4 of my reading challenges.
New Author Challenge
ARC Challenge
150+ Challenge(9/150)
Outdo Yourself Challenge(9/200)

"Megan's Way" by Melissa Foster
Product Description(Amazon.com)
What would you give up for the people you love?
When Megan Taylor, a single mother and artist, receives the shocking news that her cancer has returned, she'll be faced with the most difficult decision she's ever had to make. She'll endure an emotional journey, questioning her own moral and ethical values, and the decisions she'd made long ago. The love she has for her daughter, Olivia, and her closest friends, will be stretched and frayed.
Meanwhile, fourteen-year-old Olivia's world is falling apart right before her eyes, and there's nothing she can do about it. She finds herself acting in ways she cannot even begin to understand. When her internal struggles turn to dangerous behavior, her life will hang in the balance.
Megan's closest friends are caught in a tangled web of deceit. Each must figure out how, and if, they can expose their secrets, or forever be haunted by their pasts.
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press (July 17, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432744429
ISBN-13: 978-1432744427

MY THOUGHTS: This book is such a good read. Melissa Foster's characters are so real. I actually could feel all the pain, hurt and secrets going on between all the characters. As the question asks......what would you do for the ones you love? Does all the secrets get out in the open? What does Olivia do with all her anger and sorrow? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 8-12

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

REVIEW - BLACK DAHLIA AVENGER

2012-01-26T11:27:00.000-05:00

This book is for 4 of my reading challenges.
150+ Challenge(8/150)
Mount TBR Challenge
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.4)
Outdo Yourself Challenge(8/200)

"Black Dahlia Avenger" by Steve Hodel
Product Description(Amazon.com)
In 1947, California's infamous Black Dahlia murder inspired the largest manhunt in Los Angeles history. Despite an unprecedented allocation of money and manpower, police investigators failed to identify the psychopath responsible for the sadistic murder and mutilation of beautiful twenty-two-year-old Elizabeth Short. Decades later, former LAPD homicide detective-turned-private investigator Steve Hodel launched his own investigation into the grisly unsolved crime -- and it led him to a shockingly unexpected perpetrator.......
A spellbinding tour de force of true-crime writing, this newly revised edition includes never-before-published forensic evidence, photos, and previously unreleased documents, definitively closing the case that has often been called "the most notorious unsolved murder of the twentieth century."
Paperback: 624 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Revised edition (July 25, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061139610
ISBN-13: 978-0061139611

MY THOUGHTS: This book has been on my shelf for awhile. I've always wanted to read about the Black Dahlia murder. But it always got pushed to the back of the pile. I love reading murder mysteries and this one did not disappoint me. It's also a true story which also is something I like to read about. This starts out as a way for Mr. Hodel to trace some of his family history. But soon leads him on the track for the elusive murderer of Elizabeth Short, The Black Dahlia. Keep in mind this murder took place January 15, 1947. At that time the press was allowed to be at the crime scene. It became a cold case and over the years lots of people have looked at the case. But no one has ever been apprehended for the crime. Until Mr. Hodel started digging. Who is the Murderer? I can't give you too many clues as it will give it away. Really good book and a mystery solved.

MY RATING: 5

SATURDAY SNAPSHOT

2012-01-21T11:57:00.000-05:00

Alyce over at At Home With Books is the host for Saturday Snapshot. Got a picture you want to share? Head over to Alyce's place.

I haven't done this in a long time so thought I'd join in. I don't usually get my picture taken. I would much rather be behind the camera. My daughter-in-law shot this picture. It's me, Bella and Luke. They are watching the computer screen. They like to watch the games I play on my computer. In case you don't know, Bella and Luke are my twin grandbabies. They are 18 months old and into everything.

Plus they make some funny faces from time to time. And I've captured a few of them.

Bella

Luke

Well, that's it for today. Don't forget to head over to Alyce's place to check out all the pictures everyone is sharing.

REVIEW - THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN

2012-01-20T10:49:00.002-05:00

This book is for 4 of my reading challenges.
Support Your Library Challenge
Banned Book Challenge
150+ Challenge(7/150)
Outdo Yourself Challenge(7/200)

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain
Product Description(Amazon.com)
“We said there was no home like a raft. Other places do seem so cramped up and smothery…but you feel mighty free and easy and comfortable on a raft.” Sail down the Mississippi with Huck Finn and the runaway slave, Jim. Twain’s beloved tale, with its folksy language, creates an indelible image of antebellum America with its sleepy river towns, con men, family feuds, and a variety of colorful characters.
Reading level: Ages 7 and up
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Sterling; Abridged edition (March 28, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402724993
ISBN-13: 978-1402724992

MY THOUGHTS: There isn't too much to say about this book. It's a great adventure to re-live from my childhood. But at the time I read this, I didn't know it was a banned book. I don't really understand why they ban books. Just because someone doesn't like the language???? It's the way they talked in that time period. Anyway, if you haven't read this book, give it a try. You'll love Huck's adventure down the river. He gets into some really big messes.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - CITIZEN OUT

2012-01-19T11:11:00.000-05:00

This book is for 4 of my reading challenges.
New Authors Challenge
ARC Challenge
150+ Challenge(6/150)
Outdo Yourself Challenge(6/150)

"Citizen Out" by Marie Crist
Product Description(Amazon.com)
A man patiently watches a group of young girls walk home from school, waiting for the perfect moment to take the one child he has designated as his next victim.
However, what this predator does not know is that he, too, is being stalked. There is someone in the shadows—a trained Citizen—who is ready to make sure that the child under his assigned protection is never harmed.
One pedophile, one abuser, one killer at a time . . . this Citizen and others like him will take a stand against those who prey on the weak and the innocent.
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 352 KB
Print Length: 258 pages
Publisher: Reaction Press (June 11, 2011)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B0055L1GGQ

MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed the many story lines going on in this book. These are not ordinary people. They belong to a company that permanently stops predators from hurting another child. This book grabs your emotions. This book has the ability to pull people in from all genres. From the first paragraph the author leads you through a range of emotions......fear, anger, disgust, and finally, righteous vindication. She then leads you into a world of beauty, solace, and purpose. Wonderful book, you should read this one. It is a page turner from the beginning to the end.

MY RATING: 8-12

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

REVIEW - WAR HORSE

2012-01-16T21:39:00.000-05:00

This book is for 4 of my reading challenges.
New Author Challenge
150+ Challenge(5/150)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.3)
Outdo Yourself(5/150)

"War Horse" by Michael Morpurgo
Product Description(Amazon.com)
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?
Reading level: Ages 8 and up
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; Mti edition (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545403359
ISBN-13: 978-0545403351

MY THOUGHTS: This is the book my book club chose for this month. We were a little hesitant about reading it. We didn't think it would be challenging enough as it's for children. But the discussion got to going about it being made into a movie and it took off from there. One of the gals had already read the book and she gave it a rave review. So we got it. And I'm so glad we did. Awesome book and it's written with the horses eye view. The horse, Joey, is telling the story. Joey is a farm horse and he's happy with Albert on the farm. World War 1 comes along and Albert's father sells Joey to the army. Albert swears to find him, because at the time Albert is too young to join the service. Joey is shipped overseas into the front lines of the war. But along the way he meets several nice people who help him out and one great horse, Topthorn, who is his companion. Does Albert find Joey? Does Joey make it out of the war alive? You'll have to read the book to find out. You should read this book, it's very well written.

MY RATING: 8-12

THE SUNDAY SALON

2012-01-15T09:15:00.002-05:00

I haven't done a Sunday Salon for ages so thought I'd do one today.

I went to the library last week to pick up a couple books. I got......

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun - I joined a new reading challenge because of this book. Finish a Series being hosted over at Socrates' Book Reviews. I loved this book. Great mystery and I couldn't put it down. You can see my review here.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain - is on my list of banned books to read which is also a reading challenge, which is being hosted over at The Eclectic Bookshelf. I read this book when I was a young girl, so it will fun re-reading it again.
The pick at our book club for this month is.....

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo - I've just started this book so can't really say too much. But I do like the writing, it's very easy to read. I also like the idea that it's the horse telling the story.

Citizen Out by Marie Crist - is an ARC I'm reading. It's pretty interesting and I'm enjoying reading it. It's all about predators of children becoming the victim by ordinary people.

I've linked the books to Amazon.com if you want to check them out. Well, that's what I'm reading this week. Should keep me busy for a few days.

REVIEW - THE CAT WHO COULD READ BACKWARDS

2012-01-14T10:50:00.001-05:00

This book is for 5 of my reading challenges.
New Authors Challenge
Support Your Library
150+ Challenge(4/150)
Outdo Yourself(4/200)
Finish A Series(The Cat Who)

"The Cat Who Could Read Backwards" by Lilian Jackson Braun
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Prize-winning reporter Jim Qwilleran's latest assignment is to cover the art beat for the Daily Fluxion. Sounds easy enough--unless your art beat includes a stabbing in an art gallery, vandalized paintings, and a fatal fall from a scaffolding!
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Jove (August 15, 1986)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0515090174
ISBN-13: 978-0515090178

MY THOUGHTS: First off, I've joined a new reading challenge just because of this book. It's a series of books and I loved it so much I've joined Yvonne over at Socrates' Book Reviews for the Finish A Series Challenge.

I will be reading The Cat Who series. Don't know if I'll finish it this year, but will give it my best shot. There are 30 books in the series. I love reading a good mystery and this one is really good. Kept me glued to the book from the first page. What I liked about this book, the characters names, they kind of quirky. And the word Chapters is spelled backward though the book. As for finding out who was the murderer, well that was worth the wait. It wasn't who I thought it was. I like that when a book can make me guess and I'm wrong. So who is the culprit? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - THE HYPNOTIST

2012-01-12T15:40:00.000-05:00

This book is for 5 of my reading challenges.
Support Your Local Library
150+ Challenge(3/150)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.2)
Chunkster Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge(3/200)

"The Hypnotist" by Lars Kepler
Product Description(Amazon.com)
In the frigid clime of Tumba, Sweden, a gruesome triple homicide attracts the interest of Detective Inspector Joona Linna, who demands to investigate the murders. The killer is still at large, and there’s only one surviving witness—the boy whose family was killed before his eyes. Whoever committed the crimes wanted this boy to die: he’s suffered more than one hundred knife wounds and lapsed into a state of shock. Desperate for information, Linna sees only one option: hypnotism. He enlists Dr. Erik Maria Bark to mesmerize the boy, hoping to discover the killer through his eyes.
It’s the sort of work that Bark has sworn he would never do again—ethically dubious and psychically scarring. When he breaks his promise and hypnotizes the victim, a long and terrifying chain of events begins to unfurl.
An international sensation, The Hypnotist is set to appear in thirty-seven countries, and it has landed at the top of bestseller lists wherever it’s been published—in France, Holland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark. Now it’s America’s turn. Combining the addictive power of the Stieg Larsson trilogy with the storytelling drive of The Silence of the Lambs, this adrenaline-drenched thriller is spellbinding from its very first page.
Hardcover: 512 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux; First American Edition edition (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0374173958
ISBN-13: 978-0374173951

MY THOUGHTS: I really liked this book, it was full of great details and suspense to make the story so much better. There is a homicide of a whole family and one survivor, a son. But he is hurt and in shock. The police want to hypnotize him to see what he remembers. The cop on the case is Joona Linna. He's very good at figuring out details that most people miss. The hypnotist is Eric Maria Bark. Joona has to talk Erik into hypnotizing the boy. Someway or another Joona has to know what happened to this family. Along with this, Eric's son is kidnapped and seems to be connected to the murders, but is it? Or is it related to a case that Eric has forgotten all about from his past? Does Joona solve the murder? Does Eric get his son back? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA IOWA

2012-01-10T11:43:00.000-05:00

This book is for 4 of my reading challenges.
New Authors Challenge
Arc Challenge
150+ Challenge(2/150)
Outdo Yourself Challenge(2/200)

"Love Finds You in Amana Iowa" by Melanie Dobson
Product Description(Amazon.com)
As the rest of the nation is embroiled in Civil War, the Amana Colonies remain peaceful. Amalie Wiese arrives in the newly built village of Amana in 1863
only to find that her betrothed, Friedrich, has left to fight with the Union army. Amalie tries to overcome her worries as she sets up a communal kitchen. She
hopes that working alongside Friedrich’s best friend will provide some comfort, but Matthias is abrupt and cold. Little does Amalie know that Matthias has been in
love with her since childhood but will not betray Friedrich by pursuing her friendship. When Matthias himself leaves for the battlefront to deliver supplies
to the soldiers, war wages in Amalie’s own heart. Will love claim victory?
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Summerside Press (June 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1609361350
ASIN: B005SN4LF4

MY THOUGHTS: This is a new author for me. This was a very enjoyable book. I really liked all the characters. Books with the Amish, Mennonites, Mormons, Shakers religion seem to be pretty poplar right now. My book club just read one. The story is all about a subtle love triangle between Amalie, her fiance Fredrich and his best friend Matthias. The Amana Colonies were a different type of religious sect. From the cover I assumed it to be Amish, but it never tells what religious sect they belong to. I would like to read more about the Amana Colonies, I'll have to search this out. Do Amalie and Fredrich get together? Or is is Amalie and Matthias? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

BLOGGING FROM A TO Z 2012

2012-01-08T11:12:00.000-05:00

Did you do the A to Z blogging last year? Well, it's almost time for it again. Want to keep in touch and find out some info? Head over to Arlee Bird's place Tossing It Out to get all the info you need. I'm going to join in. I did this last year and it was lots of fun and a challenge coming up with posts for the letter. So get busy and think up your A to Z list. Don't forget that the A to Z sign-up list will appear on January 30, 2012.

REVIEW - BRIDE OF A WICKED SCOTSMAN

2012-01-04T13:30:00.001-05:00

This book is for 6 of my reading challenge.
Support You Library(1/37)
150+ Challenge(1/150)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.1)
Just For Fun Challenge(1/12)
Ireland Challenge(1/4)
Outdo Yourself Challenge(1/200)

"Bride of A Wicked Scotsman" by Samantha James
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Lady Maura O'Donnell swore to her father on his deathbed that she'd recover the Circle of Light, an enchanted Celtic relic that had brought the family prosperity—until it was stolen a century earlier by a notorious pirate. Now the pirate's descendant, the Duke of Gleneden, holds this rare treasure, and Maura would give anything to get it back . . .
Alec McBride knows when he's been had. Lady Maura tricked him into marriage with the expertise of a born seductress, and now she'll pay for her treachery. He'll ravish her, tempt her, tame her—until she sorely wishes she'd never heard of the Duke of Gleneden. Caught up in their game of revenge, Alec and Maura never notice what is happening in their hearts—until it's too late.
Their marriage may have been a farce, but there is nothing truer than their desire . . .
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (February 24, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060899409
ISBN-13: 978-0060899400

MY THOUGHTS: This is one of 3 new books I picked up at the library. I really enjoyed reading about Lady Maura and the Duke of Gleneden. They were very likeable characters. Along with the romance there was a mystery to solve. Maura is out to find the Circle of Light. It was stolen by The Black Pirate from her home and her people and lands were cursed along with The Black Pirate. Maura's father forces a deathbed promise from her to find the Circle of Light and bring it back home. Maura sets out to entice Alec, the Duke of Gleneden. Alec is the decendent of The Black Pirate. Maura drugs Alec and professes the next day that he took her virginity. Which forces Alec to marry her. Once at Alec's estate Maura can search for the Circle of Light. Does she find the Circle of Light? Do Maura and Alec stay together? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

MUSING MONDAY

2012-01-02T11:36:00.000-05:00

MizB over at Should Be Reading is the host for Musing Monday. She asks.......

What is/are the first book(s) you’re reading for the new year?

I am reading.....

Bride of a Wicked Scotsman by Samantha James

I started it at 12:00AM on January 1 I was in a hurry to get started on my new reading challenges and couldn't wait, so stayed up a couple hours longer to start this book. So far I like it. It's one of my favorite genres to read, Historical Romance. But this one has some mystery in it too.

REVIEW - THE IMMORTALITY VIRUS

2012-01-01T10:49:00.000-05:00

"The Immortality Virus" by Christine Amsden

Product Description(Amazon.com)
In the mid-21st century, the human race stopped aging. Those who know why aren't talking, and the few who are brave enough to ask questions tend to disappear. To an elite few, The Change means long life and health, but to the increasing masses, it means starvation, desperation, and violence. Four centuries after The Change, Grace Harper, a blacklisted P.I., sets off on a mission to find the man responsible for it all and solicit his help to undo The Change - if he's still alive. To complicate matters, Grace's employer is suspected of murdering his father, and when the police learn of their connection, they give her a choice - help them find the evidence they need to convict Matthew Stanton, or die. But if they discover Grace's true mission, they won't hesitate to kill her in order to protect their shot at immortality.
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Paladin Timeless Books (June 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1606190032
ISBN-13: 978-1606190036

MY THOUGHTS: Finishing up my books I was reading so I can start my new 2012 challenges. This book is an interesting read that looks into what it would look like to live forever. You are introduced to the 21st century. The world is being ruled by a totalitarian government made of an elite few. The feisty 130-year old PI protagonist, Grace Harper, is hired to discover the whereabouts of Jordan Lacklin, the scientist responsible for the "virus" that started The Change about 400 years ago while working on the cure for Alzheimer's. There people who don't want her to succeed. They want to stop Grace from finding Lacklin. And they will go to great lengths to do that. And does Grace find Lacklin? Does the world get better? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and is my own opinion.]

My Life According to the Books I Read in 2011

2011-12-31T15:49:00.001-05:00

Harvee over at Book Dilettante stopped by and left me a comment. So hopped over to check out his place. I found this great meme, so thought I'd try it out.

This is an end of year wrap up meme hosted by Christine over at Happily Ever After... titled My Life According to the Books I Read in 2011. If you want to join in, head on over to her blog to add your post to Mr. Linky.
Just enter the names of the books you have read that fit the prompts. Don't repeat the names of any books! And click on the titles if you're curious about the books.

Describe yourself:
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

How do you feel:
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

Describe where you currently live:
Backroads by Tawni O'Dell

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Northward to the Moon - Polly Horvath

Your favorite form of transportation:
The Christmas Train by David Balacci

Your best friend is:
The Petticoat Doctor by Paige Winship Dooly

You and your friends are:
Two Old Women by Velma Wallis

What's the weather like:
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

What is life to you:
Beautiful Disaster by Laura Spinella

Favorite time of day:
Sunrise by Jacquelyn Cook

Your fear:
What the Night Knows - Dean Koontz

What is the best advice you have to give:
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thought for the day:
It Ain't All About the Cookin' by Paula Deen

How I would like to die:
If I Live To Be 100 by Neenah Ellis

My soul's present condition:
Love, Aubrey by Suzanne Lafleur

Overall I am satistified with the books I read this year. Am looking forward to finding some interesting books next year. Hope you all have an awesome bookie New Year.

REVIEW - I AM HALF-SICK OF SHADOWS

2011-12-31T13:50:00.000-05:00

"I Am Half-Sick of Shadows" by Alan Bradley
Product Description(Amazon.com)
What better Christmas surprise for detective-in-training Flavia de Luce than a dreadful murder under Buckshaw's roof - and a snowbound house full of suspects!
It's Christmas time, and our beloved Flavia is tucked away in her laboratory whipping up a sticky concoction to trap that infamous sneak, Saint Nick, and thereby prove once and for all - despite the claims of her evil sisters - that he does exist. But she is soon distracted from her task: Colonel de Luce, in desperate need of funds, has rented the family's crumbling manor house to a film company for the holidays. When its crew arrives from London to shoot a movie starring the reclusive and renowned actress, Phyllis Wyvern, there's no end to the disruptions - and dramas - demanding Flavia's attention.
When Wyvern is convinced to perform a famous scene to help raise funds for the local church, it is decided that Buckshaw Manor is the only suitable location. Its foyer alone is bigger than the parish hall, and could fit every man, woman, and child in Bishop's Lacey, to a soul. It's almost Christmas Eve, but - to no one's surprise - all of the village inhabitants fight their way through a raging snowstorm to be in the audience that magical night.
Hardcover: 373 pages
Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (November 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1410443329
ISBN-13: 978-1410443328

MY THOUGHTS: I went to the library looking for something to read to hold me over until the new year. So went to the new books shelf and this one popped out at me. One thing is the color, I'm very fond of red. Then read the synopsis and it sounded good. This is also a new author for me. Really enjoyed reading this book. Flavia is a wonderful character, did I mention Flavia is only 11 years old. Smart and funny. She still believes in Santa and is out to prove one way or another that he's real. But the movie crew that comes upsets the whole household. And on top of that half the town comes to see a play and they all get snowbound. Then the unspeakable happens. The star of the movie is murdered. She is found in her room,strangled with some old movie film. Flavia finds her and immediately starts looking for clues. All the characters in this book have some really funny names and the name of the town is even funny sounding. A very enjoyable book all about Christmas, murder and some romance.

MY RATING: 5

CHANGES

2011-12-30T14:39:00.000-05:00

I am making several changes in 2012. I am doing some serious cleaning and de-cluttering here at Just Books. So if your looking for something and it's not there any more, check my tabs at the top, I may have moved it.

1. Reading Challenges - All info, list of books, and progress will be in my 2012 Reading Challenges tab at the top of my page.

2. Book Review Links - They won't be on my sidebar. They are already linked in My Library tab so why have it twice.

3. Book Covers - I will no longer be putting book covers on my side bar.

As I am all done with 2011 Reading Challenges, I am posting the ones I finished.

Home Town Challenge-
Back to the Classics
Just For Fun
What's in A Name 4 Challenge
War Through The Generations Challenge
The 50 States Challenge
Vintage Mystery Challenge
Immigrant Stories Challenge
Foodie's Reading Challenge
Young Readers Challenge
A-Z Challenge
Global Challenge
52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge
The Color Coded Challenge
Fairy Tale Challenge
Books to Movies Challenge

I read a total of 193 books this year, which I think is pretty good. My goal next year is 200. Can't wait to get started on my 2012 challenges. Can't decide which one to start first. I'm sure I'll figure it out.

2012 READING CHALLENGE

2011-12-29T18:01:00.003-05:00

One more reading challenge. I posted my 2011 Outdo Yourself Challenge wrap up. Was over at The Book Vixen's place and noticed she's hosting the Outdo Yourself challenge 2012. So of course I have to join up.

* Runs January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012 (books read prior to 1/1/12 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime.
* The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2012 than you did in 2011. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
* Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
* Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
* Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you could track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

My goal for 2011 was 200 books. I read 192 in 2011. But I've got a lot of "heavy" books to read this year. So I'm going to set 150 as my goal for 2012. I really want to make it this time. I haven't got a list of books, they will just fall into place.

2011 OUTDO YOURSELF CHALLENGE WRAP-UP

2011-12-29T17:47:00.000-05:00

With only 2 days left to this year, I'm making this my wrap up for the 2011 Outdo Yourself Challenge. I set my goal at 200 books, I got 192 done. Which I think is pretty good. This challenge is being hosted over at The Book Vixen.

This is the list of books I read in 2011. They are all linked to my reviews in My Library tab at the top of my page.

1. Going Over All The Hurdles - John A. Belneke
2. Food - Laura K. Egendorf
3. Repairing Rainbows - Linda Fishman
4. Dismissed With Prejudice - Fletcher Cockrell
5. Mo' Dirty - Darrell King
6. Murder List - Julie Garwood
7. Elvis & Olive - Stephanie Watson
8. Remarkable Creatures - Tracy Chevalier
9. The Food Bible - Judith Wills
10. The Double Cross - Clare O' Donohue
11. Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
12. Naming Liberty - Jane Yolen
13. Elvis & Olive: Super Detectives - Stephanie Watson
14. Trust - Kate Veitch
15. Our Town - Cynthia Carr
16. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
17. I Never Forget A Meal - Michael Tucker
18. City of Tranquil Light - Bo Cauldwell
19. When No One is Watching - Joseph Hayes
20. Quilts - Marie D. Webster
21. The Christmas Train - David Baldacci
22. The Grand Delusion - Heath Sommer
23. The Hound of the Baskervilles - Arthur Conan Doyle
24. Two Old Women - Velma Wallis
25. One Amazing Thing - Chitra Divakaruni
26. Th1rteen R3asons Why - Jay Asher
27. Conspiracy Game - Christine Feehan
28. Heat - Bill Buford
29. Tales From a Spanish Village - Richard A. Barrett
30. Bloodroot - Amy Greene
31. Haunted Echoes - Julie Ann Howell
32. Cake Boss - Buddy Valastro
33. Coal Black Horse - Robert Olmstead
34. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
35. Don't Sweat The Small Stuff - Don Bruns
36. At The Crossroads of Terror - Lenny Emanuelli
37. The Luxe - Anna Godbersen
38. Sunrise - Jacquelyn Cook
39. The Agency: A Spy in the House - Y.S. Lee
40. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Washington Irving
41. A Pizza the Size of the Sun - Jack Prelutsky
42. Gardens of Grief - Boston Teran
43. The Awakening - Kelley Armstrong
44. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
45. Beautiful Disaster - Laura Spinella
46. The Agency: The Body at The Tower - Y. S. Lee
47. Murder on The Orient Express - Agatha Christie
48. Delirious - Daniel Palmer
49. Miss Hildreth Wore Brown - Olivia deBelle Byrd
50. Deed So - Katherine A. Russell
51. Keeper - Kathi Appelt
52. 7 x 9 = Trouble! - Claudia Mills
53. Goodbye, Vietnam - Gloria Whelan
54. Get Real and Stop Dieting - Brett Blumenthal
55. It Ain't All About the Cookin' - Paula Deen
56. Ghost Girl: A Blue Ridge Mountain Story - Delia Ray
57. Coffee and Fate - R. J. Erbacher
58. What The Night Knows - Dean Koontz
59. Threads West - Reid Lance Rosenthal
60. Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane
61. Tick Tock - James Patterson
62. Victim's Revenge - Wade J. Halverson
63. Speak No Evil - Allison Brennan
64. The Red Badge of Courage - Stephen Crane
65. Ruby - Lauraine Snelling
66. Table of Contents - Judy Gelman & Vicki Levy Krupp
67. The Darkest Evening - William Durbin
68. Did Not Survive - Ann Littlewood
69. Here Lies Arthur - Philip Reeve
70. Wild Bill Donovan - Douglas Waller
71. Un Lun Dun - China Mieville
72. A Murder is Announced - Agatha Christie
73. Images of America: Fairmount - Dathy Duling Shouse
74. Murder on Gallatin Street - David M. Payne
75. How to Slay a Dragon - Bill Allen
76. Dearest Enemy - Nan Ryan
77. A Time of Terror - James Cameron
78. The Double Comfort Safari Club - Alexander McCall Smith
79. Chicken A La King & The Buffalo Wing - Steven Gilbar
80. The Perfect Hamburger and other delicious stories - Alexander McCall Smith
81. Dreams in the Golden Country - Kathryn Lasky
82. Old-Time Pickling and Spicing Recipes - Florence Brobeck
83. If I Live To Be 100 - Neenah Ellis
84. Love, Aubrey - Suzanne LaFleur
85. The Branding - Micaela Wendell
86. The Dragon's Child - Laurence Yep
87. The Promises She Keeps - Erin Healy
88. Behind The Yellow Tape - Jarrett Hallcox
89. Rachael Ray: Food Entrepreneur - Dennis Abrams
90. Masterpiece - Elise Broach
91. I, Tina - Tina Turner
92. Weeping Underwater Looks A Lot Like Laughter - Michael J. White
93. Back Roads - Tawni O' Dell
94. The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Victor Hugo
95. Green Thumb - Ralph McInerny
96. The Raising - Laura Kasischke
97. Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift
98. The Inn At Eagle Point - Sherryl Woods
99. Z Car: A Legend in it's own Time - Ben Millspaugh
100. Jenna's Dilemma - Melissa J. Morgan
101. N or M? - Agatha Christie
102. The Source of All Things - Tracy Ross
103. Rapunzel - Paul O. Zelinsky
104. Persuasion - Jane Austen
105. Rachael Rays Big Orange Book - Rachael Ray
106. Fatal February - Barbara Levenson
107. Flowers on Main - Sherryl Woods
108. Jack's Black Book - Jack Gantos
109. The Trouble With Lacy Brown - Debra Clopton
110. Natural Blonde - Liz Smith
111. The Last Unicorn - Peter S. Beagle
112. The Madonnas of Echo Park - Brando Skyhorse
113. Nineteen Eighty - Four - George Orwell
114. The Reader - Bernhard Schlink
115. Winesburg, Ohio - Sherwood Anderson
116. The Map Across Time - C. S. Lakin
117. Fire From The Rock - Sharon M. Draper
118. A Thousand Acres - Jane Smiley
119. Weedflower - Cynthia Kadohata
120. Tales of an African Vet - Dr. Roy Aronson
121. The Devil Wears Plaid - Teresa Medeiros
122. Mothers & Daughters - Rae Meadows
123. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - Aimee Bender
124. In My Hands - Irene Gut Opdyke
125. The Civilized World - Susi Wyss
126. The Widower's Tale - Julia Glass
127. The True Adventures of Charley Darwin - Carolyn Meyer
128. A Study in Scarlet - Arthur Conan Doyle
129. Ambushed in Jaguar Swamp - Dave & Neta Jackson
130. Zero Day - Mark Russinovich
131. The Mysterious Affairs at Styles - Agatha Christie
132. Tales From Outer Suburbia - Shaun Tan
133. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs - Judi Barrett
134. Troubling A Star - Madeleine L'Engle
135. A Light in the Storm - Karen Hesse
136. My Fair Lazy - Jen Lancaster
137. Iron Trail - Tim Champlin
138. The Guardian Angel's Journal - Carolyn Jess-Cooke
139. The Distant Hours - Kate Morton
140. Buried Prey - John Sandord
141. Night of the Howling Dogs - Graham Salilsbury
142. Shadowed Summer - Saundra Mitchell
143. Girl in Translation - Jean Kwok
144. The Daughter of Time - Josephine Tey
145. Sprout - Dale Peck
146. How I Found the Strong - Margaret McMullan
147. Catriona - Jeanette Baker
148. Room One - Andrew Clements
149. The Dashwood Sisters Tell All - Beth Pattillo
150. Once on This Island - Gloria Whelan
151. Gabriel's Horses - Alison Hart
152. The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella
153. The Danger Box - Blue Balliett
154. Conflict of Interest - Adam Mitzner
155. Northward to the Moon - Polly Horvath
156. Aftershock - Kelly Easton
157. The First Four Years - Laura Ingalls Wilder
158. The Beach Tree - Karen White
159. The Misfit - Nancy Rue
160. Kiss Her, Kill Her - Lisa Dewar
161. Every Secret Thing - Laura Lippman
162. The Year Money Grew on Trees - Aaron Hawkins
163. Coyote Autumn - Bill Wallace
164. Kaleidoscope Eyes - Jen Bryant
165. Jane Was Here - Sarah Kernochan
166. Red Dog - Bill Wallace
167. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
168. When The Whistle Blows - Fran Cannon Slayton
169. Bird Lake Moon - Kevin Henkes
170. Lucky Stiff - Deborah Coonts
171. A Time to Dance - Mary Pope Osborne
172. The Petticoat Doctor - Paige Winship Dooly
173. Hear The Wind Blow - Mary Downing Hahn
174. Iron Thunder - AVI
175. If This is Paradise, I Want My Money Back - Claudia Carroll
176. Wanna Get Lucky? - Deborah Coonts
177. The Jungle Adventure of Chimpoo - A. Lawati
178. Kill Me If You Can - James Patterson
179. The Reckoning - Kelley Armstrong
180. Ghellow Road - T. H. Waters
181. A Pug's Tale - Alison Pace
182. Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
183. Driftwood Cottage - Sherryl Woods
184. A Plain & Simple Christmas - Amy Clipston
185. Toys - James Patterson
186. Moonlight Cove - Sherryl Woods
187. Beach Lane - Sherryl Woods
188. Now You See Him - Eli Gottlieb
189. The Tenth Circle - Jodi Picoult
190. County Line - Bill Cameron
191. Maisie Dobbs - Jacqueline Winspear
192. Vintage Connor - Robert Baty

THEMED THURSDAY

2011-12-29T15:26:00.000-05:00

Kayven over at Reading Between Pages is the host for Themed Thursday. The question this week is.........

OLD (worn out, torn, past etc)

My snippet

"Our furnace, too, has been baring its fangs. It's a Deacon and Bromwell, made in 1851, and shown at the Great Exhibition - a great steel octopus of a thing with the temperament of a scorpion."

Taken from "I Am Half-Sick of Shadows" by Alan Bradley

WEDNESDAY MEMES

2011-12-28T10:04:00.002-05:00

Thought I would do 2 memes today as they kind of go together. Kathy over at Bermudaonion's Webblog is the host for Wondrous Words Wednesday. MizB over at Should Be Reading is the host for WWW Wednesday. Hop over and check them out.

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading? - I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley. This is a new author for me. So far I like it.

What did you recently finish reading? - Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. My review is here. Really liked this book. Set during the first world war, Maisie sets up her own investigation business.

What do you think you’ll read next? - Not really sure but can't hardly wait to dig into my list of books for the 2012 reading challenges.

*************************************************

Wondrous Words

My words are from the book, I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley.

remuneration
1. something that remunerates
2. the act of paying for goods or services or to recompense for losses
"In return, we shall receive, in the end, sufficient remuneration to keep our noses above water - at least until next Lady Day."
From this sentence the word is the #2 meaning.

Pantechnicon
1. a large moving van (especially one used for moving furniture)
As the pantechnicon made it's slow, stiff-jointed final turn into the forecourt, I could clearly make out the name on the side: Illum Films, it said, in bold cream and yellow letters, painted as if in three dimensions.
I thought a pantechnicon was a coach and horse. But in this sentence it's a van.

REVIEW VINTAGE CONNOR

2011-12-27T10:33:00.000-05:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(192/200)

"Vintage Connor" by Robert Baty
Product Description(Amazon.com)
When Connor wore a badge, he drove a Crown Vic down Oakland's meanest streets. Now he pilots a vintage Alfa Romeo and finds rare classic cars. Inevitably, he also finds trouble. In "VINTAGE CONNOR: The Blonde in the Lotus Elite," the trouble starts when Evie, an old flame who asks for his help. She wants Connor to learn the truth about her daughter Janey, who was found dead in a motel during Monterey's annual classic car weekend. The inquest said it was suicide. But Evie thinks it was murder. Unable to refuse the woman he loved and lost twenty years ago, Connor agrees to investigate. With some old-school detective work and his ex-partner's help, he discovers that Evie may be right. She also may be hiding something. And as his investigation proceeds, he finds himself caught between deception and desire, and knows that both are true.
Unfolding like a modern film noir, and pulsing with the rhythm and wit of the pulp classics that inspired it, this sun-drenched noir transports you from the gritty streets of Oakland to the pebbled beaches of Monterey, and will excite anyone who loves a crackling good yarn.
Paperback: 332 pages
Publisher: R. J. Buckley Publishing (May 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0981965474
ISBN-13: 978-0981965475

MY THOUGHTS: Evie, a former girl friend from Connor's early days at Oakland PD, arrives at his hose one night. Evie begs Connor to look into the officially determined suicide of her daughter Janey. I would put this book as a classic Noir containing a tough sleuth, a dame, classic cars and a corpse. It will keep you turning pages into the wee hours of the night. Does Evie get her answers about her daughters death? Do Evie and Connor get back together? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

REVIEW - MAISIE DOBBS

2011-12-26T09:46:00.002-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(191/200)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.52 & Wrap Up)

"Maisie Dobbs" by Jacqueline Winspear
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Maisie Dobbs isn’t just any young housemaid. Through her own natural intelligence—and the patronage of her benevolent employers—she works her way into college at Cambridge. When World War I breaks out, Maisie goes to the front as a nurse. It is there that she learns that coincidences are meaningful and the truth elusive. After the War, Maisie sets up on her own as a private investigator. But her very first assignment, seemingly an ordinary infidelity case, soon reveals a much deeper, darker web of secrets, which will force Maisie to revisit the horrors of the Great War and the love she left behind.
Paperback: 294 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books (May 25, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142004332
ISBN-13: 978-0142004333

MY THOUGHTS: This is a new author and series for me. I read somewhere in book blog land that this was a good book. Plus one of my book club friends said it was good. So I picked it up at the library. They were right, it is a good book. I really enjoyed reading all about Maisie Dobbs. I will be reading more in the coming year. This book starts in the spring of 1929 when Maisie sets up her own private investigation business. The book takes you back in time when Maisie served during the first world war in France. Maisie serves as a Nurse's Aide. Maisie also falls in love there. But after the war Maisie goes back to collage and on her first case. It seems to be a simple infidelity case but leads Maisie to The Retreat. A place for soldiers to go who have been horribly scared. But lots of questions arise when the men have to give up their surname and their money. A good friend has asked Maisie to investigate. And does Maisie find anything? What happens to her love life? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

****************************************
52 Books in 52 Weeks Reading Challenge Wrap Up
Hosted by Robin
I finished the whole year, yea!! Read some old favorites and some new authors as well. Robin has a few questions for us to answer.

1.Did you reach the goal of 52 books or did you manage to beat your own personal best? (I finished the whole year with 52 books read.)
2.What book are you ending the year with? (Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear)
3.Did you discover a new author or genre? Did you love them or hate them? (crime noir was a new genre to me and I really liked reading this book, County Line by Bill Cameron)
4.Did you challenge yourself to read more non fiction if prefer fiction or more fiction if you prefer non fiction? (no I just wanted to finish the 52 books.)
5.Did you read from a list or wing it? (I just winged it.)
6.How many classics did you read? What did you think of the writing style or author? (I read 4 or 5 classics. The ones I read I enjoyed, but the writing style is so different I to make myself finish the books. I guess reading classics isn't by favorite books to read.)
7.Name one book that you thought you'd never read and was pleasantly surprised you like it.(Un Lun Dun by China Mieville. To me this is a sci-fi/fantasy book and I don't usually like those, but loved this one. Really great book.)

8.What are your top ten favorite books?
1.Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
2.The Awakening - Kelley Armstrong
3.Keeper - Kathi Appelt
4.Threads West - Reid Lance Rosenthal
5.Un Lun Dun - China Mieville
6.Jack's Black Book - Jack Gantos
7.Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs - Judi Barrett
8.The Reckoning - Kelley Armstrong
9.Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
10.Maisie Dobbs - Jacqueline Winspear

9.What are your ten least favorite books?
1.Sunrise - Jacquelyn Cook
2.The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Washington Irving
3.Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane
4.Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell
5.Weedflower - Cynthia Kadohata
6.The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - Aimee Bender
7.Northward to the Moon - Polly Horvath
8.Bird Lake Moon - Kevin Henkes
9.If This is Paradise, I Want My Money Back - Claudia Carroll

10.Did you start any books that you just simply couldn't finish?(no, I finished them all, but some of them I had to force myself to finish them.)
11.What did you think of the mini challenges and did you join in or complete any? (I didn't join in on the mini challenges.)
12.Did your family join in on the fun?(no, I'm the only person in my family that likes to read.)
13.How many books have you added to your wishlist since the beginning of the year? (I'm not sure but the count is high I'm sure.)
14.What was your favorite thing about the challenge?(Finding new authors, I love reading brand new authors to me books.)
My list of 52 books. They are all linked to my reviews on my sidebar or in My Library at the top of the page.
1. Going Over All The Hurdles - John A. Belneke
2. Food - Laura K. Egendorf
3. Mo' Dirty - Darrell King
4. The Food Bible - Judith Wills
5. Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
6. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
7. City of Tranquil Light - Bo Caudwell
8. When No One Is Watching - Joseph Hayes
9. The Hound of the Baskervilles - Authur Conan Doyle
10. Tales From a Spanish Village - Richard A. Barrett
11. Coal Black Horse - Robert Olmstead
12. At The Crossroads of Terror - Lenny Emanuelli
13. Sunrise - Jacquelyn Cook
14. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Washington Irving
15. The Awakening - Kelley Armstrong
16. The Body at the Tower - Y. S. Lee
17. Keeper - Kathi Appelt
18. It Ain't All About the Cookin' - Paula Deen
19. Threads West - Reid Lance Rosenthal
20. Shutter Island - Dennis Lehane
21. The Red Badge of Courage - Stephen Crane
22. Did Not Survive - Ann Littlewood
23. Un Lun Dun - China Mieville
24. Images of America: Fairmount - Cathy Duling Shouse
25. If I Live To Be 100 - Neenah Ellis
26. Rachael Ray: Food Entrepreneur - Dennis Abrams
27. Back Roads - Tawni O'Dell
28. The Inn At Eagle Point - Sherryl Woods
29. Rapunzel - Paul O. Zelinsky
30. Jack's Black Book - Jack Gantos
31. Nineteen Eight-Four - George Orwell
32. Weedflower - Cynthia Kadohata
33. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - Aimee Bender
34. The Civilized World - Susi Wyss
35. The Mysterious Affair at Styles - Agatha Christie
36. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs - Judi Barrett
37. The Guardian Angel's Journal - Carolyn Jess-Cooke
38. Shadowed Summer - Saundra Mitchell
39. Sprout - Dale Peck
40. Gariel's Horses - Alison Hart
41. Northward to the Moon - Polly Horvath
42. The Misfit - Nancy Rue
43. The Year Money Grew on Trees - Aaron Hawkins
44. Red Dog - Bill Wallace
45. Bird Lake Moon - Kevin Henkes
46. If This is Paradise, I Want My Money Back - Claudia Carroll
47. The Reckoning - Kelley Armstrong
48. Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
49. A Plain & Simple Christmas - Amy Clipston
50. Beach Lane - Sherryl Woods
51. County Line - Bill Cameron
52. Maisie Dobbs - Jacqueline Winspear

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2011-12-24T11:01:00.000-05:00

Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season.

BOOK BEGINNINGS

2011-12-23T16:06:00.000-05:00

Katy over at A Few More Pages is the host for Book Beginnings.

What is/are the first line(s) of your current read, and what are your thoughts so far? Please leave the link to your specific post, not just to the front page of your blog.

Even if she hadn't been the last person to walk through the turnstile at Warren Street tube station, Jack Barker would have noticed the tall, slender woman in the navy blue, thigh-length jacket with a matching pleated skirt short enough to reveal a well-turned ankle.

This first sentence is long, but it made me want to find out who this person is. Why was the guy looking at her? Where was she going? Where does this sentence come from?

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

REVIEW - THE GREAT GEESE MIGRATION

2011-12-22T09:23:00.001-05:00

"The Great Geese Migration" by B.V. Clingan
Illustrations by Mark Anthony Pino
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Frozen Feathers is a story about four intrepid geese as they migrate for the first time. The geese encounter many obstacles and set backs along the way. They work together as a team to complete their journey and find a place of warmer winters. They are guided by their wise grizzly bear mentor to make several necessary evolutionary strides throughout their journey. It is a children's science book about evolution in a story format that reinforces many scientific disciplines.
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: AuthorHouse Publishing (August 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1463434162
ISBN-13: 978-1463434168

MY THOUGHTS: This book is for the older child. It explains how birds learned how to migrate south. The explanation is pretty good, but the older child would understand better. The illustrations are very good and colorful. If you have an older child that wants to find out about migration this would be a great book for them.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

NEEDLEWORK TUESDAY (on Wednesday)

2011-12-21T17:32:00.001-05:00

Heather over at Books and Quilts is the host for Needlework Tuesday. She has a beautiful crocheted apron she's showing off. Hop over and check it out.

And before you notice it, I know this is Wednesday, but.......isn't there always a but. My camera is having issues and couldn't any pictures until today. It's a long story I won't go into, but I finally got my pictures onto the computer today. So that's why I'm doing Needlework Tuesday on Wednesday.

I've been working on a Hexagon Blanket. I got this great pattern over at Lucy's place, Attic 24. Lucy has some awesome crochet at her place. She also has tutorial's that she shares. If you are a crocheter you should really check Lucy's place out. The tutorial for the hexagon blanket is here.

On to my Hexagon Blanket. I am using lots of left over scraps of yarn for my hexagon's so can't really tell you what kind of yarn it is. It is 4 ply yarn and I'm pretty sure most of it is Red Heart yarn. The lavendar yarn is Caron 1 pound yarn that I got at JoAnn Fabrics last year. Anyway here is where I'm at on my blanket.

Plus I've gotten a little pile of more hexagon's to add to the length of the blanket. Not sure how many more rows I need, I'll just lay down on the couch and see it it covers me. That's how I got the width. I know it's not a very scientific way of doing it, but it works for me.

Well, that's it from me. Hop over and check out Heather's and Lucy's places, you won't be sorry.

REVIEW - COUNTY LINE

2011-12-20T11:08:00.000-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(190/200)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.51)

"County Line" by Bill Cameron
Product Description(Amazon.com)
When the steadfast Ruby Jane Whittaker drops out of sight, dogged ex-cop Skin Kadash sets out to discover what drove the woman he loves to leave her life behind so suddenly and without explanation. The discovery of a dead man in her apartment followed by an attack from a mysterious stalker leads Skin first to California, then across the country on a desperate journey deep into Ruby Jane's haunted past—and toward an explosive confrontation which will determine if either has a future.
Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Tyrus Books; 1 edition (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935562525
ISBN-13: 978-1935562528

MY THOUGHTS: I think this book could be described as "crime noir". This book has dark tones and crimes are committed. I really like the way this author writes. I will be watching for more of his books. The book switches between present and past events. There's just enough humor, sensitivity and a lot of "what the heck is going on?" to make it gripping and suspenseful all the way to the end. Does Dash find Ruby Jane? What does the confrontation bring for their future? You'll have to read the book to find out. Pick this book up and read it, it's an awesome book.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

2012 READING CHALLENGE

2011-12-19T21:38:00.000-05:00

I promise this is the last one. I couldn't resist this one, I love reading books set in Ireland. Over at Books and Movies the Ireland Reading Challenge is posted for 2012.

* The challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012.
* Any book written by an Irish author, set in Ireland, or involving Irish history or Irish characters, counts for the challenge – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, audiobooks, children’s books – all of these apply.

I will be doing......
Shamrock level: 4 books

1. The Fire Opal - Regina McBride
2. Nory Ryan's Song - Patricia Reilly Giff
3. Gallows Lane - Brian McGilloway
4. The Angel - Carla Neggers

2012 READING CHALLENGE

2011-12-19T18:00:00.000-05:00

Have your read any of the Kinsey Millhone mysteries by Sue Grafton? Read them all or some of them? I unfortuntaly started in the middle of the ABC series. I've been trying to read them on my own, but I'm not doing a very good job of it. So a reading challenge will help hopefully. Darlene over at Darlene's Books Nook is hosting the Kinsey Millhone Reading Challenge.

1. This is a perpetual challenge, which means there is no end date. You will finish the challenge whenever you finish the series! Take as much time as you need.

2. You can join the challenge at any time, whether you haven't yet started the series or are already halfway through.

A is for Alibi (Kinsey Millhone, Book #1)
B is for Burglar (Kinsey Millhone, Book #2)
C is for Corpse (Kinsey Millhone, Book #3)
D is for Deadbeat (Kinsey Millhone, Book #4)
E is for Evidence (Kinsey Millhone, Book #5)
F is for Fugitive (Kinsey Millhone, Book #6)
G is for Gumshoe (Kinsey Millhone, Book #7)
H is for Homicide (Kinsey Millhone, Book #8)
I is for Innocent (Kinsey Millhone, Book #9)
J is for Judgment (Kinsey Millhone, Book #10)
K is for Killer (Kinsey Millhone, Book #11)
L is for Lawless (Kinsey Millhone, Book #12)
M is for Malice (Kinsey Millhone, Book #13)
N is for Noose (Kinsey Millhone, Book #14)
O is for Outlaw (Kinsey Millhone, Book #15)
P is for Peril (Kinsey Millhone, Book #16)
Q is for Quarry (Kinsey Millhone, Book #17)
R is for Ricochet (Kinsey Millhone, Book 18)
S is for Silence (Kinsey Millhone, Book #19)
T is for Trespass (Kinsey Millhone, Book #20)
U is for Undertow (Kinsey Millhone, Book #21)
V is for Vengeance (Kinsey Millhone, Book #22)

2012 READING CHALLENGE

2011-12-19T17:35:00.000-05:00

Do you have children? Do you read to them? Believe it or not there is a challenge for this. I have twin grandbabies that are just starting to look at books. This is a great challenge to join. Melissa over at Mommy Wants to Read is hosting the 3660 Minutes Reading Challenge.

What is the Challenge? To spend 10 minutes every single day reading to our children. Since this year is a leap year there are 366 days hence 3660 minutes. The goal is to promote reading, increase imagination, foster a love of words, bolster comprehension skills, and spend quality time with the children in our lives.

How Long Will it Run For? From January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012

I will be putting a my progress on my sidebar. And once a month I'll be making a posting of the minutes I've read to my grandbabies, Bella and Luke.

2012 READING CHALLENGE

2011-12-19T17:17:00.000-05:00

The Short Story Challenge is being hosted by Laura over at Library of Clean Reads.

Rules:

* Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31st, 2012. You can join anytime.
* Books from other challenges count as long as they are a collection of short stories.
* Books can be children's, middle-grade, YA and adult fiction and non-fiction.
* Write a post and link it below including the URL to that sign-up post.

My choice of level...
Tell me a Story: 1 to 3 books.

1. The Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka
2. Grimm's Fairy Tales
3. The Tales of Beedle the Bard - J. K. Rowling

2012 READING CHALLENGE

2011-12-19T16:54:00.000-05:00

Melissa over at The Betty and Boo Chronicles is hosting Memorable Memoirs Reading Challenge. I love reading about other people's lives. So this is good one for me.

The Rules:
Books, e-books, audiobooks, ARCs, NetGalley books are allowed.
Overlaps with other challenges are also allowed.
Re-reads are allowed.
No need to create a list of books in advance (but if you want to, please feel free!)
You don't need a blog to participate.
You must select a level. You can increase your level, but you can't go back down.

The Dates:
January 1 - December 31, 2012. You can sign up anytime between now and throughout 2012.

I going for level....
Diarist: read 1-4 memoirs

1. Memoirs of a Geisha - Authur Golden(been on my TBR list forever)
2. Angel in the Rubble - Genelle Guzman McMillan
3. Under A Red Sky - Haya Leah Moinar
4. From Manassas to Appomattox - James Longstreet

2012 READING CHALLENGE

2011-12-19T10:26:00.000-05:00

I've been over to A Novel Challenge checking out the 2012 reading challenges. There are so many I want to do. So I've decided to see if I could combine them with the other challenges I'm doing. There are several I can do this with. So you will be seeing some posts on reading challenges I am joining.

Chunkster Reading Challenge being hosted by Vasilly.

The Rules
Januyary 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
* No audio books. (There are exceptions to this rule.)
* No e-books allowed. This was discussed in much detail in the 2011 challenge. The short version: a chunkster isn’t a challenge if you’re reading it on an e-reader. (There are exceptions to this rule.)
* This year for the first time, essay, poetry, and short story collections will be allowed. Collections have to be read in their entirety to count. If you’ve needed a reason to finally pick up your copy of The Collected Works Of ____ now is the time.
* Books may crossover with other challenges.
* Anyone may join. (If you don’t have a blog, just leave a comment on this post with your challenge level and your progress throughout the challenge.)
* You don’t need to list your books ahead of time.
* Once you’ve picked a level, that’s it. You’re committed to it!

The level I've chosen....

The Chubby Chunkster – this option is for the readers who want to dabble in large tomes, but really doesn't want to commit to much more than that. FOUR Chunksters is all you need to finish this challenge.

My books......

Fall of Giants - Ken Follett
Smash Cut - Sandra Brown
Ulysses - James Joyce
Outlander - Diana Gibaldon

REVIEW - THE TENTH CIRCLE

2011-12-17T11:40:00.000-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(189/200)
Fill in the Gaps Project(69/100)

"The Tenth Circle" by Jodi Picoult
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Fourteen-year-old Trixie Stone is in love for the first time. She's also the light of her father, Daniel's life -- a straight-A student; a pretty, popular freshman in high school; a girl who's always seen her father as a hero. That is, until her world is turned upside down with a single act of violence. Suddenly everything Trixie has believed about her family -- and herself -- seems to be a lie. Could the boyfriend who once made Trixie wild with happiness have been the one to end her childhood forever? She says that he is, and that is all it takes to make Daniel, a seemingly mild-mannered comic book artist with a secret tumultuous past he has hidden even from his family, venture to hell and back to protect his daughter.
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Washington Square Press (October 24, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 074349671X
ISBN-13: 978-0743496711

MY THOUGHTS: Trixie, 14 years old, is unhappy because her boyfriend Jason broke up with her. Thinking she can win him back, Trixie lies to her parents and goes to a party with her best friend, hoping she will see Jason there. This gets Trixie in trouble in more ways than one. What happens at the party changes everything Trixie has ever known. This book failed me in the plot which veered and teetered close to soap opera material. I usually like Picoult's books but this one just didn't work for me. To me the focus should have been on Trixie, but instead it was full of melodrama about her family. And that was just a little toooo much. And the ending wasn't very clear to me. It left way too many questions. The book is readable but it didn't move me lie My Sister's Keeper did.

MY RATING: 2

REVIEW - NOW YOU SEE HIM

2011-12-15T10:22:00.001-05:00

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(188/200)
Just For Fun Challenge(Wrap Up)
Fill in the Gaps Project(68/100)

"Now You See Him" by Eli Gottlieb
Product Description(Amazon.com)
His name was Rob Castor. Quite possibly, you've heard of him. He became a minor cult celebrity in his mid-twenties for writing a book of darkly pitch-perfect stories set in a stupid sleepy upstate New York town. Several years later, he murdered his writer girlfriend, and then committed suicide. . . .
With extraordinarily luxuriant and evocative prose, award-winning author Eli Gottlieb takes us deep into the human psyche, where the most profound of secrets are kept. Now You See Him is a wrenching and enthrallingly suspenseful story that mines the explosive terrains of love and paternity, marriage and its delicate intricacies, family secrets and how they fester over time, and ultimately the true nature of loyalty, trust, friendship, envy, deception, and manipulation.
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (February 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061284653
ASIN: B004JZWNGG

MY THOUGHTS: I've had this book on my book shelves for a while. Just never got around to reading it. This is also a new author for me. I'll be reading this author again. I really liked this book. The narrator of this novel is Nick Framingham. Who is telling the story of his friend Rob Castor. Nick's marriage is faltering and his sister is back in town and sparks are flying. This story is the tale of Nick's slow self-destruction. It's all there but for the "why" you have to dig a little more. And does Nick find himself? Does his marriage survive? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

************************************************
Just For Fun Reading Challenge Wrap Up

DollyCas over at Escape With Dollycas is the host for this challenge. Thank you for hosting this reading challenge.

My list of books.
January The Christmas Train - David Baldacci
February Two Old Women - Velma Wallis
March The Agency: A Spy in the House - Y. S. Lee
April The Awakening - Kelley Armstrong
May It Ain't All About the Cookin' - Paula Deen
June Un Lun Dun - China Mieville
July Back Roads - Tawni O'Dell
August The Reader - Bernhard Schlink
September Cloudy With A chance of Meatballs - Judi Barrett
October The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella
November Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
December Now You See Him - Eli Gottleb

2012 READING CHALLENGE

2011-12-14T10:43:00.000-05:00

I said I wasn't doing anymore reading challenges. But I can't resist this one. I've done this challenge for the last 3 years. And want to join in again. Robin over at My Two Blessings is the host for this challenge. 52 Books in 52 Weeks has it's own blog, so you can sign up there. Here are the rules.

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.
2. Our book weeks begin on Sunday.
3. Participants may join at any time.
4. All books are acceptable except children books.
5. All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc.
6. Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2012.
7. Books may overlap other challenges.
8. Create an entry post linking to this blog.
9. Sign up with Mr. Linky in the "I'm participating post" below this post.
10. You don't have a blog to participate. Post your weekly book in the comments section of each weekly post.
11. Mr. Linky will be added to the bottom of the weekly post for you to link to reviews of your most current reads.

There are also mini challenges woven into the main challenge. You can do them or not. But it's fun mixing it up. The mini challenges are:

12 in 2012: Read 12 books in 12 different categories

A to Z challenge: Read books alphabetically by title and/or author.

Jane Austen: Read all things Jane Austen

Mind Voyages: Explore the hugo and nebula winners, take side trips through the different decades reading the nominees.

Well Educated Mind: Explore the classics in five categories: Fiction, Autobiography, History/Politics, Drama and Poetry.

Does this help you make up your mind? Want to join up now? Hop over and check it out.

REVIEW - BEACH LANE

2011-12-14T10:20:00.000-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(187/200)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.50)

"Beach Lane" by Sherryl Woods
Product Description(Amazon.com)
In the close-knit community of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, Susie O'Brien and Mack Franklin's "not dating" claim befuddles everyone, especially since the two spend every spare minute together. Susie's thrilled when their friendship finally heats up. Then, just when happily-ever-after seems within reach, Mack loses the job he loves and Susie faces a devastating diagnosis.
But O'Briens always unite in a crisis. Even her cousin Jess, Susie's rival for most of their lives, becomes her staunchest supporter—especially when Mack's former lover comes to town. The stakes are higher than ever before, but Susie's definitely up to the challenge…as long as Mack's right there by her side.
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Mira; Original edition (May 31, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778329895
ISBN-13: 978-0778329893

MY THOUGHTS: This is the final book of the Cheseapeak sereis and it weaves a tale that grips the heart. Woven into the story are of course the O'Brian's that stick their nose into everything, but it's a good thing. Susie and Mack need lots of help. They are having lots of problems, mainly a certain someone who is determined to take Mack away from Susie. I've had a wonderful time reading all about the O'Brian's. And does Susie and Mack stay together? What is the devastating diagnose Susie gets? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

IN MY MAILBOX

2011-12-11T10:05:00.001-05:00

Over at The Story Siren it's time for In My Mailbox. Go check it out. You could find your next book to read.

Do you read children's books? I do. I love reading them and the graphics are so awesome. Now that I have grandbabies, I read to them. Hopefully this will help them become readers too. I recently received 2 children's review books. They both have a lesson to learn and the graphics are great. This is also my review of these books. So this may get a little long.

"Kite Tale" by Anita Joyce Skocz(Illustrated by Lowell Hildebrandt)

It's all about building a Kite, but the little boy, David, also learns a lesson from his grandpa. They gather things for the kite from different places. Paper, cloth, wood, and string. They all come from friends of grandpa and the friends are all different cultures. David gets his kite and learns that it takes more than paper, cloth, wood and string to build a kite. Wonderful storybook.
MY RATING: 8-10

"Demi and the Dolphins" by Alyssa K. Harrell(illustrations by Carol Mecum)

This is a magical fairy tale all about the see and it's creatures.
Demi is a captain of a tuna boat. It is against the law to net tuna, because it traps dolphins and they can't breath and they drown. But Demi is out for the tuna, so she doesn't care about the dolphins. Until one day she fall overboard and lands in front of Poseidon, the god of the sea. Poseidon turns Demi into a dolphin. Thinking this will teach her about why not to net tuna and dolphins. Demi learns all about a dolphins life and the hazards that happens to them. This is a wonderful story told by the author Alyssa K. Harrell. She wrote this story when she was 10 years old for a homeschool writing project.
MY RATING: 8-10

[These are free review books and my own opinion.]

REVIEW - MOONLIGHT COVE

2011-12-10T08:40:00.001-05:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(186/200

"Moonlight Cove" by Sherryl Woods
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Jess O'Brien has overcome a lot—the challenges of attention deficit disorder, the near bankruptcy of her beloved Inn at Eagle Point and her self-perception as a screwup in a family of overachievers. Now she's ready to share the future with a man. Her friends persuade her to join a dating service—but she gets no takers! Which is fine with her childhood friend, psychologist Will Lincoln, who's already chosen the perfect man for Jess: himself.
Will has loved Jess practically forever. He knows her faults and her strengths. But for all Will's sincerity and charm, Jess fears he views her as some psychological case study. With her family and the town of Chesapeake Shores behind him, Will finally makes his case. But is it enough to convince Jess to take the risk of a lifetime?
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Mira; Original edition (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778329798
ISBN-13: 978-0778329794

MY THOUGHTS: I have enjoyed reading about the O'Brian family. This is just as good as the others. This time it's Jess's turn to find love. Even though see thinks she can't. Will has loved her forever. But he just can't convince Jess of this. She thinks he can't love her because of her problems. There is also a second romance in this book, Connie and Thomas. Are they new to Chesapeake Shores? Does Jess accept Will's love? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

REVIEW - TOYS

2011-12-09T10:52:00.001-05:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(185/200)

"Toys" by James Patterson
Product Description(Amazon.com)
James Bond and Jason Bourne have just been topped! A battle for the world is set into unstoppable motion and Hays Baker is the only one who can save it.
Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth possess super-human strength, extraordinary intelligence, stunning looks, a sex life to die for, and two beautiful children. Of course they do--they're Elites, endowed at birth with the very best that the world can offer. The only problem in their perfect world: humans and their toys! The one with the most toys--dies
The top operative for the Agency of Change, Hays has just won the fiercest battle of his career. He has been praised by the President, and is a national hero. But before he can savor his triumph, he receives an unbelievable shock that overturns everything he thought was true. Suddenly Hays is on the other side of the gun, forced to leave his perfect family and fight for his life.
Now a hunted fugitive, Hays is thrown into a life he never dreamed possible--fighting to save humans everywhere from extinction. He enlists all of his training to uncover the truth that will save millions of lives--maybe even his own. James Patterson's Toys is a thriller on a hyper plane--with a hero who rivals both James Bond and Jason Bourne.
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1st edition (March 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316097365
ISBN-13: 978-0316097369

MY THOUGHTS: I'm not really a fan of sci-fi but this one was alright. Set in the year 2064 it's all about saving the human race from extinction. There are some really bad people who Hays Baker has to go against. It was a lot different from most Patterson books. Although I liked the book, I miss the old Patterson way of writing a good murder mystery. I wish he would get back to that. If your a Patterson fan you'll read this, but if your a Patterson fan of murder mysteries forget it.

MY RATING: 2

REVIEW - A PLAIN & SIMPLE CHRISTMAS

2011-12-07T17:37:00.000-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(184/200)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.49)

"A Plain & Simple Christmas" by Amy Clipston
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams ... and secrets. You'll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the 'English' way of life---and the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the importance they place on their families. In the tradition of her widely popular Kauffman Amish Bakery series, author Amy Clipston tells the tale of Anna Mae McDonough who was shunned by her family four years ago when she left her Amish community in Lancaster County, PA, to marry an 'Englisher' (non Amish) man and move with him to Baltimore. Now, eight months pregnant when her first child, she longs to return home for Christmas to reconcile with her family, especially her stern father, who is the religious leader for her former Amish church district. So Anne Mae writes a letter to Kathryn Beiler, her brother's wife, to enlist her help. Kathryn asks her husband, David, if she should arrange Anna Mae's visit. David cautions her that a visit would cause too much stress in the family and instead suggests they visit Anna Mae and her husband in the spring. However, Kathryn arranges the visit anyway, believing in her heart that it's God's will for the family to heal. When Anna Mae arrives in Lancaster for Christmas, the welcome she receives is nothing like what she had hoped for. A book filled with love, the pain of being separated from one's family, and the determination to follow God's will regardless of the outcome, A Plain and Simple Christmas is an inspiring page-turner that will keep you guessing what happens next ... right to the very last page.
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (September 13, 2010)
Language: English
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (September 13, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310327369
ISBN-13: 978-0310327363

MY THOUGHTS: This is my book club pick for December. We wanted to read something Amish and Christmas. So this book was picked. This is a new author for me. I really liked this book lots. There is no commercializing of Christmas. It is what the title implies. A plain and simple Christmas. All Anna Mae wants for Christmas is to see her family. Her sister-in-law, Kathryn sets this all up, even though her husband is against it. Anna Mae and her husband arrive and everyone is happy except for 3 of her sisters and her father. During the Christmas Eve dinner Anna Mae confronts her father and is so upset. Her husband suggests they pack up and leave to go home. Their is a raging blizzard going on at the time. Does Anna Mae make up with her sisters and father? Does she go home to have her baby? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

NEEDLEWORK TUESDAY

2011-12-06T17:08:00.000-05:00

I love Tuesday's, because I get to show off what I'm working on, crocheting that is. Heather over at Books and Quilts is the host for Needlework Tuesday. Hop over to Heather's place, she's showing off some beautiful quilts made by her mother.

I started making Hexagon's for a blanket. Don't know how many I'll need or the size, just making hexagons and putting them together. I've measured the width and it's the right size. Don't know that either. I just laid down on the couch and put the first row of hexagon's over me to see if it was wide enough. I know, not the most scientific way of doing it, but it works for me. Anyway, I've gotten the first 2 rows of hexagon's done. Want to see??

Isn't it pretty! I think so anyway. Want to see it close up??

I was cleaning out a closet and found some granny squares left over from a project I worked on a couple years ago. I didn't need them for anything so decided to rip them apart and recycle the yarn into my hexagon blanket. Now I have a box full of little balls of yarn. I still have a few granny squares to take apart.

I've been putting the balls in a bucket under my computer desk. I thought the balls of yarn would be safe there. Why safe and from what? The twins, Bella and Luke of course. They are into everything. Well, the little balls of yarn weren't safe, Bella and Luke found them. And I caught them red handed. So now the little balls of yarn are in a box up high so Bella and Luke can't get to them. They seem to think they are balls and throw them.

REVIEW - DRIFTWOOD COTTAGE

2011-12-05T09:33:00.000-05:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(183/200)

"Driftwood Cottage" by Sherryl Woods
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Single mom Heather Donovan's dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O'Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son's father, Connor O'Brien. His parents' divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have left him jaded about marriage.
Then everything changes. Will the possibility of a future without Heather make Connor look at love and his career differently? Heather's just about given up on her old dreams—of love, of family and especially of Driftwood Cottage, the home she secretly wishes were hers. It's going to take a lot of persuasion—and some help from the O'Brien family—to make Heather believe that some dreams are worth fighting for.
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Mira; 400 edition (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 077832947X
ISBN-13: 978-0778329473

MY THOUGHTS: This book is all about Connor O'Brien and his wife, Heather. They are not a happily married couple. They need lots of help and the O' Brian clan is there to help them find the way there. This book wasn't a on the edge of your seat thriller, but a cozy little conversation going on. I enjoyed reading about another member of the O' Brian clan. Do Heather and Connor get back together? Does Heather get Driftwood Cottage? You'll have to read the book to find out. Can't wait to read what happens next in Moonlight Cove.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

MONTHLY BOOK REPORT

2011-12-04T10:25:00.000-05:00

I got quite a few books read in November and a couple reading challenges finished up. Read in November:

16 books(total)
5 review books

1. Red Dog - Bill Wallace
2. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
3. When The Whistle Blows - Fran Cannon Slayton
4. Bird Lake Moon - Kevin Henkes
5. Lucky Stiff - Deborah Coonts
6. A Time to Dance - Mary Pope Osborne
7. The Petticoat Doctor - Paige Winship Dooly
8. Hear The Wind Blow - Mary Downing Hahn
9. Iron Thunder - AVI
10. If This is Paradise, I Want My Money Back - Claudia Carroll
11. Wanna Get Lucky? - Deborah Coonts
12. The Jungle Adventure of Chimpoo - A. Lawati
13. Kill Me If You Can - James Patterson
14. The Reckoning - Kelley Armstrong
15. Ghellow Road - T. H. Waters
16. A Pug's Tale - Alison Pace

REVIEW - UNBROKEN

2011-12-03T08:29:00.001-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(183/200)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.48)

"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand
Product Description(Amazon.com)
On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Random House; 1st edition (November 16, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400064163
ISBN-13: 978-1400064168

MY THOUGHTS: This has got to be the best book I've read this year. It is a wonderful book, if you get a chance to read this, DO. It will make you laugh and cry. It's all about Louie Zamperini, a World War II vet and his struggle to survive before, during and after the war. Louie's B-24 Bomber plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Then he was caught and held in a POW camp. Then he had to survive so he could get back home to his family. This book is full of pictures and information about the horrors that the POW's went through while interned. I was really surprised by all the information and horrified. The things that were done to the POW's in the name of war was horrendous. How they survived is beyond me. You have got to read this book!!

MY RATING: 8-12

BOOK BEGINNINGS

2011-12-02T10:29:00.000-05:00

Katy over at A Few More Pages is the host for Book Beginnings. Hop over and check it out. You could find your next book there.

How to participate: Share the first line (or two) of the book you are currently reading on your blog or in the comments. Include the title and the author so we know what you're reading. Then, if you would like, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line, and let us know if you liked or did not like the sentence. The link-up will be at A Few More Pages every Friday and will be open for the entire week.

This week I've been reading Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. A couple ladies at my book club just raved about this book. So of course I had to jump in and see what all the raving was about. I was hooked from the first page. I have about 30 more pages to go so be watching for a review.

Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand

This is from the Preface.....

All he could see, in every direction, was water.
It was June 23, 1943. Somewhere on the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Army Air Forces bombardier and Olympic runner Louie Zamperini lay across a small raft, drifting westward. Slumped alongside him was a sergeant, one of his plane's gunners. On a separate raft, tethered to the first, lay another crewman, a gash zigzagging across his forehead. Their bodies, burned by the sun and stained yellow from the raft dye, had winnowed down to skeletons. Sharks glided in lazy loops around them, dragging their backs along the rafts, waiting.

I wanted to find what was going on. Why were they in the ocean? What happened? Was anyone going to save them? This book is all about what happened to Louie Zamperini during his time in World War II. It's very moving and I highly recommend this book. There are lots of things in this book I had not known about the war.

REVIEW - HARBOR LIGHTS & A CHESAPEAKE SHORES CHRISTMAS

2011-11-30T10:19:00.000-05:00

I read these two books over the summer. I tucked them away for a review later. But they mistakenly got put on my bookshelf. The one where all the books I've read are kept. I was cleaning out some books to pass along to a friend and found these two. This is going to be short so don't think it's going to be a long winded review.

Harbor Lights by Sherryl Woods
I really liked this book, it brought the O'Brian son, Kevin into the series. His romantic life isn't that good until he meets Shanna. Who happens to open a bookstore on main street. But both Keven and Shanna have some issues from their past to solve. And Mick and Megan are trying to solve their problems so they can get back together.

A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods
This book is all about Mick and Megan getting back together and remarrying. But there is one hold out in the family, Connor. He can't forgive his mother for leaving them all. Really enjoyed reading about the season of Christmas at the O'Brian household and the romance coming back.

That's it. I'm on to reading more of the O'Brian's story. The next book is Driftwood Cottage. I'm reading it now. This one is all about Connor and his ex-wife Heather. Will they get back together? Will Heather get Driftwood Cottage? You'll have to read the book to find out. Be watching for my review soon.

REVIEW - A PUG'S TALE

2011-11-29T12:12:00.000-05:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(181/200)

"A Pug's Tale" by Alison Pace
Product Description(Amazon.com)
There are pugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art!
Hope McNeill has worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for years, but this is the first time she's been able to bring along her pug, Max. (Officially at least. Previously she's had to smuggle him in inside her tote bag.)
The occasion: a special "Pug Night" party in honor of a deep-pocketed donor. Max and his friends are having a ball stalking the hors d'oeuvres and getting rambunctious, and making Hope wonder if this is also the last time she gets to bring Max to the museum.
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (June 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 042524119X
ISBN-13: 978-0425241196

MY THOUGHTS: Hope meets Daphne, a fellow pug owner, at a pug party at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. A painting goes missing. The fake ends up in the art restoration office. Hope's boss decides not to go to the authorities and takes matters in his own hands. Hope thinks she is a suspect. Hope doesn't have anyone to confide in. Her boyfriend is in Africa. After a few random meetings, she ends up confiding in Daphne, who is thrilled with the idea of a mystery that needs to be solved. When I was asked to read and review this book, I didn't know this was a sequel to Pug Hill. But the book stands alone and I didn't feel like I missed anything. But I will be adding Pug Hill to my TBR list. I really enjoyed reading about Hope and Max. Does Hope find the painting? Does Max get to go back to the museum? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

NEEDLEWORK TUESDAY

2011-11-29T11:24:00.002-05:00

Heather over at Books and Quilts is the host for Needlework Tuesday. You really need to head over there. Heather has a one woman quilt show of her mother's quilts. They are awesome. But first, what is Needlework Tuesday? Here's some info:

Needlework Tuesday is open to all readers looking for inspiration, encouragement or who want to share their recent needlework project. Introduce yourself in the comments and be sure to leave a link to your current post. Feel free to grab the cute little mouse for your post.

I've finished my Granny Square Blanket. I think it turned out very pretty.

Since that is finished I needed something to work on. So have decided to make a hexagon blanket. I've always wanted to do one of these. But first I had to find a pattern. So Googled hexagon patterns and found Lucy. She has an awesome blog called Attic 24. You really need to check this out. Anyway Lucy has a tutorial on how to make a hexagon. It's so easy I've made 7 of them so far. It's been a little hectic around here so didn't get as many done.

I've also started a new book that I can't seem to put down for very long. It's Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. I've linked it to Amazon.com if you want to check it out.

I was playing around with the hexagons and I'm going to have to redo a few. The dark colors aren't showing up very well. I may have to go buy some lighter yarn. I see a shopping trip in my future. Anyway, that's my project for awhile. Hexagons and more hexagons.

IT'S MONDAY, WHAT ARE YOU READING?

2011-11-28T09:19:00.000-05:00

Sheila over at Book Journey is the host for It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Head over and check it out. You could find your next book.

Last week I finished and reviewed 2 books. One was a memoir the other the end of a series........

The Reckoning - Kelley Armstrong - I was a little disappointed in the ending of this book and series. Lots of questions still unanswered.

Ghellow Road - T. H. Waters - a memoir of the authors life. This is an ARC I read for the author. I really enjoyed reading this book.

What I'm planning on reading this week........

Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand - this book came highly recommended by a couple ladies at my book club. So far I am totally engrossed in this book.

REVIEW - GHELLOW ROAD

2011-11-26T10:07:00.001-05:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(180/200)

"Ghellow Road" by T. H. Waters
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Ghellow Road is a literary diary of a young girl's journey through the tangled labyrinth that is her life. Theresa's story begins in a large midwestern city where she is born to loving parents in 1965. For a brief moment in time, her life is full, as is her heart, and the world is hers to receive without consequence. As time passes and Theresa grows, supernatural forces begin to shape her existence, no matter how carefully her father colors the empty spaces of her world. After a series of tragic events, Theresa and her family seek refuge in a small Minnesota town nestled near the shores of Rainy Lake. She creates a new life for herself there, sharing adventures with friends and riding the ups and downs of adolescence. Yet through it all, her mother remains forever lost in the prison of her own mind and forever lost to Theresa. The young girl feels as though she is leading a double life, one that no one else could possibly understand. She begins to peer at the world as if looking through a thick, black veil, never certain which pieces are illusion and which are not. Through the kindness and support of the townspeople, She eventually summons the strength to survive. This is a story of tragedy and triumph. This is the story of my life.
Paperback: 302 pages
Publisher: Verefor Publishing Company LLC (October 14, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982893116
ISBN-13: 978-0982893111

MY THOUGHTS: This is a memoir of Theresa's life with her mom. Her mother has a mental illness, schizophrenia. Teresa and her brother Mikie are caught in this life and can't get out as they are very young. The only stable person grounding Theresa is her father. The book follows Theresa from birth to her teens years. I don't really want to say too much as it will give away the story. If you like reading memoirs this is a great book to read. I really enjoyed reading about Theresa's life.

MY RATING: 8-12

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

BOOK BEGINNINGS

2011-11-25T09:06:00.000-05:00

Katy over at A Few More Pages is the host for Book Beginnings. Want to join in? here are some particulars.

How to participate: Share the first line (or two) of the book you are currently reading on your blog or in the comments. Include the title and the author so we know what you're reading. Then, if you would like, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line, and let us know if you liked or did not like the sentence. The link-up will be at A Few More Pages every Friday and will be open for the entire week.

I am reading an ARC right now. The author actually requested a review of her book. She also signed the book for me. I am a little over half way through the book and love reading it.

Ghellow Road by T. H. Waters

This is actually the second paragraph of the book. This is what made me want to read this book.

The year was 1965.
I was a tiny, toe-headed girl, the second child of two parents who were madly in love with me. I will never forget those early years before The Invisibles came to cast their dark, permanent shadows upon our unsuspecting walls. Mom would lovingly cradle me for hours in the mod 60's rocking chair that resided in a corner of our humbly furnished living room.

I love reading about other people's lives. Biography or memoirs. I'm not really sure why, but they are interesting to me. This book grabbed me from the first page. From the memories of a little girl comes The Invisibles. I wanted to find out more about The Invisibles. What are they? Who are They?

THEME THURSDAY

2011-11-24T09:46:00.001-05:00

I'm joining Kavyen over at Reading Between Pages for Theme Thursday.

Theme Thursdays is a fun weekly event that will be open from one thursday to the next. Anyone can participate in it. The rules are simple:

A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday’s)
Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
Mention the author and the title of the book along with your post
It is important that the theme is conveyed in the sentence (you don’t necessarily need to have the word)
Ex: If the theme is KISS; your sentence can have “They kissed so gently” or “Their lips touched each other” or “The smooch was so passionate”

This week's theme......
PLACE DESCRIPTION (Location / Place / Room description)

That morning, I uneasily settled into my craky, wooden chair for the first few agonizing hours of English, Science and Social Studies.

Taken from Ghellow Road by T. H. Waters

For all those celebrating, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

WWW WEDNESDAY

2011-11-23T09:45:00.001-05:00

I'm joining MizB over at Should Be Reading for WWW Wednesday.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading.......
Ghellow Road - T. H. Waters - I'm really enjoying this book. It reminds me of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.

Recently Finished........
The Reckoning - Kelley Armstrong - this was the last book of The Darkest Powers series. I wasn't happy with the ending. My review is here.

Reading Next.........
A Pug's Tale - Alison Pace - this is an ARC that I've been sent. Sounds pretty interesting.

REVIEW - THE RECKONING

2011-11-22T10:09:00.000-05:00

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(179/200)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.47)
Fill in the Gaps(67/100)

"The Reckoning" by Kelley Armstrong
Product Description(Amazon.com)
My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.
But normal is one thing I'm not.
For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf.
Not normal.
My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently.
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (April 6, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061662836
ASIN: B004HB1CYQ

MY THOUGHTS: This 3rd book in the Darkest Powers series returns you to the safe house where Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori are hiding from the Edison Group. The pace was fast, and the plot's twists left me guessing who to trust and very surprised when the answers were revealed. This book did not provide the ending to the trilogy that I had wanted. It left me with lots of questions and no answers. But the romance between Chloe and Derek was answered. Do Chloe, Derek, Simon and Tori get away and into safe hands? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 2

IT'S MONDAY, WHAT ARE YOU READING?

2011-11-21T09:52:00.000-05:00

Sheila over at Book Journey is the host for It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Last week was pretty good reading wise. I got 5 books finished up and reviews posted. They were all pretty good. One was a disappointment.

Kill Me If You Can - James Patterson
The Jungle Adventure of Chimpoo - A. Lawati
Wanna Get Lucky? - Deborah Coonts
If This Is Paradise, I Want My Money Back - Claudia Carroll
Iron Thunder - AVI

What I well be reading this week. I'm trying to finish the Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong. And a ARC I'm doing, which is very good so far.

The Reckoning - Kelley Armstrong

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.
But normal is one thing I'm not.
For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf.
Not normal.
My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently.

Ghellow Road - T. H. Waters

Ghellow Road is a literary diary of a young girl's journey through the tangled labyrinth that is her life. Theresa's story begins in a large midwestern city where she is born to loving parents in 1965. For a brief moment in time, her life is full, as is her heart, and the world is hers to receive without consequence. As time passes and Theresa grows, supernatural forces begin to shape her existence, no matter how carefully her father colors the empty spaces of her world. After a series of tragic events, Theresa and her family seek refuge in a small Minnesota town nestled near the shores of Rainy Lake. She creates a new life for herself there, sharing adventures with friends and riding the ups and downs of adolescence. Yet through it all, her mother remains forever lost in the prison of her own mind and forever lost to Theresa. The young girl feels as though she is leading a double life, one that no one else could possibly understand. She begins to peer at the world as if looking through a thick, black veil, never certain which pieces are illusion and which are not. Through the kindness and support of the townspeople, She eventually summons the strength to survive. This is a story of tragedy and triumph. This is the story of my life.

Well that's it. Who know if I'll make it through these books with the holiday coming up. But I'll try my best to make it.

WHAT'S IN A NAME 5

2011-11-20T10:34:00.000-05:00

I said I wasn't joining anymore reading challenges. But I have to join this one. I love doing this challenge. It's a challenge trying to find a book to fit the category. Beth over at Beth Fish Reads is hosting this reading challenge. Here's how it works.

Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley
2. A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas
3. A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm
4. A book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House
5. A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary
6. A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking

I'll be adding books though out the year.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

REVIEW - KILL ME IF YOU CAN

2011-11-20T10:09:00.000-05:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(178/200)

"Kill Me If You Can" by James Patterson
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Matthew Bannon, a poor art student living in New York City, finds a duffel bag filled with diamonds during a chaotic attack at Grand Central Station. Plans for a worry-free life with his stunning girlfriend Katherine fill his thoughts--until he realizes that he is being hunted, and that whoever is after him won't stop until they have reclaimed the diamonds and exacted their revenge.
Trailing him is the Ghost, the world's greatest assassin, who has just pulled off his most high-profile hit: killing Walter Zelvas, a top member of the international Diamond Syndicate. There's only one small problem: the diamonds he was supposed to retrieve from Zelvas are missing. Now, the Ghost is on Bannon's trail--but so is a rival assassin who would like nothing more than to make the Ghost disappear forever.
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (August 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316097543
ISBN-13: 978-0316097543

MY THOUGHTS: I didn't like this book very well. I don't know if was the characters or the story line, but it just didn't hook me. I love reading James Patterson's books. But this one didn't work for me. I did finish it, but reluctantly. I almost put it down, but kept at it. It reads like a mob book and I don't like those kind of books. The main character, Matthew stumbles into this mess. When Zelvas is killed by the Ghost. This starts the whole thing rolling. The Ghost hunting for Mattthew and then they send out another assassin to kill The Ghost. Which really confused me. Why kill the person who is going to get your diamonds back? It didn't make sense to me. Does Matthew get to keep the diamonds? Does the Ghost get caught? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 1

READING CHALLENGE ADDICT

2011-11-19T09:25:00.001-05:00

I decided to join in for the 2012 Reading Challenge Addict. Want to know more?

Are you ready for some challenges??
It's that time again!!
Yes, I said it!
It's time to sign up for challenges!
Reading Challenges, to be specific. I know you're doing it! But why?

Is it the pretty buttons?
Is it the challenge?
or Is it just that you can't seem to help yourself?
Well, whatever your reason. Join in on the fun!

I've joined up for 12 reading challenges this year. That's it no more. I'm going to be strong and not join anymore. I promise, well maybe one more. I joined the Goodreads Just For Fun challenge. If you want to check it out it's on my sidebar. Or you can go here to see all about it.

REVIEW - THE JUNGLE ADVENTURE OF CHIMPOO

2011-11-19T08:50:00.003-05:00

This book is for one of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(177/200)

"The Jungle Adventure of Chimpoo" by A. Lawati
Product Description(Amazon.com)
"But how will we get him out of the cage?" This is it, he thought. No turning back. Mommy got worried and told Chimpoo to look after his brother. Just thinking about it gave him the shivers.
Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: AuthorHouse (July 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1463429215
ISBN-13: 978-1463429218

MY THOUGHTS: This is an ARC I received. I really like the story and the pictures are great. Chimpoo is going to get his father, who has been captured by humans. Along the way he meets Thinking Eyes, a wise old owl. Together they try to get Chimpoo's father out of the cage. I read this to my grandchildren this past week. Although they are only 16 months old, they didn't really understand the story line but they really enjoyed looking at the pictures. The graphics are really good. And does Chimpoo get his father out of the cage? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

I'm also linking up with Julie over at Booking Mama for Kid Konnection.

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books.

Hop over and see what everyone is sharing.

THE FRIDAY 56

2011-11-18T09:24:00.000-05:00

Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url.

It's that simple.

Mine comes from The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

P. 56
"What the hell are you doing, Chloe? I said we'd come out here later and try to contact that ghost. Key Word? We. If you're here--"

THEME THURSDAY

2011-11-17T09:18:00.000-05:00

First off, I've been reading a lot the last month or so. Trying to catch up on several of my reading challenges. Which I've done, I've finished 2 reading challenges. That's why I haven't been doing any memes. All my time has been spent reading. So today I've taken a break and am joining Kavyen over at Reading Between Pages for Theme Thursday.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

"There was a dead guy at my feet, a fortune in diamonds in my hands, and an NYPD uniform pointing his gun at me."

"And there she was, wearing a dove-gray V-neck sweater that matched her eyes and a just-to-the-knees denim skirt that showed off her legs nicely, Katherine."

Taken from Kill Me If You Can - James Patterson

REVIEW - WANNA GET LUCKY?

2011-11-16T10:50:00.001-05:00

This book is for one of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(176/200)

"Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts
Product Description(Amazon.com)
A young woman plunges from a Las Vegas sightseeing helicopter, landing in the Pirate’s lagoon in front of the Treasure Island Hotel in the middle of the 8:30 Pirate Show. Almost everyone writes her off as another Vegas victim.
But Lucky O’Toole smells a rat. She’s head of Customer Relations at The Babylon, the newest, most opulent mega-casino and resort on the Strip, so she’s got a lot on her plate: the Adult Film industry’s annual awards banquet, a spouse-swapping convention, sex toy purveyors preying on the pocket-protector crowd attending ElectroniCon…. Still, Lucky can’t resist turning over a few stones.
When a former flame is one of the snakes she uncovers, Lucky’s certain she’s no longer dealing with an anonymous Sin City suicide. To top it all off, Lucky’s best friend Teddie—Las Vegas’ finest female impersonator—presses to take their relationship to the next level. Leave it to Lucky to attract a man who looks better in a dress than she does.
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Forge Books; First Edition edition (May 11, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765325438
ASIN: B004IK9E8C

MY THOUGHTS: Lucky is smart, sarcastic, and uses her sarcasm as a defense mechanism. The characters in this book are wonderful. Loved reading about all of them, especially Lucky's mom. Coonts has given us the city in all its over-the-top outrageousness. Does Lucky solve the supposed suicide? Does her relationship with the female impersonator go anywhere? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

REVIEW - IF THIS IS PARADISE, I WANT MY MONEY BACK

2011-11-15T11:41:00.000-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(175/200)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.46)

"If This is Paradise, I Want My Money Back" by Claudia Carroll
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Being in a coma has helped to open Charlotte Grey’s eyes for the very first time . . .
As she hovers somewhere between life and death, Charlotte finally realizes what a complete mess she’s made of her time on Earth—including the five years she’s wasted on worthless, faithless James Kane. The afterlife should be paradise compared to that—except “heaven” seems to be nothing more than a big retirement home in the sky, with lots of bingo and bridge and absolutely no sign of Elvis, Princess Di, Kurt Cobain, or anyone else worth spending eternity with. Charlotte would rather return to Earth, thank you very much. But the only way she can get there is as a bona fide guardian angel . . . and the lost soul she’s assigned to is none other than the James Kane, who tore her heart out and stomped on it.
Still, Charlotte’s determined to use her second chance to really start living, Kane or not, and have some fun . . . for once in her afterlife.
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (October 18, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062045156
ISBN-13: 978-0062045157

MY THOUGHTS: This is my book clubs choice to read this month. It looked promising, but it was a bit of a chore to read at times. Being able to get even with an awful ex is something most of us would love to do. Charlotte is an interesting main character. But you can see the book's predictability. You can see every big revelation and plot twist coming. Which kind of spoils the book for me. But I wanted to finish this book to find out what happened to Charlotte. Does she come out of the comma? Does she get even with her ex? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 2

REVIEW - IRON THUNDER

2011-11-14T09:50:00.001-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(174/200)
War Through the Generations(Civil War)[Wrap Up]

"Iron Thunder" by AVI
Product Description(Amazon.com)
When his father is killed fighting for the Union in the War Between the States, thirteen-year-old Tom Carroll must take a job to help support his family. He manages to find work at a bustling ironworks in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York, where dozens of men are frantically pounding together the strangest ship Tom has ever seen. A ship made of iron.
Tom becomes assistant to the ship’s inventor, a gruff, boastful man named Captain John Ericsson. He soon learns that the Union army has very important plans for this iron ship called the Monitor. It is supposed to fight the Confederate “sea monster”--another ironclad--the Merrimac. But Ericsson is practically the only person who believes the Monitor will float. Everyone else calls it “Ericsson’s Folly” or “the iron coffin.”
Meanwhile, Tom’s position as Ericsson’s assistant has made him a target of Confederate spies, who offer him money for information about the ship. Tom finds himself caught between two certain dangers: an encounter with murderous spies and a battle at sea in an iron coffin …
Reading level: Ages 1 and up
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; Reprint edition (August 11, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1423105184
ISBN-13: 978-1423105183

MY THOUGHTS: Tom, a 13 year old boy is telling the tale of the Iron Clad ship the Monitor. Tom gets a job as assitant/errand boy to the designer of the Monitor. Tom is approached by Confederate spies. They are hoping to get some information about the Monitor. The author takes you along the trip it took to make this ship and all the troubles that went along with it. Very good book and I enjoyed reading it.

MY RATING: 5

**************************************************************8
War Though the Generations Wrap Up

My list of books.
1. Coal Black Horse - Robert Olmstead
2. Sunrise - Jacquelyn Cook
3. The Red Badge of Courage - Stephan Crane
4. Dearest Enemy - Nan Ryan
5. A Light in the Storm - Karen Hesse
6. How I Found the Strong - Margaret McMullan
7. Gabriel's Horses - Alison Hart
8. A Time to Dance - Mary Pope Osborne
9. Hear The Wind Blow - Mary Downing Hahn
10. Iron Thunder - AVI

REVIEW - HEAR THE WIND BLOW

2011-11-13T09:19:00.000-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(173/200)
War Through The Generations(Civil War)

"Hear the Wind Blow" by Mary Downing Hahn
Product Description(Amazon.com)
On a cold, snowy night, Haswell Magruder makes a decision that will have a profound effect on his own life as well as the lives of all those he loves. A wounded Confederate soldier appears at the family’s Virginia farm, and Haswell convinces his mother and sister to take the man in, despite the certain repercussions if the enemy Yankees were to catch them in such a “traitorous” act. Unfortunately, this is precisely what happens, setting off a horrific chain of events that leaves Haswell’s mother dead and the farmhouse burned to the ground.
After leading his younger sister to safety with relatives, Haswell sets out on his journey in search of his older brother, a Confederate soldier. His quest is also a passage into manhood, as he experiences the last bloody days of the Civil War.
Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Clarion Books; None edition (May 19, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0618181903
ISBN-13: 978-0618181902

MY THOUGHTS: This book tells a war story through the eyes of a young boy. All Haswell wants to do is give some comfort to a wounded solider. It was a good thing to do, but there were repercussions for this act of kindness. After the death of his mother, Haswell takes his sister to his relatives. He then embarks on a journey to find his brother. This novel leads on Haswell's journey. You see the war through his eyes, the destruction and lost lives. Does Haswell find his brother? Does his family get back together? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - THE PETTICOAT DOCTOR

2011-11-11T08:28:00.000-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(172/200)
50 States Challenge(Utah)[Wrap Up]

"The Petticoat Doctor" by Paige Winship Dooly
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Dr. Abigail Hayes, a pioneer in her chosen profession, finds life in nineteenth-century Utah filled with romance and fraught with danger, intrigue and mystery. Abigail endured many dangers on her way to Utah -- only to discover once she arrives that everyone is not what they appear. Can her brother's friend, Jake Maverick, help her figure out why God allows tragedy so they can both do more than just survive?
Hardcover: 287 pages
Publisher: Thorndike Press; Large Print edition (June 16, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1410427056
ISBN-13: 978-1410427052

MY THOUGHTS: Abbie is headed to Utah to see her brother. But along the way the train is stopped and robbed. Abbie is saved by none other than Bat Masterson. Abbie's brother sends Jake to pick Abbie up at the train station. But he's late getting there. Abbie accepts some help from a friendly guy and gets into lots of trouble. Jake has to save her. This is a wonderful book to read. It has mystery, romance and some funny spots as well. Does Abbie find romance? Does she survive the wild west? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

********************************************************************

50 States Wrap Up
Tasha @ Book Obsessed is hosting the 50 States Challenge.
My list of books.
1. Alabama - To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
2. Alaska - Two Old Women - Velma Wallis
3. Arizona - Weedflower - Cynthia Kadohata
4. Arkansas - Fire From the Rock - Sharon M. Draper
5. California - Speak No Evil - Allison Brennan
6. Colorado - Iron Trail - Tim Champlin
7. Connecticut - The Widower's Tale - Julia Glass
8. Delaware - – A Light in the Storm – Karen Hesse
9. Florida - Tourist Season - Carl Hiaasen
10.Georgia - Mo' Dirty - Darrell King
11. Hawaii - Night of the Howling Dogs – Graham Salisbury
12. Idaho -The Source of All Things - Tracy Ross
13. Illinois - Murder List - Julie Garwood
14. Indiana - Going Over All The Hurdles - John A. Belneke
15. Iowa - Weeping Under Water Looks A Lot Like Laughter - Michael J. White
16. Kansas - Sprout - Dale Peck
17. Kentucky - Gabriel's Horses - Alison Hart
18. Louisiana - Shadowed Summer – Saundra Mitchell
19. Maine - Haunted Echoes - Julie Ann Howell
20. Maryland - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
21. Massachusetts Delirious - Daniel Palmer
22. Michigan - Once on this Island - Gloria Whelean
23. Minnesota - Buried Prey - John Sandford
24. Mississippi - How I Found The Strong - Margaret McMullan
25. Missouri - Threads West - Reid Lance Rosenthal
26. Montana - Conspiracy Game - Christine Feehan
27. Nebraska - Room One – Andrew Clements
28. Nevada - Northward to the Moon - Polly Horvath
29. New Hampshire - Jenna's Dilemma - Melissa J. Morgan
30. New Jersey - Kaleidoscope Eyes - Jen Bryant
31. New Mexico - The Year Money Grew on Trees - Aaron Hawkins
32. New York-I Never Forget A Meal - Michael Tucker
33. North Carolina - Bloodroot - Amy Greene
34. North Dakota - Ruby - Lauraine Snelling
35. Ohio - Winesburg, Ohio - Sherwood Anderson
36. Oklahoma - Coyote Autumn - Bill Wallace
37. Oregon - The Promises She Keeps - Erin Healy
38. Pennsylvania - At The Crossroads of Terror - Lenny Emanuelli
39. Rhode Island - Aftershock - Kelly Easton
40. South Carolina - The Misfit - Nancy Rue
41. South Dakota - The First Four Years - Laura Ingalls Wilder
42. Tennessee - Behind The Yellow Tape - Jarrett Hallcox
43. Texas - Keeper - Kathi Appelt
44. Utah - The Petticoat Doctor - Paige Winship Dooly
45. Vermont - Love Aubrey - Suzanne LaFleur
46. Virginia - Coal Black Horse - Robert Homstead
47. Washington - Did Not Survive - Ann Littlewood
48. West Virginia - When The Whistle Blows - Fran Cannon Slayton
49. Wisconsin - Bird Lake Moon - Kevin Henkes
50. Wyoming - Red Dog - Bill Wallace

REVIEW - A TIME TO DANCE

2011-11-10T10:03:00.000-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(171/200)
War Through The Generations(Civil War)

"A Time to Dance" by Mary Pope Osborne
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Virginia Dickens continues to chronicle the aftermath of the Civil War, as she and her family move their lives from Washington, D.C. to New York City. Throughout the times of difficulty and joy, Ginny is always courageous and sweet.
Reading level: Ages 7 and up
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; 1 edition (August 1, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439443431
ISBN-13: 978-0439443432

MY THOUGHTS: Ever wonder what happened after the Civil War is over? How people get on with their lives? This book is all about that. Ginny is telling the story through her diary. Ginny's father is having a hard time finding a job and Ginny thinks she can get a job to help. She does find a job as a dresser in the theater. She really likes this job and loves the theater. She wants to meet Edmond Booth, he's the brother of John Wilkes Booth, the man that shot President Lincoln. He is the greatest actor of their time. Ginny writes him a letter telling him not to give up acting because of what his brother did. The last entry in Ginny's diary is about their new family. Ginny's father is remarrying and will make their family 7. I love this quote she added.

from the Bible.....for everything there is a season:

A time to kill, and a time to heal.
A time to break down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh.
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Tonight was our time to dance.
Does Ginny meet Edmond Booth? Does she like her new family? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 8-12

REVIEW - LUCKY STIFF

2011-11-09T09:26:00.000-05:00

This book is for one of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(170/200)

"Lucky Stiff" by Deborah Coonts
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Lucky O’Toole—Head of Customer Relations at The Babylon, premier mega-resort on the Vegas Strip—thinks it’s just another night in Las Vegas. A tractor-trailer has spilled its load of a million honeybees, blocking not only the Strip but the entrance to her hotel...the District Attorney for Clark County—apparently the odd man out of a threesome on the twelfth floor—is hiding in the buff in one of the hotel’s laundry rooms...and Numbers Neidermeyer—one of Vegas’ less-than-savory oddsmakers—is arguing with Las Vegas’ ace private investigator, the Beautiful Jeremy Whitlock.
The next day, Lucky discovers Ms. Neidermeyer was tossed into the shark tank at the Mandalay Bay Resort as a snack for the Tiger Shark. When the police show up at the Babylon with a hastily prepared search warrant, applied for by the District Attorney himself, and Jeremy lands in the hot seat, Lucky realizes her previous night was far from routine.
Amid the chaos of fight weekend, the hiring of an eccentric new French chef, and her madam mother's intentions to auction off a young woman’s virginity, Lucky is drawn into a deadly game where no one is what they seem, a game that will end only when she discovers who made fish-food out of Numbers Neidermeyer.
Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Forge Books; Reprint edition (November 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765364581
ISBN-13: 978-0765364586

MY THOUGHTS: This is the second in a new series of books by Deborah Coonts. But it is also a stand alone book. But I will be reading the first book in the series, Wanna Get Lucky? This book takes place in the inter working of Las Vegas. The characters are all likeable and they take you places you haven't seen in Vegas. The book has several story lines that range from murder, prize fighting, to selling of a virgin. They are all tied up in believable ways. I really enjoyed reading about Lucky and her Las Vegas. Does Lucky solve the murder? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

REVIEW - BIRD LAKE MOON

2011-11-08T08:57:00.000-05:00

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(169/200)
50 States Challenge(Wisconsin)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.45)

"Bird Lake Moon" by Kevin Henkes
Product Description(Amazon.com)

Spencer thought the house might be haunted.

Mitch knew it wasn't. And he knew why.

The whole time Spencer and Mitch hung out together at Bird Lake that summer, there were secrets keeping them apart.

And maybe a secret knowledge keeping them together, too—together like members of the same tribe. Like friends.
Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (April 22, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061470767
ASIN: B003NHR960

MY THOUGHTS: This is a story about two boys who come together one summer at the lake. Both are dealing with tragedies that have occurred in their lives. The death of a child, divorce and infidelity. The boys are trying to "fix" this big grown up problem themselves. As a result of this a friendship forms for Mitch and Spencer. Do they stay friends? Do their parents work things out? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - WHEN THE WHISTLE BLOWS

2011-11-07T14:26:00.000-05:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(168/200)
50 States Challenge(West Virginia)

"When The Whistle Blows" by Fran Cannon Slayton
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Jimmy Cannon loves trains. And he wants to work on the railroad more than anything when he grows up. After all, his father is the foreman in Rowlesburg, and all the men in his family have worked on the rails. But times are changing in the 1940s, and Jimmy's father sees a different future for his son. Join Jimmy on the ride of a lifetime, through midnight Halloween romps, the championship football game, and a secret society in this coming-of-age story set during the last of the railroad days.
Reading level: Ages 10 and up
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Puffin (November 11, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0142417327
ISBN-13: 978-0142417324

MY THOUGHTS: When I began reading this book I was surprised by the format and the storytelling style. The format is telling one long story of what happens on All Hallows Eve. There are seven stories total. The book is like a short story collection of one boy's life from ages 12-18. The author makes you feel like you are transported back in time of the 1940's. This is a masculine book through and through. With strong men as role models. This is a wonderful book for children to read. Or parents to read to their children.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND

2011-11-05T23:36:00.001-04:00

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(167/200)
Just For Fun(November)
Fill in the Gaps Project(65/100)

"Notes From A Small Island" by Bill Bryson
Product Description(Amazon.com)
After nearly two decades spent on British soil, Bill Bryson-bestsellingauthor of The Mother Tongue and Made in America-decided to returnto the United States. ("I had recently read," Bryson writes, "that 3.7 million Americans believed that they had been abducted by aliens at one time or another,so it was clear that my people needed me.") But before departing, he set out ona grand farewell tour of the green and kindly island that had so long been his home.
Veering from the ludicrous to the endearing and back again, Notes from a Small Island is a delightfully irreverent jaunt around the unparalleled floating nation that has produced zebra crossings, Shakespeare, Twiggie Winkie's Farm, and places with names like Farleigh Wallop and Titsey. The result is an uproarious social commentary that conveys the true glory of Britain, from the satiric pen of an unapologetic Anglophile.
Paperback: 324 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (May 1, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0380727501
ISBN-13: 978-0380727506

MY THOUGHTS: This was a very interesting book. The author takes you on a walking trip around England, some places you've heard of and are very famous, and some places you've never heard of. All along giving you his version of what it's like traveling and trying to find good places to sleep and eat. I really liked this book, it was funny at times and kind of sad at times. But really an enjoyable book to read.

MY RATING: 5

BOOK CLUB

2011-11-04T10:20:00.000-04:00

Last night was book club. What are we reading this month?

if this is paradise, i want my money back - Claudia Carroll

Synopsis
Being in a coma has helped to open Charlotte Grey’s eyes for the very first time . . .
As she hovers somewhere between life and death, Charlotte finally realizes what a complete mess she’s made of her time on Earth—including the five years she’s wasted on worthless, faithless James Kane. The afterlife should be paradise compared to that—except “heaven” seems to be nothing more than a big retirement home in the sky, with lots of bingo and bridge and absolutely no sign of Elvis, Princess Di, Kurt Cobain, or anyone else worth spending eternity with. Charlotte would rather return to Earth, thank you very much. But the only way she can get there is as a bona fide guardian angel . . . and the lost soul she’s assigned to is none other than the James Kane, who tore her heart out and stomped on it.
Still, Charlotte’s determined to use her second chance to really start living, Kane or not, and have some fun . . . for once in her afterlife.

MONTHLY BOOK REPORT

2011-11-03T14:42:00.002-04:00

I read 15 books for October. Which is kind of off my usual. There was lots going on around here so didn't get to read as much.

15 books read
5 ARC books

Gabriel's Horses - Alison Hart
The Undomestic Goddess - Sohpie Kinsella
The Danger Box - Blue Balliett
A Conflict of Interest - Adam Mitzner
Northward to the Moon - Polly Horvath
Aftershock - Kelly Easton
The First Four Years - Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Beach Trees - Karen White
The Misfit - Nancy Rue
Kiss Her, Kill Her - Lisa Dewar
Every Secret Thing - Laura Lippman
The Year Money Grew on Trees - Aaron Hawkins
Coyote Autumn - Bill Wallace
Kaleidoscope Eyes - Jen Bryant
Jane Was Here - Sarah Kernochan

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-11-03T14:33:00.001-04:00

I was over at Bev's place, My Reader's Block and noticed she had a reading challenge there. This will be my last reading challenge for 2012 that I will be joining. I don't want to get overwhelmed like I did last year. What is Bev's reading challenge.........

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

*Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2012.
*You may sign up anytime from now until November 30th, 2012.
*Books must be owned by you prior to January 1, 2012. No ARCs, no library books. No rereads.
*Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.

Challenge Levels

Pike's Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Vancouver: Read 25 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 40 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 50 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100+ books from your TBR pile/s

I'm going for Pike's Peak for now. If I find more then I'll up the level.

1. Ironweed - William Kennedy
2. The God of Animals - Aryn Kyle
3. Pendragon - D. J. MacHale
4. Beyond the Night - Marlo Schalesky
5. Victim Six - Gregg Olsen
6. Whale Talk - Chris Crutcher
7. Blue Hole Back Home - Joy Jordan-Lake
8. I Have Seen Him in The Watchfires - Cathy Gohlke
9. Dogwood - Chris Fabry
10. Now You See Him - Eli Gottlieb
11. Black Dahlia Avenger - Steve Hodel
12. Getting to Manana - Miranda Innes

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-11-02T23:40:00.000-04:00

Have you checked out A Novel Challenge? Lots of reading challenges posted. One I'm joining is........

150+ Reading Challenge For 2012

DETAILS/RULES:
1. The goal is to read 150 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.
2. Allowed are: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.
What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.
3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.
5. Challenge begins January 1st, 2012 thru December 31, 2012. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.
6. When you sign up under Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.

My list of books will be in my 2012 Reading Challenges tab at the top of the page.

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-11-02T23:35:00.001-04:00

Have you checked out A Novel Challenge? Lots of reading challenges posted. One I'm joining is........

Vintage Mystery Reading Challenge 2012
On January 1st, I will post a site where you can link up your reviews/progress.

Vintage Themes:

1. Colorful Crime: 8 books with colors in the title
2. Murder by the Numbers: 8 books with a number in the title
3. Occupational Hazards: 8 books with a "detective" who is not a P.I.; Police Officer; Official Investigator (Nurse Keate, Father Brown, Miss Marple, etc.)
4. Perilous Policemen: 8 books with a policeman as the primary investigator
5. Lethal Locations: 8 books that are all about place (for instance: country houses, hospitals, schools or even particular cities/countries)
6. Dangerous Beasts: 8 books with an animal in the title (The Bat; The Canary Murder Case; etc.)
7. Deadly Decades: 8 books, one from each time period plus one of your choice (Pre-1900s; 1900-09; 1910-19; 1920-1929; 1930-1939; 1940-1949; 1950-59)
8. Golden Age Girls: 8 books by female authors OR 8 books with female detectives
9. Cherchez le Homme: 8 books by male authors OR 8 books with male detectives
10. Murderous Miscellany: Choose your own theme. Get creative--surprise us! The only stipulation is that the theme cannot be reading books by a single author.

Level #10
New Mysterious Authors

1. The Mother Hunt - Rex Stout
2. The Secret of the Golden Pavillion - Carolyn Keene
3. Miss Pinkerton - Mary Roberts Rinehart
4. Light Thickens - Ngaio Marsh
5. Shadow of the Moon - M. M. Kaye
6. Nightmare Town - Hammett Dishiell
7. Poodle Springs - Raymond Chandler
8. Dancing on Snowflakes - Malcolm Ross MacDonald

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-11-02T23:24:00.000-04:00

Have you checked out A Novel Challenge? Lots of reading challenges posted. One I'm joining is........

Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book Challenge
Guidelines:

Make a post
link up (coming)
read 5 books from the list that you haven't read before

Reviews:
would be nice but I'd be more interested in why you pick each book and what you thought of it. This can be added to your post about the challenge.

1. The Beekeeper's Apprentice - Laurie King
2. The English Patient - Michael Ondaatje
3. The Outlander Series - Diana Gabaldon
4. The Key Trilogy - Nora Roberts
5. The Who Series - Lilian Jackson Brown

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-11-02T23:16:00.001-04:00

Have you checked out A Novel Challenge? Lots of reading challenges posted. One I'm joining is........

A Tale of Redwall Challenge
A series by Brian Jacques
What: Read all the books in the Redwall series
When: January 1, 2012 on.... finish when you finish

Chronological Order

Lord Brocktree
(The Legend of Luke - book 2 substory)
Martin the Warrior
Mossflower
The Legend of Luke
Outcast of Redwall
Mariel of Redwall
The Bellmaker
Salamondastron
Redwall
Mattimeo
The Pearls of Lutra
The Long Patrol
Marifox
The Taggerung
Triss
Loamhedge
Rakkety Tam
High Rhulain
Eualia!
Doomwyte
The Sable Quean
The Rogue Crew

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-11-02T23:11:00.000-04:00

Have you checked out A Novel Challenge? Lots of reading challenges posted. One I'm joining is........

2012 ARC Reading Challenge

What qualifies for this challenge?:
1. Actual Advance Reader Copies - this includes from tour sites like ATW Tours.
2. Any book that YOU ARE ASKED by either an author, publisher, publicist, media group, etc. to review.
3. Book Sneeze, Pump Up your Books, Tyndale and S&S Galley Grab ("they send out a monthly list & the first ~100 to get to their site gets the book to review").
What does NOT qualify for this challenge?:
1. Any book that YOU personally asked for a review copy of.
2. Netgalley

There are four levels:

1. The Mini ARC Challenge – Read 4 ARC's.
2. The "Fun Size" ARC Challenge – Read 10 ARC's.
3. The Jumbo Size ARC Challenge – Read 20 ARC's.
4. The Mega size ARC Challenge – Read 21+ ARC's.

I'm doing #2, Fun Size Arc Challenge.

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

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-11-02T16:44:00.001-04:00

Have you checked out A Novel Challenge? Lots of reading challenges posted. One I'm joining is........

2012 Banned/Challenged Book Reading Challenge

Rules:

1. Anyone can join
2.You don't need a blog to participate. For non-bloggers, please leave a comment with a link (if you review somewhere else) to the review or leave a list of the books you read on the monthly link up post.
3.Audio, ebooks, and bound books are ok.
4.No re-reads
5.Create a sign up post and post the link in the linky below.
6.Challenge goes from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
7.Challenge Crossovers are ok.
Levels:
Level 1 - Read 12 Banned/Challenged books
Level 2 - Read 24 Banned/Challenged books
Level 3 - Read 36 Banned/Challenged books
Level 4 - Read 37+ Banned/Challenged books

I'm going for Level 1
I got my list of books from here.
1. The Adventures of Hucklebery Finn - Mark Twain
2. The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison
3. Speak - Laurie Halse Anderson
4. A Time To Kill - John Grisham
5. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
6. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
7. The Perks of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
8. Fallen Angels - Walter Dean Myers
9. Forever - Judy Blume
10. The Giver - Lois Lowry
11. Snow Falling on Cedars - David Guterson
12. Kaffir Boy - Mark Mathabane

REVIEW - RED DOG

2011-11-02T15:54:00.000-04:00

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(166/200)
50 States Challenge(Wyoming)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.44)

"Red Dog" by Bill Wallace
Product Description(Amazon.com)
In the rugged Wyoming territory, the red pup is Adam's best friend.
Adam and his family live in a lonely cabin in the mountains, facing the dangers of the wilderness alone. One day, Adam¹s stepfather announces that he must leave for a weeklong trip to Cheyenne. Adam is put in charge of the family. Everything goes smoothly until three cutthroat gold prospectors come crashing into the cabin and hold the family at gunpoint.
Late that night, Adam manages to escape. Unfortunately, the men let the red pup loose, and the one thing that dog does best is track Adam...Will the pup lead the men to Adam? And if he does, can Adam still save his family?
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Aladdin; Original edition (September 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0689853947
ISBN-13: 978-0689853944

MY THOUGHTS: I loved reading this book. It was a really fast book, I couldn't seem to put it down. I wanted to find out what happened with every turn of the page. The three men come to the homestead because they found gold in the river. They want the deed to Adam's parents homestead. Adam and his sister help to fight them off until their dad comes home. Adam gets loose and runs into the mountains but the red dog leads them to him. The mountain lion helps them by attacking the men. What is this mysterious connection to the mountain lion and the red dog? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

COMPUTER PROBLEMS AND CROCHETING

2011-11-01T14:31:00.000-04:00

I went to the library yesterday for a supply of books. But can't get them loaded on my side bar. My computer is having issues with downloading anything. I've had 2 hard drives crash in the last 2 weeks. Thankfully my son is a computer engineer and is working on getting a new hard drive back on my machine. Anyway here are the names of the new books I've gotten.

Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
When The Whistle Blows - Fran Cannon Slayton
Bird Lake Moon - Kevin Henkes
Red Dog - Bill Wallace(review coming)

It's amazing what you can get done when you don't have a computer. Yesterday evening I read a whole book, 185 pages, I got started on it and couldn't put it down. It's Red Dog by Bill Wallace. Be watching for my review soon.

I also worked on my Granny Square Afghan. Got 4 more rows added on.

Plus I have some little circles waiting to be made into squares. I'm making this for the couch in the front room. It's wide enough but have to add some length to it. It's going to need lots more squares.

Are you working on something you want to share? Head over to Heather's place, Books and Quilts for Needlework Tuesday.

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-10-31T11:40:00.000-04:00

Have you found any reading challenges for 2112? If not head over to A Novel Challenge to check them all out.

2012 Support Your Local Library Challenge

Challenge goes from January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Levels:

Level 1 - Read 12 library books
Level 2 - Read 24 library books
Level 3 - Read 36 library books
Level 4 - Read 37+ library books

Since 99% of my books come from my library I thought this would be a good reading challenge to join. I'm going for Level 4.

REVIEW - JANE WAS HERE

2011-10-31T11:17:00.000-04:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(165/200)

"Jane Was Here" by Sarah Kernochan
Product Description(Amazon.com)
A mysterious young woman called Jane appears in a small New England town. She claims a fragmentary memory of growing up in this place, yet she has never been here before in her life. Searching for an explanation, she arrives at the unthinkable: that she is somehow connected to a beautiful girl who disappeared from the town in 1853. Is she recalling a past life? Jane becomes convinced of it. As she presses onward to find out what happened in this town over 150 years ago, strange and alarming things begin happening to some of the town's inhabitants. A thunderhead of karmic justice gathers over the village as Jane's memories reawaken piece by piece. They carry her back in time to a long-buried secret, while the townspeople hurtle forward to a horrific event when past and present fatally collide.
Hardcover: 330 pages
Publisher: Grey Swan Press (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0980037727
ISBN-13: 978-0980037722

MY THOUGHTS: Jane, a woman lost in the past who must find herself before she is lost once again in the present. Jane wanders into a town where she's never been. Finds a house that she's never lived in. Brett is immediately taken with her. A private investigator shows up, claiming the girl's name is Caroline. Is she crazy, or is she a reincarnation? Very suspenseful book, full of mystery. Does Jane find out who she is? Does Brett stay in her life? You'll have to read the book to find out.

RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-10-30T10:54:00.000-04:00

I have found another reading challenge I'm joining. You can find lots more 2012 reading challenges over at A Novel Challenge.

"Bucket List" Reading Challenge being hosted by Jamie over at The Eclectic Bookshelf.

Rules
1. Challenge starts on January 1, 2012 and goes until December 31, 2012.
2. You don't need a blog to participate.
3. Create a "sign up" post and link to the linky below.
4. There are 4 levels to this challenge....

a. The Mini Cooper level - 4 "bucket" list books
b. The Mid-sized Sedan level - 8 "bucket" list books
c. The Pick Up level - 12 "bucket" list books
d. The Semi level - 13 or more "bucket" list books

NOTE: I am adding a stipulation to this challenge. If you originally decided to start small with the Mini Cooper level and decide to upgrade that is fine. But once you decide to go big you can NOT downgrade.

5. Each month a review link will be posted. Please feel free to link up your reviews where ever you happen to post them...your blog, goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

My List of Books
The "semi" Level-13 or more
1.Fire by Night - Lynn Austin
2.Talking to the Dead - Bonnie Grove
3.Dead Man Docking - Mary Daheim
4.Travels with Carley - John Steinbeck
5.City of the Dead - T. L. Higley
6.The Beekeepers Apprentice - Laurie R. King
7.The God of Small Things - Roy Arandhati
8.The English Patient - Michael Ondaatje
9.Snowflower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See
10.The Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman
11.Of Human Bondage - Willam Somerset Maugham
12.Cry, The Beloved Country - Alan Paton
13.Drowning Ruth - Christina Schwarz

REVIEW - KALEIDOSCOPE EYES

2011-10-30T10:32:00.000-04:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(164/200)
50 States Challenge(New Jersey)

"Kaleidoscope Eyes" by Jen Bryant
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION(Amazon.com)
When Lyza helps her dad clean out her late grandfather’s house, a mysterious surprise brightens the sad task. In Gramps’s dusty attic, Lyza discovers three maps, carefully folded and stacked, bound by a single rubber band. On top, an envelope says “For Lyza ONLY.” What could this possibly be? It takes the help of her two best friends, Malcolm and Carolann, to figure out that the maps reveal three possible spots in their own New Jersey town where Captain Kidd (the Captain Kidd, seventeenth-century pirate) may have buried a treasure. Can three thirteen-year-olds actually conduct a secret treasure hunt? And what will they find?
Reading level: Ages 9 and up
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (May 12, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375840486
ASIN: B005K6671U

MY THOUGHTS: This book is all about buried treasure. As in Pirate Treasure. Lyza's grandfather passes away, leaving an envelope only for her. The information in the envelope leads her and her friends on the hunt for a buried treasure. This is the treasure of Captain Kid who is buried near her home. A great book. Does Lyza find the treasure? And what is the treasure they find? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

2012 READING CHALLENGES

2011-10-29T10:58:00.000-04:00

Looking for new reading challenges for 2012? Head over to A Novel Challenge. There are 13 reading challenges there now. But I'm sure there will be more. Haven't had a chance to check them all out, but have found 2 that I want to do.

The Outlander Reading Challenge
being hosted over at Literary Escapism

New Author Challenge
being hosted over at Literary Escapism

REVIEW - COYOTE AUTUMN

2011-10-29T09:33:00.000-04:00

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(163/200)
50 States Challenge(Oklahoma)

"Coyote Autumn" by Bill Wallace
(from inside flap)
After living in Chicago apartments his whole life, Brad loves his new home in rural Oklahoma. He's even got an instant best friend: Nolan, his neighbor at the next farm. And now that his family has a house with a yard, he's sure his parents will finally let him get a dog. But all his dad keeps saying is "We'll see."
Then Brad discovers an orphaned coyote pup and decides that this is the dog he wants. Soon he is secretly taking care of the wild animal, feeding it, training it, and playing with it in the old dog pen behind his house. He figures he'll tell his parents about Scooter once he's tame. But can Scooter ever be tames? Can a wild animal ever be a pet?
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Aladdin (September 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743428366
ISBN-13: 978-0743428361

MY THOUGHTS: This book is all about Brad and the wild Coyote's that roam the fields where he lives. One day, while he's fishing at the Pond with his best friend Nolan, they stumbles across a baby coyote. Knowing that the little pup will die if he doesn't help it, Brad takes the coyote - who he's named Scooter - home. Brad and Nolan shelter the pup and take care of him. They keep him a secret from his parents. They feed him, play with him and keep him inside the old dog pen behind
the barn. But one day the whole thing comes apart. Will Brad be able to keep the pup? Does he get a dog from his parents? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

FINISHED FOR FRIDAY

2011-10-28T10:33:00.000-04:00

I've finally finished my green stripe ripple afghan. I started this last winter, but had to put it away during the summer. Way to hot to have an afghan laying on my lap. Got it out a few weeks ago when it started getting cool. I finished it this week. Now on to the granny square blanket.

This is also the reason why I haven't been reading as much. I still have three books to finish. They are almost done, just a few more pages. Then my reviews will be posted. Now that I've gotten this afghan done hopefully I can get back to reading. Did you finish something today? Head over to Lit and Laundry to check out all the finished items.

READING CHALLENGES

2011-10-27T10:20:00.000-04:00

It's almost the end of the month. That means November is coming up fast. And that only leaves 2 months to finish up reading challenges. I've got a few that I'm not going to finish and some that are almost done. So I'm going to make a cut on the ones that aren't moving along. The ones that are going are....

Gothic Reading Challenge - read 12 books, I've gotten 6 done.
Romantic Suspense Challenge - read 12 books, I've gotten 7 done.
YA Historical Fiction Challenge - read 16 books, I've gotten 6 done.
The Pulitzer 1's Challenge - read 10 books, I've gotten 1 done.
Follow the Blurb Challenge - read 10 books, I've gotten 1 done.

If your keeping count, that's 39 books to read in 2 months. I'll never be able to do that in 2 months. So I'm going to work on the ones I'm close to finishing. These are the ones I'll be working on.....

Outdo Yourself Challenge - 38 more books.
Just For Fun Challenge - 2 more books.
War Through The Generations Challenge - 3 more books.
The 50 States Challenge - 6 more books.
52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge - 8 more books.

That's 57 books and they can cross over to each other. So I can get 2 or 3 challenges done with 1 book. How are your reading challenges going?

REVIEW - THE YEAR MONEY GREW ON TREES

2011-10-26T10:44:00.000-04:00

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(162/200)
50 States Challenge(New Mexico)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.43)

"The Year Money Grew On Trees" by Aaron Hawkins
Product Description(Amazon.com)
With frostbitten fingers, sleepless nights and sore muscles, 14-year-old Jackson Jones and his posse of cousins discover the lost art of winging it when they take over an orchard of 300 wild apple trees. They know nothing about pruning or irrigation or pest control, but figure it out they must—if they are to avoid losing $8,000 (because of an unfair contract).
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Sandpiper; None edition (November 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547577168
ISBN-13: 978-0547577166

MY THOUGHTS: This is a story about a 14 year old boy who is given the opportunity to come into ownership of an apple orchard. The catch? He has to make $8000 from it the first year... and he doesn't have anyone to help! Jackson takes the challenge only because he doesn't want to work in a salvage yard for the summer. Jackson soon encourages his cousins and sisters to help. None of them know a thing about Apple trees, but they are learning. There is a lot of togetherness of family in this book. They all have to give and take to get the apple trees to produce. Wonderful book and I enjoyed reading all about Jackson's adventure. Where does the money on trees come from? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5

NEEDLEWORK TUESDAY

2011-10-25T11:42:00.000-04:00

I've started a new project. I'm making a crochet Granny Square blanket. I've gotten 2 rows done and joined. And I've gotten 7 more squares in the wings for the next row. Haven't decided how big to make this. So I'm just adding granny squares as I go until I decide how big I want it. I'm using odds and ends yarn for this project.

Want to see more needlework, head over to Heather's place, Books and Quilts.

IT'S MONDAY, WHAT ARE YOU READING?

2011-10-24T09:39:00.000-04:00

Sheila over at Book Journey is the host for It's Monday, What Are You Reading? So what have you been reading? Head over to Sheila's place to check out what everyone's reading. You might find your next book there.

I've been busy working on a couple of afghans. With the cooler temps I get the urge to crochet something warm and cozy. My ripple afgahan is almost done. I've been crocheting like crazy to get it done. You'll see it tomorrow for Needlework Tuesday.

As for reading, I only got 3 books done this week. Blame it on the weather or the crocheting, but that's all I managed this week. These are linked to my reviews if you want to take a peek.

The Misfit - Nancy Rue
Kiss Her, Kill Her - Lisa Dewar
Every Secret Thing - Laura Lippman

What I'm planning on reading this week. I'm trying to finish up.....

The Year Money Grew on Trees - Aaron Hawkins

and start......

Coyote Autumn - Bill Wallace
Kaleidoscope Eyes - Jen Bryant

REVIEW - EVERY SECRET THING

2011-10-23T11:00:00.000-04:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(161/200)

"Every Secret Thing" by Laura Lippman
Product Description(Amazon.com)
Two little girls banished from a neighborhood birthday party find an abandoned stroller with an infant inside on an unfamiliar Baltimore street. What happens next is shocking and terrible, causing the irreparable devastation of three separate families.
Seven years later, Alice Manning and Ronnie Fuller, now eighteen, are released from “kid prison” to begin their lives over again. But the secrets swirling around the original crime continue to haunt the parents, the lawyers, the police, and all the adults in Alice and Ronnie’s lives. And now another child has disappeared, under freakishly similar circumstances.
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (August 16, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006207489X
ISBN-13: 978-0062074898

MY THOUGHTS: The story is narrated from multiple viewpoints. Ronnie and Alice, who are teenagers now. The story gives you information on what happened 7 years ago and into the present. Which girl is really the killer? Who is to blame for the second child disappearing? The girls or the system? I really liked the way the author set this up. Coming from the perspective of all involved it makes a lot more sense.

MY RATING: 5

REVIEW - KISS HER, KILL HER

2011-10-22T13:00:00.000-04:00

This book is for 1 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(160/200)

"Kiss Her, Kill Her" by Lisa Dewar
Product Description(Amazon.com)
THE PREDATOR New York City has a monster on the loose and his name is Tarryn Cooper Love. No one had given a second glance to the handsome taxi driver, but in reality he had been molded to be a killer since early childhood. His mother, who valued a juicy murder above all else, had taught him well. Just one more trophy and he is set to reach his goal, surpassing his mother's idol, the infamous Ted Bundy. THE PREY When a beautiful young woman gets into his cab flashing a wad of cash, he thinks he's hit the jackpot. As she starts confessing her plans for ending her own life he decides to listen to her story, hoping to charm her back from the brink of death, to heighten his game. What he discovers is a twisted tale that has taken her from the hardened streets of LA to the upper crust of New York...a story that might even rival his own. Tarryn has to decide within the space of 24 hours, if he should kill her or save her - and perhaps save himself in the process.
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: iUniverse.com (September 23, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1450259987
ISBN-13: 978-1450259989

MY THOUGHTS: This was a fast book to read, keeping me right on the edge of my seat to the end. It's all about Tarryn Cooper Love, the serial killer and Carmen, who wants to die. Tarryn's hero is Ted Bumdy, he wants to kill more women than Bundy did. Carmen wants out of an abusive marriage, she wants to die, which shakes Tarryn up so he decides to help Carmen want to live before he kills her. This creates an odd codependent relationship. Can't tell too much, don't want to give the ending away. Really great book, enjoyed reading this one.

MY RATING: 5

[This is a free review book and my own opinion.]

THE FRIDAY 56

2011-10-21T10:35:00.000-04:00

Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url.

It's that simple.

The Year Money Grew on Trees - Aaron Hawkins

P. 56
He was very interested in the money and how much of it could make and kept repeating, "Well, I don't think you can do it without me".

(The main character is trying to talk his cousin into working for him in an apple orchard. If he gets all the apples sold he gets to keep the orchard. Keeping in mind this is a 14 year old boy and there are over 300 apple trees.)

WWW WEDNESDAY

2011-10-19T10:24:00.001-04:00

MizB over at Should Be Reading is the host for WWW Wednesday. Want to join in? Just hop over and check out what everyone is reading, you could find your next book.

What are you currently reading?

My book clubs choice for this month is Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman. Pretty interesting so far.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Misfit by Nancy Rue. Set before the Civil War, the boy in the book just wants to have some adventures and make some new friends. But his parents are Abolitionists. They are spending some time with his Uncle in South Carolina and the slavery is a big problem with his parents. My review is here.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron Hawkins

REVIEW - THE MISFIT

2011-10-18T23:01:00.000-04:00

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.
Outdo Yourself Challenge(159/200)
The 50 States Challenge(South Carolina)
52 Books in 52 Weeks(Wk.42)

"The Misfit" by Nancy Rue
Product Description(Amazon.com)
With the crusade to abolish slavery nearing its peak, 11-year-old Austin Hutchinson (Great-grandson of Thomas Hutchinson) goes to Charleston to live with relatives. He is eager to make friends with his cousins (even though they're girls!) and experience the adventures he's dreamed of. But when Kady, Polly, and Charlotte take little interest in him, and Henry-James, the slave boy, won't trust him, Austin is convinced that he doesn't fit in after all. And if that isn't enough, Jefferson, his bratty younger brother, is spoiling everything! Then Austin hears an incredible story about Jesus, Who is the best friend anyone could ever have. Can He help Austin find his place and a friend? Or will Jefferson ruin these plans, too?
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (October 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1561795607
ISBN-13: 978-1561795604

MY THOUGHTS: I loved reading the story of Austin Hutchinson, an 11-year-old boy, who has spent his life traveling with his abolitionist parents. But his mother has taken ill and needs some help. So they all go to Charleston, South Carolina to stay with his mother's brother. Austin just wants to make some new friends and have some fun. Austin's father almost ruins their chance for staying there. His father gets in an argument with his uncle about slavery. But things are fixed up and they get to stay. Austin even gets to drive a carriage. Does Austin get to have adventures and make new friends? You'll have to read the book to find out.

MY RATING: 5