Sunday, June 23, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Book Reading (or Listening) Challenge 42nd and 43rd Book
42. "Werewolf in Denver" by Vicki Lewis Thompson (Audiobook)
43. "Undead and Underwater" by Mary Janice Davidson (Paperback)
43. "Undead and Underwater" by Mary Janice Davidson (Paperback)
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Book Reading (or Listening) Challenge 40th and 41st Book
40. "Dead Ever After" by Charlaine Harris (Audiobook)
41. "Inferno" by Dan Brown (Hardback)
I must say here that I really enjoyed these books, in spite of all the truly negative comments made by people who have read them before I did. It's comparable to all the bad reviews that Janet Evanovich has been getting on the most recent Stephanie Plum books! Come on people! Janet has a formula for her writing and I LOVE IT! The Stephanie Plum books are mind candy. One reads them for the shear joy of reading funny stories about a "Jersey Girl". I am also amazed at all the vitriol written in some of the reviews I have read for Charlaine's Sookie Stackhouse! I don't watch "True Blood" (I don't watch much television at all) so I cannot get on board with all the folks who watch the show, but there is one thing I do know...I wasn't very happy when Eric and Sookie became a couple. Apparently, there are so many people upset with Charlaine for the way she treated their break-up. All I can say is "whatever" Then we come to Dan Brown; to be honest, I have been seeing more bad reviews for "The Lost Symbol" than for "Inferno", but then again, "Inferno" was released recently. Again, I like the way Dan Brown writes. His short chapters, non-stop action and all the history and art and symbolism are what attracts me to his writing. I have enjoyed all his books, some more than others, but as in the case of Janet Evanovich and Charlaine Harris, I will continue to buy their books and I am pretty sure I will enjoy each one.
41. "Inferno" by Dan Brown (Hardback)
I must say here that I really enjoyed these books, in spite of all the truly negative comments made by people who have read them before I did. It's comparable to all the bad reviews that Janet Evanovich has been getting on the most recent Stephanie Plum books! Come on people! Janet has a formula for her writing and I LOVE IT! The Stephanie Plum books are mind candy. One reads them for the shear joy of reading funny stories about a "Jersey Girl". I am also amazed at all the vitriol written in some of the reviews I have read for Charlaine's Sookie Stackhouse! I don't watch "True Blood" (I don't watch much television at all) so I cannot get on board with all the folks who watch the show, but there is one thing I do know...I wasn't very happy when Eric and Sookie became a couple. Apparently, there are so many people upset with Charlaine for the way she treated their break-up. All I can say is "whatever" Then we come to Dan Brown; to be honest, I have been seeing more bad reviews for "The Lost Symbol" than for "Inferno", but then again, "Inferno" was released recently. Again, I like the way Dan Brown writes. His short chapters, non-stop action and all the history and art and symbolism are what attracts me to his writing. I have enjoyed all his books, some more than others, but as in the case of Janet Evanovich and Charlaine Harris, I will continue to buy their books and I am pretty sure I will enjoy each one.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Book Reading (or Listening) Challenge 28th - 39th Book
28. "A Witch Before Dying" by Heather Blake (Paperback)
29. "Cat Tricks" by Sophie Kelly (Paperback)
30. "Peril in Paperback" by Kate Carlisle (Paperback)
31. "The Cat, The Wife and The Weapon" by Leann Sweeny (Paperback)
32. "A Letter of Mary" by :aurie R. King (Audiobook)
33. "Deadlocked" by Charlaine Harris (Audiobook)
34. "Veiled Revenge" by Ellen Byerrum (Paperback)
35. "Haunted Moon" by Yasmine Galenorn (Audiobook)
36. "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riodan (Hardback)
37. "Time Thief" by Katie MacAllister (Paperback)
38. "The Moor" by Laurie R. King (Audiobook)
39. "Real Vampires Know Hips Happen" by Gerry Bartlet
29. "Cat Tricks" by Sophie Kelly (Paperback)
30. "Peril in Paperback" by Kate Carlisle (Paperback)
31. "The Cat, The Wife and The Weapon" by Leann Sweeny (Paperback)
32. "A Letter of Mary" by :aurie R. King (Audiobook)
33. "Deadlocked" by Charlaine Harris (Audiobook)
34. "Veiled Revenge" by Ellen Byerrum (Paperback)
35. "Haunted Moon" by Yasmine Galenorn (Audiobook)
36. "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riodan (Hardback)
37. "Time Thief" by Katie MacAllister (Paperback)
38. "The Moor" by Laurie R. King (Audiobook)
39. "Real Vampires Know Hips Happen" by Gerry Bartlet
Friday, April 5, 2013
Book Reading (or Listening) Challenge 23rd - 27th Book
23. "Hotel Hex" by Linda Wisdom (e-Book)
I began my reading journey down the paranormal path a few years ago. Prior to that shift in my reading tastes, you would find the novels of Mary Higgins-Clark or John Grisham or Marcia Mueller on my "read" or "reading" or "to read" list. You'd be hard-pressed to find any of those authors on my recent bookshelf. It seems that with few exceptions, the books I choose to read now are about witches or vampires or werewolves or a combination of the three. Just look at the list of books I've read for this challenge so far! But...I digress...Linda Wisdom's "Hex" series is about a group of witches who "screwed up" in witch school and are living out their punishment over the years...hundreds of years. The story behind "Hotel Hex" centers around Jazz Tremaine, her vampire boyfriend and her "pets"; a pair of fuzzy,teeth-bearing bunnie slippers named Fluff and Puff. Linda's books are usually light reading, but this one gets a little darker by pulling on some of the darker, more evil, black magic ~ so I would pick up her earlier books (in paperback form) and start with "50 Ways to Hex Your Lover" first and get to know all the witches and their magical specialties.
24. "Werewolf in Seattle" by Vicki Lewis Thompson (Audio Book)
This series began with "Werewolf in Manhattan" and is a fun, romantic series in which the love interests are undeniably attracted to each other from the start, but something always gets in the way. In the first book, the werewolf falls in love with a human - in the second, the brother of the werewolf in book number one (who is dead-set against human-were coupling even though his brother paved the way) also falls in love with a human. In the third book (Seattle) the werewolf falls for a female werewolf, but she is a half-breed: were father and human mother, which is unacceptable to most packs. It has the twists and turns of a steamy romance novel, including the descriptive sex scenes, but it and the others in the series are fun reads. The thread that ties them all together are the characters and the families or packs. In every book, there is some mention of the main characters from other books. Either from previous books, or future books not yet written. Personally, I like when that happens.
25."Elvis and the Blue Christmas Murder" by Peggy Webb (Hardcover)
This series is what my friend Kathe would call "mind candy". The titles are fun, the characters quirky and the pets tell part of the story. This is the fifth book in the "Southern Cousins" series. The series home is in Tupelo Mississippi (although some stories are set in other venues depending on the book). There is lots of southern cooking (and recipes), romance, hi jinks and hilarity and a basset hound named "Elvis" who is "The King" reincarnated as a dog. Elvis communicates with his human family by howling out some of Elvis Presley's most famous and favorite songs and ballads. If you love southern hospitality and and Elvis Presley, you will be in hog heaven with a peanut butter and banana sandwich.
26. "Bewitched, Bothered and Biscotti" by Bailey Cates (Paperback)
This is the second book in the "Magical Bakery" Mystery series. As the title suggests, this is a novel in which the main characters are witches. They call their coven "The Spellbook Club". Most of the non-magical people in their lives know that they practice the craft, but no one else in Savannah, Georgia knows what really goes on at the bakery. Theses ladies practice all types of magic, but use their "hedgewitchery" skills while baking the goodies for the Honeybee Bakery.
We are drawn into the world of Katie Lightfoot, a novice yet powerful witch. The stories center more around Katie's coming of age in witchcraft, but the characters and story lines are so well-drawn and woven together. Again, there is a little romance and a love triangle, but just as we'll see how Katie's magical training fairs, so we will follow her love-life.
27. "Shadow Rising" by Yasmin Galenorn (Audio Book)
This is the 12th book in the "Otherworld" series. If you have been following my book journey through this blog, you will no doubt know of my fascination/love of this series and the author Yasmin Galenorn.
In this work, the vampire sister, Menolley is our main character and we watch as she matures and grows, just as her sisters do, through the trials and tribulations of defending both Earth and Otherword against Shadow Wing and his army of demons and destroyers. LOVE!
I began my reading journey down the paranormal path a few years ago. Prior to that shift in my reading tastes, you would find the novels of Mary Higgins-Clark or John Grisham or Marcia Mueller on my "read" or "reading" or "to read" list. You'd be hard-pressed to find any of those authors on my recent bookshelf. It seems that with few exceptions, the books I choose to read now are about witches or vampires or werewolves or a combination of the three. Just look at the list of books I've read for this challenge so far! But...I digress...Linda Wisdom's "Hex" series is about a group of witches who "screwed up" in witch school and are living out their punishment over the years...hundreds of years. The story behind "Hotel Hex" centers around Jazz Tremaine, her vampire boyfriend and her "pets"; a pair of fuzzy,teeth-bearing bunnie slippers named Fluff and Puff. Linda's books are usually light reading, but this one gets a little darker by pulling on some of the darker, more evil, black magic ~ so I would pick up her earlier books (in paperback form) and start with "50 Ways to Hex Your Lover" first and get to know all the witches and their magical specialties.
24. "Werewolf in Seattle" by Vicki Lewis Thompson (Audio Book)
This series began with "Werewolf in Manhattan" and is a fun, romantic series in which the love interests are undeniably attracted to each other from the start, but something always gets in the way. In the first book, the werewolf falls in love with a human - in the second, the brother of the werewolf in book number one (who is dead-set against human-were coupling even though his brother paved the way) also falls in love with a human. In the third book (Seattle) the werewolf falls for a female werewolf, but she is a half-breed: were father and human mother, which is unacceptable to most packs. It has the twists and turns of a steamy romance novel, including the descriptive sex scenes, but it and the others in the series are fun reads. The thread that ties them all together are the characters and the families or packs. In every book, there is some mention of the main characters from other books. Either from previous books, or future books not yet written. Personally, I like when that happens.
25."Elvis and the Blue Christmas Murder" by Peggy Webb (Hardcover)
This series is what my friend Kathe would call "mind candy". The titles are fun, the characters quirky and the pets tell part of the story. This is the fifth book in the "Southern Cousins" series. The series home is in Tupelo Mississippi (although some stories are set in other venues depending on the book). There is lots of southern cooking (and recipes), romance, hi jinks and hilarity and a basset hound named "Elvis" who is "The King" reincarnated as a dog. Elvis communicates with his human family by howling out some of Elvis Presley's most famous and favorite songs and ballads. If you love southern hospitality and and Elvis Presley, you will be in hog heaven with a peanut butter and banana sandwich.
26. "Bewitched, Bothered and Biscotti" by Bailey Cates (Paperback)
This is the second book in the "Magical Bakery" Mystery series. As the title suggests, this is a novel in which the main characters are witches. They call their coven "The Spellbook Club". Most of the non-magical people in their lives know that they practice the craft, but no one else in Savannah, Georgia knows what really goes on at the bakery. Theses ladies practice all types of magic, but use their "hedgewitchery" skills while baking the goodies for the Honeybee Bakery.
We are drawn into the world of Katie Lightfoot, a novice yet powerful witch. The stories center more around Katie's coming of age in witchcraft, but the characters and story lines are so well-drawn and woven together. Again, there is a little romance and a love triangle, but just as we'll see how Katie's magical training fairs, so we will follow her love-life.
27. "Shadow Rising" by Yasmin Galenorn (Audio Book)
This is the 12th book in the "Otherworld" series. If you have been following my book journey through this blog, you will no doubt know of my fascination/love of this series and the author Yasmin Galenorn.
In this work, the vampire sister, Menolley is our main character and we watch as she matures and grows, just as her sisters do, through the trials and tribulations of defending both Earth and Otherword against Shadow Wing and his army of demons and destroyers. LOVE!
Chameleon Washing Hands
Just taking a break from the Book Challenge to watch a cute video...
Best chameleon Video Washing Hands
Best chameleon Video Washing Hands
Monday, March 11, 2013
Book Reading (or Listening) Challenge 15th - 22nd Book
15. "What The Cat Saw" by Carolyn Hart (Hardcover)
I believe that Carolyn Hart is one of the top mystery writers of our time. It doesn't matter if you read her "Death on Demand" series or her "Henri O" series or her "Bailey Ruth" series - she will NOT disappoint. Her latest, "What The Cat Saw" is more suspense and mystery than any attempt to hop on the "talking animals" band wagon. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE those books! I've been reading them for a long time...from Lillian Jackson Braun's "KoKo" and "Yum Yum" to Carole Nelson Douglas' "Midnight Louie" to "Rudy", the yorkiepoo rescue who can "talk" to his mistress Ellie Engleman in Judi McCoy's "dog Walker" mysteries.But, the ability of Nela (the lead character in this new work) to read the thoughts of "Jugs" the cat is so strategically placed in this novel, allows the plot to flow. I will read ANYTHING written by Ms. Hart...anything.
16. "Fashion Faux Paw" by Judi McCoy (Paperback)
Once again, Ellie Engleman gets herself hip-deep in solving yet another murder, much to the chagrin of her NYPD Police Officer boyfriend, Sam. This time, the book is set during Fashion Week in NYC. A new design house is sponsoring a contest to choose the next designer to be added to their house. The deal is that each contestant design 3 outfits. The catch is that the final outfit must also have doggie couture that matches each model's canine companion. Naturally, Ellie is in charge of the models dogs during the week. Fashionistas and murder go hand in glove (if you will...). If you like dogs, haute couture and murder with a clever plot and "talking" dogs, this is the book for you!
17. "Dead Reckoning" by Charlaine Harris (Audio Book)
I am continuing along with my listening to the Sookie Stackhouse aka Southern Vampire mysteries. This doesn't mean that I'm rushing out to buy HBO's "True Blood" series DVDs, but I am enjoying this series. I love Sookie! I am finding that I am reading or listening to more and more "paranormal" stories. I guess that after confessing that I have placed over 900 books on my "read" shelf on the Goodreads site, I've been ready for a bit of a change. This was the 11th book in the series, which is ending with the publication of the 13th book in May of this year (oh boo whore!). I already have purchased and downloaded #12 "Deadlocked" from Audible.com. I am waiting to read if #13 will be released in audio format as well, or just in hardcover and e-reader....
18. "The Bookcase" by Nelson DeMille (Audio Book)
I love DeMille's character, John Cory and have listened to all of DeMille's John Cory books that have been written so far, so I could not pass up the chance to listen to this short story set back when John was still working for the NYPD and not the Feds. This was a nice change from the usual fare. Sarcastic and typically "New York", the story was everything I expect from Mr. DeMille. I have a love-hate relationship with this character, but that won't stop me from reading and listening every time he is the main character.
19. "A Touch of Dead" by Charlaine Harris (Audio Book)
This is a collection of Sookie Stackhouse short stories. A bit of fun to fill in the gaps in the Southern Vampire mysteries. Delightful. :-)
20. "Murder on the House" by Juliette Blackwell (Paperback)
Juliet Blackwell is the author of many series: the first I read were the books in the "Art Lovers" mysteries. Then I picked up the "Witchcraft" mysteries and have read all of those that have been published so far, so when I heard that she would write the "Haunted Home Renovations" mysteries, I was already on board before the first, "If Walls Could Talk" was even published.
Mel Turner is running Turner Construction for her Dad, who hasn't been able to take much of an interest in the company since Mel's mother passed away. Not only did she inherit her father's love of construction, she coupled that with her own love of restoration and recently realized that she also has her mother's ability to communicate with the departed. As the Library Journal has already stated "...theses books are cleverly plotted...Blackwell's series has plenty of ghosts and supernatural happenings to keep readers entertained." Let me tell you that THIS reader is very entertained!
21. "11th Hour" by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Hardcover)
I like some of James Patterson's work - I have read a few of his stand-alones, but if you haven't figured it out by now, I love to read or listen to a series. I never "got into" his Alex Cross books (although they are very popular) but I have read every single one from "The Women's Murder Club" series. It seems that whenever I start one of these books, I. Can. Not. Put. It. Down. These women are growing and we are following them through their lives. I enjoy how we get a glimpse of every one's life but still have our attention focused on one or two of the women at a time...and everything is woven together beautifully...seamlessly... I cannot wait for number 12...
22. "Shaded Vision" by Yasmine Galenorn (Audio Book)
The 11th book in the Otherworld series continues the story from Delilah's point of view. There is love and passion and weddings and promises as well as death and magic and mayhem and all of the other things that I have come to expect from Ms. Galenorn. She keeps writing, Cassandra Campbell keeps reading and I keep listening...
I believe that Carolyn Hart is one of the top mystery writers of our time. It doesn't matter if you read her "Death on Demand" series or her "Henri O" series or her "Bailey Ruth" series - she will NOT disappoint. Her latest, "What The Cat Saw" is more suspense and mystery than any attempt to hop on the "talking animals" band wagon. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE those books! I've been reading them for a long time...from Lillian Jackson Braun's "KoKo" and "Yum Yum" to Carole Nelson Douglas' "Midnight Louie" to "Rudy", the yorkiepoo rescue who can "talk" to his mistress Ellie Engleman in Judi McCoy's "dog Walker" mysteries.But, the ability of Nela (the lead character in this new work) to read the thoughts of "Jugs" the cat is so strategically placed in this novel, allows the plot to flow. I will read ANYTHING written by Ms. Hart...anything.
16. "Fashion Faux Paw" by Judi McCoy (Paperback)
Once again, Ellie Engleman gets herself hip-deep in solving yet another murder, much to the chagrin of her NYPD Police Officer boyfriend, Sam. This time, the book is set during Fashion Week in NYC. A new design house is sponsoring a contest to choose the next designer to be added to their house. The deal is that each contestant design 3 outfits. The catch is that the final outfit must also have doggie couture that matches each model's canine companion. Naturally, Ellie is in charge of the models dogs during the week. Fashionistas and murder go hand in glove (if you will...). If you like dogs, haute couture and murder with a clever plot and "talking" dogs, this is the book for you!
17. "Dead Reckoning" by Charlaine Harris (Audio Book)
I am continuing along with my listening to the Sookie Stackhouse aka Southern Vampire mysteries. This doesn't mean that I'm rushing out to buy HBO's "True Blood" series DVDs, but I am enjoying this series. I love Sookie! I am finding that I am reading or listening to more and more "paranormal" stories. I guess that after confessing that I have placed over 900 books on my "read" shelf on the Goodreads site, I've been ready for a bit of a change. This was the 11th book in the series, which is ending with the publication of the 13th book in May of this year (oh boo whore!). I already have purchased and downloaded #12 "Deadlocked" from Audible.com. I am waiting to read if #13 will be released in audio format as well, or just in hardcover and e-reader....
18. "The Bookcase" by Nelson DeMille (Audio Book)
I love DeMille's character, John Cory and have listened to all of DeMille's John Cory books that have been written so far, so I could not pass up the chance to listen to this short story set back when John was still working for the NYPD and not the Feds. This was a nice change from the usual fare. Sarcastic and typically "New York", the story was everything I expect from Mr. DeMille. I have a love-hate relationship with this character, but that won't stop me from reading and listening every time he is the main character.
19. "A Touch of Dead" by Charlaine Harris (Audio Book)
This is a collection of Sookie Stackhouse short stories. A bit of fun to fill in the gaps in the Southern Vampire mysteries. Delightful. :-)
20. "Murder on the House" by Juliette Blackwell (Paperback)
Juliet Blackwell is the author of many series: the first I read were the books in the "Art Lovers" mysteries. Then I picked up the "Witchcraft" mysteries and have read all of those that have been published so far, so when I heard that she would write the "Haunted Home Renovations" mysteries, I was already on board before the first, "If Walls Could Talk" was even published.
Mel Turner is running Turner Construction for her Dad, who hasn't been able to take much of an interest in the company since Mel's mother passed away. Not only did she inherit her father's love of construction, she coupled that with her own love of restoration and recently realized that she also has her mother's ability to communicate with the departed. As the Library Journal has already stated "...theses books are cleverly plotted...Blackwell's series has plenty of ghosts and supernatural happenings to keep readers entertained." Let me tell you that THIS reader is very entertained!
21. "11th Hour" by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro (Hardcover)
I like some of James Patterson's work - I have read a few of his stand-alones, but if you haven't figured it out by now, I love to read or listen to a series. I never "got into" his Alex Cross books (although they are very popular) but I have read every single one from "The Women's Murder Club" series. It seems that whenever I start one of these books, I. Can. Not. Put. It. Down. These women are growing and we are following them through their lives. I enjoy how we get a glimpse of every one's life but still have our attention focused on one or two of the women at a time...and everything is woven together beautifully...seamlessly... I cannot wait for number 12...
22. "Shaded Vision" by Yasmine Galenorn (Audio Book)
The 11th book in the Otherworld series continues the story from Delilah's point of view. There is love and passion and weddings and promises as well as death and magic and mayhem and all of the other things that I have come to expect from Ms. Galenorn. She keeps writing, Cassandra Campbell keeps reading and I keep listening...
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