ceremony in death

Title: Ceremony in Death

Author: J.D. Robb

Date Finished: July 19, 2009

Personal Book Count: 48 out of 100

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Genre/ Subject: romantic suspense

First Line: Death surrounded her.

Summary: from the book-

“Conducting a top secret investigation into the death of a fellow police officer has Lieutenant Eve Dallas treading on dangerous ground. She must put professional ethics before personal loyalties. But when a dead body is placed outside her home, Eve takes the warning personally. With her husband, Roarke, watching her every move, Eve is drawn into the most dangerous case of her career. Every step she takes makes her question her own sense of right and wrong - and brings her closer to a confrontation with humanity's most seductive form of evil...”

Why did I pick this book? : 5th in the series.

Review: This one is not a mystery. Robb tells us who the bad guy is from the beginning. Did this take any of the enjoyment away for me? Not at all. In fact, it was kind of interesting to see it from the other side, and see how she works through it to catch the right bad guy. And there was enough of the suspense that I didn’t miss it as much as I thought I might.

I like the futuristic setting. It amuses me when we come across things like hover cars, food that cooks itself, or robotic animals. Maybe I haven’t read enough/ come across enough of this genre, but I think it mixes well.

I think I’ve said before I like a strong, independent, SENSIBLE character like Dallas, Lieutenant Eve (That is how she always identifies herself, so that is how I have come to think of her). I like that she is so opposite of Roarke, and yet they seem to make it work, and work well. I was really leery when they married them so early in the series, but it seems to work well, from what I have read so far. Only time will tell if Robb can keep the relationship from going stale. And then there is Roarke. Can we ever get too much of him? And he sure had his share of exposure in this one. My one complaint about these books, is some of the lesser characters can become… well, more like something you would expect to see in a comic book, or in a cartoon. Maybe even a cheesy old superhero movie. But I think even that can add something to the setting.

All, in all, I like them, and I will be continuing the series, at least until something changes dramatically. =D

Agree? Disagree? Recommendations? Any insights, suggestions, or comments on the book or format, or blog at all are most welcome. If you have read this and/ or review it yourself, please let me know. Can you think of any books like this? Give me a recommendation! =D

Bridal Jitters

Title: Bridal Jitters

Author: Jayne Castle

Date Finished: July 12, 2009

Personal Book Count: 47 out of 100

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Genre/ Subject: romance/ paranormal

First Line: “So, is it true what they say about Ghost-hunters?” Adeline Delmore leaned close and lowered her voice as she helped herself to another orange-frosted cookie.

Summary: taken from the website-

“Virginia Burch, a psychic archaeologist, can't believe her luck when she meets Sam Gage, a ghost-hunter and owner of prime real estate in the Old Quarter of Cadence, above the Dead City. He offers her his space to live and start up her business. What follows is an even more intriguing proposal--to become his wife. Strictly for professional reasons, of course...

Their marriage of convenience would lead to a very lucrative business partnership, Gage & Burch Consulting. Until something throws a wrench into the plan: the undeniably sensual energy that exists between them--and a love so strong it could wake the ghosts below...”

Why did I pick this book? : I read another book in the series; I think it was about the fifth. I thought I should go back and start from the beginning.

Review: This one was more of a novella, just over 100 pages I think. In fact, I had trouble finding the book on its own, and had to track it down as part of another book with another story of Castles. I liked it, because it was suspenseful and romantic, all the things you would expect, but it also covered a lot of background, and explained a lot of stuff for such a tiny book. And I’m sure a lot of it was covered in the last one I read, but the refresher was nice. I do wish I had read this one first, instead of starting at the middle, but it was worth going back for it. Definitely looking forward to reading more about this world castle has created. =D

Agree? Disagree? Recommendations? Any insights, suggestions, or comments on the book or format, or blog at all are most welcome. If you have read this and/ or review it yourself, please let me know. Can you think of any books like this? Give me a recommendation! =D

Themed Reading Challenge WrapUp

I finished a challenge. It was Themed Reading Challenge (links to original post) hosted by caribousmom (links to challenge).

The 5 books I read are:

1. Tough Cookie- Diane Mott Davidson
2. Chocolate Bridal Bash- Joanna Carl
3. A Vision of Murder- Victoria Laurie
4. The Writing Class- Jincy Willett
5. Finger Lickin' Fifteen- Janet Evanovich

I had a good time with this one. It was nice to get back to some authors I enjoy, and maybe haven’t read for a while, and even got a new one in there. I think this challenge was good to remind me to take a break from the ‘must-reads’ and return to something I enjoy. It’s always good to make time for old favorites. Thanks for hosting Caribousmom! =D

A Vision of Murder

Title: A Vision of Murder

Author: Victoria Laurie

Date Finished: July 6, 2009.

Personal Book Count: 46 out of 100

Rating: 4 out of 5

Genre/ Subject: mystery

First Line: I consider myself a professional; a psychic intuitive who is proud of how she makes a living; confident that the skills and abilities I innately possess give me a unique advantage to deal with just about any quirky, strange, bizarre or unusualsituation that may crop up in my line of work.

Summary: from the back cover-

“When Abby gets roped into investing in a fixer-upper, she has no idea she’ll go from real estate mogul to real-life ghostbuster. After the deal is closed, phantom inhabitants of the house replay a violent night from long ago that ended in the murder of a beautiful blonde. The only way to evict the house’s spectral tenants—and save Abby’s handyman from flying drills—is to uncover the dead woman’s identity and solve her murder.

Aided by her boyfriend, sexy FBI agent Dutch Rivers, Abby discovers the key to the puzzle is hidden treasure lost since World War II. Unfortunately, Abby’s not the only one intent on finding it. As she gets closer to the truth, a madman shadows her every move. Now a race is on find the treasure and solve the mystery—and only the winner will survive….”

Why did I pick this book? : Part of a series I like

Review: Sometimes it’s fun to read an old comfort read, by an author you really like. This book fell into that category. I will say, this is not the one to start the series with, as I felt that a lot was left unexplained. As usual, I really liked Abby’s character in this one, although, she did have her flighty-dip moments. (Let’s go to the haunted house by ourselves, even though we know there is a murderer out there). Dutch’s character really bothered me this time. I felt he was overprotective to the point to being possessive. If it were my car keys he took, I think I would have left too, only I wouldn’t have come back. It was nice to see a bit more of Cat and Dave this book, and I am always entertained by Milo. I’m glad I took a break to read this one. Not only was it what I needed, it fit quite nicely into a few of my reading challenges. Back to my ‘must read list’ for a while. Can’t wait until I get another break to read the next one.

Agree? Disagree? Recommendations? Any insights, suggestions, or comments on the book or format, or blog at all are most welcome. If you have read this and/ or review it yourself, please let me know. Can you think of any books like this? Give me a recommendation! =D

New Author Challenge 2009

I finished a challenge. It was New Author Challenge 2009 (links to original post) hosted by Jackie at Literary Escapism (links to challenge).

The 25 books I read are:

1. P.S. I Love You- Cecelia Ahern
2. The Alchemist- Pauto Coelho
3. Thirteen Reasons Why- Jay Asher
4. The Chocolate War- Robert Cormier
5. The Last Chance Cafe- Linda Lael Miller
6. Portobello- Ruth Rendell
7. Twilight- Stephanie Meyer
8. Wake- Lisa McMann
9. Lost and Found- Carolyn Parkhurst
10. For Money and Love- Todd Strasser
11. Sister Wife- Shelley Hrdlitschka
12. Talk Me Down- Victoria Dahl
13. The Writing Class- Jincy Willett
14. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks- E. Lockhart
15. Nothing But Trouble- Susan May Warren
16. Vampire Academy- Richelle Mead
17. How Sweet It Is- Alice J. Wisler
18. Never Tell a Lie- Hallie Ephron
19. Read My Lips- Teri Brown
20. Wicked Lovely- Melissa Marr
21. sTori Telling- Tori Spelling
22. The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins
23. Hot Blooded- Lisa Jackson
24. The Widows Of Eastwick- John Updike
25. Names My Sisters Call Me- Megan Crane


I never realized I read so many books by new (to me) authors. I guess I have always thought for myself as a series reader. Or at least one that tends to stick to authors I know and like. Some of these will probably just be singles, and some are authors that I will be seeking out more books. None the less, I think most of these new authors I enjoyed. I definitely will be making an effort to read more new authors in the future. Thanks for hosting Jackie. =D

Finger Lickin' Fifteen

Title: Finger Lickin’ Fifteen

Author: Janet Evanovich

Date Finished: July 5, 2009

Personal Book Count: 45 out of 100

Rating: 4 out of 5

Genre/ Subject: mystery

First Line: When I was a kid, I was afraid of spiders and vegetables.

Summary: From the jacket-

“Unbuckle your belt and pull up a chair. It's the spiciest, sauciest, most rib-sticking Plum yet.
Recipe for disaster:
Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle comes to Trenton to participate in a barbecue cook-off and loses his head --literally.
Throw in some spice:
Bail bonds office worker Lula is witness to the crime, and the only one she’ll talk to is Trenton cop, Joe Morelli.
Pump up the heat:
Chipotle’s sponsor is offering a million dollar reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the killers.
Stir the pot:
Lula recruits bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to help her find the killers and collect the moolah.
Add a secret ingredient:
Stephanie Plum’s Grandma Mazur. Enough said.
Bring to a boil:
Stephanie Plum is working overtime tracking felons for the bonds office at night and snooping for security expert Carlos Manoso, A.K.A. Ranger, during the day. Can Stephanie hunt down two killers, a traitor, five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, solve Ranger’s problems and not jump his bones?
Warning:
Habanero hot. So good you’ll want seconds.”

Why did I pick this book? : It is the next book in the Stephanie Plum series.

Review: I’ve seen good and bad reviews for this one, but I have to say, I liked it. This on had Lots of story lines to follow. At a few times we would return to a story line, that I had forgotten existed. Pretty typical Stephanie Plum stuff. Destroyed cars. Sexual tension. Danger. Many of our favorite characters. Lula, Grandma Mazur. Rex. And of course Morelli and Ranger. I had read somewhere that it was all clichés. (spelled right blair?) yes and no. On one hand, Evanovich does tend to find something that works for her characters, and run with it. Sometimes to the point when I felt beat over the head with it. (yes, I get that Stephanie keeps her unloaded gun it her cookie jar, and that she likes peanut butter and olive sandwiches). On the other hand, I think I would be disappointed and miss some of these things if they weren’t in there. I have come to expect blowing up cars, Ranger tracking her person and cars and coming in to save the day and Morelli showing up on scene, to help, but usually just in time to laugh at whatever Stephanie has gotten herself into this time. It’s almost comic relief, and oddly comforting. This book was mostly Ranger (LOTS of Ranger) and enough Morelli to keep a girl satisfied (if there is any such thing…) I don’t think I would recommend this book if it is your first. I think it’s not her best, and you would miss out on a lot. On the other hand, it is recommended if you have read the others. What do you mean I have to wait another year for the next one? ;)


Agree? Disagree? Recommendations? Any insights, suggestions, or comments on the book or format, or blog at all are most welcome. If you have read this and/ or review it yourself, please let me know. Can you think of any books like this? Give me a recommendation! =D

June Wrap-Up

It’s time for the June wrap-up. I got 4 read this month. (As opposed to 5 in May. Hopefully my numbers in July will go up rather then down). And 1 challenge. Still not great, but I have at least 5 that I HAVE to read this month, so that should help kick me in the butt.

Anyhow, the summary for June is:

Books read-

Die For You- Lisa Unger 4/5

sTori Telling- Tori Spelling 3.5/5

The Hunger Games- Suzanne Collins 2.5/5

The Chocolate Bridal Bash- JoAnna Carl 4/5

If you are interested in seeing my thoughts or reviews on any of these books, please click on the link on the left side bar. =D

Challenges Complete-

New Author Challenge 2009 (no links, I haven’t blogged the wrap up yet, should be done in a couple days...(Why is it always challenge wrap-ups that fall behind?))

Percent on track-

6/12ths of the year done (50%)
44/100 books read (44%)
Oops! a little behind still, but I still have high hopes of catching up…

Goal for next month-

Slowly picking off challenges, one at a time. Nice to see progress, even if it’s slow. Yet to start my pile of RedDress Books I set aside, but that too will come. Still working on the lingering sidebar books (anyone else run in to this problem?), but I probably won’t make much of a dent this month, as July already seems to be heavy with “must-read” books.

I guess my goals for this month, are to get through the must-reads, finish the Themed Reading Challenge, and maybe get myself back on track for finishing my 100 books in 2009.

What are your goals for July?