Something More to Life

2012 Resolution

2012-01-30T16:42:00.000-05:00

What a Saturday!!!

2012-01-23T13:48:00.002-05:00

Well as I was cleaning out our bedroom, Chad and I decided (after weeks of tossing the idea around) that we were ready to purchase a new mattress. So I did some laundry and then got ready to go shopping. Kristian watched Ethan that evening so Chad and I could enjoy dinner OUT, alone... which was nice of her! We stopped by a few stores to pick up some misc. stuff and then to the mattress warehouse place. We spent an hour there. We, mostly ME hopped from bed to bed. I took my coat and shoes off so I could really get into 'finding' the right one. Chad wasn't as gun-ho as me and only took off his coat. LOL Well, we were there for about 15 min. before anyone offered to assist us. (which frustrated me b/c I wanted a new bed....) So when the salesman walked up and asked if we needed help (like everyone just waltz in and hops on the beds for the sheer enjoyments of it... with out purchasing one) so I pipe up and say. "You sure can! We are going to take a bed home today and need to figure out which one we want!" (A little over the top, maybe... lol) So, we sort of narrowed it down to two and asked for a quote on both. We tossed the idea of going to a KING, instead of the queen. We contemplated purchasing a new headboard. In the end, we decided to stick with the queen and not spend the extra with needing new rails and head/foot board. So we got the quotes and walked around and decided on one. The salesman got the paper work together and Chad and I walk over to the counter to pay. Chad pulls out his credit card and then sees the bill. He questions the guy on the price since it wasn't the quoted amount. Well the guy denies that he quoted THAT mattress at that amount. (mind you it is about a $75.00 difference) So we ALL walk over to the mattress for him to verify which mattress we were wanting (that he quoted). We only had him quote us TWO mattresses (the quotes came in with a $200 dif between them) and they were 'head to head' on the floor layout. So it wasn't hard to remember which ones they were. He punches numbers in his calculator and then insists that he didn't quote us the other amount. SO Chad asks a very reasonable question. "So which mattress was it you quoted us that price?" The guy starts looking, because he obviously remembers telling us the price... just didn't want to give it to us at this point. (which is retarded in my opinion) Another side note.... There isn't another mattress close in that price range remotely near where we were at. SO he couldn't tell us which mattress it was he quoted the original price. (Chad is now placing his credit card back in his wallet. It is at this point that I realize we will NOT be taking a bed home today.) So then Chad asks, what about this mattress, pointing to the other one he did quote us. And the guy seriously taps in a few numbers and comes back with a different quote for THAT one too. (about a $50 dif) HUMMMMM.... So Chad is upset, I am blinking back my confusion and this salesguy.... He just starred at us like, idk, like he had no clue he was going to lose this sale over $75. After several awkward moments of silence, Chad says to him in his deep, irritated voice. "Well to tell you the truth this is the first place we have looked, so I want to shop around." The guy (I just demoted him from salesmas. lol) says OK and walks off.... We trail off towards the door. I ask Chad if he is seriously going to leave over $75 and he says "yeah! The guy obviously thinks we are stupid." So I call after 'the guy' and say, "Can you seriously not give us the quoted price on that mattress?" in my very sincere voice. Chad has stopped by the door, when I had continued walking after the guy towards the counter. Chad realizes my question and says my name to get my attention and shakes his head. The guy at the counter acted like he didn't hear me and turned towards me with a 'what did you say?' questioning look on his face. I decided not to repeat myself, considering I am acting like a kid in the candy store who was told she couldn't have the piece of candy she had been holding the entire time she was there. LOL In my self pity, I do not repeat my question. I just walk to the door and we leave. WE LEAVE.... I look at Chad and ask him to explain his thoughts. So he does. The guy must have realized he had the sale and decided to up the price and thought we wouldn't notice. Then instead of owning up to the mistake, he admits he quoted us that price yet is unable to materialize the item he says he quoted. So that is just bad business and there are other places to shop here. I agreed and admitted I was just upset that we spent an hour in there and now all the other stores are closed. So we go to dinner. CrAzY!!!

Book Review: "Stalemate"

2012-01-18T14:40:00.003-05:00

STALEMATE by Iris Johansen
"Eve Duncan has turned down the job twice already. Her skill and devotion in identifying murder victims and helping bring their killers to justice may be world-renowned. But Eve works exclusively for law enforcement and the families of the innocent, and the man on the other end of the phone is many things - none of them law-abiding or innocent.

One of the world's most wanted men, little is really known about Luis Montalvo except that he is extraordinarily dangerous and that he never takes no for an answer. Now he wants Eve's help in the worst way. For he believes they have something in common - and he's about to prove it with a grisly warning.

Eve will leave everything and everyone behind, even the man she trusts and loves the most, to travel to the Colombian jungle to identify the skull he has recovered. She has agreed to this devil's bargain to save an innocent family, but also for a reason she can't admit to anyone. For the man in the jungle has promised to be able to give Eve what she wants most of all - the key to unlocking the darkest and most painful mystery of her past.

But as she gets closer to identifying the skull, she finds herself caught between two ruthless killers with no way out. Now, with everything on the line, Eve Duncan must make the most chilling choice of all. And if she's wrong…she's dead."

I just can't get enough of the Eve Duncan series!!! I love the audio books. It is interesting how the 'readers' vary. I have likes and dislikes with voices they choose for different characters. But it is great!!! OK This is a great book and the main male character really surprises me at the end of the book. I was totally impressed with the way the book developed and couldn't have hoped for a better ending. Montalvo was an amazing addition to the series! Recommended!!!

Book Review: "Ten Beach Road"

2012-01-13T10:32:00.002-05:00

TEN BEACH ROAD by Wendy Wax
" Madeline, Avery, and Nikki are strangers to each other, but they have one thing in common. They each wake up one morning to discover their life savings have vanished, along with their trusted financial manager- leaving them with nothing but co-ownership of a ramshackle beachfront house.
Madeline Singer is a homemaker coping with empty-nest syndrome and an unemployed husband. Avery Lawford is an architect - or was, until she somehow became the sidekick on her ex-husband's TV show. And professional matchmaker Nikki Grant is trying to recover from her biggest mistake...
No one is going to save them but themselves. Determined to fight back, they throw their lots in together and take on the challenge of restoring the historic beach house to its former glory. But just as they begin to reinvent themselves and discover the power of friendship, secrets threaten to tear down their trust-and destroy their lives a second time."
I really enjoyed this book. It brings in the fall of the economy and financial crisis that so many have faced over the past few years. It seems like it could be a story about something real and not just a book. The characters were animated and so very different. I enjoyed the diversity of the cast and the beautiful setting it all took place in. I have been to Florida and enjoyed reading about an area not far from where I have vacationed.

Book Review: "Body of Lies"

2012-01-10T10:12:00.002-05:00

BODY OF LIES by Iris Johansen

"A taut, fast-paced and terrifying psychological thriller featuring forensic sculptor, Eve Duncan. Eve Duncan deals in death every day. It's her job, but now that job is about to put her life on the line - and the lives of everyone close to her. A high-ranking government official wants Eve to drop everything and come to Baton Rouge to identify the remains of an unknown murder victim. Eve wants nothing to do with the project, having finally found peace from her own tragic past. She is enjoying a quiet life in a small lakeside cottage with Atlanta detective Joe Quinn and her adopted daughter, Jane. But as a stunning series of seemingly unrelated events begins to upset all that, Eve flees to Baton Rouge to take on the job. Forced to work in secrecy and given only the sketchiest information, Eve can't help but wonder if all the high-level security is meant to protect or imprison her. When the next death occurs before she has even begun work on the reconstruction, it becomes clear that someone totally ruthless, who can strike anywhere at any time, and with seeming immunity, is determined to put a halt to her work. The questions - and the threats to her life - mount as Eve realises she has stumbled into the heart of a chilling conspiracy and the truth lies buried beneath a body of lies..."
I just finished listening to this book last night. Another thriller!!! I also found out that my hubs reads her books too. So that was cool. It has everything you might expect from the author and the series. The little girl still comes to Eve as a ghost. Joe is still very protective of Eve. The thrill of the chase is there too! An unexpected twist at the end leave the reader drawing their own conclusions. I love it! I am on to another one of her audio books! I highly recommend this series.

Book Review: "Blind Alley"

2011-12-30T10:02:00.002-05:00

BLIND ALLEY by Iris Johansen
"The New York Times bestselling author of Firestorm, Iris Johansen, returns with a psychological thriller so terrifying, so relentlessly paced, it won't leave you time to catch your breath before the next shock comes. A forensic sculptor is locked in a deadly duel with a serial killer determined to destroy her--one life at a time.

Eve Duncan's job is to put a face on the faceless victims of violent crimes. Her work not only comforts their survivors--but helps catch their killers. But there is another, more personal reason that Eve Duncan is driven to do the kind of work she does--a dark nightmare from a past she can never bury. And as she works on the skull of a newly discovered victim, that past is about to return all over again.

The victim is a Jane Doe found murdered, her face erased beyond recognition. But whoever killed her wasn't just trying to hide her identity. The plan was far more horrifying. For as the face forms under Eve's skilled hands, she is about to get the shock of her life. The victim is someone she knows all too well. Someone who isn't dead. Yet.

Instantly Eve's peaceful life is shattered. The sanctuary of the lakeside cottage she shares with Atlanta detective Joe Quinn and their adopted daughter Jane has been invaded by a killer who's sent the grimmest of threats: the face of his next victim. To stop him, Eve must put her own life in the balance and question everything and everyone she trusts. Not even Quinn can go where Eve must go this time.

As the trail of faceless bodies leads to a chilling revelation, Eve finds herself trying to catch a master murderer whose grisly work is a testament to a mind warped by perversion and revenge. Now she must pit her skills against his in a showdown where the stakes are life itself--and where the unbearable cost of failure will make Eve's own murder seem like a mercy killing."
Another great audio book. ONE of the early books on CD. It was an awesome mystery. I love that that young 17yr old is so independent and knows what she wants and that Eve and Joe support her. I was pulled along with the unknown suspicion that Trever would not help in the end. He was a big mystery the entire time! Highly recommended!

Opinion or Truth?

2011-12-28T09:44:00.003-05:00

Some say the truth will set you free; others say the truth hurts & can be painful.

I say we all need to just mind our own business and keep our opinions (or truths as 'some' call it) to ourself! :D

Book Review: "Bonnie"

2011-12-23T20:53:00.002-05:00

Bonnie by Iris Johansen
"The truth has eluded her for years. . . . Now is she ready to face it?
When Eve Duncan gave birth to her daughter, she experienced a love she never knew existed. Nothing would stand in the way of giving Bonnie a wonderful life—-until the unthinkable happened and the seven-year-old vanished into thin air. Eve found herself in the throes of a nightmare from which there was no escape. But a new Eve emerged: a woman who would use her remarkable talent as a forensic sculptor to help others find closure in the face of tragedy. Now with the help of her beloved Joe Quinn and CIA agent Catherine Ling, Eve has come closer than ever to the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more she realizes that Bonnie’s father is a key player in solving this monstrous puzzle. And that Bonnie’s disappearance was not as random as everyone had always believed . . ."

This is another audio book. It is the follow up to Quinn that I reviewed on last month. The ending was unexpected and really quiet interesting. The ghost, Bonnie, was a pleasant little 7 yr old who was killed many years ago. She helped the people that loved her find her killer and then helped the 'killer' find peace also. I enjoyed it and have started another one of the author's audio books about Eve and her life without Bonnie.

Book Review: "All I Ever Wanted"

2011-12-23T09:35:00.002-05:00

All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins
"Bad turns to worse for Callie Grey, who's about to turn 30, when her boss (and five-week fling) announces his engagement to someone else. To get Mark's attention, Callie stirs up a crazy relationship with not-so-warm-and-fuzzy veterinarian Ian MacFarland. Original. One Happily-Ever-After Rocking Chair...and no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol' Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company's new Miss Perfect. If that isn't bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a three-oh birthday bash in the family funeral home.Bad goes to worse when she stirs up a crazy relationship with the town's not so warm and fuzzy veterinarian, Ian McFarland, in order to flag Mark's attention. So Ian is more comfortable with animals.... So he's formal, orderly and just a bit tense. The ever-friendly, fun-loving and spontaneous Callie decides it's time for Ian to get a personality makeover. But dang, if he doesn't shock the heck out of her, she might actually fall for Vermont's unlikeliest eligible bachelor...."

OK I have to say... there are so many freakin' good books out there! THIS is definitely one of them!!! I laughed so much as the pun of her thoughts. I mean... she would use Betty Boop and Michelle Obama as her inner voices of reason (playing devil's advocate, of course). Then said she was 'fluffy'... which I often have said about my own body. I actually LOL when she used the term 'food baby' to describe her tummy. OMG, I thought to myself. That is what I have... a chocolate food baby! hehehe So the book was great and the setting was Vermont, which makes me want to visit in the Fall. The career she had was amazing and totally something I could have done... if I have the degree. lol OK So back to the book.... typical girl likes boy; boy plays girl; girl defends boy; boy gets engaged to another woman; girl goes ballistic! hehehe LOVED IT! Even mentions... Bono!

Book Review: "White Heat"

2011-12-16T13:51:00.003-05:00

White Heat by Brenda Novak
"The first book in a new back-to-back trilogy. A religious cult has moved into what was once an Arizona ghost town, and their actions are cause for concern. One woman who escapes from their compound is nearly stoned to death, and another has gone missing altogether. Original. A dangerous cult has recently taken over the desert ghost town of Paradise, Arizona. Members worship at the feet--and in the bed--of its charismatic leader, Ethan Wycliff, and obey his orders blindly. They've already tried to murder one woman and they're implicated in the disappearance of another.Nate Ferrentino, who works for private security contractor Department 6, has been assigned to infiltrate this group. It's a challenge he welcomes--until he learns that colleague Rachel Jessop will be going undercover "with" him. Thanks to their shared history, he'd much rather go alone....The problem is, only married couples can participate in cult rituals. So, like it or not--and they don't--Rachel and Nate must pretend to be husband and wife.There's no choice. Because if Wycliff "isn't" exposed, if he "isn't" stopped, more people will die. And Rachel might be one of them."
I am really looking forward to more books!!! I couldn't put this book down. Sneaking a peek here and there, every chance I had to read the next line. Interesting how the author used so many normal everyday stuff. Well, maybe not normal to normal people... but stuff we have heard about and used it to develop the characters. Awesome Read!!!

Book Review: "Chasing Fire"

2011-12-14T15:23:00.003-05:00

Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts
"The number-one "New York Times"-bestselling author delves into the world of elite firefighters who thrive on danger and adrenaline-men and women who wouldn't know how to live life if it wasn't on the edge.
There's little as thrilling as firefighting-at least to Rowan Tripp. The Missoula smoke jumpers are in Rowan's blood: her father is a legend. She's been fighting fires since her eighteenth birthday. At this point, returning to the wilds of Montana for the season feels like coming home-even with reminders of the partner she lost last season still lingering.
Fortunately, this year's rookie crop is one of the strongest ever-and Gulliver Curry's one of the best. He's also a walking contradiction, a hotshot firefighter with a big vocabulary and a winter job at a kids' arcade.
Everything is thrown off balance when a dark presence lashes out against Rowan, looking to blame someone for last year's tragedy. Rowan knows she can't complicate things with Gull-any distractions in the air or on the ground could mean the end-but if she doesn't find someone she can lean on, she may not make it through the summer. . . ."

I enjoyed THIS book on audio. I loved the narrator and the way the book unfolded and came to life. The author did a brilliant job describing the fire both as beautiful and threatening. Using words like fountain and spewing, to describe the flames, was so articulate. Amazing and thrilling story right to the very last word! A book worth reading/listening to!!!

Book Review: "COMING BACK"

2011-12-14T09:31:00.004-05:00

Coming Back by Marcia Muller

"In "Locked In," San Francisco private eye Sharon McCone was shot in the head and suffered from locked-in syndrome: almost total paralysis but with an alert, conscious mind. Now, as Sharon struggles to regain control over her body, she wants everything to go back to normal, but realizes that it may not be possible to return to her old life. Meanwhile, Sharon's relationships are suffering. Her husband is impatient with her refusal to accept help and some of her colleagues doubt her abilities after the accident. But when Sharon's friend from physical therapy goes missing, she must call upon those closest to her to find out the truth behind the disappearance. The investigation soon points to issues of national security and proves to be the most dangerous and critical case yet for Sharon and her colleagues."

I enjoyed reading this book. It has an easy to follow rhythm and the flow was good. I finally stayed up late last night to finish it. It was very interesting and I was holding on with baited breath until the very end..... not knowing how it would end. I recommend this book to everyone that is looking for a little mystery!

Book Review: "DEATH ON TOUR"

2011-12-06T07:46:00.003-05:00

Death on Tour by Janice Hamrick
"After a member of an Egyptian tour group is found dead, Texas high school teacher and fellow traveler Jocelyn Shore learns that no one is what they seen. Texas high school teacher Jocelyn Shore and her cousin Kyla are on a once-in-a-lifetime guided tour of Egypt with a motley crew of fellow travelers when the most odious of the bunch, a nosy, disagreeable woman named Millie Owens, takes a fatal fall off of one of the great pyramids. And that's only the beginning of their troubles.
From the jovial doctor haggling for trinkets he doesn't want to the mysterious impostor wearing someone else's clothing to the attractive stranger traveling alone, this group of tourists is carrying more than one kind of baggage. Add a mistaken identity, a priceless necklace, and another unexpected death, and Jocelyn finds herself reluctantly trying to unravel an intrigue that threatens to end not only her vacation, but her life."

WOW!!! Egypt sounds great... besides the murders and thieves! I really enjoyed not knowing who was the killer until the very end of the book. Everyone was so mysterious and it reminded me of the game CLUE. Each person seemed to have had a question mark over their head. Just when you think you have 'cleared' someone. They do something to make them a suspect again. Jocelyn is not quiet Nancy Drew. She keeps reminding herself that it is none of her business... but things keep happening to her, so how can it not be her business???

Book Review: "Quinn"

2011-12-01T13:54:00.003-05:00

Quinn by Iris Johansen

"Johansen delivers her thrilling and revelatory follow-up to the "New York Times" bestseller "Eve," which delves deep into the life and psyche of forensic sculptor Eve Duncan's lover and soul mate, Joe Quinn. As a ruthless killer closes in, long-held secrets are gradually and shockingly revealed. "#1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen explores the darkest corners of the human heart as forensic sculptor Eve Duncan closes in on the killer who stole her daughter so many years ago. "As a former Navy SEAL turned cop, Joe Quinn has seen the face of evil and knows just how deadly it can be. When he first met Eve Duncan, he never expected to fall in love with a woman whose life would be defined by her dual desires to bring home her missing daughter and discover the truth behind her disappearance---no matter how devastating. With the help of CIA agent Catherine Ling, they make a shocking discovery that sheds new light on young Bonnie's abduction and puts Quinn squarely in the crosshairs of danger. Eve's first love, John Gallo, a soldier supposedly killed in the line of duty, is very much alive---and very much a threat. Emotionally charged, with one shock after another, Quinn reveals the electricity of Joe and Eve's first connection, and how they fell in love in the midst of haunting tragedy. As their search takes them deeper and deeper into a web of murder and madness, Joe and Eve must confront their most primal fears . . . and test their resolve to uncover the ultimate bone-chilling truth."

I loved this audio book!!! When it ended I realized there were more books to this series. 14 books in this series and I had just listened to book number 13!!!! So I have my list of books and plan to go back to the beginning and listen to the other 12. I can't wait to hear the ending though, so I will probably go ahead and listen to book number 14 asap!!! I have already reserved all the audio books from the library and plan on picking them up tomorrow. Woohoo!!! OK, I love the protective nature of the characters. I do find them a bit 'bossy' and 'blunt' towards each other too. Makes for a good read or 'listen' in my case. Also I have to add that the narrator was the best I have heard and I do hope that she is the narrator in the other books as well.

Book Review: "A MOVEABLE FEAST"

2011-11-23T16:28:00.004-05:00

"A Moveable Feast" by Ernest Hemingway

"“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a movable feast.”
Ernest Hemingway left the world a generous legacy in these sketches of his early life in Paris in the Twenties. So complete is the spell of his art that the four decades between what was done and felt then and what is remembered and written later seem barely to have intervened. Everything is perceived directly through the eyes and ears of the young writer himself living in the pre-dawn of world recognition.
The reader walks with him along the Paris streets, watching fishermen along the Seine or dropping by that Sylvia Beach's to borrow a book; returns with him to the Hemingway's' small apartment on the rue Notre-Dame-des-Champs wit the sawmill in the courtyard below; sits by him in a cafe` while paragraph by paragraph, scarcely looking up, he constructs one of the stories that created a new voice for the literature of our time.
It was a time of hunger and discipline and also one of fulfilment and happiness. We share taut days at the race-track at Enghien and happy, strenuous weeks skiing in the Vorarlberg in Austria. These chapters glow with the joy of recollection.
There are many vivid portraits from memory: Gertrude Stein providing little glasses of liqueurs and impromptu lectures in her apartment on the rue de Fleurus; Ezra Pound learning to box; Ford Madox Ford discoursing on the mysteries of being a gentleman; and a number of others, all profoundly expressive. One of the more important is the portrayal of Scott Fitzgerald, and amusingly truthful one, softened by affection for the man and respect for his genius. The motor-trip he and Hemingway make from Lyon to Paris will surely take its places as one of the great comic journeys of literature.
One can only suggest the experiences awaiting the reader of this book in which a master of literature in full command of every technique of his art relives these bright chapters of his youth."

I am so happy to be able to say I have read a couple of his books and one from the view of his first wife. It really opens my eyes to him and his writing skill. I respect him as a writer; however I am not fond of the two I have read. Even with that being said... Everyone should be able to say they have read at least one of Hemingway's books.

'jus sayin'

Book Review: "STAY"

2011-11-19T17:13:00.002-05:00

"Stay" by Allie Larkin

"Savannah "Van" Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she literally fell head over heels in front of him on the first day of college. Now, six years later, instead of standing across from him at the altar, Van's standing behind her best friend Janie as maid of honor, trying to mask her heartache and guilt as Janie marries the only man Van's ever loved. Before, Van's mother died, she told Van never to let Peter go, but as the couple exchanges vows, Van wonders if her fairy tale ending will ever come true.
After the wedding, Van drowns her sorrows in Kool-Aid-vodka cocktails and reruns of Rin Tin Tin, and does what any heartbroken woman in her situation would do: She impulsively buys a German Shepherd over the Internet. The pocket-size puppy Van is expecting turns out to be a clumsy, hundred-pound beast who only responds to commands in Slovak, and Van is at the end of her rope... until she realizes that this quirky giant may be the only living being who will always be loyal to her, no matter what.
Van affectionately names her dog Joe, and together, they work to mend the pieces of Van's shattered heart. And it certainly doesn't hurt that Joe's vet is a rugged sweetheart with floppy blond hair and a winning smile. But when the newlyweds return from their honeymoon, Van is forced to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice in order to have everything she ever wanted, proving that sometimes life needs to get more complicated before it can get better."
I just loved this book. It was a good fast read and I could relate to the quirky character's view on things. She made me laugh out loud when reading and I was very persuaded to buy a dog just like hers.

Book Review: "Living on the Edge"

2011-11-17T09:00:00.003-05:00

LIVING ON THE EDGE by Shannon K. Butcher

"After a devastating injury, Lucas Ramsay knows he's finished as a soldier. But when the general who saved his life asks him for a favor, he says yes. All Lucas has to do is keep the general's daughter from getting on a plane to Colombia, which is easier said than done...
Independent to the core, Sloane Gideon is a member of the Edge - a group of mercenaries. But she 's not on the clock for this mission. Her best friend is being held by a vicious drug lord, and Sloane must rescue her - no matter how many handsome ex-soldiers her father sends to dissuade her.
With little choice, Lucas tracks Sloane to Colombia, where she reluctantly allows him to aid her in her search. But as they draw closer to the target, they grow closer to each other. And before the battle is over, both will have to decide just what they are willing to fight for..."

Another romance novel. This has lots of gun powder booms in it. It was a light, fun read. I enjoyed it; however this is yet another book going from my hands to the library. :)

Book Review: "Breathless"

2011-11-11T12:35:00.001-05:00

Breathless: The House of Rohan by Anne Stuart

"Lucien de Malheur seeks to destroy the Rohans. He traps Miranda into a marriage that is rooted in vengenance and not love ... or so he thinks. Ruined beyond repair and shunned by London society, lovely Miranda Rohan rebelliously embraces the freedom that comes from having nothing left to lose. However, this dangerous course throws her under the power of the darkly enigmatic Lucien de Malheur--known to many as the Scorpion.Seeking to destroy the Rohans, Lucien traps Miranda in a marriage she thinks is based on friendship but instead is rooted in vengeance. Yet even when she realizes the truth, their enmity fuels a shocking passion--and perhaps even more.Such a man might drive anyone to murder...."

I really liked this book; however I will not be allowing my daughter a copy of this book. *smiles*

Halloween....

2011-11-08T09:32:00.003-05:00

Book Review: The Sun Also Rises

2011-11-07T12:25:00.003-05:00

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

"Paris in the twenties: Pernod, parties and expatriate Americans, loose-living on money from home. Jake is wildly in love with Brett Ashley, aristocratic and irresistibly beautiful, but with an abandoned, sensuous nature that she cannot change.When the couple drifts to Spain to the dazzle of the fiesta and the heady atmosphere of the bullfight, their affair is strained by new passions, new jealousies, and Jake must finally learn that he will never possess the woman he loves.Powerful, intense, visually magnificent, Fiesta: The Sun Also Rises is the novel which established Ernest Hemingway as a writer of genius."

I decided to read this book after I read THE PARIS WIFE. Well honestly I didn't read the book, I listen to it on CD. I enjoyed the parallel story. In the other book, this story was told and I found it interesting to see which character was equal to the 'real' person spoken of in THE PARIS WIFE. The book itself was not my 'cup of tea' and I would not have continued reading/listening to it, if it had not been on CD. LOL

Book Review: Saving Max

2011-11-02T14:44:00.002-04:00

Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten
"While being assessed at an Iowa psychiatric hospital, mentally troubled Max Parkman is found covered with blood at the scene of a horrific murder and is accused of being the killer. His mother, Danielle, is desperate to prove her son innocent. Original. Max Parkman--autistic and whip-smart, emotionally fragile and aggressive--is perfect in his mother's eyes. Until he's accused of murder.Attorney Danielle Parkman knows her teenage son Max's behavior has been getting worse--using drugs and lashing out. But she can't accept the diagnosis she receives at a top-notch adolescent psychiatric facility that her son is deeply disturbed. Dangerous.Until she finds Max, unconscious and bloodied, beside a patient who has been brutally stabbed to death.Trapped in a world of doubt and fear, barred from contacting Max, Danielle clings to the belief that her son is innocent. But has she, too, lost touch with reality? Is her son really a killer?With the justice system bearing down on them, Danielle steels herself to discover the truth, no matter what it is. She'll do whatever it takes to find the killer and to save her son from being destroyed by a system that's all too eager to convict him."

This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Crazy stuff happens when you are reading a book about crazy people. LOL I loved it and the devotion the mother showed to her child, Max.

More Thoughts....

2011-10-24T09:05:00.002-04:00

I really do enjoy reading books about young famous people... before they were famous. It is so interesting to read about this being with other... now famous... people. I enjoy the tangled lives that they seem to have.

Book Review: THE PARIS WIFE

2011-10-24T08:13:00.003-04:00

"The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain

"Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quite twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness - and her life changes forever. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group - the fabled "Lost Generation" - that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pond, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
Though deeply in love, the Hemingways are ill prepared for the hard-drinking and fast-living life of Jazz Age Paris, which hardly values traditional notions of family and monogamy. Surrounded by beautiful women and competing egos, Ernest struggles to find the voice that will earn him a place in history, pouring all the richness and intensity of his life with Hadley and their circle of friends into the novel that will become THE SUN ALSO RISES. Hadley, meanwhile strives to hold on to her sense of self as the demands of life with Ernest grow costly and her roles as wife, friend and muse become more challenging. Despite their extraordinary bond, they eventually find themselves facing the ultimate crisis of their marriage - a deception that will lead to the unraveling of everything they've fought so hard for.
A heartbreaking portrayal of love and torn loyalty, The Paris Wife is all the more poignant because we know that in the end, Hemingway wrote that he would rather have died than fallen in love with anyone but Hadley."

I absolutely love this book!!! The author brings in many things we may not have thought about, like the lifestyle of the era in Paris. Many parts of this book also fascinated me. He was from the Chicago area. There is reference of 'corn' and 'Indiana'. They lived on $3000 a year, which translates to about $33(ish) now. They had sherry and biscuits for breakfast and alcohol every meal and then some. They had a 'practically' full time nanny that did so many things. Heck she was their housekeeper before Bumby, the son, was born. I understand that this is a fiction book, based on facts gathered. I love it and it really has peeked my interest in "The Sun Also Rises". I believe I will read that one.... which will be my first Hemingway book. His name is well known; however I often wonder how many of the people that 'knows the name' has read one of the books from this author.

Book Review: Painted Ladies

2011-10-05T12:22:00.002-04:00

"Painted Ladies" by Robert B Parker

"Called upon by The Hammond Museum and renowned art scholar Dr. Ashton Prince, Spenser accepts his latest case: to provide protection during a ransom exchange-money for a stolen painting.
The case becomes personal when Spenser fails to protect his client and the valuable painting remains stolen. Convinced that Ashton Prince played a bigger role than just ransom delivery boy, Spenser enters into a daring game of cat-and-mouse with the thieves. But this is a game he might not come out of alive...
Completed the year before he passed away, "Painted Ladies" is Spenser and Robert B. Parker at their electrifying best."

This book was ok. I actually got the book on cd and maybe it was the narrator that caused this book not to be the best book ever. The story line was good, just seemed to lack something for me.

Book Review: The Informant

2011-10-03T16:18:00.002-04:00

"The Informant" by Thomas Perry

"The Butcher's Boy is back. Thomas Perry's vengeful assassin, who turned on his Mafia clients and helped his author win an Edgar Award in 1983, has been quiet for a decade. Now, one of crime fiction's most memorable killers has returned to play a deadly physiological game with Elizabeth Waring, the only Justice Department official who ever believed he existed.
The Butcher's Boy knows Waring can help him hunt down the Mafia boss who sent a team of hit men to kill him - and in return he offers her key information that will help her crack an unsolved murder. So begins a new assault on organized crime and an uneasy alliance between opposite sides of the law. As the Butcher's Boy works his way ever closer to his deadly enemy in an effort to kill him first, Warning is in a desperate struggle, either to force her unlikely ally to become a protected informant or to take him out of commission for good."

Awesome book. I didn't expect the ending at all and was totally shocked by the outcome. Again not a typical book I would have chosen; however this book club has opened some new door. (smiles)