More About the Author: Website | Goodreads
More About the Book: Goodreads

Plot from Goodreads.com: Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.

Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she works at home designing sophisticated security systems. Her own security is supplemented by a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the quickest way to get attention in a tiny southern town.

The mystery of Abigail Lowery intrigues local police chief Brooks Gleason, on both a personal and professional level. Her sharp, logical mind, her secretive nature, her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something, even if he doesn’t know what – and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

Accustomed to two-bit troublemakers, Gleason is about to walk into the sights of very powerful and dangerous men. And Abigail Lowery, who has built a life based on security and self-control, is at risk of losing both.

Comments: With all the stress of uni and life, it had been a while since I had picked up a book and just sunk into it. Let me just say that this was the perfect book to start back with. Its riveting storyline had me sitting up late each night, unable to put the book down. I even used it as a self-bribing tool to finish uni work and well lets just say I am now VERY ahead of schedule.

I found the characters within the book to be written perfectly. Abigail is incredible intelligent and has been though so much, and yet she is down to earth. I love the fact that’s he doesn’t just fall head over hells for Brooks. Instead she is cautious and reserved. She has her past demons and while she tries to move forward she is hesitant.

The family dynamic which has been so instilled into Brooks’ life was also a great factor of the story. Nora Roberts seems to truly family and the beauty in a strong family. It was no different in The Witness, as Brooks demonstrated strong bonds with each member of his family as he moves forth within the story.

I think that the back story, that being the tragedy that completely changed Abigail’s life was so central to the story, quite obviously. BUt the story wasn’t a thriller, instead it was the story of a woman trying to fight for her life as she also learnt of love and the life she had always dreamt of. Her mother was nothing but a heartless bitch, and yet Abigail was passionate, loving and so full of hope and creativity.

It is easy to see that I simply loved the book. It was just brilliant! I don’t know how else to put it.

Books: So many great reads, I am struggling to figure out which one to devour first

Thanks to Publishers
* Fated by Alyson Noel
* Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
* Changeling by Philippa Gregory
* The Friendship Matchmaker by Randa Abdel-Fattah
* Mountain Wolf by Rosanne Hawke
* Whisper by Alyson Noel
* When You Were Mine by Rebecca Serle
* Legacy by Cayla Kluver
* Along the Way by Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez & Hope Edelman

Purchased
* Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands
* The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts
* The Witness by Nora Roberts

Nail Polish: Because even when I am trying to save money, I can never resist a new colour here and there

Won thanks to piCture pOlish
* Honey Dew (piCture pOlish)
* Sky (piCture pOlish)
* Twinkle (piCture pOlish)
* Peaches N Cream (piCture pOlish)
* Mellow Yellow (piCture pOlish)
* Fairy Floss (piCture pOlish)

So firstly once again I am sorry for the lack of posts. Almost 2 weeks ago now, we lost my Great Uncle (who was more of a Grandfather to me, considering the rest of my family are in Malta.) My Dad and I (with the help of my mum and brother and a few other amazing people) planned the entire funeral and wake. I had to write and read the eulogy which was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I would like to think though, that we were able to truly honour him and the amazing life he has led.

On happier news, today I attended my last EVER uni lecture, and yesterday was my last EVER uni tutorial. I now have 4 weeks of prac ahead of me, but I am staying on top of things anddddddd (This is the great news I mentioned in the title) I have began writing reviews again!

I have missed my blog, and I am so grateful that everyone has been so supportive of me putting my education first. I never want to see my blog as a chore, it is so much fun for me. I am so happy to be reading books for pleasure again and writing reviews. I feel like things are falling into place and it is so exciting.

So thank you all for your paitence and kindness, have a glass of wine or juice and celebrate my finishing uni (well pending of my 4 weeks of prac, 6 grades I am waiting for and my final uni presentation… 5 weeks time I will truly be finished for good) and keep your eyes peeled because I AM BACK BABY!

While nothing beats curling up with a good book and entering a new world, we sure do love a great movie! Comedy, Drama, Action, Thriller; whatever the genre may be, escaping for two hours into a world of Hollywood created bliss is always great fun… Hosted by ME, Kylie @ The Talking Teacup & Alex @ A Girl, Books & Other Things

Well another month has past and I am so excited to share the great films and television shows I have watched this month with you all. I am so proud and honoured to see how many people are enjoying this challenge! I just hope you are enjoying it all as much as I am. So without further ado, my list this month is as followed:

One Tree Hill – Season 9
American Pie Reunion
The West Wing – Season 6
Gilmore Girls – Season 1
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Moonlight – Complete Series
The West Wing – Season 7
Titanic – Mini Series
The Avengers

Total for this month: 9
Total for the year: 40

I will still have a write up of my latest goodies but expand it to include other buys that have just made my week. I want this to be a space in which I can share my likes & hobbies. At the moment, along with my bookish LOVE and lust I am really into nail polish and hair products and so this will be my spot to share my latest finds. The posts will probably twice a month but that may change.

Again I apologise for the lack of content on the blog I really am trying but I am in the final 10 weeks of my masters degree! It is crazy to think in 10 weeks I will be a teach deal teacher :O haha but please stay patient with me and I am trying to add some more content in between huge assessments

Aside from that all is good!!! And I miss you all

This meme allows us to share the new books and book related items we have
obtained recently. It’s a great way of sharing what’s catching our interest as of late, and what it is
we are reading (or planning on reading in the near future)

Oh I have some great goodies for this fortnights IMM! I love that as I am getting uni under control I am also getting some reading done and I have more time to look at the blog and read some book gossip. I plan to update you all within my few days so you all know what is happening with the blog and the plans

Thanks to the publishers for the following reads

- Dead Actually by Kaz Delaney
- Fated by Alyson Noel
- The Hunger Pains: A Parody by The Harvard Lampoon
- Green Heart by Alice Hoffman
- Allegiance by Cayla Kluver
- The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
- Winter’s Light by M.J. Hearle
- Pole to Pole: One Man, 20 Million Steps by Pat Farmer

I suddenly remember travelling with my parents to Malta when I was about 7 years old. My mum packed about 10 books for me, know how I was. It was a 3 and a half month trip but I was going to be busy so what time would I have to read? Well after about two weeks into our trip, I had read each book through and was craving more. Luckily my mum’s cousin (who is close to my age) was happy to let me browse her extensive library, and there I was introduced to The Naughtiest Girl series by Enid Blyton.

When I was 14 years old, we were back on another trip. 1 week in the USA and 6 weeks in Malta. A winter trip. I just just finished reading Tomorrow When the War Began in school and I wanted the entire set. So off we went to Big W and Mum bout me all 7 books, saying that should hold me for 6 weeks. We only had a week left before we flew out so she handed me the books and told me to back them. 2 days before we were set to leave I run up to my Mum in a panic. “I have nothing to read!!!” “When?” “For the Trip!!” To her dismay I had devoured the series of 7 books in under a week, and so off we went back to Big W, only this time I was only allowed 3 books and she wouldn’t give them to me until we were on the plane.

At the age of 19 I was back on a plane on my way to Europe. This time I packed a few favourite, devoured them and then raided my cousins Danielle Steele collection. My only big issue was coming home, I had purchased a few books and a few other goodies. When weighing my luggage at the airport I was 6kg over and about to be charged an insane amount. We decided to remove the books from my luggage and soon discovered once I had done that I was 4kg under weight. Solution was to carry them in a plastic bag for the next 35 hours.

Last year I went to Europe (surprise surprise) and this time I took my handy eReader. It had over 200 book sin it and I got through 15 in just 7 short weeks. But it did make me remember how with every trip I go on, books are always a part of my holiday. I can remember what I ready or how when I was in Rome last year I was also reading the Hunger Games. Its an incredible thing how books link to the past and to the great adventures I have had.

I would love to hear your stories

While nothing beats curling up with a good book and entering a new world, we sure do love a great movie! Comedy, Drama, Action, Thriller; whatever the genre may be, escaping for two hours into a world of Hollywood created bliss is always great fun… Hosted by ME, Kylie @ The Talking Teacup & Alex @ A Girl, Books & Other Things

I have to admit, I am loving the fact that I have been taking time to watch great movies and shows, while life has been getting to very busy. While it takes an entire season of a television series to be completed before I can count it as a single entry, it is also one of the better aspects of this challenge. I love it!

This month I saw:
The Vow
This Means War
Hawaii Five-0 (2010) – Season 1
Red Dog
21 Jump Street
The Hunger Games
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt 2

Total for this month: 14
Total for the year: 31

What about you? What have you seen this month? Enter your post in the Linky below.

This meme allows us to share the new books and book related items we have obtained recently. It’s a great way of sharing what’s catching our interest as of late, and what it is we are reading (or planning on reading in the near future)

Hey guys! Thank you again for your paitence with me, things have really started to settle, and look!! a real post!! hehe These past few weeks I have saved my money due to uni experiences so I don’t have too much to share but what do have I LOVE!

The Boy Who Fell to Earth by Kathy Lette (Thanks to publisher)
The Soldier’s Wife by Joanna Trollope (Thanks to publisher)
The Husband Hunt by Lynsay Sands (Purchased)
Chocker by Elizabeth Woods (Thanks to publisher)

I also bought a LOT of nail polish these past few weeks. This includes The entire Hunger Games – Colours of the Capitol collection by China Glaze. I am planning to do a write up on the polishes soon as well as on the movie

I want to thank you OH SO MUCh for your paitence!!!

My mum has had surgery but is doing so much better now and I got through a CRAZY time in uni…

In the past few weeks I had my birthday (I’m old), sat my Department of Education Interview (and was deemed successful to teach), had three major essays as well as mini tasks and what not to do and have some other family dramas.

I have missed you all soo very very much!!! But never fear as I HAVE RETURNED!! haha

This uni the way it is I wont be posting every day but I will aim to have at least three a week + I have a few giveaways up my sleeve!

Missed you all

xxooxx

- LOVE Kylie