Prayers have been answered!!!

My friend Rebecca was just told that she gets to go home...TODAY!!! She has been in the hospital since the day after Thanksgiving and on life support until last Monday. She was just moved to a regular room yesterday and was able to spend time with her oldest son yesterday, but still hadn't seen her younger two sons. By the grace of God she is continuing to get well and will be with all of her family, at home for Christmas. Thanks to everyone who said prayers for Rebecca and her family. Her doctors told her family early on there was really nothing else they could do for Rebecca, and it was up to their God to make her well.

Blogging and Internet Hiatus

I really haven't had much time to blog on my blog or my friend's blogs this week. Until tonight, I've only been on the internet during working hours and even then, mostly work related stuff. I've been able to catch up on some of my missed sleep from being at my sister's house for 4 nights by falling asleep before 8 the past two nights. Even managed to make 2 rum cakes for gifts before crashing each night. But, I've missed reading every one's blogs and talking to everyone. Hope to find time tomorrow to catch up on all my blogging after I finish all my errands. Tomorrow I'll go babysit for a bit in the morning, finish up my dad's Christmas shopping(no one would get gifts if I didn't shop for him), clean my house and finish up my laundry...what a great way to spend a vacation day.

On a very exciting note, my friend Rebecca is getting great reports from the doctors. She was able to be taken off all oxygen yesterday and had maintained excellent oxygen saturation levels. Her kidneys continue to improve and function better with each day. Thanks to everyone who has kept Rebecca in your prayers. I'm praying she will be home in time to spend Christmas with her 3 little boys next week.

I'm hoping to get my post up about Jennifer Lyon's Blood Magic tomorrow once my cleaning is finished. I can tell you now that I loved Blood Magic and have already started reading her next book, Soul Magic.

More Blazing Bedtime Stories

More Blazing Bedtime Stories is one of the latest in bedtime stories with a sexy twist from the Blaze line. From the back cover.~

Into the Woods by Julie Leto

Tatiana Starlingham is a frustrated fairy godmother. She grants sexy wishes for others-but all that hot loving is off-limits for her. Until she meets hunky Jack St. Cloud and finally has mind-blowing sex! But can Tatiana wish it into lasting forever?

Once Upon a Mattress by Leslie Kelly

Who’s afraid of the big bad werewolf? Not long-lost princess Penelope Mayfair…Because dark, sexy Lucas Wolf is giving her the best sex of her life! Unfortunately, she’s intended for another. But that’s not about to stop Lucas. After all everybody knows wolves mate for life…

Julie Leto and Leslie Kelly are two of my favorite authors and they both deliver with their latest stories from Blaze. Both Julie and Leslie give readers super-sexy bedtime stories. I feel like I would give too much away if I say much about the stories. I can say I loved the characters and really can't wait to visit the magical land of Elatyria in the future. Two fun and sexy winners by Julie Leto and Leslie Kelly.

Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods is the first book in her Blue Bloods series by Melissa De la Cruz. From the back cover.~

Schuyler Van Alen has never fit in at Duchesne, her prestigious New York City private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes to the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates. But when she turns fifteen, Schuyler’s life changes dramatically. The death of a popular schoolmate haunts her in unexpected ways. And strangest of all, Jack Force, the most popular boy in school, is showing a sudden interest in her.

Once an outcast, Schuyler is thrust into Manhattan’s most exclusive social circle. Its members are the powerful, the wealthy, and-as Schuyler soon discovers-the unhuman. They are Blue Bloods, an ancient group of vampires, and for centuries they’ve been invincible. Now something is preying on this elite group, and Schuyler wants to find out the truth. But is she the most vulnerable of them all?

I really enjoy reading YA books, and especially books about vampires. Some of my favorite series are the House of Night, Morganville Vampires, the Twilight saga, and the Vampire Academy. I would now add Blue Bloods to this list of series I love.

I loved Schuyler and her best friends Oliver and Dylan. I even liked the mean girl character Mimi Force, her new friend Bliss and Mimi's twin brother Jack. Just like in an other high school on earth, you have your various levels of clicks. At Duchesne, Mimi would be the queen bee of the school, while Schuyler and her friends are a little bit like misfits. While Mimi and Jack know they are among an elite group of vampires, Bliss and Schuyler are in the dark until they are asked to join a super secret society. When a member of the elite is found murdered, Schuyler and her friends start to look into the history of the Blue Bloods to find out if this has happened before. What follows brings new friendships to Schuyler's life, answers to come questions about her past, and more questions for her future and the future of her friends.

Melissa De la Cruz gives the readers a wonderful group of characters with a very strong story in Blue Bloods. I already have the next book in the series, Masquerade in my TBR pile, thanks to my niece loaning me her copy.

**Disclaimer** I bought Blue Bloods with my own money.

Prayer Request for Rebecca Hughes

I'm sending out huge prayer request for my friend Rebecca Williams Hughes. We have been friends since college. She is currently in ICU at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, TN. She had surgery on November 24 and was able to go home for Thanksgiving. However, she didn't feel right and they took her back to the hospital on Friday. The doctors realized she had a twisted bowel and they did another surgery, which went well. However, she got sick in recovery and aspirated in to her lungs. Her lungs are doing better right now, but her kidney function hasn't recovered yet. Rebecca is a wife and mother of 3 young boys. Below is a link to her Caring Bridge site and her family keeps it updated several times a day.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rebeccawilliamshughes

Any and all prayers would be great.

Plum Pudding Murder

Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke is the latest in her Hannah Swensen Mystery series. From the inside cover flap.~

The yuletide season in Lake Eden, Minnesota, guarantees a white Christmas, delectable holiday goodies from Hannah Swensen’s bakery, The Cookie Jar-and murder. As a shadow hangs over her friends’ wedding, Hannah’s determined to cook a killer’s goose before anyone else gets burned…

The Cookie Jar’s busiest time of the year also happens to be the most wonderful time...for Christmas cookies, Hannah’s own special plum pudding-and romance! Holiday orders are high, and Hannah’s slated to provide dessert at the Reverend Knudsen’s upcoming nuptials. She’s busy as can be and loving it. She also gets a kick out of Larry Jaeger’s Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot, a kitschy carnival taking place smack-dab in the middle of the village green. Larry thinks he’s crazy like a fox with his wild business schemes, but this time, the entrepreneur may have bitten off more than he can chew. Rumor had it that Larry’s in the red-an idea that takes a sinister turn when Hannah discovers the man himself dead as a doornail in his own office…

It seems quite a few people would have like to fill Larry’s stocking with coal and then bash him with it-including his bitter ex-wife, his ex-partner’s daughter, a woman he was wooing, and the Crazy Elf Tree lot’s extremely exasperated investors…

Now with so many suspects to investigate and the twelve days of Christmas ticking away, Hannah’s running out of time to nab a murderous Scrooge who doesn’t want her to see the New Year…

I really like the Hannah Swensen Mystery series. Hannah is just your normal everyday woman, who runs her own business and solves murders in her free time with the help of her business partner Lisa, her sister Andrea, her mother, and Norman, one of her boyfriends. Her other boyfriend, Mike, works for the Sherriff’s department with Andrea’s husband Bill. Normally Hannah is the one to stumble across the dead bodies, but this time Norman is the first to spot the body. I like this series because I usually figure out the who-done-it right before Hannah and Plum Pudding Murder was on different. Another great thing about the Hannah Swensen series would be all the wonderful recipes that are included in every book. I’ve only tried a couple of the cookies, but they were wonderful. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes to read a light-hearted mystery.

**Disclaimer** I borrowed this book from the public library.

Shadow Kiss

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead is the third book in her popular Vampire Academy series. From the back cover.~

WHAT IF FOLLOWING HER HEART MEANS ROSE COULD LOSE HER BEST FRIEND FOREVER?

Rose Hathaway knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend, Lissa-the last Dragomier princess-must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken.

But since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn’t been feeling right. Something dark has begun to grow in her mind, and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy’s iron gates. An now that Lissa and Rose’s sworn enemy, Victor Daskov, is on trial for his freedom, tensions in the Moroi world are higher than ever.

Lying to Lissa about Dimitri is one thing, but suddenly there’s way more than friendship at stake. The immortal undead are on the prowl, and they want vengeance for the lives that Rose has stolen. In a heart-stopping battle to rival her worst nightmare, Rose will have to choose between life, love, and the two people who matter most…but will her choice mean that only one can survive?

I love the Vampire Academy series and Shadow Kiss is another winner in the series. Rose is hands-down my favorite character in the series. She is such a strong person, and will do anything to protect her friend Lissa, even give up the one guy she is totally in love with. Dimitri and Rose have been fighting their attraction for one another from the beginning. Both will be Lissa's guardians once Lissa and Rose graduate from the Academy and they must always put Lissa's welfare first. I really try not one to post spoilers, so I will only say that everything changes with Shadow Kiss. I can't wait to see how the choices made in Shadow Kiss will help each of the main characters grow and change.

Blood Promise is the next book in the Vampire Academy series and it was released at the end of August. Luckily, I already have it sitting on my TBR bookshelf.

**Disclaimer** I bought this book myself.

Vision in White

Vision in White is the first book in the Bride Quartet series by Nora Roberts. From the inside cover flap.~

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts cordially invites you to meet childhood friends Parker, Emma, Laurel, and Mac-the founders of Vows, one of Connecticut’s premier wedding planning companies.

After years of throwing make-believe weddings in the backyard, flowers, photography, desserts, and details are what these women do best: a guaranteed perfect, beautiful day full of memories to last the rest of your life.

With bridal magazine covers to her credit, Mackensie “Mac” Elliot is most at home behind the camera-ready to capture the happy moments she never experienced while growing up. Her father replaced his first family with a second, and now her mother, moving on to yet another man, begs Mac for attention and money. Mac’s foundation is jostled again moments before an important wedding planning meeting when she bumps into the bride-to-be’s brother…an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

Carter Maguire is definitely not her type: he’s stable and he’s safe. He’s even an English teacher at their high school alma mater. There’s something about him that makes Mac think a casual fling is just what she needs to take her mind off dealing with bridezillas and screening her mother’s phone calls. But a casual fling can turn into something more when you least expect it. And with the help of her three best friends-and business partners- Mac must learn how to make her own happy memories…

The last couple of series by Nora Roberts have been books with a paranormal element. I love paranormal romances, but missed her straight up romances. With Vision in White, Roberts gives her readers the contemporary romance I for one have been missing, not that I don’t enjoy her single title books with hints of mystery.

I loved Mac and her friends. They are all such strong women and as a unit they are unstoppable. Mac has no thoughts of ever getting into a serious relationship. She had seen too many men come and go in her mother’s life, as well as being abandoned by her father when he decided he wanted a new family. Then Carter Maguire comes back into her life. They had briefly gone to high school together, and meet again when Carter’s sister hires Mac’s wedding planning company to handle her wedding. Carter, who had a crush on Mac all those years ago, still finds Mac attractive, and Mac has an instant attraction to Carter. Even though they are as different as night and day, they can’t seem to stay away from each other. Mac, who had never felt like this in her life, gets scared and tries to convince Carter they could never be right together. Mac must decide whether she is a strong enough person to trust and depend on someone other than her 3 best friends.

I really loved Vision in White and look forward to the rest of the books in this series. Bed of Roses is book 2 in the Bride Quartet series and was released at the beginning of November.

***Disclaimer*** I bought this book myself and will buy the rest of the books in this series as well.

Black Friday Just About Killed Me

I really don't know what my sister and I are thinking each year, but we do the Black Friday shopping trip every year. It started out as the only day all year that we could spend time together just the two of us...you know and 50,000 strangers. However, after this year, we both have said it will probably be our last year to do the crazy Black Friday shopping trip.

We started out at Toys R Us with my middle niece. Toys R Us was opening at midnight, and we thought we could get in and out in about an hour or so and still get a nap before heading to Walmart around 4:30 am. Yeah right! When we arrived at Toys R Us, we were in a line that wrapped around two buildings and took us over 20 minutes just to get into the store. However, that really isn't even the best part of the story. We walk into the store and you can barely walk anywhere in the store. We were lucky enough to get all the items on my youngest niece's list, but then we had to wait over 2 1/2 hours just to check out. We did end up making lots of friends while waiting in line, but it was just too crazy for words. Plus the Toys R Us workers kept sending everyone in the wrong direction to check out, which is why it took so very long to get out of the store. So what should have taken about 1 hour turned into almost 4 hours. We dropped Middle off at the house and then headed to Walmart. Walmart was a little bit better, but not a whole lot better. We again managed to get the gifts we were looking for, but had to deal with some really rude people again. Luckily, we really weren't looking for any of the big ticket items this year, so we still had to wait forever just to get out of the store. I know everyone is trying to save money this year, but the rudeness of some people still surprises me.

Now, I'm just trying to catch up on all the sleep I missed while shopping early Friday morning. Also must catch up on my laundry and cleaning around my house. So tomorrow my day will be spent doing laundry, cleaning up the house, and watching the Titans play the Cardinals. Go Titans!!!

I have been reading in the last couple of weeks, and finished reading Vision in White by Nora Roberts and Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead. I plan to post about at least one of these books tomorrow.

Kindred in Death

Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb is the latest book in her popular In Death series. From the inside cover flap.~

In 2060, Lieutenant Eve Dallas searches the nooks of New York City for a dastardly and despicable criminal, in the newest novel by #1 New York Times-bestselling author J.D. Robb.

When the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD and his wife return a day early from their vacation, they are looking forward to spending time with their bright and vivacious sixteen-year-old daughter, who stayed behind.

Not even their worst nightmares could prepare them for the crime scene that awaits them instead. Deena has been brutally murdered in her bedroom, and her body shows signs of trauma that horrify even the toughest of cops, including our own Lieutenant Eve Dallas, who is specifically requested by the captain to investigate.

When the evidence starts to pile up, Dallas and her team think they are about to arrest their perpetrator; little do they know that someone has gone to great lengths to tease and taunt them by using a variety of identities.

Overconfidence can lead to careless mistakes. But for Dallas, one mistake might be all she needs to serve justice.

The only thing I don’t love about the In Death series is we only get two books a year. I’ve loved Nora Roberts ‘s books for years, and love her In Death books written as J.D. Robb best of all. The readers are given another winner in the series with Kindred in Death. Eve Dallas must work on one of the hardest cases in her career. Not only is she responsible for solving the violent murder of a fellow officer’s child, she must block out her personal history to stay focused on her job. As always, Eve had Roarke as her backup for all things work related and personal. With the help of Peabody, McNabb, Feeney, and Dr. Mira, and even Nadine when needed, Eve sets out to find who would want to brutally rape and murder an innocent young girl. When another murder occurs, Eve and her team must work over-time to figure out how they are connected and who is behind the murders. If multiple murders aren’t enough to deal with, Eve is the matron of honor for Louise for her wedding to Charles, which is set to take place at Eve and Roarke’s home. Eve has never felt comfortable with all the girly-stuff, and really doesn’t want to take time to deal with it in the middle of a murder investigation.

I got to see and spend time with all of my favorite characters from the In Death series with Kindred in Death. Normally fans of the In Death series have to wait six months for another fix. Luckily “Missing in Death” is set for a December 1, 2009 release in The Lost anthology. Looking forward to my next fix for the In Death series early(almost like an early Christmas gift).

***Disclaimer***I bought this book myself.

Faerie Fate

Faerie Fate is the debut novel by Silver James. I had Silver email me the back cover blurb, which can also be found on her upcoming releases page on her website www.silverjames.com.

If you could go back, do it over again, would you take a chance to find true love? What if you had no choice?

On her fiftieth birthday, the faerie send Rebecca Miller a thousand years into the past to find her happily ever after with Ciaran MacDermot, Chief of Clann MacDermot, the last Fenian warrior in his line. In the twenty-first century, Becca is old enough to be Ciaran’s mother. In the tenth, she’s young enough to be his bride.

The fae forgot to mention one slight stipulation. The lovers must be bound before the Festival of Light, or Becca will forever disappear into Tir Nan Óg , the faerie Land of the Ever Young. Will they discover the binding words before time runs out and they’re torn apart forever? Or will their eternal love defeat their Faerie Fate?

When Becca goes to bed on her fiftieth birthday, she wakes up in a different century and twenty-five years younger. Ciaran and Becca share a link to each other where they can feel each other’s pain and location, so Ciaran knows where to find Becca. Ciaran must seek help from Niall and his wife Siobhan to help heal Becca, who they find close to death. Neither Becca or Ciaran realize why they are connected or they must be bound before the Festival of Light.

I loved Faerie Fate! I pretty much bumped every book in my TBR pile to read Faerie Fate first. I was lucky enough to win an ARC from Silver’s blog and I’m so glad I got to read this book early. I loved the main characters Becca and Ciaran, and the supporting characters of Niall, Siobhan and Riordan just as much. I especially love Riordan and can't wait to read more about him in his book Faerie Fool. Silver gives the reader very strong characters and a strong story filled with the fae, a touch of mystery and a bit of time travel.

Faerie Fate currently has a release date of April 9, 2010, and I can't wait for the next two books in theTir Nan Óg trilogy, which are Faerie Fire and Faerie Fool.

***Disclaimer*** I won this ARC on Silver's blog, but will be purchasing my own copy in April.

Weekend Update

I have to say that my shopping trip with my grandmother and aunt yesterday was one of our best trips ever. Nannie was able to find the shoes she wanted, picked up all the gifts needed, and even found a couple of fun things to buy too. I found the cutest gray fur-lined boots and they are so very comfortable. Really hoping for cold weather for my shopping trip with my sister the day after Thanksgiving so I can wear my new boots.

All of that being said, I am so very tired today that this is pretty much all I see myself posting today. I have been on the road for 3 days straight and know to make it through this week, I will have to take a really long nap this afternoon. It will have to wait for the end of the Titan's game, on the theory I will stay awake through the game. Hope everyone else has a wonderful Sunday.

Go Titans!!!

Shopping with my grandmother

This weekend I'll make the trip back to my hometown to go Christmas shopping with my 90-year-old grandmother and my aunt. We started this tradition the year I graduated from college(1993) and have pretty much only missed 1 or 2 years since then. If we miss a trip, the three of us still find a weekend to have our shopping trip together. The trip started so I could help my grandmother (Nannie) pick out all the gifts for my younger cousins and nieces. I would help pick out either toys they would play with or clothes they would actually wear. Now, and for many of the last several years, Nannie has been giving everyone in the family checks for Christmas. The only people who still gets actual gifts are my great-aunt, aunt, dad, and youngest niece(who is almost 6). Now I've already gotten the gift for Youngest, so we only have to really look for 2 or 3 gifts this weekend. I really treasure this trip with my grandmother, and as much as I think it is pretty crazy since she gives out checks to most everyone, I will continue to make this trip for as many years as Nannie is able to go shopping.

I also plan on posting about the 2 books I've read this week. The first is an ARC of Faerie Fate by Silver James. This is her very first book and I should get the post up by Sunday. The second book is the latest JD Robb book, Kindred in Death. My goal is to post about at least one of these books by Sunday.

**Disclaimer I won the ARC of Faerie Fate on Silver's blog and purchased Kindred in Death myself.

Bite Me!

Bite Me! is the debut book by Melissa Francis. From the back cover.~

AJ Ashe isn’t your typical seventeen-year-old vampire-as if there is such a thing! She’s stuck in the middle of a huge fight between her two BFFs. Her ex-boyfriend-whom she’s still totally in love with, by the way-is now her stepbrother. A former classmate-who, um, she may or may not have turned into a vampire-is stalking her. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. What ever happened to the good old days, when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her taste for blood?

I loved Bite Me!. It is a fun paranormal YA novel. You totally feel sorry for both AJ and Ryan, who have to break up when their parents decide to get married. AJ not only has to deal with her ex-boyfriend being her new step-brother, but she must also deal with the fact that her former classmate, Noah, was found dead after they had been making out at a party. While Ryan is dating Lindsay, a girl that AJ really has never like. She also, suddenly seems to be having the worst luck of anyone on the face of the planet. Plus, she isn’t really sure what is going on with her two best friends, who have her stuck in the middle of some huge fight.

I think AJ is a total kick-butt heroine and loved that she is such a strong character. She has more thrown at her than any normal seventeen-year-old girl should have to deal with, mortal or vampire. Melissa Francis gives the reader a real treat with Bite Me!, and I can’t wait to read more of her books in the future. Love Sucks! Is the next book in this series, which will be release in Spring of 2010.

***Disclaimer*** I bought this book myself.

We Need a Little Early Christmas...

Shiloh Walker passed this on after checking it out through Snopes.com and it appears legit. Let's brighten this little guy's day. I found this over on Stacy's blog and I will be sending mine out today.


ATTENTION FACEBOOK FAMILY & FRIENDS! Diana Harrison Biorkman has a 5-yr old son in his last stages of a 2 1/2 year battle with Neuroblastoma cancer. They are celebrating Christmas next weekend and Noah loves Christmas cards. Please take a minute to send a card to: Noah Biorkman, 1141 Fountain View Circle, South Lyon MI 48178. THANKS. PLEASE REPOST THIS MSG & EMAIL YOUR BUDDIES!
***this was sent to me, please pass it on***
~ Edited to add link to a story about Noah ~(Thanks Stacy)

Mouse in my House

When I got home from work yesterday, I turned on the kitchen light only to discover a mouse in my floor. He/she was moving kind of slow, but did in fact go under my refrigerator. Of course, at this point I wanted to be anywhere else but in my apartment. I tried to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible, but still had to fix my dinner before going to my Financial Peace class. I managed to re-heat my meal faster than ever and was out of the kitchen as quickly as possible. I didn't see the little guy again, but did make a call to the office to make sure they knew I wanted my new "roommate" removed as fast as possible. Of course, since I have no idea where it went, meant that I could only be in my kitchen for a short period of time this morning before work.

I really think I would be much better about mice had my little brother not brought a dead mouse into our living room to show off what he found(I think he was about 4, so I was about 8). Every since then, I pretty much want to be up on furniture as soon as I see a mouse. Luckily, I haven't seen the little guy again and someone from maintenance will be there today to hopefully remove it from my home. Not sure how well I will sleep until I know the critter is out of my house.

In book news, I finished Bite Me! by Melissa Francis the other night and should have my thoughts up about it hopefully tonight(you know if I'm not still traumatized by a mouse). I will say I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more books in this series. (**Disclaimer** I bought this book myself)

Covet

Covet by JR Ward is the first book in her new Fallen Angel series. From the back cover.~

Redemption isn’t a work Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charged with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option.

Vin diPietro has surrendered himself to his business-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough-talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior, and a woman who makes him question his destiny. With an ancient evil ready to claim him, Vin has to work with a fallen angel not only to win his beloved over…but to redeem his very soul.

I had been waiting for Covet to come out for months. JR Ward is one of my all-time favorite writers and I couldn’t wait to read her newest series. I really liked Covet and look forward to the rest of the books in this series. I will say that for me, it seemed to start out a little slow and felt a bit scattered in the beginning. However, once I got into the story a bit more, I really loved it. Jim is probably one of my most favorite characters she has ever written (Z is my favorite ever). I also loved Eddie, Adrian, and Dog. I really didn’t love some of the other characters in the book. Marie-Terese wasn’t really as strong as I expected her to be, especially for someone who will do anything to protect her son. Vin was a bit unlikeable at the beginning of the book, but he got better as the book progressed and he met Marie-Terese. The Warden gives the reader a little bit of everything with Covet, including romance, love, evil, and redemption.

There are seven book scheduled for the Fallen Angel series. Jim must help save the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. Crave is the second book in the series and the release date is scheduled for October 2010.

***Disclaimer*** I bought this book. Had to come back and post this since the new blogging rules about books started as of 11/01/09.

Post later today...I promise

I promise I'll get my post about Covet up later today. I'm getting ready to head over to watch some football with my friends this afternoon. Vince Young is back as the starting quarterback for the Tennessee Titans today. I'm hoping our team can turn it around starting today and move forward to have a great balance of the season. The dream would be to go 10-6. Also pulling for the Vikings today against the Packers.

Before I can have all of my fun watching football, I have to go deal with Verizon and my blackberry. For some reason when I updated the software, I lost my browser, facebook application, and my entire application center. Now have to make time to go by the Verizon store to get everything fixed. So wish I could have an iphone and still stick with Verizon. My contract is up in another year and I'll have to make some serious choices about my phone plan at that time.

Update

I had planned on getting my post up a little sooner on my blog this year. I've done ok, but not as well as I would have liked. I finished reading Covet by JR Ward on Wednesday night and will post my thoughts on it this weekend. I will say I really enjoyed the first book in this series and will be interested to see where she goes with some of the characters. More to come either tonight or in the morning.

Sweet Persuasion

Sweet Persuasion is an erotic romance by Maya Banks and is the second book in her Sweet series. From the back cover.~

The man of her dreams would give the orders. For him, she has two words that satisfied them both…”Take me.”

For five years, Serena has run Fantasy Incorporated and has devoted her time to fulfilling her clients’ fantasies-never her own. Until now…

Her most secret desire is to give ownership of her body to a man. Someone who will command her, pleasure her and have complete authority over her. So she seeks Damon Roche, owner of an exclusive sex club and a man strong enough to make her do anything he wants. Anything.
Together they’ll journey into a world she’s only dreamed of. She will be given the opportunity to immerse herself in a different life while her normal one waits for her to return whenever she wishes. Damon has no desire to let her go, however. Serena is the woman he’s long searched for, and it’s up to him to convince her to stay when the game is over. He wants their fantasy to become reality, and wants Serena to remain his pampered, cherished submissive.

I really love this series by Maya Banks. As I said with Sweet Surrender, I’m not always in my comfort zone with some of the scenes. However, Sweet Persuasion has such an amazing story and wonderful characters; I could get past my discomfort. I loved how strong Serena is, even though she doesn’t seem to realize it initially. Damon is a sexy man looking for a special woman to spend his life with. The woman, who will choose to spend her life with him, must accept he will have complete authority over everything in their relationship. I wanted to see Damon and Serena find a way to make their relationship work. They have a hot and extremely sexy relationship that is so full of love.

Sweet Seduction is the next book is this super sexy series and is currently available for purchase. I looked for it when I purchased Sweet Persuasion, but it wasn’t in the store yet. I highly recommend this series.

Next up for me is Covet by JR Ward. This is the first book in her new Fallen Angel series, and I'm really loving it so far.

Carpe Corpus

Carpe Corpus is the sixth book in the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine. From the back cover.~

Welcome to Morganville, Texas. Don’t stay out after dark.

In the small college town of Morganville, vampires and humans lived in (relative) peace – until all the rules got rewritten when evil vampire Bishop arrived, looking for the lost book of vampire secrets. He’s kept a death grip on the town ever since.

Now an underground resistance is brewing, and in order to contain it, Bishop must go to even greater lengths. He vows to obliterate the town and all its inhabitants-the living and the undead. Claire Danvers and her friends are the only ones who stand in her way. But even if they defeat Bishop, will the vampires be content to go back to the old rules after having had such a taste of power?

Carpe Corpus is another winner in the Morganville Vampire series. Claire and her friends just trying to survive since Bishop took over Morganville, Texas. Bishop is running the city of Morganville as a dictator. The vampires pretty much have free reign to do what they want to do, while the humans are just trying to make it through each day. Claire and her friends must once again work behind the scenes to keep everyone in Morganville safe. Of course to all work together, they must first find a way to break Shane out of jail. They must also make up with Eve, since she is so angry with everyone for their allegiance to Bishop, or at least their appearance of an allegiance to Bishop.

I've love the Morganville Vampires series since I read the very first book. I look forward to more books in this series. Fade Out is the seventh book in this series, and is scheduled for release on November 3, 2009.

Behind on blogging again

So I've gotten behind on blogging on my blog once again. I have 2 books to post about in the next few days, both of which I purchased for myself. I finished Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine, which is the 6th book in the Morganville Vampires series last week, and finished Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks yesterday. Carpe Corpus is a YA paranormal book and Sweet Persuasion is an erotic romance. I got behind when I took a few days off from work to visit with family. My internet connection was limited and I didn't even get to stop by most of my daily blogs to chat with all of my friends. I was able to catch up on almost all of my DVR'd shows when I got home on Tuesday, but still have a few more to get watch this weekend.

I'm currently reading Covet by JR Ward, which is the first book in her new Fallen Angel series. I plan on catching up on all of my DVR'd shows, blogging, and reading this weekend. I've very excited to read Covet, since I've been waiting for it for several months.

The Last Song

The Last Song is the latest book by Nicholas Sparks. From the inside cover flap.~

Seventeen-year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, particularly her father…until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she and her younger brother spent the summer with him in North Carolina.

Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will be the centerpiece of a local church. Resentful and rebellious, Ronnie rejects all of his attempts to reach out to her and threatens to return to New York before the summer’s end. But soon Ronnie meets Will, the town’s local heartthrob, and the last person she thought she’d ever be attracted to. As Ronnie slowly lets her guard down, she finds herself falling deeply in love, opening herself up to the greatest happiness-and pain-that she has ever known.

An unforgettable story of love in all its myriad forms-first love, love between parents and children-THE LAST SONG demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that love can break our hearts…and heal them.

The Last Song was a good story and I enjoyed it. However, since I knew the book had already been made into a movie, I kept trying to imagine how the book would play out on screen. I enjoyed reading about first love and even the elements of mystery about the fire that had occurred at the local church. I will say that Ronnie was really hard to like at the beginning of the book. She was so horrible to both of her parents, I almost felt like the book moved too slowly at first. Only after she met Will did we see Ronnie as she really could be. With The Last Song, Sparks had me both laughing out loud at times, and crying at others. I did connect with this book, and look forward to seeing the movie in January. Sparks wrote the screenplay for Miley Cyrus to play Ronnie, and I’ll be interested to see how she does.

I won’t say The Last Song is my favorite Nicholas Sparks book written (favorites are still The Notebook and A Walk to Remember), but I’m glad I read it.

Mine Till Midnight

Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas is the first book in her Hathaway series. From the back cover.~

THEIR LIVES DEFY CONVENTION.

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

THEIR DESIRE CONSUMES THEM BOTH…

Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship-but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into the most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter…

Mine Till Midnight was another fun and very sexy read by Lisa Kleypas. I love the entire Hathaway family, with all of their craziness. Amelia has become the head of the family, every since her brother Leo lost the woman he loved to scarlet fever. The Hathaway family tends to have only one type of luck, bad luck. Cam Rohan is a gypsy who has the Midas touch. No matter how much he tries to lose all of his money, he turns everything to gold. From the moment Cam and Amelia first see each other, there is an instant attraction that they both try to fight. When Cam and Amelia finally give in to their attraction, the passion leaps off the pages. Amelia finally has someone to lean on with Cam, and he has someone who needs him and his money for the first time in his life.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mine Till Midnight. The Hathaways are such a fun family and we even get a taste of some of the Wallflowers in this book. The next book in the Hathaway series is Seduce Me at Sunrise, which I am currently reading. I feel like I should send out a thank you note to Carolyn at http://thethrillionthpage.blogspot.com/ for suggesting Lisa Kleypas to me the first time. It was her raving about The Devil in Winter that had me trying my first Kleypas book.

First the Microwave then the Washing Machine

First my microwave decided it wanted to go to the appliance graveyard followed quickly by my washing machine. I really can't complain too much, since the washer was used and given to me for free and the microwave was 10 years old. However, having both happen within days of one another really was hard to take. Luckily, I found a great deal on a new microwave at Target last night. I went in ready to pay close to $100 for a new microwave and found the one I really wanted on clearance for only $41.00. Woohoo for me! Now hoping I find a great deal at the scratch & dent store for my washing machine. I'm not looking for a top of the line machine, just one with a delicate cycle and more than one water level for washing.

I will be posting a review about Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas soon. I finished it over the weekend and loved it, but with my washing machine drama, Titan's football drama, and visiting with friends, I haven't had a chance to post a review. Currently reading The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks and although it started slow, the story is starting to pick up.

Sweet Surrender

Sweet Surrender is an erotic romance by Maya Banks. From the back cover.~

Under Faith Malone’s deceptively soft exterior lies a woman who knows exactly what she wants: a strong man who’ll take without asking-because she’s willing to give him everything…

Dallas cop Gray Montgomery is on a mission: find the guy who killed his partner and bring him to justice. So far, he’s found a link between the killer and Faith-and if Gray has to get close to her to catch the killer, so be it.

Faith is sweet and feminine, everything Gray wants and desires in a woman, but he suspects she’s playing games. No way would she allow a man to call the shots in their relationship. Or would she?

Faith sees in Gray the strong, dominant man she needs, but he seems determined to keep her at a distance. So she takes matters into her own hands to prove to him it’s no game she’s playing. She’s willing to surrender to the right man. Gray would like to be that man. But catching his partner’s killer has to be his first priority-until Faith is threatened and Gray realizes he will do anything to protect her…

Sweet Surrender was a super hot and sexy story. The attraction between Gray and Faith is there from their first meeting. Of course, Gray tries as hard as he can to keep their relationship from becoming anything but a business one. However, when Faith gets herself into a sticky yet sexy situation, Gray steps in and moves their relationship to a whole new level. For Gray’s and Faith’s relationship to work long-term, Faith must be willing to surrender completely to Gray in every way. If Faith agrees to Gray’s conditions he promises her she will always be taken care of in every way. Sweet Surrender is classified as an erotic romance. I’ve really only read a few book classified as erotic before this one and really enjoy them. They are much steamier than regular romances, but the story is so well developed that the hotter sex just adds another layer to the story. There were a couple of the sexier scenes that were outside my comfort level in Sweet Surrender, but not so much that I couldn’t read them.

I really enjoyed Sweet Surrender and look forward to reading the other books in this series. Sweet Persuasion is currently out right now with Sweet Seduction scheduled for release in October 2009 and Sweet Temptation scheduled for release in April 2010.

Bad Moon Rising

Bad Moon Rising is the latest book in the Dark-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. From the inside cover.~

A stunning and suspenseful new landscape emerges in the thrilling Dark-Hunter world-a world where nothing will ever be the same again…

Fang Kattalakis isn’t just a wolf. He is the brother of two of the most powerful members of the Omegrion, the ruling council that enforces the laws of the Were-Hunters, and when war erupts among the lycanthropes, sides must be chosen. Enemies are forced into shaky alliances. And when the woman Fang loves is accused of betraying her people, her only hope is that Fang believes in her. Yet in order to save her, Fang must break the law of his people and the faith of his brothers. That breech could very well spell the end of both their races and change their world forever.

The war is on and time is running out…

I really enjoyed Bad Moon Rising. I had been waiting for Fang and Aimee’s story from the moment they met. There is some re-telling from other books in the series, but I felt it worked since the re-telling was from either Fang’s or Aimee’s point of view. We also get to see the romance between Fang and Aimee from the very beginning. Since Fang is a wolf and Aimee is a bear, there is a little problem with them falling in love. They fight their attraction as long as possible, but eventually give in to their desires.

Between the romance of Fang and Aimee and the many cameo appearances from the various Dark-Hunters, especially Acheron who is my favorite, Bad Moon Rising is another winner in my book. Both One Silent Night and Bad Moon Rising give foreshadowing to a change in the war between the Dark-Hunters and the Daimon. I look forward to direction future books will take.

One Silent Night

One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon is another book in her Dark-Hunter series. From the back cover.~

Stryker has sent word and is gathering his forces.

While the world carries on unawares, Stryker, who leads an army of demons and vampires, is plotting an all-out onslaught against his enemies-which, unfortunately for us, includes the entire human race.

To avenge his sister, Stryker prepares to annihilate the Dark-Hunters. But things go awry when his oldest enemy returns. Enter his ex-wife Zephyra. Just when he thought nothing could stop him, he’s now embroiled in a century-old war with a shrew who gives new meaning to pain.

New battle lines are being drawn as the Dark-Hunters rally for a final showdown on One Silent Night.

I was so excited to finally get to read Stryker’s book. He is one of my favorite bad boys from this series and I can’t believe I waited this long to finally read his book. One Silent Night is filled with action and romance. Stryker has only loved one woman in his lifetime, his ex-wife Zephyra. However, his father made him give her up and she has never forgiven him. Stryker has also decided it is time to get rid of two of his biggest enemies, Acheron and Nick.

Sherrilyn Kenyon gives the readers another winner with One Silent Night. The romance between Stryker and Zephyra is so sweet, yet very passionate. We finally see how Stryker became the man he is and how the love of one woman, and a daughter he never knew he had, can really change him. Of course, Stryker being Stryker, he will never totally change, but that is one of the reasons I love him. He makes no excuses for who he is.

I also have finished Dream Warrior and hope to post about it in the next couple of days. I can say that I really liked it.

Update to Blog

I plan on posting about at least one of the books I've read over the last couple of weeks. I'm in the middle of Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon(Fang & Aimee's story I've been waiting for forever), and plan on at least posting about One Silent Night, also by Sherrilyn Kenyon tonight. Will try to get a post up about Dream Warrior and Bad Moon Rising on Thursday. Of course, The Biggest Loser is back tonight on NBC, so all post must be done as soon as I get home. The Biggest Loser is pretty much the only reality show I watch any more and I'm so excited that it is back tonight.

Lack of time and blogging

So, I know it's been several days since my last post, but lack of time is getting in the way of my blogging. Work has been crazy from late last week up until today. Hopefully things will run more smoothly tomorrow, but with our newest software conversion, I'm not holding out much hope. I have been reading each night and even have 2 books to post about in the next couple of days. Luckily, some of the new tv shows will be back on this week(Woohoo for Gossip Girl).

I also hope to get back to posting on all my regular blog stops. I've been lurking more than anything lately and hope to get back to my daily post. I miss my blog friends when I don't get a chance to chat. Hope to get back to posting daily with all my friends.

Hard As Nails

Hard As Nails is an anthology with 3 stories by HelenKay Dimon. From the back cover.~

What's better than a man who's good with his hands? Try a trio of hard-bodied hunks who'll be happy to flip your house, your heart...and anything else you have in mind...

This Old House

Architect Cole Carruthers's mission is simple-visit his company's latest rehab project and cajole the sweet old lady who once owned it into vacating the premises. But the sultry, sledge-hammer-wielding woman he finds is far from old, nor particularly sweet. For reasons she won't reveal, Aubrey Matheson refuses to leave the house she claims is her birthright. As far as Cole's concerned, there's only one thing to do with this squatter:hunker down with her and discover every single one of her sexy secrets...

All About Adam

The last meeting tough-as-nails Becky Carter took with sharp-witted, wicked sexy lawyer and real estate rehabber Adam Thomas culminated in a scorching-hot game of kiss-and-run. Becky was the one running, and she's regretted it ever since. Now Adam's back to do some actual business...or so he says. If Becky has her way, this weekend of negotiation will speed from boardroom to bedroom-and stay there...

Man at the Door

After finding herself famous for all the wrong reasons, artist Erin McHugh just wants to fix up her house, open her art studio, and settle down out of the spotlight. Then job Foreman Ray Hammond walks through her door and Erin recognizes broad-shouldered trouble. Hot, young and always in the news, Ray is everything Erin wanted to avoid. The challenge is how to resist a guy who can build anything, fix anything-and make Erin feel everything...

I loved all three stories in this anthology. Cole, Adam, and Ray are all super sexy, while still being really smart. Aubrey, Becky, and Erin each have something to hide, but are all instantly attracted to their sexy heroes. Watching each couple fall for one another was so sweet, and when they finally did give in to their passion, super hot.

HelenKay gives readers another winner with these three sexy stories.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice Makes Perfect is the second book to be released by Julie James. From the back cover.~

WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION…

Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face-to-face, they’re perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they have kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as coworkers for one reason only: to make partner at the firm.

…THERE ARE NO RULES.

But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case. Though apprehensive at first, they begin to appreciate each other’s dedication to the law-and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection does not last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it’s an all out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar…

I’ll admit I’ve had Practice Makes Perfect in my TBR pile for some time. However, when Stacy did her spotlight on Julie James, everyone made a comment about how much they loved Practice Makes Perfect, and especially J.D., so I had to move it up to the top of my list.

I loved Practice Makes Perfect! The chemistry between Payton and J.D. is amazing. They also were really funny, whether trying to beat each other to the office in the morning or pulling of the better prank against one another. The fireworks really ignite when they are forced to work on a case together that will guarantee one person makes partner and one person looks for another job. Working so close finally allows the chemistry that has always been between them to come to the surface.

I've loved both of Julie's books that I've read so far, and am really looking forward to her next release Something About You, which comes out in March 2010. Julie's books are smart, funny, and very sexy.

Shadowlight: A Novel of the Kyndred

Shadowlight: A Novel of the Kyndred is the first book in a new series by Lynn Viehl. I found this blurb on Shiloh Walker’s blog.

With a single touch, Jessa Bellamy can see anyone’s darkest secrets. She’s tried to hide her psychic ability from everyone, but a biotech company called GenHance has discovered her talent, and intends to take her, kill her and harvest her priceless DNA to sell it to the highest bidder.

A mysterious photographer named Gaven Matthias is also interested in Jessa; he’s been trying to find her for months. When GenHance makes their move, Gaven has no choice but to kidnap Jessa himself so he can protect her and convince her to join him in helping protect others like her. Jessa discovers that she can’t see any of Gaven’s secrets, so she doesn’t know if he’s telling the truth, but as a monstrous assassin created by GenHance’s experiments closes in on them, she must decide if the strong attraction they share is proof enough that Gaven is her greatest ally — or is a smokescreen hiding a terrible secret.

After Stay the Night (book 7 of the Darkyn), I was afraid we wouldn’t get any more books associated with the Darkyn. Luckily, the Kyndred books still have some of the characters from the Darkyn books. I was sent an eARC of Shadowlight and had to start reading it the minute I received the email. I loved all of the Darkyn books and was very excited to start reading the Kyndred series. Each member of the Kyndred, like the Darkyn, has a special ability. Jessa Bellamy can see anyone’s darkest secrets with just a touch. She tends to only trust her friends like her that she stays connected with over the internet. Gaven Matthias has been looking for Jessa for months. He knows because of her special ability, she is at risk. However, Jessa must first learn to trust Matthias and Rowen, Gaven’s assistant and friend, so she can learn more about the other Kyndred.Jessa has known for sometime there are others out there with special abilities, but until Matthias shows up, she has really only connected with others via the internet.

I really enjoyed Shadowlight, and look forward to more books in the Kyndred series in the future. I felt the book started out a little slow, only because it jumped around a bit. However, it picked up quickly and ended up being an action-packed read full of romance and adventure. I loved Jessa, Matthias and especially Rowen, who was really one of my favorite characters in the book. The release date for Shadowlight is currently scheduled for October 6, 2009.

Holiday Weekend

I've had the best holiday weekend. I took part of Friday off work to just relax(original plans to visit family fell through when swine flu hit their house). I took the best nap on Friday afternoon and was even able to get some reading in after my nap. I still have 3 books to post about, and really plan to do so tomorrow. On Saturday, college football season began in Tennessee. Went over to a friend's house to watch the awesome TN Vols game, only to get home in time to watch Vandy blow-out their first game of the season too. With the Titan's win at home on Thursday night for their final pre-season game, it is FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!

Today I got to see the play Wicked at TPAC in Nashville with some of my family. I love, love, love seeing Broadway plays, and have to say that Wicked is now one of my favorites ever! Must read the book the play is based on the play at some point in the future. Had a wonderful birthday dinner for Jenny(honorary aunt) at Kobe's and now I'm kicked back reading and watching The Sound of Music on ABC Family. The fact that I own the movie on dvd and could totally watch it without commercials is not lost on me, but it is just one of those movies I have to watch anytime it comes on tv.

I really haven't made any plans for my day off tomorrow, and really think the only plans I'm going to think about is spending my whole day reading. I haven't taken a day just to read in such a long time, and I'm looking forward to sleeping in and then spending the day reading in my pajamas. Hoping everyone else has had an awesome holiday weekend!

Frostbite

Frostbite is the second book in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. From the back cover.~

When Love And Jealousy Collide On The Slopes, Winter Break Turns Deadly…

Rose Hathaway’s got serious guy trouble. Her gorgeous tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason has a huge crush on her, and she keeps getting stuck in her best friend Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian.

Then a massive Strigoi attack puts St. Vladmir’s on high alert, and the Academy crawls with Guardians-including the legendary Janine Hathaway…Rose’s formidable, long-absent mother. The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks. This year, St. Vlad’s holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only provide the illusion of safety. When three students run away to strike back against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. Only this time, Rose-and her heart-are in more danger than she ever could have imagined…

I’m so glad that I stumbled upon The Vampire Academy series. It is one of the best YA series that I’ve found so far. Rose is such a strong, kick-ass character, yet she also has all the same problems as any other teenage girl. She has the added bonus of being a Guardian in training set to protect her very best friend, Lissa. We also meet Rose’s mother in Frostbite. To say they have a dysfunctional relationship is like saying the Titanic ran into a little bit of ice. Rose is angry at her mother for not really being there for her while she was growing up. Janine wants Rose to focus more on her training and stay away from all the guys in her life.

Rose must once again step up to protect her friends, but this time she must team up with Christian. Only after Rose battles the Strigoi to try and save her friends can she really appreciate all her mother has done in her life.

I really enjoyed Frostbite, and am so excited that I have the next two Vampire Academy books in my to be read pile/mountain. The third book in the series is Shadow Kiss, and the fourth book is Blood Promise, which was released on August 25.

Double Play

Double Play is the first in a new baseball series by Jill Shalvis. From the back cover.~

Getting to first base is a cinch…But getting home will take a grand slam…

Pace Martin is the ace pitcher for the Pacific Heat. He’s got the arm, the experience, and the wins. He’s also got the pain, the pressure, and the possible end of his career looming over him. The last thing he needs now is a distraction, even if it comes in the form of a tough, beautiful, tell-it-like-it-is writer who sees past his defenses.

Holly Hutchins knows a good story when she sees one, and the tall, dark, and slightly attitude-challenged Pace Martin fits the bill. But when she realizes there’s more at stake than just a win, she starts to see the handsome, broad-shouldered jock in a different light.

Pace and Holly begin a seductive game, but in the face of unexpected betrayal and challenges, they’ll have to find the courage to swing for the fences…

Jill Shalvis combines two of my favorite things with Double Play: romance and baseball. Pace Martin is one of the best pitchers in the league. However, no one knows that he has a shoulder injury that could affect the Heat’s chances for the World Series this year. Holly Hutchins is a reporter sent to do a story on the star players from the Heat, especially Pace Martin, who almost never gives an interview. Holly can tell that Pace is trying to hide something from their very first meeting. Pace thinks Holly is a royal pain in the butt from their very first meeting. However, the more time they spend together, the more they become attracted to one another. Following a heated kiss in the Heat’s locker room, Holly and Pace battle their attraction for one another as Pace continues to try and hide his injury. Holly and Pace continue to grow closer, and when they finally give into their attraction, their passion is electrifying.

I’ve loved every book I’ve ever read by Jill Shalvis, and Double Play is another winner. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, Slow Heat, which comes out in February 2010.

Hunted

Hunted by PC Cast and Kristin Cast is the 5^th book in the House of Night series. From the inside cover.~

At the start of this heart-pounding new installment in the bestselling House of Night series, Zoey’s friends have her back again and Stevie Rae and the red fledglings aren’t Neferet’s secret any longer. But an unexpected danger has emerged. Neferet guards her powerful new consort, Kalona, and on one at the House of Night seems to understand the threat he poses. Kalona is gorgeous, and he has the House of Night under his spell. A past life holds the key to breaking his rapidly spreading influence, but what if this past life unearths secrets Zoey doesn’t want to see and truths she can’t face?

On the run and holed up in Tulsa’s Prohibition-era tunnels, Zoey and her gang must discover a way to deal with something that might bring them all down. Meanwhile, Zoey has a few other little problems. The red fledglings have cleaned up well-they’ve even managed to make the dark, creepy tunnels feel more like home-but are they really as friendly as they seem? On the boyfriend front, Zoey has a chance to make things right with super-hot ex, Eric, but she can’t stop thinking about Stark, the archer who died in her arms after one unforgettable night, and she is driven to try to save him from Neferet’s sinister influence at all costs. Will anyone believe the power evil has to hide among us?

I’ve loved the House of Night series since I read the first book, Marked. Hunted is another winner for mother-daughter team PC Cast & Kristin Cast. Zoey, as usual has more than anyone her age should have to handle. Not only has Neferet turned from the Goddess Nyx, but Zoey also has to keep the red fledglings in line, protect her friends, and deal with three different guys. Luckily, Zoey has all of her friends around her again. Zoey must use all of her strengths to fight Neferet and Kalona. While trying to save all of her friends and her school, Zoey is like any other teenage girl, and must decide which of the three guys she really wants. Between her human ex-boyfriend Heath, who has been in her life the longest, ex-boyfriend Erik, who still hasn’t forgiven her for cheating on him, and Stark, who died in her arms and is now a red fledgling, Zoey has her hands full trying to make everyone happy.

With more action and drama in Hunted, the reader is given a non-stop, edge of their seat ride with Zoey and her friends. The next book in the series Tempted comes out on October 27, 2009, and I will be at the bookstore that day to get my next fix from the House of Night series.

Book Reviews to Come

So I seem to keep getting behind posting about the books I've finished reading. Last week I read Hunted by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast, Double Play by Jill Shalvis, and Frostbite by Richelle Mead. In the next few days, I plan on posting about all 3 books.

The 8th Confession

The 8^th Confession is the latest book in the Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. From the inside cover.~

APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING

As San Francisco’s most glamorous millionaires mingle at the party of the year, someone is watching-waiting for a chance to take vengeance on Isa and Ethan Bailey, the city’s most celebrated couple. Finally, the killer pinpoints the ideal moment, and it’s the perfect murder. Not a trace of evidence is left behind in their glamorous home.

BUT THE TRUTH CAN BE DEADLY-

As Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile murder, someone else is found brutally executed-a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls through the cracks, but when reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it, she knows the story could be huge. Probing deeper into the victim’s history, she discovers he may not have been quite as saintly as everyone thought.

LET THE CONFESSIONS BEGIN.

As the hunt for two criminals test the limits of the Women’s Murder Club, Lindsay sees sparks fly between Cindy and Lindsay’s partner, Detective Rich Conklin. The Women’s Murder Club now faces its toughest challenge: will love destroy all that four friends have built? The exhilarating new chapter in the Women’s Murder Club series, The 8^th Confession serves up a double dose of speed-charged twists and shocking revelations as only James Patterson can. And remember, this is the only Murder Club episode this year.

Patterson and Paetro give the reader another winner in the Women’s Murder Club series with The 8^th Confession. There are two great mysteries for Lindsay and her friends to solve, as well as a bit of romance between Lindsay and Joe and Cindy and Rich, Lindsay’s partner. You also see the relationship between the members of the Women’s Murder Club grow in the latest book.

I really enjoyed The 8^th Confession and look forward to more books in the Women’s Murder Club series in the future.

Louisville Library Book Drive Update

Updated information from Shiloh Walker about the Louisville Free Public Library is below. Any and all donations will be appreciated.

On August 4, heavy rains caused flooding in Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding areas.  The Louisville Free Public Library’s main branch was hit hard and the damages are estimated at $1 million $5 million. (per the Courier Journal on 8/6/09)

I’m putting to a book drive in effort to help.

How you can help:

Everybody:

Donations of new books, all genres.

Information about monetary donations can be found at WFPL.

Authors & Publishers:

Donations of both signed and unsigned books.  All genres, from children’s books to romance to non-fiction, etc, etc.

Signed books can be used in fundraiser purposes.  Unsigned books can be used to help replenish the books that were lost due to the flood.

I have spoken with somebody with the library** and at this time, they have no place to store books.  However, I’m close and I will keep the books at my house until they are able to take them.

For those wishing to donate books, please send to:

Shiloh Walker

PO Box 976

Jeffersonville, IN

47131

Feel free to repost this information in it’s entirety.

Shiloh Walker

http://shilohwalker.com

http://shilohwalker.wordpress.com

**Please note, I did speak with library personnel before I started this bookdrive.  I realize they had no storage/no way to process books, which is why I’m holding them for the time being, and I did discuss that with library personnel as well.  Several members of the library do have my contact info, should they have concerns, and none have contacted me.

Another way to help (added 8/10) Jessi, a commenter who works for one of the branches posted:

I do know that a few months before the flood ever happened, the library set up a wishlist on Amazon.com for people wanting an easy way to donate books. I think that this is going to be especially needed when we get things together here (I’ve heard we’ll be lucky to have everything back together by the end of 2009). If you’re interested, you can go toamazon.com and search for “Louisville Free Public Library” under wish lists. Right now it’s mainly children’s stuff, a few classics and replacements for book discussion kits, but I feel confident they will be adding more over the next few months! Thanks again!

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BOOK DRIVE

I saw this post on Shiloh Walker's blog and Stacy's blog and copied it over hoping more people would see the post. I hope anyone who sees this post will take the time to mail out at least one new book to help rebuild the lost collection.

On August 4, heavy rains caused flooding in Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding areas. The Louisville Free Public Library’s main branch was hit hard and the damages are estimated at $1 million.

I’m putting to a book drive in effort to help.

How you can help:

Everybody:

Donations of new books, all genres.

Information about monetary donations can be found at WFPL.

Authors & Publishers:

Donations of both signed and unsigned books. All genres, from children’s books to romance to non-fiction, etc, etc.

Signed books can be used in fundraiser purposes. Unsigned books can be used to help replenish the books that were lost due to the flood.

Flooding at Louisville Free Public Library

Image from WFPL

I have spoken with somebody with the library and at this time, they have no place to store books. However, I’m close and I will keep the books at my house until they are able to take them.

For those wishing to donate books, there are two ways you can send them. I can either receive them my post box address or a friend will receive them at her home.

If you wish to mail them via the USPS, send to:

Shiloh Walker

PO Box 976

Jeffersonville, IN

47131

For those wishing to use Fedex or UPS, send to:

LFPL Book Drive

C/O Jennifer Kennedy

20813 State Rd # 62
Marysville, IN 47141

Feel free to repost this information in it’s entirety.

Shiloh Walker

http://shilohwalker.com/

http://shilohwalker.wordpress.com/

Book Drive

On August 4, heavy rains caused flooding in Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding areas.TheLouisville Free Public Library’s main branch was hit hard and the damages are estimated at $1 million.

I’m putting to a book drive in effort to help.

How you can help:

Everybody:

Donations of new books, all genres.

Information about monetary donations can be found atWFPL.

Authors & Publishers:

Donations of both signed and unsigned books.All genres, from children’s books to romance to non-fiction, etc, etc.

Signed books can be used in fundraiser purposes.Unsigned books can be used to help replenish the books that were lost due to the flood.

Image from WFPL

I have spoken with somebody with the library and at this time, they have no place to store books.However, I’m close and I will keep the books at my house until they are able to take them.

For those wishing to donate books, there are two ways you can send them.I can either receive them my post box address or a friend will receive them at her home.

If you wish to mail them via the USPS, send to:

Shiloh Walker

PO Box 976

Jeffersonville, IN

47131

For those wishing to use Fedex or UPS, send to:

LFPL Book Drive

C/O Jennifer Kennedy

20813 State Rd # 62
Marysville, IN 47141

Feel free to repost this information in it’s entirety.

Shiloh Walker

http://shilohwalker.com/

http://shilohwalker.wordpress.com/