My Book Wishlist

Here is my "Wishlist" so far....Slowly but surely I'm finding all sorts of new and very interesting books that are tripping my trigger!
Show No Fear - Marliss Melton
Hybrid - Angee L. Reed
Hush, Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick
Standing In The Shadows - Shannon McKenna
Line of Scrimmage - Marie Force
Shoulda Been A Cowboy - Lorelei James
Old Dogs Are The Best Dogs - Gene Weingarten
Big Little Life - Dean Koontz
Sworn to Silence - Linda Castillo
Blood Promise - Richelle Mead
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side - Beth Fantaskey
Loving Mr. Darcy - Sharon Lathan
Ballad - Maggie Stiefvater
The Return - Victoria Hislop
Deadly Little Secret - Laurie Faria Stolarz
Wonderous Strange - Lesley Livingston
The Darkest Pleasure - Gena Showalter
Scent of Darkness - Christina Dodd

Show No Fear giveaway!

I'm always looking for that "next read" even before I finish the one that I'm currently reading. I was out browsing some of the book bloggers that I met on Book Blogs and I found Froggaritaville's Bookcase. This blogger is giving away 5 copies of Marliss Melton's book Show No Fear. This one sounds REALLY good! You can check out more information about this giveaway by clicking on the image below.

Winter Prey - Review

Synopsis:

In four short years, John Sandford's rise has been meteoric. Critics and readers everywhere have hailed his "cracklingly authentic" (Los Angeles Times), "trimmed-to-the-bone" (Chicago Tribune) thrillers, and more than three and a half million copies of his four bestselling novels are in print. Few writers have explored the human dark side with as much insight and unpredictability - and now, in his fifth Lucas Davenport novel, he has created his most spellbinding story of all. It is winter in the remote, dark Wisconsin woods, but the chill in the local sheriff's bones has nothing to do with the weather. The extravagance of the crime is new to him: the murdered man, woman and child; the machete-like knife through the man's head; the ashes of the fire-consumed house spread over the ice and snow. In desperation, the sheriff turns for help to the reclusive lawman he'd heard had a cabin up here, and with reluctance Davenport agrees, but it is a decision he will soon have reason to regret. For this is a kind of criminal new to him, too. As he sifts through the ashes of the case itself, other crimes, shocking to his carefully hardened shell, emerge, and it becomes clear that there is an evil in these woods, an evil at once alien to him and closer than he can imagine ... and against which even his skills may not prevail. Sandford's previous novels have displayed a brilliance of characterization and pace that have made them instant favorites. But this one is his masterpiece. Rich, complex and full of extraordinary people, it is a breathtaking work of suspense.

I read this book not all that long ago, it was recommended to me by another of my co-workers, they read it in her book club and she REALLY liked it. Usually, I'm not into "thrillers" or "mysteries" but I was really drawn into this book. This is the 5th book in John Sandford's "Lucas Davenport" series....There are close to 20 books in this series now.

What I really liked about this book is that it kept you guessing. You thought you knew who "done it" but in the end you were oh so very wrong. I really enjoyed the characters as well. Lucas is one of those guys that's "been there done that" and helps out with this case reluctantly. The "Ice Man" as the killer is called is one sick puppy, that will do just about anything to get this 1 photograph back. The preacher, did he or didn't he? The Dr. is really the only person involved that knows who did it, unbeknownst to her. The local law enforcement...well they sound like your typical "fish out of water" when it comes to this particular case. The plot was in my opinion AWESOME....but then again this is the first book by this particular author that I have read. It was so good that I finished this 400 page book in a few short hours....Once I got started I just could not stop!

5 out of 5

The 3-4-5 Challenge

I just joined my first book challenge today. It's called the 3-4-5 challenge. If you would like to learn more about the challenge you can click on the image or you can head over to Chick Loves Lit and check it out.


Rules of this challenge:

1. It will run from August 1, 2009 to August 1, 2010

2. You may sign up at any point in this time period

3. To complete the challenge, you must read THREE books from one series, FOUR books from another series, and FIVE books from another series(For example: Song of Fire and Ice trilogy by George RR Martin, the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, and five of the Chronicles of Narnia books)

4. You do not have to choose your books ahead of time (but are more than welcome to)

5. You do not have to 'complete' a series (i.e. you don't have to read a trilogy for your three book requirement - just 3 books from the same series)

6. Only books that you read between August 1, 2009 and August 1, 2010 count

7. The books you read may count for other challenges

Gone With The Wind - Review

Synopsis:

Margaret Mitchell's epic novel of love and war won the Pulitzer Prize and went on to give rise to two authorized sequels and one of the most popular and celebrated movies of all time.

Many novels have been written about the Civil War and its aftermath. None take us into the burning fields and cities of the American South as Gone With the Wind does, creating haunting scenes and thrilling portraits of characters so vivid that we remember their words and feel their fear and hunger for the rest of our lives.

In the two main characters, the white-shouldered, irresistible Scarlett and the flashy, contemptuous Rhett, Margaret Mitchell not only conveyed a timeless story of survival under the harshest of circumstances, she also created two of the most famous lovers in the English-speaking world since Romeo and Juliet.

If you've seen the movie then I highly recommend reading the book to see all the "little" details that were left out of the movie. I guess in the end I'm fan of "bad boy" Rhett. I wasn't a real big fan of Ashley Wilkes....Don't know what it was...just didn't care for his character. Overall I really liked the book. I'm going to grade this one on a few different things though....

Length: 3 out of 5.....I know it's a classic but it was just a tad too long for my liking.

Dialogue: 3 out of 5....I really didn't care for the way that the "slaves" were written....was really difficult for my ADD brain to wrap itself around.

Overall: 5 out of 5

Forgiven - Review

Synopsis:

Tragedy strikes­—a brother and sister find themselves facing a situation that will shape the rest of their lives.When a fire destroys the Lundys' barn, Winnie is injured trying to get the animals to safety. Confined to a hospital for weeks, out of touch with her loved ones who live too far away to visit by buggy, she must depend on Englisher Samuel Miller to keep her company. Though his family is part of Winnie's tight-knit Amish community, Samuel left years earlier to pursue a university education. Through conversations, and Samuel's dedication to her recovery, a friendship forms. But despite their growing attraction, Winnie knows it can never develop into something more as long as Samuel chooses to remain in the outside world.When Winnie returns home, she finds her brother, Jonathan, struggling with his own dilemma. Cigarette butts were discovered in the debris of the barn and Jonathan is determined to find out who is responsible for destroying his property and putting his family at risk. But in a community founded on grace and forgiveness, will his unwillingness to move on eat away at the trust that is the foundation of their lives?

This is the story of John Lundy's (one of the characters from Wanted) little sister, Winnie. Winnie is injured in a barn fire and while Winnie is in the hospital she must rely on Amish -turned - English Sam Miller. While Winnie is dealing with her feelings for Sam, her brother John is dealing with his own dilemma. I was so very sad when I came to the end of this book. The series as a whole was excellent in my opinion and I didn't want to see it come to an end. I really like this author too.

5 out of 5

Wanted - Review

Synopsis:

For a split second, Katie feels certain she's about to receive everything she's ever wanted. . .Twenty-year-old Katie Brenneman has always quietly fancied Jonathan Lundy. So when the brokenhearted widower asks her to help him take care of his two young girls, Katie knows it will be a trying time—yet she cannot pass up a golden opportunity to get to know this man better.Just as she's settling into her new life, a message arrives from Katie's past, threatening to expose her darkest secrets. During her Rumspringa, her running-around years, she experimented with activities forbidden in the Amish way of life. Frightened by how far she'd strayed from her values, Katie ran back home, vowing to cut all ties with the outside world. Now her transgressions are coming back to haunt her, just as Jonathan seems willing to welcome her into his heart.Will the past destroy Katie's chances for love? Or will Katie allow herself to accept God's love, forgive her past, and receive everything she's ever wanted?

This is book 2 in the Sisters of the Heart series that I just got done reading. This book is about Anna's (the main character from Hidden) Amish friend Katie Brennemen. I really enjoyed this book as well. Let's just say that Katie isn't afraid to speak her mind even if it means ticking off some people. But she's also a little bit afraid that her past is going to haunt her forever. Again, this book was also VERY hard to put down so that I could get some sleep.

5 out of 5

Hidden - Review

Synopsis:

When Anna decides it's time to leave her abusive boyfriend, she doesn't know where to turn. Rob has completely won over her parents, and the entire community, with his good looks and smooth charm. Only Anna has seen his dark side.Desperate, she runs to the only place she's ever felt completely safe—the Amish Brenneman Bed and Breakfast, where Anna met life-long friend Katie Brenneman. The family welcomes her in, and with few questions asked allows her to stay, dressed in Plain clothing, and help around the inn.Katie's older brother Henry is the only one who doesn't take too kindly to the intrusion. He tries to ignore Anna, knowing no good would ever come from caring for an Englisher like her. But as he gets to know Anna, he discovers her good heart and is surprised with her readiness to accept their lifestyle.The more time Anna spends with the Amish, the more she feels she's found a true home. But how can she deny the life she left behind? And will her chance for happiness be stolen away by the man from her past?

A coworker of mine told me about this book and lent it to me to read last week. At first I was a little bit skeptical.....An "english" girl runs away from an abusive relationship to a Bed and Breakfast run by her friend and her family....Kicker they're Amish. But the more of the book that I read the more I understood the reason behind my coworker telling me about it. It ended up being a very good book and I could hardly wait to read the other 2 books in the series. It was VERY difficult for me to put down so that I could get some sleep.

5 out of 5

Fool - Review

Fool is a Christopher Moore’s own “wicked” poke at William Shakespeare’s King Lear. Now this book is NOT for the faint of heart. There is even a warning at the front of the book that reads: “This is a bawdy tale. Herein you will find gratuitous shagging, murder, spanking, maiming, treason, and heretofore unexplored heights of vulgarity and profanity, as well as non-traditional grammar, split infinitives, and the odd wank. If that sort of thing bothers you then gentle reader pass by, for we endeavor only to entertain, not to offend. That said, if that’s the sort of thing you think you might enjoy, then you happened upon the perfect story!” In the beginning the language was a little bit hard to interpret but as the story went along it was easier to the language became much easier to follow. This story was VERY engaging…At least for me it was. I hope that you check this book out!

The main character is Pocket, who has been Lear’s much cherished fool for many years. Being so trusted Pocket is at his master’s side when Lear demands that his three daughters swear to him their undying love and absolute devotion. Naturally, the snakes, Goneril and Regan are only too happy to tell daddy exactly what he wants to hear. But Lear’s third daughter Cordelia believes that her father’s request is to be blunt…kind of stupid and her blunt honesty gets banished and she also forfits her share of Lear’s kingdom as well.

Now the shit has really hit the fan. And the only person who can make it right? Pocket. Now he’s going to have to use some pretty fancy “foot work” (casting a few spells, start a war or two…the usual basic stuff) to get Cordelia back into Lear’s good graces, derail the evil power plays of Cordelia’s evil sisters and shag every single shaggable women who’s agreeable along the way.

Now Pocket may be a fool . . . but he’s definitely not an idiot. Especially when you come to the end and learn a little bit more about our dear friend Pocket.

I give this book a 4 out of 5. I really enjoyed it and it kept me super engaged....Plus it was plenty humorous as well!

Truck: A Love Story - Review

For the past week and a 1/2 I have been reading Michael Perry’s book….Truck a Love Story. I only now have found this Wisconsin author and so far I am loving his writing. I am going to keep this review short and sweet because I don’t want to give away too much. Truck is about Michael’s “mission” to get his 1951 International Harvestor truck running and operational by Deer Season (a “holiday” that we take VERY seriously here in Wisconsin). Along the way readers will learn why “seed catalogs are responsible for more unfulfilled fantasies than Enron and Penthouse combined,” why squirrels are evil, a little bit about Mike’s dating life and a little bit about his interesting neighbors.

I really enjoyed this book, I give it a 4 out of 5. Plus the author lives only a few hours north of where I live! I enjoyed this book so much that I can hardly wait to start reading his new book Coop. I’ve heard great things about it. I giggled most of the way through this book because Mike paints such vivid pictures with his words that you can imagine yourself there with him. I hope that you will check this book out!

My Addiction?.....Books

Ok so I have my regular blog where I "keep it real" about pretty much all things that are my life, but I decided that I wanted a special little spot for my new addiction: Books. For some unknown reason I have suddenly become fixated with reading. Oh don't get me wrong I've always enjoyed reading but right now I've pretty much ALWAYS have a book in my hands. So this little place on the Internet is dedicated soley to what I'm reading, what I've read and what I think of all of it.

I am looking forward to meeting new bloggy friends and sharing what I like and what I didn't like so much with all of you out there. Please bear with me as I'm trying to manage two blogs at the same time. I hope you enjoy!

J