Thursday, September 30, 2010

In The Dark by Richard Laymon

This month my local book club chose a horror book as this months book pick. As a teenager, i did read some Stephen King from time to time. Now I am mainly a romance kinda girl. So, this book was stepping out of my norm. However, that is sometimes part of a book club. So, here is a mini review on the book.

In the DarkPublished on November 1st 1994
Genre: Horror
Pages: 500
My Rating:



Jane is the main character in this book. She is a librarian and on day she find an envelope on her chair. She open the envelope to find $50 and a letter from Master of the Game, AKA, MOG.  In the envelope she gets a clue as the where to find the next envelope is. Upon finding the next one, she gets her money doubled. At this point, she is hooked. Who wouldn't be, if all they had to do was follow the clue and your money gets doubled. However, each clue brings her to more and more dangerous situations. Jane finds herself changing and doing things she never imagined doing, all in the name for another white envelope with more money and a clue.

The book definitely kept me involved. It was a big book, but it doesn't take long to finish. Your curiosity is spiked wanting to know what she has to do next, getting completely grossed out by the stuff she does, and then feeling the relief when she makes it out of that event alive. The book wasn't quite as horror as I thought it might get. I did enjoy it very much and I am glad that i decided to read it .It is a great spooky book for this time of the year.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Planning to Live by Heather Wardell

Planning to Live
Publication Date: August 31, 2010
Pages: 238
Genre: Thriller
My Rating:


Summary: Rhiannon is goal obsessed in her life. She has planned each day and evaluated each day of her life and looked to see how she could have done better. She is obsessed with her weight and the way others view her.  On Christmas she flees from her parents house because of all the food and the stress that it is bringing her. She winds up running off the road and is trapped in her car. The snow keeps coming down, burying her tracks from the car in the snow. While in the car, Rhiannon has time to reflect on her life.  She takes us then on a memory journey where we meet all the most important people in her life.

My thoughts: This book will draw you in immediately. You find yourself in the car with Rhiannon almost. The author does a great job describing what the character is going through. First thoughts to me, is why doesn't she just get out? Her left leg has something that has gone through her foot and is holding her trapped in the car. From the impact of the crash, her phone is on the floor just out of reach. She does have her laptop, however she can't get a wireless signal to e-mail anyone for help.  So it becomes a waiting game for Rhiannon and the reader.
Rhiannon has always struggled in her weight and she is a bit obsessed through out the story. Which makes me laugh, because so many people are, including myself. You put 10 pounds on, you get 10 pounds off. It just fluctuates. However poor Rhiannon has been exercising everyday and eating those nasty pre-packaged meals and her weight isn't budging. That has caused her to be even more obsessed. In the story we meet Bill who was her once finance before he was murdered.  We then go with her through her journey meeting Andrew and trying to move on with him.
If your looking for a book that will draw you in from the beginning and make you feel like you are there. This is it. I really think you would enjoy it. This is such a good book, that it really is hard to write a review without giving too much away.
To see what else Heather Wardell has written, check out her website.
www.HeatherWardell.com



**This book was provided to me by the author for my review of this book. I was not required to make this review positive.**

Monday, September 27, 2010

Giveaway: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel)
I have 5 copies of this wonderful book to giveaway! ( a big thanks to Anna @ Forever Romance) I am very excited and I hope you are too. This is an excellent book and will be one you thouroughly enjoy.  My review is HERE.

A quick summary:
In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.
Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.
The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.


How to Enter:
Fill out this form below
US and Canada Only. No PO Boxes
I have 5 copies to giveaway.
Contest will end: Oct. 11th.








Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel)

Publication Date: October 1st 2010
Pages: 311
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating:


Summary: Maddie has decided to leave her job and boyfriend behind and start a new life. With the recent passing of her mother, this has become a little bit easier. Her mother has left her Inn to her and her sisters. Starting over won't be easy, however Maddie sees this as a potential to a new career and home if only she can convince her two sisters who also now own a part in the Inn, that this is the right decision.  The Inn needs a huge makeover before the sisters can decide to keep or sell. They hire the best contractor in town, who happens to like making Maddie's life just a little bit harder, since she has sworn off me!

My Thoughts:  This was my first book by Jill Shalvis and I really enjoyed it. It was a very quick read for me. I got sucked into the story from page one. Maddie is looking for change in her life and to start over. She is given that opportunity with her mother passing and her and her three estranged sisters taking it over. Almost from the moment that Maddie comes into town, she is tangled up in Jax Cullen...and I mean this literally. Maddie is a very clumsy girl and she definitely makes you smile.She fights her feelings for Jax, however he doesn't make it easy for her. Maddie learns a lot about herself in this book and starts to grow the backbone that has always been there, but that she has been missing.

We also get to meet her two sisters in this book, Tara the southern bell and Chloe the wild child. Simply Irresistible is the first book in a three book series about these sisters. The next book in the series is due out April 2011 (Yes I know...that is too far away!).  It features Tara, and after getting to know her in this book, I can't wait!

One thing I really enjoyed about this book, was at the beginning of chapter, there was a quote. The quote usually had to do with the chapter. It was like a teaser and always made me want to read on. I know if you like contemporary romance, then you will like this book. In fact, I am hosting a giveaway for this very book!  So click HERE to enter!



**I received a copy of this book from Forever Romance for my honest review. I was not required to make it positive**

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids

Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids
Publication date: Oct. 10 2010

This book, Jesus Calling, is a daily devotional for kids. Every day is labeled by month and date (no year), so you have a different devotion to read each day with your children, or for your older child to read on their own.  This is a really neat little book and gives kids some great topics.

Here is today's devotional: September 26

The Curtain

You can live your whole life and never meet the president, the queen of England, or even the governor of your state. The rulers and royalty of this world would prefer to keep themselves separate from "ordinary" people.

But I am the King of the universe, and you can meet Me anytime. You don't need an appointment. You don't need a special invitation. and you don't have to go anywhere. You can sit in the comfort of your own room and speak directly to the King of Kings.

this is My gift to you-- bought with My own blood. Before I died on the cross, people were separated from God by a thick curtain in the temple. When I died, that curtain was torn into two. Now I, the King of kings, am your constant Companion and friend.

Read your own: Isaiah 50:40, Isaiah 55:2-3, John 19:30

This is definitely a great book to add to your collection, maybe even if you don't have kids. I love the little lessons in them and feel like I get just as much out of this book as my children.



**This book was provided to me by Booksneeze for my honest opinion. I have provided that in this review**

Too Much Temptation by Lori Foster

Too Much Temptation (Zebra Contemporary Romance)
Publication Date: February 1st 2002
Pages: 305
Genre: Comtemporary Romance
My Rating:


Summary: Grace Jenkins has never been good with guys. She mostly blames it on her weight. She has always admired Noah Harper from afar. Now his engagement has suddenly ended, and only Grace can be the one to comfort him. He wants Grace badly. He wants to possess her sweet curves that go on forever. savor her sweet innocence, and take her to limits of white hot desire...again and again. Grace gladly accepts and Noah deep down knows, she deserves better then him but he can't seem to let her go.

My Thoughts:  This was a hot little number! The only Lori Foster I have read before was from a book of three short stories by three different authors. I am so glad I decided to read this book. It was full of sizzling chemistry. This was the first book in a two part book series. The next book will be Never Too Much which I hope to get to soon.
I loved how Grace was a "bigger" girl in this series. It gets tiring sometimes always reading about these model skinny girls who we all know can get any man they want. Here Grace is, bigger, and she got the hot and rich man of her dreams. She was everything he had been looking for. Grace was very protective of him and it was something I really enjoyed about the story. She was not going to let anyone insult Noah.
This book was very provocative, so if that isn't your cup of tea, you might want to skip this one. These two were a match made in heaven in the bedroom and even though the book is over, this is one of those books were I would love a short sequel just to know how they are doing. Those are always the best books. So, I am hoping that in the next book, Grace and Noah make a small appearance while I get to read about Ben the brother to Noah getting taken down by love!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

the tower, the zoo, and the tortoise
 
Publication Date: August 10, 2010
Pages: 320
My rating:
3 butterflies
Summary: We meet a variety of characters in this book. Balthazar Jones who is a beefeater and is married to Hebe Jones. This book mainly focus’s on these two and their marriage. They have lost their son Milo years back and they have lost themselves and their marriage as well. The two struggle to communicate. This is all set in a world where they live in a tower that no everyone believes exists. Tourists come daily to to tour the towers. Hebe works in the lost and found and that keeps you quite entertained with all her findings. Valerie Jennings is her good friend but also works in the lost and found with her. Two other characters you get to know a lot too are Ruby Dore and Rev. Septimus Drew.  This book is a charming little tale.

My thoughts: This book was stepping out of my norm of reading. I am a romance lover, so this was different. I did like the book, but it didn’t quite hold my attention as well as I had hoped it would. I found my mind wandering some. It took me longer to read then most books do. It just didn’t grab my attention. However, i did enjoy the story. I hoped as much as any reader for Hebe and Balthazar. I was very entertained by the tales of all these kooky characters.

With that, I am giving away two copies of this book from DoubleDay books. Go to HERE to enter. Good luck. Contest will end Oct. 8th.

This Week's New Romances

I missed listing the new romances yesterday!  We had a jam packed day yesterday. So, here is what came out this week. As usual, clicking a picture will take you to Amazon to learn more and purchase if you choose. This week was a small week, not a whole lot came out. Enjoy!

A Hellion in Her Bed (Hellions of Halstead Hall)Easily Amused  Trinity (Cascadia Wolves)
ScandalousRavished by a Highlander  Tough to Tame (Harlequin Romance)


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Wicked West by Victoria Dahl

The Wicked West
Publication Date: May 27th 2009
Genre: Erotica (short story)
E-Book Only
My Rating:


Summary: (Goodreads) When Lily Anders gave up her proper English roots to settle in the Wild West, she didn't dare hope that she'd meet someone who shared her own wicked bedroom secrets. But the virtuous Sheriff Hale has never told anyone about his shocking desires. Will he give in to the surprising temptation of the young widow?


My Thoughts: I love Victoria Dahl as my faithful readers know. She writes excellent and her books are already sizzling. So, I saw this book on her website and thought I would give it a try. Wow, this book was HOT! There were 7 chapters total (I think) and each chapter was jammed pack with sex! Hey, this is an erotica.  The Sheriff's wife left him because he was too rough and he feels like he can't ever be himself. Lily moves in next door and she senses who he really is and she shared the same passion as him. Only Sheriff Hale fights it, because he thinks that no woman can handle him. However, Lily is there to show him he is wrong. 
Over all, this was a good book. It was a very quick read. Almost anything you can imagine is in this book, so go on and buy it, you know you want to!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Giveaway! The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart

The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise: A Novel

That's right, its giveaway time again on Beck's Book Picks. These are always so fun! Doubleday Books has given me two copies of this book for giveaway. So, you want to know what this book is about? I am currently reading this and will have my review up in the next day or two. It is interesting so far and I am curious, if that helps.

Summary: (Goodreads)  Balthazar Jones has lived in the Tower of London with his loving wife, Hebe, and his 120-year-old pet tortoise for the past eight years. That’s right, he is a Beefeater (they really do live there). It’s no easy job living and working in the tourist attraction in present-day London. 

Among the eccentric characters who call the Tower’s maze of ancient buildings and spiral staircases home are the Tower’s Rack & Ruin barmaid, Ruby Dore, who just found out she’s pregnant; portly Valerie Jennings, who is falling for ticket inspector Arthur Catnip; the lifelong bachelor Reverend Septimus Drew, who secretly pens a series of principled erot ica; and the philandering Ravenmaster, aiming to avenge the death of one of his insufferable ravens. 

When Balthazar is tasked with setting up an elaborate menagerie within the Tower walls to house the many exotic animals gifted to the Queen, life at the Tower gets all the more interest ing. Penguins escape, giraffes are stolen, and the Komodo dragon sends innocent people running for their lives. Balthazar is in charge and things are not exactly running smoothly. Then Hebe decides to leave him and his beloved tortoise “runs” away. 

Filled with the humor and heart that calls to mind the delight ful novels of Alexander McCall Smith, and the charm and beauty of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise is a magical, wholly origi nal novel whose irresistible characters will stay with you long after you turn the stunning last page

How to Enter:
Fill out the form.
US residents only and No PO Boxes
Contest will end Oct 8th





Its Monday, What are you Reading?


Its Monday again! The kids are off and I get to enjoy this quite morning for a few hours before picking up my preschooler. Last week was a very slow week of reading for me. I have been trying to get back to editing my book, so I have been putting some reading on the back burner. If it wasn't for two short books, I would have never made my weekly average of 4 books! Thank goodness I did though. Go link up with Sheila @ Book Journey and tell us what you read!



What  I Read:
Live to Tell: A Detective D. D. Warren NovelBroken Spirit (Reversed Revenge)  Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel)  The Wicked West

My Current Read:
The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise: A Novel

After that, I don't know. I think I might tackle some of my pleasure TBR list this week. I have read up on all my books for review for the month of September. Feels good to be a head!

Happy Reading this week! Check back soon, there will be a giveaway here for The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise.