The Redemption of Holly Dobson by C.Lynn Barton

Publication Date: September 30, 2010
Pages: 246
Genre: Thriller/ Paranormal
My Rating:


Book Summary:  Holly Dobson possesses an understated benevolent evilness. She is relentlessly driven by her unbreakable sense of family values. Holly acts with remorseless conviction to protect her own regardless of the consequences. Her only son is a demonic, charismatic, and curiously engaging being. The quintessential evil which George Dobson personifies sets Holly on a path that spans continents, decades, and the landscape of her very soul. Along the way, Holly discovers her purpose and finds redemption as a mother, a woman, lover, and ultimately something more than a mere human being.

My Thoughts: This book was different, and it was different in a good way. It was definitely a change in my normal reading. The story starts out slow, but once your a few chapters in, your hooked. You start to wonder, what in the heck is going on. I think for most of this story, I stayed so intrigued because there was a lot to figure out and you were waiting to see what Holly was going to do. Who wouldn't when you son is the spawn of of Satan, or could even be Satan himself. Its all in how you interpret this book. There is a lot of paranormal aspects in this book, so I think anyone who likes that kind of book would enjoy this one.

Holly as a character was hard to figure out. I think even when the book was ending, she was still a puzzle to me.  There were things she did in this book, that will shock the reader and leave you wondering how she feels she can redeem herself. I would love to see a sequel to this book. I think this would make an awesome series.



**This book was provided to me by the publishers/ author in return for my honest review.**

Tour: Making Light of Being Heavy

Publication Date: April 10, 2009
Pages: 92
Genre: Memoir/self-help
My Rating:


In this book, Kandy Siahaya tells us her story. She's overweight and happy. She is happy with who she is in life. She wants the reader to know, that her weight isn't what makes her. Which I think is great advice. I think we often put to much of our happiness into our weight. Kandy shares with us that she has always been heavy. She is honest about her weight. She was honest about where her weight was when ending this book. She explained all the things that happened in her life that could have led up to some of her weight game, however the main thing I admired that Kandy did, was not blame that on her weight gain. The author is someone who really is completely comfortable with herself and it was refreshing to read.

She often called herself an expert at diets. Even thought those diets might not have worked, she tried them all. She went into great detail in the book about each diet. She explained what was needed to do these diets also. It will definitely be helpful if I choose one of those diets for myself. She lays out an exercise plans, yet makes fun of it. Explaining how some of these exercises are unrealistic for someone who is big.

This is a refreshing read. Kandy has a catching tone to her book. She is extremely positive and it shines off the pages with her humor. If your heavy, or even if your not, this is a great book just to have. So check it out, you won't be sorry.



**This book was provided to me by the author/publisher in return for my honest opinion.**

November Roundup!

November was a pretty good month of reads. I was still a little overwhelmed with the amount of reviews I took on again, and it helped me decide on 5 a month that I will accept. Reading isn't fun when you are on a constant deadline of getting something read. So, what did I get read, let see:

November 2010:  13 Books

Montana Glory by R.C. Ryan (reviewed)

Unlawful Hearts by Suzi Goode (reviewed)

Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich

Regression by Kathy Bell (reviewed)

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James (reviewed)

Stronger Than Sin by Caridad Pineiro (reviewed)

I'd Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman (reviewed)

Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter

Rescue by Anita Shevre (reviewed)

One Night in Scotland by Karen Hawkins (reviewed)

Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire (reviewed)

The Night Before Christmas- Various authors

Duchess of Sin by Laurel McKee (reviewed)

Books read year to date: 140 books!!!

Review: Believe Christmas Anthology

Publication Date: November 15th 2010
Pages: 130
Format: E-book
Genre: Romance/ short stories
My Rating:


This is a collection of short stories from some authors at Turquoise Morning Press. Each story is short and and tells a sweet tale for the holidays. Each story reminds us what the season is really about. Not about gifts, but enjoying time with families and forgetting our busy lives for just one day.  Each story is the perfect length to fit into any time of day. I think this is an excellent read for anyone who is looking for a good Christmas read and one of these stories (if not all), is bound to capture your heart.

Here are a list of the short stories and authors featured in this book:

Secondhand Horses by Amy LeBlanc
Mall Magic by Cat Shaffer
Another Quirky Christmas by Tonya Kappes
Concourse Christmas by Margaret Ethridge
Love in an Elevator by Krista Ames
Fixing Christmas by Elizabeth Chalkley
Angel on Board by Janet Eaves
The Twelve Seductive Days of Christmas by Marissa Dobson


You may recognize the name Marissa Dobson from http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/.  She will be here on December 9th for an interview and a giveaway of this very e-book. So come back on Thursday.






**This book was provided to me by the publishers for my honest review.**

Duchess of Sin Giveaway!

I have a great giveaway from Forever Romance! I have 3 copies of Duchess of Sin by Laurell McKee to offer to my readers. My review will be up later today and I will post a link here.

Blonde and beautiful Lady Anna Blacknall is in the mood for mischief. Entering Dublin's most notorious den of vice, she finds herself in the arms of a mysterious, emerald-eyed Irishman. And although he is masked, his tender kiss is hauntingly familiar. 

Conlan McTeer, Duke of Adair, has come to Dublin to fight for a free Ireland. But he's suddenly reunited with the young Englishwoman who had once claimed his heart, and his passion turns from politics to pleasure. When their sizzling encounter brings danger to Anna's door, she must decide where her loyalties lie-and quickly. For someone will do whatever it takes to destroy Conlan . . . and anyone he dares to love.

So, how to enter:
US and Canda Only, No PO Boxes.
This giveaway will end December 17.
Fill out the form below and thanks for coming by Becks Book Picks!

Let's Talk: Used EReader prices

I have been back and forth on this whole ereader craze. Well, I am about there on wanting one. However, as a stay at home mom, I am on a budget and a new ereader does not fit it. Kindle does have a decent price for their new kindle at $139, but I am not a kindle person. I don't like being restricted to only getting my books from amazon and then trying to figure out how to load book that reviewers send to me. I have researched the Kindle and just feel like it isn't a good fit for me. I have also decided to stay away from all the store ereaders, such as the Nook and Kobo. I am leaning towards a Sony most likely. I like the look of it and the flexibility that it has. There are many different models to choose from also.

So, where do you go to find a used model? Ebay or Craigslist I am guessing. Craigslist has not been much help and I have been on ebay mostly. I have been watching the prices of the used readers to see what they sell at on average. The model I like is usually right over $100. Which is ok, and is my limit. I just can't spend over $100 on a used ereader when they average now about $140 new. Of coarse, some of these used ereaders come with accessories that make the price worth it. Such as a cover with light, a case, some are even preloaded with books already. So, going used is worth it in the accessory department. I also understand that people want to try and make their money back on their item, but sometimes the prices are crazy. Sometimes it almost like I could spend $10 more and get it new. While I may find it crazy, people are still paying the high prices for the used model.

So, if you were going to buy used, what is your max price? I have to say at this point, mine is $100 and that is only if its coming with some accessories. If its just a plan ol used ereader (that almost everyone claims is like new and barely used), I would spend at most $85-$90.

Stronger Than Sin Winners!

Thank you again to Forever Romance for this giveaway! I have 3 copies of Stronger Than Sin up for grabs. The winners will have 48 hours to get me their address before I move on to someone else. I will email the winners.  So onto the winners!

Mary W

Brooke

Alexa

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who entered!