Street Game by Christine Feehan

Synopsis courtesy of http://www.christinefeehan.com/.....
For Mack McKinley and his team of GhostWalker killing machines, urban warfare is an art. But despite a hard-won knowledge of the San Francisco streets, Mack knows from experience that too many things can still go wrong. Danger was just another part of the game—and now he’s come face-to-face with a woman who can play just as tough.

She’s Jaimie, a woman with a sapphire stare so potent it can destroy a man. Years ago she and Mack had a history—volatile, erotic, and electric. Then she vanished. Now she’s walked back into Mack’s life, as a spy with more secrets than are good for her. Against all odds, she’s hooking up with Mack one more time to take on an enemy that could destroy them both, or bring them back together in one hot, no-holds-barred adrenaline rush.

My thoughts....

So, I have been a fan of Feehan since I picked up Dark Prince, the first book in her Carpathian series. I read one after another until I found myself eagerly waiting an entire year for the next delicious book to come out. Thankfully she has given her loyal fans several other series to snack on during the Carpathian lulls. One of which is her GhostWalker books. It took me a while to actually pick up the first in the series Shadow Game though. It was almost as if by picking up a book other then her Carpathians I was somehow cheating on them. Luckily the waiting for the next Carpathian book produced such a withdrawal I had to bite the bullet. I sighed and picked up Lily and Ryland's story and was hooked.

Once again Feehan introduced me to a fascinating world where not only are the men super Alpha but the women are equally capable. Both genders in her GhostWalker books can do extraordinary things. From mental telepathy to telekinesis they have it all. These are the characters that I was fascinated with my whole life. I wanted to be them....I wanted to wear Wonder Woman Underoos under my clothes to school. I wanted to be special.

So now you know my pathetic background let us jump to Feehan's latest installment of her GhostWalker series. Book #8 Street Game.

I really wanted to love this book. To not love it would be so wrong. Unfortunately, I didn't love it. I didn't hate it. I was just OK with it. It was a pleasant way to spend a few hours of my life. I don't regret reading it but I wasn't blown away by it either.

I found myself a little lost when starting the book because this book was about a totally different team of GhostWalkers that I knew nothing about. I really liked the old GhostWalkers....these were new ones. I wasn't comfortable with the new ones. OK, so I don't take to change very well. I recognize this flaw in my personality. While reading this book I just didn't feel the need to work on that particular part of me in order to like the book better.

I just didn't like Jaimie and Mack that much. Oh there was probably nothing wrong with them. But they weren't Gator and Flame. Although I did keep picturing Gary Sinese's character "Mack" from CSI:NY as this particular Mack. So I have a weird obsession with him. I think he's hot.

Anyway, even though I didn't like the main characters that much, I did find that the rest of this new GhostWalker team was super interesting. Javier really caught my attention. I can't wait for his book. Kane was another one. Oh, and don't forget about Joe.

I found the book easy to put down while I went about my business, often starting other books along the way. The steamy scenes were easy to skim (just an FYI I never skimmed Gator's steamy scenes....I'm pretty sure I read every word of every sentence. When I was done I went back and read them a second time even.) Most of the book smacked of crazy conspiracy stuff that normally would have resulting in major eye rolls and sarcastic remarks but knowing the background of Whitney and many of the baddies I was able to just go with it. I am afraid that if a new to The GhostWalkers reader would pick this particular book up they might never try another.

So, what did I like about this book??? After getting over the initial shock of not knowing any of these characters I was able to enjoy many members of this new team. I liked that even though none of my favorite past heroes were in this particular book there is hope intermingling. Jaimie did mention that she is in contact with one of the other ladies via computer. I want a giant family reunion (or would that be just union since most have never met) between all the GhostWalkers.

My advice is to read this book if you are a tried and true fan of the GhostWalker books. If you are new to The GhostWalkers you might want to start with an earlier one.

This is the spot where I tell you where to pick up your copy. A great book would get you a "Run right out to your local book store and dish out whatever they are asking. It's worth it". But since this is just an OK book I would advise you to get this book where ever you want. I keep all mine so prefer them brand spanking new (usually at Walmart prices) but I am a big advocate of the public library and that option will serve you well too.

Once and Always by Judith McNaught

Synopsis compliments of shelfari....
Across the vast ocean sailed Victoria Seaton, a free-spirited American beauty left suddenly orphaned and alone. Eager to claim her long-lost heritage, she was amazed at the formal elegance of Wakefield, the sumptuous English estate of her distant cousin...the notorious Lord Jason Fielding. Sought after at plays, operas, and balls by London's most fashionable ladies, Jason remained a mystery to Victoria. Bewildered by his arrogant demeanor, yet drawn to his panther-like grace, she came to sense the searingly painful memories that smoldered in the depths of his jade-green eyes. Unable to resist her spitfire charm, Jason gathered her at last into his powerful arms, ravishing her lips with his kisses, arousing in her a sweet, insistent hunger. Wed in desire, they were enfolded in a fierce, consuming joy, free at last from the past's cruel grasp. Then, in a moment of blinding anguish, Victoria discovered the shocking treachery that lay at the heart of their love...a love she had dreamed would triumph... Once And Always.

My thoughts....
Most of the way through the book I was so absorbed in it that I though for sure it was a 5 star book. The last 50 pages or so, unfortunately, dropped the book to 4. Still a good book, bordering on very good. While written 20+ years ago it does have a slight dated feel but definitely not too bad. Things that were "accepted" in the 80's in romance books are not the norm now. For example, a rape scene. Many modern romances do have rapes in the books but back in the day the rape was usually a whole Luke and Laura from General Hospital thing instead of today's rape scenes being about the heroine being raped and the hero coming to her emotional or physical rescue. I really had to take the book for what it was back in the 80's and try not to compare it to my today standards.

This alone was not why I rated the book a 4 instead of a 5. I really liked Victoria. She was strong, intelligent and witty. I loved Jason (tortured hero anyone?) and completely understood his actions. I could see Tory's influence in Jason and could see him opening up to Tory and experiencing fun and laughter that his life had been missing. Then something would happen and set him back to square one. After seening this pattern happen through a good chunk of the book I was pretty surprised that towards the end, it was if a switch was flipped and he had some kind of life altering epiphany which I felt I had missed. Oh there was an epiphany, but his about face came before it. Of course he declares his love for Tory but then says to her that he has loved her since she arrived at his doorstep. Yet no declariation of him admitting he was a shit and the reason why (maybe scared?). His background, which had been explained previously, was to just expain away his being an ass with no inner reflection on his part. Totally 80's.

Together I though they were fantastic friends. Unfortunately I found their interactions as friends part of the book was better then once they were married. Once they were married the friendship ended. This was part of McNaughts plot plan but I would have loved to see more romance once the I Do's were stated. These things might smack of a very low rating but honestly most of the book was just fabulous. I would encourage others to try this book unless of course rape scenes makes them too squeemish.

Another "article" filled with romance bashing....

So on Heather's blog which you can find here she commented about an article written for the Berkley Beacon from Emerson college. I think the author (and I use that term loosely) was trying to be funny. You want funny...make sure you go to SmartBitches and read their comments here.

So the gist of the blog is that this woman, I am actually assuming the author is a woman based on the name on the byline but in all actuality that would be a little narrow minded of me, so maybe Kimya Kavehkar is actually a dude. Oh anyway, the gist of the "article" is that this person took 4 books and judged them by their cover and did a mini-review of the books. Or at least that is what it appears to be at first glance. There is no introduction as to why Kimya chose these particular books, there is little to the reviews other then a paragraph that appears to be the back blurb synopsis rewritten in snarky text, and the entire article seems to be more about romance author/reader bashing then anything.

By reading the comments it is very apparent that I am not the only romance reader that was insulted by the blog. Many of the comments are wonderful and although I did have to put my two cents in I couldn't have stated my thoughts as elloquently as many of the ladies did.

If you are interested in the actual article you can find it here.

Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Synopsis: A Desperate Young Mother Rachel Stone's bad luck has taken a turn for the worse. With an empty wallet, a car's that's spilling smoke, and a five-year-old son to support, she's come home to a town that hates her. But this determined young widow with a scandalous past has learned how to be a fighter. And she'll do anything to keep her child safe -- even take on. . .

A man With No Heart Gabe Bonner wants to be left alone, especially by the beautiful outcast who's invaded his property. She has a ton of attitude, a talent for trouble, and a child who brings back bad memories. Yet Rachel's feisty spirit might just be heaven-sent to save a tough, stubborn man.

Dare To Dream--Welcome to Salvation, North Carolina -- where a man who's forgotten what tenderness means meets a woman with nothing to lose. here two endearing lovers will set off on a funny, touching journey of the heart. . .to a place where dreams just might come true.

My thoughts....

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has been a favorite among romance readers for years and I have found myself looking into the pool trying to decide if I should jump or just dip my toe in when it comes to her writing. After reading this book I have decided to put on my goggles, plug my nose and jump.

This book was fabulous.

I judge a great romance by how well I connect to the characters and if the story can play my emotions like a violin. This book does both.

Rachel is a character that you are able to laugh with, feel outrage for, and just plain old like. You can put yourself into her place and feel her desperation and pride, her love of her son and her need to stand with her head held high and her back straight.

Gabe is a little bit of a mystery at first. He appears angry and mean. Constantly snapping at Rachel and her young son. But he has a painful past that has made him the shell of a man that Rachel meets upon her arrival back in Salvation. It is this past which helps us readers understand who he was and who he has become.

These types of characters are what makes Phillips's books so wonderful. They are complex and interesting and guaranteed to keep the reader wanting to find out more.

Aside from the fantastic characters the storyline was also terrific. I don't want to get into too many details because I don't want to spoil anything for other readers but just know that if you have read Phillips's other books (Kiss an Angel in particular) and liked them, you will love this book.

Just a test

I am in the process of testing if I am a complete and total computer idiot or if I might be able to pull off a little computer savvy and make this look like I am an educated smart woman.

So, now we know it worked and now you know that I am not a complete tard but only partially one.

Ok so now that I know how to add links that actually say something like "click here" let me add little bits and pieces of my current favorite tv show....Community.

Stand on your Desks!

Krumping

Somewhere Out There

La Biblioteca

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

I really loved this book. Not quite enough to bestow a 5 star rating on it but enough to run right out and get the second in the series. Jane is a super smart librarian who starts her day off(and the book) with getting fired from the library by the uni-brow sporting dictator she calls her boss. While wallowing in self pity at a local bar, spending her severance package (a gift certificate for potato skins at said bar) she meets a hottie named Gabriel. After way too many Mudslides and vicious circle ranting she leaves the bar to head home only to become the victim of a random hunting accident. Where, to save her life, Gabriel turns her into a vampire. And so she begins her undead life...on a day that turned out to be the worst day of her...well...alive life.

Jane is by far one of my favorite characters that I have read about in a while. Her humor is a blend of wit and sarcasm peppered with healthy doses of classic literature quotes. Each chapter opens up with a quote from The Guide for the Newly Undead. Which I found extremely informative even though I am not undead. A fact that I am pretty thankful for because Molly Harper's undead community sounds a little like high school. Not some place I would willingly go but it is fun to read about as long as it is happening to someone else.

Harper's secondary characters are also very interesting. Aunt Jettie is a ghost that "haunts" Jane's house, the house that Aunt Jettie willed to Jane despite the rest of the family. Dick is the ex-best friend of Gabriel who likes to torment him by hanging out with Jane making lewed and inappropriate comments to her. Zeb is Jane's best friend who tries to deal with Jane's turning by attending a 12 step program for family and friends of the undead.

I would very much recommend this to anyone who likes humorous paranormal books like MaryJanice Davidson, Kimberly Raye, or Lyndsay Sands.

Romance Reading Challenge 2010

Not to be confused with my RoR Challenge that takes place every 3 months. This is yet another reading challenge that I am joining. Basically it has to do with what I already read. It is just about reading and reviewing romance books. I love it....I love Challenges....I need a 12 step program.

Anyway, Nadia over at The Bookworm has had this little challenge going for 3 years now. Fantastic right? So now here is what she has to say....Oh and my title will link you back to her original post if you are so inclined.....Oh, and I just love this picture that she had (it was among many) I totally love The Princess Bride. Actually the pictures are supposed to be used as buttons to link back to her blog but I am still pretty new on the whole blogging thing that I just can't figure out how to do that so.....my title will link back for your linking pleasure.

I'm happy to say that my Romance Reading Challenge is going into it's third year! Wow! Thank you all who have joined and read and posted thier reviews. That's amazing to me, that I started a challenge and other bloggers joined up and participated, it's really great. I hope you will sign up again this year. So, without further ado, here's the rules:

1. "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love. Here's a few suggestions:
*Twilight By Stephenie Meyer
*Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
*Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
*The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss
*Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or any other novel by Miss Austen
*Frederica by Georgette Heyer
*The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
*Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti
*Beneath A Marble Sky by John Shors
*The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
*P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
*The Princess Bride by William Goldman

need more suggestions? search through amazon.com Romance Section online for ideas.

2. Choose at least 5 novels read them between Jan 1st though Dec 31st 2010. You can change your choices at any time. Crossovers between other challenges are fine.
3. Read them at your own pace in 2010 then come here and post the link to your review(s).

The Wizard of Seattle by Kay Hooper

I read this book for the Summer Challenge in 2009 for #4 Read a Title published before 2000 but am now just getting to posting my review. When I picked this book up I honestly didn't know what to expect. I knew I needed an older book and this was the first book I came across. I was very surprised by how much I liked this book.

Serena finds Richard when she is 16 and asks him to teach her how to use her budding powers as a Wizard. Richard does so and through the next decade or so she stays with him as a pupil only. Through the years Richard keeps a respectful distance from Serena even into adulthood.

As an adult she tends to be a little spontaneous when it comes to her magic and not disciplined as Richard has taught her. When her actions intrigue a news reporter things start to get hairy. What Serena doesn't know is that the Wizard Council is made up of men and only men. Women are prohibited from becoming Wizards and are stripped of all powers when they start to develope.

Since Richard is breaking all the rules to train Serena his life is also at risk so he decides that the only thing to do is to travel through time to go back to the very beginning. To the start of why women were banned from magic and why the men were so afraid of a woman with power.
So that is what Richard and Serena do. They create a magic time traveling spell and off to Atlantis they go. Oh, and they fall in love along the way.

I loved this book. Although it was written well over a decade ago it didn't feel completely dated to me. I tend to not care much for time travel books either but this one was very thought out. It doesn't rely on someone falling into a time traveling rabbit hole or an object when touched sending the subject back in time which to tell the truth never really made a lot of sense to me. This book often had the characters reminding each other that they were there to change one part of the history of Wizardry and nothing else as to not create issues with ancestors and such.

I loved the "history" of Atlantis that Hooper created. Richard and Serena were one the island around the time it was being destroyed.

As far as the romance goes I think it was pretty average. I didn't think that this part of the book was what stood out to me but I was ok with that. I tend to not really read a Kay Hooper book for the romance anyway. I love her paranormal woo-woo stuff and this is a book that you should check out, especially if you like to read books with magic in them.

A little warning though. The book opens with a rape scene. Some might find this type of situation not their cuppa.

Themed Reading Challenge 2010

Ok this is the last challenge that I will join for 2010....I swear. Caribousmom is hosting this challenge and I tend to like when my books connect so why not? I am going to do it. Technically I only need to read 5 books that connect so I figure it can't be that difficult LOL. So anyway, the title to this blog will link back to her original post on her blog. This is what Caribousmom's rules are.....

The Challenge.....

February 14 – August 14, 2010
I am once again hosting the Themed Reading Challenge for 2010. This is a six month challenge designed to help readers clear books from their to-be-read stacks which center around a common theme or themes. The “rules” have changed just a bit from last year. Here they are:
Readers may join at ANY TIME between now and August 14th.
Books should be chosen from the reader’s TBR pile (this may be an actual physical pile or a virtual pile).
The goal is to read AT LEAST 5 books linked by theme.
Overlaps with other challenges are allowed.
Readers may change their list of books OR their theme(s) at any time.
Readers may choose from three different levels of participation:
Read at least 5 books which share the same theme.
Read at least 5 books which share TWO themes.
Read at least 5 books which share MORE THAN TWO themes.
Themes can be geographic, genre, author, subject matter, or anything in between! Last year’s themes were wonderfully creative and varied…check out the sign up links from 2009 to see all the different themes which readers chose.

So there it is. Another challenge that I will join and complete. That's it for my joining though this year....maybe.

In Death Reading Challenge

What??? Do I really need to start another reading Challenge? Maybe not but I am going to. I found this little ditty over at Christine's blog at theromanticlife.blogspot.com. I have read many of the In Death books and very much enjoyed them. I haven't read one in a few years and decided that I just needed to start on them again. I had planned to read Imitation in Death sometime this year so now I will just try to read more then just that one. This is a perpetual challenge which means that since Nora Roberts seems to crank them out so fast readers might not ever actually catch up on them so the challenge will just keep going and going and going.

So anyway, this is what Christine says over on her website....

I've had an idea to set up this reading challenge for a while now, but recently decided to put it into action when I realized that the latest In Death novel by author J.D. Robb, Kindred In Death, was released the other day. Kindred In Death is the 35th(!) installment in the well loved and very successful In Death series by romance author Nora Roberts who writes this series under the J.D. Robb pen name. The In Death series is futuristic romantic suspense series that consistently delivers an interesting, quality murder mystery; plenty of danger, intrigue and action; futuristic forensic methodology; and most of all, a riveting look into the professional and personal life of NYPSD detective Eve Dallas and her enigmatic lover and eventual husband, Roarke, along with a colorful cast of secondary characters.

If I did my research correctly, there are now 35 In Death stories published--30 full length novels and 5 novellas, with a 6th novella expected later this month. Clearly, Ms. Robb is doing something right as she continues to write these stories and readers continue buying, reading, and loving her work.

At this point, I've only read the first four books in the series, and even then, that was almost two years ago that I did so. You'd think I should be able to read these stories at least as fast as Ms. Robb can write them, but it appears I fall even further behind with each new In Death release. So to help remedy my own state of remiss, perhaps help motivate other readers who are similarly way behind in this series or to inspire readers to even start this series in the first place, I've decided to create an In Death Reading Challenge. I think this challenge may even be fun for readers who are already caught up in their In Death reading as they either revisit past books or simply enjoy watching the rest of us fall for this books for the first time.

Keep in mind that many, many libraries have the In Death series on their shelves, so you may not need to buy them if you don't want to or can't afford to. In other words, there's no excuse not to try one just one In Death book. Come on! You know you want to!I will do this by myself if I have to, but would really love some company. So who's in?

So, if you are interested in joining, my title will take you to her original post where you can sign up. Hope you join me. These books are wonderful.

Winter Challenge 2009/2010

I have numerous challenges that I try to complete throughout the year and this is one of my favorite. It has it's own group site on Shelfari.com the link to that group site is http://www.shelfari.com/groups/25176/about. We also use a blog here at blogspot to add our reviews and such for the group. The link for that one is linked to my title up above. Every 3 months we have new prompts of 15 books. Here is the information.....

Winter 09 Challenge FAQ’s December 1 – February 28

A big Thanks to everyone for help in making this list!!!

RULES:

1. Select ANY number of books to read that fit the category.

2. Post your list on the discussion board and blog (Name’s Winter 09 Challenge List)

3. If you need title suggestions please use the Discussion titled WINTER TITLE SUGGESTIONS if you don't see it please search (to try and minimize number of discussions)

4. Once you have read a book please find the corresponding discussion by searching you can search by 09 Winter # and use the number that corresponds with the list. (one will be created for each number on December 1, again, to try and minimize number of discussions) and post the book and title you read and rating, and review.

5. It is not required, but if you could post your review on the blog that would be great.

6. Reviews on the blog please include labels list the rating, author, and # of challenge only.

7. Audio books are okay

8. Rereads are okay

9. You can change your list at anytime

THE CHALLENGE:

1. Read a book that was read in the Fall Challenge

2. Read a book with a cheesy cover

3. Read a Julia Quinn Book

4. Read a romance that starts as a friendship http://www.likesbooks.com/friendly.html

5. Read a book with “ICE” or “FIRE” in the title

6 Read a book that is a Cabin/Road Romance http://www.likesbooks.com/cabinroad.

7. Reader’s Choice (Author last name A-K)

8. Reader’s Choice (Author last name L-Z)

9. Read a book with a color in the title

10. Read a book that has a setting other than the U.S. or England

11. Read a book with a "magic" element (time travel, miracles, magic, psychic, angels...whatever this means to you!)

12. Read a book that is a stand alone (not part of any series)

13. Read a new to you author

14. Read a book that has a three word title

15. For Winter, Read a book that has a “W” word in the title

A-Z Wednesday

This is a fun meme hosted by Reading at the Beach
Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!
To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.
Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.(We all love comments, don't we?)
Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.
THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "V"

My book choice is Virgin River. I am currently listening to this on my iPod and enjoying it very much. I hope to have it finished soon. This book has come very recommended and I can see why.

A-Z Wednesday

This is a fun meme hosted by Reading at the Beach

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!

To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.

Post:

1~ a photo of the book

2~ title and synopsis

3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)

4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.

If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.

Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.(We all love comments, don't we?)

Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "U"

Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon is my Wednesday pick. I read this book a few days ago and completely forgot how awesome I thought the Dark-Hunter world really is.

Summary compliments of shelfari.com

It's a predator eat predator world for the Were-Hunters. Danger haunts any given day. There is no one to trust. No one to love. Not if they want to live… An orphan with no clan that will claim him, Wren Tigarian grew to adulthood under the close scrutiny and mistrust of those around him. A forbidden blend of two animals—snow leopard and white tiger—Wren has never listened to anyone when there was something he wanted. Now he wants Marguerite. Marguerite D'Aubert Goudeau is the daughter of a prominent U.S. Senator who hates the socialite life she's forced to live. Like her mother before her, she has strong Cajun roots that her father doesn't understand. Still, she has no choice but to try and conform to a world where she feels like an outsider. But the world of rich and powerful humans is never to meet the world of the Were-Hunters who exist side by side with them, unseen, unknown, undetected. To break this law is to call down a wrath of the highest order. In order to have Marguerite, Wren must fight not just the humans who will never accept his animal nature, but the Were-Hunters who want him dead for endangering their world. It's a race against time and magic without boundary that could cost Marguerite and Wren not just their lives, but their very souls…

You can get this book at amazon here.... http://www.amazon.com/Unleash-Night-Dark-Hunter-Book-9/dp/0312934335/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262221259&sr=1-1

So after reading this book I found I loved it 4.5 stars for sure. I really liked Wren and decided that my cover for this book really kinda sucked because it looked nothing like what I pictured Wren to look like. He had blonde dred locks for one. The amazon cover is more to my thinking of what he may have looked like....still no dreds though.

Harlequin/Silhouette Challenge 2009 Completed

Well, I officially finished. I was reading Santa and Son which is an older obsolete line by Harlequin (Harlequin Love and Laughter) but just haven't been able to make myself go back to it after starting it almost a month ago. Not sure why. It isn't a bad book. It is fairly short (under 200 pages). But I am just not into it. Anyway, my official list for the completed challenge is....

1) Read 1 book with a holiday theme. Holly and Mistletoe--Susan Mallery (Silhouette Special Edition #1071) 3 Stars 2) Read 1 book by an author you never read before. The Christmas Husband--Mary Anne Wilson (Harlequin American Romance #609) 3 Stars
3) Read 1 book with one of these words in the title - wedding, marriage, husband or wife. The Dream Wedding--MJ Rodgers (Harlequin Intrigue #445) 4 Stars4) Read 1 book set in a place you've never been before. set in France....Lost Calling--Evelyn Vaughn (Silhouette Bombshell #97) 2Stars5) Read 1 book with a body of water in the title (i.e. water, lake, river, island, etc.) Shadows on the Lake--Leona Karr (Harlequin Intrigue #840) 2 Stars

I haven't been very diligent in typing up my reviews so I only have one done but hope to get to the rest soon. All the reviews/post that have to do with the Harlequin/Silhouette Challenge of 2009 are all labled Harlequin/Silhouette Challenge 2009. If you click on that lable it will bring you to the page that has everything.

A big thank you to Yvonne for hosting this challenge and I am looking forward to the 2010 Challenge.

A-Z Wednesday

Ok, I know it isn't actually Wednesday but sometimes I can't get online everyday and have to post when I can (hence the mass posting on some days and then days go by with absolutely nothing) So this is what I found on Socrates' blog...by the way...her blog is super and worth a peek.

This is a fun meme hosted by Reading at the Beach
Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!
To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.
Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.
(We all love comments, don't we?)
Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.
THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "T "

So, looking at my TBR Mountain this is my chosen book for the week.

http://www.amazon.com/Touch-Fire-Linda-Howard/dp/0671019724

The Touch of Fire by Linda Howard

Description provided by shelfari......

Annie Parker came to Silver Mesa, Arizona, because it was the only place she'd found where folks thought a woman doctor was better than no doctor at all. Her lonely life became harder still on the winter night Rafe McCay broke into her office with a bullet in his side and a bounty hunter at his back. With a gun aimed at her heart, he led her deep into the Arizona mountains, and into a world of danger and passion, for Annie discovered in Rafe not only a wounded man, but a soul betrayed...and Rafe, healed by her skill and the magic in her hands, awakened in Annie a woman's tender longing and hungry desire. Pursued by dangerous secrets of the past, they are swept into a thrilling odyssey of the heart -- a bold, exhilarating journey that rekindles Rafe's lost hope and transforms Annie's healing gift into a deep, enduring love.

I hope to start this within the next couple days. I have really enjoyed most of the books I read by Howard so I am looking forward to this one.

Monthly Mixer Mele Challenge

I started this challenge at the beginning of Novemeber. I know, I know....I have joined so many challenges but this one sounded fun. It is hosted by Jen at Jen's Book Talk at the object is to read a book that starts with every letter that makes up all of the months. The title links back to her original post. This is what she said on her blog.....

All you have to do is read a book that begins with a letter of each month or read a book that begins with the authors name (first or last name, doesn’t matter). There are 74 letters so you will have to have 74 different books to complete the challenge. Books can however be used to complete other challenges.You don’t have to do the months in any kind of order, just fill in books as you go along until you have each letter a book by it.

Challenge begins November 1, 2009 and ends November 2, 2010 so you have a whole year to complete! Lets break out them books and get busy!

If you decide to join me in the 2009/2010 Monthly Mixer Mele, create a post on your blog telling others about this event. In your post, be sure to include the link to this post on your blog. That way others can find their way here and join in the fun!

When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your books will be listed in the URL spot.

No need to link your reviews to here just come back and let us know how your coming along in this same post. :) The most important thing is to have fun!

N--Night Lost by Lynn Viehl (3 Stars)
O--Once and Always by Judith McNaught (4 Stars) V--Virgin River by Robyn Carr (4.5 Stars)


E--Evanovich, Janet--Fearless Fourteen (3 Stars) M--(The)Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley (4.5 Stars)
B--Blood Sins by Kay Hooper (3 Stars) E--Evanovich, Janet Lean Mean Thirteen (4 stars) R--Robyn Carr's A Virgin River Christmas (4 Stars)










D--(The)Dream Wedding by MJ Rodgers--A Harlequin Intrigue (4 Stars)
E--Elizabeth Boyle's Love Letters From A Duke  (4.5 Stars) C--Causing Havoc by Lori Foster (4.5 Stars) E--Evanovich, Janet--Sizzling Sixteen (3.5 Stars)




M--Murder Game by Christine Feehan (3.5 Stars)
B--(The) Bewitched Viking by Sandra Hill (2 Stars) E--Evanovich, Janet--Finger Lickin' Fifteen (4 Stars)


R--Robyn Carr's Temptation Ridge (4 Stars)




J--Julia Quinn's What Happens in London (4.5 Stars)
A--All I Want for Christmas Is a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks (3 Stars)
N--Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper (4.5 Stars) U--Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon (4.5 Stars) A--Armstrong, Kelley--The Summoning (4 Stars) R--Robyn Carr's Whispering Rock (5Stars) Y










F--Forget Me Not by Elizabeth Lowell (3 Stars)
E--Evanovich, Janet--Smitten (3 Stars)
B--Barbara Bretton's Just Like Heaven  (4 Stars) R--Robyn Carr's Angel's Peak  (5 Stars) U--Under Her Skin by Susan Mallery (4 Stars) A--Angela Knight's Master of Swords (3 stars) R--Robyn Carr's Shelter Mountain (5 Stars) Y












M--Marie Anne Wilson's The Christmas Hubsand Silhouette Special Edition (3 Stars) A--(The) Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox (3 Stars) R--Robb, JD--Imitation in Death  (4 Stars) C--(The) Christmas Husband by Marie Anne Wilson a Silhouette Special Edition (3 Stars)






H--Holly and Mistletoe by Susan Mallery a Silhouette Special Edition (4 Stars)


A--Angela Knight--Master of the Night (2 Stars) P--Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr (4.5 stars) R--Robyn Carr's Forbidden Falls (4 Stars) I--It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (4 Stars)






L--Lie By Moonlight by Amanda Quick (3 Stars)


M--Miller, Linda Lael--Deadly Deceptions (4 Stars)
A--Amanda Quick--Second Sight (4 Stars) Y




J--Jude Deveraux's Holly (4 Stars)
U
N--Nora Roberts's Remember When (3.5 Stars)
E--Everyday Average Jones by Suzanne Brockmann (4.5 Stars)


J--Jayne Ann Krentz's White Lies (4 Stars)
U
L--Leona Karr's Shadows on the Lake (2 Stars) Y




A--Ana Leigh's The Lawman said "I Do" (1 Star) U


G--Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles (4.5 Stars) U


S--Shadows on the Lake by Leona Karr a Harlequin Intrigue (2 Stars)
T--The Touch of Fire by Linda Howard (2.5 Stars)




S--Susan Elizabeth Phillips's Dream a Little Dream (5 Stars) E--Elisabeth Naughton's Marked (2 Stars)


P--Patterson, James--Witch and Wizard  (3 Stars) T--Taming the Highland Bride by Lynsay Sands (3 Stars) E




M--MacGregor, Kinley's The Warrior (2.5 Stars) B--Beth Fantasky's Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (3.5 Stars) E




R--(The) Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands (4 Stars)


O--(The) Only Way Out by Susan Mallery (2 Stars)C--Christine Feehan's Street Game (3 Stars) T--Teresa Medeiros's The Bride and The Beast (4.5 Stars)


O--One Night of Scandal by Teresa Medeiros (5 Stars)
B--Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick (4 Stars) E


R--Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz (4 Stars)

Finish That Series Challenge 2010

After finding that I have started more series then actually finishing this past year I have found another challenge that should motivate me into finishing what I started. The title above links back to the original blog if you are interested in joining. All my reviews for this challenge or any challenge for that matter will have labels attatched. All reviews for this challenge in particular will have a label of Finish-that-series. Just click on that label and it will route you to all reviews. Easy Peazy.

Anyway, this is what they had to say over at Royal Reviews about this challenge....

This is an opportunity for you to finish all of those series that have been sitting on your book shelf looking at you. I don't know about you but I have quite a few. With this challenge you count series completed, not books read. I have a series with 20 books in it, although I'm not sure I'll include this one, it doesn't matter how many books are in the series or if you've read most of them and only have one or two left to read. The object of this challenge is to finish the series.

Challenge Guidelines:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

2. There are four levels:--

Curious – Finish 2 series.--

Fascinated – Finish 3 series.--

Addicted – Finish 5 series.--

Obsessed – Finish 10 series.

3. Any genre counts.

4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to the post about the Finish Your Series Reading Challenge. Include the URL so that other participants can find join in and read your reviews and post.

The Dream Wedding by MJ Rodgers

The Dream Wedding by MJ Rodgers

A Harlequin Intrigue #445 Fortune Cookie mini-series.

Decription compliments of Shelfari.com:

Handsome psychiatrist Michael Sands specializes in patients' dreams, but he falls into a dream of his own when he finds beautiful Briana Berry sleeping under the Dream Institute's office Christmas tree late one night. Answers to the many questions that arise from this discovery--how she got there, why she's dressed in an expensive wedding gown, and what her real identity is--pose a giant mystery, one Michael has to solve.

As he struggles to maintain a patient-client relationship with Briana, he's painfully aware that he has fallen in love with the fascinating mystery woman. As Briana searches for the memory that eludes her, she falls more deeply in love with Michael. Why can't Briana remember what she's really like? Why does she remember a childhood far different from the one her mother describes? Why does she feel threatened by the man who insists he is her new husband? 

My Thoughts....

Although when it comes to plotlines in some of the older Intrigues (this one was written 12 or more years ago) have been done to death (amnesiac woman has to depend on a hunka hunka man to try to remember who she is) I thought it was pretty good. It almost lost me at the beginning though when said woman was kissed awake by said man after he found her deep in sleep under his Christmas tree at his office (which happens to be The Institute of Dreams). She had the nerve to kiss him back....um hello....if I fall asleep and wake up with amnesia and a man I probably have never met has me in a tongue wrestling match I would totally come up swinging not kissing.

But anyway....I digress. As I mentioned, this book is pretty good. Connecting with the characters was pretty easy. The author did a great job of giving all her characters depth which is not always easy in category romances because the length of the books tend to not allow for the development. So 3 dimensional characters....check.

Believable storyline....well, maybe half a check. When Briana discovered she didn't know how she got to the institute she said something along the lines of missing 3 hours of her life. Later in the book this was proven to not be the case. It was even worse. So when that little zinger was discovered I had that ominous music playing in my head....dumdumDUUUUUUUUMMMMMM. Even later in the book the new development was proven to not be the case. It was again worse and once again the ominous music played in my head but more of comedic flair (picture the movie Clue with Tim Curry and you'll get what I mean.)

Despite the crazy plotline and a couple other "issues" that are more about personal taste then anything I give it 4 Stars. This author is one I will definitely seek out among my hundreds of Harlequin Intrigues to read sooner rather then later. After all Rodgers did a masterful job of answering the question that I didn't know I had. "What happens when an amnesiac has amnesia about the time she had amnesia but remembers everything else?"

The Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge 2010

Yvonne is hosting this challenge again for the upcoming year. I am going to do this again this year (even though I am still a couple books away from completing the 2009 challenge). The title will link you back to her original blog.

Rules:

1) Challenge is from Jan 1 to Dec 31

2) All of the books must be from the Harlequin family of imprints

3) Read one book for each requirement

Requirements:

1) Read 1 book with a weather condition in the title (i.e. storm, rain, snow)

2) Read 1 book with a person's name in the title (i.e. Mary, John)

3) Read 1 book with a title in the title (i.e. King, Prince, Princess, Sheik)

4) Read 1 book with a color in the title (i.e. red, blue, white)

5) Read 1 book by an author whose last name begins with the letter "R"

6) Read 1 book with an element in the title (earth, wind, fire, air, spirit)

The Worst Movies Ever???

Didn't actually watch these movies all the way through....just couldn't stomach it. There is something to be said, however, of late night insomnia and 300 cable channels. I just don't know what it is. So, below are two of the worse movies I have not watched (well, all the way through anyway.)

Private Valentine aka Major Movie Star....(can't honestly rate it because I only watched a fraction of the 98 minute movie). Yeah, so, I am not a Jessica Simpson hater. I think she has a lovely voice. I think she should stick to singing though. I only saw a bit piece of the movie where she is trying to rally her team to complete some sort of drill/competition. The speech was less then motivational. Unfortunately I think it was a combo of acting and writing that doomed it. If I were part of her team I would have surrendered right there.

7 Seconds (no rating for this one either but I did watch more of it then I did Pvt. Valentine). Starring Wesley Snipes. I am not a big Snipes fan either. I have enjoyed many of his movies though. Unfortunately this one was not one of them. It was horrid. Snipes is an ex special OPs man who for some reason now leads a life of crime. During his latest heist a priceless painting comes up missing and the owners want it back. The movie is filled with poorly executed fight sequences that made them look as if we were watching them practicing instead of the actual movie, unbelievable car chase scenes ( I really hate when two cars collide at what appears to be very low speed only to have one car explode in a ball of flame and the other become a projectile of end over end twisted metal) and the pretty blonde becomes a love interest shortly after taking a bullet that doesn't seem to affect her ability to playfully wrestle with him at the end of the show. Yes this movie was full of cliches and yet I didn't watch but 30 minutes of it. Ugh.

So folks, save yourself some time and money and avoid these movies.

Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Wedding Day--Pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her. Arranged marriages don't happen in the modern world, so how did the irrepressible Daisy find herself in this fix? Alex Markov, as humorless as he is deadly handsome, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little featherhead with champagne tastes. He drags Daisy from her uptown life to a broken down traveling circus and sets out to tame her to his ways. But this man without a soul has met his match in a woman who's nothing but heart. Before long, passion will send them flying sky high without a safety net...risking it all in search of a love that will last forever.

My thoughts....

Oh my Goodness! I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book. After reading 2 of SEP's books and finding them so-so I was beginning to wonder what all her hype was about. After reading this book I know now.

Phillips has an uncanny ability to take a lady who should, by all accounts, be someone the reader can't like and turn her into someone who the reader is standing up whooping for in record time.

Daisy is just this heroine. I didn't want to like her at first. Rich, spoiled, not too bright and annoying was how she started out in this book. I quickly found out that there was a lot more to Daisy then that. I found myself smiling at her antics and fuming when someone treated her with an unkindness.

Alex was the strong alpha male that I really felt was a mystery through most of the book. It wasn't until over half way through the book that I really got to know him and realize that he also wasn't what he seemed either.

Together Daisy and Alex make for an excellent romantic duo. They were completely opposites of each other but yet complimented each other very well. I am now looking forward to more books by Phillips and hoping that the next book I read will have characters like these that stay with me months after finishing their book.

I would recommend any fan of contemporary romance to go out and get this book and read it. You might want to hang on to the book because you will probably want to re-read it over and over.

Born In Ice by Nora Roberts

Description courtesy of Paperbackswap.com....When the harsh storms of winter descended upon western Ireland, the locals stayed indoors - and visitors stayed away. Brianna Concannon's bed-and-breakfast became a cold and empty place. But that was fine with Brianna. She enjoyed the peace and quiet, even when the icy winds howled at her window. But this year she's expecting an unusual guest - myster writer Grayson Thane of America. A restless wanderer with a painful past, he plans to spend the cold winter alone. But sometimes fate has a plan of its own. Sometimes a fire can be born in ice...

The story of modern-day Ireland's Concannon sisters continues with the tale of Brianna--whose cool beauty hides a heart of fiery passion.

My Thoughts....After reading the first in this trilogy I knew that I was in for a treat with the next two books. I am happy to say Roberts delivered an excellent continuation of the Concannon sisters' stories. Sometimes the second book of a trilogy tends to be fluff and filler but I did not get that at all with Bri's story.

I thought that Brianna might be a little mousy and timid to hold her own in a full length book but her character developed nicely into a woman to recon with. Her interaction with her sister Maggie and her mother was wonderful. I was really able to connect with her even though I have nothing in common with her.

Grayson was a very interesting character also. I really enjoyed the process he took while writing his book. From the walks through the Irish countryside to him locking himself in his room for a week at a time to write....all were fascinating to me.

I thought that this book was better then the first probably because we got to see a little more about what made Bri and Maggies mother tick. I even found myself not hating her as much toward the end of the book. I wouldn't have thought that was possible since after reading the first book I found her to be a horrible person and glad she was fictitious and no one really had to deal with her.

I really liked how Roberts helped me "see" what Ireland was like in the first book and in Born In Ice she now showed me what an Irish Winter was like. It sounded bone cold and wet and not at all charming but she somehow still made me want to visit.

I would recommend that anyone who has not read this book/trilogy do so, sooner rather then later.

You Don't Know Jack by Erin McCarthy

Synopsis: Jamie Peters no longer believes in true love. True idiots, true scumbags, true moochers - these she believes in wholeheartedly, and she's got the checkered dating history to prove it. So, she's more than a little skeptical when her cross-dressing psychic tells her she's about to meet her soul mate - during an accident. Yeah, sounds about right. And then it happens. A knight in shining armour steps between her and a mugger on a subway platform. Just a regular, honest, upright Jack. The kind they don't make anymore...

Jonathon Davidson doesn't believe in destiny - or lying to beautiful women as a rule. But now that Jamie thinks he's just an ordinary guy, how can he possibly tell her that he's really, her roommate's brother, a millionaire to boot, and the jerk who's investigating her application to his grandfather's charitable trust because she may be involved in something illegal? Yeah, rhetorical question. He can't. Not until he knows what's going on. Besides, it would require being able to resist Jamie's luscious curves long enough to say, "Hi, my name is Big Liar. Let's get naked." Sometimes, destiny sucks...

Somewhere between truth and flat-out-let's-talk-about-this-waaay-later fiction, between fate and delicious accidental insanity, lies a whole lot of mind-blowing sex, delirious passion, unfortunate sundresses, fighting, deception, big mistakes and small hopes, and two people are about to discover that everything happens for a reason...

My Thoughts: Although I found this book to be somewhat cute it was middle of the road for me. I couldn't find anything that really stood out to me as spectacular nor did I find anything horrible that rubbed me the wrong way.

I found the two main characters to be unremarkable but did like some of the secondary characters. I loved Jack's gramps and really liked Jamie's cross dressing psychic friend. I really liked that they made more then one appearance in the book and I think that is what brought my opinion of this book from a standard 3 Cup of Coffee rating up to 3.5.

I have read several of McCarthy's books and found this one to be weaker then the others and would recommend borrowing this one from the public library or getting it used. I would also recommend that if you are new to Erin McCarthy books you should not start with this one but one of her other ones.

 

Original TBR Challenge

MizB is also hosting this Challenge. Before the first of the year you need to come up with a list of 12 books that you will read from your TBR pile to read during 2010. You can come up with a list of 12 alternates if you want to give yourself a little choice during the year. You have to read from the list (or alternate list). By the end of the year you will have read 12 books off your TBR Mountain. I linked the title to MizB's original challenge.

This is what MizB had to say.....

For this challenge you should…
** Pick 12 books – one for each month of the year - that you’ve been wanting to read (that have been on your “To Be Read” list) for 6 months or longer, but haven’t gotten around to.
** OPTIONAL: Create a list of 12 “Alternates” (books you could substitute for your challenge books, given that a particular one doesn’t grab you at the time)
** Then, starting January 1, read one of these books from your list each month, ending December 31. )
(for more information, please read the challenge FAQs)
By the end of the year you should’ve knocked 12 books off of your TBR list! (of course, if you’re anything like me, you’ll have added *at LEAST* 12 more to the ever-growing pile by then! LOL).
The good news is, though, that you’ll be making some progress! ;o)
Additional rules/guidelines for this challenge:
* the challenge is to read 12 TBR books in 12 months — you can read those all in one month if you want, or one a month, or however you wanna do it.

* you should have a list posted somewhere for others to see

* you CANNOT change your list after January 1st, of the current year!!!

* you can create an Alternates list of MAXIMUM 12 books, if you want, in order to have options to choose from (you can read these in place of books on your original list).

* audiobooks and e-books ARE allowed

* re-reads are NOT allowed, as they aren’t TRUE “TBRs”

* you CAN overlap with other challenges

* OPTIONAL: you can join the Yahoo! Group created for participants of the TBR Challenge, if you want to have a place to keep your list, or just to share with others about how you’re doing!

Now for my lists.....

List 1

1-Imitation in Death by JD Robb (4 Stars)

2-The Hollows by Nora Roberts

3-Mackenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard (4.5 Stars)

4-Blood Bound by Patricia Biggs

5-Aphrodite's Secret by Julie Kenner

6-The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine (4 Stars)

7-Unleash The Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon (4.5 stars)

8-Darkling by Yasmine Galenorn

9-A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole

10-She's No Faerie Princess by Christine Warren

11-Sweet Liar by Jude Deveraux

12-Dangerous Tides by Christine Feehan

Alternate List

1-The Nerd Who Loved Me by Vicki Lewis Thompson

2-Your Coffin Or Mine? by Kimber Raye

3-Causing Havoc by Lori Foster (4.5 stars)

4-Dark Celebration by Christine Feehan

5-Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (5 Stars)

6-Master of the Night by Angela Knight (2 stars)

7-Tangled up In You by Rachel Gibson

8-Irresistable by Susan Mallery

9-Evermore by Lynn Viehl

10-Twin of Ice by Jude Deveraux

11-Wild Jinx by Sandra Hill

12-With This Ring by Amanda Quick

Read N' Review challenge for 2010

MizB is also hosting the Read'n'Review challenge for 2010. Her challenge site is linked to the title and I really think this challenge goes hand in hand with her RYOB challenge (see previous post) so I will do both.

The title will link back to her original blog. These are her rules...

* review each book you read between January 1st and December 31st of the current year.
* PLEASE keep your reviews clean & respectful ~ these books we read are the hard work of an author, and we don’t need to be mean. Even if you didn’t like the book, please try to find something you can say that would be encouraging to the author.
* reviews can be as short, or long, as you wish* you MAY overlap with other challenges* eBooks and Audiobooks ARE allowed* if there will be spoilers in your review, please note this in the subject line of your post so that those who don’t want to read them can skip that review. Thank you.