The Witch is all grown up

Waking The Witch by Kelley Armstrong

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the 11th book in the Women of the Otherworld series and features the young witch Savannah, previously introduced in Book 2- Stolen. SO although this book's story line can stand alone, I highly recommend starting with book 1 and working your way through. One of the most satisyfing parts about this book is seeing how grown up Savannah is now, compared to where she started in Book 2 (she was 12 years old then). Also, if you read this book first, the ending will leave you extremely confused...and that's all I will say about that.



***Spoilers***



This was another fantastic addition to this series. I thought Savannah's narrator voice was youthful and refreshingly honest. I adore the relationship that has developed between Savannah and Adam and can't wait to see where the future leads for them. I would have liked to see more Otherworld characters featured in this book, since aside from Adam, the only others made cameo appearances via telephone conversations.

I also would have liked to see Savannah use her powers a little bit more. The fact that Savannah is so powerful, at such a young age, is what makes her so interesting. Hopefully, Savannah will kick a little more *ss in the next installment.



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Funny Vampires? Who knew.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I wish there was a 3 3/4 stars rating, because that is where I would rate this book.

I would classify this book as "Paranormal Chick-Lit". It revolves around a very intelligent, albeit newly unemployed, librarian who meets a very sexy "undead" man at a bar while drowning her sorrows in some hard liquor. Her new admirer follows her home only to see her get mistaken for a deer by a drunk hunter and shot. Her admirer, "Gabrielle" turns her into a vampire in order to say her life.

The author was extremely witty and had me laughing out loud on several occastions.

I thought the relationship between Gabrielle and Jane (the librarian) sizzled, although I would like to see it explored more in future installments. The character Dick was supremely hilarious and I can't wait to see more from him.

The bits between Jane and her mother had me in stitches!

Reading this helped me understand that books don't have to be serious in order to be entertaining and fun to read.





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Finally hitting her stride....

Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What can I say about the 4th book in this series other than it was really good. Four books into the series, Chance’s world has developed to a point that it no longer leaves me feeling confused about what I have just read. I can read and enjoy each crazy, plot-bending page.
***SPOILERS***
The relationships between Cassie and Pritkin, and the relationship between Mircea and Cassie, have developed at very believable pace. I love that Chance does not feel it is necessary to force a sexual encounter between two characters of the opposite sex, although I don’t think her readers would mind. I do think it demonstrates restraint and maturity to allow the characters’ sexual relations to develop at a natural pace.
At one point in the story, Cassie and Pritkin switch bodies and the results had me laughing my butt off. There is also a very memorable scene involving Pritkin, Cassie and a very large, black cross dresser….and that’s all I’m going to say about that. The sexual tension between these two is killing me! At the same time, I find myself rooting for Mircea and Cassie’s relationship as well.
My favorite aspect of Chance’s writing is her outrageous sense of humor. She is completely unpredictable from one moment to the next, which makes her books very exciting.
I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series.

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Eat, Pray Love: Discussion 3

Finish Indonesia and discuss general feelings on the book. How did it affect you?
This book really made me want to see more of the world.

Will you go see the movie?
I will definitely be going to see the movie, with as many of my girlfriends as I can gather around. I am a huge Julia Roberts fan and I love that she read the book first. Whenever I go to see movies based on books I love, I always try to keep my expectations low and try to view the movie or tv show as a separate interpretation of the work. That way, I am not disappointed when the movie is not as good as the book (they rarely are) and I get to enjoy another “version” of something I really liked.

Will you read Committed which is Gilbert’s follow up to Eat Pray Love?
I really have no interest in reading about marriage. I’m not married (although Ihave been, albeit unhappily) and have not plans to get married anytime soon.

What are some of your favorite quotes from the book?
Luca: “Vegetarians can eat this, because intestines aren’t even meat, Liz. They’re just shit.” (In reference to lamb intestines)
"Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be."
"I am burdened with what the Buddhists call the 'monkey mind' -- the thoughts that swing from limb to limb, stopping only to scratch themselves, spit and howl." "Operation Self-Esteem--Day Fucking One."
"Having a baby is like getting a tattoo on your face. You really need to be certain it's what you want before you commit."
"You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That's the only thing you should be trying to control."
"Il bel far niente. "

"The mosquitoes here are big enough to rape a Chicken!"

Night Rising: Putting me to sleep

Night Rising by Chris Marie Green

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I'm feeling really, really generous as I write this review, so I am giving this book two stars.
I will skip the plot recap because it was wierd, but not in an interesting way, and I'm not really sure what the point was.
Essentially, the main character is a stunt woman who returns to Hollywood to search for her missing alcoholic father with the help of his former PI coworkers. The catch is that the PI form he worked for specializes in paranormal investigations and it looks like her father may have been made vampire.
The heroine has some strange sexual comulsion which makes her want to pick up skeezy guys in bars for meaningless sex and soon after the start of the book, she begins an intangible affair with her "ghostly" new employer. Confused yet? Me too.
I really didn't care for this book. The characters were weak and boring, the plot went nowhere, and I really had no interest in the main character.
I say skip it unless you have nothing else better to read.

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Dark Prince

Dark Prince by Christine Feehan

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


First, I have to say I have been looking forward to starting this series for a couple of months now. I have read many positive reviews about Christine Feehan.
I'm sad to say I couldn't finish this book. I gave it 67 pages and a couple of hours of my life, but I couldn't get into it. The characters were silly, shallow, and lacked any kind of emotional depth.
I struggle with any book based on the ability of the heroine to make moronic choices every time she turns around.
If you are into silly, bodice-ripping romances with completely underdeveloped worlds, then you might like this book....heavy emphasis on "might".

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Eat, Pray, Love: Discussion Post 2

Having finished Italy discuss what the first phase of the journey has been like. Something fun could be that in Chapter 33 while sitting in an outdoor café in Rome, Gilbert’s friend declares that every city—and every person—has a word. Rome’s is “sex,” the Vatican’s “power”; Gilbert declares New York’s to be “achieve,” but only later stumbles upon her own word, antevasin, Sanskrit for “one who lives at the border.” What is your word? Is it possible to choose a word that retains its truth for a lifetime?

Italians view life so differently than Americans. Americans insist on working all the time and we feel guilty if we aren’t in the process of accomplishing SOMETHING, anything. Italians understand the importance of taking time out to experience things and take pleasure from them, rather than rushing from one thing to the next.
Sometimes I feel as though I rush from one item on my “to-do” list to the next. Work, sports practices, school, home to make dinner, etc. It is “estenuante”. This book has helped me to realize I have earned some time to enjoy some simple life pleasures without feeling guilty for putting my feet up, meaning more time for reading and doing absolutely nothing.
Deciding on a word to represent the meaning of my life is not something I could do without some serious thought, however, it would probably be something like “purpose” or “pursue”. I always feel as though I am searching for something bigger, something more meaningful to which I can dedicate my time and energy. I hope “pursue” is not my word when I’m 80, because I plan to be good and worn out by then from living a wonderful, passionate life. “Purpose” wouldn’t be a bad word at 80, because everyone needs something to live for.

Stray by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Stray is the first novel in Rachel Vincent's shifter series, and is about a were-cat named Faythe who's greatest desire in life is to attain independence from her Pride (her family). When she is dragged home from college kicking and screaming by her ex boyfriend Marc, after another female were-cat goes missing, she begins a battle of wills with her father over her freedom. She must also contend with Marc and their unresolved issues.
Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding the missing werecat becomes more and more complicated and Faythe must decide where her priorities lie.
I loved this book! I put off reading it for awhile because the whole "were-cat" thing was a little wierd for me. I kept picturing people shifting into house-cat sized felines and I was really put off. To clarify, in Rachel Vincent's books, were-cats are actually South American jungle cats and resemble black panthers. Once I realized that, I couldn't put the book down.
Faythe reminds me of so many young woman who fight tooth and nail against the pressures placed on them by their families. She just wants to be left alone to live her life and has no desire to settle for being barefoot and pregnant , which is what she believes her father wants for her.
The male characters in this book were very strong and I loved the playful interactions between Faythe and her "brothers". Faythe has a big mouth and she always seems to be getting herself into trouble with her Dad or one of the male members of the Pride.
This book contained plenty of suspense, action, and more than it's share of steamy interactions between characters.
Love, love, loved it.

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Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Outlander tells the story of a woman named Clare who goes on a second honeymoon with her husband in 1945 Scotland. While on Holiday, she walks through the cleft of a rock within a circle of stones (think Stonehenge) and is transported back to the year 1743. From there she meets up with a group of Scottish clansmen and her adventure begins.

I originally read this book (and two of it's sequels) about 8 years ago and I loved it. I had only read one other time travel book before, A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux(also a great book), and this book far exceeded my expectations. Don't be put off by the size of this book, it is a page turner from start to finish.

This book has romance, action/adventure, and a whole lot of interesting history. Gabaldon did an amazing amount of research for this series. The romance is EPIC.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who has an interest in historical romance, time travel, or just getting lost in an amazing read.

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Book Club: Eat Pray Love 2nd Discussion Post

After reading the book for a week what are your first impressions? So much of this part of the book is about Liz’s battle of modern vs. traditional, where do you fall on the spectrum. Are you married with children or do you never want to get married, or like most I would guess are you somewhere in between?

I have never participated in a book club before, so I’m sure I am about to get too personal with my answer. However, it is my blog so……..
After reading a few passages in this book, I made the mistake of reading some reviews on Goodreads and was astonished to see how many people bashed the author for being “whiny” or who accused her of being “insincere”. I feel completely different about the beginning of this book. I give the author enormous credit for exposing her struggle with depression for the entire world to see. I also give her props for leaving her marriage because I know how much guilt comes with ending a serious relationship. I admire her for following her heart and “doing” rather than just “talking about doing” something with her life.
Now in regards to the modern vs. traditional, please excuse the following…..
The other night I was lying in bed next to my sweetheart, reading this book, and I asked him if I could read a passage aloud. This is the passage I read to him:

“I still can’t say whether I ever want children….I can only say how I feel now--grateful to be on my own. I also know that I won’t go forth and have children just in case I might regret missing it later in life; I don’t think this is a strong enough motivation to bring more babies onto the earth.”

My boyfriend and I have been together for several years and he has children from a previous relationship including a fourteen year old daughter who lives with us full time. He has mentioned on more than one occasion that he would like to have more children….with me. I have never been the kind of woman who daydreams of babies and pink onesies. My best friend had a baby girl nine months ago and I thought seeing her have a baby might kick start my biological clock…..but it hasn’t. My friend’s baby is ADORABLE with a capital “A” and I love seeing how much my friend loves her baby. However, my womb remains happily closed for business without any of those strange “aches” I have heard about.
When I read the passage above, I felt instantly connected to this woman. I have never understood why people assume any woman physically capable of giving birth should have children. Why? Forget for a second that there are thousands of children in this world who want nothing more than someone to love them and keep them safe, why can’t a woman just enjoy her life?
As a teenager and young woman, my family and friends consistently advised me to wait to have children until I had experienced life on my own. “Don’t get married too soon” “Wait to have kids” or “Focus on your career”….now I hear “When are you and Dave going to settle down?” “When are you two going to have some kids of your own?” or “Don’t wait too long to have kids, you don’t want to be 60 when they graduate.” So which is it? And why do people feel compelled to comment on something as personal as having children?
Like the author of this book, I was married before. I was unhappy, trapped, and feel no desire to repeat history. I identify with her desire to do something “more” with her life…even if that means just practicing “Il bel far niente”.
“Il bel far niente” or “the beauty of doing nothing” is my new motto.
I love this book. It speaks to me….often in Italian.