All the Pretty Girls by J.T. Ellison

#1 Taylor Jackson
Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Mira
Genre: mystery
Pages: 416
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5


Simple Description: 
There's a serial killer and a serial rapist on the loose.  The killer targets young girls who seem to have some kind of tie to the medical community.  He never leaves any evidence.  They can track his kills because he cuts off their hands and leaves one at the next crime scene.  Taylor's boyfriend, FBI agent John Baldwin, is the lead profiler on the serial killer case.  He's one of the best yet he can't get a handle on this guy.  Who is he?  How is he targeting these women?  What is the pattern?

Meanwhile, Taylor is asked to take the lead on a serial rapist case.  The rapist only attacks during the rain and, like the serial killer, he doesn't leave any evidence.  He made the daring move of attacking and raping the lead investigator on his case, which is how Taylor ends up the lead.

My Thoughts: 
With two huge cases being investigated in this book there is never a dull moment.  I like that the two cases are separate but that the lead investigators are tied together and could possibly help each other out.

I really liked both Taylor and Baldwin.  They are both very strong characters and I'm always attracted to that.  Taylor is a great character because while she's strong and a good cop, she's not without her doubts.   Same with Baldwin. He knows he's good at what he does but even he is stumped with the current case and frets over it.   While the two don't get to interact very often, due to Baldwin traveling, you can tell there's a connection but it's not overly done.

I had two close friends tell me to start this series and I'm glad I finally listened.  This was an excellent start to the series and I'm looking forward tot he rest of the books.

Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast

#6 House of Night
Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Macmillian Young Listeners
Genre: young adult
Pages: audio
Author's Website
My rating: 2.5/5

Simple Description:
This story picks up right where the last one, Hunted, ended.   Zoey has banished the evil guy and the evil high pristess but that doesn't mean her worries are over. Not only is Zoey struggling with three guys who like her and that she's connected to, but it appears Kalona is still a threat.  He's creeping into her dreams and she realizes that she has a connection with him and is drawn to him.   Aphrodiety has also had visions and the forcast does not look good.

Mix into this the fact that Stevie Rae is hiding something.  Let's make that a couple of things.  This just means a lot of stuff going on for these young vampires.


My Thoughts:
Honestly I think I'm losing interest the further along in the series I get.  I hate that! I'm not sure what it is, maybe I'm tired of Zoey not being able to make up her mind between guys, maybe I'm tired of her having all this responsibilty and still acting like a kid (even though she is just a teenager).  I can't really put my foot on it, other than to say that I'm just not feeling the series like I used to.  I found my mind wondering A LOT while listening to this book. I'm sure I missed stuff.  

I also didn't like that this book started exactly where the other one left off. I didn't read them back to back, so I spent awhile trying to remember how the last one ended and being a bit confused at first.

I haven't decided if I'll continue with the series yet.  Part of me says I've invested this much time into it that I should go ahead and continue but part of me says it's not worth it.  Guess we'll see.

Audio Review:
The narrator for Tempted is Cassandra Morris. I think she does a pretty good job.  Nothing spectacular to say about it but it was pretty decent.  Still happy with the audio versions for this series.

Who Do, Voodoo? by Rochelle Staab

#1 Mind for Murder
Copyright: 2012
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 292
Author's Website
My rating: 3.5/4

Simple Description:
Liz Cooper is a psychologist who doesn't believe in the occult. Unfortunately she's surrounded by those who do.  When her best friend Robin receives threatening tarot cards and drawings on her door step she wants to prove somebody is just playing a mean joke.  Unfortunately when one of the suspects is found murdered, Robin is the main suspect and taken in to custody.

Liz finds herself thrown into the world of the occult as she tries to clear her friends name. Will she end up a believer by the end?

 My Thoughts:
What a fun start to a new series!  I don't want to sound like a broken record but by now you all know I love the occult and paranormal stuff so of course when I was given the offer to review this book I jumped on it.  I like that Liz is a non-believer and thrown into it.  I like that she tries to come up with a reasonable explanation for things.  She's also a great friend to have as she sticks by Robin even when the evidence is not in her friend's favor.

The characters in this book were all enjoyable, well, the ones you were supposed to enjoy anyway.  I think there's a lot of potential and growth for them.  I, for one, plan to stick around and see how they develop and what kind of trouble Liz finds herself in next.


Thanks to the publisher for providing this book for review.

Reading challenges - 2011 and 2012

I'm addicted to reading challenges. Most of you know this. I usually join so many that I can't finish them all but it's so much fun trying that I can't help myself.   There are a lot of creative bloggers out there who come up with some wonderful challenges.

This year I've had a challenge just getting in as much reading as I would like, much less reading all the books I had planned to read for challenges.   Sometimes I wonder why this is, sometimes I have to admit to myself it's probably due to all the working out and my husband wanting me to watch tv with him in the evenings.   While I miss reading like I used to, I also know that I enjoy working out and darn it if there aren't some good shows on TV this time around (American Horror Story anybody?).  Recently, since July, I've also been suffering from insomnia and while you would think this means a lot of reading time, it doesn't.  While I can sometimes get in some reading early in the AM, I'm in such a fog at night that I manage only about 5 pages (if I'm lucky) before falling asleep. 

I've made the decision to stop working on most of the challenges I haven't completed yet this year.  This is a hard decision for me as I hate to "give-up" on something but I know it's for the best. I just won't have time to read everything.  The one challenge I really didn't do well on this year and I'm disappointed with is the War Through the generations: Civil War Challenge.  I had hoped to read a lot of books for it this year and I've managed one.  While I won't get a chance to complete it this year, I'm still planning to read the books for it through next year.  I've been watching a lot of shows on The History Channel about the Civil War and reading magazine articles and articles online. I love it.  I just haven't managed to read many books.

Looking forward at next year I've made the decision to join up to only 3 challenges. I doubt I'll even join that many.   I know my reading is going to get even worse next year.  Not only will I still be focusing on working out and probably hanging with the husband, I also have another and more important reason.  I'm happy to share the news and let you know that I'm pregnant.  Husband and I have been trying for awhile and dealing with infertility.  I don't want to bore you with all the details but as you can imagine we are incredibly happy.  Sometimes I think how much I'll miss being able to read as much and connect with my blogging friends but then I think about why and I'm ok with that.  I'm going to try and remain as active as I can between now and when I'm due.  I'm also going to try and not go crazy with the challenges. I have to remind myself that I won't get to read much so I need to not commit myself to certain books.  Till then, let's see how well I can do getting in some quality reading time before my life turns upside down, but for a good reason. 

Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr

#10 Virgin River
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Mira
Genre: fiction
Pages: 384
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

Simple Description: 
This Virgin River novel focuses on Sean and his ex-girlfriend Franci.  Sean is one of the Riordan brothers (i swear this will make sense if you've read this series) and he never expected to settle down with one girl.  However he can't get Franci out of his mind.  While on vacation from his job at the Air Force he spends time with his brother Luke in Virgin River.  While at a bar in one of the surrounding towns he happens to see Franci and he can't let her get away again.

What he doesn't know is that Franci has been keeping a secret from him.  When they broke up it was because she wanted marriage and a family and he insisted on not having kids and never being married. Franci was pregnant at the time.  Now she has to face up with the fact that Sean needs to know about his daughter and she has to deal with letting him back into her life.

It wouldn't be a classic Virgin River novel if we didn't also get to take a peak into how some of our other favorite characters are doing.  While a lot of the standards weren't really mentioned we did get to read more about Noah and Ellie and Maureen, the matriarch of the Riordan clan.


My Thoughts: 
I can't help it, I love this series.  There's just something about reading the books that makes me happy.  While a lot of the original/main characters, such as Mel and Jack, weren't really mentioned in this one I was ok with that.   It was fun to read more about these other characters and become even more invested in their lives.

I can't say that the writing is always fantastic but that's not why I'm hooked.  I'm hooked on the characters and the story.  Yes, there is usually a happy ending.  Yes, something bad usually happens but it's always followed by a feel-good moment.  Yes I still want to move to Virgin River.  I have a feeling the trail running there would be incredible.  Oh, and since I don't cook I think Preacher and Jack will become fast friends.  Well, the husband might still cook, I'm not sure about that.  The only thing to figure out here is what I would do for a living.  Oh, well, I guess the real issue is actually finding Virgin River and have the characters come to life.

Don't forget our Vet's today...and every day

I'm glad the US sets aside at least one day to honor our veterans.  I feel this should be done every day, and I know a lot do, but I'm still happy we have one dedicated day.  A lot of countries don't.

My paternal Grandfather and my paternal Grandmother's brother (whom we called Uncle) both enlisted the day after Pearl Harbor.   According to them it was the right thing to do.  I think we can all agree that it was actions like this that have many calling them the "greatest generation".



My Grandmother's Brother,
my Grandmother, and
my Grandfather
Nov. 26, 1944

 My Grandfather joined the Navy and served on the USS Perry until it was sunk due to a mine explosion (luckily my Grandfather was not on board when this happened).   My Uncle joined the Air Force and ended up making a career of it.

While both men had different reactions to fighting in the war and were effected differently, both deserved to be honored for their willingness to give up their lives to fight for our country, to fight for what they believed in.

While my Uncle is no longer with us and I am unable to thank him for his service, I do make it a point to thank my Grandfather on Veterans Day every year. 

My Uncle was buried at a local veterans cemetary, Jefferson Barracks.  This was the first, and possibly the only, military funeral I'll attend (My Grandfather does not want a military burial).  While I know how this sounds, I'm just going to say it. I hope everyone has the opportunity to experience a military burial at some time.  There is just something about it that really touched me and made me proud to have a family member who served. 

I also take time on this day to contact a good friend and let her know I'm thinking of her and her family.  Her son was killed in action 2 years ago.  He was still a teenager.  It always makes my heart heavy because he died so young and had so much yet to experience in life.  Yet I thank him and I appreciate his willingness to serve our country in a war that many don't understand or feel the need for.

Today is for these gentlemen.  Those who were brave and loved their country enough to risk losing their life so we could remain safe and free. 

Vietnam in HD on the history channel

While I have really slacked in reading the Civil War books this year, for those who follow my blog you know I do enjoy (for lack of a better word) reading and learning about war.  

Last year I was very happy that the War Through the Generations challenge was focused on the Vietnam war as that was one of the American wars I didn't know much about and wanted to learn more.

It should come as no surprise that I'm really looking forward to a 3 part documentary the History channel airs tonight.  It's called Vietnam in HD. 

Here's what the page says about it:

Two years after its Emmy Award-winning WWII in HD, HISTORY shifts its focus to one of the most controversial eras in United States history. Vietnam in HD uses restored footage—much of it shot by soldiers in action and never seen by the public—to explore the reality of the Vietnam War as it transforms lives both at home and abroad.

This documentary series features the stories of 13 men and women, including a pilot who barely survived an ill-fated mission to Laos, a nurse who saved lives during the Tet Offensive and an infantryman who later spoke out against the war. The veterans themselves make an appearance, while actors such as Adrian Grenier, Edward Burns and Jennifer Love Hewitt give voice to their tales.

The three-night, six-hour event begins at 9/8c on Tuesday, November 8, with a look at the Vietnam War’s first major battle. Visit history.com/vietnam to learn about the series, watch exclusive videos and meet the men and women of Vietnam in HD.

I know several of you also participate in the War Through the Generation challenge, so I wanted to share this information in case you were interested in this documentary.  I'll personally be recording it and hopefully watching it this weekend.

Here's a clip the History channel posted online. If the documentary is like this, I think I'll be very satisfied.

Baltimore Blues by Laura Llippman

#1 Tess Monaghan
Copyright: 290
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 290
Challenges: New Author
Author's Website
My rating: 2/5

Simple Description:
Tess lost her job as a reporter and since then has kinda been loving off of other people’s handouts. Taking jobs from family and friends when offered.  However things take a turn for the worst when her friend Rock pays her to follow his fiancé and figure out what she’s hiding.  Tess determines she’s having an affair.  She convinces the fiancé to tell Rock, however the problem is that when Rock talks to the guy she had the affair with, and that guy ends up dead, Rock is the only suspect.
Tess is then hired by Rock’s lawyer to investigate the murder and try to figure out what really happened.

My Thoughts:
This book was just, eh. I never really connected with Tess, I didn’t like how she wasn’t driven and ok with taking handouts.  The the story didn’t really seem to go anywhere. Sure, Tess was asking questions and following leads, but half the time the leads didn’t really seem to have anything to do with clearing her friend’s name.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and sadly it will probably be the last. Unless somebody let’s me know that her other books are better than this one.  As it is, I won’t be continuing with this series.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Brilliance audio
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: audio
Challenges: Off the shelf, Young Adult
Author's Website
My rating: 5/5

Simple Description:
Wintergirls is the story of Lia.  Lia is a high school student who suffers from anorexia.  Her parents have already had her go through a treatment process twice.  If her weight drops down more she’ll have to go back.  She is weighed weekly and while it has dropped a bit, it’s not in the danger zone yet.  What they don’t know is that she’s sewed weights into her robe so she can still lose weight but keep the numbers up.
Lia’s best friend, Cassie, recently died.  Well, they weren’t friends when it happened but Cassie did reach out to her.  Cassie also suffered from an eating disorder.  Lia struggles with Cassie’s death while she’s also struggling with her own demons.

My Thoughts:
This book is one of the best of the year. I hate saying I loved it, when it’s about such a tough subject.  Yet, I loved it.  The author does such a fantastic job allowing us to get inside Lia’s head and understand what she is going through.  What drives her to lose weight and starve herself.  She does a great job portraying what is probably very normal reactions from parents who have a child suffering from an eating disorder.
Anorexia, eating disorders in general, is a very tough subject to read about, much less write about.  Yet it’s one that I feel we all need to be educated on so we can recognize the signs, recognize why people suffer from them, and how to best help.  While this book is not a non-fictional study, I feel Anderson does such a great job with it that I would recommend it to others.
I have to admit, after reading Speak and Wintergirls, both very tough subjects, I’m moved Laurie Halse Anderson to the favorite author’s list and I know I’ll be reading more by her.

Audio Review:
I felt the audio version of this book was pretty good.  It was easy to follow and kept my interest.  Jeannie Stith is the narrator and I feel she does a very good job with this one.  My only complaint is that throughout the recording there were long beeps, I have yet to figure out if they are supposed to be there or not. I found them rather annoying.

October 2011 Reads

Total books read: 5
Pages: 1,357
New Authors: 4
Mystery: 4
Non-Fiction: 0
Fiction: 1
Young Adult: 0
Audio: 1
DNF: 0

Pleating for Mercy by Melissa Bourbon
Creepers by David Morrell
A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady
The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Next by Stieg Larson