The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason

#1 Gardella Vampire Chronicles
Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Fiction/Urban Fantasy
Pages: 368
Challenges: Off the shelf, New Author, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal/Fantasy romance
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

Simple Description
The Gardella family have been Venators (vampire Hunters) for generations.  Victoria is about to have her debut when she realizes she is next in line to be a Venator.  Her aunt is the only other living family member who was chosen and accepted the challenge.  She coaches Victoria and gives her some of the background on vampires.  Victoria agree’s to accept the family legacy and is soon killing vampires whenever she comes across them.

Things get rough when she falls in love with Philip, the marquess of Rockley.  How is she going to hunt vampires at night and be expected to stay at home safe and sound with her husband?

It’s also bad that Lilith, queen of the vampires, is set on getting a book that will make her even more powerful than she is.  Victoria needs to somehow get her hands on this book before Lilith can.  Of course, Lilith also wants to destroy Victoria and all other Venators and sends her most powerful vampires after them.

My Thoughts
This book is a vampire novel that takes place in Regency England…and it works.  I like historical fiction and I like my vampire/urban fantasy books.  I wasn’t sure how I would like the two of them together in the same story.   Gleason really makes this story work.  I enjoyed reading about the issues Victoria had trying to be a female vampire hunter during a time period when she was expected to be home and submissive.

I thought Victoria was a good character, she had a lot of spunk and I liked her determination.  I also really enjoyed her maid, what a great secondary character.

Overall this book was a lot of fun.  I think fans of urban fantasy will enjoy this one.  There are several books in this series and I look forward to seeing the characters grow and seeing what kind of trouble they get in to.

Creepers by David Morrell

#1 Frank Balenger
Copyright: 2005
Publisher: CDS Books
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 365
Challenges: Off the Shelf, New Author, Mystery and Suspense
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

Simple Description:
Frank Balenger meets up with 4 other people one night in October as they plan to find a way into the boarded up Paragon Hotel and investigate.   The others are creepers or urban explorers as they would like to be called.  They access abandoned buildings and investigated, never damaging anything, not taking anything or leaving anything.  The leave the place as undisturbed as possible.  They just want a glance into the past.  Frank is there to experience this for the first time.

The Paragon Hotel has been boarded up for years but was once a very luxurious hotel in Asbury Park, NJ.  Known mobsters were known to stay there.  The owner was recluse who occupied the top story and never left the hotel.  The only way into the hotel is through a drainage system as the hotel was boarded up from the inside.

Things start off creepy when the tunnels are full of rodents...mutated rodents.  There is even a 3 legged cat to give you the willies.

Soon the group is inside the hotel and one thing after another seems to go wrong.  The group is about to get a lot more than they bargained for, and some might not even make it out alive.


My Thoughts:
I wasn't too sure what this book was about before reading it (yeah..another one) but I had heard it was a bit creepy.  I figured that would make it the perfect book for October, when I try to add in some spooky reads.   I was not disappointed.    There were several things that happened in this book to give it a creep factor.    The problem is, I hesitate to say more because I don't want to ruin anything.   After reading the book I did read the back of the cover and I like that it doesn't give anything away, therefore I won't either.

You'll have to trust me when I say this was an excellent book, one that kept my interest the entire time.  Plus, there were a lot of story lines that I did not anticipate but they made the story.  Overall, very satisfied with this one and I know I'll read the 2nd (and currently only other book) in the series.  I really liked Frank Balenger, what a great character.

The Last Child by John Hart

Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Minotaur books
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 419
Challenges: Off the shelf, New Author

Seeing as how I'm behind in my reviews, I'm going to just do a couple of short reviews for the two books I've finished within the last couple of weeks.

This was my first John Hart book and I can tell you it won't be the last.  Yes, it did take me awhile to really get in to this book, but once I did I loved it. 

Johnny Merrimon has had to deal with more than most kids his age.  His twin sister Alyssa disapeared a year ago, soon after his Father ran off.  His Mom couldn't deal with this and hooked up with the richest guy in town who got her addicted to drugs and booze and beats both of them.   Johnny is trying to survive and find out what happened to his sister at the same time.   

The police officer in charge of his sister's disappearence, Detective Clyde Hunt, hasn't been able to let the case go either.  He spends more time than he should working on the case even though there haven't been any new leads.   He wants to protect Johnny and his Mom from their current situation to and that might just cost him his job.

This story has a lot going on.  Once you get into it a bit you'll be hooked.  It keeps your mind active and engaged. It keeps you wondering what exactly is going to happen and what exactly happened to his sister.

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell

Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Henry Hold and Company
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 225
Challenges: Off the Shelf, Strong Heroine, New Author
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

"But there are secrets that lurk in the mind, and she doesn't want any of them sneaking up on her. Sometimes it pays to take a deep look inside even if you get queasy gazing into those dark corners." pg 10-11

Simple Description: 
15 year old Temple hasn't known any other world.  She was born into a world unlike that we know today.  The world has been overrun by "meatskins".  It's kill or be killed in this world.  Temple does end up at a safe house.  She knows she won't stay long, she's not comfortable unless she is out on her own roaming this once great nation.   Before she is at the safe house for too long she ends up killing a man.  She escapes but she knows his brother is going to track her down.    While running from him she also sets out to take a challenged man to his family and escape her own demons.


My Thoughts: 
I had bought this book for Husband because he seems to like zombie books and, as he calls them, "end of the world" books.  He kept telling me to read this one and I finally relented.  I'm actually pleasantly surprised by how well I liked this one.

It does take awhile to get into this book.  The writing is different, the punctuation is different.  There are no quotes for when somebody speaks, it's just typed.  So getting used to that can take some time.

However I thought the story was fantastic.  You can't help rooting for Temple.  Sure, she's done a lot of things in life most of us couldn't imagine doing, but she grew up in a different world.  You want her to survive, you want her to live and keep going.

I definitely recommend this book to those of you who like this type of book.  Even if you don't necessarily read these types of books, if it sounds interesting, check it out online or at the bookstore, it's worth it.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

#3 Catching Fire
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: young adult
Pages: 398
Challenges: off the shelf, Strong Heroine, Young Adult
Author's Website
My rating: 2/5


I'm actually not going to do a description of this book.  If you have not read the book yet then you don't need a spoiler in case you plan to.  I thought this book started out great but I ended up not being too fond of it at the end.   I'm actually a bit disappointed with the ending which means I'm not happy with how the trilogy ended.   I have to say that I'm still very glad I read this trilogy. I loved book one, it's my favorite of the trilogy.  Book two was very good.  This one..a disappointment.   Would I still recommend this trilogy to someone who hasn't started it yet? Yes..I do think it's worth it.  Just don't keep your hopes up for the final book.

Driven to Ink by Karen E. Olson

#3 Tattoo Shop Mystery
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 299
Challenges: off the Shelf, Cruisin' through the cozies
Author's Website
My rating: 3.5/5


Simple Description: 
Brett's day was off to a great start, until she found a dead body in her car's trunk.  Something like that will put a damper on anybody's day.  The worst part of it is that she had lent her car to Sylvia Colman for her drive-thru wedding.  Did Sylvia and her new husband have something to do with this?  Why is a tattoo cord around the dead man's neck?  And why is a cord missing from her tattoo shop?

While Brett doesn't really want to get into trouble with the cops she also can't help asking questions and looking for answers.  She knows Sylvia couldn't have killed the man but it does look like she's involved somehow.   In searching for answers Brett spends a lot of time with Jeff, Sylvia's son and rival tattoo artist. Is it possible Jeff isn't as bad as Brett thinks he is?

My Thoughts: 
This is book #3 in the series and I'm really looking forward to book #4 (which has already found a place in my library).   This series quickly became one of my favorites, starting as early as book 1.  I enjoy Brett's character.  She realizes she shouldn't be digging for info and investigating things on her own but at the same time she knows she wants to know what's going on.  I do like that she involves her brother, a cop, and let's him know what she finds.  He's never happy with her, but he doesn't ignore what she has found.

I like there there was more interaction between her and Jeff and that we learned more about Jeff.  I think he's a great secondary character.

I personally love tattoo's, so the fact that tattoo's are a part of this story is something else that keeps my interest.  I think those who don't have tattoo's and don't necessary like them could enjoy this series.  But I think those who are intrigued will find the tattoo part an extra, fun, perk to the stories.

A Glimpse of Evil by Victoria Laurie

#8 Physic Eye
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Obsidian
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 326
Challenges: off the Shelf, Series challenge
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

Simple Description: 
Abby and Dutch have moved to San Antonio, Tx.  They will both be working for the FBI, Dutch as the agent that he is and Abby has a civilian profiler.  The first day in the office Abby whips through a lot of cold cases using her psychic abilities and Dutch is able to solve several.  The other agents are still not sold on Abby's ability.  She has a run-in with a specific agent and when she is asked who should investigate a case that involves finding a car in a drainage ditch, he's the one she suggests.  Little did she know she would be tagging along.  this innocent trip ends up being so much more though and Abby's life ends up in danger.

While going through the cold cases Abby feels there is a link between a couple of missing kid cases.  Due to the incident that put her life in danger Abby is on leave from the FBI for now but before she leaves she grabs the kid's files.  She ends up talking to her PI friend Candace and is then convinced to help Candice look into these.

Along with Abby's life being in danger more than once and the mystery and physic aspect of the story, there are also side stories that involve Candice's person life and Abby's personal life.  That's a good thing though.


My Thoughts: 
As any series reader is aware, there are  some series that seem to fizzle by the time you get to book 8 and some that are still going strong.  I'm so happy that this is a series that is still going strong.  I love this series.   Not only do I love the psychic aspect of it, I love the characters.  Dutch and Abby are both such strong characters and they butt head sometimes.  Yet, they love each other and end up being there for each other. Candace and Brice, two important secondary characters, are both great too. It doesn't hurt that I love the mystery aspect of the book too.

Definitely a series I recommend to others.  This is one of my favorite series and I'm looking forward to book #9 coming out in July.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

#2 Hunger Games
Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 391
Challenges: Off the shelf, Strong Heroine, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5


I'm not going to do a normal review for this book because a lot of you have already read the book or if you plan to you do want to be spoiled.  In fact, I'm not going to give any details about the book at all!  No spoilers to be found here.

I noticed a co-worker reading The Hunger Games earlier this month and commented on it.  So of course we started talking about it and the movie.  Of course I then couldn't resist the urge to finally read the 2nd in the series.   I actually started this one on Friday afternoon and finished it Sunday afternoon.  Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down.  In fact, I finished my bookshelves and was all set to unpack all my books and organize them and instead I read this book.

I thought it was a good follow-up to the first one.  I still love Katniss. My husband said he felt this was the best and worst in the series.  The best because he thought the writing was good but the worst because he thought the author just pulled from the first book instead of coming up with a different story..I guess he felt she was cheating a bit.  I didn't feel that way at all. I don't know if I thought this one was the best, but I loved it. I was engrossed from page one.

Ghost Shadow by Heather Graham

#1 Bone Island trilogy
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 368
Challenges: Off the Shelf, Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, 1st in a series, Audio Book
Author's Website 
My rating: 3/5

Simple Description:
This book takes place in Key West.  Katie is in her 20's and her family has lived in Key West for as long as anybody can remember.   She is about to finalize the purchase of a museum that closed 10 years ago when a murder victim was found there, when one of the owners comes back in town and puts a stop to it. David was the ex-fiancée of the girl who was found murdered and he wants the museum to stay closed.   While he is in town he begins to dig into his ex-finance's murder, it's been 10 years and he hopes to finally find the guy who did it.

Then another girl goes missing.  Then a suspect goes missing.  Katie and David form a relationship but there is one thing she is keeping from him, she can see ghosts. In fact, she can see the ghost of the three murder victims.  Unfortunately they aren't able to tell her who killed them but she's hoping to get some clues from them so they can find the killer.

My Thoughts:
I'm a huge Heather Graham fan. I don't always read her books when they are first published but I always get excited.  I love how she weaves mystery and paranormal and romance.  I really liked Katie and David, individual and as a couple. They each have their faults but they are both likable characters.

The mystery aspect of the story kept me guessing.I had figured out who it was, but not by clues. Rather I tried to guess who wouldn't be an obvious choice and my guess worked.

Overall, an enjoyable read and another good story by the author.  I have the other two books in the series already so I hope to get to them within the next couple of months.


Audio Review:
The audio version of this book is read by Angela Dawe.  Overall I think she does a good job, I just have one complaint.  When the characters are talking to each other or thinking, she lowers her voice.  Which means I have trouble hearing it. I'm either stuck constantly messing with the volume or struggling to hear some parts.  Suppose this might not be an issue if listening to it at home when other noise is at a minimum but driving in the car on the highway it was an issue.     So..while I think Dawe did a great job, I'm not sure I'll listen to the rest of the trilogy.

The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen

#2 Rizzoli and Isles
Copyright: 2003
Publisher: Ballantine
Genre: Mystery
Pages: audio
Challenges: Off the Shelf, Strong Heroine, Mystery and Suspense, Audio Book
Author's Website
My rating: 3.5/5

Simple Description: 
Jane Rizzoli is a homicide detective with the Boston PD.  The past summer she caught The Surgeon and barely escaped with her life.   Now it appears there is another serial killer on the loose.  There seem to be too many similarities between these crime scene's and the ones the Surgeon left.  However Rizzoli is the only one who see's it.  That is, until the Surgeon escapes from jail.

Rizzoli knows the Surgeon will be coming after her. She is, after all, the only who escaped him and they are finding more and more clues that show he's infatuated with her.

My Thoughts: 
I had read the first in the series awhile ago and even though I liked it I kept putting this series off. You all know how that is.  Then the tv show came out last year and I watched it, and I liked it. I wondered if that would ruin it for me.  I decided to finally read the next in the series and I'm really glad I did.  While I knew the story because it was covered in the tv show, I still enjoyed it.  Some things were different and since it's been awhile since the tv show it wasn't fresh in my mind.

I like Rizzoli, I think she's a great character.  She has to be strong, or at least appear strong, in front of her co-workers.  So you see the side of her where she doesn't want to take anybody's crap and she has something to prove.  Yet, you also see the other side of her, her weak side. The side where you know she is scared.

I'll definitely be continuing with this series.   I'm not sure how fast I'll get to them..but I'll get to them.

Audio Review:
I did listen to the audio version of this book.  Dennis Boutsikaris is the narrator for the audio version of The Apprentice and I thought she did a really good job.  I think there's a very good chance I'll listen to more of this series via audio book.

Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr

#7 Virgin River
Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Fiction/Romance
Pages: 416
Challenges: Off the shelf,
Author's Website
My rating: 3/5


We are, of course, back in the town of Virgin River.  A town I have grown to love and wish that it was real, because it seems real to me and I love the inhabitants and would love to visit..if not actually move..there.

I'll give a brief description about what goes on in this book but nothing much since you really do have to read this series in order.  Instead of focusing on just one main couple, this book focuses on two couples and a possible third.  It also focuses on another individual.  One of the couples is Walt and Muriel. The two are apart for a bit and both realize what the relationship means to each other and what they need to do to make it work.   The other couple is Cameron and Abby.  Since Abby is pregnant with twins, it's not easy to hide her pregnancy any more.  Cameron wants to be a father to the children and a husband to Abby, but Abby pushes him away..at first.      This book also has us following Rick, a young Marine.  I don't want to say more than that in regards to Rick.

As usual, there is more going on in Virgin River than just these couples and Rick, but those individuals are the most prominent and the ones this book revolves around.

While this is one of my favorite series, this was my least favorite book so far.  I'm not sure exactly why it didn't grab me the way the others have or why I didn't like it as much, I just didn't.  That's not to say it wasn't good, it was, just not as good as I wanted it to be.

I still think this is a series worth checking out, it's one of my top series from 2010 and I imagine it will be in 2011 too.

First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene frost

#1 Night Huntress World
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 371
Challenges: Off the Shelf, Urban Fantasy Challenge, What's in a Name? (number), Paranormal/Fantasy, 1st in a series
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

Simple Description: 
This book focuses on Spade and Denise.  These are two characters who are in the Night Huntress novels by the author but they are secondary characters.  This book is the first in a new series, Night Huntress World, which is a spin-off of the other.  In this one, Spade and Denise become the main characters.

Denise has sworn off vampires and ghouls. She's done with them.  Unfortunately, they aren't done with her.  Members of Denise's family keep ending up dead and then she witnesses the death of her cousin. Later when a demon shows up at her door and brands her, Denise has to call the only vampire who's number she still has. Spade. She has to beg for his help.  Spade, on the other hand, knows that helping Denise will cause problems for him but he's always been attracted to her.

Somehow Spade and Denise must find one of Denis' long lost relatives who tricked the demon years ago, deliver this person to the demon so the demon will remove the bonds he placed on Denise, but at the same time keep it secret what they are doing.  You just know that's not going to work out as planned.

My Thoughts:
I thought this was a great book!  It was the perfect book for me, for the mood I was in when reading it.  I love the Night Huntress series and was both very interested in this one and worried about it. Would it live up to my expectation?  I'm happy to announce that it did.   It was a lot of fun to learn more about two of the secondary characters and then to have the other characters we know also play a part in the series.
If you like the Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost, I think you'll thoroughly enjoy this one too.  In fact, if I'm not mistaken the 2nd book in the Night Huntress World series was published last month, I might just stop at a bookstore tonight and look for it.


 Audio Review:
I did listen to part of this book. I actually forgot I had requested it on audio and started reading the paper copy.  Then I went to the library to get a different audio book that was on hold for me and this one was there too. Bonus.  So I listened to it in the car and then read the book when not driving, of course.  I read the majority of this book in paper form though, I pretty much plowed through it.  So while I'm not counting it for my audio challenge or my stats, I did want to mention it  in my review.

What I did listen to..was excellent. Tavia Gilbert is the narrator and I feel she did a fantastic job. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to more books in this series.

Peony in Love by Lisa See

Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Books on Tape
Genre: fiction
Pages: audio 9 disks (13 hours 13 min)
Challenges: Off the shelf, Audio, I want more Challenge
Author's Website
My rating: 1/5 DNF

Simple Description:
This story is set in 17th century China and is told from the point of view of Peony..starting from when she is a young girl soon to be married and continuing once she is a ghost.   Peony is struck with love sickness after she secretly meets a boy she believes she loves but knows she can't marry him since she has an arranged marriage.   She spends her days refusing food and writing.  Soon, she wasts away and becomes a ghost. Once in the after life she meets her Grandma and learns the real story about what happened to her ancestors.  She also meets other women who have died from love sickness.  However she still wants the boy she fell in love with.

My Thoughts:
Ok. so my description isn't that great.  I'm sure it doesn't do the book justice.  The thing is, I really didn't like this story.   I listened to most of the audio version before giving up on it. I listed to 6 out of 9 disks.  I was forcing myself to finish it, expecting it to get better, but it wasn't.   I really didn't like the main character.  I realize the traditions of the time and culture are incredibly different from what they are in present day America, but that didn't help. I thought the main character was selfish and I couldn't connect with her at all.  This kept me from liking the book.

I really wanted to like this book, I loved Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by the same author.  I had high hopes I would enjoy this one too, but it was a big disappointment for me.

 Audio Review:
Janet Song is the narrator for the audio version of this book. I think she did ok.  I thought her voice or tone was annoying at times and didn't really flow for me, but I don't think that had anything to do with me not liking the book.  I'm sure if I had liked the story more, it wouldn't have bothered me at all.

Simple Genius by David Baldacci

#3 Sean and Maxwell series
Copyright: 2007
Publisher: Hatchette Book Group
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 530
Challenges: Off the shelf, Mystery and Suspense
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

Simple Description:
This book starts off with Michelle Maxwell getting herself into trouble and Sean King bailing her out. Not that Michelle really feels like she needs help.  Helping Michelle takes all the money Sean has in the bank and since work hasn't been easy to come by lately he goes to Joan for help, the last person he wants to beg for a job.  Joan has a job for him.  There was a death at Babbage Town, one of the scientists was found dead on the other side of the river at Camp Perry, a CIA camp.  It looks to be suicide, but Sean is sent there to do some more digging and to see if it is suicide or if it was murder.

At first it's frustration for Sean because everyone is so secretive about what is going on at Babbage Town.  He doesn't think the man's death was a suicide but the FBI, who is also involved, believes it is.  Soon there is another death and Sean knows that one was murder.

Luckily Michelle is able to join Sean and the two of them are able to piece together what is happening and get themselves into a whole lot of trouble at the same time.

My Thoughts:
This is the 3rd story in the series and so far my favorite. Of course, each time I read one in this series I declare it a new favorite.  I just love the characters of Sean and Michelle.  They are both so strong, yet have their own issues. They work really well together, even though they get on each others nerves.

The story with this book was very interesting too. I liked how it started off, how Michelle was having some problems and the two were split up taking care of different things.   But of course I liked it when they got together to go after the same bad guys too.

If you like mysteries, I definitely feel you should check out this series.

The Passage by Justin Cronin

#1 in the planned trilogy
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Ballantine
Genre: fiction
Pages: 784
Challenges: Off the shelf, New Author
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5 (possibly a 5/5)

I'm not going to tell you what the book is about because this is another one that I feel you either 1) have already read the book yourself or 2) haven't read it but know what it's about.  I was lucky and went into this one a bit blind.  I knew it was an "end of the world book" as my Husband calls it.  However that was it.  I had read several reviews of this one and the first couple I did read what it was about but it's been so long I didn't remember. I just had a general understand about it.  In fact, and I don't think this is giving anything away, I thought it was about zombies.  Boy was I wrong. lol!  That could also explain some of my confusing in the beginning.

Yes, I thought the first 150 or so pages was a bit confusing. In fact, I started out listening to the audio version of this one, see below for more info on that.  I ended up switching to the paper copy I already had at home after about 120 pages.  Soon after I was engrossed in the story and enjoying it a lot.

This is one of those books that while it had a lot going on, it also had a lot of slower parts to it. This worked out ok for the story though.  I think it was needed.  There were several things about the style of the book that I loved..such as the diary entries to explain what happened during a period of time, etc.   What a great idea! This way we got all the important parts of the story about what happened, without it dragging.

I have to admit that while I did enjoy the book and wanted to know how this part of the story was going to end,  I also found myself just wanting it to be over. I'm really not good with chunkster and at over 700 pages, this one was just too long for me.   I don't want you to get the wrong idea, though, and think it dragged at the end and I didn't like as much. That's not true. There was a lot of things going on, a lot of action. I was thoroughly enjoying it, it was just so big and I have been reading it for awhile that I just had the urge to move on to a different story.  Does that make sense?

I definitely think this book deserves the praise it's been given.  I can't wait for the next book to be published so I can figure out what has happened to the characters.

This is the first book Husband read last year..the first book he's read in several years.  In fact, since he's been reading again it's the only one that he's even really liked (although he does agree with me that it's a bit long and goes as far as to say it could have been 200 pages shorter).  Husband has been pressuring me to read it since he finished it, it wasn't even one I had even planned on reading before he started it.  I'm really glad he did push me to read it though.  Husband and I have talked about it several times and it was fun to discuss things with him. I mentioned a couple things about it that he hadn't even thought about.  Usually while walking the dog after work I would bring up the book and tell him what part I was at and we would discuss what has happened so far.  I loved being able to do that.  Oh, and we are both in agreement that Lish is our favorite character, but we both like Peter a lot too.

So, if you haven't picked up this book yet but have thought about it, I do urge you to give it a try. In my opinion, it's well worth the time it takes to read it.


Audio Review: 
I attempted to listen to this book but had to stop. I found myself wondering and not really paying attention to it and then getting confused.  Husband kept telling me it was one I had to read and not listen to.  But then in further discussions with him he said the first part was a bit confusing too (he read the whole book).  Now I wonder if I would have liked it on audio had I stuck with it.  I listened to the first 120 pages, read the rest.  It took me a bit  more of reading it before I was fully engrossed in the story and no longer confused.   I'm interested to see what others thought who listened to it...were you engrossed right away or was there a part in the story where you finally said..okay..now I get it.

Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke

#14 Hannah Swensen Series
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Mystery
Pages: audio
Challenges: Off the Shelf, Audio Book, Crusin Through the Cozies
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

Simple Description:
It's summer time and that means fundraiser time.  Hannah and Lisa are asked to bake cookies for a fundraiser the mayor's wife is hosting.  Of course, they are asked at the last minute but they still do it to help out.  The fundraiser has several different events and lasts for several days.  One event in particular is the talent show.  Hannah isn't planning to attend since one of her old professors is involved with it, but when Lisa's husband, Herb, needs her to be his assistant at the last minute, she agrees.  Unfortunately, while at the talent show Hannah finds the professor dead.  

Hannah and her sister Michelle are both likely suspects, even though the police don't really think they did it.
Still, Hannah spends some time investigating the murder because that's just who she is.  Plus, she wants to make sure Lake Eden doesn't find out that Hannah and Michelle were both involved with the professor (at different times of course).

Along with the murder investigation, Hannah's other sister, Andrea, is freaking out because her husband has been offered an incredible job offer and she thinks he might take it.  Even though this means moving the family out of state.

Normal and Mike are both still trying to win Hannah's hand.  Both are acting a little funny towards her too.

My Thoughts:
As my long time readers already know, this is one of my favorite series.  I just love the characters and I love being able to spend time with them.  This is a series I definitely recommend for cozy fans, but please start at the beginning.  I've read some negative reviews of this series on other blogs and most are new readers who start with the most recently published book.  This is one series that starting at the beginning is in your best interest.

One negative thing I've seen several times about the later books is that you read half the book before you actually get to a murder.  Normally with a cozy (or most any mystery) you have the murder right away.  Not always true with this one.  In this specific story I was on disk 4 (of 8) before the murder actually took place.  This didn't bother me at all, but I can see where it would bother somebody new to the series.  For me, I enjoy the characters and the setting so much that it's pure fun to just read about them and what's going on in their lives for half the book before we get to the murder. However, as a new comer I can see where this would be annoying and get some negative feedback.

As far as this book itself, I found in very enjoyable.  I enjoyed it as much as I have the others.  Some of the cookie recipes sound super good too.  I plan to try some within the next month or so and will post a weekend cooking post when I do.   My only complaint is that I really do wish Hannah would pick between Mike and Norman. She doesn't even need to get married, I just want her to pick one!  I think the story line with the three of them is getting old and needs to change.  Of course, my vote is for Norman, just in case Ms. Fluke wanted to know.

Audio Review:
I did actually listen to (most) of this book.  I admit that I was very close to finishing it one day but arrived home before I had a chance to, so I got out  my copy of the book and finished it in print form. It's the first time attempting this series on audio and I have to say I was impressed.  I wasn't sure how well I would like it since I feel I know the characters, would the narrator do a good enough job?  Suzanne Toren is the narrator and I think she does a great job.  I could easily follow what was going on and while she didn't drastically change her voice, she did enough that you knew when it was different characters.

My only issue with the audio is that the recipes are actually read out loud too.  While I realize they are part of the book, I found this unnecessary and a bit annoying because who is going to write down the recipe or try making it, while listening to it?   Luckily the recipes are at the end of the chapters and I was able to just skip to the next track.

In fact, I enjoyed this one enough on audio that I already received the next in the series from my library. It comes out next month, and I'm currently in 3rd place to get.  Of course, since I love trying out the recipes included in the book I'll also buy a copy to have on hand.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Copyright: 2006
Publisher: Speak (Penguin)
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 215
Challenges: I want more, Young Adult, Off the shelf
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5


Simple Description:
Colin is a child prodigy, not to be confused with genius.  He's getting ready to head off to college but before that happens he ends up taking a road trip with his friend Hassan.  The road trip comes about as a way for Hassan to take Colin's mind off of being dumped, for the 19th time, by a girl named Katherine. See, Colin likes the name Katherine and seems to be attracted to it, and to only date women with that name.  Yet, they always dump him.

Colin and Hassan end up in Gutshot, TN.  Here they meet Lindsey, a girl their age, and end up staying with her and her Mom in a pink mansion for several weeks.  During these weeks Colin works on creating a theorem that would show  how long a relationship will last and who will be the dumpee, all based on the 19 Katherines.

This road trip ends up being a break through for Colin and Hassan, and even Lindsey.  Colin does things he would have never done otherwise and he learns more about himself.  In fact Lindsey and Hassan work through some things too.

Here's a quote that I really liked and I hope you will too:

"On the drive, no one talked.  There was too much to discuss."  pg. 183 

Now what you really want to know....my thoughts:
This is the 2nd book I've read by John Green and I have to say I really enjoyed this one too.  The author's writing style works very well for this book and the story flows and keeps your interest.  You can't help getting attached to the three kids either.  Colin and Hassan might get on each others nerves sometimes but you know deep down they really care for each other.  Lindsey is fun and you can see how she helps Colin evolve and grow while at the same time coming to terms with some person issues too.

I definitely recommend this book, I think adults and kids alike will enjoy this one.  Seeing as how I've enjoyed both books I've read by this author, I think it's safe to say I'll be reading more in the future.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

#1 The Millennium Trilogy
Copyright: 2008
Publisher: Random House Audio
Genre: Mystery
Pages: Audio 13 disks/16hr 21 min.
Challenges:  Off the Shelf (I do own the book and did read the last 40-50 pages), New Author, Mystery and Suspense, Audio Book Challenge, 1st in a series
Author's Website
My rating: 4/5

I'm not going to give you a description of this book because I'm going to assume you have all heard of it, regardless of if you have read it or not.

I actually went into the book not even knowing what it was about.  I know I read several reviews when the book first became a hit, but it's been awhile and I had since forgotten what the book was about.  All reviews I've read/skimmed in the last several months were just to get an idea of what the reviewer thought of the book, I didn't read anything that told me what it was about.   I think this helped me, in a way.  I liked going in to the book blind and being surprised at what happened and what was going on.

At first my impression was that the book was just ok, I wasn't too into it.  I didn't see what all the hype was about.  However, the further along I got, the more I enjoyed it.  I'm actually surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did (I tend to be disappointed by a lot of highly recommended books).  

Lisbeth Salander definitely made this book for me. I just loved her character.  If it hadn't been for this kick-ass woman, I doubt I would have liked the story as much as I did.  That's not to say the mystery of Henrietta wasn't intriguing, because it was. It's just that Salander stole the show.

I do plan to listen to the rest of the series, I'm going to work on finishing it this year since I only have 2 more and then I won't feel bad about starting yet another series/trilogy and having it go unfinished.    I have heard from several that other books in the trilogy ended up being their favorites, not this one, so I'm very interested to see how I like them.

If you recall, I posted Husband's short but sweet reviews of a couple of books, this being one of them.  He had said this one was for people 80 years old.  He has also told me several times that I would enjoy it.  I guess he was right about one thing, I did enjoy it, although I'm not 80.  I told him I finished this book yesterday and he asked if I liked it. I told him I did.  He said he knew I would and then said "Don't you agree it's for old people though?"  I asked him to expand on that and he said it's because "it's set on an island and it's a classic who-did-it."  So there you have it, I guess all of us who enjoyed this one are old (according to Husband).

The audio version:
The audio version was read by Martin Wenner and I think he did a fantastic job. I didn't have any problems distinguishing between the characters and I never once got annoyed by the narrator.  I'm hoping he is the narrator for the other two in the trilogy.  While I sometimes did get confused by who people were (this was mostly in the beginning) I think that was just due to the names being so different to me.  Yet, I'm glad I listened to it because otherwise I probably wouldn't have known how to pronounce the names just by looking at them.

Off The Shelve Challege

In years past I have participated in the TBR challenge and I never read as many of the books on my list as I would like.  I always attempt 24 - all books from the main list and the alternate list.   This year I have decided to participate in the Off The Shelf! challenge instead of the TBR challenge.  Mostly, because while I didn't complete the TBR challenge this year, I did however read a lot of books that I already owned. 

The Off The Shelf! challenge is being hosted by Bookish Ardour.  

Here's the info: 

The challenge begins on the 1st of January and ends on the 31st of December 2011 

Note: This challenge is to read those books you own copies of, but have never got around to reading. If you don't have many that you own, but have a massive TBR shelf you're welcome to read those ones as long as you don't add new ones. You don't need to actually get rid of your books after you've read them, this is just to read them.

How To Participate

1. Decide which challenge level you'll be doing (further below) - do not include books that you buy from the start of this challenge.
2. Grab the code for the badge down below and post it on a side bar or in a signature (if you want to participate, but aren't blogging, on a social network or forum - Submission For Non Bloggers).
3. Create your own post to let all your readers know you’re taking part in the challenge and at what level (if you're really proficient you can list your books!). Make sure to link back to this page with either one of the buttons or a text link..
4. Use the link form below to enter into the challenge by sharing your challenge post url and your name (either your name, blog name, or both).Please don't use the comment form to participate, only to comment on the challenge or something else..
5. Submit your reviews (if you choose to review them, but that is optional) on the review page.
6. When you’ve completed you’re challenge let us know on the completion post. If you're using a tag or category I recommend sharing the link back to that so everyone can find them

Challenge Levels

1. Tempted–  Choose 5 books to read
2. Trying – Choose 15 books to read
3. Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
4. On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
5. Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read

For extra hard challenges

1. Hoarder – Choose 76-125 books to read
2. Buried – Choose 126-200 books to read

I'm going to be signing up for the Making a Dent challenge - with 30 books from my TBR stack.  I'm going to make sure they are books that I own as of December 31st, 2010.  I'm going to refrain from listing any books here..because that would just be silly and very very time consuming since, well, I don't need to mention the huge number of books I own that are unread.