White Wash, Alex Kava

I don't have to give my praise for Kava. I've done it recently. :P In choosing this book, my attention was drawn to the caption for the USA Today about the book, "Short chapters with cliffhanger endings make this a perfect... escape." Bad flashback of the day: Da Vinci code. Cliffhangers were okay for a bit, but after awhile, they were definately tedious. This also seems to be a little more political than what I am used to from her. At least from the breif synopsis on the back cover and the authors note I have read. I'll keep you posted though.

I have been finding that overall, this feels more like a typical Grisham book. It's got the politics and I can tell she did an excellent job with research, but the fact and the "getting to the story" is more tedious than I had initially thought that the cliffhangers might be. Some of those leave me confused and wondering what will happen next, but they're not inspiring enough to have me flying through the book to find the answer.

Overall, it was an interesting take on the current energy crisis and some of the ramifications of it. But the book was kind of a drag. It was a little disappointing coming from Ms. Kava. Though well written, and having a decent ending, it left me with more questions at the end than answers. What happens with Sabrina? What exactly went on with Zack and the senator? What the hell was with all the stuff concerning the Arabic terrorists? And the assassination attempt? wtf? Perhaps I was just not perceptive enough for this book. This was where the constant stop and go chapters was problematic. I think it got in the way of her story-telling. I give her kudos for trying something new and more complex and encourage more attempts for improvement, but this one was kind of a flop for me.

Alt-Energy Mojo: What~A~Drag

Hot & Bothered, Susan Anderson

Reread. It's your typical story of the bad boy marine, the socialite girl, and their torrid love affair. The first of which begins as a fling six years prior to the actual storyline. A fling which a daughter is conceived.

I think the most prevelant thought I had during the book was how cheesy it was. Me, I like my action packed books. Not omigawddomenow. Throw in the I love you's and you have a not so typical novel. I can't judge whether it is written well for a romance, I have like... Nora Roberts to compare it to. I like the quirky romances, not the cheesy ones. Nora Roberts isn't a fair comparison really, cause she can write almost any genre.

The reason I picked this one back up was well, I remembered it to be one of my favorite romances. Not sure why. I was in high school. The thought occured to me that my problem with most romances is that I read the innevitable "love scenes" and think, "that is so not what sex is like." At least no sex I've had. Maybe I'm not having sex the right way. But whatever. No novel I've come across mentions how messy sex is. They don't give a fair description of the lover that can last all night but is doing absolutely nothing for you. No fakers of orgasms in romance novels. All the men are trained professionals in multi-orgasmic experiances. [so not real]. I need to meet a multi-orgasmic man. And the multi-orgasmic experiances are during intercourse, romance novels add the oral and hand jobs as bonus. Like I said, I would be much chipper if I had this much of an accomidating man.

Esme is by far my favorite character. Why I've picked a five year old as my favorite. Cause she is that little girl in the mall, who says cute things, that you look at her and think, "I want one like that." The effect she has on Rocket is adorable, he's a marine for god's sake... been up against the worst that none of us will see... but this tiny little girl scares the crap out of him.

All in all, I'll keep it on my shelf to pick up in a few years. Maybe by then I will have had some mind blowing, multi-orgasmic sex and can appreciate an above average male ego. It is odd how time can alter your opinion of a book, movie, or song. [just plain crazy]

Semper Fi Scream : mediocre romance

Seduced by Moonlight , Laurell K. Hamilton

Ah, Laurell. She is one of my guilty pleasures. Anita Blake more so than Merry Gentry, but on occasion I'll dive into a Merry book. Much to my dismay, I have a friend that devours this series as fast as Ms. Hamilton will spit them out at her, and she has blurted out her disappointments with the recent developments (i.e. the ending) of the series. Kudos to her attempt to save some of the secrets though. :)

I think the Merry Gentry storyline is perhaps less me than the Anita Blake. I'm more of "powerful, I-will-kick-your-ass-in-a-heartbeat" woman that comes in a small package than I am Princess Meridith of the fairies. Succubus who feeds off of sex, or woman in a race for the throne with the contest being she has an heir before her cousin. See my options? Sidenote: I am really excited that the next Anita book has brought Edward back, w00t.

It took quite a bit of time for me to get into the book. It has been so long since I had read a Merry book that in the first couple chapters, I was having to stop and think about what had happened previously. I had to familiarize myself with characters once more. But once I got to that point... whoa baby.

I love Laurell's endings. She writes great endings. Some of the middles are weak. But the endings make it all worth it. This book is no different. And it has left me sort of wanting more with the next one. No joke... Merry Gentry has not succeeded in that area, well, ever. But I can't wait to find out if she is immortal or not.

All in all, kudos to Laurell for peaking my interest some more.

Highlights: 2008

Hands down, my favorite discovery of this year is definitely the Twilight series. I can't wait to devour the next two. A must finish series.

I'm also excited to read Tales of Beadle Bard. Who doesn't love a little commentary from our favorite Hogwarts Headmaster. I adore J.K. Rowling and the small peek I've taken at the book, I noticed some hints about what has happened to our favorite characters in the prologue. I dearly hope this is not the last we have heard from J.K., her wizarding world, and Harry Potter.

I have to say my most disappointing read of the year was The Da Vinci Code. A lot of hype for little satisfaction at the end.

A series I have been itching to reread is Lovers & Dreamers by Nora Roberts. No idea why, but it has been sticking out of my shelf, calling to me. So perhaps those are soon to follow.

A Time To Kill, John Grisham

I'll admit it right now, I am a product of see a Grisham book to movie film, and then read the book scenario. A Time to Kill, Runaway Jury... yep, that's me. I did read the Pelican Brief first. I think my issue is all the legal stuff. I know the book picks up in places so that encourages me to plug on, but I did not seem to have the issue with A Time to Kill.

To give the film some time, I think their cast was perfect, more so after reading the novel. Even with the differences in the characters, the actors still translated and followed me in my mind. They also did well with the script in translation.

However, with the movie, I felt the trial to be more heartfelt; and Jake to be more of a down to earth, I do good things for good people kind of guy. When in the book, he is really an arrogant lawyer trying to get ahead. Carl Lee, is portrayed with a real viable insanity defense in the movie, however in the book, is clearly using a bogus excuse to stay out of jail.

All in all though, I did thoroughly enjoy the book. My heart went out to Hailey family as well as Jake and those effected by the racism of the south. It is something that I don't feel I can quite bring myself to fully understand, I was raised where racism does not have a vast impact in how a person is viewed, nor did my family encourage discrimination. As a child, I always found racism a little mind boggling, and when I come across a person who is racist, I find it just as boggling. Rape is an issue I have not experienced and do not wish to. To experience that as a woman is devastating. To experience it as a child, I can't even imagine. To be near someone who has had to deal with it is hard enough. There is a helplessness in that, let alone going through it first hand. The book, although about a trial, gives one some food for thought on tough issues that exist even 20 years after the book was written.

Controversial Trial Tidbit: enlightening

Copy Cat, Erica Spindler

I think I have every Erica Spindler book in publication. This is why I purchased this one. I found it in cleaning my books after my move, it was placed in the need to read spot.

I don't know why child killer mysteries are a hook, line, and sinker scenario. Maybe because it sets up an already devastating stage for murder. But it does grab us.

I have to admit, that I predicted most of the ending. A little disappointing. With Spindler, you either know every aspect of the story, but don't know where the cards will fall... or you know nothing at all. Maybe I've read too many books. Maybe I've read too many of her books? doesn't matter, I will continue to devour them as long as she continues to write them.

All in all, good book. Attention getting, but still edge of your seat.

Say it loud, say it clear: Thrilling

Series Spotlight: The Belgariad, David Eddings

The Belgariad is hands down one of my absolute favorite series of all time. I can't tell you how many times I've read and re-read these books. I recommend them to all who ask me for a good science fiction novel. I discovered this one through my aunt as well. We were in Borders once upon a miserable day, and she asked me if I liked fantasy novels. Which I responded with yes, so she handed me Pawn of Prophecy and said it was her treat. I have loved them ever since.



The series consists of 5 books telling the epic journey of Garion, his aunt, his grandfather, and a few personalities they pick up on the way. Essentially, the Orb of Aldur has been stolen, it needs to be returned, and these are the people to do it. Eddings is a phenominal writer, and handles character growth in Garion very well. The story is well thought out and highly involved, besides, who doesn't love reading a book that takes you to another world, time, and place.



My favorite part of these books are the very definate personalities of all of his characters. The books make me laugh every time I read them, and that is a quality necessary for a great book. Hands down, of all the characters in all the books following Garion, my favorite is Silk. He is laughable, but has flaws that make him lovable.



Eddings does not leave you with just these five books following these characters. He later created another five book series, The Mallorean; plus three books based on the two series, Polgara the Sorceress, Belgarath the Sorcerer, and The Rivan Codex. All of which I have absorbed, except for the Codex.



The Belgariad is for lovers of fantasy for sure. Like Tolkien? Read Eddings.

Five Words for Five Books: Have the next book ready!

" Any time there's something so ridiculously dangerous that no
rational human being would even consider trying it, they send for me. "

~Garion