FAMILY AFFAIR
Author: Debbie Macomber
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge
in exchange for an honest review*

Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (January 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061997129
ISBN-13: 978-0061997129

SUMMARY:


Rediscover the joy of #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber’s delightful tale of unexpected love, second chances, and a cat named Dog.

Lacey Lancaster has always longed to be a wife and mother. However, after a painful divorce, she decides it’s time to lay low for a while in her charming San Francisco apartment with her beautiful Abyssinian cat, Cleo.

Everything would be wonderful, except for her utterly impossible neighbor Jack Walker. When he’s not arguing day and night with his girlfriend, begging her to move in with him, he’s chasing down his cat named Dog, who seems determined to get Cleo to succumb to his feline advances.

Then Lacey discovers the awful truth – Cleo is in the family way and Dog’s to blame. She’s furious that neither Jack nor his amorous animal seem too upset about the situation.

But Lacey learns that things are not quite as they seem. Jack’s “girlfriend” is really his sister – and his intentions toward Lacey are very honorable. And though she’s not quite sure about Dog, Lacey begins to discover the tender joy of falling in love all over again. 

MY THOUGHTS:

This was my first book by this author even though I had heard wonderful things about her books.  While I enjoyed the characters of Lacey and Jack, I felt the story had some problems along the way.

Let me first start off by saying that this is a fairly short and quick read at only 99 pages.  I was able to read and finish this book within an hour.  Seeing how it is a short read, maybe the author intended it to be rushed and fast paced.  I just couldn’t see Lacey, who has just recently divorced, rush into the relationship with JAck as fast as she did. Jack was very patient with Lacey and had been trying to pursue her for a year, yet within a matter of weeks of their cats doing the deed, they fall in love with each other.  I would have liked to have seen the romance build a little more instead of within a few chapters. 

As for side characters, we don’t get much interaction with them. A phone call here and there and a few meetings between Lacey and Sarah, who happens to be Jack’s sister. The saving grace of this book, in my opinion, was the author’s humor that she portrayed in the characters.  I loved how Jack wanted a dog but ended up with a cat that he names Dog!

Even though this isn’t a great book in my opinion, I would still read more by this author just by the fact that everyone raves about her writing.  Maybe a longer novel by her is what I need to get hooked on her books.  If you are a fan of hers though, I say give it a go.  If you are like me and reading her for the first time, I would go for one of her longer novels before deciding on this one.

MY RATING:

 
  If the library doesn’t have it, don’t worry about reading it! 2 STARS

SWEET SUCCESS
Author: Susan Mallery
Source: Personal Purchase

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Pocket; Reprint edition (May 1, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743405951
ISBN-13: 978-0743405959

SUMMARY:

The free-spirited owner of a booming chocolate emporium in Santa Magdelana, California, Allison Thomas is out to save the world — one truffle at a time. Everyone adores Ali — who wouldn’t love a lady who sneaks midnight chocolate deliveries to the local health spa? And even if a string of crumbled relationships have put romance on hold, Ali’s perfectly content with her life and her high-flying career. That is, until the mysterious Matt Baker stirs up her world….New to town, Matt quickly gets under her skin and leads her into temptation. But neither love nor chocolate seems to melt Matt’s icy heart. Now, in a unique setting where luscious desserts, sweet wine, and fresh ocean breezes intoxicate the soul, it may prove impossible for either of them to resist this seductive recipe for a wondrously indulgent passion!

MY THOUGHTS:

Whenever I need a feel good romance book, I always find myself turning to the books by Susan Mallery.  The author never lets me down when I need a heart fluttering love story that ends with a happily ever after that we all love in a romance story.

Allison Thomas is the daughter of a famous movie star with a chocolate shop nestled in Saint Magdelana, California.  She loves sharing her sweet creations with the town, and in the process helping those in need of a second chance in life.  She has a big heart that has always been her downfall in relationships.  She always seems to find men who need something instead of a relationship.  When Matt Baker arrives at her store to do some construction, she finds herself trying to fix him as well.  She can tell that something is haunting him from his past, but Matt is not the type to share it.

As the two work together on fixing her store room and other items on her to do list, we see each of them slowly do the dance of falling for each other and opening up about their pasts.  Is the story predictable? Yes. Do we know that they are going to be a couple that has a happily ever after? Yes.  What makes it enjoyable though is the story in between.  Each of the characters have flaws that they need to work through before we get to that point, but in the end making it worth it for both of them.  With a “small” surprise that enters the picture later in the book, it made it even more enjoyable.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters, and found myself wanting to learn more about them than the main characters at times.  Rick, Ali’s brother, was witty and full of laughter. I loved how he was always there to cheer Ali up when she needed it.  Charlotte Elizabeth–Ali’s mother–was an enigma of her own with a pudgy pig as a pet that she treated like a child. Every time she showed up with Miss Sylvie in tow, I laughed with the mental image the author created!

While this isn’t one of my favorite books by this author, it is a book I would reread again for that feel good moment we enjoy in reading romance books.  Another great read by a fabulous author who never lets me down!

MY RATING:


Very Good! I would recommend this book! 4 STARS
 

HALO
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge
in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (August 31, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312656262
ISBN-13: 978-0312656263

SUMMARY:

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces. 

Is love a great enough power against evil?

MY THOUGHTS:

Where do I begin with this review? There were some things that I enjoyed about this book, yet there were also so many things that were not so good.

Let’s start with the cover.  Beautiful!  I loved the silhouette photo used for the front.  With the sun shining through it made it heavenly! It truly is a remarkable cover that captures the innocence of love.  I also enjoyed the summary that was included on the book.  It captured my interest since I have been reading more about angels instead of vampires lately.  I am a fan of the angel books that feature forbidden love weaved throughout the plot. 

What bothered me the most, and what I have noticed from other readers as well, is the naive personality of Bethany. She is suppose to be a greater being since she is an angel, but at times she was silly and making decisions that even a regular human teen would be wise to.  When she should have been strong and wise, I felt she was weak and lost. 

The story also moved along rather slowly.  I kept wanting it to pick up the pace, especially since the reader has over 480 pages to go through.  It felt stalled in many chapters with no steam left to push it along.  There were parts of the story that captivated me though.  I did love the basic plot of how angels are amongst us and protecting us from unsuspecting evil.  I also liked the fact that even though this book is about angels, the author made sure not to come across preachy. 

While this wasn’t one of my favorite books of the year, I do see the story having potential for something more in future books.  Will I read the next installment in this series? Yes, but only if the author can fine tune the details of story progression and maturing of Bethany.

MY RATING:



 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more!
3 STARS

Thursday, December 16th is Jane Austen’s 235th birthday!
Sourcebooks, the world’s leading publisher of Jane Austen fiction, is offering a unique deal to readers who want to celebrate Jane by reading special editions of all six of Austen’s beloved novels in a 21st century format.
Special e-book editions of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion and Mansfield Park will be available for free for one day only. These celebratory editions include the full novels, plus the legendary color illustrations of the Brock brothers, originally created to accompany the books in 1898.
In addition to the Jane Austen classics, readers can also enjoy these bestselling Austen-inspired novels. The following bestselling e-books will be free on December 16th in honor of her birthday:
Eliza’s Daughter by Joan Aiken
The Darcys & the Bingleys by Marsha Altman
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown
The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins
The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview
Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
Lydia Bennet’s Story by Jane Odiwe
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Abigail Reynolds
*Available wherever eBooks are sold.
The challenge has now come to a close.
If you missed linking up your reviews to the months, you can still do so.
Here are the monthly link ups but I cannot guarantee how long the will stay posted:
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC




It is my pleasure to present to you the 
100+ Reading Challenge for 2011! 
*This challenge is usually hosted over at J. Kaye’s Book Blog, but I haven’t heard anything from her about hosting it.
As of today, I have read and reviewed 278 books for 2010.  I have many more to post before the finish date of December 31, 2010.  I know that I will be able to finish this challenge next year, but I am challenging you to beat your 2010 record this year! Can you read over 100 books this year?

DETAILS:

1. The goal is to read 100 or more books. Anyone can join. You don’t need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn’t count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2011. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

6. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your books will be listed. Include the URL to this post so that other viewers can find this fun challenge. If you’d prefer to put your list in the sidebar of your blog, please leave your viewers the link to the sign up page. Again, so viewers can join the challenge too.

 248 entries so far… you’re next!


  1. Misha @ My Love Affair With Books
  2. Tasha {Book Obsessed}
  3. Lillie (AliseOnLife) @ Read My Mind
  4. Naj @ Unputdownable Books
  5. Deb @ Debbie’s Book Bag!
  6. Amber Skye @ Reading Addict
  7. Katherine @ Life, Fantastic!
  8. Tracee (Review From Here)
  9. Reno @ Falling Letters
  10. Pajama Queen Knits
  11. Pajama Queen Reads
  12. Freda’s Voice
  13. Bev @ My Reader’s Block
  14. rbm @ Romance Book Maven
  15. Karissa’s Reading Review
  16. Patty
  17. Dominique Peters
  18. Sarah @ writer, reader, dreamer
  19. Jamie @ The Book Junkie’s Bookshelf
  20. Sam’s Book Blog
  21. The Book Vixen
  22. Julie @ Reading Without Restraint
  23. Dani @ All About Me
  24. Crazy Book Slut
  25. Lisa @ BaffledBooks
  26. Unruly Reader
  27. Booklurve
  28. Lisa @ Books, Kids, Animals and More
  29. Lindy’s Bookmoile
  30. Dana
  31. IndianaJane’s Bookshelf
  32. lindysbookmovle
  33. Skye @ In The Good Books
  34. Darlyn @ Darlyn&Books
  35. Aleetha @ It’s All About Books
  36. Amber-Nerdybooklover
  37. Sarah
  38. Words & Whispers
  39. The Happy Booker
  40. Whitney (She Is Too Fond Of Books)
  41. bookbee
  42. Megan @ Xenophobic Bibliophile
  43. Becky @ Becky’s Barmy Book Blog
  44. Sharon (Books to the Ceiling)
  45. Teddyree The Eclectic Reader
  46. Tien’s Blurb
  47. Tien’s Blurb: 100+
  48. A Reader with a Voice
  49. Sonette’s Bookworm Blog
  50. Crystal F @ My Reading Room
  51. For the love of books
  52. Dollycas’s Thoughts
  53. The Musings of ALMYBNENR
  54. Beverly @ The Wormhole
  55. Tracy
  56. Christa’s Hooked on Books
  57. Liz @ Turning Pages
  58. Karen (OCD about books)
  59. Meaghan (Book Geek)
  60. Kisha @ Books & Shtuff
  61. Melody
  62. Hannah @ Snuggle Up and Read
  63. Vasya ? removing stitches ?
  64. Jessie @ Jessie’s Place
  65. Jess @ Iheartbooks
  66. Lynossa @ Derangedbooklovers
  67. Bookgirls Year of Challenges
  68. Just Bookin’ Around
  69. Tales of a Bookworm
  70. @ DogberryPages
  71. Christina T @ Reading Extensively
  72. Aimee @ Coffee Table Press
  73. Southern Fiber Reads
  74. Linda
  75. Mommies Point of View
  76. Katja (My Reading Challenges 2011)
  77. Issy’s Addictions
  78. A Girl Books and Other Things
  79. Jan @ Eating YA Books
  80. Lizzie @ A Work in Progress
  81. Gloria @ Greenspirations
  82. Life’s (un)Expectations
  83. lvng. books
  84. Melissa @ Chaotic Book Obsession
  85. Lisa (When She Reads)
  86. Alice @ The Reader Room
  87. Jonita (The Book Chick)
  88. Lynne’s Little Corner of the World
  89. Jules @ OneBookShy
  90. Kim’s Place
  91. Roz. Is. Reading
  92. shellie @ lovlivlifereviews. com
  93. Dusky Literati
  94. Patrick
  95. Trinity Rose’s Garden
  96. Braiden’s YA Concoction
  97. So you’re not going to believe this
  98. Kerry quit watching TV year two
  99. Steph @ 4 the LUV of SaNiTy
  100. thecoolmom @ The Bulging Bookbag
  101. Tif @ Tif Talks Books
  102. Beth @ Thinking of Thinking
  103. asmaa @ chocoholic-hijabi
  104. asmaa @ chocoholic hijabi
  105. Paul @ World Of Book Reviews
  106. Roof Beam Reader
  107. Majanka @ I<3Reading
  108. Aleisha’s Reading Challenges
  109. Jessi @ The Elliott Review
  110. Rebekah @ My Cup of Tea
  111. Veggie @ Insanity, Table for 4
  112. Kah Woei @ The Books of My Life
  113. Robin @ Robin’s Reads
  114. Diane @ BibliophileBytheSea
  115. Kara (Reading Cause I’m Addicted)
  116. Nise’
  117. Becky @ Bookworm Boulevard
  118. Two Bibliomanicas
  119. SpitFire @ Reviewing My World
  120. Brenda @ WV Stitcher
  121. PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
  122. Carla @ Library Mosaic
  123. Book Reviews By Molly
  124. Juli @ Universe in Words
  1. Sandy @ Book Lovers Only
  2. Sandy @ Book Lovers Only
  3. Leena’s Library
  4. Alyce (At Home With Books)
  5. Land of Lakes & Volcanoes
  6. Andrea (So Many Books, So Little Time)
  7. Kaitlin @ Ah. . . My Married Life
  8. Life and All it’s Beauty
  9. Michelle @ Peaceful Reader
  10. Kaitlin @ Ah. . . My Married Life
  11. Bella @ Cheezyfeet Books
  12. Pluella @ Pluella and her Wonderland
  13. Tatiana @ Addicted to Livre
  14. Kristin @ Always With a Book
  15. Nely @ All About {n}
  16. Aisha @ BytheBroomstick
  17. Jennie @ Life Between Books
  18. Dana from Except For Mondays
  19. molly (a dazzling distraction)
  20. rita starts with the powerful reading sessions.
  21. Kymmie @ Je Lirai
  22. Jess – A Book Hoarder
  23. Dance. Love. Sing
  24. Brittanie (A Book Lover)
  25. Book Journey
  26. Laura
  27. Eric J. Krause’s Writing Spot
  28. JazzRJ @ About Books Blog
  29. Smutty Dirty Bitch
  30. My House of Books
  31. Jules’ Book Reviews
  32. Life in Review
  33. Debs @ Debra’s Book Cafe
  34. Page (One Book At A Time)
  35. Tree Swing Reading Blog
  36. Megan @ Read it, See It
  37. Nan’s Corner of the Web
  38. Cheryl~CMash Loves To Read
  39. Heaven’s Borrowed Things
  40. kjirsten @ greetingsfromplanethartwell
  41. Naked Without Books
  42. fay-bay’s books
  43. Yara @ Once Upon a Twilight!
  44. Kreag’s List
  45. AvidReader @ happygirlyblogs
  46. Slop!
  47. Aimee @ A Book Dork
  48. the-104. blogspot. com
  49. Katie @ Secrets & Sharing Soda
  50. Kristene @ booklvrslounge
  51. serious insanity
  52. Judy at Cover to Cover
  53. A book blog! Wow
  54. Valerie @ mochalove. net
  55. Persnickety Chickadee Books, glorious books
  56. Erin @ A New Year
  57. Jenners @ Life . . . With Books
  58. Grace @ Books Like Breathing
  59. Cathy
  60. Beverly @ The Wormhole
  61. Jen (Crowded Bookshelves)
  62. Neha’s Bookshelf
  63. Barbylucedistelle’s bookshelf
  64. Reading the Best of the Best
  65. coni @ booksandgardens
  66. annemablog
  67. Bewitching Books
  68. Petty Witter @ Pen and Paper.
  69. Shaggy Dog Story
  70. Miss Remmers Review
  71. Hooked to Books Blog
  72. BookQuoter @ a thousand Books with Quotes
  73. Bookworm Porn
  74. Julie @ Books Are Portable Magic
  75. Stepacross
  76. Mad Moose Mama
  77. Book Butler
  78. concours 100 books
  79. Karlene @ Inksplasher
  80. My Round File
  81. Tillie @ A Nuttier Life
  82. Una Scribbles – Reading Challenges 2011
  83. Mrs Tangled @ tiesandtangles
  84. Readin’, Racin’, Raisin’Fish Rockin’, Tunes, & Hoops
  85. Know-It-Not-So-Much
  86. mmz @ Inside of a Dog
  87. literally, the little cabbage
  88. Legacy of a Writer
  89. Creative-Claire
  90. Reviews By Jane
  91. Hurry Slowly
  92. THE UNIDENTIFIED by Rae Mariz
  93. Persnickety Chickadee’s Books
  94. Chinoiseries
  95. XVI by Julia Karr
  96. Wendy @ Reading Before Bed
  97. Rae Reads (Mesmeric Revelation)
  98. Lindsay @ Cookin’ & Bookin’
  99. lawral @ lucy was robbed
  100. Emily @ Goodreads
  101. PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White (ocdaboutbooks)
  102. Mishel (P. S. I Love Books)
  103. Patty’s Shelfari
  104. LEAVING PARADISE by Simone Elkeles
  105. Keeping Up With The Rheinlander’s
  106. Faye @ fay-bays books
  107. My list is on the left, Thanks!Tish
  108. No Filter Mom Library
  109. Reading Ravenously
  110. Jenny O @ Literary Endeavors
  111. Dunia Maya
  112. Mark at Phuket Bookworm
  113. Theresa @ Frugal Experiments
  114. Is there life on Mars?
  115. Em at Goodreads
  116. Les(LTHMPLS) at Goodreads. com
  117. Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
  118. kavyen @ Reading Between Pages
  119. Otterly Evil Reading
  120. Sean @ Mental Sprawl
  121. Rabiah @ Confessions of a Readaholic
  122. Scarlet Kira’s Blog
  123. Bookish Ruth
  124. Boys on my Bookshelf
  125. You are next… Click here to enter

Since Linky Tools is now charging for their service, I have switched to a different link form. If you have already signed up, your name should still be listed above. If you are new and would like to join the challenge, please use the linky below this paragraph! THANKS!