Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
This one was pretty good, a lot like the others - I really want to try the fudge cupcake recipe, I think Aaron would love it. I read this whole book in the waiting room at my doctor's office while I was getting my 3 hour gestational diabetes test. I finished the book before I finished the test - luckily I had a magazine along. These books are really quick reads!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
No. 52: The Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
Oh Harry Potter - why are your books so awesome and so long? I watched the 5th movie on Friday night and it got me in the Harry Potter mood so last night after Ella went to bed (like 8:00) I decided it would be a good idea to read the last book since I had only read it once - and that was in a hurry the day it came out. So, I did and it was fantastic, just like I remember. It was so good, that I couldn't stop reading it, so I stayed up until 2:00 in the morning to finish it. I did get to sleep in this morning (thanks Aaron!) but I am still really tired. It was worth it, I love Harry Potter. It wasn't the first time I stayed up late to read a Harry Potter book, and I am sure it won't be the last!
Oh Harry Potter - why are your books so awesome and so long? I watched the 5th movie on Friday night and it got me in the Harry Potter mood so last night after Ella went to bed (like 8:00) I decided it would be a good idea to read the last book since I had only read it once - and that was in a hurry the day it came out. So, I did and it was fantastic, just like I remember. It was so good, that I couldn't stop reading it, so I stayed up until 2:00 in the morning to finish it. I did get to sleep in this morning (thanks Aaron!) but I am still really tired. It was worth it, I love Harry Potter. It wasn't the first time I stayed up late to read a Harry Potter book, and I am sure it won't be the last!
Friday, March 28, 2008
No. 51: A Garden in the Rain
A Garden in the Rain by Lynn Kurland
This is another time travel book involving the MacLeod family - the brother Patrick who went to the future (the present really). It wasn't as good A Dance Through Time, but it was still great! The main characters meet in the present but go back in time to around the time Patrick was born (1300s). It involves the characters from the first book which is always good! I need to find all the books involving this family so I can read them all - I thought I had them but I am missing quite a few in the middle.
This is another time travel book involving the MacLeod family - the brother Patrick who went to the future (the present really). It wasn't as good A Dance Through Time, but it was still great! The main characters meet in the present but go back in time to around the time Patrick was born (1300s). It involves the characters from the first book which is always good! I need to find all the books involving this family so I can read them all - I thought I had them but I am missing quite a few in the middle.
No. 50: Simply Perfect
Simply Perfect by Mary Balough
This the last (I think) in the fantastic "simply" series which is connected to the "slightly" series which I really really love. It was about Claudia Martin who is the owner and headmistress of Miss Martin's School and the Marquess of Attingsburough who has also been in lots of other books. This book was great! It was somewhat different than the rest of the series, a little more like her early more traditional regencies (which I don't like as much) but I really liked this one. Now I am kind of sad that there may not be any more in this series - I think all the good characters have been married!
This the last (I think) in the fantastic "simply" series which is connected to the "slightly" series which I really really love. It was about Claudia Martin who is the owner and headmistress of Miss Martin's School and the Marquess of Attingsburough who has also been in lots of other books. This book was great! It was somewhat different than the rest of the series, a little more like her early more traditional regencies (which I don't like as much) but I really liked this one. Now I am kind of sad that there may not be any more in this series - I think all the good characters have been married!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
No. 49: A Dance Through Time
A Dance Through Time by Lymm Kurland
I needed a break from the contemporary novels I had been reading and I thought a good Scottish Highlands/time travel story would be a nice change. And it was. I love Lynn Kurland, especially since she has several books involving the same family and characters. This is the first one involving the MacLeod family. It was pretty great, I think I will read at least a few more of these before I move on to a new genre!
I needed a break from the contemporary novels I had been reading and I thought a good Scottish Highlands/time travel story would be a nice change. And it was. I love Lynn Kurland, especially since she has several books involving the same family and characters. This is the first one involving the MacLeod family. It was pretty great, I think I will read at least a few more of these before I move on to a new genre!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
No. 48: Lover in the Rough
Lover in the Rough by Elizabeth Lowell
I grabbed a book at random off the shelf and this is what I got. It was not a good pick. Not only do I HATE the title, this book featured an excess of all the things I dislike about Elizabeth Lowell (terrible dialogue and descriptions), and none of the stuff I liked. The plot was lame, no mystery or excitement. The only conflict was based on a stupid misunderstanding that would have never happened if the characters in the book acted like real people. So irritating! One of those where if one person had told the other person something at the beginning, the whole conflict would have been avoided. But they didn't tell, so when the other person finds out the "secret" they get mad and confused and they think that everything they ever thought/felt was a lie. But really it is just a stupid misunderstanding. I don't think words can express how irritating that type of plot is to me!
I grabbed a book at random off the shelf and this is what I got. It was not a good pick. Not only do I HATE the title, this book featured an excess of all the things I dislike about Elizabeth Lowell (terrible dialogue and descriptions), and none of the stuff I liked. The plot was lame, no mystery or excitement. The only conflict was based on a stupid misunderstanding that would have never happened if the characters in the book acted like real people. So irritating! One of those where if one person had told the other person something at the beginning, the whole conflict would have been avoided. But they didn't tell, so when the other person finds out the "secret" they get mad and confused and they think that everything they ever thought/felt was a lie. But really it is just a stupid misunderstanding. I don't think words can express how irritating that type of plot is to me!
Monday, March 24, 2008
No. 47: Running Scared
Running Scared by Elizabeth Lowell
This was one I had not read before - it was good. A slightly different subject matter than usual, but with some overlap with characters that I liked. This book had some interesting twists that were interesting. The romance angle was not that great, I had a hard time believing that the characters were in love (seemed like something else to me!)
Lowell has a series of books about the Donovan family that have shown up in some of her newer books and I will have to check to see if there are more in the series than I thought.
This was one I had not read before - it was good. A slightly different subject matter than usual, but with some overlap with characters that I liked. This book had some interesting twists that were interesting. The romance angle was not that great, I had a hard time believing that the characters were in love (seemed like something else to me!)
Lowell has a series of books about the Donovan family that have shown up in some of her newer books and I will have to check to see if there are more in the series than I thought.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
No. 46: The Color of Death
THe Color of Death by Elizabeth Lowell
Another one, I had read this before but didn't remember until I was about 1/4 of the way through. Luckily I didn't remember how it ended! It was pretty good, a nice twist at the end. I have two more books by this author that I picked up at the used book store. I don't know if I have read those or not!
Another one, I had read this before but didn't remember until I was about 1/4 of the way through. Luckily I didn't remember how it ended! It was pretty good, a nice twist at the end. I have two more books by this author that I picked up at the used book store. I don't know if I have read those or not!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
No. 45: Die In Plain Sight
Die in Plain Sight by Elizabeth Lowell
This is a new Elizabeth Lowell that I had not read before. I thought the story was good, very interesting with some cool twists. I have the same complaints about this book that I do with all her books (bad dialogue, etc) but it was still good. I got a couple more books by this author so I think I will probably read those next.
This is a new Elizabeth Lowell that I had not read before. I thought the story was good, very interesting with some cool twists. I have the same complaints about this book that I do with all her books (bad dialogue, etc) but it was still good. I got a couple more books by this author so I think I will probably read those next.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
No. 44: Cherry Cheesecake Murder
Cherry Cheesecake Murder
I liked this one a lot. It was funnier than some of the other ones, and it had more development of the female main character's relationships with the men in her life. Aaron thought it was a little shocking that she is dating more than one guy, but since the most romantic action that the characters have seen in this series is a few hugs and a kisses, I don't think it is too bad :)
I liked this one a lot. It was funnier than some of the other ones, and it had more development of the female main character's relationships with the men in her life. Aaron thought it was a little shocking that she is dating more than one guy, but since the most romantic action that the characters have seen in this series is a few hugs and a kisses, I don't think it is too bad :)
Saturday, March 15, 2008
No. 43: The Peach Cobbler Murder
The Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke
This is another Hannah Swensen series book. It was good, like the others. This one was different enough from the others I have read that I am not bored with the series yet. There are still maybe 5 left that I have not read, we will see how many I read. I think I will go to the used book store to see if I can find them there, they are quick reads, I hate to spend $7 for only two hours of reading entertainment.
This is another Hannah Swensen series book. It was good, like the others. This one was different enough from the others I have read that I am not bored with the series yet. There are still maybe 5 left that I have not read, we will see how many I read. I think I will go to the used book store to see if I can find them there, they are quick reads, I hate to spend $7 for only two hours of reading entertainment.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
No. 42: The Secret Sister
The Secret Sister by Elizabeth Lowell
I have read this book before, in fact, I have read almost every book Elizabeth Lowell has ever written, and every time I read one I have the same two thoughts - "this dialogue is terrible, no one would ever say that.", and "I can't believe she described THAT like THAT!" It kills me the crazy descriptions she uses and the bizarre dialogue. Even more than that maybe, is the weird thoughts the characters have. So irritating! However, like I said I have read almost all of her books, and I usually like them all. The stories are interesting, the conflicts are involving, she really does her research on the occupations and locations she chooses for her characters. So I am sure I will keep reading her books, even though sometimes they seriously irritate me.
I have read this book before, in fact, I have read almost every book Elizabeth Lowell has ever written, and every time I read one I have the same two thoughts - "this dialogue is terrible, no one would ever say that.", and "I can't believe she described THAT like THAT!" It kills me the crazy descriptions she uses and the bizarre dialogue. Even more than that maybe, is the weird thoughts the characters have. So irritating! However, like I said I have read almost all of her books, and I usually like them all. The stories are interesting, the conflicts are involving, she really does her research on the occupations and locations she chooses for her characters. So I am sure I will keep reading her books, even though sometimes they seriously irritate me.
Monday, March 10, 2008
No. 41: Divine Evil
Divine Evil by Nora Roberts
This is a book I have had for awhile and read before. I needed something to read and couldn't remember what it was about. It was not one of my favorites, I thought it was too creepy. Normally I don't mind her creepy books, but this one was just too much. Hopefully I will remember that in the future and I won't accidently read it again!
This is a book I have had for awhile and read before. I needed something to read and couldn't remember what it was about. It was not one of my favorites, I thought it was too creepy. Normally I don't mind her creepy books, but this one was just too much. Hopefully I will remember that in the future and I won't accidently read it again!
Friday, March 7, 2008
No. 40: Blueberry Muffin Murder
Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke
Another Hannah Swensen series book. They really are pretty good. I mean, there is clearly a formula - she discovers dead bodies, has a reason to want to solve crime, helps solve crime - but each one (so far) is different enough, and the main characters are likeable and funny.It is also a nice change of pace from my usual regency/Navy SEAL romance novels. An added bonus is, they are somewhat similar to the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, and a new book in that series does not come out until June or July! I don't know how many more in the series there are, but I imagine I will keep reading them until I am out.
Another Hannah Swensen series book. They really are pretty good. I mean, there is clearly a formula - she discovers dead bodies, has a reason to want to solve crime, helps solve crime - but each one (so far) is different enough, and the main characters are likeable and funny.It is also a nice change of pace from my usual regency/Navy SEAL romance novels. An added bonus is, they are somewhat similar to the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, and a new book in that series does not come out until June or July! I don't know how many more in the series there are, but I imagine I will keep reading them until I am out.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
No. 39: Strawberry Shortcake Murder
Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
This is another in the Hannah Swensen mystery series. This is the second one I have read and I liked it as much as the first. There is more of a love interest angle in this one, although the heroine has maybe two dates and that is about it. I thought the mystery was interesting and I still like the characters. I wonder how many books there can be in the series before all the town people are killed off! I bought another one in the series today but there are a few left I think.
Thanks for the great recommendation Megan!!!
This is another in the Hannah Swensen mystery series. This is the second one I have read and I liked it as much as the first. There is more of a love interest angle in this one, although the heroine has maybe two dates and that is about it. I thought the mystery was interesting and I still like the characters. I wonder how many books there can be in the series before all the town people are killed off! I bought another one in the series today but there are a few left I think.
Thanks for the great recommendation Megan!!!
No. 38: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
This series was recommended to me by my friend Megan - I really like it! It kind of reminds me of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. This series is about the owner of a cookie shop in small town Minnesota who kind of stumbles into solving murders. It is pretty funny and there are cookie recipes in the book! I love cookies!
This series was recommended to me by my friend Megan - I really like it! It kind of reminds me of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. This series is about the owner of a cookie shop in small town Minnesota who kind of stumbles into solving murders. It is pretty funny and there are cookie recipes in the book! I love cookies!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
No. 37: Naughty Neighbor
Naughty Neighbor by Janet Evanovich
This is a reissue of an old Janet Evanovich book. I liked it a lot, just like I like every book she writes. Her books are always funny, and a little bit crazy, just the way I like them! I think there may be a few more reissues to come, at least I hope so.
This is a reissue of an old Janet Evanovich book. I liked it a lot, just like I like every book she writes. Her books are always funny, and a little bit crazy, just the way I like them! I think there may be a few more reissues to come, at least I hope so.
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