Monthly Rewind Retires

Once again, I've changed my mind. =)  I am officially retiring the Monthly Rewind meme!  I don't know if anyone enjoyed it, but I certainly did not enjoy writing them.  They are time consuming and a little redundant, so away they go!

Hopefully, this is no real tragedy for anyone.  With this meme gone, I'll be able to put my focus on reviewing and the other fun stuff that goes on here!

Happy Memorial Day!

Review: Rogue

Rogue
Author: Rachel Vincent
Characters: 4 out of 5
Plot: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Format: e-Book (on my Kindle)
Source: Received as a RAK from Stella at Ex Libris

Book 2 in the Shifter Series

Description: (Author Website) Okay, so cats don't always land on their feet.

I know that better than most. Since rejoining the Pride, I've made big decisions and even bigger mistakes: the kind paid for with innocent lives. As the first and only female enforcer, I have plenty to prove to my father, the Pride, and myself. And with murdered toms turning up in our territory, I'm working harder than ever, though I always find the energy for a little after-hours recreation with Marc, my partner both on and off duty.

But not all my mistakes are behind me. We're beginning to suspect that the dead are connected with a rash of missing human women and that they can all be laid at my feet--two or four, take your pick. And one horrible indiscretion may yet cost me more than I can bear...

From My Point of View: I cannot believe the trouble Faythe gets herself in to.  Part of me finds this an amusing quality and part of me is annoyed because that is the exact opposite of my personality.  If I were Faythe, Marc and I would have been married 5 years ago and, thus, the series would be pretty boring.

I like how Vincent keeps the books moving and story continuing through each book.  Nothing bothers me more than when the first 20% of the next book in the series recaps what I've already read, especially when I'm reading them one right after another.  I am so glad that is not the case with this series!

I'm also loving the characters more in this book than in book 1.  At first I was not a Marc fan but it would seem he is growing on me.  For the most part, I'm still pulling for anyone else, but I have found a bit of soft spot for him in the book.  I've liked that I got to know the other characters better as well - especially Faythe's mom who we see a lot of in this book.

Overall, Rogue was another excellent read in this series.  I've already started book 3, so clearly, I'm enjoying these!

Follow Friday (24)

This week's question is: How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them?
I usually only read one or two book a week, unless it's a vacation or time off from class/work, then I can read upwards of 4 or 5.  My main preference in my Kindle, but I won't say no to a hardcover or paperback either. =)  Some books I enjoy the audiobook, but it really depends on the narrator.  

Bookish Finds (10): Nail Art!

I was playing around on my new found love, Pinterest, when I came across these fantastic nails:

I don't do my nails because, for the life of me, I cannot keep them from chipping for any amount of time. But these look so fun and are pretty much right up my ally!

The process looks fairly easy and painless.  If you want to see how to do your nails like this, check out the Pinterest Pin where I found this Bookish Find!  You can also check out Passion Nail Art, where the tutorial came from, but it's in a language I don't understand (that is - not English)!

Please note:  I am not being paid or compensated in any way for this post.  I simply found the items online and thought it fun enough to pass along.

Review: Undead and Unfinished

Undead and Unfinished
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Characters: 4 out of 5
Plot: 1 out of 5
Overall: 1 out of 5
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed from the Library

Book 9 in the Undead Series

Description: (Goodreads) In Undead and Unfinished, the ninth novel featuring the adventures of Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor, Betsy strikes up a deal with the devil. Now, Betsy has the ability to read the Book of the Dead without going insane and she finally gets the chance to discover all the dark mysteries it holds. When a visit to Hell turns into a time traveling journey filled with risky encounters, Betsy gets more than she bargained for. As she interacts firsthand with her past generations, Betsy’s meddling will impact the future in ways she does not yet understand.

From My Point of View: I have to say this is a first.  I've never rated a book 1 star (or whatever those cute circle things are that I use).

I put off reading this book almost 6 months because I've only heard bad things about it (well, mostly bad things... there's a few good reviews out there).  Since the new book comes out next month, I figured I should get caught up.  I really wish I hadn't.  With no exaggeration: this book ruined the entire series for me.

At first, I wondered what the fuss was about.  It honestly seemed fine.  Yes, the time travel was a bit strange, but I could deal with it.  But then I read the epilogue... seriously, three pages ruined an entire series of books for me.  Davidson better find a nice happy ending to this or I will be very upset.

In my (un)professional opinion, stop at book 8 (or maybe 6 before the story line got all wonky) and call it good.  This was such a cute and fun series!  I loved Betsy and Sinclair!  Now any rereads I might have done are going to be tainted by the knowledge that came with book 9.

I hate it.  I'm so mad at MaryJanice Davidson.

Teaser Tuesday (4): Pride

Teaser Tuesday was created by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Teaser Tuesday Rules:
-- Grab your current read
-- Open to a random page
--Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
--BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
--Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today's Teaser:

"'Tell me what you want, Faythe.  Just tell me what you want me to do, and I'll do it.'

I wanted a do over. A time machine. That magic wand. But real life didn't have any easy outs, and very few happily-ever-afters."

-- at 61% of Pride by Rachel Vincent. 

Review: Sizziling Sixteen

Sizziling Sixteen
Author: Janet Evanovich
Characters: 3 out of 5
Plot: 2 out of 5
Overall: 2 out of 5
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed from the Library

Book 16 in the Stephanie Plum Series

Description: (Author Website) BAD LUCK:
Vinnie, of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds, has run up a gambling debt of $786,000 with mobster
Bobby Sunflower and is being held until the cash can be produced. Nobody else will pay to get Vinnie back, leaving it up to Stephanie, office manager Connie, and file clerk Lula to raise the money if they want to save their jobs.

GOOD LUCK:
Being in the business of tracking down people, Stephanie, Lula, and Connie have an advantage in finding Vinnie. If they can rescue him, it will buy them some time to raise the cash.

BAD LUCK:
Finding a safe place to hide Vinnie turns out to be harder than raising $786,000. Vinnie’s messing up local stoner Walter “Moon Man” Dunphy's vibe and making Stephanie question genetics.

GOOD LUCK:
Between a bonds office yard sale that has the entire Burg turning out, a plan that makes Mooner’s Hobbit-Con look sane, and Uncle Pip’s mysterious bottle, they just might raise enough money to save Vinnie and the business from ruin.

BAD LUCK:
Saving Vincent Plum Bail Bonds means Stephanie can keep being a bounty hunter. In Trenton, this involves hunting down a man wanted for polygamy, a Turnpike toilet paper bandit, and a drug dealer with a pet alligator named Mr. Jingles.

GOOD LUCK:
The job of bounty hunter comes with perks in the guise of Trenton’s hottest cop, Joe Morelli, and the dark and dangerous, Ranger. With any luck at all, Uncle Pip’s lucky bottle will have Stephanie getting lucky---the only question is . . . with whom?

From My Point of View: I think the description of this book is going to be much longer than my review.

I as sad as it is, I think this series and I have run our course.  Long gone are the days when I was able to read one of these books in a few hours.  This book took me EIGHT days.  EIGHT!  That is practically unheard of for me.  I had no desire to pick this book after I set it down.  If I hadn't felt an obligation to the series to finish it, I have no doubt this book would have been a DNF.

For me, this series reached it's climax around book 11.  Since then, I am just not enjoying them.  The funny is gone, the relationship(s) between Morelli, Ranger, and Stephanie are a joke, and the story isn't going anywhere.  One can only read so many bond enforcement scenarios before it gets old.

I hate to say it, but I think Evanovich might be losing her touch with these books.  Perhaps it's time to try something new...

Ugh... Hackers!

I just want to give everyone a heads up that my Bookaholic e-mail was hacked today.  My sincerest apologies to anyone receiving spam from "me."  I would advise not clicking any links, or better yet, not opening any e-mails!

I am working on fixing everything now.  Thank you for bearing with me!

US vs UK (18): Something Borrowed

 

It's that time again: another US vs UK challenge! US vs UK was created by Jenny from Wondrous Reads.  Thank you, Jenny for being so brilliant! =)

This month, I thought we'd check out Something Borrowed, which was just released in theaters.  (I saw it, by the way, it was super cute!) As usual US is on the left and UK is on the right!

This one was super easy for me: US.  I really like the UK cover.  The picture is nice and the fonts are super, super cute, but it really has nothing to do with the book!  The US cover, on the other hand, clearly has a tie-in to the story.  Also, I think the use of a ring as an "O" was brilliant.  I love it!

Our new total so far is: US 10, UK 8.  Which covers are your winner for this week?!

Do you have a book or series you'd like to see featured on my US vs UK meme?! Click here to tell me about them!  I'd love to hear your ideas!

Review: Sweetheart in High Heels

Sweetheart in High Heels
Author: Gemma Halliday
Characters: 4 out of 5
Plot: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Format: e-Book (on my Kindle)
Source: Purchased by Myself

Book "7" in the High Heels Series (Novella)

Description: (Goodreads) Being the wife of a cop isn't all it's cracked up to be. Especially when dead bodies keep ruining your romantic dinner plans. But fashion designer turned amateur sleuth Maddie Springer is determined that her husband's latest case, dubbed the "Sex Shop Murder", will not keep him from celebrating their first anniversary together, which just happens to fall on the most romantic of all holidays, Valentine's Day. She's ready to do whatever it takes to make this night special and distraction-free - even if it means solving his case herself!

From My Point of View: Unlike the other novella, this one was super cute!  I loved the fast pace and the quick resolution - it worked really well for me.

I also loved how we were able to get the feel of a full High Heels story, but in a much shorter time span.  Aside from missing all the side story details and a rather quick conclusion to the mystery, it almost felt like I was reading a regular book in the series.

If you're looking for another quick hit of this series, this novella will do it for you!

Review: Talk Me Down

Talk Me Down
Author: Victoria Dahl
Characters: 4 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5
Format: e-Book (on my Kindle)
Source: Received as RAK from Missy at Two Readers Reviews

Book 1 in the Tumble Creek Series

Description: (Goodreads) Molly Jenkins has one naughty little secret: her job as a bestselling erotic fiction author. Until her inspiration runs dry—thanks to a creepy ex—and it's time to skip town and move back to tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado.

One look at former high school hunk chief of police Ben Lawson and Molly is back in business. The town gossip is buzzing at her door and, worse still, a stalker seems to be watching her every move. Thankfully, her very own lawman has taken to coming over, often. The only problem now is that Molly may have to let the cat out of the bag about her chosen profession, and straitlaced Ben will definitely not approve.…

From My Point of View: I added this book to my wishlist on a whim and boy am I glad I did!  This was one of the best books I've read in a long time.  I finished the entire book off in two sittings -- I just couldn't put it down!

My favorite, of course, was Ben.  Who doesn't love a hunky cop?!  I loved how the history between him and Molly played out.  It added an interesting twist to the story.  Speaking of Molly, she was also a definite "love" for me!  I enjoyed how quirky and fun she was.  And I admired her ability to keep her job a secret -- that is so not something I could do.

The best part about this book was that it wasn't what I would call a typical romance.  Yes, of course, there was plenty of heat and sex, but there was also an added element of suspense and mystery and that is really what made me like this book.  I don't remember his name (clearly, he had a lasting effect on me), but Mr. Stalker Guy brought a great element to the story that made it feel more interesting than a typical romance.  As much as I love romances, romance with a twist will always win out with me.

Teaser Tuesday (3): Undead and Unfinished

Teaser Tuesday was created by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Teaser Tuesday Rules:
-- Grab your current read
-- Open to a random page
--Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
--BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
--Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Today's Teaser:

"I even got in a right cross to her demonic jaw before a thousand firecrackers went off behind my eyes and the bricks above the fireplace jumped forward and slammed me in the back.  The good news was it didn't hurt a bit..."

-- page 95 of Undead and Unfinished by Mary Janice Davidson.