Review: Hot Wheels and High Heels

Hot Wheels and High Heels
Author: Jane Graves
Characters: 5 out of 5
Plot: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Format: e-Book (on my Kindle)
Source: Purchased by Myself

About the Book: (Goodreads) Trophy wife Darcy McDaniel has just discovered that, thanks to her embezzling husband, her posh, upper-class life is gone for good. Now she's trading her suburban palace for a trailer park and her weekly salon appointments for a job. Darcy needs a new man--fast--one who'll keep her in the manner she darn well deserves. Problem is, the hottest prospect around is the my-way-or-the-highway hunk who's making off with her beloved Mercedes!

Ex-cop turned repo man John Stark is sure that hiring the furious blonde in his headlights is a colossal mistake. He knows Darcy's high-maintenance, designer-labels-only type--after all, he's used to taking their cars. But he never expected this hellion to have the smarts and the spunk to go from receptionist to repo agent in record time...or to drive him insane with desire. She's the last thing this tall, dark, and dangerous loner needs...and everything he never knew he wanted.


From My Point of View:


Likes: I love Graves' books.  She does such a fabulous job getting me into the story!  I fall in love with the characters and get to the point where I literally cannot put the book down.  I had to read this whole book in one setting... it was that good!

Dislikes: I did not like that there was no closure with the husband.  He up and left Darcy and was never heard from again.  I would have liked to see something between them before the story wrapped up.

Why 4 stars: I would have liked to see the husband, so I felt unfulfilled by the ending in this way.

Recommendation: Perfect for fans of chick lit and romance.

US vs UK (21): To the Moon and Back

 

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 take a look at a Jill Mansell book!  She always has the cutest covers.  =) As usual US is on the left and UK is on the right!

 

Both books a pretty similar, but I like the coloring of the US book better.  The bright colors make the book look happier.  I also like the art used on it better.  Not to mention, there is just something about that gold on the UK cover that turns me away.  So, I guess that means the US wins the round! =)

Our new total so far is: US 12, UK 9.  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!

Follow Friday (35)

This week's question is: It’s Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. so we want to know what you are Thankful for – blogging related of course! Who has helped you out along the way?
Well, of course, I am thankful for all my followers!!  When I started this blog over a year ago, I always hoped it would get to where it is today and I am so thankful for that!

Review: Dead Reckoning

Dead Reckoning
Author: Charlaine Harris
Characters: 4 out of 5
Plot: 3 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Format: e-Book (on my Kindle)
Source: Borrowed from my library

Book 11 in the Sookie Stackhouse Series

About the Book: (Goodreads) With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...


From My Point of View:


Likes: I love how 11 books into a series, Harris can keep the story rolling.  I don't feel like this story was simple a continuation just to keep the series alive, but it really did add to the story of Sookie.  I would like to see some answers as far as her future, but maybe those will come in the future.

Dislikes: I was really unhappy that there was no resolution between Sookie and Eric in this book.  It felt off to me to leave it for another book.

Why 4 stars: I wanted answers!  =)  I'm hoping for them in the next book!

Recommendation: Dead Reckoning is perfect for all Sookie fans and all vampire lovers in general.

Bookaholic Picks (6): Christmas Reads

Since the holidays are fast approaching, I thought it was the perfect time to check out some of my favorite holiday reads!

Holiday Affair (By: Lisa Plumley)
While helping out at his family's B&B in Michigan during the holidays, single dad turned globe-trotting adventurer Reid Sullivan falls for a certain guest--California girl Karina Barrett who, unbeknownst to him, is a spy for a company who wants to buy out this popular hotel.

Christmas with a Vampire (Anthology)
Prepare for an exhilarating journey across the boundary of death into a shadowy, daring new world. As darkness falls on another year, five fanged rebels are ready to celebrate like never before.

It's a time for bloodlust and stolen kisses, for clandestine bites and forming new bonds beneath the mistletoe. Succumb to the forbidden as these powerful vampires give you a Christmas you'll never forget….

Visions of Sugarplums (By: Janet Evanovich)
It's five days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for Fugitive Apprehension Agent Stephanie Plum. She hasn't got a tree. She hasn't bought any presents. The malls are jam-packed with staggering shoppers. There's not a twinkle light anywhere to be seen in her apartment.

And there's a strange man in her kitchen.

Sure, this has happened to Stephanie Plum before. Strangers, weirdos, felons, creeps, and lunatics are always finding their way to her front door. But this guy is different. This guy is mysterious, sexy-and he has his own agenda. His name is Diesel and he is a man on a mission. And Diesel is unlike anyone Stephanie has ever met before in her life. The question is, what does he want with her? Can he help her find a little old toy maker who has skipped out on his bail right before Christmas? Can he survive the Plum family holiday dinner? Can he get Stephanie a tree that doesn't look like it was grown next to a nuclear power plant?

Follow Friday (34)

This week's question is: Letter to Santa: Tell Santa what books you want for Christmas!
Ohhh... WELL!  I mostly shop for books at a whim, but I would really like the rest of the Kim Harrison collection.  I have like 8 and 9, so I don't want to start them because I haven't read the first few books!  I'd also love the new one from Janet Evanovich (by new, I mean July release) because I haven't gotten around to reading or buying the next Stephanie Plum book yet (shame, I know)!

Review: Lover Avenged

Lover Avenged
Author: J.R. Ward
Characters: 5 out of 5
Plot: 4 out of 5
Overall: 4 out of 5
Format: Audiobook
Source: Borrowed from my Library

Book 7 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

About the Book: (Goodreads) Caldwell, New York, has long been the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It's also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and owner of a notorious night club that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he's approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King and leader of the Brotherhood.

Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood-even though his sister is married to a member, for he harbors a deadly secret that could make him a huge liability in their war against the lessers. As plots within and outside of the Brotherhood threaten to reveal the truth about Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world, Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him-and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.


From My Point of View:


Likes: I was hesitant to read (listen to) a book in this series about a non-brother, but I quickly found that I loved Rhev just as much as I loved all of the brothers.  I also really enjoyed the audiobook version of this book.  The reader did a great job and I found myself wanting to go for a drive just to listen to the book!

Dislikes: Well aside from a few characters I disliked (ahem, the Princess), there really wasn't much to dislike about this book.  Ward has written another winner!

Why 4 stars: While this book was FANTASTIC, it wasn't my favorite book in the series, so I only gave it 4 stars.  Zsadist still remains my favorite.

Recommendation: Definitely a great read for all fans of vampires and the Brotherhood.

Teaser Tuesday: Hot Wheels and High Heels

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:

"It would be an interesting thing to watch. From a distance, anyway. Wearing body armor. With a weapon in each hand. And his brain on full alert. No matter how beautiful she might be, behind that pretty face was a woman who could turn any man’s life upside down before he even knew what hit him."

-- pg. 64 of Hot Wheels and High Heels by Jane Graves. 

Cover Crazy (8)

The Basics:

• Cover Crazy was created by The Book Worms.
• The point of this meme is to admire the art and beauty of a book’s design, so I’m going to post minimal words.

This month I’m crazy about…

I'm very excited for Sophie Kinsella's newest book, which is set to release in February.  =)

Follow Friday (33)

This week's question is: In light of 11.11.11 and Veteran’s Day tell us about your favorite solider and how he or she is saving the world. Fictional or real life.
Awww!  I love this question!!  My favorite soldier happens to be real: he is my fiance!  He's currently saving the world on his first deployment.  It's been an interesting ride, for sure, but he is good at what he does and loving it!  Of course, I couldn't be more proud of him and all of our troops!
(I'm actually blogging about that experience here if you want a peek <end: shameless plug>!)

Bookish Finds (13): The Best Baby Shower, Ever!

If you've never heard of Pinterest, you definitely need to check it out.  It's the best thing since slice bread.  =)

I throw this shameless plug in because it is the source of today's Bookish Find: these adorable baby shower invitations.  I would be BEYOND thrilled to have someone throw a baby shower for me in this theme (if, you know, I was having a baby)...  It is the cutest theme, ever!

Click here to see this pin.

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.

Let's Talk Moneyball!

I'm a big fan of books turned into movies, so today, we're talking about Moneyball, a movie based on not only a real life event, but also a book written by Michael Lewis.

It is nothing unusual for Hollywood to adapt books into films, as literature is one of the steadiest suppliers of new stories and ideas. In fact, most people don't realize just how many of the movies they see are at least loosely based on a novel, or short story. What is more unusual is to see a successful film that is based on a book that isn't presented in novel form. Yet this is exactly the formula that Hollywood and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin followed in adapting Michael Lewis's interesting baseball book, Moneyball. The result was undeniably one of the best films of 2011, and a film that you will definitely want to catch on TV By Direct as soon as it's available.

Michael Lewis's book was essentially an exposition on a new method of fielding a winning team in professional baseball, as experimented by the 2002 Oakland Athletics. It is no secret, among baseball fans at least, that Major League Baseball does not (as some other professional leagues do) impose a salary cap on its teams. The result of this is that "big market" teams such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, which make enormous amounts of money, are able to spend more bringing in great players than smaller market teams like the Athletics, who do not have comparable budgets. Because of this problem, some of the men behind the 2002 Athletics, and their manager Billy Beane, devised a new strategy in attacking the free agent market. Placing heavy emphasis on on-base percentage, rather than average or homeruns, the Athletics began to value free agents differently, and managed to bring in a competitive team far more cheaply, leading to one of the most successful seasons in team history.

The film, of course, turns this principle into a retelling of the actual story of the 2002 season, and the weeks and months before it in which the strategy was devised. With Brad Pitt playing the part of now-legendary manager Billy Beane, the film depicts in a very accurate way what it was like for the Athletics' management to take the risk of bringing in a team that didn't seem to make sense on paper. Through a very appealing performance by Pitt, a well-captured atmosphere, and the brilliant screenplay from Aaron Sorkin, we are given what seems to be a very accurate picture of just how the 2002 Athletics came to be, and how their methods changed the nature of baseball and free agency for both small and big market teams going forward.

Please note -- I'm trying something new here at Bookaholic Does Blogging and running a post provided by TV By Direct!  I'm not sure if these kinds of things will be sticking around, but I liked this movie, so I'm giving it a shot!

In My Mailbox (12)

Click on the book cover to head over to Amazon for more information on the title!