Read-a-thon 2009, here I come!

I'm so excited! My very first readathon. I've nagged my friend Janicu into doing it with me. I went to the library and got books. I went to Borders and got books. My husband is out of town. It's the perfect time to curl up and read read read!

• Hana Yori Dango books that I got from the library. It's a Japanese anime series that I'm completely addicted to.
  
• A trilogy from Nicole Jordan: To Seduce a Bride, To Bed a Beauty, and To Pleasure a Lady.
• Lisa Kleypas' Tempt Me at Midnight
  
• J.R. Ward's Covet
• Julia Quinn's To Catch an Heiress
• Elizabeth Hoyt's To Beguile a Beast
• Julie Powell's Julie & Julia, which I started but haven't finished.
• Scott Westerfeld's series: The Pretties (oops, I read this already. How did it get in the pile?) and The Extras.
• MaryJanice Davidson's Queen Betsy series: Undead and Unwelcome
  
• Rachel Mead's YA vampire series: Vampire Academy, Frostbite, and Shadow Kiss. I think there is another book I didn't get yet.
  
• LHK's Skin Trade. I have about 100 pages left. It's been a slow read.
  

And if I don't feel like reading any of these in the pile, I can always do my Sookie Stackhouse or Harry Potter challenges.

So on the west coast, I'm supposed to start at 5 a.m. Ummmmm. Not sure that's going to happen. But I will be up as early as possible and stay up as late as possible. I'm not planning on leaving the house for food though!

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FYI - I'm posting my updates on Vox since I like the formatting for Vox better. I'll update Blogger after I'm done with the Read-a-thon. :) Thanks for all the cheerleaders' messages!!!

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (also on Vox)

In Dead and Gone, Charlaine Harris reminded me again why I loved this series to begin with - ERIC!!! To me, it felt like the series has been taking a bit of a detour with Sookie's involvement in the were community and the other men that have come into Sookie's life. In this book, more Eric! And I loved it!

In this book, the weres have decided to follow the vampires out of the paranormal closet. At first, it seems like the big reveal for the weres are going pretty well. But then, Sookie finds the body of a werepanther in the Merlotte's parking lot. "But what she doesn't realize is that there is a much greater danger than the killer threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings - older, more powerful, and far more secretive than vampires or werewolves - are preparing for war."

The part in quotes are from the book blurb. I have to say though, this part is a bit misleading. It was a bit of a let down about these "unhuman beings" and the war they are waging. But, I still enjoyed the book a lot. Mostly because of Eric! Ok, I can't stop gushing about Eric. So by now, Eric has remembered what he previously has forgotten. And now he's seriously woo-ing Sookie.

Because I love Eric so much (can you tell?), I was pretty happy with this book. We do get some visits from Sookie's ex-boyfriends, Quinn and Bill. And of course, Sam is always involved. But overall, I'm satisfied with the way Sookie/Eric is progressing and look forward to the next book. Oh, Sookie gets more involved in the paranormal world as she looks for the murderer, blah blah Eric blah blah.

Overall: B+.

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James (also on Vox)

First, much thanks to my friend Janicu who introduced me to Julie James and sent me this book! I stayed up until 4 am reading it the very day I got it.

Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson started as associates at a big law firm together and are now both up for partnership. Payton concentrates on employment discrimination law, while J.D. focuses on class action lawsuits. Payton came from a hippie family, while J.D. is your typical privileged white male whose dad is a judge. Payton and J.D. can't stand each other, but must come together to win a client for the firm, their last hoop to jump through before reaching the partnership brass ring. They grudgingly begin to get to know each other, What they didn't realize is that only one will be made partner.

I enjoyed the book overall. But I confess, I wasn't the biggest J.D. Jameson fan. I mean, a white male attorney, whose dad is a judge, whining about reverse discrimination? Oh please! While I firmly believe people should be judged on their merits, the reality is, men and women, whites and minorities, straights and gays are not on an even playing field. We're not entirely color-blind, gender-blind, or sexual orientation-blind. We're trying (I think), but we're certainly not there yet. And yes, while it is possible that a white male will be passed over for a white female in a partnershp decision if the firm is trying to increase diversity, I think the reality is, female partners have to overcome a lot more obstacle along the way to get there. So J.D. annoyed me with his, oh-it's-so-unfair-you-just-have-to-wear-a-skirt-to-make-partner-even-though-I'm-more-qualified-than-you attitude.

But, in the spirit of reading a fun, entertaining romance novel, I moved past it and tried to get into the spirit of the oil and water with the simmering sexual tension underneath storyline. It was a bit predictable that Payton and J.D. couldn't stand each other, but are secretly attracted, and eventually came to realize both are dedicated and incredibly talented as lawyers. Ok, here's another minor rant - seriously, in the 8 years of practicing, neither of them has ever lost a case?! Not reality. I liked Payton a lot. She's smart, driven, and professional. I just wish J.D. suffered a bit more or groveled harder before the happily ever after, especially something we found out he did toward the end of the book.

Overall, it was a light, enjoyable read. I think I enjoyed Just the Sexiest Man Alive a bit more, but I'm looking forward to Julie James's next novel. It looks like it'll depart a bit from these two books, involving a female U.S. Attorney and an FBI agent.

Overall: B.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (also on Vox)

I absolutely LOVED this book. Now normally, I read what my husband likes to call "trashy romance novels." I roll my eyes at him because he obviously does not understand that there is more to the romance genre than just the bodice-rippers. But that's a whole other story. Anyway, my point is, he is right in that I do read a lot of romance novels, be it romantic suspese, historical romance, paranormal romance of whatever other category of romance. I very rarely pick up books outside of my normal reading range. But I am so glad I picked up The Time Traveler's Wife, which, while definitely solidly in the fiction category (and potentially something Oprah might put in her bookclub), is still, at the heart of it, all about romance.

This book is the love story of Henry (the time traveler) and Clare (the titular time traveler's wife). I am completely awed by author Audrey Niffenegger's imagination in coming up with such a lovely, unique and complex tale. It must have been so difficult to keep track of the time travels, who knows what at what particular time, who has met whom, what events have occurred or not yet occurred, and then wrapping the whole story up neatly and perfectly. The first time I read the book, I just wanted to get to the end so I find out everything. But now that I'm done, I definitely feel the need to go back and re-read the story again to further appreciate the complexity of it all and how it all ties together.

The story is basically about Henry and Clare, whose lives are so closely intertwined throughout time. Clare first met Henry when she was 6 years old but Henry first met Clare when he was 28 years old. While we get to know Henry and Clare's love for each other, at the same time, we get to know Henry and Clare as individuals. Both Henry and Clare have family issues that give further clarity to who they are. I loved reading about how their relationship developed.
While the book is about Henry the time traveler, time travel is almost an afterthought. We just accept that it happens. But the focus is really on Henry and Clare, their relationship with each other, their relationship with their family and friends, and their relationship with time.

I am recommending this book to my husband to read. Yep, I'm making him read it! And I would love to watch the movie as well. This is one of the most unique and interesting books I've come across in a long time. I give it a solid A!

To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt

To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt (also on Vox)

This is my very first Elizabeth Hoyt book and I absolutely LOVED it. I loved the characters, the plot, and the writing. In fact, there were moments where I thought to myself, I want to quote this for my review. And so I shall.

To Seduce is actually Book 2 of the The Legend of the Four Soldiers Series, revolvoing around the survivors of the 28th Regiment. During the war in America, there was a traitor who betrayed the 28th Regiment into massacre by the Indians at Spinner's Fall. For those who survived the capture and subsequent torture by the Indians, they are still haunted by those events.

The second book revolves around Jasper Renshaw, Lord Vale. We meet Vale on his wedding day when he has been dumped by his fiancee, who threw him over for a country curate. Seizing her chance, Melisande Fleming did something bold - she asked him to marry her. Vale agrees. Vale comes to find that while Melisande is the epitome of proper ladyship during the day, there are hidden passions that she allows him to see only at night. Melisande comes to find that while Vale seems the lighthearted aristocrat, he hides a deep pain from his traumatic war experience. Vale seeks to pierce Melisande's veil during the day; while Melisande braves the night to find the true Vale.

"Somehow she found it easier to be relaxed at night. The shadows made her brave. Perhaps she really was the mistress of the night, as he called her. And if so, did that make him master of the day?

She watched him, struck by the thought. He sought her out mainly during the daylight hours. Stalked her in the sunlight. He might like to go to balls and gaming hells at night, but it is during the day that he sought to discover her secrets."

The entire book was perfect from beginning to end. I was discovering Jasper and Melisande as they got to know each other. It slowly became clear that Jasper and Melisande's past experiences made them who they are today and a perfect fit for each other. Melisande possesses the strength and maturity to handle Jasper. Jasper is the one man who sees the person Melisande truly is. I loved that at the beginning of the book, Jasper vaguely recalls Melisande but does not remember her name. By the end, he sees her when no one else does. Melisande has always been a bit of a wallflower, but she comes alive with Jasper.

The supporting cast is also well developed. There is a secondary story with Sally, Melisande's maid and Mr. Pynch, Jasper's valet. There is Sir Mouse, Melisande's faithful dog. Then there is the hunt for the traitor. While I knew that the traitor would not be revealed in Book 2, the hunt had my attention and I can't wait to read the rest of the books. Finally, there is a nice setup for Book 3 that felt natural and not forced.

This has been an excellent introduction to Elizabeth Hoyt. I can't wait to read the rest of the Legend of the Four Soldiers stories, starting with To Beguile a Beast, which I won from @mbookworm.

Overall: A!

Harry Potter Reading Challenge!

Yep, I'm joining another challenge. Good thing all these challenges give lots of time for me to complete them. I've been meaning to re-read all the Harry Potter books anyway. So this is perfect.

So I am joining Galley Smith's Harry Potter Reading Challenge. Woot!

Also on Vox.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (also on Vox)

At last, my first review as part of BethFishReads' Sookie Stackhouse Challenge. This is actually a hard review for me to write. I just finished watching Season 1 of True Blood. So as I was re-reading this book, I kept comparing it to the series - what the series included, didn't include, how it was different ... In fact, when I started the book, my mental voice has a distinct Southern accent. It was quite distracting! Another problem is I know what is going to happen (with Bill, Eric, Bubba ...) so my reading was shaded by what I know the future is going to hold for these characters. But still, I enjoyed Book 1 and getting to know Sookie's world and all the characters in it.

Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress at Merlotte's bar in tiny Bon Temps, Louisiana. She has a "disability" - she can read people's minds. Due to this disability, Sookie is uber-happy to meet vampire Bill, because she can't read the minds of vampires. Vampires came out of the coffin recently, thanks to the Japanese's invention of synthetic blood. Some vampires, like Bill, are trying to live amongst the humans. Other are not fully on board. Humans are also trying to deal with the now-legal vampires. Some humans, like Sookie, are more accepting of vampires. Others, not so much. In fact, someone seems to be killing off women who have relationships with vampires. Sookie has to evade a killer at the same time she tries to navigate her way through a newly discovered supernatural world.

This book is a great introduction into Sookie-verse. What I love most about Sookie is that she's just a girl who happens to read minds. She's practical and sensible, but she also has a temper, gets her feelings hurt, and tries her best to deal with work, family, love and romance.

It's hard to review the book without mentioning the True Blood series, which follows the book pretty faithfully. I do have a few comments though. First, I never pictured Anna Paquin as Sookie, but she does a good job. I think the Sookie character is pretty faithful to the book. However, in the books, her brother, Jason, is more selfish and less of a loveable idiot. I think Bill and Sam are well portrayed. While there are some deviations from the book, it's mostly very well done. Except for the Tara storyline ... not so sure about that part.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books before watching the series (I know it's only in Season 2).

As for the book: B+.

Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

Here is my progress tracker post for the Sookie Stackhouse Challenge:

• Dead Until Dark - TBRR
• Living Dead in Dallas - TBRR
• Club Dead - TBRR
• Dead to the World - TBRR
• Dead as a Doornail - TBRR
• Definitely Dead - TBRR
• All Together Dead - TBR
• From Dead to Worse - TBRR
• Dead and Gone

I am also entering GalleySmith's True Blood give away. Will I win my second prize ever? We shall see! I can't wait to get to reading as soon as I receive the books!

Also on Vox.

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• Update 0: [July 6, 2009] Yes, they are all TBR for now, but hopefully not for too long.
• Update 1: [July 6, 2009] Found 2 previous reviews of the Sookie Stackhouse books (Definitely Dead and From Dead to Worse), which I linked above as well. But I will probably do another mini-review after I re-read them. And from my powers of deduction after reading my reviews, I think the book I missed is All Together Dead. Maybe? Gah, can't remember. This is why I need to re-read them all! And I don't think I've read Dead and Gone yet. So I've changed some of the above to TBRR (To Be Re-Read). *pats self for such a clever acronym* haha.
• Update 2: [July 10, 2009] Received the Sookie Stackhouse books from Melsbookshelf. Time to get to readin'!
• Update 3: [July 14, 2009] Finshed Dead Until Dark (book 1). Review here.
• Update 4: [October 14, 2009] Finished Dead and Gone (book 9). Review here.

The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell by Samantha James

The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell by Samantha James (also on Vox)

I think this may have been my first Samantha James book. I got this from the library because of the back cover:

"A cruel twist of fate changed Simon [something something] irreparably. A man of intense passion [something something] to deny his emotions and desires [something something]. An intoxicatingly beautiful [something something] Annabel knows nothing of Simon's secret pain."

The reason the above back cover blurb is incomplete and full of s is because the library, in its infinite wisdom, always always always puts the sticker in such a position that prevents its patrons reading the back blurb in its entirety. You have to have some deductive skills to figure out what the book is about! So from the parts I could read, it sounded like a book I might enjoy, with intense passions, intoxicating beauties, and secret pain! Alas, it is not so. While the book was an enjoyable read, I wasn't particularly moved. It sounds terrible and I'm probably a bad person, because Simon does have to overcome some painful past issues. But it didn't really grab me for some reason.

Simon comes to London for his aunt's birthday. His first meeting with Annabel is quite hostile because of Simon's misunderstanding of who Annabel is. Annabel doesn't like Simon, yet she is fascinated by him. Because of a single kiss, they are forced to wed. A SINGLE KISS. I think I had issues with this part. I mean, I know this is set during a time period where a couple caught kissing is in big trouble. But somehow I felt that the marriage was too forced upon these two people who are practically strangers, neither of whom are ready. I guess this is the intent - to throw two strangers, who are strongly attracted to each other, together to overcome obstacles and to fall in love. Unfortunately, I just didn't quite buy it this time. I just kept thinking how pissed I would be if I were forced to marry some stranger because of ONE KISS. In any case, Annabel wins everyone over (of course) and Simon, being a typical hero, eventually comes around.

As I said, the book was enjoyable. And I can definitely see potential here. But somehow it just didn't come together for me because I couldn't quite suspend my disbelief (or my inner voice that kept going ... ONE KISS!).

Overall: B.

I can't believe it!

I actually won Mel's Bookshelf's Sookie Stackhouse contest! I've seriously never won anything before. Not a single dollar from a single lottery ticket or any other contest. Hmm... maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket now? haha.

Well, I'm super excited. I've been a Sookie Stackhouse fan for years. But I guess I've always borrowed the books from the library so I don't actually own any of them. And I'm pretty sure I missed a book somewhere in the middle. Oh, and I've been Netflix-ing True Blood, which I LOVE so far. So I'm definitely excited about having my own set of books and re-reading all of them.

Thanks again, Melissa! for an awesome contest. And, since I no longer have the excuse of now owning any of the books, I am joining Beth Fish's Sookie Stackhouse Challenge.

Also on Vox.

Check out my book blog ...

http://bookfiendo.vox.com

Everything Austen Challenge

I've decided to join the Everything Austen Challenge. Surely I can read/watch 6 Austen-related things by years end, right? Here are my choices, which may change ...

1. Mansfiend Park - The movie starring Frances O'Connor and Jonny Lee Miller. I've seen this move before and it's one of my favorites.
2. Becoming Jane - This movie is already in my instant queue on Netflix. Plus, I love Anne Hathaway. I'm looking forward to watching it.
3. The Jane Austen Book Club - Again, already in my queue. But too bad it's not on instant queue, which is an awesome feature!
4. Jane Austen Ruined My Life - Sounds like an interesting book. Plus, my friend Janicu is reading this one too.
5. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Definitely want to check this book out.
6. Pride and Prejudice - Need to re-read this book.

Also on Vox.

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn (also on Vox)

Julia Quinn is one of my favorite authors, whom I just discovered last year. I really enjoyed her series about the Bridgerton siblings. I've also liked some of her non-Bridgerton books. But I'm a bit unsure about this one. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say I loved it.

Amelia has been engaged to Thomas, the Duke of Wyndham, since she was a baby. Even though Amelia is getting to be a bit on the shelf, Thomas is still taking his time. Thomas likes to be engaged and he does intend to marry Amelia ... one day. But just as he's starting to see Amelia as a person and finding out that he's attracted to her as a woman and a person, his long-lost cousin shows up. His long-lost elder cousin. If Thomas is not the Duke of Wyndham, who is he? And is he still engaged to Amelia?

Overall, I liked Amelia and Thomas. But I'm not sure I felt the chemistry between the two of them as much. Plus, I knew this is one of a pair of books. The other one, the Duke of Wyndham, is written from the cousin's point of view. So the entire time, I was feeling like I'm missing something. So I'm definitely going to read the other book and see if I can fill in some blanks, if there are any to be filled.

[Slightly SPOILERISH] I thought there would be more of a mystery about who is who, who is the real Duke of Wyndham. But I guess the titles speak for themselves. Hah! So in that sense, I was a little disappointed because it seemed too easy that Thomas just accepted that he's no longer the Duke and turned everything over to his cousin. I guess I was expecting a bit more conflict, a bit more fight in him. But he seemed to just accept that it's the right thing to do and seemed almost happy and relieved he's no longer the Duke with all of the ducal resposibilities. I dunno, it just didn't feel authentic to me.

So, I'm going to pick up the other book and read it and see how I feel after that.

Overall: B-.

Delicious by Sherry Thomas

Delicious by Sherry Thomas (also on Vox)

When Sherry Thomas' first book, Private Arrangements, came out, bloggers everywhere seemed in love with it. I read it and I enjoyed it. But given the high expectations, I enjoyed the book, but I didn't love it as some people did. So when Delicious came out, I was somewhat excited, but wary of the very positive buzz again. I was afraid to read too much about it in case my expectations got too high.

Verity Durant is a notorious chef. Her food is scrumptious and fit for kings. But she is also notorious for her relationship with her employer, Bertie Somerset. When Bertie unexpectedly passes away, his brother, Stuart, inherits everything, including Verity. As we come to find out, Verity and Stuart had one special night ten years ago. Can the two lovers find their way back to each other? Can Stuart, a politician on the rise, marry a nobody like his cook?

I had a bit of a hard time even opening this book because I wasn't a big fan of the concept. It's a bit Like Water for Chocolate. I'll never forget that scene when she started crying into the food and everyone who ate the food started crying. It's a little too fantastic. I never quite bought into the cook cooking with so much passion that those who eat her food will feel the same emotions. Anyway, but I did stay up until 3 am finishing this book.

Unfortunately, I think I read this book in one day not because I loved it, but because I kept waiting for something. But I didn't get it. I didn't feel the bond between the two characters. There was just too much backstory and not enough resolution. There's a secret adopted baby, a hidden inheritance (actually two of those), bastard children, half brothers at war, and more.

Here are my problems with the book (SPOILER AHEAD):

• I didn't feel like Verity really resolved her issues with her family. It seemed like she had all these problems with her family that were just instantly resolved. It seemed like the author was setting her powerful family up to be the bad guy. There were some ominous threatening overtones. But magically, her family loves her and was only mean for her own good? And Verity is okay with that? After 10 years of struggling on her own, she's now just going to be folded back into her family like nothing happened?
  And I felt like Stuart got off too easy. The people he had to make peace with were gone so basically he just had to forgive himself?
• I also didn't understand what made Verity make the mistakes she did when she was young, the one that got her basically into the whole mess she's in now.
  Also, it was a bit weird that Verity is such a notorious figure, but her affair with Bertie actually ended years ago. So she's basically a big harlot for doing ... nothing.
  Then there's Stuart and Verity's relationship. They both held their one night in such high esteem that they both never looked for anyone else for 10 years?? I'm sorry, ONE night with a total stranger??? I guess the idea is romantic, but I wonder if it's not just a bit obsessive.
• In the end, I guess I just wasn't rooting for anyone in particular, which was a problem.

Overall: C+.

p.s. What's the author's obsession with keeping people apart for 10 years? I keep hearing Janicu's voice in my head... tennnn yeeeeaaaarrrrrrs!!!

Deadlock by Iris Johansen

Deadlock by Iris Johansen (also on Vox)

Emily Hudson works for the U.N. Along with her partner Joel Levy, she goes to war torn countries and saves the artifacts that need to be preserved. During one of these trips, Emily and Joel are kidnapped. Jon Garrett has been recruited by the CIA for the rescue.

I liked Garrett. I thought it was really sweet what Garrett will do for Emily. I liked that he gave her space when she needed it, even if it goes against his take charge, protective nature. I actually liked Emily, mostly because she's not TSTL. She's not as annoying as some of the other Iris Johansen's heroines, who rushes headstrong into stupid situations, not caring that they are TSTL. Emily is more reasonable, which is a nice change.

The problems I had with this book is the plot, which is a bit thin. The bad guy is pretty one dimensional. It seemed like the author couldn't decide if the plot should go a little paranormal or just plain outrageous. In the end, it felt surreal. I didn't get the same sense of urgency as some of the other books I've read.

Overall: C

Awesome Sookie Stackhouse Contest

@ Melissa's Bookshelf: http://www.melissas-bookshelf.com/2009/06/huge-sookie-stackhouse-giveaway.html

I love the Sookie Stackhouse series. In fact, I am signing up for Netflix just so I can watch the True Blood series. It would be great to re-read the series again.

Also on Vox.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper (also on Vox)

I enjoyed my first introduction to Molly Harper. In fact, I think this is her first novel. Good debut.

Jane Jameson has just been fired from her position as librarian by her old-bat of a boss. After some feeling sorry for herself drinks and a nice chat with a handsome stranger, Jane's car breaks down on her way home. She is then mistaken for a deer, shot by a drunk and left for dead. Luckily, she wakes up as one of the undead. Now she has to deal with Gabriel (her hot sire), Zeb (her BFF), her family (including her dad, crazy mom and insane sister), her (dead) Aunt Jettie, AND someone seems to be framing her for all sorts of unpleasantness.

Jane is an overall likeable character. I liked that she is a librarian with a constant thirst of knowledge and useless bits of trivia and she has a sense of humor. Her relationship with her family is not the best. While her dad is supportive, her mom and sister sound truly unpleasant. She has a solid relationship with her BFF Zeb, who surprisingly is not gay. However, my problem with Jane is she can be a little too zany and quirky. She reminds me of Lorelai from Gilmore Girls, who, while cute and adorable, is somehow emotionally more immature than her 16 year old daughter. The Gabriel character is not very well-developed. I liked what I know of him so far, but he's pretty one dimensional - turn Jane, like Jane, puts up with Jane despite her craziness.

Overall, it was a pretty entertaining read. I would pick up the next book (of course there is a next book) at the library again.

Overall: B-.

Yikes!

Has it really been 3 months since my last post? I truly admire real bloggers like my friend Janicu and all the other blogs I follow. It takes time and dedication to maintain a well-written blog. I suppose I'm more of a fair-weathered blogger myself. However, I shall endeavor to post more regularly!

This post is not about anything in particular though. I've been pondering keeping a TBR list. Tips? I read so many reviews on various blogs. For example, I just read a positive reviews on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread on A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore. I remember reading another good review on this book earlier on some other blog. So I'm now tempted to try it. But it's not at the library. Boo. So I will have to remember it the next time I go to a bookstore or shop @ Amazon, which I never do.

So readers (if I have any other than Janicu!), how do you keep your TBR? General list, excel spreadsheet, online, in your head? I'm thinking of a simple table with book name, author name, and a link to the review or source that got my interest. I will probably keep it online so I can easily reference it and easily link to the reviews. But we shall see.

Now I'm off. Gotta get ready to attend 2 weddings today!

Also on Vox.

The Rogue Hunter by Lynsay Sands

The Rogue Hunter by Lynsay Sands (also on Vox)

Wow, has it really been over a month since I've posted? Hmm. There goes my resolution to post my reviews in a timely manner. Since my last post, I've read all four of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. Yep, all four gigantic books that got longer and longer. That review will come soon enough.

For now, here's Lynsay Sand's The Rogue Hunter, Argeneau Vampires Book 10. I've read quite a few of the books in this series, but not really in order and not very faithfully. I've liked some but did not love love love any. This one, I have to say, is a disappointment.

Garrett Mortimer is an enforcer with the Counsel. In this world, the "vampires" are actually injected with nanos, which help them heal etc. So they're basically indestructible, except for fire, beheadings etc. They can live forever and can procreate. They find their life mates - someone they can't read the minds of. They suck on bags of donated blood. Sometimes, there is a rogue who bites mortals and they have to send rogue hunters.

The love interest in this book is Samantha. She and her two sisters have been going to their cabin by the lake for years. Mortimer, his partner Bricker are staying with Pimms, who owns a cottage along the lake too. All three of them are hunting a rogue in the area. Mort realizes Sam is his lifemate when he couldn't read her or control her. But she's not at all what he pictured his lifemate to be. She's skinny and a lawyer, not at all a Jessica Rabbit type as he had always imagined. Ugh. Seriously? 800 years of immortality, and all he wants is a blonde with big boobs? But of course, he realizes she's awesome and falls for her. But I never really forgot he always wanted a Jessica Rabbit. Oh, Sam is also clumsy because of an ear infection (which is so random). Mort thought she was a drunkard and/or a klutz until he found out. Then after that, he's all, I will take care of you so you don't fall. But before he found out, that was just another strike against her. But they never resolved the ear infection. She just had it ... um ok. Very random.
So on top of the rogue hunter plot, Sam finds out her boss's god-daughter is missing. Mort investigates with her, thinking it might be the rogue. In the course of the two of them staying alone looking for the god-daughter, the two of them of course, try to hook up. But nature always ruins it. Once, they were about to do it in the lake when ... she gets LEECHES all over her in the lake. Seriously, leeches! OMG that completely RUINED the book for me. EWWW. Not only not romantic, but seriously, is there no other way to ruin the moment? I felt itchy for the rest of the book. And the rest of their hooking up is so not romantic because of it too. Ick. I'm itching again.
So I didn't entirely get the chemistry between the two. And the resolution was lame too. The mystery was not very mysterious. Then of course, Sam and Mort acknowledges they love each other. But she refuses to turn because she will have to leave her sisters. But she loves him so much she can't deprive him of his life mate. So she will think about it for a decade or two. Um. That doesn't feel like a resolution at all.

The whole book was just meh. Nothing memorable about it at all. And I guess Lynsay Sands is sort of known for her humor? I didn't find leeches amusing at all. I take it back, that was memorable. But not in a good way!

Overall: D

Back into Anne Stuart land

Ice Blue by Anne Stuart (also on Vox)

I was really into Anne Stuart a few years ago but kind of got out of it. Her books have very similar tones. Tortured bad boy heros who are really soft at heart, calm but resilient heroines. The hero reluctantly saves the heroine from everyone, including himself. But in the end, she's steadfastly in love with him, so he resigns himself and loves her back. It's basically the same story. When Anne Stuart is not being overly melodramatic, it usually makes for a good, enjoyable read.

The first Anne Stuart book I read in a while is Ice Blue, which I picked up from the library. In this book, museum curater Summer Hawthorne was given an ancient ice-blue ceramic bowl by her Japanese nanny. Somehow, this crazy Japanese guru is now after it and her. Takashi O'Brien, half Japanese and half white, is sent by a secret organization, The Committee, to get the bowl from Summer by any means necessary and then to kill her. But of course, Taka finds that he just couldn't do it.

I like this book a lot. Typically having an Asian hero or heroine annoys me. But I think it was well done here. Taka is simply who he is, an enigmatic, conflicted hero who is struggling with the task he was given and the woman he is intruiged by. Whatever action was set in Japan or whatever Japanese culture/language is involved, it was used to advance the story. I hate when people set stories in Asian and have Asian characters for the "exotic" nature of it. I am always mildly repulsed by any hint of yellow fever, in real life and in fiction. But in this case, I thought it was very natural and smoothly done. I also really liked how he calls her "Su-chan".
The plot was also pretty good. I wouldn't say it's the most complicated, but I was more interested in Taka and Summer's characters and their getting together. So a semi-intruiging story plot was sufficient.

Overall: A-.

Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart

After I read Ice Blue, I went to the used bookstore (where I have a ridiculous amount of credit) and bought a couple more Anne Stuart books in this series. Apparently there are 5 books so far in this series, including Black Ice, Cold as Ice, Ice Blue, Ice Storm, and Fire and Ice. I guess I'll have to read them all now. *sigh*

In Fire and Ice, Taka's cousin Reno was sent to protect Summer's half sister, Jilly. We met Reno in Ice Blue. He is Japanese, with flaming red hair, and green contact lens. He dislikes American women. We also met Jilly in the last book. She is a precocious young girl who went to college at 16 and is a genius. In the last book, Jilly seemed calm and clear headed. Somehow, in her own book, her personality did not come through at all and I saw no evidence of her high IQ. For a smart person, she's actually pretty idiotic.

Unlike the last book, I did not like Fire and Ice at all. I think this book tried a bit too hard. I guess I just never felt the connection between Reno and Jilly and I never really got to see who they are. In this book, it was a bit more of the stereotypical Asian guy and blond American woman, set mostly in Japan. And I think Anne Stuart went a bit overboard with the melodrama in this one. "No one is going to hurt her. Not even him." Oh please.

I wanted to like Reno and Jilly as much as I liked Taka and Summer. But it just didn't work. It felt like Jilly had a complete personality makeover to fit in with the typical Anne Stuart heroine. And we never got to see who Reno is - the only brief explanation of his hatred for American woman is that his mom was an American. HUH??? Until that big reveal, I had assumed that he is all Japanese, especially when he would say something about Taka being half. And then after that, nothing was ever mentioned about this again. That was very random. And also the Japanese punk with the red hair and green contacts ... blah. So typical.
Anyway, I was disappointed.

Overall: C

I *heart* Used Book Stores

Especially since I live 5 minutes away from an awesome one. I just took in two boxes of books for approximately $80 worth of credit. Now cumulatively I have about $100 there, which is good and bad. Good because now I have $100 credit; bad because it'll take me forever to spend it since I am much more discriminatory about buying books now. And typically for my must buy books, I end up buying at a store or on amazon.com anyway because I can't wait for it to start appearing at a used book store. Hmm. Problems. But still, this way, I got rid of some old books that I've outgrown and now have lots of credit.

The books they didn't take include some random authors that I don't even remember reading, some old Sandra Browns, Julie Garwoods, one Jude Deveraux, a couple of Teresa Medeiros, Karen Robards and a couple of Johanna Lindsays. Hmm. I wonder if these authors are in the remaining two boxes I have here. If so, that could be an issue. I think that store is definitely overstocked with Sandra Brown. I see a lot of her books there. Anyway, I have 2 more boxes left here. Maybe I'll keep it for now. Seriously, it'll take me years to spend that much $$ there! Good thing the credit never expires.

I didn't keep track of what the store did take so I can't miss it. I do miss it a little though. *sigh* I wish I had a huge house to keep everything.

Also on Vox.