Saturday, June 28, 2008

97. Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

About the book

It's the wedding of the century!

Things are looking up at last for Lizzie Nichols. She has a career she loves in the field of her choice (wedding gown restoration), and the love of her life, Jean-Luc, has finally proposed. Life's become a dizzying whirl of wedding gown fittings—not necessarily her own—as Lizzie prepares for her dream wedding at her fiancé's château in the south of France.
But the dream soon becomes a nightmare as the best man—whom Lizzie might once have accidentally slept with . . . no, really, just slept—announces his total lack of support for the couple, a sentiment the maid of honor happens to second; Lizzie's Midwestern family can't understand why she doesn't want to have her wedding in the family backyard; her future, oh-so-proper French in-laws seem to be slowly trying to lure the groom away from medical school and back into investment banking; and Lizzie finds herself wondering if her Prince Charming really is as charming as she once believed.

A very fun read. I really enjoyed this installement and hope that there is more in the series.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

96. Crepes of Wrath by Tamar Myers

About the book

Lizzie Mast was the world's worst cook—there's little doubt about that in the quiet town of Hernia, Pennsylvania. But now someone has gone and killed her with a bad batch of crepes. Some folks believe her desserts are just, but not Magdalena. So while the local police chief, Melvin Stoltzfus, is busy running his political campaign, newly "deputized" Magdalena agrees to take charge of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the PennDutch Inn is awash in new guests, from a big-boned gym teacher to a snooty Hollywood couple, eager for an authentic Amish experience and driving cook Freni Hostetler to the breaking point. But is helping solve a crime part of the cultural package? Suddenly, Magdalena's questions have angered the wrong person, and she finds herself at the mercy of a very determined killer.

I really want to like this series. I think at times they are a bit "out there" and to much repeating of basic facts from book to book. In time I will look for the next one in the series.

95. Tailspin by Catherine Coulter

About the book

FBI Special Agent Jackson Crowne is flying his Cessna over the Appalachians, with a very important passenger: renowned psychiatrist Dr. Timothy MacLean; their destination is Washington, D.C. Upon their arrival, the FBI will protect the doctor—and ascertain just who wants him dead.
In San Francisco, married FBI Special Agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock take an early morning phone call from their supervisor, Jimmy Maitland. Maitland received a Mayday from Jackson in the mountains near Parlow, Kentucky, and sends Savich and Sherlock to see what's happened.
Agent Crowne is able to bring his plane down in a narrow valley and haul the unconscious Dr. MacLean from the burning wreckage before it explodes. Their crash is witnessed by Rachael Abbott, a young woman on the run after the mysterious death of her father. When Savich and Sherlock arrive on the scene, they find Jackson and Rachael in the Parlow clinic and Dr. MacLean comatose in the local hospital, prognosis unknown. What they do know frightens them: Dr. MacLean was recently diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia, and in the months prior to the crash his behavior had become erratic and alarmingly uninhibited, his ability to maintain doctor-patient confidentiality badly compromised. With a patient list made up of Washington movers and shakers, MacLean's role as a keeper of secrets is jeopardized as well. Is there someone out there so desperate that they'd kill the doctor for what he knows? It is up to Jackson, Savich, and Sherlock to find out—no matter the cost.

I love her books and this series. I thought this one was a bit wordy at times but overall I really enjoyed this installment in the series.

94. Demons Are Forever by Julie Kenner

About the book

Kate Connor's acquired a precious— but deadly—item that every demon within commuting distance is seething to get hold of. And with husband woes (the dead one and the living one) playing havoc with her emotions, an ambitious teenage protégée (her daughter) at her heels, and hell to pay, this stay-at-home mom's putting in a lot of overtime.

A bit zany at times, but overall a nice addition to the series. I am anxious to see what happens in the next one.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

93. Luscious Lemon by Heather Swain

about the book

Chef Ellie "Lemon" Manelli's hip East Village bistro is suddenly all the rage; Lemon and her staff of wildly talented friends plucked from New York City's finest eateries can barely keep pace. Good thing she has her loyal, doting, bankrolling Georgia peach of a boyfriend, Eddie, to lean on -- not to mention a gaggle of loving relations over the river in Brooklyn. In fact, Lemon's life is turning out exactly as she planned -- except for the fact that she's late. As in late. Nobody said anything about, you know, labor.
Having a baby right now would jeopardize everything Lemon has worked so hard to accomplish, so the pregnancy test results leave her feeling a little sour. Eddie, bless his heart, wants to just go ahead and get married, but Lemon's not sure the timing's right. She's about to learn a lesson or two about love and loss, though. And in the end she'll discover that there's a reason things work out the way they do -- and that when life gives you lemons, you can make lemonade, or lemon tarts, or lemon meringue pie. Or, you can just be a plain ole Lemon, if that's what you were meant to be.

The book took off in a direction that I did not see coming. Over all I found it to be an interesting read.

Friday, June 20, 2008

92. Feels Like Heaven by Sherryl Woods

About the book

Life can be full of surprises . . .
Helen Decatur spent a lifetime setting goals—getting through college and law school, opening her own practice, becoming financially secure and establishing herself as one of the most highly respected matrimonial attorneys in the state of South Carolina. Achieving those goals was a breeze compared to the one she's faced with now.
The most driven—and cynical—of the Sweet Magnolias, Helen is forty-two, single and suddenly ready for the family she's put on the back burner for all these years. Unfortunately, having a child at her age comes with lots of complications, not the least of which is the absence of a serious relationship in her life.
But Helen's not the type of woman to wait around for fate to step in. Taking charge of her own destiny puts her at odds with her two best friends, sets sparks flying with a man who doesn't want a family, and leads her straight into the most unexpected complication of all . . . love.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved all the books in the trilogy, I was sorry to see it come to an end..... I checked the authors website and there will be a new book in this series later this year. I hope it is as good as the first three

Thursday, June 19, 2008

91. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich

About the book

New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum finds herself saddled with the teenage son of Loretta Rizzi, her latest skip, When Mario "Zook" Rizzi and his obsession with the online role-playing game "Minionfire" become too much for Stephanie to handle, the pair camp out at Trenton cop Joe Morelli's house. Stephanie also takes a job with the mysterious Ranger, helping him "babysit" Brenda, a fading music star in town for a concert. After Loretta is kidnapped, Stephanie and Morelli discover that to ensure Loretta's safety, they'll have to find the $9 million that disappeared after a bank robbery committed by Loretta's recently paroled brother, Dom. A mild-mannered stalker and the upcoming nuptials of Stephanie's colleague Lula to Ranger's right-hand man, Tank, add to the crazy fun

I am not a fan of this series. However, I have enjoyed some of the past books. I was not thrilled with this one at all.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

90. Aunt Dimity:Vampire Hunter by Nancy Atherton

about the book

Lori Shepherd's life in England couldn't be more tranquil or more satisfying— except for one thing. Her five- year-old twins have started school, and Lori fears they'll catch everything from the flu to fleas. What they do come home with, however, is worse: a report of a pale, cloaked figure with bloodstained lips lurking in the woods.
Lori is skeptical at first but soon grows concerned enough to consult with her late (but not entirely departed) Aunt Dimity and her dear friend Kit Smith. The vampire-hunting trail leads to Leo, a charismatic vagabond who just returned to England after a self-imposed exile, a bitter old crone named Lizzie Black, and finally to Aldercot Hall, where a mysterious murder took place forty years ago. With Kit and Aunt Dimity's help, Lori uncovers the secret that will shock everyone—including herself—about the true identity of the twins' vampire.

A nice installment to the series.

89. Judgement Day by Sheldon Siegel

About the book

As husband and wife, Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez couldn’t make it work. But as partners in one of San Francisco’s most tenacious law firms, Daley and Fernandez make one hell of a team.
Judgment Day finds the ex-spouses tackling their most difficult case yet. Called in at the last minute to try to stop the execution of Nathan Fineman, a former mob lawyer convicted of murdering three people in the back room of Chinatown’s notorious Golden Dragon Restaurant, Mike and Rosie must race the clock in a desperate attempt to prove their client’s innocence. With only ten days to go and a wealth of forensic evidence pointing overwhelmingly to Fineman’s guilt, their task seems impossible. Complicating matters, Mike must battle his own personal demons when the reputation of his dead father — a San Francisco cop who was one of the first officers at the scene the night of the murders — is called into question.

I really enjoyed this story. I can't wait for the next installment.

Friday, June 13, 2008

88. Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver

About the book

Lincoln Rhyme and partner/paramour Amelia Sachs return to face a criminal whose ingenious staging of crimes is enabled by a terrifying access to information....
When Lincoln's estranged cousin Arthur Rhyme is arrested on murder charges, the case is perfect -- too perfect. Forensic evidence from Arthur's home is found all over the scene of the crime, and it looks like the fate of Lincoln's relative is sealed.
At the behest of Arthur's wife, Judy, Lincoln grudgingly agrees to investigate the case. Soon Lincoln and Amelia uncover a string of similar murders and rapes with perpetrators claiming innocence and ignorance -- despite ironclad evidence at the scenes of the crime. Rhyme's team realizes this "perfect" evidence may actually be the result of masterful identity theft and manipulation.
An information service company -- the huge data miner Strategic Systems Datacorp -- seems to have all the answers but is reluctant to help the police. Still, Rhyme and Sachs and their assembled team begin uncovering a chilling pattern of vicious crimes and coverups, and their investigation points to one master criminal, whom they dub "522."

I love this series. I loved the book. It kept me up way later than I should have been up. But I could not put it down. But it does make you wonder who is collecting info on you.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

87. Sail by James Patterson/Howard Roughan

Since the death of her husband, Anne Dunne and her three children have struggled in every way. In a last ditch effort to save the family, Anne plans an elaborate sailing vacation to bring everyone together once again. But only an hour out of port, everything is going wrong. The teenage daughter, Carrie, is planning to drown herself. The teenage son, Mark, is high on drugs and ten-year-old Ernie is nearly catatonic. This is the worst vacation ever.
Anne manages to pull things together bit by bit, but just as they begin feeling like a family again, something catastrophic happens. Survival may be the least of their concerns.


Interesting book with lots going on. A very quick read.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Where Have All the Authors Gone?

I love reading series. I have been reading some authors for what seems like a gazillion years, and I always look forward to their latest book.

In the past few years I have started some new authors and lately I have noticed they have either finished the series after 5-6 books or they have just disappeared. Some of my favorites that I miss and will be missing

Laura Durham--Wedding Planner Annabelle Archer
Heather Webber--Landscaper Nina Quinn. The last book comes out in July
Susan McBride--The Debutante Drop Out Mystery with Andy
Gemma Halliday- Shoe Designer Maddie Springer
Dana Cameron-Archaeologist Emma Fielding
Deborah Donnelly-Wedding planner Carnegie Kincaid
Elizabeth Bright/Tim Myers--The InnKeepinging series,Candlemaking Series,Soapmaking Mysteries and the Card Making Series. I did some checking and found out that he is now writing The Clay and Crime Mysteries as Melissa Glazer. While I am happy that he started a new series. I still want the other series to have new adventures.

I have a feeling there are more authors I will have to do some more checking and I think I will have to email the publishers to find out what is going on. Not that they will tell me, but I have to try. I guess once I get over being annoyed I should thank the publisher for saving me money. These authors were all automatic buys for me, as soon as I found a book was coming out I would pre-order it usually months in advance.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this adventure.

86. A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods

About the book
Dana Sue Sullivan, devastated by husband Ronnie's one-night stand with a local bimbo, made neighborhood history by throwing him out of their Serenity, S.C., home, tossing his belongings onto the front lawn and banning him from all contact with her and their 14-year-old daughter, Annie. Two years later, Dana Sue is a successful restaurateur, having opened high-end eatery Sullivan's, but can't forgive herself after Annie is rushed to the hospital with life-threatening anorexia complications. Dana Sue's lifelong best friends, Maddie and Helen, insist that she contact Ronnie, giving her forlorn ex an excuse to re-enter Serenity and, he hopes, a chance to rejoin his family. As everyone faces down their personal demons, Woods buoys the predictable plot with flesh-and-blood characters, terrific dialogue and substantial stakes.

I love this series about 3 best friends. The books are listed as romance but while there is romance in them, I don't consider them romance books. They are more about love and friendship. Since the first book was about Maddie and this one Dana Sue, I am sure the next one is about Helen. I can't wait to read it. However, it will have to wait a few days since I picked up 3 new holds at the library today and they need to be back in 1 week. So they have to be read first.

85. Domestic Affairs by Eileen Goudge

About the book
Rosie and Abigail are like family," Ina Merriweather used to say. That is, until the day Ina abruptly cast out her housekeeper, Rosie, and her fifteen-year-old daughter Abigail. Abigail felt deeply betrayed, especially by Ina's daughter Lila, who was her closest friend. Only Lila's twin brother Vaughn, with whom Abigail had been exploring the joys and heartaches of first love, showed any compassion.
Now, twenty-five years later, an old score is about to be settled.and an old love rekindled. Abigail is now a self-made woman who has built an empire out of the homemaking skills she learned from her mother. When Lila, who married well and for decades lived the glittering life of a Park Avenue socialite, suffers a tragic reversal of fortune, an opportunity to right an old wrong lands squarely in Abigail's lap. Lila seeks the help of her childhood friend, but learns that the only opening available at the moment is as her housekeeper and Lila has no choice but to accept.
At the same time, Abigail is coping with the fallout from a fire in her Mexico factory, which took the life of an innocent girl, whose mother, Concepcion Morales, now seeks the rich senora she holds responsible for her daughter's death. In a collision of fate, Abigail, Lila, and Concepcion are thrown together and must unite to save one another.and themselves.

Interesting book. Not my favorite of hers but an ok read

Sunday, June 8, 2008

84.Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods

About the book

Maddie Townsend might live in a town called Serenity, but there's been nothing calm or peaceful about her life since her marriage broke up. This stay-at-home mom has no job skills, an out-of-control sixteen-year-old son, a talkative fourteen-year-old who's suddenly gone silent, a six-year-old daughter whose heart is broken, an ex-husband whose younger girlfriend is expecting their baby and two best friends who think she's somehow qualified to help them open a fitness spa for women.
But if Maddie is a tad on edge with all that on her plate, it's nothing compared to the chaos that ensues when she discovers that her son's baseball coach has feelings for her and the whole town disapproves. Maddie's faced a lot of challenges lately with strength and resolve, but Cal Maddox may turn out to be more than she can handle.
Then again, he could just be the one man in all of South Carolina who can help her find serenity.


I loved this book. I was sucked right into the small town way of living and thinking. I can't wait to read the next book.

Friday, June 6, 2008

83. Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart

about the book

This intriguing if somewhat bland first in a new romantic suspense series from bestseller Stewart (Last Breath) introduces two cool crime solvers, PI Mallory Russo, a former Conroy, Pa., cop, and Charlie Wanamaker, a former Philly detective who's returned to Conroy to help his alcoholic mother and his disabled sister. Despite bad experiences employing PIs, billionaire Robert Magellan, who's haunted by the disappearance of his wife and young son, hires Mallory to locate two missing teens, Courtney Bauer and Ryan Corcoran. The high school students vanished after a playground shooting that left two of their friends dead. The Conroy police suspect the pair were involved, but Mary Corcoran, Ryan's grandmother, and Linda Bauer, Courtney's mom, are sure of their innocence.

I did enjoy this book but not as much as her other books. I am hoping that the pace picks up with the rest of the trilogy

82. Scream for Me by Karen Rose

About the book

This thriller pits Special Agent Daniel Vartanian against a killer re-enacting an old murder, at a time when heroine Alex Fallon, twin of a former victim, comes to town. Alex is looking for her missing stepsister, who may or may not be part of Daniel's case. Clues create circles in circles, and Daniel and Alex are caught within them as they try to solve the case as well as the reasons why they are so drawn to each other. The body count is high and the crimes truly frightening, but it's the heroine who stands out as she discovers just how strong and ruthless she can be to save those she loves....


I really enjoyed this book. A nice installment in the trilogy

Monday, June 2, 2008

81. Shadow of Power by Steve Martini

About the Book

A hate crime involving the murder of a legal scholar who had made his career by penning controversial works places defense attorney Paul Madriani in a media spotlight that compromises his investigation into an elusive witness within the cloistered confines of the Supreme Court.

I really enjoy this authors books. He never lets me down.

80. Blue Smoke and Murder by Elizabeth Lowell

About the book

Jill Breck was just doing her job as a river guide when she saved the life of Lane Faroe, son of two of St. Kilda Consulting's premier operators. But when a string of ominous events—including a mysterious fire that kills her great-aunt and a furor in the Western art world raised by a dozen Breck family paintings—culminates in a threat to her life, Jill reluctantly calls in a favor.
Zach Balfour works part-time as a consultant for St. Kilda. His expertise is gathering and analyzing information from unlikely and often dangerous sources. Though he's got the skills to be a highly effective bodyguard, being a bullet catcher isn't his preferred way to spend time.
Protecting Jill will take him into familiar territory—among a strange, savagely competitive bunch of collectors who'll do anything to stay at the top. But Jill is in deeper waters than she's ever known; as she soon discovers, the perils of running wild rivers are tame compared with the hidden dangers in the high-stakes game of art collecting.
From the cozy rooms of the Breck homestead cabin to the cold multimillion-dollar galleries of the Western art circuit, Zach and Jill must race against time to unmask a ruthless killer hidden in a blue smoke of money, threats, lies, and death. . . .

I really enjoyed this book. Parts were predictable. But there were surprises along the way.