Monday, December 29, 2008

184. Thai Die by Monica Ferrris

about the book

As full-time owner of the Crewel World needlework shop and part-time sleuth, Betsy Devonshire has become skilled at weaving suspicious threads. But when one of her regulars unwittingly becomes involved in a deadly delivery of exotic antiquities, Betsy fears something is seriously warped

This is book 12 in the series. I really enjoyed this one. It is nice catching up with Betsy and the rest of the gang.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

2008 Chunkster Challenge

Chunkster Challenge(2008)
1. Almost Dead By Lisa Jackson 419p
2. The Collectors by David Baldacci 436p
3. Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult 447p
3. Beyond Reach by Karin Slaughter 401p
4. Die For Me by Karen Rose 558p
5. Don't Scream by Wendy Corsi Staub 476p
6. Blue Smoke and Murder by Elizabeth Lowell 404p
7. Scream For Me by Karen Rose 436p
8. Domestic Affairs by Eileen Goudge 437p
9. Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver 414p
10. Judgement Day by Sheldon Siegel 413p
11. Tailspin by Catherine Coulter 405p
12. A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand 404p
13. Guilty by Karen Robards 408p
14. Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs 439
15. Intent to Kill by James Grippando 401p
16. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult 455p
17. High Noon by Nora Roberts 423p
18. Sister's Choice by Emilie Richards 538p
19. Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly 427p
20. Killing Spree by Kevin O'Brien 443p

Friday, December 26, 2008

2009 TBR Challenge

To remind you of the rules:
* the challenge is to read 12 TBR books in 12 months -- you can read those all in one month if you want, or one a month, or however you wanna do it.
* you need to have a list posted somewhere for others to see (even if it's in a comment here)
* you CANNOT change your list after January 1st, 2009!!!
* you can create an Alternates list of MAXIMUM 12 books, if you want, in order to have options to choose from (you can read these in place of books on your original list).
* audiobooks and e-books ARE allowed
* re-reads are NOT allowed, as they aren't TRUE "TBRs"
* you CAN overlap with other challenges
* OPTIONAL: you can join the Yahoo! Group created for participants of the TBR Challenge, if you want to have a place to keep your list, or just to share with others about how you're doing! :)

Okay! The countdown is on!!! Get your list(s) ready, and make sure you post the link to it in the Mr. Linky! ;)

EXTRA 2009 BUTTONS (feel free to use on your own blog!):

My Books

Main Selections

Murder Can Crash Your Party by Selma Eichler
If You Ever Tell by Carlene Thompson
Betrayal by John Lescroat
Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
Murder of a Chocolate Covered Cherry by Denise Swanson
Ghost and the Femme Fatale by ALice Kimberly
Alls Well That Ends by Gillian Roberts
Blood Orange Brewing by Laura Childs
Carbs and Cadavers by JB Stanley
Deadly Appraisal by Jane K Cleland
String of Lies by Mary Ellen Hughes
False Impression by Jeffrey Archer

Alternate Choices
Dry Ice by Stephen White
Book Of Fate by Brad Meltzer
What is Mine by Anne Holt
Simple Genisus by David Baldacci
Fit To Die by JB Stanley
Enchanted Ink by Shanna Swedson
Dead and Buried by Karen MacInerrey
One Last Scream by Kevin O'Brien
A Time To Die by Beverly Barton
Murder Game by Beverly Barton
Death Dealer by Heather Graham
Whole Truth by David Baldacci

Pub Reading Challenge

Here are the rules

Here are the 2009 rules:

Read a minimum of 9 books first published in 2009. You don’t have to buy these. Library books, unabridged audios, or ARCs are all acceptable. To qualify as being first published in 2009, it must be the first time that the book is published in your own country. For example, if a book was published in Australia, England, or Canada in 2008, and then published in the USA in 2009, it counts (if you live in the USA). Newly published trade paperbacks and mass market paperbacks do not count if there has been a hardcover/trade published before 2009. Any questions on what qualifies? Just leave a comment here, and I’ll respond with the answer.
No children’s/YA titles allowed, since we’re at the ‘pub.’
At least 5 titles must be fiction.
Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
You can add your titles as you go, and they may be changed at any time.
Sign up below using Mr. Linky.
Have fun reading your 2009 books!

I love this challenge. I love reading books when they are newly published and this will give me an excuse to buy some new ones. I know I can use library books but any excuse to buy a book works for me. FOr this challenge I plan on reading 20 books

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Killing Spree by Kevin O'Brien

About the book

O'Brien's heroine, Gillian McBride, is herself a midlist Seattle writer of serial killer books. Her personal life has been thrown into turmoil since the disappearance of her husband, Barry, two years ago, which triggered a series of intimidating visits from some unsavory business associates. Those threats, however, pale in comparison with the violence wreaked by a cross-country murderer patterning his savage crimes on the fictional ones in McBride's books. As the murders pile up, getting increasingly grisly and personal, Gillian is forced to play sleuth and soon finds herself suspecting everyone-in particular, the members of a writing class she taught at a local college before her husband disappeared.

I found this one to be very predictable. I have enjoyed all of his other books, I recently received his new one to review. I hope the new one is back to his usual keep me guessing style.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

182. A catered Christmas By Isis Crawford

About the book

Libby and sister Bernie take on a group of cutthroat chefs competing on a local TV program after the murder of the show's host.

Not my favorite book in the series. I have one left to read so I hope that one is better. However, there are lots of good sounding recipes.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Olivia




The new love of my life. Since my next youngest grandchild is 10, I thought the grandbaby days were over. I am really enjoying getting to know her. Now if only I could quit work and spend more time visiting her.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

more 2008 challenges

Jenn's Paperback Challenge
1. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin2/08
2. Something Blue by Emily Giffin2/08
3. Eat Drink and Be Wary by Tamar Myers4-08
4. Almost Dead by Lisa Jackson1-08
5. Killing Spree by Kevin O'Brien
6. Helen Hath No Fury by Gillian Roberts 2-08
7. Till The End Of Tom by Gillian ROberts3/08
8. Getting Old is The Best Revenge by Rita Lakin5/08
9. On Thin Ice by Alina Adams 4-08
10. Adam and Evil by Gillian Roberts 1/08
11. Claire and Present Danger by Gillian Roberts2-08
12. The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library by ALice Kimberly 1/08
13. Faux Finished by Peg Marberg4-08
14. Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant
15. Death On Demand by Carolyn Hart8/08
16. Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo
17. Murder on The Rocks by Karen MacInerney8/08
18. A murderous Glaze by Melissa Glazer
19. A Catered Murder by Iris Crawford 1/08
20. Scene of the Grime by Suzanne Price3/08
21. Virgin River by Robyn Carr7/08
22. Death on the Flop by Jackie Chance
23.A Peach of a Murder by Livia J Washburn 1/08
24.The Prey by Allison Brennan
25. The Crepes of Wrath by Tamar Myers6/08
26. Who Creamed Peaches, Anyway by Stevi Mittman 3/08
27. Murder With Peacocks by Donna Andrews 9/08
28. Murder at the PTA Luncheon by Valerie Wolzien
29. Death Drop by ALina Adams5/08
30. Alls Well That Ends by Gillian Roberts
31. Axel Of Evil by ALina Adams 5/08
32The Fright of the Iguana by Linda O. Johnston2/08
33. Die for Me by Karen Rose 4/08
34Whispering Rock by Robyn Carr7/08
35.Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr7/08
36.Don't Scream by Wendy Corsi Staub 5/08
37Last Seen Alive by Carlene Thompson 5/08
38.Lye in Wait by Cricket McRae7/08
39. Feint of Art by Hailey Lind7/08
40. Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
41. Tutu Deadly by Natalie M. Roberts 9/08
42. A Time To Die by Beverly Barton
43. Luscious Lemon by Heather Swain6/08
44. Knit Fast, Die Young by Mary Kruger
45. Kiss of Death by Meryl Sawyer
46. Whose Number is Up Anyway, by Stevi Mittman 3/08
47. What Goes With Blood Read Anyway by Stevi Mittman 2-08
48. Summer Dreams by S. Mittman, Jennifer Greene, Kate Austin3/08
49 The Cracked Pot by Melissa Glazer 8/08
50. Through a Glass, Deadly by Sarah Atwell8/08
51. The Jasmine Moon Murder by Laura Childs4-08
52. Rusty Nail by JA Konrath
53. Since You're Leaving ANyway Take out the Trash Dixie Cash
54.Why Is Murder on The Menu Anyway by Stevi Mittman3-08
55. InFerno By Karen Harper7/08
56. Dead Reckoning by Linda Castillo
57. Dying to Sell by Maggie Sefton9/08
58. Demons are Forever by Julie Kenner6/08
59. The Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts
60. In Plain Sight by Tara Taylor Quinn 5/08
61. Death on Demand by Carolyn G Hart 8/08
62. Something Wicked by Carolyn G. Hart dnf 9/08
63. Honeymoon WIth Murder by Carolyn G Hartdnf 9/08
64. Slightly Psychic by Sandra Steffen 5/08
65. Drop Dead Blonde by Nancy Martin. Elaine Viets, Denise Swanson and Victoria Laurie
66. Out of Reach by Patricia Lewin8/08
67. Out of Time by Patricia Lewin8/08
68. Dixieland Sushi by Cara Lockwood8/08
69. Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods 6/08
70. A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods 6/08
71. All The Right Moves by Stef Ann Holm
72. Feels Like Family by Sherryl Woods 6/08

First In A Series Challenge for 2008 Hosted by Joy
1. Steamed by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant
2. Death On Demand by Carolyn Hart 8/08
3. Uncommon Grounds by Sandra Balzo
4. Murder on The Rocks by Karen MacInerney8/08
5. A murderous Glaze by Melissa Glazer 1/08
6. A Catered Murder by Iris Crawford 1/08
7. Scene of the Grime by Suzanne Price3/08
8. Virgin River by Robyn Carr7/08
9. Death on the Flop by Jackie Chance
1o.A Peach of a Murder by Livia J Washburn1-08
11 Faux Finished by Peg Marberg 4-08
12 The Prey by Allison Brennan

2008 TBR Challenge List
1. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin2-08
2. Something Blue by Emily Giffin2-08
3. Eat Drink and Be Wary by Tamar Myers4-08
4. Women In Red By Eileen Goudge 7/08
5. Edge of Evil by JA Jance7/08
6. Web of Evil by JA Jance7/08
7. Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard1/08
8. What is Mine by Anne Holt
9. The Collectors by David Baldacci1-08
10. Dry Ice by Stephen White
11 The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer
12. Stripped by Brian Freeman 1-08
Alternate Books
1. False Impression by Jeffrey Archer
2. High Noon by Nora Roberts10/08
3. Chamomile Mourning by Laura Childs8/08
4. Simple Genius by David Baldacci
5. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult8/08
6. Almost Dead by Lisa Jackson1/08
7. Killing Spree by Kevin O'Brien
8. Helen Hath No Fury by Gillian Roberts 2/08
9. Till The End Of Tom by Gillian ROberts3/08
10. Getting Old is The Best Revenge by Rita Lakin5/08
11. On Thin Ice by Alina Adams4/08
12. Adam and Evil by Gillian Roberts1/08
13, Claire and Present Danger by Gillian Roberts2-08
14 The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library by ALice Kimberly 1/08
15. Faux Finished by Peg Marberg4-08

2008 Challenges

8 books published in 2008
1. Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella3/08
2. The Appeal by John Grisham2-08
3. Stalked by Brian Freeman 3/08
4. Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper 1-08
5. 7th Heaven by James Patterson2-08
6. Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs7/08
7. Too Pretty to Die by Susan McBride 1/08
8. Demons Are a Ghoul's Best Friend by Victoria Laurie3/08

Amateur Sleuth reading Challenge
French Pressed by Cleo Coyle -- Coffeehouse mystery5/08
Alibi in High Heels by Gemma Halliday--Shoe Designer 3-08
Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke -Bakery owner 2-08
Scene of the Grime by Suzanne Price-A Grime Solvers Mystery 3/08
Knitting Bones by Monica Ferris--owns a knitting shop 1/08
A Peach Of A Murder by Livia J.Washburn A Fresh Baked Mystery 1-08
A-Z Reading Challenge

A-Z Reading Challenge
Almost Dead by Lisa Jackson
Blood Dreams by Kay Hooper
Claire and Present Danger by Gillian Roberts
Death of a Garage Sale Newbie by Sharon Dunn
Eat Drink and be Wary by Tamar Myers
Stalked by Brian Freeman
Getting Old is The Best Revenge by Rita Lakin
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben
In Plain Sight by Tara Taylor Quinn
Judgement Day by Sheldon Siegel
Killer Heat by Linda Fairstein
Luscious Lemon by Heather Swain
Mercy Street by Mariah Stewart
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Obedience by Will Lavender
Killer View by Ridley Pearson
Queen Of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
Remains of the Dead by Wendy Roberts
Shoots to Kill by Kate Collins
Tutu Deadly by Natalie M Roberts

On The Porch Swing


What Goes With Blood Red, Anyway by Stevi Mittman 2-08
Adam and Evil by Gillian Roberts 1/08
Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods 6/08
Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs7/08

Monday, December 15, 2008

181. A Catered Wedding by Isis Crawford

about the book

In Isis Crawford's A Catered Wedding: A Mystery with Recipes, the lively sequel to her debut, A Catered Murder (2003), kindhearted caterer Libby Simmons and her savvy sister, Bernie, investigate the murder of 27-year-old Leeza Sharp, shot through the heart with an arrow, shortly before Leeza's wedding to the boring 53-year-old scion of an Estonian caviar dynasty. The sisters' playful rivalry, clever dialogue and an eccentric supporting cast make for plenty of cozy fun.

I read the first in this series awhile ago and figure it is time to get caught up.Trouble always seems to find Bernie and Libby. The books make me hungry. I will have to try some of the recipes.

180. Virgin River Christma By Robyn Carr

about the book

Last Christmas Marcie Sullivan said a final goodbye to her husband, Bobby. This Christmas she's come to Virgin River to find the man who saved his life and gave her three more years to love him.
Fellow marine Ian Buchanan dragged Bobby's shattered body onto a medical transport in Fallujah four years ago, then disappeared as soon as their unit arrived stateside. Since then, Marcie's letters to Ian have gone unanswered.
Marcie tracks Ian to the tiny mountain town of Virgin River and finds a man as wounded emotionally as Bobby was physically. But she is not easily scared off. As Marcie pushes her way into his rugged and reclusive life, she discovers a sweet but damaged soul beneath a rough exterior.
Ian doesn't know what to make of the determined young widow who forces him to look into the painful past and, what's worse, the uncertain future. But it is, after all, a season of miracles and maybe, just maybe, it's time to banish the ghosts and open his heart.

A nice Christmas read. I love this series. I am anxiously awaiting the next installments in Feb, March and April. I would be a happy camper if this series went on for years.

179. Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia J Washburn

About the book

Yuletide is here—and retired teacher cum amateur sleuth Phyllis Newsom looks forward to finishing up this unlucky year. But she won’t be hanging up her apron just yet—because this year’s Christmas bake-off is going to be cutthroat.
Phyllis would like to think she’s entering the Christmas cookie contest for the fun of it—but that’s not exactly true. She can’t imagine anyone beating her snowflake-shaped lime sugar cookies. Then, during her annual Christmas cookie exchange, Phyllis heads over to the elderly Mrs. Simmons’s home and finds her dead, in a pile of lime sugar cookies. But with a number of names on Santa’s naughty list, this case may be a hard cookie to crumble.

A fun series and lots of good sounding recipies. With the way this one ended I can't wait to see what happens in the next one.

Friday, December 5, 2008

177. Devil May Ride by Wendy Roberts

about the book

When Sadie and her sexy partner Zack stumble on evidence of a chilling cult ritual in an abandoned meth lab, Sadie comes face to face with an evil spirit unlike any she's ever seen before. And it's no coincidence that a bundle of stolen cash turns up at her next crime scene just in time to convince a biker gang that Sadie made off with their money. She knows the threads are connected-but how?

This is the second book in a series that is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The only problem with reading this book in a day is now I have to wait 1 year to find out what happens next.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

177. A Fatal Slip by Melissa Glazer

About the book

When a building inspector is found drowned in a bucket of liquid clay slip, potter Carolyn Emerson's husband Bill is the prime suspect. It's up to Carolyn to clear his name and not let the real killer give her the slip.


I really enjoy this series. This was a nice installment. However, I am getting worried that this series will fade away into the sunset like the rest of his series.
Tim Myers I really want to know what is going on with Alex,Harrison,Benjamin and Jennifer. I really hope this series continues. If not I am sure he will write another one under a different name.