TheLibrarian Listens…Bossypants by Tina Fey

So I’m still running. After my half marathon in January I enjoyed it so much I decided to sign up for another one this May in Pittsburgh. This means months of long runs and the same neighborhood/beach loops…217 miles and that means roughly 2,170 minutes too! Whatever shall I do to break the monotany? Why, listen to audiobooks of course!

*Note: Over the course of today I’ve said I’ll run:

1. 217 miles in 217 minutes (sign me up for the Olympics people…that’s a mile a minute)

2. 217 miles in 2,170 hours (that’s one mile every 10 hours, in which case I should probably stop running, lol)

3. I think my final answer is: 217 miles in 2170 minutes which ends up being: 36 hours and 16 minutes of physical exercise.

Thanks My Love for catching my many math errors 😉

Without Further Ado…Bossypants

From GoodReads:

Before Liz Lemon, before “Weekend Update,” before “Sarah Palin,” Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV.

She has seen both these dreams come true.

At last, Tina Fey’s story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon—from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.

Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we’ve all suspected: you’re no one until someone calls you bossy.

(Includes Special, Never-Before-Solicited Opinions on Breastfeeding, Princesses, Photoshop, the Electoral Process, and Italian Rum Cake!)

An unabridged recording on 5 CDs (5.5 Hours).

Review

I looooved this audio book! I have a friend who reads biographies and memoirs like it’s her job. They’re her favorite genre. And when I told her I had downloaded this book she was a little “Meh”. She hadn’t loved the physical book. Granted she’s a fan of Chelsea Handler and other funny women. So her standard is a bit high.

I’ll agree with my friend in that while I was listening I thought to myself “This wouldn’t be nearly as funny simply reading. I totally would not have read it like that” Fey reads her audio book herself. Which enhances the experience like none other. Fey adds asides to her rendition that could not have made it into the print copy.

Case in point:

The Sarah Palin/Hilary Clinton SNL Episode

Fey had the entire audio of the skit in her audiobook. Almost cried from laughter during my run.

As a side note: Do be aware that if you listen to funny things while running/working out in public you will laugh. And others will stare. You’ll be ok with this situation however, because it’s just so darn funny.

Fey spends quite a bit of time recounting her time as Sarah Palin on SNL as well as the work she’s done building 30 Rock. And while I’m not familiar with her 30 Rock show (never could get into it…) this didn’t hinder my experience enjoying her thoughts on the experience.

Some of my favorite bits from the audio were of her comments on the image of female beauty in our society. As well as the bit about posing on magazine covers and the part when she speaks of elitest breastfeeding mothers. Tears, I promise tears from laughter.

I would suggest this audio book to any woman looking for a good laugh. You’ll see bits of yourself in this funny woman who seems to have happened upon such fame through hard work and a bit of luck.

Rating: 5/5 Feminist and funny Fey will point out all the issues of being a woman in our society and poke fun at them in a way that is utterly accessible. 

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Loving the Highlander (Highlander #2) by Janet Chapman

BookTalk

Sadie Quill is a woman driven by the ghosts of her past. Sadie ties the loss of her sister and father to a house fire she believes she started by leaving a candle unattended in the family study. Sadie was rescued from that fire but not without the pain of a lost sister and burn scars to physically remind her of something she’ll never allow herself to forget. Now she’s on a mission to build a national park in their honor…and find the gold mine her father searched for until his death.

Morgan MacKeage is just an ancient Scotsman trying to make his way in a modern time. Unable to let go of a fierce possessive streak and a penchant for naked swimming. This goes far in explaining why Sadie Quill, during a business hike, felt the need to take a few photos of Morgan MacKeage in all his glory…and why Morgan MacKeage then felt the need to chase Sadie down, pin her to the ground, and kiss the living daylights out of her.

So begins the story of a man who just wants his woman…and a woman who needs to let go of her walls to find a love she never thought she’d have.

Review

I had high hopes for this book in the beginning. I liked the idea of Sadie Quill’s character. A woman who was not only decently haunted but also physically scared. Sadie is very conscious of her scars. A beautiful woman naturally she now has scars covering her entire back and one arm. Because they extend to her hand some are always visible.

I liked that Chapman created a character who was haunted by something realistic (the deaths of her sister and father) and also a woman who was dealing with a real physical flaw…Not just clumsy-ness or a slightly more endowed waistline like most other ‘slightly-flawed’ romance heroines.

Then it all just went paranormal; ‘magical’ if you will. You know the Highlander series is going to be about time-travel, quick marriages, and lots of magic sprinkled in its pages. But Chapman went and messed with the scars. Used magic on them and then took magic away from them. Stop here if you plan on reading this one…because the next paragraph is going to get spoiler-y…

I thought that when Chapman took away Sadie’s scars with healing magic it was a cop-out. I wanted Sadie to have to deal with this physical manifestation of her issues. To realize that she was beautiful and desirable with or without this flaw. To find the self-worth she had been lacking for so long. I thought that was going to be the point of the scars. Morgan’s love was just going to reinforce…push her toward the edge of seeing herself in a new light.

Nope. Magic Morgan accidentally ‘heals’ said scars and then even wishes himself that Sadie had fallen in love with him pre-healing so she’d know he loved her with or without them. Now, here’s where I’m going to get a bit edgy. First, Morgan’s a bit of a wank for thinking he wished she had her scars. I mean, doesn’t the girl deserve the perfect skin magic accidentally gave her? Especially if he only wants her to have them to prove what a good man he truly is.

Except…

I kinda wanted her to still have the scars too. It felt too easy that she could give it all up. Hide her past trauma so easily…never having to deal with it emotionally. So what is an author to do? Apparently create a situation where Sadie has to give some magic back (yep, you can do that with magic…just trade it off) to save Morgan but in exchange those scars are coming back.

Bam. Take that Sadie. Coming off the euphoria of losing the scars. You almost lose the new hubby and then gain those emotionally charged scars back. Talk about getting hit hard. I think the book would have been stronger had Sadie simply had to deal with her baggage based completely in reality. In order to accept the rushed marriage, magical elements, and a burl of wood that heals when hit with water…I need my characters emotions to be based in reality. Insta-love aside, I need all baggage to be handled with care and realism.

Rating: 2/5 The way the scars were handled bothered me too much.

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This Beautiful Life by Helen Schulman

BookTalk

Life is nothing but a house of cards.

The Bergamots are an average American family. Richard, an executive at a large New York City University and Liz, a PhD-turned-soccer-mom are parents to the societal perfection that is the two child household; one boy and one girl. Attractive, intelligent, and seemingly on the rise. This family has just made the transition from sleepy college town middle-class to upwardly mobile with a Manhattan apartment and exclusive private school for the kiddies.

While it can be said that everyone is just getting settled into their roles in this new world. Each member of the family seems to know their place. Until fifteen year old Jake forwards an email. An email that goes viral. An email containing inappropriate and potentially damning content. A single click akin to the flick of a finger it would take to bring down a house of cards.

Review

I had to sit with this book for a few days after I finished it. I had one of my teachers come to me, book in hand, requesting that I do the read. This teacher had been browsing the Top 100 Notable Books of 2011 and picked this book from the one sentence summary:

THIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE. By Helen Schulman. (Harper/HarperCollins, $24.99.) A family’s Manhattan life comes apart when their 15-year-old forwards a sexually explicit video made for him, unsolicited, by a girl two years younger.

Yeah, if you didn’t get the picture from the booktalk above, this one’s heavy.

Why you want to sit with this one for so long after you read; why your mind will percolate with thoughts and ideas isn’t because of the sex tape (though, that one’s like a train wreck you can’t look away from) nor, is it about the actual ramifications of the video going viral. This book expertly lays an average American life before the reader. It’s a life with real people, real troubles, and real hope. Then with one move of a young boy’s finger Schulman collapses their world.

You’ll read on in the beginning waiting for the legal fallout. You come into this read fueled by news headlines and lifetime movies featuring underage children indulging in sexual games most adults don’t care to play. And, every one of those stories seems to end entangled in courtroom battles or suicide. We’re a society that expects the sensational. Instead, you’ll find what psychologically sticks with you are the truths this tale points out about our lives. For example, discussions of men vs. women. Jake himself ponders the ethics of making-out with Daisy, pre-video:

“His mom was like stuck back in the seventies, all her crap about feminism and the way girls dressed these days…but what if the girl wants the hookup? If she begs for it? Did his mom ever think about that?

It never would have occurred to him to hook up with Daisy if she hadn’t thrown herself at him.” (67-68 Hard Back ed.)

And before you have the knee jerk reaction to that statement above see below what happens only 10 pages later:

“Jake had been heading out of the building and toward the gym…still pretending to himself like it had never happened…when he saw Daisy Cavanaugh for the first time ever in school. He saw her down the hall.

She was autographing baseball bats.” (79, Hard Back ed.)

To fully understand the ramifications of the quote above you must know that Daisy uses a toy baseball bat as a prop in her video. In ways that Shusterman allows you to imagine all the more graphically due to her fade-to-black scene.

“She was famous now. He’d made her famous. She was autographing the bats and smiling a big, broad, winning smile.” (80, Hard Back ed.)

The mother becomes obsessed with the video, the younger sister begins to imitate the sexual dancing that she sees all around her. Even the paragon of intelligent beauty that is Jake’s crush reveals her own thoughts about female sexuality and they’re far harsher than Jake’s rosy crush on her has led us to expect. It’ll make you think about what influences us today as women…and what the men in our lives expect from us as well.

I could have done without portions of Liz’s (the mother’s) character. She’s one of those used-to-be-smart-but-was-a-bit-lost-so-she-had-kids-now-what mothers recent literature is so fond of. She fits the cliché from artistic but useless PhD to smoking pot in the bathroom to face the overwhelming ordeal that is an elementary school recital. Liz is, basically, that woman who has hit a turning point in her life and looks back at her youth and sees a haze of hope and missed opportunities, rather than what was truly a lack of passion and indecision.

Women like this annoy me. And they scare me. Because if they’re this prevalent in literature…could I become one of them? Yet another sticking point of the novel.

At the end you’ll circle back. You’ll stare at each character and try to find the mistake. The lost moment that would have held Jake’s finger from clicking send. Find the scene when the appropriate word or hug could have held this family together. Because trust me. After you read Daisy’s older point of view you’ll see that the Bergamots are an average family, and one that is completely unique, at the same time.

Rating: 4.5/5 A masterfully realized story of social issues and a family; held from perfection by a tired characterization of the mother. 

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Charming the Highlander (Highlander #1) by Janet Chapman

Summary from GoodReads: Because they make this book sound far more tempting than I was in the mood to!

A feisty beauty tempted by a bold Highlander’s touch…When a plane crash strands brilliant scientist Grace Sutter on an icy mountaintop in Maine, she finds herself alone in the wilderness with the only other surviving passenger — Greylen MacKeage,a sexy, medieval warrior who’s been tossed through time to find the woman he’s destined to love. Forced together to survive the harsh, wintry landscape, neither expects the fierce passion that flares between them. But Grace is not used to letting her heart take control, and Greylen will settle for nothing less than her heart’s surrender….

Review

This romance happened sooo quick. Like 6 days start to finish. Granted the whole shebang starts off with a tragic death, instant attraction, babies, and a dramatic plane crash…that’s like 6 years of action tucked into less than a week of time…guess they didn’t need day seven, but hey, don’t we all need a day of rest?

Though it was fast I found myself very wrapped up in the action. I liked the survival aspects of it all. It was a lot of emotion very quickly, but this served to enhance (or excuse) the insta-love. I mean if a huge Scottish warrior saves you and your 4 week old nephew from certain death in a plane crash, then from being frozen on a mountain top in Maine, I might fall a little in love too. Especially if his kisses were as good as Grace claims.

I loved Baby, he was the sweetest addition to the cast of characters. Watching all those Scottish warriors fall for him was one of my favorite parts of the novel. My only hesitation was that I couldn’t quite connect with Grace’s inability to tell Michael that he was Baby’s true father. I thought it was pretty obvious from the start that not only was Michael a good man (Grace was concerned about this) he was hurt and lonely after losing the woman he loved. Baby would have gone a long way toward easing this man’s pain from the very beginning.

This is a quick formula read. If you’re in the mood the instant attraction, fast plot, and dramatic situations this read will drag you in pretty quick. Just don’t be surprised when it’s all over faster than a Kardashian marriage…In both situations the key is to enjoy the absurdity and remember that you’re enjoying characters that never exist in real life.

Bring on the massive, time-traveling, Scottish warriors, lol.

Rating: 3/5 Leave your critic and logic behind; it’s a bit of fluff (and Scottish muscle!) to fill a wintry afternoon. 

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Tempting Tuesdays…Ch. 13-15 + Epilogue

Tempting Tuesdays is a read-along of Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill, and hosted by Jenny of Supernatural Snark, Tina of Tina’s Book Reviews, Rummanah of Books in the Spotlight, and Missy at The Unread Reader. And we all know how much I love a good Read-Along…and a good Vampire Urban Romance. It’s the perfect way to start the New Year!

Feel free to follow along or join in at any time. Follow the schedule below:

January 3rd – Chapters 1-4 (Jenny at Supernatural Snark)
January 10th – Chapters 5-8 (Tina at Tina’s Book Reviews)
January 17th – Chapters 9-12 (Rummanah at Books in the Spotlight)
January 24th – Chapters 13-15 + epilogue (Missie at The Unread Reader)
January 31st – Special guest post by Chloe Neill and our grand prize giveaway!

Without Further Ado…My Answers

Questions for Chapters 13-15 + epilogue

1. Chapter 13 opens with Merit describing her new job routine as House Sentinel. Considering that every job Cadogan House is important in helping to make the house run efficiently, which job do you think you’d like to have (guard, cook, social director, gardener, etc.) and why?

Hmm, I think I’d stay on as house librarian. The advantage of immortality is years and years of history and book collecting. I’d stay on to digitize all the old stuff and help house members access the info they need. A useful career pre- and post- bite 😉

Hmm…Just imagining the collection they’d have for me to work with…yum…

2. In the supernatural world of Chicagoland Vampires, politics seem to play an important role in the way the Houses are run. Now that you’ve been introduced to the Rogues, do you think it’s better for vampires to be a part of a House or to live outside of one.

Well, in reality Merit points out for us that the Rogues are truly their own house…Ultimatly I think in the Chicagoland society you have more political power if you’re part of a house. I was most surprised to learn that after becoming an initiate of a house you could switch to another…Thought that whole connection with your creator would keep you tied to one for life err, death.

I think that the real rogues are going to be the faction that turns against humanity. Even the Rogues band together and work with/hide from the humans. The vampires that declare open war on the species are really going to be the anarchists of the group!

3. After Morgan openly asks to court Merit, she feels betrayed when Ethan commands her to accept for the show of alliance it could bring to Cadogan House. Do you think her reaction was warranted?

YES!

I wasn’t a huge “Ethan is a douche” supporter until that moment. Dude has no soul. Literally. Hated him in that moment.

4. When Ethan meets with the perpetrator of the murders, were you surprised to discover who it was? If you suspected someone, were your suspensions correct? What did you think of the perpetrator’s motive? 

I think in my previous post I thought something was fishy with Celia. She was definitely set up to be the villain of this tale. But I agree that the ending really didn’t add up. I think there should have been more plot devices to point us in the right direction. Either that or a better motivation for Celia. I think had we gotten to know her better, to feel her bitterness, it would have made more sense. As it stands now, it all seemed to come out of no where…

5. What was your favorite/least favorite parts of Some Girls Bite?

I liked the tension of Ethan and Merit’s relationship. And I liked the supporting characters. I feel like I was let down by actual character development and the final ending to the relationship/mystery components of the plot. I would have liked to have seen something completely developed in the first book…even if more changes happened in the rest of the series.

6. What do you think is coming up next for Merit, Sentinel of Cadogan House? Will you continue reading this series, and if so, what do you hope to see happen in the next book?

To be honest I don’t know that I’ll continue with this series. I was a bit let down by the final plot choices. Can I have a vote? Anyone got a good reason why I should sally forth?

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Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth by Jenny McCarthy

BookTalk

This is a no-holds-barred account of what you can really expect when you’re expecting. Jenny McCarthy will lead you on an honest romp through short and funny chapters with titles like, “Honey, Your Sperm Really Do Work! (Pregnancy Tests)” and “Granny Panties (Letting Go of the G-String)”

For a woman who became famous for her body (Hello, Playmate!) and endeared herself to America via MTV and forthright potty mouth, Jenny comes off like a girlfriend telling hilarious and real stories. Have no doubt, these are truthful tales. Always tempered with humor and at times advice for a different course of action, the less attractive qualities of pregnancy never seemed so funny. This one is worth an hour of your time for anyone pregnant, thinking of getting pregnant, or any woman ready for a good laugh. In the end you’ll wish you could invite her over for a play-date of your own!

Review

No one get excited. There is no little librarian on the way. I read this one because my friend Tara (who has her own ‘green’ themed blog GreenCycledDesigns) checked it out of the library. Having finished said book ridiculously quickly, she dropped it off in my library with the enticement of at least an hours worth of laughter to be found in the pages.

She wasn’t lying! Even with no plans on the horizon to start my own family I couldn’t seem to put this book down. It’s not a masterful work of literature, it’s even better…An honest-to-goodness conversation with your funniest girlfriend. And while the laughter you’ll have over picturing Jenny McCarthy herself pissed at her husband for wanting to watch Playmates on a TV reality show in the chapter entitled “Die, Model B*tch, Die! (Hating Skinny People)” you’ll forgive her for being one of those genetically blessed people in her 9 to 5. Especially after she admits:

“…I couldn’t take it. He said I was being silly, considering I had been a Playmate once myself. Well, if I had known what the sight of a Playmate did to women during pregnancy, I would have done us all a favor and been the fattest and hairiest Playmate of all time.”

And while her dear, loving hubby still refuses to change the channel after some not-so-good-natured tantrum throwing Jenny follows up with sage advice:

“…so I resorted to the only thing I knew would work. I began crying. It worked. We switched to the Disney channel.

Another effective strategy and one that feels devilishly good is this: While your husband is getting undressed at night, look in a magazine and shout out, “Damn! That George Clooney has a fine a$$!” See how he likes it.”

Let me tell you, this is by far the tamest of her anecdotes. I won’t even begin to quote the chapter on pregnant sex which involves an analogy involving pigs, pastures, dogs, and farmers…honestly laughed for a good 5 minutes after that. Or when she goes to see a “butt doctor” when concerned about her bodily functions; Tears, I tell you, Tears from laughter.

This one is worth picking up. If a girlfriend has it, or you see it in your local library take a few minutes and give it a little look. The 3 page chapters and conversational voice will have you at hello. Take the hour (and a glass of wine if you’re not carrying your own bundle of joy) and listen to a funny girl tell her story. This book isn’t the most informational…but I’m willing to bet it’s the most honest and enjoyable.

Rating: 5/5 It was funny, scary, then hilarious again. Like chatting with your funniest girlfriend!

*P.S. If you do decided to spend the cash and purchase your own copy, know that a portion of the proceeds are donated to The Candies Foundation which educates teens about the consequences of teenage pregnancy*

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Tempting Tuesdays…Ch. 9-12

Tempting Tuesdays is a read-along of Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill, and hosted by Jenny of Supernatural Snark, Tina of Tina’s Book Reviews, Rummanah of Books in the Spotlight, and Missy at The Unread Reader. And we all know how much I love a good Read-Along…and a good Vampire Urban Romance. It’s the perfect way to start the New Year!

Feel free to follow along or join in at any time. Follow the schedule below:

January 3rd – Chapters 1-4 (Jenny at Supernatural Snark)
January 10th – Chapters 5-8 (Tina at Tina’s Book Reviews)
January 17th – Chapters 9-12 (Rummanah at Books in the Spotlight)
January 24th – Chapters 13-15 + epilogue (Missie at The Unread Reader)
January 31st – Special guest post by Chloe Neill and our grand prize giveaway!

Without Further Ado…My Answers

Discussion Questions Chapter 9-12

1. Catcher and Ethan share some personality traits. What makes Mallory, Merit, and even us readers attracted to these guys? Would you date/mate with someone like these guys in real life?

I won’t speak for women in general but I think what makes me so attracted to fictional men like this is as follows:

1. The Ego. While I’m sure it’s eventually beyond annoying, a man with an ego, a man who is constantly self-assured, is attractive. We still take our mating cues from a very basic level. And the man who leads, commands respect, and always has the best plan…means he’ll be a protector for ourselves and our future families. From the Cave to the McMansion the promise of perseverance is always going to turn us on.
2. The Body. Again, this is base. The huge man with the muscles and the sexy [stare, walk, voice, eyes, hair, chin (side note: why is the chin/jaw line always mentioned as being sexy? Anyone truly notice this on a man?) etc.] is just plain attractive. Hot = good sex (in a romance novel), good genes, and good babies. ‘Cause even if you don’t plan on ever having the babies, we’re still hardwired to crave it.
3. The Money. Come on! Even our dear heroines who claim to have no interest in material goodies (case in point, our own layered-tank-top addicted protagonist) still go a little soft when presented with the finer things in life. Whether they be a diamond ring, particularly well-appointed home, or the latest in tech gadgets. We all go a little weak in the knees for something money can buy.
4. Ownership. Yes, Merit is fighting the good fight against feeling owned by Ethan. And when I say “ownership” I’m not talking about actually being property…I’m talking about that feeling when you look at your hubby and think “Mine”. The idea that we could get this rich, sexy, bad-boy to claim us for his and his alone (and that obvi. he’s willing to be mine and mine alone) is a very sexy thought. We all like to think we’re special enough to be someone else’s one and only. It’s an especially victorious feeling if the man in question has had a history of serial-hookups…or serial-mistresses a la Ethan. The more of a man-whore he is, the sweeter the fall into monogamy.

There, the most through answer EVER, lol. No shame in having skimmed that, it’s why I highlight my main point 😉

2. In Chapter 9 we learn of another murder. Do you see any patterns with the previous murder and Merit’s attack? Do you have any guesses as to who is responsible and the motive behind the murders?

I thought in the beginning that the attacker was actually after Merit in particular. She’s coming from a very influential and wealthy family and she’s got vampire super-powers. Had someone known about her future skills she’d be a perfect person to try to convert.

But since the murders are still going on I’m going to have to change my theory.

Given our point in the book I’m forced to look at the key players. I highly doubt that the author is going to introduce a rogue vampire at this point. That’s too easy. So suspects:

• Morgan – I thought it was a little fishy that he did a 180 after shunning and subsequently kicking her out of his club. Not sure what a motive would be though…
• Celina – Could all be a huge plot to bring down the other houses and secure her spot as top Vampire. This seems a little flimsy as it wouldn’t endear her species to the human public, but she’s always seemed a little evil underneath the glamour.
• Joshua Merit – Maybe it’s all political? But why target his daughter/women who look like his daughter? Did he have an inside track knowing Merit would be so powerful, making her a potential ally?
• Ethan – It was awful convenient that he was there the night Merit was attacked. While I don’t think he’s a part of it all…I think he knows who done it.

If a Rogue is entered into the story at this point. It better be a masterful addition. ‘Cause it’s getting awful close to being a pat ending…

3. The commendation is my favorite moment in the book and a significant event in Merit’s life. She has finally come to terms that she is a Cadogan vampire. Were you surprised at all that Merit resisted Ethan’s call and that he made her a Sentinel? Do you think she’ll do well in this position? Why or why not?

I was happy that she didn’t consciously resist the call. I was relieved when it was simply a manifestation of her ability to resist glamour. I’m kinda tired of her constantly fighting the system…

Merit’s observations when comparing herself to the other newbies was right on. She’s already special, already she knows a little too much. Thus a position high up makes sense. I was wondering how Merit was going to deal with the skill set of a Sentinel (awful left-field for an English major) but I thought it was a good play on Ethan’s part. How well she’ll do remains to be seen.

4. Loyalty is a recurring theme throughout the book and much of this series. Why is it so important to Ethan that he needs Merit’s allegiance? Is it solely a Master and Sentinel thing or does it imply something else?

While I think that Ethan wants Merit in a more personal manner I think the need for loyalty springs first from a Master/Vampire relationship. Especially because Merit is proving to be so powerful. Ethan wants the House and vampire world to run smoothly. Merit as a rogue could crash down a lot of walls, whether she means to or not. And I think it would spell bad things for everyone. At least in the beginning she needs to be taught and contained a bit.

5. If you had the opportunity to sit down with Ethan, Merit, Mallory, and Catcher for a bite to eat like in the beginning of Chapter 12, what questions would you ask them at this point of the story?

My only real question in that scene was for Mallory…

“How did you end up with 14 weeks of vacation months into your first job?! That must have been a mind-meld thing, ’cause no employer is giving that kind of time off until you hit 20 years in!”

Yeah, I know it’s a work of fiction. And, I’d be surrounded by vampires and witches. But the 14 weeks vacation came very close to crashing down Neill’s world building.

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Tempting Tuesdays (2)…Ch 5-8

Tempting Tuesdays is a read-along of Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill, and hosted by Jenny of Supernatural Snark, Tina of Tina’s Book Reviews, Rummanah of Books in the Spotlight, and Missy at The Unread Reader. And we all know how much I love a good Read-Along…and a good Vampire Urban Romance. It’s the perfect way to start the New Year!

Feel free to follow along or join in at any time. Follow the schedule below:

January 3rd – Chapters 1-4 (Jenny at Supernatural Snark)
January 10th – Chapters 5-8 (Tina at Tina’s Book Reviews)
January 17th – Chapters 9-12 (Rummanah at Books in the Spotlight)
January 24th – Chapters 13-15 + epilogue (Missie at The Unread Reader)
January 31st – Special guest post by Chloe Neill and our grand prize giveaway!

Without Further Ado…My Answers

Questions for Chapters 5-8

1. In what is a make you blush, steamy scene in the book- Chapter 5 has Ethan and Merit sharing a few hot moments after Merit’s hunger strikes…that is until Ethan becomes a total cad! What do you think of him so far? Strong, masterful vampire, conceited playboy…..lover boy in disguise?

I guess I keep waiting to see how their relationship will work out. Is he really being set up as the Vampire meant for her…or is he really unable to have a monogamous relationship? I wouldn’t say I’m turned off by the behavior. I think it’s kinda hot that he wants her so badly and is unable to act upon it. It’ll make for great pay off later when they do hook-up. I just can’t see how the relationship is really going to work out…

2. Merit and Mallory begin some major training in these next few chapters, resulting in cool Katana Sword facts and Ninja moves. What is the most physically challenging or adrenaline fueled event/activity you have participated in?

Well I just completed my first half marathon this past weekend (a little whoo hoo for me 😉 ).

That training was fun and I felt pushed. But I don’t hunger for the pain that something like a marathon brings. Nope. I’d only train like Merit if it was as easy for me to do as it was for her. Pass me some vampire genetics and I’ll spar for hours. In human form I’ll stick to the easy stuff.

3. Mallory and Catcher have sparks so intense they almost fly off the page…..what do you think of this cozy couple? Did you like the insta-love between them? Do they add to the story?

I wished we would have been more a part of their relationship. I think if they were going to be included in the story line then I wanted to be an eye-witness to their burgeoning relationship. I’d also really love to hear all that Mallory is learning about being a witch. I feel like we’re kind of missing out with that relationship happening in the background.

4. Lets talk Bff’s….Mallory is hands down a terrific friend to Merit, the girls relationship is real, down to earth and fun….not to mention hysterical. What is your favorite memory or favorite thing to do with your bff? Feel free to share pics!

Geeze, one thing? What’s sad is that lately my BFF and I are on opposite sides of the country. She’s all the way up in Massachusetts and I’m down here in Florida. So while that limits most of our activity to phone tag we never miss out on the big stuff in each other’s lives. Like picking out her wedding dress…Wouldn’t have missed it for the world…

5. Things are starting to heat up in the mystery department…the set up at Red, Morgan’s flirty appearance…. Catchers vague answers……as correlation day gets closer for Merit do you think someone is out to get her…or maybe recruit her to another house? Or PS- feed her some more food…because goodnight this girl likes to eat!!!

Haha, I like a girl with an appetite. Something is definitely up. I’m currently pondering the Morgan visit. Is he truly interested in a relationship? Does he want to steal her? Does he want to kill her? Not sure I believe his make-up visit was all innocence. And I’m just waiting for Ethan to crack. Seriously hoping that happens in this book!!!

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No Excuses Book Swap (1): Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

RachelKiwi and I did a little book swapping over the recent holidays. The only rule for the swap was that we must read whatever book the other person chose to give. No Excuses. No complaints about bad writing, genre, or general book prejudice. Because, you see, RachelKiwi and I have been reading together FOREVER…but we really don’t read the same type of stuff.

Note Exhibit A:

GoodReads’ Book Comparison Chart

I’m amazed at how little we overlap! So with this friendly Book Swap we’re not only making excuses to visit and catch up (It was a 3 hour dinner!) we’re also expanding our bookish boundries with suggestions from a beloved friend. Not saying we’re going to love every choice…But it’ll be fun to crawl into each other’s bookshelves for a bit 😉

Without Further Ado…No Excuses Book Swap: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

BookTalk

This book begins with the story of a beautiful little girl and her childhood of lost promises and sorrow.

Years later we meet this little girl again this time as the highest paid prostitute in Pair-A-Dice, a California mining town, during the height of the Gold Rush. Men pay a madame in gold dust and bribes for just a half an hour with the shockingly beautiful young woman now named Angel.

Angel herself dreams only of freedom. A freedom she thinks she can buy if she works long and hard enough in her brothel. That is until Michael comes. Michael the one man in all these years who creeps under her defenses. Michael a man pays the heavy fee for Angel’s time only to sit and question her about her life. Michael the man who leaves each night with a proposal on his lips; a vow to save her from this place. Michael a man who does the most dangerous thing…He finally gives her Hope…

Review

First things first. A little vocabulary lesson to help clarify my opinion of this book…

awe·some [aw-suh m] 

adjective

1. inspiring awe: an awesome sight.

2. showing or characterized by awe.

Now I feel comfortable saying that this book was an awesome book without sounding like a valley girl, or a teen from the 90’s. It was awesome because of the romance, because of the inspiration, and because of its scope. This book isn’t in any way new. So my love of this book may not surprise many out there. It’s been beloved by readers since its original publishing date in the fall of 1991. But it’s classified as inspirational, and it’s no shocker that I prefer my romances slightly less strictly moral. And I’m also not a fan of a “preachy” voice in a book…No matter the subject matter being pushed.

So, as someone who doesn’t read inspirational literature I can whole-heartedly say that I loved this book. This rendition of the story of the prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer was so accessible. Rivers set out to tell a tale of love and also of the struggle of people who try to play God themselves. And by “Playing God” I’m not talking about the people doing crazy movie-villain type things…or of Doctors making life changing calls. Instead it’s talking about that desire in all of us, especially women, to fix it all ourselves and not to give in to a higher will in our lives. One of my favorite meditations is “If you want to make God laugh tell him your plans”. When I practice yoga I follow the intention “to be”. I try to focus on being wholly present in the moment. That’s what this novel asks of its character, to give up and enjoy the gifts we’re given, whether it be the simple beauty of fresh summer flowers or the awesome gift of love.

It was so great to see this mission set forth in a pretty standard romance plot. What would a romance be without a character who thought themselves unworthy? Where would the payoff be if not for the redeeming quality of that love? That’s what pushes this story into the level of lifetime favorite for so many; the compound redeeming grace of both romantic and Godly love.

The characters are so fully developed. They’re not just archetypes of a saint and a sinner. I loved Michael. He was such a strong good man. Also, seeing his thoughts kept him from being too much of a paragon. That we were privy to his anger and frustration helped. It made the process he was putting Angel through seem less demanding. Without it he would have been a Duke of another extreme.

Angel’s history is laid out in a heartbreaking, but realistic fashion. When you think of the biblical prostitute Gomer, heck, when you think of any adult woman who chooses to sell herself it’s difficult not to look at that woman without prejudice. Not to think there must have been another way…another path. Thus, Angel’s childhood of hard knocks and forced prostitution helps contextualize her as a fallen dove who really seemed to have no other way. Only through the love of Michael and God does she begin to see another path.

A few tidbits for those who’ve already read this one. I found Paul to be sooo annoying, wish he would have been slapped with the truth a little earlier or that Miriam had shared the reason Angel left. Also, totally cried when Jonathan Axe brought Angel out of the brothel. Cheered when she took the girls with her as well. Fist pump when they walked out the front door exposing Duke’s sick desire for little girls. And finally, I know it was true to biblical story but wish Angel wouldn’t have run away so much.

Rating: 5/5 This is an inspirational tale for those desiring a love story with depth and meaning…safe bet for the avid and not so avid Inspy fan

Be sure to check out RachelKiwi’s first Book Swap Review of Dark Lover

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Holiday Kisses by Shannon Stacey, Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon, and Alison Kent

Holiday Kisses is an anthology by Carina Press full of delightful Christmas-time tales. As it’s getting closer and closer to the big day I’ve broken this review down story by story. So those of you who were early birds and finished shopping in October can Click Here to purchase the full eBook version of the anthology. Those of *cough* us *cough* who may have forgotten how quickly 25 days go by may want to invest in the titles individually. You know, for that quick hour to be found while waiting in line at the mall…

…Don’t judge, you know you’ve seen me reading in the checkout line and though longingly of your own Nook waiting for you at home…Shop Prepared People! lol…

Simply click on each title to be directed to the Carina Press page where the ebooks can be purchased for about 3 dollars a copy. That’s less than a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Latte! And much more relaxing…especially if you splurge on the Starbucks as well 😉

Without Further Ado…Holiday Kisses…

This Time Next Year – Alison Kent

Brenna Keating is on her way to spend Christmas with her grandmother when treacherous roads and a skittish deer put her car in a ditch. Riding to the rescue—literally—is Dillon Craig, a reclusive doctor who insists she weather the storm in his cabin.

Since returning from Afghanistan where he treated wounded soldiers on the front lines, Dillon’s made it a point to avoid any emotional involvement. But his unexpected guest has him dangerously close to breaking his own rules.

Brenna has a plan for her life—until she’s stranded for three days with Dillon. Soon, the chemistry sizzling between them forces her to reexamine her priorities. The man is gorgeous, if taciturn, and a true hero in every sense of the word. No woman in her right mind could resist him, and so Brenna doesn’t—even though she can’t stay…

This title was the perfect opening to this anthology. I really found myself wishing this was a full length story. Because, even with the constraints of a novella Kent really took the time to give them full personalities. Brenna and Dillon were complex. She’s torn between a lifelong dream and the reality she may not want to leave behind. Dillon is recovering from tours in Afghanistan, haunted by those he was unable to save as a medic in the Army.

I liked Brenna and Dillon together. I could tell that they were the perfect fit to heal each other’s wounds. I just wish that they had been given a full story to flesh out all the complexities Kent gives them. While the novella felt complete…the reader in me itched for a little more time. Maybe Kent will re-release in time as a longer work. I’d like to know more of their histories, spend some time with the mountain people, watch Dillon work on his woodworking craft shirtless…And I’d really love to see some of the love letters the characters sent to each other…Hint, Hint! lol.

Rating: 3.5/5 If only we had a little more time with their love…

A Rare Gift Jaci Burton

With a disastrous marriage behind him, Wyatt Kent has no interest in getting involved with any woman, let alone his ex-wife’s younger sister. But when Calliope Andrews hires him to build an addition onto her day care center, Wyatt can’t help but notice she’s a desirable woman, as warm and funny as his ex was cold and aloof.

Calliope fell hard for Wyatt the first time he walked through the door of her family’s home, and can’t believe her sister let him get away. He’s still the star of all her fantasies, and she’s determined to prove to him she’s nothing like his manipulative ex. Wyatt may be all business, but Calliope sees the way he looks at her when he’s supposed to be working…

It’s not long before Wyatt and Calliope are keeping each other warm on cold December nights. But it’s going to take a Christmas miracle for Wyatt to put his trust in love a second time.

Can I tell you how much I loved this story? I really felt like the characters had time to circle around each other. I didn’t feel like their romantic progression was rushed. And can I just tell you how cute this romantic progression is? Calliope is a quirky girl who knows what she wants and sets out to get him. The potential awkwardness that could result from a woman dating her sister’s ex-husband is dispersed by Calliope’s enthusiasm. Just watching Wyatt’s bear-like nature melt under Calliope’s love and attention was lovely 😉 Too cute. I wanted to eat this story up. It was so good, I need to stop myself now before I continue to gush…One of the best of the book for sure.

Rating: 5/5 Potentially awkward romance gives lots of wonderful love instead. 

It’s Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon

Carrie Anders officially broke up with Austin Thomas when she accepted a dream job in the city. Unofficially, she misses him and is tempted to sneak back to her West Virginia hometown to see him. That’s why this year, she’s not going home for the holidays. Her heart can’t take any more mornings-after where nothing has changed—and Austin has made it clear he’s not interested in relocating.

Austin’s been waiting for Carrie to realize she can’t live without him. But when he hears she’s not coming home for Christmas, he decides to take action. If Carrie won’t come to the country, he’s going to bring a piece of the country to Carrie—in the form of a Christmas tree lot just minutes from her apartment. He’s certain daily meetings will entice her to come home with him, this time for good.

Their attraction is as hot as ever, but with such contrary Christmas wishes, can either of them get what they really want this year?

I’ll admit, I could have skipped this tale. It’s about a relationship that has been on hiatus for roughly 6 months. This is after dating for years: think high school, college, and beyond. Carrie has moved to D.C. because Austin won’t compromise. Austin can’t understand why Carrie would like to have her own hopes and dreams fulfilled working in a prestigious museum rather than a small tourist trap in West Virginia. Silly man, the answer is Duh. What girl doesn’t want all her dreams to come true…even those that don’t include a man.

What bothered me was that in the end, I don’t think Austin got it. He openly hated Carrie’s job and spent the majority of the novella waiting for her to come to her senses and come home. While the do eventually reconcile and “compromise” it’s not in any way I see working in the long run. I wondered if maybe Carrie should have given the big city boys a chance…because Austin’s not giving up anything for her dream.

Rating: 1/5 I didn’t like their relationship…If Carrie was my girlfriend I’d tell her to move on…

Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey

Claire Rutledge still believes in love, despite losing her husband. So, after two years, she’s not surprised by the steamy dreams telling her it might be time to start moving on. But she didn’t expect her friend Justin to have the starring role.

Justin McCormick has loved Claire since the moment he first saw her, but his best friend got there first. Now that Claire is ready to move on with her life, Justin is finding it harder than ever to hide his true feelings. And when they both get caught up in the holiday spirits at a party, their simmering mutual attraction boils over into a night neither of them can forget…

Can I start by saying how much I love Shannon Stacey’s writing. When I interviewed her this summer she let it slip that this story would be out around the holidays. You don’t even want to see how excited I got when this collection went up on NetGalley. E.X.C.I.T.E.D. doesn’t even do it justice.

Stacey didn’t disappoint. Her characters, as always, were down to earth and funny. You hit this relationship not at its beginning but close to its boiling point. You’re literally waiting for these characters to implode! They’ve spent so much time trying to resist each other because of the nature of Claire’s first marriage that the tension is through the roof. Their relationship, both physical and emotional, comes together very realistically. Though this is the shortest title in the collection I never felt as though the progression of their relationship was rushed. And they were given time to deal with the emotional ramifications of their attraction. When this one ends you’ll find a Happily Ever After, not just because the Author tells you there will be one…but because you can see it for yourself in the character’s new-found understanding.

Rating: 4/5 Mistletoe spurs yet another relationship…Because something had to break that tension! 

*Book Received from Carina Press via NetGalley…I was in no way compensated for my review beyond the gift of a free book…Thanks!*

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