I'm The Vampire, That's Why - Michele Bardsley

I must have been hit by the Good Book Fairy. The last several books I have picked up have been thoroughly enjoyable, and that thrills me no end. I love to do reviews when I liked the book. The book I'm getting ready to review was no exception, I started it and just gobbled it up! But, I'll get to that in a minute. First I want to remind everyone that there is still time to enter the contests we are running. For your chance to win a signed book by Serena Robar or Gena Showalter or TWO signed books by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi all you have to do is leave us a comment or send us an e-mail to deeanddeedish@sbcglobal.net telling us what superpower/paranormal trait you would like to have and why. You can also win a copy (unsigned, sorry) of Playing With Fire by Gena Showalter by giving me a snappy title for this review. That simple. Just make sure all entries are received by Oct. 29th and you are in! And now on with the review!

I'm The Vampire, That's Why by Michele Bardsley
(BCC)

Does drinking blood make me a bad mother?

Broken Heart is the city with the highest rate of divorce and highest percentage of single parents in Oklahoma. And I, Jessica Matthews, have been a member of that club ever since my husband dumped me for his twentysomething secretary and then had the gall to die in a car accident.

Now I'm not just a single mother trying to make ends meet in this crazy world...I'm also a vampire. One minute I was taking out the garbage; the next I awoke sucking on the thigh of superhot vampire Patrick O'Halloran.

But though my stretch marks have disappeared and my vision has improved, I can't rest until the thing that did this to me is caught. My kids' future is at stake...as is my sex life. Once a vampire does the dirty deed, it hitches her to the object of her affection for at least on hundred years. I just don't know if I'm ready for that kind of commitment...

How would I rate this BCC? Not too bad. It isn't perfect, but then again, this isn't a YA novel, I didn't expect it to be. It's pretty darn close to hitting the nail on the head though. AND, although there are a few points I could argue with, they are all minor, and didn't distract me enough in the actual reading of the book to take offense on. So all in all, I give this BCC passing grades. It does the job of conveying the story within closely, and it also conveys the tone of the book fairly well. Blech, I really want to rip apart a BCC!

Like the BCC suggests, Jessica Matthews is a newly single mother of two. She lives in the small town of Broken Heart, Oklahoma where she spends her days the way most mothers do, cooking, cleaning and taking care of her kids. Jessica is my kind of mother, too. Just enough sass in her to keep me laughing, and all the love in the world for her kids.

When her son forgets (again) to do his only chore of taking out the garbage, Jessica gathers it up to take to the curb. The next thing she knows, she is being attacked by a stinky, hairy stranger and she can literally feel the life leaving her body. It is only the thought of leaving her children parentless that keeps Jessica from giving in completely. None the less, she stills finds herself meeting her end... "For those that know me, meeting my end among muttered curses and spilled refuse was not a great shock. But, shock or not, it was still a crappy way to go."

However, instead of floating away and standing at the Pearly Gates, the next thing Jessica knows, her mouth is latched onto the incredibly muscled thigh of the incredibly good looking (and naked) Patrick. Jessica then finds out that she is now a vampire and the supposed soul mate of Patrick.

But Jessica is not the only victim of Hungry and Hairy, ten other townspeople had been attacked and then saved by being turned into vampires, including the young tart that had had an affair with her husband. And if that isn't enough to deal with, Hungry and Hairy? Yeah, that would be Patrick's twin brother Lorcan.

At a meeting in the school gym, the newly turned town finds out that there is a group of older vampires and other paranormal creatures that make up the Consortium, and they have secretly been buying out the property in Broken Heart, so that they could turn the town into a safe haven for the paranormal. They also find out that there is a group of vampires known as Wraiths, that do not share their views and would like nothing more than to see them destroyed.

There is also a terrible disease called the Taint that is plaguing the vampires, and the Consortium has found a cure and the Wraiths want it. So on top of learning to be a vampire, getting their kids acclimated to a new lifestyle, and finding Lorcan, the new Vampires of Broken Heart have a lot to deal with.

Add to all of the above a jealous vampire Nara, who wants Patrick, to Jessica's troubles and you have an amazingly fast, fun, and touching read. One of my favorite quotes of the book is when Nara starts to get in Jessica's face and Jessica says, "I have faced down bitchy PTA presidents, power-hungry principal's, and Girl Scout leaders with cookie-sale complexes. Nara had no idea who she was dealing with." I'm telling you, Jessica is my kind of girl!

There were moments in this book that had me laughing out loud. There were moments in this book that had me sitting on the edge of my chair. And then there were moments in this book that just made sense - "Life's road often forked at unexpected moments." "...life is about choices. Sometimes you fight, sometimes you flee, but you never surrender." "Life is change. So what if you don't know what's going to happen next week or next century? You only have to live now, right now..." Are those quotes just not absolutely fabulous?

Another thing that I really enjoyed about this book was how Bardsley explained the creation of vampires. In so many paranormal books that involve vampires, you get very little explination of the origins of vamps, and it is rare, when you get an explination that is really creative. Bardsley managed to make the creation of vampirekind (yes, that is a word. My word.) something interesting and imaginitive, but also a tie in to one of the central themes of the book - What would you do to protect your child and keep them with you? I think the answer to that question is without a doubt - Anything in my power.

I think I could go on and on about this book and never do it justice. It really did have it all. A bit of suspense, laughs, insight, oh and HOT, HOT, HOT moments between Jessica and Patrick. I'm telling you right now, make sure you have a fan handy when you read this.

I'm also glad to say, that this is only the first book of the Broken Heart Vampire's. In July of 2007, the next installment will be out, and from the little excerpt at the end of this book, it promises to be every bit as good. So, what are you waiting for, GO GET THIS BOOK!

Take Care

Jennifer Scales and the Messenger of Light

I have in my possession, dear readers, TWO of the books for this months contest. My lovely mail carrier delivered unto my mailbox this Saturday a package that contained BOTH the Jennifer Scales books, SIGNED by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi and they threw in a very cool Jennifer Scales pin. So, it is with great regret I must now say to you, there will no longer be 5 books up for grabs. Nope, only 3. I MUST keep these books for myself. I have found myself so enamored of Jennifer and her life, that I cannot bear the thought of parting with the sacred signed books. Oh calm down! I'm KIDDING! Not about having the books, because I do have them. I'm kidding about not giving them away. I will, no doubt, shed a few tears for what could have been mine, BUT, on October 31st, when the winner is announced and I have their snail mail address, I will head to the Post Office and bid farewell to the new, never been read, completely signed, and absolutely fabulous books and pin. I will be consoled with the knowledge that the books will be going to some one who is completely fabulous - one of our readers! And now - on with the review!

Jennifer Scales and the Messenger of Light by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi
(BCC)

Where would you find weredragons, beaststalkers, and werachnids? You guessed it. MY family reunion...

Getting through high school is hard enough. Then add my weredragon life, with the trips to Crescent Valley to morph into a dragon under the constant threat of enemy attack. What's worse, I'm also half beastalker from my mom's side. Beastalkers and weredragrons are mortal enemies, and tension is growing over some suspicious deaths lately. I must prove to both sides that they can live in harmony, just like my family. Well, most of the time...

And get this: I have a half brother with a few too many legs. Too bad he's bent on some payback for a lifetime of abandonment and my dad is his number-one target. my life's starting to look like a daytime talk show. Somehow I have to convince everyone to get along, before they take matters into their own claws...

I give up. I like this BCC, too. I stand by my assumption (yes, I know what happens when one assumes, in fact, I'm counting on it, I need fodder people!) that publishers of YA novels feel that tricking young readers would be far too detrimental for sales.

After reading Ancient Furnace I had very high expectations for this book, and am pleased to announce - all expectations were met and exceeded. The writing was stronger than ever in this installment, the plot had so many twists and turns, that I could not wait to see how everything would unfold. Yet, I found myself wanting to read slower, to savor the words and to live in the world they created for just a while longer.

Jennifer Scales is looking on her 15th birthday in awe of the turns her life has taken the last year. She had discovered she is not only a weredragon, but The Ancient Furnace, a legend of her people that believe the furnace encompasses the source of their power. She has also discovered that she is half-Beaststalker on her mother's side. Not only must Jennifer master her dragon skills, she must also master the skills of the Beaststalkers - the skills to kill other weredragons and werachnids.

And as the BCC suggests, deaths start to take place and they all seem to have one thing in common - her family. Tired of the secrets that make up her life, Jennifer rebels by bringing a "younger" weredragon with her to the sacred Cresent Valley, and ends up reveling her Beastalker half to the rest of her peers, when that friend finds herself in danger. As you can guess, the other weredragons do not take too kindly to finding out that a Beaststalker is among them. Jennifer must prove herself worthy to the weredragons by undergoing the Fifty Trials.

I want so badly to tell you all about this book, unfortunately, there is no way to do that without completely filling the review with spoilers. There were two particular things I liked about this book. One - Hope. Having hope for a better future - a future where all kinds (even mortal enemies) can live in peace, was a BIG theme in this book. With everything going on in today's world, I think Hope is something we could all use a little of. The other was the fact that Jennifer was dealing with secrets, HUGE, life altering secrets, and she realized that it was hurting her more to keep them, than to share them with her friends. That is a tough lesson in life to learn, when to keep the burden on your own shoulders and when to share the load. Exceptionally done!

I want to share some bits of the book right now, the following is a group of quotes from the book that I think the publisher could have used for the BCC. I know, I liked this BCC, but when Jennifer comes clean of her secrets to her best friend sums up beautifully the essence of the book. "....So I'm part beaststalker, too........Also, um, funny thing, ...a half brother. Kind of a half-dragon, half-spider thing...Yeah. Um, one last thing. The half brother's from a completely different dimension...and he wants to kill everyone close to my dad. Including me..." I've obviously pieced together a few different sentences up there, but I didn't want to spoil some of the events in the book up to this point. But as you can see, Jennifer is up against some very difficult things in this book.

"I will enjoy hunting you tonight. What is it you beaststalkers like to say? "Ready yourself, or ready your soul." Sister. "

That's another one of my very favorite parts. This is where Jennifer finally faces off against her half sibling and the tension the author's write into the scenes is amazing. As I've said before, the writing in this book was so very strong. We get insights into the past and see them fused with the present. Phenomenal.

The book wasn't all suspense and secrets though. There were several times I laughed out loud and felt my heart touched by the people and circumstances in Jennifer's life. There was also a point in the book when I cried. I love a book that can do that to me. Touch me in all the right emotional places, and Messenger did that.

Jennifer has a rough task set out for her at the end of Messenger and I cannot wait until June to get my hands on the next installment (hint hint MJ and T, *cough* ARC *cough*). I will leave you with some sage advice given throughout the book, the last, coming from Jennifer's mom.

"...mark my words: Boys are sad..."

Go get this book! You will not be sorry you did. And don't forget to enter this months contest, you have until the 29th. Just leave us a comment or send us an e-mail, to deeanddeedish@sbcglobal.net telling us what paranormal trait or super-power you would most want to have and why. You could WIN these books! Also, don't forget the mini-contest and give me a snappy title to this post!

Take Care

braced2bite - Serena Robar

We are getting quite a few entries in this months contest, both in the comments section and through e-mail. Thank you to every one who is entering and spreading the word, and ThankYouThankYouThankYou, to the wonderful authors that are giving away signed books. The contest is still running and you have until Sunday, Oct. 29th to enter, so if you haven't yet, don't worry, there is still plenty of time! Remember, to enter the main contest this month, all you need to do is leave us a comment or send an e-mail to deeanddeedish@sbcglobal.net telling us what superpower/paranormal trait, you would like to have and why. Also, don't forget the mini contest we are running for a chance to win a copy (un-signed) of Playing With Fire by Gena Showalter. All you have to do to win that book is leave us a comment or send an e-mail to the above address with a catchy title to this review. And now, on with the review...

braced2bite by Serena Robar
(BCC)

Meet Colby Blanchard-cheerleader, fashionista, Daddy's little princess, bloodthirsty vampire...

I had it all. I was the popular cheerleader with the looks, the grade, and guys falling all over me Aidan Reynolds was destined to be my date for Homecoming, and I had the crown in the bag. Now wait, before you start hating me...

Things are going bad, way bad, Like, I'm turning into a vampire bad. Yellow eyes and pasty skin are not the hot look right now. And let's just say it's a good thing my dad happens to be an orthodontist, since he's had to fit me with special headgear to feed: My canines were taken out long ago so I could have this perfect smile. It makes it even harder to fit in with my new partners in blood sucking, especially because I'm only half vampire...

Can things get worse?

In two words: Uh, yeah! Now I have to defend my eternal life in front of a Vampire Council that doesn't see the point in a half vampire roaming the earth. Not to mention snag a date for Homecoming, get a college scholarship, and not fall fangs over heels for Thomas, the hottie Vampire Investigator who's trying to track down my attacker. I just can't give my heart to someone who secretly wants to run a stake through it. I have to protect myself from mortals and vampires. It's not just my life on the line here-it's my reputation...

It must just be a YA thing, because I have no beefs with this BCC either. My guess is, publishers think that younger readers will be less forgiving of the, ah, embellishments that they sometimes use to lure avid readers into buying books. Whatever the reason, this BCC was well written, it captures the tone well and describes the story even better.

Colby Blanchard has it all going for. At 16 she is Captain of the Cheerleading Squad, a star student taking AP classes, looks, friends, and her future well planned out. Sure there is some creepy attacker on the loose knocking girls down and scaring them, and sure they all seem to fit her description, but that sort of thing doesn't happen to girls like her. At least, that's what she thinks. Then one night after being stood up by her future Homecoming date, Colby walks home in shame, only to be surprised a short distance from her house by him.

When Colby wakes up by a ravine she walks home hoping that she can sneak in unnoticed by her parents. Imagine her surprise when she finds out TWO days had passed. Imagine her families surprise when she now has yellow eyes and powder white skin! Thank goodness Aunt Chloe is with them, because she seems to be the only one that knows what Colby has become. A vampire?!!

"...we are a family and what affects you, affects all of us. We stick together. That is what family does." I've mentioned before that one of the daunting tasks a YA author faces is adding in a few life lessons without seeming preachy, and Robar managed this task beautifully, as you can see by that quote. Shortly after Colby learns she is newly Undead, her family bands together to help make her transformation as easy as possible. Her mother helps her research vampires, her aunt tells her of her real life-experience with the Undead, and her dad makes her... "A fang headgear set. As if life wasn't hard enough for me, now I would be the laughingstock of vampires everywhere."

But even the love and understanding of her family offers little help when Colby is visited by two Investigators from The Tribunal Group. Thomas and Carl show up on Colby's door, both looking far better than any vampire has the right to, and begin to question Colby of the circumstances that lead to her being turned into one of the Undead. They serve Colby with an official summons to appear in front of the Vampire Tribunal. Suddenly, newly Undead Colby will have to defend her right to exist to a bunch of ancient Vampires. As if college interviews and Homecoming weren't enough to deal with.

Thomas has decided to help Colby with her defense, but can she really trust this hunk of a vampire, when his job very well may be to kill her? Or can she trust the maniac vampire "Chuck" who is responsible for her transformation?

I cannot express to you how much I enjoyed this book. Picture a cross between Legally Blonde and The Undead Series and you have the highly enjoyable Braced. Robar's next book Fangs 4 Freaks will be a continuation of Colby's adventures and will be available November 7th, and I for one cannot wait to get it. I have an appointment with an oral surgeon that day, so I can't think of anything more fitting to read.

Take Care

32AA, Michelle Cunnah

Isn't that just the cutest front cover you've ever seen? I mean, even my kids love it! Of course, trying to explain to my 6yo daughter why Michelle Cunnah put a bra on her book was interesting. Still though, all pink and pretty lace, with that little tag, it's just too perfect.

And why am I reviewing another Michelle Cunnah book, when the last review I did was also a Michelle Cunnah book? Well, I'll tell ya - because I can't get enough of her stuff. Since meeting her in Jersey, I just have the teeniest lil' fan girl crush on her, ok? The fact that she writes books that I just suck up like a Venti Mocha Chip Frappucino is an extra bonus.

I'm not going to talk about the BCC, for two reasons. First, that's Cherry Tea's thing, and the fact that she now has me reading the damn things is pretty funny. Second, she's right, they're hardly ever accurate. However, I can't fault the author for this, because they very rarely write their own BCC. So I'm not even going to mention that the BCC for this book does not do it justice. Again, if you read this BCC and you think, "Uh-huh. No way. Too light for me" then you are missing out.

Emmeline (Emma) Taylor has some definite ideas about what she wants for her 30th birthday. She wants a promotion at work, and she wants her live-in boyfriend (who also happens to be her boss) to propose. Instead, her promotion goes to someone else and her boyfriend goes out of town with someone else. She's left with an interesting collection of birthday gifts from her equally interesting collection of friends.

Emma tries to get over both of her disappointments, while also dealing with having to find a place to live, being a sympathetic ear to most of her friends, and coming to terms with her lack of, umm, well, cleavage. Being the 32AA daughter of a famous Manhattan plastic surgeon isn't always fun, especially when people can be so mean. Reading this, I have a brand new respect for people that are not so well-endowed. I never really thought about what it would be like to be not-so-well-endowed, but what Emma deals with is quite eye-opening. People actually make comments to her about her breast size. Can you imagine?

One of the things that I appreciated about Emma was that she was constantly battling her weight, by trying to gain more. Yes, I said gain. She's thin, and she thinks she should gain a few pounds. However, instead of just spooning in the Ben&Jerry's, she heads to the gym. It was actually refreshing to see a character make a plan to change something that she didn't like, a plan that did NOT include a visit to a surgeon, and stick to that plan. When she notices her newly toned arms, I actually cheer for her. Also, Emma is ok with her looks, regardless of her small bra size. She buys clothes that show off what she has, and she appreciates the way she looks in those clothes. It's nice that when she walks out the door of her place, she generally thinks "This is a good look for me", because she knows what works for her, yet she doesn't seem vain at all. I can't tell you how much I really, really, liked this.

This book was so much more than Donna Karan suits, Manolo Blahnik's, and Dolce & Gabbana bags. It delved into friendship, and why we pick the people that are our friends. It explored how society's expectations of physical beauty can be difficult to overcome. It tackled how hard it is to trust someone after you've been hurt. Though it's billed as chick-lit (and you know that I know that there is not a thing wrong with 'chick-lit'), really, it's so much more.

When I turned that last page, all I could think was "Damn. It's over already?" But in a good way. It was an enjoyable, fulfilling read. I laughed, I re-examined, I sniffled, and again, I remembered Michelle Cunnah sitting on a bench outside a hotel in Jersey. And if I could go back to that weekend when I met Michelle and do one thing, I'd hand her a t-shirt that said "I wrote a FABULOUS book, with a bra on the cover", ask her to put the t-shirt on, then I'd tell her "That's a really great look for you".

Because I know it would be.

Playing With Fire by Gena Showalter (And a SECOND contest)

I think I've pretty much demonstrated how lacking I am at catchy title writing, so I've decided to not even attempt it anymore. I have, however, decided to make a secondary contest this month. That's right, a SECOND contest for the month! NO! I say, it is NOT enough that we have FOUR SIGNED books to give away! I MUST give away another one. Although, this one won't be signed, unless of course, you want ME to sign it, then I could probably arrange that. This contest will be for a copy of the very book I am getting ready to review for you, Playing With Fire by the lovely Gena Showalter. All you have to do to win, is leave a comment or send me an e-mail at deeanddeedish@sbcglobal.net with a catchy title for this review. That simple. I'm hoping that your titles will help inspire me to greatness (or at the very least, show me what a catchy title actually looks like). And now, as I like to say, On with the review.

Playing With Fire by Gena Showalter
(BCC)

EARTH, WIND & FIRE aren't just a band anymore...

Used to be my greatest achievement was holding a job more than three days. Now suddenly I can shoot fireballs, chill your drink or blow-dry your hair at fifty paces with a blink of my eye!

It all started when this crazy scientist dropped something in my Grande Mocha Latte. Of course I got wicked sick. Next morning I'm waking up with this total hottie bending over me. He tells 1) his name is Rome Masters, 2) he's a government agent and 3) I can control the four elements with a thought.

He seems even less pleased by my (apparently irreversible) transformation than I am... Because now he'll have to kill me.

I'm really starting to get ticked, once again, I have no real beefs with this BCC. I KNOW! I cannot believe it either. I mean, really, if I can't dump all over it, what good will my reviews be? There is but one, albeit measly, point I could complain about, so I will. When she wakes up, he doesn't tell her his name is Rome Masters. He tells her only Rome, she learns the last name later on. I TOLD you it was measly, but come on, I'm itching to not like a BCC! It's my thing, what can I say?

I knew I was going to like this book when I opened it up and read the Dear Reader letter at the beginning. It actually made me giggle, and the book hadn't even started yet. Then, we get a look at Belle Jamison's resume right before Chapter One, and I was really ready for the story. Interesting reading, folks. And unfortunately, since the job I just talked about landing lasted only 2 weeks, I could sympathize with Belle from the get-go.

Belle Jamison has floated from dead end job to dead end job and she is getting mighty tired of it. She's ready for a little excitement in her life, but as the sole person responsible for her fathers health care she has little choice in the matter. Then, one incredibly bad day, the choice is made for her. As she takes a break from serving Richie Richersons coffee, Belle notices a man running for his life out of the building across the street. Storming into Belle's place of employment, he pleads with her for help as the people pursuing him run towards them. Frantic, the man hides, but not before he slips something into Belle's drink.

The next thing she knows, Belle is blowing a job interview (and I have to tell you, the way she relives this interview is hysterical) and sicker than a dog. And just as the BCC says, when Belle next wakes, she finds out that she now has the power over the 4 elements. She also finds out, that the gorgeous man in her room is there to neutralize her, and there are other people (very, very, bad people), out to get her so they can control her and use her newfound powers for evil.

Thrown into a paranormal world that she could have happily lived her life not knowing of, Belle must decide who to trust. With a little help from Tanner, a horny (and oh, so lovable character) Belle and Rome embark on a wild chase trying to get the formula from the crazy Dr. that slipped it to her before the bad guys do. Only problem, as time goes on, Belle isn't so sure her life is the most important thing on the line anymore. If things keep going the way they are, it just may be her heart at risk.

The story is told in First Person, and written so well, it actually felt like Belle Jamison and I were sitting down in our pajamas, having a little girl talk. There were also a few scenes in there where I thought Belle was in my house emitting flames, HOT, I tell ya!

When I started to read this book, I got out my little notepad and pen (just like always) to make note of certain lines or paragraphs that pop out at me, when I sat down to do this review, I saw I had made note of over 30 quotes and or pages, that had me laughing. No way could I put them all here, so I won't even try (do I hear, "cop out much?"). You'll just have to get the book for yourself (entering this contest would be a good way, hint, hint.)

In the end, I loved this book and cannot wait to get my hands on more of Ms. Showalter's work. I have to agree with Angela though, I wasn't too fond of the monicker Wonder Girl. My favorite of the ones they tried out was Homicidal Tendencies Wench, but that's just me.

So, don't forget to enter this months main contest by leaving me a comment or dropping an e-mail to deeanddeedish@sbcglobal.net with what superpower you would like to have and why, and also don't forget you could win a new copy of this book by giving this review a catchy title.

As always...

Take Care

YA Paranormal + Halloween = Contest! WIN WIN WIN!!!!

So, catchy titles are not my forte. What of it? My shortcomings in the title category, do not change the fact that the title is 100% accurate. We at Dee & Dee Dish have a most excellent contest for you lovely readers this month. I'll break the details down for you at the end of this review, just know that it is HUGE! We have SIGNED books to give away this month. Books - yes, plural. Serena Robar , MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi , and Gena Showalter have all graciously agreed to donate signed copies of their YA Paranormal Books to the winners of this months contest! Since I know every one is frothing at the mouth to hear the details, without further ado, I present you with a review of one of the books you will have a chance to win...

Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace by MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi
(BCC)

AND YOU THOUGHT PUBERTY SUCKED. TRY MORPHING INTO A DRAGON.

I knew that at this age I'd be going through a lot of changes - but blue scales? Claws? A snout? Come on! This is ridiculous and just so unfair. And I can't believe my parents waited until the day I nearly turned into a dragon to tell me that I am one - thanks to my dad's side of the family. Believe me, no amount of dieting can stop how big I grow when I turn dragon - and don't get me started on the tail!

This dragon thing is going to happen every crescent moon. Can I be any more of a freak? At least I have my grandfather to show me how to get by as a were-dragon. It's not easy. And I can't even tell my best friends because there are ancient enemies who want to destroy all dragons. As if my parents, school, and the soccer team weren't enough to deal with. Looks like it's up to me to protect the few fellow dragons that are still left or I won't see my next birthday. Forget about blowing out those candles. With this breath, I'll set the whole town on fire...

I'm a bit loathe to admit (and please, my lovelies, try not to have a heartattack about this) - that I can find absolutely NOTHING wrong with this BCC. It does what it is supposed to do, gives a good idea of the story and conveys well the attitude of the main character, while sucking me in and making me want to read the story within it's borders.

From the moment I started reading this book, I was hooked. Jennifer Scales is your average 14 year old. She argues with her parents, she is the star athlete on her school's soccer team, and she has best friends. All of that begins to change (okay, except for the arguing with her parents part, I mean, I know this is paranormal and all, but even for fiction that would be stretching things) the day of the Community Junior League Soccer Championship.

Jennifer's team, The Winoka Falcons, are in sudden death overtime against the Northwater Shooting Stars, and Jennifer wants the win. With time running out, Jennifer sees her shot and makes a FANTASTIC goal. So, why are her friends staring at her as if she just grew a second head?

It isn't long after that fateful game that Jennifer learns that she is a weredragon and every crescent moon she will change shapes. Jennifer isn't just a normal weredragon, however. She first transforms about two years earlier than most and she is a cross breed between the three dragon types (creeper, dasher, and trampler). Can you say "Freak, Much?"

But Jennifer needs to get over herself and but fast. The weredragons are a hated species with many enemies. There are Beastalkers and werachnids that would love to see them exterminated and soon begin to launch their first attack.

I just cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. There are reasons MJD is one of my favorite authors. Her ability to make the characters of her books believable is just one, and working with husband Anthony Alongi , has only strengthened this ability. Jennifer Scales is written with such true to life teenage angst, that I could actually remember what it was like to be 14 again, if only for a while. "In other words, this is a big vaudeville show, I'm your puppet, and you're both annoyed that I'm not moving and talking the way I'm supposed to with an arm jammed up my wooden butt!" Oh, if I was only as snarky as Jennifer, when I was 14!

I do not envy YA authors the task of writing a book for a younger market. The books not only need to entertain, but have some deeper meaning of life in them without being preachy. This fantastic duo delivered the goods. For instance, there is a part when Jennifer confides in one of her new friends and admits that she wasn't sure what she was going through was important, her friend tells her, "Listen Jennifer, if it's important to you, it's important." Or the time when Jennifer and her mother are trying to figure out who the bad guys are and her mother says, "Good and evil are not always so clear cut, dear...." I think that is one thing the younger generation should always know. And lastly, my favorite quote of the book, is when Jennifer confronts her mother about avoiding conflict and her mother replies, "I'm a doctor, honey. I heal. I see the results of conflict every day - school bullies who provoke my daughter, family members who hurt each other, and complete strangers who go at each other's throats because they're just a tiny bit different. No, I am not a big fan of conflict. I prefer discussion, and open minds." I hope, that as people read this book, they too realize that they prefer discussion and open minds.

I have already made this review longer than most, and I find that I could go on and on. I'll end it with saying, I have already ordered the second book of the series, Jennifer Scales and the Messenger of Light and two copies of The Ancient Furnace for other people (I am not lending my copy out). The minute you get a chance, you need to pick up this book, it is amazing!

And now, CONTEST DETAILS!!!!!

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be reviewing various paranormal books. All you have to do to enter the contest is COMMENT on one of the posts (make sure you comment on the PARANORMAL posts) and tell what paranormal creature or superpower would you want if given the chance. If you have trouble with the comment section, you can e-mail us at deeanddeedish@sbcglobal.net with your entry. On October 29th, I will post all of the entries in one post and bring the judges in. The winners will be announced on October 31st. Happy Halloween!!!

Take Care

Confessions of a Serial Dater

I want that picture to be bigger. I want it to be HUGE so you can see it, and it burns into your memory, and the next time you are in the bookstore, you will spot it out of the corner of your eye, and you will be drawn to it, you will pick it up, and you will BUY THIS BOOK. Yeah, how's that for a review, huh?

Ok, on a serious note, here's the deal. I am a huge fan of the Literary Chicks website. I found the LC because most of them (if not all, by now) are Cherries. I see a few of them post over on JCF sometimes, and I decided to check them out. My main interest was Alesia Holliday, because she is always so kind over on JCF. Then there's that Lani Diane Rich, who just makes me LMAO on a regular basis. Well, I headed over to the LC back in early spring, and dicovered that Beth Kendrick, of "My Favorite Mistake", is also part of the gang. Fast forward a few months, and I'm hooked on Whitney Gaskell and Eileen Rendahl as well. Most surprising to me though, is that I'm just gobsmacked by Michelle Cunnah. She's like a little English ray o' sunshine to light my dreary mornings, and I really look forward to reading her posts. This weekend, I had the perfect FGSF at the NJRW Conference. I got to meet, among other beautiful and famous people, MICHELLE CUNNAH. I will not bore you with all of the details, because you can read them all here. Suffice it to say, she's more amazing in person than she seems on the LC, and it was totally fantabulous getting to chat with her.

OK, first, I have to tell you that I did not like either the BCC or the title, after reading this book. To me, they seem to indicate that our heroine, Rosie, is flighty, indecisive, and just a tad on the immature side. So, if you've been holding off on this book because it sounds really chick-litty, light, or fluffy, set aside your fears. It's nothing like it sounds on the BCC.

On the personal front, Rosie has a boyfriend named Jonathon. He's trying to get a promotion at work, so he asks Rosie to attend a Christmas fundraiser. Jonathon has a Horrible Boss that insists on invading Rosie's personal space. When Rosie takes a drastic step to keep Horrible Boss from an unwanted liplock, interesting things happen. Those interesting things include watching her boyfriend go to the aid of Horrible Boss instead of her, and leaving the party with Dr. Love, a sexy stranger that literally whisks her off of her hurting feet and takes her away for coffee. Thus begins Rosie's tale of life and love in London.

On the work front, Rosie co-owns a company called Odd Jobs, where their mission is to find the right job for the right person. Their clients range from dames that want 24 hour catsitting, to clubs looking for drag queen reviews, with condom testers thrown into the mix (don't ask, just read!).

On the homefront, Rosie is dealing with a lot of crap, including her fairly crazy mum, her nympho octagenarian grandmother, and a lot of garden gnomes. Throw in a group of wacky friends, a psychotic cousin, and a horse named Candy, and you're in for a wild ride.

Rosie's tale delighted me. It was a strange cross between a Crusie and a Kinsella, and oh my friends, you know I love them both. So of course, Rosie was just my kind of chick!

If there was a single thing that I disliked about this book, it was that I never could figure out just why Rosie's cousin Elaine was so nasty. It was never really explained, and that bothered me a bit. But then again, maybe that's because I'm always so starry-eyed, and searching for the good in everyone. If someone is bad, then I think there just simply must be a reason for it, and with a reason, I can understand their very badness, and almost forgive them. Well, there is no explanation in this book, at least that I can remember, and that left me feeling a bit blue. Perhaps, Michelle Cunnah is hinting that some people are just plain old nasty, for no other reason than that is how they are. I don't like this at all, but I am forced to admit that she's probably right. That's my only gripe, and it isn't all that big.

What did I love about this book? It was pretty fast paced, it read well, it made sense, things flowed, I loved the characters, I loved the dialogue, I was invested in the outcome. The final scene had me literally sitting on the edge of my chair on my front porch, doing what I was doing the first time I met Michelle, holding my breath, and telling my kids to give me "just 3 more minutes, can't you see I'm almost done?". When I closed the book, I could almost hear the beginning strains of "Sweet Mystery of Life, at Last I've Found You" starting in the background.

You hit this one right out of the park, Michelle. And you created a FanGirl while doing it!

Murphy's Law by Lori Foster

Hello, Fellow Readers!!!!!! Hope all your reading has been happy lately (I know mine has) and you are getting some good recommendations from Dee and myself. Things have been incredibly nuts lately for us here at Dee&Dee Dish, so I apologize if it has been too far between reviews. I've already got 2 more books after this to review and several more for next week. Should be fun!!!

Before I start today's review, I need to make a few proclamations. Proclamation #1 - Serena Robar and Gena Showalter are pretty (understatement. check out those pics) proclamation #2 - Mary Janice Davidson and Anthony Alongi are the cutest married couple ever to pen prose. Proclamation #3 - All of the above authors have graciously donated signed books for this months contest (details to follow by the end of the week). I'm so pumped about this, I cannot mention it enough!!! Okay, on with the review.

Murphy's Law by Lori Foster
(Back Cover Copy)

ANYTHING THAT CAN GO WRONG........ Nothing is going to go wrong. Ashley Miles has worked too hard for her independence to let some Bentley-driving hunk named Quinton Murphy interfere with her plans - or her freedom. Yes, the chemistry is phenomenal. Kind of scary, actually. But that's it. NO emotional commitment.

.......WILL But he's so wonderful - a woman could fall in love... How did that happen? That wasn't part of the plan! Bust can she trust him? Really trust him? Them an is just so mysterious. There's only one solution: put it all on the line and see what Quinton does when she tells him how she feels. And hope everything that can go wrong...won't...

By far, the absolutely worst BCC I have ever read. Not because of the job it does describing the content of the book (the person that wrote that seems to have possibly read the book) but because of the way they chose to word it. This is not a YA novel (which I am quite fond of, this months contest shows that) but the wording of this BCC seems like it would be more at home on a teenage style book rather than a woman's Romance novel. I do not envy BCC writers their job. It must be very hard trying to summarize a novel in such a short amount of words and make it seem readable. Plus, they have to deal with people like me, who constantly find their attempts lacking. Does not sound like my idea of a fun way to earn a living.

Before I continue talking about the book, let me say, that in all honesty I cannot say this review will not be another FGSF , but I cannot, in all honesty say, that it will be. You see, normally for me to put a book or author in the FGSF category, I have to have read more than two of their books, and I have only read one other of Foster's books. BUT, I loved it very much, and bought this book the day it was released, so maybe I could call this a mini-FGSF.

I was first introduced to Foster's work with her book Jude's Law , which is also where I was introduced to the characters of this book - Ashley Miles and Quinton Murphy. I enjoyed Jude's Law immensely, and it left me wanting to know more about Ashley and her HEA. Thank goodness Foster had exactly that in mind.

Ashley Miles is the type of woman I admire and the type of woman I would love to have as my friend. Raised in a home where her parents were selfish and negligent, Ashley found friendship in the form of May, her best friend and, in her view, savior of her self worth. Ashley fought against serious odds to become an independent woman, one who takes care of herself and values that very much. She works hard to have what little she does. Working three jobs, Ashley also finds time to go to school and keep her eyes firmly planted on the prize. The prize being money in the bank, a job she loves, and a home she can call her own. Ashley has no desire to find a man, because a man could be very dangerous to her fulfilling her dreams.

But then comes along Quinton Murphy. The exact opposite of Ashley, he was raised by parents that loved him, doted on him, and when they died, left him very well off. Quinton is the CEO of his own company, who's office just happens to be in a building Ashley cleans as one of her jobs. Quiton is stricken with an unfamiliar feeling when he meets Ashley and he wants very much to get to know her better. But Ashley keeps her distance, she knows just how destructive a man could be.

When an old enemy resurfaces, Ashley finds herself in danger and, for once in her life, she finds she has more than May to rely on. Quinton is there, and wants to make sure she is safe. Somewhere along the way, Ashley and Quiton fall in love.

This book, was just what I needed. I was in need of a fast and FUN read and Foster delivered. Although I mention danger, and they do incorporate it, it plays a very minor role in this book. Murphy's Law is definitely more character driven than plot (and those characters did some very predictable Romance book plot things), but it is just what the Doctor ordered to calm my nerves.

If you find yourself wanting to read an entertaining book that will make you smile and warm your heart, Murphy's Law is the book for you. I recommend reading Jude's Law first, though not necessary it will be helpful. Plus, both books are a great way to spend some quality reading time.

Take Care

And The Winner Is........

The winner of our September Contest is BUNNY! Congratulations Bunny, you have won a $20 gift card to the bookseller of your choice!!!!

If you would kindly send your snail mail addy via e-mail to clancys7@hotmail.com or asaandabbee@gmail.com , with your preference of bookseller, we will get the gift card sent to you.

And, just want to give a quick heads-up (teaser) about our October Contest. I have been in contact with the authors of the YA Paranormal Blog and so far, I have Serena Robar on board to give away a signed copy of one of her books, and I also have Mary Janice Davidson and Anthony Alongi on board to give away signed copies of BOTH of their Jennifer Scales books that are out on the market!!!!

I am so excited about the contest, and details will follow in about a week. I don't have all the details worked out, and I am still waiting to hear from 3 more of the authors, but the contest will have something to do with Halloween. I mean, COME ON, YA Paranormal and Halloween just BEG to go together!!!

Once again, Congratulations Bunny!!!!!!!

Take Care

Werewolf Rising - R.L. LaFevers

Note from Charity: The following review is from our August contest winner, Rebecca. I think she not only did a fabulous job with her entry, but with the review as well. R.L. LaFevers is the featured author over on the Cherry Forums this month, so we're kicking it off here with another review of her latest Werewolf Rising. If I can talk Michael, who has also reviewed this book for us, Rebecca into it, I would like to do an interview with them about the other LaFevers books. So, hop on over to the Forums and ask LaFevers everything you ever wanted to know! And now, the review......


Hello blog readers! This is Rebecca, the winner of the contest you may have read about in earlier entries. After winning the contest, I was flattered when Charity invited me to write a review of the very book I won, Werewolf Rising by Robin LaFevers. I’d like to say thank you for that. I’ve never written a real book review before so I don’t really expect this to be as good as Dee’s and Charity’s but I hope you readers aren’t too disappointed. On to the book review!

I know you’ve read this in many of the other book reviews, but I must say it here too, this book’s back-cover blurb doesn’t do it justice. It stresses some plot points that play not-so important roles and doesn’t stress enough on some significant points. The one part I absolutely agree with is, “This fast paced adventure is full of supernatural magic and action that will sweep you into a world you never want to leave.” I do love the world Robin has created. It’s believable and doubly enveloping. It’s well filled in but still left me wishing for more knowledge about the werewolf society. Robin, if you’re reading this, WRITE A SEQUEL! Werewolf Rising left me wishing for one very very badly, to put it lightly.

I love the character portrayal of Luc in the story. Robin made a believable teenage character-- that really helped make an engrossing story and I completely identified with him even though I’m a girl and it might seem like this book is directed towards boys.

I think adults can enjoy this book as well as kids. It’s just a delightful story in a beautifully constructed world. I really can’t wait for Robin to write more books like Werewolf Rising.I’m really not all that great at writing reviews so I’ve run out of things to say. Just go buy a copy of the book and see how good it is for yourself.

;-)~Rebecca

Well done Rebecca. And I love how you included the comments on the BCC (as you know, my favorite part of a book ;))

Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

Hey there, I know it's been a while, and I apologize. We've been running a contest so I chose to use that as my excuse not to post a review. Not a very good excuse, I know, but I've been busy! I'll probably be very busy for the next few months because I have taken a job and I work nights. One of the really hard things about this job is that it is for a major (and when I say major, that is an understatement) internet company that supplies just about everything under the sun, including books. The books being everywhere is what makes it really hard for me. I see all those books and just want to sit down in an aisle and read. Not good, I think I would get fired if I ever gave into that temptation. The good thing about this job, is it is only temporary and will help us get through Christmas and still be sane. Also, there is a TON of walking involved with this job and I should be very skinny when it is all over. Yay, for skinny! And now, I'll get on with the review.....

Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

Let us start with the BCC, shall we? As you know by now, I don't normally read it. I did, however, read it this time, because I (ducking my head because I know I'm not in the majority here) am not a very big fan of Weiner's work and needed to know what the story was about. I had previously read In Her Shoes and was very disappointed in it and had vowed I would not be reading her again. But, when my sister sent me this and told me I HAD to read it, it was so GOOD! I would LOVE it, she promised, so I read the BCC and thought, huh, why not? The BCC to follow is in blue and my comments are the black.


Jennifer Weiner's richest, wittiest, most true-to-life novel yet tells the story of three very different women as they navigate one of life's most wonderful and perilous transitions: the journey of new motherhood. Sounds promising.

Becky is a plump, sexy chef who has a wonderful husband and baby girl, a restaurant that's received citywide acclaim-and the mother-in-law from hell. Kelly is an event planner who's struggling to balance work and motherhood while dealing with an unemployed husband who seems content to channel-surf for eight hours a day. Ayinde's basketball superstar husband breaks her trust at her most vulnerable moment, putting their new family even more in the public eye. Then there's Lia, a Philadelphia native who has left her Hollywood career behind, along with her husband, and a tragic secret to start her life all over again. Wait a minute, didn't the first paragraph say THREE women? Why are there FOUR listed here? Let me just re-check. Yep. THREE women is what it says. Let me just count, 1 - Becky, 2 - Kelly, 3 - Ayinde, and sure enough, there it is, 4 - Lia.

From prenatal yoga to postbirth sex, Little Earthquakes is a frank, funny, fiercely perceptive take on the comedies and tragedies of love and marriage.

The book is separated into months, and those months have a scene from each woman's POV. Lia's POV's are always first person and Becky, Kelly, and Ayinde are all written in 3rd Om. The fact that Lia was written in First and she is the first one we are introduced to, made me think of the book as hers. For some reason, this made it incredibly hard for me to bond with the other women.

I think for me, the main reason I didn't like the book much, was the ending. I never got that feeling of closure that I like with my books. It felt rushed and messy, and while I understand that life itself is fairly rushed and messy, I like my books to have a neat and tidy ending. They don't have to be happy endings (although I do love me a happy ending) but they do need to wrap things up nicely, and I didn't feel that this book did that.

Perhaps another reason for my dislike could be that there was a lot of bitching about how tough being a mother was. It is hard, I'll be the first to admit that. However, it is also wonderful to an extent that cannot be measured. The instances where the mothers felt or saw the joy in having a child were too few and far between. For me, it felt like mostly the babies were excuses for some of the unbelievable behavior of these women.

Also, the way in which the women handled some of the situations that arose in their lives just angered me. I wanted to throw the book across the room more than once because I felt the women had no back-bone, yet I knew that to not be the case, so why would the writer make them so STRONG in some situations, yet so positively WEAK and STUPID in other areas.

I'm not completely disappointed that I read this book. However, I probably won't be giving Weiner another try. She didn't get me with 'Hello', and she completely lost me with the 'How's it going?'

Take Care

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

"Naw, Jem, I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." Scout, from To Kill a Mockingbird

I can't think of a more profound line, in any book save the Bible, that totally captures my feelings about the world that we inhabit. Harper Lee, the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, could not have better summed up my feelings if she had asked me herself what I thought. How, in 1961, did a Southern woman writer create a work of art that still has the power to move people? I only wish I knew.

I read To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time almost 20 years ago. It was required reading in one of my English classes, so I read it. It wasn't a book that I would have normally read on my own, since it had nothing to do with romance or mythology. However, I can remember being moved by the story of Scout and Jem, their father Atticus, and the small Alabama town in which they lived. I had no idea how much the story said, or even what it said, the first time I read it. I just knew that I'd read something wonderful, something that brought that small town alive in my head. I understood Scout's struggle to figure out her place in her town, to untangle the mysteries of race and inequality, to fight against hypocrisy.

Jean Louise (Scout) Finch is growing up in Maycomb county, Alabama, during the Great Depression. She lives with her father, Atticus, the town lawyer. Her idol is her older brother, Jem. Calpurnia, the negro family housekeeper, is a major force in young Scout's life. Unlike many other families that Scout encounters, hers is near the top of the social ladder of her small town. Scout tries, throughout the book, to make sense of the class structure that seems to govern her life. Sometimes she's successful, sometimes she isn't. Throughout it all though, Scout learns that the true value of any person lies not in the eyes of their society, but in the heart of each individual person. Worth and value have nothing to do with skin color or social status. Every person is an individual, regardless of any instances of mob mentality.

I loved this book 20 years ago, but I don't know that I would have re-read it if it weren't for my husband. He sent me a link to a Google site that talks about Banned Book Week. Over 40 of Radcliffe Publishing House's 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century have been either challenged or banned. To Kill a Mockingbird is on that list of banned/challenged books. Being the slightly rebellious and intensely curious person that I am, I decided to re-read TKAM, and try to figure out just why the book has caused such an uproar. I mean, I have a high-schooler, and 5 more headed in that direction eventually. I should really know what they're supposed to be reading, right? So in I dove, and I didn't come to the surface for air for almost 20 hours.

What I've finally decided is that the challenges and banning of books boils down to fear and ignorance. I'm not calling people stupid (though I may have used that word in a fit of anger earlier when trying to explain this to my oldest child). I just think that ignorance is rampant these days, especially in regards to what people want to hide from other people. I'm NOT an African American. I'm not a Black, or a negro person. I can't even begin to comprehend some of the things that they have experienced, even in very recent history. However, I do belong to a minority, and I know how touchy I can be about certain things. I'm a Native American, of the Cheyenne tribe. My father likes to remind me that I'm an "Indian Princess", and he's not exaggerating. So I know a little bit about racism. Granted, my skin pigment isn't all that dark, and I'm usually mistaken for a Mexican (which carries it's own set of prejudices), but I can still understand the concept, ok? Yet, I can't find anything in this book that is malicious to any group of people.

Ms. Lee shows how it was in many small Southern towns during the great Depression. She doesn't try to hide the racism, she brings it right out into the open. You see it all through Scout's eyes, and it isn't always pretty. However, that's exactly what makes this book so incredible. The ugliness and the evil aren't hidden, the author doesn't try to pretend they don't exist. The reader sees them as Scout sees them, and they are ever-present parts of daily life. The difference with this book is that Ms. Lee doesn't try to excuse them, or justify them. She tells, through Scout's voice, just how wrong these things are. As the reader, you are exposed to hypocrisy (the missionary ladies that want to bring Christianity to tribes in Africa, yet think the black townspeople are getting too full of themselves), bigotry (Mrs. Dubose down the street, that doesn't approve of Atticus' new client), and family strife (Scout's own family is angry because Atticus is defending a black man accused of raping a white woman). While Scout realizes how prevalent these things are in her life, the reader has the chance to recognize a few things as well.

Racism still happens today. You really can't deny that. We may be moving forward, but we still have a long way to go. However, trying to ban a book because it uses the "N" word or other racial slurs, or because the reality that it presents is something you'd rather forget ever happened, is just NOT the answer. You can't hide the books and pretend these things never happened just because you're ashamed of them. Banning books is NEVER the answer.

Overcome your fears and pick this book up. Read it through and tell me if this story isn't beautiful. If you hate it, tell me that as well. I want to hear it. I can take it.

There are books and websites dedicated to unraveling this literary hunk of gold, and you can find a few of them here.

"But remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." - Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird

SEPTEMBER CONTEST!! WIN WIN WIN!!!

In honor of Banned Books Week (September 23-30), we're having a contest!

I'm doing a review on a Pulitzer Prize winning book that is on the Radcliffe Publishing list of the 100 best novels of the 20th century. It is one of the 42 books on that list that has been either banned or challenged. To see a list of all 42 books, click here.

What does my review have to do with the contest? EVERYTHING. Here's the deal:

- I will post my review on September 23, 2006.
- You will have ONE WEEK to either a) make a comment OR b) link to your own post/blog in a comment. Your comment/post/blog should tell me why/how one of the 42 books on the list made an impact on your life.
- You MUST comment/review a book from the list of the 42 banned/challenged books. While I know that there are many other very special books out there, this is Banned Book Week, and we're doing our part to promote some of these books that have been dissed over the years.
- One winner will be chosen in a random drawing, from all entries received. Your entry must be posted or linked by 1159pmEST, September 30, 2006. Late entries can not be accepted. If you are having problems posting a link, or commenting, please send me an e-mail (clancys7@hotmail.com) and I will post your entry for you.

I almost forgot about the prize...

The winner will receive a gift card for $20 from the bookseller of their choice. If you want one from Borders, just tell me. If you want a B&N, let me know. If you gotta have Amazon, clue me in. Really, any national bookseller that you choose will do, as long as it's possible for me to get the GC from them.

Now check that link and tell me how those banned or challenged books made a difference in your life!

1118

Smitten

Alright, confession time again - I read this book quite a while ago, but just had to do the other reviews first. Also, (Super Big Confession Alert) I wasn't sure I was even going to READ this book. That was, until I saw a review Marg had done on her blog Reading Adventures . I am a HUGE fan of The Plum Series , but have had a very hard time getting into the re-released romances of hers. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, and I think you will be, too.

Smitten by Janet Evanovich
Back Cover Copy

Ummmm. There is none. Just a pic of Evanovich. I suppose her name is enough to sell this one.

Basically, Smitten, the story of Lizabeth Kane, a divorced single mother of two young boys, who is in desperate need of a job. After being told she was under-qualified or over-qualified (I just looked at this, and when I did spell check I didn't pay much attention obviously, for it changed those two words to underclassmen and over zealous,lol), for many jobs, her hopes hand on getting job working construction.

Matt Hallahan owns the construction company that Lizabeth wants to work for, and he's not quite sure this little whip of a woman is cut out for the job. But, she's determined and he hasn't the heart to tell her no. Plus, she's awful cute.

Lizabeth and Matt experience instant chemistry. This is a short and sweet book, it has what I feel, were many characters that were probably used as place holders for some of the Plum book characters. It also has a naked stalker and lots of funny little bits.

If you want something light and fluffy, this is the book for you. I had it read in two hours, so it was a great way to kill some time. Enjoy

Take Care

Werewolf Rising, reviewed by Michael

From Dee:
I know you've been waiting for this for a while. Well, so I have. Finally though, I have a day off, and I can be around when my oldest son, Michael (seen here) does his first ever book review for our book blog. He read "Werewolf Rising" by R. L. LaFevers. If you'll recall, Robin (R.L.) was here last month, when the book first came out. She very generously donated a signed copy of her book for our very first contest winner. So, without further ado, here is what Michael has to say about the book...

WARNING: Michael has included a few SPOILERS!! Sorry to anyone that read the review before I posted the warning. Don't be too mad at him, he's never done this before. He got a little excited seeing his picture up there, what can I say?

The main character in this book is Luc. Luc is almost thirteen when the book starts. He lives with his aunt and uncle, because his parents are dead. He doesn't really like living with his aunt and uncle because his uncle is mean to him.

Luc has nightmares. He dreams about a beast. He thinks HE is the beast. As his 13th birthday gets closer, Luc starts to change. He can run faster, and he wants to eat squirrels. He's normally a slow motion guy, and a vegetarian.

Luc's other uncle, Ranger, shows up to take Luc away to where the rest of Luc's family lives. Ranger then tells Luc that his family is made up of wolves, and Luc is also a wolf. Luc doesn't believe Ranger at first, until Ranger turns into a wolf in front of Luc. Luc is nervous and excited at the same time.

Luc learns that his parents are dead because of wolf hunters. He also learns that his other uncle was part of their death. Luc is angry with his uncle about this. He runs away to find his uncle.

I liked this book. It had wolves in it, and I like wolves. The wolves ate weird things, like big deer. It was a book, but it was more like an action movie. Luc doesn't really think everything is fair in the pack, but he still likes the pack better than where he was living before. He feels like he finally found a home in the pack. At the end, there was a big wolf beside him, and they were running, and they went home together. Home is where all of the good things happen.

I hope that Robin writes another book. It doesn't have to be about Luc, but I like her writing. I liked the "Falconmaster" and the "Lowthar's Blade" trilogy. They're really cool. I think everybody else should read her books too.

A Kiss Of Shadows

If you have already read this book, you know it isn't a newly released book. It is, however, new to me. So, I thought I'd review it, because hey, I read it!

I used to be a big fan of Hamilton's Anita Blake series, but lately, she's really seemed to forget who Anita was. I don't mind character growth, especially in a series, after all, character growth is essential to keep a series alive. The problem is, Anita isn't even remotely who she used to be. In the last few books, the Anita I fell in love with is gone, and she has been replaced by some one I really, REALLY, don't like. All the books seem the same any more, Anita has sex, Anita finds out she has a new power, Anita has more sex. Not much fun in reading any more.

So, I was so very thrilled to read the first book in the Merry Gentry series, and find that I loved it. I'm the type of person who just hates to lose a favorite author, and if I hadn't read Merry I would have probably given up on Laurell K Hamilton .

A Kiss Of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton
(BCC)

Meredith Gentry, princess of the high court of faerie, is posing as a human in Los Angeles, working as a P.I. specializing in supernatural crime. But now the queen's assassin has been dispatched to fetch her back - whether she likes it or not. Suddenly Meredith finds herself a pawn in her aunt's deadly game. The job that awaits her: enjoy the constant company of the most beautiful immortal men in the world. The reward: the crown - and the opportunity to continue to live. The penalty for failure: death.

I really can't pick apart this BCC too much because they pretty much hit the nail on the head. So, instead I think I'll just give my opinion on the book (opinionated thing, aren't I?).

I really liked Merry. She's not full faerie, and is mortal, unlike her fellow sidhe. She is beautiful, of course, but she is also tough, and smart, both qualities I like very much in the books I read. I don't want to waste my time reading about some dumb bimbo who can't fend for herself. No need to worry, Merry can kick ass and take names all on her own.

Another thing I think I'm going to like about the Merry books is, unless she turns into a wimp or a prude, there isn't much room for Merry to deviate from who she starts out as. Merry is sexual, it is just the way of the faerie, she is sidhe, but not wholly so.

From the time she was sixteen she resided in the Unseelie Court, where her Aunt is the queen. Her uncle is the King of the Seelie Court, but the Seelie Court view themselves as the most beautiful and the best of the faerie and are very selective of who can be apart of their court, in the Unseelie Court, every one is welcome. This means that Merry grew up knowing monsters.

Merry's cousin Cel hates her. He is second in line for the thrown and sees her as his enemy. Merry had fled the courts because she kept getting challenged in Duels and was afraid for her life. Cel was behind these duels (basically a legal assassination attempt) but his mother was blind to her son's wrong doings. We mothers can be like that, huh?

After being on the run for three years, the Queen has decided she wants Merry home. When Merry finds her cover blown she takes off to hide. Only you cannot hide from the Queen of Air and Darkness. All it will take is some one to whisper her name and the Queen will hear it and know where she is.

Once Merry is back at the Unseelie Court she finds that her aunt does not want her dead, in fact she wants to make her her heir. Whoever has a child first, Merry or Cel, will be the next to sit on the throne.

This book was so action packed and had some really very hot scenes. The world Hamilton creates for Merry is filled with magic. If you like fantasy, mystery, and paranormal, this is the book for you!

Take Care

Just For Kicks

I told ya, I've been a reading fool lately! This makes four posts in a row for me and I still have several more to go, AND I'm going to the mall in a nearby town tomorrow, and this mall has a book store, so I will have many more reviews coming up! I also see that our stat counter is going up, up, UP, yet comments are still sparse. Drop us a line, wouldya? That way we know what you think. Let us know how we can improve and if there is a book you'd like to see our thoughts on. We love comments here! So don't be shy and jump right in!!!

I also want to give a big THANK YOU! to author R.L. LaFevers , she is the wonderful one that made it possible for us to run our first ever contest , for her generous donation of two sets of her Lowthar's Blade Trilogy for my schools library! I have already told the librarians and they are super excited! We have over 1,000 kids in our school this year, and unfortunately, our library is seriously outdated and in need of books. The kids are so totally gonna dig these books!

And now, without further ado.......

Just For Kicks by Susan Andersen
(Back Cover Copy)

Las Vegas showgirl Carly Jacobsen keeps finding out the hard way that her idea of fun differs radically from that of her neighbor Wolfgang Jones. Sure, he looks incredible, and he seems to have a thing for her legs, but the man is a robot. So what's with their chemistry?

Wolf has noticed Carly's legs, because they're always tangled up in leashes attached to her ridiculous assortment of pets. She's a pain, she's wacky, she's always in the way and yet for some reason he can't keep her out of his thoughts.

When a moment of weakness leads to some serious sheet-scorching sex, the two discover at least one area where they do both have fun. But outside the bedroom the stakes are getting higher, and love might come down to a roll of the dice...

I just want to know who the hell wrote that dribble? First of all, Wolf never, NOT ONCE, in the entire book runs into Carly as she is walking her dogs. Second of all, the only unruly dog she has would be Rufus, and his main problem is barking. Third of all, I can, in all honesty say, that I don't remember Wolf being that obsessed with Carly's legs. He's a guy, so yeah, he mentions them some, but give me a break, she's a SHOW GIRL, of course he's gonna notice those legs!

Also, in this book Wolf finds himself the guardian of his nephew - and I want you to listen up you BCC writers - THIS PLAYS A BIG PART IN THE BOOK!!!! If I were new to Andersen's books, I probably would not have given this one a second glance. And that would have been YOUR fault! It also would have been a shame, because this book is really, really very good.

At the start of every book, Anderson writes the reader a little note telling us about the book. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE BACK COVER! She describes the book so well. She captures the essence of what it is all about. FAMILY. Believe it or not. This book is more about family than not. Wolf and his nephew. Carly and the family of friends she has assembled.

Anderson has a way with the pen, dear blog reader. She has a knack for capturing your heart and heating your blood all at the same time. Carly is a kind hearted show girl working in an up-scale Vegas casino. Wolf is a hard ass Security Specialist working at the same casino. They also happen to be neighbors.

Carly has a soft spot for animals, especially those that have no where else to go. Her menagerie is a lovable lot, and you find yourself wishing you had all of these great animals. The main source of Carly and Wolf's tension is her one barking dog, and I have to say, I can relate. Our neighbors have a dog that barks ALL DAMN NIGHT. Drives me up a wall some nights.

Wolf has no soft spots. Well, that's what you think when you first meet him. This doesn't make him unlikeable though. In fact, it sort of made me feel sorry for him. He has a plan and he has been focusing on that plan since he was 16. He was an army brat, and being uprooted from city to city, country to country, and embassy to embassy, he wants nothing more than to accomplish his goals and find the stability he craves.

When Wolf's parents show up to leave his nephew with him, Wolf's life is turned upside down. By this point he has already discovered he shares physical chemistry with Carly, but it is his nephew, Nik, that helps to bring him and Carly together even more.

I loved that Andersen gave Nik a voice in this book. Seeing things from his POV was a real eye opener, and she wrote him so very well. I don't think every one could write a 17 year old boy better than she did.

Combine all of the above with some seriously hot and steamy scenes and a stalker and you have an excellent book. Just For Kicks is the follow up book to Skintight so we get to see some of the characters from that one in this. Andersen stayed true to those characters and I cannot thank her enough for that. This is a stand alone though, so don't worry if you haven't read Skintight you don't need to in order to follow along. It is just nice to see old friends again.

I love all of Andersen's books, but I think this one may have kicked her book Hot & Bothered to the number 2 slot for me. Both books are incredibly touching and did I mention HOT!!!!

Take Care

Gotta Cut Loose - FOOTLOOSE!

But keep on them Bellagio Shoes. Yeah, that was my attempt at channeling the song Footloose by Kenny Loggins . I did a horrible job, but I gotta tell you - Leanne Banks nails it with her latest release Footloose . Before I begin today's review, I have a few confessions to make. Confession # 1 - I actually read two other books before this for reviews but I loved this book so much I had to review it first. Confession # 2 - This is NOT the first time I have gushed about Leanne Banks and Confession # 3 - This will, much like my last review, be a total Fan Girl Squee Fest. I'm thinking I should make my own little alert symbol for that, because the list of authors who cause me to give a FGSF is getting l - o - n -g, dear readers! Plus, Leanne holds a special place in my heart because I've won one of her contests and she threw in extra stuffs for little ole me, and that was just too cool. I don't win much (can't say never since obviously I have now won sumpin') so the fact that she made it extra special for me was great! With all of that said........ON WITH THE FGSF - I mean review.

Footloose by Leanne Banks - (Back Cover Copy) Even on a tropical getaway, a girl's got to watch out for the sharks... Think working for a leading international shoe company sounds like a dream job? Not if you're Amelia Parker, an overworked, downtrodden temp working for Bellagio, Inc.'s grande dame, Lillian Bellagio. But things are looking up for Amelia. She's just been given the assignment of accompanying Ms. Bellagio to her estate in the Keys. Trading pumps for flip-flops and a cell phone for a conch shell - could be worse, right?

Especially when life on the island includes her very own misery man - one Jack "The Shark" O'Connell, dashing venture capitalist. He dares Amelia to use this time to do something wild: drink a hurricane, go skinny-dipping...Have an affair with a dangerously attractive man. Now Amelia will have to decided whether to step into that glass slipper.

Okay now, I just had to look up the word downtrodden in the dictionary, because I thought I knew what it meant, and that is a word I would not use to describe Amelia in this book. And now that I looked up the meaning, I still wouldn't use that word to describe Amelia. Heartbroken? Yes. Downtrodden? Not so much.

You all know how much merit I put into Back Cover Copy anyway (translation: I pay the stuff as little attention as possible because they hardly ever get it right) and truth be told, the first time I even looked at it was to type it above. I didn't need anything to sell me on this book, I was already sold. I loved the first books (Feet First and Underfoot ) that were set in the world of Bellagio Shoes, so I would have read this book if it simply said - Girl meets boy and BAM. Seriously.

Amelia Parker is Bellagio, Inc.'s super temp. She is assigned to whatever department that needs her and she solves their crisis de jour. She is great at turning chaos into order. This is how she finds herself in the Florida Keys working as Lillian Bellagio's assistant. Bellagio needs some one that can appease their toughest board member. Fresh from her third and final break from Will, her long term (and I mean since elementary school, long term) fiance, Amelia decides to use her time in paradise to transform her life. As she sits in a Tiki Bar drinking a Hurricane and working on her New Life To Do List, she meets Jack O'Connell.

Jack O'Connell is in the Florida Keys to wrap up some business of his own with Lillian Bellagio. As he sits at the bar sipping a Corona he sees Amelia working on her list and is compelled to meet her. Noticing her wallet sitting on the ground he seizes his opportunity to talk to the most interesting looking woman in the place. Jack is most delighted to learn that the fascinating woman with her list, just happens to work for the same woman he is brokering a deal with. What could possibly be wrong with having a little fun and getting some valuable company information at the same time?

For their time in the Key's Jack helps Amelia with her list and makes sure that most of his additions include the word naked. Amelia is different from any woman Jack has ever known. He knows that she just came out of a long term relationship and he knows that this should just be temporary. Just as Amelia knows that Jack should just be her temporary fling to get her world turning on its axis correctly again. So why is it that when Jack has to leave they both find themselves missing the other.

In fact, Jack has to leave to take his seat on the board at Bellagio. When Jack realizes how much he misses Amelia, he makes it possible for her to get a promotion and get herself back to Bellagio headquarters and closer to him. As soon as Amelia arrives back, she sees Jack and is instantly angry with him for letting her be the mole the company suspects he has. She feels betrayed and used. Jack realizes it is going to take some doing to get her back in his bed and in his quest to win her over again, they both realize they need each other.

The ending of this book was Romance at its best. Every girl will wish she had a Jack when she reads the ending of this book. Leanne did it again and I am in awe. Not only was this book HOT HOT HOT it was sweet in the sweetest of ways.

What was so interesting about this book for me was, it felt much more like Jack's story than Amelia's. The book is written in 3rd Limited (which you know I love) and most POV is Amelia's. But the growth and pain that is Jack's just stole my heart. My only regret that I read this book is in knowing it was the last book to be released that deal with the world of Bellagio Shoes. I love reading books that have ties to each other. Every book of the three is a stand alone and they indeed stand alone quite nicely. But, it is so neat to read a book and see the hero and heroine from a previous book resurface. It is like reconnecting with a good friend and getting to catch up with their lives.

I really enjoyed this book and I know you will too! So what are you waiting for? Go read it now! I know I will have it in the re-read pile!

Take Care

It's All About The Nerds Baby!!!

To tell you the truth, this will probably seem more like a FanGirl Squee Fest than an actual book review. I absolutely ADORE Vicki Lewis Thompson and her Nerd Books. As soon as I have one of these babies in my hot little hands, I read it all in one sitting. I don't drink the words in, I gulp them. For me, reading is the ultimate escape. I love to read books that let me experience a different life from my own, for just that few hours. Now, don't get me wrong, my life is actually quite nice, but a little bit of fantasy never hurt any one. And I gotta tell you, the nerds in these books really know how to get a girl's imagination fired up!

Nerds Like It Hot is Thompson's latest release of her wildly popular Nerd Books. This makes book number 6 for the nerds, and they just keep getting better and better and hotter and hotter.

(Back Cover Copy) She's unleashed her inner vixen.... Hollywood makeup artist Gillian McCormick wouldn't normally be caught dead on a cruise aimed at single geeks. But as the sole witness to a murder, hiding out may be her only chance at staying alive. With P.I. Lex Manchester guarding her, and a voluptuous disguise in place of her plain-Jane wardrobe, Gillian should be safe....if she can resist a titanic attraction to Lex that's making her fantasize about some extra-naughty cruise activities....

He's rediscovered his inner nerd.....Lex thought he had left behind his nerdy ways, but his suave demeanor has no chance against Gillian's bombshell image and smart, sexy woman within. And when the scent of seduction wafts through the sea air, what's a red-blooded male to do?

And the passion they've found is about to get out of contol..... With a passenger list that includes a mobster on a mission, a cross-dressing sociopath, and hundreds of lusty nerds, Lex must find a way to keep Gillian safe - and prove that he's truly her nerd for all seasons....

ARGH!!! I had this wonderful post all made up and then BOOM, Blogger decided it wasn't good enough and ate half of it. Thank You, Blogger.

Anyway, ever since I discovered the nerd books, I haven't been able to pass one by. I have all of the previous ones and this latest makes book 6 for the nerds. These aren't series books by the way, they are simply stand alones with the same theme - Nerds who are HOT!!!

Thompson writes in a way that just sucks you in. Once you start one of these books, you just cannot put them down. I mean, come on, where else can you find murder, mystery, love, steamy sex, mobsters, aging starlets and cross dressers? That's right, no where. Plus, I'm a HUGE nerd at heart. I was in NHS in high school, I played in the band, and loved anything that included learning. Finally, Thompson has showed the world that us nerds are not just frumpy brainiacs that don't know how to have fun.

In Nerds Like It Hot Gillian is set to go on a pleasure cruise designed with the nerd in mind. Too bad that Gillian is running for her life and can't just relax with her hunk bodyguard Lex. Or can she?

If you are looking for a great, fun read, pick this baby up right now and prepare for a wild ride. Thompson is a master of the nerd. So, if you haven't read any of these books yet, be prepared to NEVER look at nerds the same way.

Take Care