Blood Brothers

There is something comforting about knowing what to expect each and every time you pick up a book by a certain author. There is no author more dependable than Nora Roberts and this book is no exception.



In this book (and trilogy) she sets the stage in the first few chapters and has all the players (H/H)meet and get to know each other in this first book. Call me old fashioned, but I like each book to be dedicated to the H/H and their character development.

This is another trilogy with a supernatural flair. My all time favorite trilogy with a little 'out of the ordinary' is her Chesapeake series. In this new Sign of the Seven Trilogy she has three couples and an epic battle. Sound familiar? I do not want to sound like the book was no good, I hgave it an B people! Like all her books the writing is fantastic, the dialogue is good and sometimes sassy and the friendships built are endearing.

I think what makes her more recent stores different from Inner Harbor or Enchanted is that the stores are not dedicated to the growing feelings of the characters rather the battle to be fought against evil. And the feeling that I have seen all this before (In the Garden, Key Trilogy, Circle Trilogy...)

So I am giving this book a solid B. It will go on my shelf and in May when the next book comes out will pick it up to see where the characters are going. A nice solid book from an author that you know will always give you what you expect.

Fallen Angels

WOW- this book has three stories in it.

Beguiled: Dane and Angel. I like Dane. However I felt this book was a little rushed. Everything was going along great. We had banter, chemistry, new characters popping in and everything was good. I really liked the twin switching and the baby. Not to mention Mick... he needs his own story. There was even a little mystery thrown in which you do no always see in true romance.

Then BAM! The story unfolds in front of you like it was puked up by some toddler and there it all is. I would have loved to see Angel and Dane working out the 'Derek thing' a little more instead of tying the story up with a little bow and a pat on the head. But yes I would read it again.

Wanton: I was looking forward to this one b/c I liked Alec and Celia from Beguiled. Now this story was not to fast. It was a good size but I just hate hate hate characters (OK FEMALE characters) that get themselves into trouble because they should not be doing what they are doing. Just like in the cheesy horror movies when we scream at the TV "Don't go down in the basement" I was doing the same thing to Celia. DUMMY. The love scenes were a little racy so at least that was enjoyable. This one gets a C.

Uncovered: This story made the book!! I loved the characters, the plot and just about everything about this book. EXCEPT it was too short. I wanted more dialogue, more Harris and Clair! This book was less than 100 pages and yet the author turned the words into friends. This one was a little racy too but not as much as Wanton. Great book!!!

Dance With The Devil

Is there a character you can dislike before his own story comes out then change your mind about? If so that is Zarek. From the start of the book, the helicopter ride and Sunshines bowl Zarek starts to grow on you. His vulnerability tugs at your heart strings and yet you want to shake him for being stubborn.

His banter with Sasha, his friendship with Jess and his carvings all endear him to the reader. Zarek is not a character I like, but he has many levels and makes for an interesting read. I like this book because it continues to peel off the layers that make up Ash. I am just dying for his own story to come out.

I reads this book after I read Val's story (which comes after this one of course) and it was great to get a glimpse of my favorite (or at least top three, they are tied) characters in this series.

Seize the Night

This was the first book I picked up in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. it was of course a few books into the series, however this book ranks in the top three for the Dark Hunters.

I loved Val. I loved how she created him to be reserved yet caring, arrogant and kind. Penisroni, transvestites and Versace in one book. It can't get much better than that right?

Great characters, Greek Gods, a good plot and some pretty funny adventures! Defiantly and A and maybe... maybe even some extra credit points here.

I have read this book, oh 7 or 8 times since I first purchased it, and in that time I have read most of her other books in the series. One thing I loved about this book after reading others is how this book tied a few of my favorites together (Bride, Nick, Zarack etc) and gave must needed (OK just wanted) clues to Ash.

Maybe Baby

A women gets pregnant (surprise) does not tell the father (surprise) and then falls in love with the father. Have we seen this before? That is the plot of this book. Elaine Fox has the ability to take a so so plot line and make it a good book. And that is what she did here. A good book. The Jack Shepard character is interesting and likable. Dr. Delaney Poole's attempt at misdirection is silly at best and annoying at worst.

Like all of her books, this one has humor and the zany things her characters get themselves into never cease to amaze. This is not one of her best books, which are usually As, but this book is an enjoyable one that will entertain.

To Catch a Cheat

I had a hard time with this book at first. Marissa seemed too 'harsh' and bitter. Trent was a more likable character. The plot to get these two together was contrived and not that interesting. I actually but this put down at one point unsure if I was going to finish it.

Then a few weeks later I was rattling around my house wishing I had a new book to read when I saw this one on my shelf. I decided to pick it up and give it another go.

Towards the end of the book (actually, about the time they 'moved in' together) the characters started to speak to me and St. John's humor was finally funny. The last half of the book made up for in leaps and bounds the dull beginning.

Truth or Dare

This is one of my favorite authors! I give this book a solid B and a 1/2 racy. The stories are not what I expected when I picked up this book, and I was pleasantly surprised by that. However, the stories are short, the first one is less than 90 pages, so the characters do not have time to develop and meld.

This book is made up of three stories that are intertwined to a certain degree.

But even with the space and time limitations, these books are a good read. Just be prepared to read them in the dark and alone, or someone may see you blush.

Simply Irresistible

This is one of the first books I read by this author, and in this book she set the bar high and continues to reach it! At first you do not like either of the main characters, you have some sympathy for them both, but the choices they make seem crazy.

However what the author has done is build a base and lets you into their minds. After the years pass and they meet again, you are ready to like them both and want to push them down the path to everlasting love faster than the author has planed. That my friends are characters you can sink your teeth into.

Friendships, family and friends that become family all work to give this book a warm and funny core. This is Ms. Gibson's first book on the hockey team, which are some of my favorites. I have read this particular one three times now... maybe I need to pick it up again...

Grade Explanations

These grades are my opinions. Who am I? I am an avid reader, I read anything and just about everything. I have hundreds of books on my shelf and this blog is a catalog of those books.

Grade D: Is not a rating I give lightly. It is only given to a book that I did not finish. It is uncommon for me not to finish reading a book so this should be given very rarely.

Grade C: This is a book that I did not engage with or enjoy a lot. I did finish it, so it was not horrible, but the chances of reading it again are slim. Usually books that get this are cookie cutter without the added benefit of having good character development.

Grade B: A book with a B rating is somewhat engaging with likable characters. This book will most likely be read again.

Grade A-: Good plot and good characters. This book with definitely be read again.

Grade A: This is a great book, engaging and entertaining. From the beginning the author brought you into the world of the book and did not let you go until the end. This book will be read over and over and over again.

Racy: this is given to book with more explicit content. This is not a pro or con rating, just an FYI for my readers.

Why don't you have a Grade F? Because any author that is published is a talented writer and just because I personally did not enjoy a book does not mean it is a failure.

Why do you talk about reading books again? A good barometer of a book is one that can be read again and still be enjoyed. It is as though the characters in the books become friends and you want to visit them all over. I believe that a book that has been read twice is good and a book that has been read four times is a masterpiece.

Texas Wildflower

It is not often that I choose not to finish a book. And it is even more rare that I do not finish a book by a favorite author. But that is where I am with Texas Wildflower. I picked it up because it was written by the very talented Susan Wiggs. I snatch up her books faster than I drive, and when I saw this one I just bought it. I did not even read the summary on the back.

When I started to read it, I saw her note in the front that it was a reprint. And I was glad to read her very first book. But the characters were so... unlikable. Really I have no other words to describe my feelings toward Shiloh and Justin. I did not like either one and really REALLY did not like Shiloh. I got about halfway through the book and put it down. A few days later I picked it back up (on the off chance it got better) and after another 25 pages or so, down it went again.

What did you think of this book dear readers? Was it just me?

Dakota Home

This was a must anticipated book for me. I really was looking forward to getting to know Maddy in this book. The glimpse I had of her in the first book and I enjoyed what I saw. The Jeb story, what he went through was also compelling.

However I was disappointed with the character development and the chemistry between the two characters. I am usually a huge fan of this author but this book did not live up to my expectations.

I am looking forward to the third book.

Dakota Home (Dakota Series #2)

Dakota Born

Dakota Born (Dakota Series #1)

Dakota Born

I read this book when I was in high school and I enjoyed it, However I could never find the second book in the series and therefore never read the third one. I was very pleased to read that these three books were going to be re-released this year.

This book and this author once again exceeded my expectations. I want to move to Buffalo Valley and have a soda at the pharmacy.

A great read, good characters and a story that grabs a hold of your heart.

Seaview Inn

I enjoy author Sheryl Woods! Her characters are always so life like and her books draw the reader into the world of the characters. This family dynamic was great, the grandmother made the story and the romance between Luke and Hannah while they were each struggling with their own issues was compelling. Her cancer conversation and the unwanted pregnancy were aspects rarely found in popular women's literature. *


This book is a great read, perfect for the beach or a rainy afternoon.



**I was a little concerned over the adoption language, some was riding the fence for adoptive parents and at one time I actually put the book down not sure if I was up to finishing it. That was the only reason this book was not given an A in my opinion.

Divorced, Desperate and Delicious

Sometimes it is scary to pick up a book by a new author. Is it really going to be any good or is it going to be a cookie cutter book? Are the Characters going to be the same as I have read countless times or will it be exciting.

And covers can be deceiving. I picked up this book at the grocery store and I was pleasantly surprised. The book is funny. Laugh out loud funny! And the plot was enjoyable and easy to follow. A good light read and an author I will definitely purchase again!

Stranger in My Arms

This was a book I was pleasantly surprised with. I am not the biggest fan of historical romances. I loved them when I was a kid, but as I grew older and became stronger as a women, I started to resent the Ton the dresses and honestly how many Earls of Westmoreland could there really be?

But then I found Lisa Kleypas and I found myself enjoying these timepiece stories. I think it is her ability to build her characters and have you rooting for the person in the wrong, hoping that they can turn it around and make it right. In this book, the hero comes back after years abroad and he is a changed man... or is he? Throughout the beginning of the story the reader is kept in the dark. Always wondering is he or is he not the true Hunter? She keeps the reader wondering at the mystery of Hunter, while cheering him on and still wanting to protect the wifes heart. Then the love affair grows and the mystery takes a back seat to the romance building between the characters.

This story was compelling with twist and turns and fantastic characters! The kind I like best.