Books and books and books!

Have lots of work, an exam and am worrying like crazy!
Instead of studying for my exam, I had finished two more of Irene Adler series, “Good night Mr. Holmes” and “Irene at Large”.
Then finally finished “From Dead To Worse”. Poor Sookie had a really hard time in this book. Her selfish brother and his wife were causing trouble, Sookie found out that she has other OTHER relatives, there was a Were war and a vampire takeover and another witch has become her roommate. Wow, no wonder she was so grumpy in the whole book!
What else? Ah, yes; “Personal Demon” by Kelly Armstrong was great. First I thought Hope Adams narrative is weak, hence the need for sharing the narrative with Lucas. But at the end I saw it as a clever storytelling technique that Ms. Armstrong used. Also as this story was very much related to Paige and Lucas’s life, it was fair to give them a voice too.
Else? “White Night” by Jim Butcher. I had heard so much about Dresden Files but never watched the TV series. I’m glad that I finally got a chance to read one of this series. Enjoyed it and am going to read the whole series. (After my exams of course!)
Also I have started “Embrace the Night” (Cassandra Palmer Series, Book 3) by Karen Chance.
Now I should get back to my homework and exam! Yuk!

Carole Nelson Douglas’ Irene series

I still have to finish “From Dead To Worse” but I’ve been reading four of Carole Nelson Douglas’ Irene series and been fascinated. What a great series!
If you ever wondered about Sherlock Holmes and want to know him more this is the mystery series for you!
The characters are unbelievably loveable. Irene is inspiring, beautiful and kind. Penelope (Nell) is funny and kind hearted in a stuffy English way. Oh, you will wish to meet Godfrey and Quentin. I’ve read "The Advanturess", “Irene’s Last Waltz”, “Chapel Noir”, “Castle Rouge” and “Spider Dance” and loved all of them.
Some of the mysteries are not original but Ms. Douglas more than made up for unoriginality with her great storytelling skills and unexpected twists in the story.
There are three more books in the series which I will hunt down as soon as possible.
Also I wait impatiently for the next book in the series. Unfortunately there is no information about future books of this series in author’s weblog. If you know anything about future adventures of Irene and cohorts, please let me know!

New Mysteries

Finished “The Painter of Battles”. I’m saying again: Perez-Reverte is a genius! The finale was great, unexpected, when Faulques confesses… also you could see how the struggle for love, life and reason was happening and how … No, I won’t say more. Go read the book!
Also finished “Summer in the City” and loved it!
Have started the latest book of Sookie Stackhouse series, “From Dead to Worse” (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 8) by Charlaine Harris. Looking great so far!
Another book I’ve started: “Gone with the Witch” (Triplet Witch Trilogy, Book 2) by Annette Blair. Remember the triplet sisters in Salem? OK, this is the story of Storm, the middle sister.
And a new mystery series by Carole Nelson Douglas, featuring Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler. I’ve started with the second book “The Adventuress” or as in early editions “Good Morning, Irene”. Had a funny narrator, great story and famous characters. Loved the book and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Nagging!

I’m nagging so if you don’t like it, don’t read this post!
I have three toxicology problems to research and write essays for, also two other design problems which I have no idea how to approach and all are due tomorrow. Worse yet, I don’t feel like doing anything serious, want to sleep and dream only.
Bad chance and all, a couple of weeks ago I saw a maxi floral dress (right on trend) in a store. It was white cotton with orange flowers on it and the lining was cotton too. The price was great and the style also, what am I saying; it was perfect and I didn’t buy it! Darn it! I’ve been thinking about it. So went back Tuesday, they didn’t have it anymore! I went to another store yesterday and no, they didn’t have it either! They don’t have it online either! It’s gone, totally gone! I’m so frustrated! Why should I waste two weeks thinking about it and then get so disappointed? I should have got it on the spot and didn’t! I want that dress, it was so me!!! I so want it!

Savvy shopper!

Oh, I’m so going to boast! I’m going to make you all jealous, yeah, yeah! And I don’t care if you think I’m being shallow and vain (huh huh!) I’m so excited I’m gonna burst!
Here is the story:
I have been looking for a good size leather tote bag (like forever!) and also I’ve been looking for an UN-monogramed leather bag from a very famous brand. Friends know I don’t like that brand because everyone is carrying a monogrammed bag of it and there are a lot of fakes around too. Anyway, I found a dark brown leather tote of this brand WITHOUT the monogram and other pretentious jingles and it was half price! Annnnnd I had a 20% membership discount for the store and I had a little store credit too… the bag finally came out in one third of the retail price! You should envy me! (evil laugh)
And that little red wallet I had my eyes on also came out next to nothing. I gave it to myself as a good-job gift! It is the cutest, ruby red patent leather with red leather linings and only 2 ½ by 3 ¾ inch. Just perfect!
Now if I only could find that other bag from another brand I’m lusting after! Oh well, I can wait!

Around the books in one week!

I have finished a little mystery book “Dying in style: Josie Marcus, mystery shopper” by Elaine Viets. It wasn’t very well written (that’s the kindest thing I can say about it!).
I’m reading “Kitty and the silver bullet” by Carrie Vaughn. So far it doesn’t measure up to her other books. Let see how it goes!
And I’m reading “Summer in the City” by Robyn Sisman. It is a funny story of two people from two sides of Atlantic changing homes and jobs and… a little cliché but fun never less.
What else? Ooooh, yeah! You know that genius Spanish author Arturo Perez-Reverte? Well, his latest book is “The Painter of Battles” the story of a retired war photographer and a soldier whom he took his picture years ago. Andres Faulques is hiding from the world in a lighthouse tower and is painting a mural of all the wars he has seen, a visual memorial of all the places and people and pain he has witnessed. The visitor (soldier) tells him he is here to kill him and it starts an amazing story!
So far the book has been enchanting.

Kim Harrison’s books

Did you miss me? I’ve been super busy! I had a couple of projects and homework I had to work on and we are remodeling parts of our house and living in total chaos. Between helping dear hobby change the flooring and turning in essays on toxicants, I’ve been reading “The Outlaw Demon Wails” by Kim Harrison. I loved it, enjoyed it and reread it! Actually after reading it I started from the first book “Dead Witch Walking” and reread the whole series. I’m thinking maybe Rachel is going to fall in love with Trent. Yes, she is tolerating him more, he is admiring her and understands her better. Rachel has been learning a lot about herself and she is becoming wiser (and stronger). She is not taking stupid risks anymore and knows that her friends relay on her. Well, what will happen when she learns demon magic? And also, I’m guessing Kisten’s killer is Rynn Cormel.
By god, I can’t wait for the next book!