The title somehow sums up my readings for these last few days.
I did enjoy “Hand of Isis” by Jo Graham. This was the first book I read of this author and I loved her style. She is a great storyteller. Charmian, Cleopatra and Iras are three daughters of Egypt Pharaoh but what holds them close is stronger than bonds of sisterhood alone. In the time of great political and historical changes these three try to restore greatness to their beloved country and its famous capital Alexandria. The will of gods and mortals, fate and choice knits together the most important changes in Egypt (or all of ancient world). From the greatness of Rome to the devotion of Egyptians to their gods, you see a time different and yet strangely very similar to our own. A mix of history, romance and a little magic the book is a true delight and hard to put down.
The part that planted itself firmly in my mind is when Agrippa propose to Charmian and how she answers. Those Romans were truly arrogant and had complete disregard for other cultures. Doesn’t it remind you of other nations, Britain in Victorian times, France under Napoleon and even today’s America?
“Demon Mistress” by Yasmine Galenorn is the sixth book of Sisters of the moon series, featuring half human-half Fae sisters Menolly, Delilah and Camille. The narrative is by Menolly, telling of strange disappearance of magical women in the neighborhood, a frat house of geeks and squid type astral demon attacks. Life is getting pretty interesting for these siblings and their harem of boyfriends.
“Nightseer” by Laurell K. Hamilton was an amazing story of adventure, attraction and magic. An enchantress princess is dealing with revals in school, prophetic dreams, and a persistence suitor when their keep and school is attacked and she is forced to face her old enemy. I enjoyed the book and I have to say it renewed my fate in Ms. Hamilton’s writing. As I’m thinking the Anita Blake series is getting boring and chaotic and Merry Gentry series is a little lose, I was wary of starting another book of hers but fortunately “Nightseer” had a strong plot, interesting characters and a wonderfully fun ending. I’m hoping Ms. Hamilton revisits these characters and write sequels for the story. I love to read more about the adventures of Keleios and Lothor and know if they can find and free their friends.
“Royal Flush” (A Royal Spyness Mystery, Book 3) by Rhys Bowen happens when Lady Georgiana (Georgie to her friends) starts a new business and out of naïveness makes an awfully embarrassing mistake. She is send to Scotland in shame and is given a couple of assignment along the way. Back home her family is host to a group of crass Americans including the persistence and infamous Mrs. Simpson. Georgie has to help her sister-in-law in getting rid of her unwanted guests, attend royal shooting parties and somehow make the dark and tall and yummy Darcy fall in love with her.
“An Accomplished Woman” by Jude Morgan is such a great story that midway into the book I put holds on the other books of her. It is England when Napoleon was in power and Lady Lydia Templeton is living the life of an unattached, independent and wealthy blue-stocking. She is happy and not seeking a husband when her godmother asks her to chaperon a young girl in Bath.
Reading all those lovely long and witty conversations are perfectly delicious when you are lounging on your beach chair and enjoying the cool breeze of sea and hearing the sound of waves.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Read, read and read more!
So many books and so little time to write about them. For whatever reason I was reading a lot about style and personality and French style:
“The little Black book of style” and “The One Hundred” by Nina Garcia. The first one is about style, trends, classics and famous style icons; the second one is about 100 more important and vital pieces and accessories a stylish girl should have.
“How to walk in High Heels” and “A year in High Heels” by Camilla Morton is again about your style, what to do when and the second book is a day to day guide book for improving yourself.
“Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl” by Debra Ollivier is about life style of French girls, how they eat, dress and decorate and how they look at life in general. A fun read.
“Joie De Vivre” by Robert Arbor and Katherine Whiteside is a fun French cookbook and life guide. A little old fashion maybe, but full of great simple recipes.
The fictions I read were more interesting and quite fun. Almost all of them which is very rare!
“Dogs and Goddesses” by Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart, and Lani Diane Rich was a great story. Three love story in one novel. Three women are trying to tame their crazy dogs by going to an obedience class. But the class is so strange that an instance friendship form between them as a way to deal with everything that’s happening to them. Was a good entertaining story, had good male and female characters and the three authors had worked perfectly together. Their other joined novel is “The unfortunate Miss Fortunes” which is also very funny and well written.
“Mona Lisa Darkening” by Sunny was OK. Much better than the last book of the series. I don’t like the characters and I think Mona Lisa is very weak but out of a morbid curiosity I keep following this series!
“Midnight’s daughter” (Dorina Basarab, Dhampir, Book 1) by Karen Chance was great. I love the world Ms. Chance has created and some of the characters from her Cassandra Palmer’s series and “On the Prowl” novella were in this story and … ooh, I just love Mircea! Well written, great plot, lovely well rounded characters, what else is there?!
My favorite funny story this last ten days or so was “Twenties Girl” by Sophie Kinsella. I finished the book in a couple of hours and so enjoyed it! It is funny (like her other books), have good characters although the plot is a little cheesy! I fell in love with Ed and loved Sadie. Also have started looking at 20’s style!
And last but not least finished latest Stephanie Plum book “Finger Lickin' Fifteen” by Janet Evanovich. In this one, Lula is the main character; she witnesses a murder and being shot at and threatened, and has her car and house blown up… Stephanie is staying with Ranger and working a case for him. There is a barbeque souse competition and Lula and Grandma are going to attend and win! It is mayhem, funny murders (I know!) and lots and lots of action, fires, explosions, fights and yeah, a flasher! Read it on the beach or by the pool for lots of laugh!
Enjoy your summer days, pick a good book and keep cool!
“The little Black book of style” and “The One Hundred” by Nina Garcia. The first one is about style, trends, classics and famous style icons; the second one is about 100 more important and vital pieces and accessories a stylish girl should have.
“How to walk in High Heels” and “A year in High Heels” by Camilla Morton is again about your style, what to do when and the second book is a day to day guide book for improving yourself.
“Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl” by Debra Ollivier is about life style of French girls, how they eat, dress and decorate and how they look at life in general. A fun read.
“Joie De Vivre” by Robert Arbor and Katherine Whiteside is a fun French cookbook and life guide. A little old fashion maybe, but full of great simple recipes.
The fictions I read were more interesting and quite fun. Almost all of them which is very rare!
“Dogs and Goddesses” by Jennifer Crusie, Anne Stuart, and Lani Diane Rich was a great story. Three love story in one novel. Three women are trying to tame their crazy dogs by going to an obedience class. But the class is so strange that an instance friendship form between them as a way to deal with everything that’s happening to them. Was a good entertaining story, had good male and female characters and the three authors had worked perfectly together. Their other joined novel is “The unfortunate Miss Fortunes” which is also very funny and well written.
“Mona Lisa Darkening” by Sunny was OK. Much better than the last book of the series. I don’t like the characters and I think Mona Lisa is very weak but out of a morbid curiosity I keep following this series!
“Midnight’s daughter” (Dorina Basarab, Dhampir, Book 1) by Karen Chance was great. I love the world Ms. Chance has created and some of the characters from her Cassandra Palmer’s series and “On the Prowl” novella were in this story and … ooh, I just love Mircea! Well written, great plot, lovely well rounded characters, what else is there?!
My favorite funny story this last ten days or so was “Twenties Girl” by Sophie Kinsella. I finished the book in a couple of hours and so enjoyed it! It is funny (like her other books), have good characters although the plot is a little cheesy! I fell in love with Ed and loved Sadie. Also have started looking at 20’s style!
And last but not least finished latest Stephanie Plum book “Finger Lickin' Fifteen” by Janet Evanovich. In this one, Lula is the main character; she witnesses a murder and being shot at and threatened, and has her car and house blown up… Stephanie is staying with Ranger and working a case for him. There is a barbeque souse competition and Lula and Grandma are going to attend and win! It is mayhem, funny murders (I know!) and lots and lots of action, fires, explosions, fights and yeah, a flasher! Read it on the beach or by the pool for lots of laugh!
Enjoy your summer days, pick a good book and keep cool!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Books, Beach and summer!
It is hot, it is humid and it is summer. What you can do except pick your hat and beach bag and current read and head to the beach (or the pool, a shady umbrella and a comfy chair)?
Finally read “Forever Princess” Book 10 of Princess’ diaries series by Meg Cabot. Yay, this is the last book! I couldn’t stand Mia anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her in first few books but in these last couple of books she had become so spoiled and self-righteous… anyway she is graduating, having her 18th birthday and breaking up with her perfect boyfriend PJ…
“Addition” by Toni Jordan is about a woman who likes to count! She is obsessed with numbers and a little eccentric (or maybe a lot)! The story is good but also frustrating! I couldn’t stand all that obsession!
“The Map of Moments” by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon was strange and confusing. It wasn’t a supernatural novel, it was… after Katrina a Max goes back to New Orleans to attend the funeral of a girl he loved, but someone tells him of possibility of bringing her back and then starts this voohoo story about moments…yes the girls come back but there is no rational reason for it… not voodoo, magic or… well I didn’t like it, someone else might love it!
“Keeper of Light and Dust” by Natasha Mostert was a great book. Based on mystic teaching of eastern martial arts, it tells the story of modern warriors and their protectors and also of someone who is afraid of death and steals the Chi (life energy) of others to extend his own life. As a mystery it was simple and you could guess who the villain is a few chapter in the book. But the love triangle was enchanting and the story telling mesmerizing. The plot and characters were strong. All and all a great book. I remember loving Ms. Mostert other book “Season of the witch” too.
“Mona Lisa Cravings” (Monere: Children of the Moon, Book 3) by Sunny was OK. I remember reading a review from QB where she compared this series to Merry Gentry series by LK Hamilton. And yes, I noticed the similarities here specially when Mona Lisa gets pregnant… but there are enough differences to make this series a very independent one! But what I didn’t like about the book was all these sex-is-vital-blahblah, like author was looking for an excuse to throw in sex scenes whenever she felt like it… also Mona Lisa’s character is not well defined, she says she loves her people but does nothing special to help them, she acts really stupid sometime… the book is not that strong but let’s say it is much better than some of the other supernatural romances that are on the shelves.
The best of my reads this week was “Some Girls Bite” A Chicagoland Vampires Novel by Chloe Neill. Merit, a 27 years old grad student; is attacked and is turned vampire against her will. It takes a long time for her to get adjusted to her new undead status but meanwhile she learns a lot about herself, her family, her new brethrens and her new powers. There is also this hot master vampire she hates and loves and sworn to protect whom makes everything much more complicated.
Well, it is 87° outside and even poolside is too hot to go (and I'm out of books! So I’m going to nap in my cool AC-ed room, dreaming of ... well something cool!!!
Finally read “Forever Princess” Book 10 of Princess’ diaries series by Meg Cabot. Yay, this is the last book! I couldn’t stand Mia anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I loved her in first few books but in these last couple of books she had become so spoiled and self-righteous… anyway she is graduating, having her 18th birthday and breaking up with her perfect boyfriend PJ…
“Addition” by Toni Jordan is about a woman who likes to count! She is obsessed with numbers and a little eccentric (or maybe a lot)! The story is good but also frustrating! I couldn’t stand all that obsession!
“The Map of Moments” by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon was strange and confusing. It wasn’t a supernatural novel, it was… after Katrina a Max goes back to New Orleans to attend the funeral of a girl he loved, but someone tells him of possibility of bringing her back and then starts this voohoo story about moments…yes the girls come back but there is no rational reason for it… not voodoo, magic or… well I didn’t like it, someone else might love it!
“Keeper of Light and Dust” by Natasha Mostert was a great book. Based on mystic teaching of eastern martial arts, it tells the story of modern warriors and their protectors and also of someone who is afraid of death and steals the Chi (life energy) of others to extend his own life. As a mystery it was simple and you could guess who the villain is a few chapter in the book. But the love triangle was enchanting and the story telling mesmerizing. The plot and characters were strong. All and all a great book. I remember loving Ms. Mostert other book “Season of the witch” too.
“Mona Lisa Cravings” (Monere: Children of the Moon, Book 3) by Sunny was OK. I remember reading a review from QB where she compared this series to Merry Gentry series by LK Hamilton. And yes, I noticed the similarities here specially when Mona Lisa gets pregnant… but there are enough differences to make this series a very independent one! But what I didn’t like about the book was all these sex-is-vital-blahblah, like author was looking for an excuse to throw in sex scenes whenever she felt like it… also Mona Lisa’s character is not well defined, she says she loves her people but does nothing special to help them, she acts really stupid sometime… the book is not that strong but let’s say it is much better than some of the other supernatural romances that are on the shelves.
The best of my reads this week was “Some Girls Bite” A Chicagoland Vampires Novel by Chloe Neill. Merit, a 27 years old grad student; is attacked and is turned vampire against her will. It takes a long time for her to get adjusted to her new undead status but meanwhile she learns a lot about herself, her family, her new brethrens and her new powers. There is also this hot master vampire she hates and loves and sworn to protect whom makes everything much more complicated.
Well, it is 87° outside and even poolside is too hot to go (and I'm out of books! So I’m going to nap in my cool AC-ed room, dreaming of ... well something cool!!!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Happiness for cheap!
This little trio has made me happy for more than a week now.All for less than $ 16.00 ! Enjoy!
Revlon nail polish $2.99, Claire’s Flower ring $6.99, Claire’s Flower pin $5.99.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Awww, for the love of Chocolate!
Seems a long time and no report of new chocolate, so here it is a collection of international chocolates I have experienced recently:
“Choco Stones” made in Korea taste like Nestle Smarties but are shaped like little pebbles and are in colors of rocks as well. Has pictures of Flintstones on the package. Eating these I felt like rock-eating troll in “Never-Ending Story”!
I was quite happy with my Toblerone Milk and White chocolate bars with almonds and honey nuggets until a friend shattered my satisfaction with an act of good will!
This wonderful friend of mine brought us three huge (we are talking 3.5 by 11.5 inches!) bars of Nestle Swisss Chocolat Brut, wonderful milk chocolate with hazelnuts and almonds and black currant chunks in. Dear hubby and I have been enjoying these chocolates so much, nothing else compares to them!
“Creation 70% Pure Chocolate Bar” from Lindt has 70% cacao dark chocolate with rich dark chocolate mousse filling. The mousse is sweeter and balances the bitterness of the shell.
Also from Hawaii “Mauna Loa” macadamia nuts covered with Dark chocolate: very tasty and very presentable!
Ooh, shouldn’t forget my quite recent discovery from World Market store:
The store brand chocolate comes in different cocoa percentages and with lots of different flavors. I have tried and loved their Dark chocolate with Caramel truffle, Chili and Pomegranate flavor and also their plain milk chocolate. Their “Chocolate Cappuccino Spread” is delicious too, I say much better than “Nutella”! The chocolate quality is good and with a wide range of flavors and cocoa percentages they sure cater to every taste! I say with $2 a bar you got nothing to lose, go aheah and explore all the wonderful flavores!
“Choco Stones” made in Korea taste like Nestle Smarties but are shaped like little pebbles and are in colors of rocks as well. Has pictures of Flintstones on the package. Eating these I felt like rock-eating troll in “Never-Ending Story”!
I was quite happy with my Toblerone Milk and White chocolate bars with almonds and honey nuggets until a friend shattered my satisfaction with an act of good will!
This wonderful friend of mine brought us three huge (we are talking 3.5 by 11.5 inches!) bars of Nestle Swisss Chocolat Brut, wonderful milk chocolate with hazelnuts and almonds and black currant chunks in. Dear hubby and I have been enjoying these chocolates so much, nothing else compares to them!
“Creation 70% Pure Chocolate Bar” from Lindt has 70% cacao dark chocolate with rich dark chocolate mousse filling. The mousse is sweeter and balances the bitterness of the shell.
Also from Hawaii “Mauna Loa” macadamia nuts covered with Dark chocolate: very tasty and very presentable!
Ooh, shouldn’t forget my quite recent discovery from World Market store:
The store brand chocolate comes in different cocoa percentages and with lots of different flavors. I have tried and loved their Dark chocolate with Caramel truffle, Chili and Pomegranate flavor and also their plain milk chocolate. Their “Chocolate Cappuccino Spread” is delicious too, I say much better than “Nutella”! The chocolate quality is good and with a wide range of flavors and cocoa percentages they sure cater to every taste! I say with $2 a bar you got nothing to lose, go aheah and explore all the wonderful flavores!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
More important than books
It has been a really hard couple of weeks for me. Lots of stress, many sleepless nights and …Well forget it! Sometimes we can’t do anything and just suffer…
Have been reading two books by Christopher Moore:
“A Dirty Job” is about a beta male name Charlie Asher. His wife gives birth and passes away and strange stuff starts happening. People drop dead whenever he passes and his infant daughter is…. Go read the book my dears! It is funny true to Moore’s style and full of quirky little jokes. If someone could make the Death and afterlife funny it is Christopher Moore (so very suited for my recent mood of gloom and doom!)
“Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal” is self explanatory! Have you ever wondered what happened in those thirty years between birth of Jesus and his baptism? Well here is your chance to find out and enjoy a humorous journey as well!
These were two of the best books I recently read!
Then “Unusual suspects” a collection of 12 novellas. The stories are quite good and well the mysteries engaging. Also stories are not long to be boring which is a big plus in my opinion.
“Living The Vida Lola” by Misa Ramirez was a mystery happening in Sacramento and had a huge cast of characters. It was well written but had not the best plot. A Latina PI is given a case involving a disappeared woman. In her search Lola encounters her high school crush and …
“Bleeding Heart Square” by Andrew Taylor was another mystery. It is 1934 and Lydia leaves her abusive husband and moves in with her father into a house with strange people and a big mystery. It was well written and a little dry! The love story was unavoidable and not well cooked, but the story telling style was great.
I also enjoyed three books I have been waiting for a long time for:
“Kitty Raises Hell” (Kitty Norville, Book 6) by Carrie Vaughn was good. Something has followed Kitty and Ben from Las Vegas back to Denver and it smells of sulfur and Brimstone. A team of paranormal investigators are in town checking out hunted houses and a strange vampire is coming to Rick and Kitty asking a high price for getting rid of that sulfury thing. With Rick and Kitty unable to agree to that vampire’s request, Kitty needs all the help she can get facing the threat of this fiery entity.
“Once Dead twice Shy” by Kim Harrison was great. A teenager is murdered but she steals an amulet from her killer and her ghost is given the illusion of a body. There are reaper at work and dark and light and fate and free will stand against each other. Very entertaining and quite well written!
“Succubus Heat” (Georgina Kincaid, Book 4) by Richelle Mead was good. Georgie finally get rid of Seth but she is bitter and very unhappy to the point her boss can’t stand her bitchiness and sends her to another city as a spy. There are strong powers at work and for a brief time Georgie is mortal and had to choose between her heart’s desire or the greater good (evil! Whatever!). I felt really bad for her… she is so kind hearted and good to be bad!
Ooh, and the latest book of Dead End Dating series, “Sucker for Love” by Kimberly Raye. It was a good story: Lil is handling her mother, her sister in law, her future sister in law, lots of clients, loosing a few shoes, have problems with her crazy selfish cat and looking for her kidnapped client Esther! It also ends well but I so wish I hadn’t read the sneak view of the next book! It shattered my whole good mood!
So here I am, read all I could and looking desperately for my next fix! Anything good coming out soon?!!!
Have been reading two books by Christopher Moore:
“A Dirty Job” is about a beta male name Charlie Asher. His wife gives birth and passes away and strange stuff starts happening. People drop dead whenever he passes and his infant daughter is…. Go read the book my dears! It is funny true to Moore’s style and full of quirky little jokes. If someone could make the Death and afterlife funny it is Christopher Moore (so very suited for my recent mood of gloom and doom!)
“Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal” is self explanatory! Have you ever wondered what happened in those thirty years between birth of Jesus and his baptism? Well here is your chance to find out and enjoy a humorous journey as well!
These were two of the best books I recently read!
Then “Unusual suspects” a collection of 12 novellas. The stories are quite good and well the mysteries engaging. Also stories are not long to be boring which is a big plus in my opinion.
“Living The Vida Lola” by Misa Ramirez was a mystery happening in Sacramento and had a huge cast of characters. It was well written but had not the best plot. A Latina PI is given a case involving a disappeared woman. In her search Lola encounters her high school crush and …
“Bleeding Heart Square” by Andrew Taylor was another mystery. It is 1934 and Lydia leaves her abusive husband and moves in with her father into a house with strange people and a big mystery. It was well written and a little dry! The love story was unavoidable and not well cooked, but the story telling style was great.
I also enjoyed three books I have been waiting for a long time for:
“Kitty Raises Hell” (Kitty Norville, Book 6) by Carrie Vaughn was good. Something has followed Kitty and Ben from Las Vegas back to Denver and it smells of sulfur and Brimstone. A team of paranormal investigators are in town checking out hunted houses and a strange vampire is coming to Rick and Kitty asking a high price for getting rid of that sulfury thing. With Rick and Kitty unable to agree to that vampire’s request, Kitty needs all the help she can get facing the threat of this fiery entity.
“Once Dead twice Shy” by Kim Harrison was great. A teenager is murdered but she steals an amulet from her killer and her ghost is given the illusion of a body. There are reaper at work and dark and light and fate and free will stand against each other. Very entertaining and quite well written!
“Succubus Heat” (Georgina Kincaid, Book 4) by Richelle Mead was good. Georgie finally get rid of Seth but she is bitter and very unhappy to the point her boss can’t stand her bitchiness and sends her to another city as a spy. There are strong powers at work and for a brief time Georgie is mortal and had to choose between her heart’s desire or the greater good (evil! Whatever!). I felt really bad for her… she is so kind hearted and good to be bad!
Ooh, and the latest book of Dead End Dating series, “Sucker for Love” by Kimberly Raye. It was a good story: Lil is handling her mother, her sister in law, her future sister in law, lots of clients, loosing a few shoes, have problems with her crazy selfish cat and looking for her kidnapped client Esther! It also ends well but I so wish I hadn’t read the sneak view of the next book! It shattered my whole good mood!
So here I am, read all I could and looking desperately for my next fix! Anything good coming out soon?!!!
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