Two for the Dough - Janet Evanovich

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
Genre: Adult Fiction
Form: Audio Book
Series: Stephanie Plum Series

Stephanie's new case was supposed to be simple. Kenny Mancuso had shot his friend, not fatally, and then skipped out on his bond. Should be real simple, right? Of course, first she has to find Kenny. Then his friend is murdered. Trying to track down any leads, she joins Grandma Mazur at a funeral home run by Spiro, another of Kenny's childhood friends. But Spiro has a case of his own. 24 caskets have been stolen, and he wants Stephanie to hunt them down. Is there a connection? With Ranger to advise and Joe Morelli to shadow, will Stephanie put all the pieces in place and catch Kenny before he turns on her?

Source: Amazon.com

I am loving this series. It's fun, witty, and Stephanie is a good middle-of-the-road type girl. She's not over the top ditz and she's not super-hero good. Granted, she gets out of more iffy situations than any normal person would - but it's a book. In the world of make-believe, anything can happen!

In this book not only is Stephanie hunting down Kenny - who turns out to be pretty darn psychotic, but we get a bit more action from Joe Morelli. Things are heating up between him and Stephanie, but both characters are just hard headed and stubborn enough that it's just not going down very easily.

Grandma Mazer is quite easily one of my favorite characters in these books. She keeps everything funny and light. She has an abnormal obsession with the dead, and with crime, but she's extremely gutsy for a grandma. Crazy may be a better word actually. All of her antidotes make me laugh out loud.

I've got a few books in head of the next Stephanie Plum book, but it definitely is on my TBR agenda!!

Book Review: In Over Her Head - Judi Fennell

In Over Her Head by Judi Fennell
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Form: Book

HE LIVES UNDER THE SEA
Reel Tritone is the rebellious royal second son of the ruler of a vast undersea kingdom. A Merman born with legs instead of a tail, he's always been fascinated by humans, especially one young women he once saw swimming near his family's reef...

SHE'S TERRIFIED OF THE OCEAN
Ever since the day she swam out too far and heard voices in the water, marina owner Erica Peek won't go swimming for anything - until she's forced into the water by a shady ex-boyfriend searching for stolen diamonds and is nearly eaten by a shark. Luckily Reel is nearby to save her, and he discovers she's the woman he's been searching for...

Before she knows it, Erica is off with Reel on a series of wild underwater adventures to retrieve stolen treasure, battle the mother of all sea monsters, and defy a death edict from the kingdom's high council. But even if they get out of their madcap mission alive, how will they find a way to stay together when she hates the water and he can't survive on land?

Source: Back of Book

In Over Hear Head was very entertaining, and satisfying to the romantic soul. The book is filled with the typical antics of a normal romance book - only 90% of it takes place under water. If you have a good imagination - or you've seen The Little Mermaid, this is a very bright and colorful book. If you like romance, and you like fantasy - but not a fan of dark, bad, and scary - this is the book for you!!

The high points of the book - it was fun light-hearted and the characters were easy to enjoy. I am pretty sure I read that this book is the beginning of a series, and I am intrigued to find out what happens next. Some low points would include the author's use of a famous actor for the description of Reel, the male lead. I don't like it when authors do that. I'd prefer to have descriptive words and come up with my own image.

Hitting bookshelves June 1st, I do think that if you love to see sparks fly - especially between two unlikely characters - In Over Her Head is your book!

A Wedding in December - Anita Shreve

A Wedding in December by Anita Shreve
Genre: Adult Fiction
Form: Audio Book

A Big Chill–like group reunites for a 40-something wedding in this melancholy story of missed opportunities, lingering regrets and imagined alternatives by Shreve (The Last Time They Met). Bill and Bridget were sweethearts at Maine's Kidd Academy who rediscovered one another at their 25th reunion. Bridget was already divorced; Bill left his family; the two have now gathered their Kidd coterie to witness their hasty wedding—Bridget has breast cancer—at widow Nora's western Massachusetts inn. The death of charismatic schoolmate Stephen at a drunken high school party hovers over the event. Stephen's then-roommate, Harrison, now a married literary publisher, remains particularly tormented by it, especially since he had (and still has) romantic feelings for Nora, who was Stephen's then-girlfriend. Abrasive Wall Street businessman Jerry, now-out-of-the-closet pianist Rob, single Agnes (who teaches at Kidd and has a secret of her own) and various children round things out. Tensions build as the group gets snowed in, and someone gets drunk enough to say what everyone's been thinking. Though Shreve's plot, characters and dialogue are predictable (as are her inevitable 9/11 rehashes), she sure-handedly steers everyone through their inward dramas, and the actions they take (and don't) are Hollywood satisfying.

Source: Amazon.com

Anita Shreve's books always draw me in. She has a poetic way of writing that just fits. I often get frustrated with other authors who spend too much time describing scenery or using flowery words in their writing, but somehow when Anita does it, it just works. Her characters are always very real. I do think she has a bit of a thing for the concept of a second wife though, as it seems to be a reoccurring theme in her books, although this time it was a very small mention as such.

The thing I liked about this book the most though was the end. In a way, she left everything all up in the air; Bridget's fate, Harrison's final decision, but instead of being melancholy as the rest of the book seemed to be, it almost had a hopeful feel about it. Like no matter what, everything was going to be okay.

There was one small part of this book that stood out to me more than everything else, and I think it has a good meaning. Unfortunately I cannot transpose what happened exactly because I listened to this as audio book - and finding it would be that much more difficult. Anyhow, the basic idea was this: Harrison was walking in the snow, on his way to Nora's place when he stopped, because he had a thought about his wife. He described himself as having two lives that were at that point colliding, but only one could be reality and one could only exist in imagination. It was at that point that he turned and went back to his room. I'm sure that doesn't sound near as well with me summarizing as it did in the book - but I just felt like it was a moment of truth for Harrison.

This book was quite mild, but very entertaining to listen to. There were stories within stories. There were confessions of love and confession of sins. It was the High School Reunion you don't mind being the fly on the wall for, but definitely would pass on being a participant.

Holly's Inbox - Holly Denham

Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham
Genre: Chick Lit
Form: ARC Book

It's Holly Denham's first day as a receptionist at a busy corporate bank, and frankly, it's obvious she can't quite keep up.

Take a peek at her email and you'll see why: what with her crazy friends, dysfunctional family, and gossipy co-workers, Holly's inbox is a daily source of drama. Laughter, friendship, and romantic interludes keep her going, until one day, Holly's secret past begins to catch up with her...

Written entirely in emails, this compulsively readable UK smash hit will keep you laughing and turning the pages all the way to its surprising and deeply satisfying ending.

...source: back of book...

I must admit, when I first picked up Holly's Inbox, I was a bit leery of the concept of an entire book written via email. I like character interaction in books. I like dialogue, thoughts, details. None of which you really get out of an email...can you?

Well, Holly Denham surprised me! I found it amazingly hard to put this book down. The whole book draws you in. Yes, you do miss details, descriptions an avid book reader would love to have, but it was okay. The characters of this book keep it entertaining. It's a book you'll enjoy laughing with. The story line was captivating enough, although the "surprise" ending was a bit predictable in my opinion - but who cares. The book worked, and that's all that matters.

Fun, light reading that sucks you in until the last page - Holly's Inbox hits the bookshelf in June!

One For the Money - Janet Evanovich

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Genre: Adult Fiction
Form: Audiobook
Series: Stephanie Plum Series

Stephanie Plum is so smart, so honest, and so funny that her narrative charm could drive a documentary on termites. But this tough gal from New Jersey, an unemployed discount lingerie buyer, has a much more interesting story to tell: She has to say that her Miata has been repossessed and that she's so poor at the moment that she just drank her last bottle of beer for breakfast. She has to say that her only chance out of her present rut is her repugnant cousin Vinnie and his bail-bond business. She has to say that she blackmailed Vinnie into giving her a bail-bond recovery job worth $10,000 (for a murder suspect), even though she doesn't own a gun and has never apprehended a person in her life. And she has to say that the guy she has to get, Joe Morelli, is the same creep who charmed away her teenage virginity behind the pastry case in the Trenton bakery where she worked after school.

Source: Amazon.com

Another good start to another good series. I am quickly becoming a fan of Janet Evanovich's writing. I enjoy her quirky humor and light hearted books quite a bit.

Stephanie Plum is a fun character. I enjoyed her adventure to becoming a reputable bounty hunter, and boy does she get herself into some interesting situations. Good thing she has friends to help her out. I also enjoyed Joe Morelli, especially because you couldn't tell whether you could trust him or not from the start, but he always had a sort of tenderness about him the entire time. I'm hoping he remains a figure in the books to come.

My hope for the future - that Stephanie gets increasingly better at this job. I love girls who can kick some but, so I have some high hopes for Stephanie.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
Genre: Youth Fantasy
Form: Audiobook
Series: Harry Potter

The fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after the events of last year. Somehow, over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teen. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny by the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toadlike and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of Defense Against Dark Arts teacher--and in no time manages to become the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, as well. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls), devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team lineup, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested.

Source: Amazon.com

I am so glad I listened to my friend and got this book on audio. This was WAAAAY better than the first two Harry Potters. There was quite a bit in the book that wasn't in the movie - not necessarily in a bad way, but it did make for a more interesting read. This book is definitely darker than the others. Poor Harry is almost to the brink of being tortured when he's at a school, his friends are with him - but not always seeing things the way he does, Dumbledore is not talking to him. Everything just seems lonely, segregated and all wrong for Harry.

I loved the introduction of Luna in this book, if nothing else, she did make Harry realize that it's okay to be different, and really just showed him a new point of view on many fronts. The Weasley Twins were much funnier in this book than they were in the movie. I loved their part in getting back at Professor Umbridge.

I cannot wait for The Half-Blood Prince to be available at my library. I'll be there as soon as I possibly can! I'm also more excited for the movie in July than I was before.

Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell

Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell
Genre: Chick Lit
Form: Book

Even the worst mistake of your life can lead to true love in the end...

Miranda's track record with men is horrible. Her most recent catastrophe is Greg. He seems perfect - gorgeous, witty, exciting. And he and Miranda are in love...until Miranda discovers he left his wife when he found out she was pregnant.

With the help of her friends, Miranda plans the sweetest and most public revenge a heartbroken girl can get. But will Miranda learn from her mistake, or move on to the next perfect man and ignore the love of her life waiting in the wings...

Source: Back of Book

When I first opened the book and read the first chapter (mind you I actually had read the synopsis, just forgot) I was thinking Miranda's big mistake was going to be taking in a homeless chap which somehow turned her life upside down. In fact, I think I had a really good story going on in my mind there...someone ought to take that idea and run with it. But that's not exactly what happened.

Miranda seems to inadvertently do the wrong thing a lot of the time. It's not like she's stupid - it's nothing like that at all - she just reacts or does what any normal gal with a heart would do, it's just that Murphy's Law seems to follow her around like a bad habit. I like Miranda though. She is definitely a good character. Someone you enjoy "knowing" and root for throughout the book.

In fact, this book is filled with many great characters, and wonderful dialogue. I found this is what made the book good. The story itself was just okay. I know that there was suppose to be a bit of time lapsing between events, but it just seemed like Miranda was jumping from one relationship to the next. I think, perhaps, it's because so much time was spent on the first relationship and part of the story that I was surprised by the second.

In the end Miranda's Big Mistake is mostly about friendship, finding your true love, and the adventures in life. You can find Miranda's Big Mistake in stores June 1, 2009.

Oh My Goth - Gena Showalter

Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Form: Paperback Book

Jade Leigh is a nonconformist who values individuality above all else. She has a small group of like-minded Goth friends who wear black, dabble in the dark arts, and thrive outside the norm. They're considered the "freaks" of their high school. But when Jade's smart mouth lands her in trouble - again - her principal decides to teach her a lesson she'll never forget.

Taken to a remote location where she is strapped down and sedated, Jade wakes up in an alternate universe where she rules the school. But her best friends won't talk to her, and the people she used to hate are all Goth. Only Clarik, the mysterious new boy in town, operates outside all the cliques. And only Mercedes, the Barbie clone Jade loathes, believes that Jade's stuck in a virtual reality game - because she's stuck there, too, now living the life of a "freak." Together, they realize they might never get back to reality...and that even if they do, things might never be the same.

Source: Back of Book

A fun, imaginative book! Gena Showalter is really good about taking you to worlds you've never been too, and this book is no exception. Of course, it really does have "teen movie" written all over it - in fact, it would make a really good one I think.

Oh My Goth was an entertaining read, with a little lesson about how it's okay to be different (or the same). People have different lives and are they way they are for a reason. And as Jade says, "the hate needs to end!" Jade is only Goth in appearance in my opinion, she definitely is a sweet girl who truly wants to be unique, but also a part of it all. Mercedes really did seem like a snob who only cared about her popularity - but at the end had seemed to realize that despite their "freak" labels, Jade and her friends were fun and caring and really a lot like her and her friends, and did not deserve to be treated like 2nd class citizens. Clarik is a sexy young man, I pictured sort of emo, was sweet, understanding, and fierce at the same time.

Keeping the Moon - Sarah Dessen

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Form: Paperback Book

Fifteen-year-old Colie has never fit in. First, it was because she was fat. Then, after she lost the weight, it was because of a reputation that she didn't deserve. So when she's sent to stay with her eccentric aunt Mira for the summer, Colie doesn't expect too much. After all, why would anyone in Colby, North Carolina, want to bother with her when no one back home does? But Colby turns out to be a nice surprise for Colie. Almost without trying, she lands herself a job at the Last Chance Bar and Grill. There she meets fellow waitresses Morgan and Isabel - two best friends who teach her what friendship is all about, and help her learn to appreciate who she really is.

Source: Back of Book

This is a fantastic book. Colie is a troubled teenager, going for goth but heart of gold. She's never been given a chance, and her self esteem is crazy gone. This book is about making amends with yourself. I loved it. As a teenager I had a pretty low self esteem. I never dealt with the issues that Colie did, name calling and such, but I do think it's very common for girls to lack self confidence. Some shrink into it, while others make themselves feel better by stomping all over others.

You now me, I'm all about the characters, and let me tell you - Sarah Dessen did a wonderful job! You love Colie from the start. You understand Mira, her crazy aunt. You either were Morgan and Isbel, or knew them at some point in your life. And then there is Norman. It's so wonderful how when the book starts out you're not so keen on him, just like Colie - but by end your opinion changes right along with her. Of course, the book is written from Colie's perspective, so that should happen.

I recommend this for youth and adults alike. It had some wonderful "love yourself" lessons. I think it's worth the read. Very light and easy, it won't take up too much of your precious time!

Tuesday Teaser

Hosted by The Boston Bibliophile...

The rules:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I'm reading Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen. I'm probably going to finish tonight, but I'm still going to do this, because I found a line that I just love. Yeah, I know it's not totally random, but it's too good not to share. This is from page 88:

"No one deserves to be kicked," I said.

"I disagree," she said flatly. "You do if you don't think you're worth any better. As soon as you saw that girl today you crumpled. You just opened the door up and let her stomp right in."

Movie Monday - Star Trek

I am SOOO not a Trekki! My step-dad would watch Star Trek and I would run for cover in my room. I wasn't having it. So when I saw the previews for the new movie I was surprised that I was even remotely interested in it. (Cute guys in the movie didn't hurt...) Anyway, hubby and I were talking about what we wanted to do, and I mentioned sort of light heartedly "Star Trek came out today..." And it only took about 5 minutes to determine that was what we were going to do.

Shocked and amazed. That's all I can say. This movie was wall to wall action - and not crazy weird alien and space man action, but real cool stuff! The story line was good, the actors/characters were great, funny even. I can't say too much about the movie, or if it lived up to expectations or anything of that nature - because as I indicated before, I have no prior information.

Sooo, if you are a non-Trek person and are pondering if you'd like to see this movie - I say "Go for it!" You may be as surprised as I was.

Lover Avenged - J.R. Ward

Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Form: Hardback Book
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

Caldwell, New York, has long been the battleground for the vampires and their enemies, the Lessening Society. It's also where Rehvenge has staked out his turf as a drug lord and owner of a notorious nightclub that caters to the rich and heavily armed. His shadowy reputation is exactly why he's approached to kill Wrath, the Blind King and leader of the Brotherhood.

Rehvenge has always kept his distance from the Brotherhood, even though his sister is married to a member. Because he's a symphath, his identity is a deadly secret - the revelation of which could result in his banishment to a colony for sociopaths. As plots within and outside the Brotherhood take their toll on Rehvenge, he turns to the only source of light in his darkening world - Ehlena, a vampire untouched by the corruption that has its hold on him - and the only thing standing between him and eternal destruction.

Source: Front flap of book

I finished this book probably 2 weeks ago...I've just been that behind!

Very exciting, action packed Brotherhood novel. I love Rehvenge for who he is. He is a deep dark protector. No matter of his sociopathic disability, he does everything he can to keep it and himself at bay, protect his family, his friends, his secret. It's taking it's toll on him. No matter - because it's all getting ready to be revealed. Ehlena is the perfect female for Rehvenge. I was shocked at how romantic Rehv is. Which was a wonderful change from Z's hard and powerful possessiveness, and V's....well, "fun and games." I think J.R. brought it out even further how different Rehv is when Ehlena showed up at V's place instead of Rehv's. Quite humorous in my opinion.

Ehlena was perfectly human, er well...normal. Her reactions to Rehv, especially when she finds out who he really is, was spot on. Hurt, betrayed...but then revelation. She figures it out all on her own. She's a very strong female, able to take care of herself...but she's very venerable at the same time. She needs the tenderness that Rehv provides.

Okay...more on the book itself. LOVE the subplots ones again, although they really weren't that secondary. The story seems to align much more nicely in this book than in books past. In the past we had the main story, then we had some side things going on. This time we had a book. Wrath and Beth played a much larger role, which was just wonderful in my opinion. I was sort of missing them. I can just imagine how difficult it would be to incorporate every one in all the books - but usually, that is what I want. I liked seeing Butch a little more too. But most of all, I absolutely ADORE the continuation - and the beginning - of John Matthew and Xhex's story.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say John Matthew is going to end up taking Zsadist's position in my heart as my favorite brother. I think it has something to do with how incredibly well we know John Matthew. There really won't be a need for too much of a back story on him, so I imagine we'll be getting to know Xhex more in Lover Mine (perfect name...I soo can't wait for this book!). We really get a nice start to their rocky relationship in Lover Avenged.

My one disappointment of the book? I was REALLY expecting Rehvenge started fighting with the Brotherhood. There is a much different alignment though - but I won't ruin that for you.

In my opinion...while all these books are great, this is the absolute best Black Dagger Brotherhood book yet. My expectation is that Lover Mine is going to meet and exceed this. I *think* this series has 3 books left, including Lover Mine, and she's definitely going to take it out with a bang.

I'm totally going to check out J.R. Ward's new Fae series as well.

Ace of Hearts - Barbara Metzger

Ace of Hearts by Barbara Metzger
Genre: Adult Romance
Form: AudioBook

Ace Endicott, the Earl of Carde, needs a woman who will give him an heir, but he never expects to be engaged to three different women or to become the laughingstock of the gossip columnists. Escaping this London nightmare, he joins his brother Jack in an attempt to find a long-lost sister in the country. Their search takes a strange turn and leads them to a delicate beauty named Nell. As he is dealt a new hand, Ace understands that he may have a chance at real love - if he plays his cards right.

Source: Back of Audio Book

Ace of Hearts was not exactly what I was expecting. I thought that there would be more card playing type stuff in the book, but outside of a few games played with friends and some references, it wasn't really a part of the book at all. But that's okay. The book was good regardless.

A sweet romance novel that was a little bit atypical from what I normally get. Well, the fact that there are no make-believe characters in it makes it very atypical from my norm, but other than that - the story itself took a slightly different path. The characters were not really the "beautiful people" all high and glamorous that they usually seem to be. In fact, to most people both were plain, ordinary and in some cases, not attractive at all. But to each other, Ace was the must handsome man she ever laid eyes on; and Nell was the most beautiful women there was. I liked that, because it does have some reality to it. When you fall in love, it's hard to see anyone but that one person.

This book actually very loosely had a Pride and Prejudice feel about it to me. Ace sort of wavered back in forth in Nell's mind as either a good man or someone who couldn't be trusted. In my opinion, near the end of the book, she sort of took it too far. Ace was pouring his heart out to her, and she was still hesitant to accept what he was saying. I wanted to scream at her. Outside of that, there were funny antidotes and hot and steamy moments of attraction between our main characters that made this book worth the time.

Kiss of Midnight - Lara Adrian

Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
Genre: Adult Paranormal
Form: Mass Paperback
Series: Midnight Breed

He watches her from across the crowded dance club, a sensual black-haired stranger who stirs Gabrielle Maxwell's deepest fantasies. But nothing about this night - or this man - is what it seems. For when Gabrielle witnesses a murder outside the club, reality shifts into something dark and deadly. In that shattering instant she is thrust into a realm she never new existed-a realm where vampires stalk the shadows and a blood war is set to ignite. Lucan Thorne despises the violence carried out by his lawless brethren. A vampire himself, Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind - and the unwitting humans existing alongside them - from the mounting threat of the Rogues. Lucan cannot risk binding himself to a mortal woman, but has no choice but to bring her into the dark underworld he commands. Here, in the arms of the Breed's formidable leader, Gabrielle will confront an extraordinary destiny of danger, seduction, and the darkest pleasures of all....

Source: back of book

Another series. Or better yet, another vampire series. Maybe I'm obsessed, I don't know. I think one of the things I like the best about all the different vampire series is all the different versions of vampires you come across.

This particular series is centered around warriors who are fighting against their own kind who are blood addicts, or have the disease "bloodlust," which causes the vampire to crave the blood of humans just as much as a junkie craves his drugs. The warriors fight to keep the peace, and to keep their species from being detected to the human world. The Midnight Breed's are a type of vampire who originated from an alien species who landed on earth and started running wild in their own bloodlust addiction. It wasn't until later that they discovered that they were able to breed with certain women, a minority group known as Breedmates.

Character development was pretty good. I think what I liked most about Gabrielle was that when Lucan needed her the most, she was there for him. He wasn't always the hero. In some, actually many, cases he was actually the bad guy. But he was very hard on himself for sins of the past, and Gabrielle was able to point that out to him. Gabrielle was a strong female. Not really a damsielle in distress, but she did find herself in trouble more than once. She actually was regularly walking into trouble and did not know it. She meets Lucan just in the nick of time.

I'm sort of hoping that Gabrielle's special talent will play out a little bit more in upcoming books. It would be neat to see her used strategically in the Breed's plans to overcome the growing, and organized Rogues.

Movie Monday - Wolverine

Trying something new again. Now, I don't watch new movie every week, so this defiantly cannot be a every week thing - but there really are a lot of movies I'm going to see this year. So here we go:

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

I LOVE almost all the Marvel movies! I'm a big fan of the super heroes. I was very excited to see Wolverine because, well, Wolverine is awesome. Huge Jackman is and always has been perfect for the part! I enjoyed watching the beginning of how Wolverine came to be, but I was oddly surprised that it was mostly just that - the story of his beginning. I don't know why I didn't get that from the title. I was still just hoping to see some real X-Men fighting together stuff. I didn't get enough in the previous movies.

Another major bonus of the movie - GAMBIT!!! He is my absolute favorite X-Men ever! I was so happy he was finally in a movie. I really hope they continue to use his character. Taylor Kitsch did a great job, i only wish he got more screen time. Here's hoping he had enough appeal for next time!

Manhunt - Janet Evanovich

Manhunt by Janet Evanovich
Genre: Romance
Form: Audio Book

A woman with a talent for numbers, Alexandra Scott wanted to escape the rat race and go someplace where the men outnumber the women. Trading in her Wall Street job and fancy condo for a rundown cabin in the woods. She's now Alaskan Wilderness Woman. It isn't long before she finds exactly what she's looking for: one sexy pilot named Michael Casey. But this confirmed bachelor has no intentions of getting caught in any woman's crosshairs -- especially a hunter as appealing as Alex. It'll take skill, determination, and a little romantic persuasion for this big-game hunter to bag her prey.

Source: BarnesandNobel.com

This is one of Janet Evanovich earlier books that, frankly, let me a little bit disappointed. I was expecting the humor that was present in the previous Evanovich book I read, Back to the Bedroom. However, don't write it off due to my issues. This is a fun romance novel that will give you the warm and fuzzies just the same.

Alex is a headstrong women who is bound and determined to succeed in her new life. There are things Alex deals with that really would have had me running for the hills in no time. Michael is a sexy wonderful man who cares deeply - yet has some deep seeded issues with women. He is bound and determined to fight against the attraction he feels for Alex. It is fun watching the two of them come together.

My favorite part is in the very beginning of the book when Alex goes diving into the water in an attempt to save her dog, and then Michael goes diving in after her to save them both. Defiantly a rocky beginning if you ask me!

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Genre: Youth Fantasy
Form: Audiobook
Series: Harry Potter

Harry's back for his second year at Hogwarts, where the infamous Chamber of Secrets has been opened for the first time in 50 years. The monster that is unleashed is literally petrifying Hogwarts students (turning them into stone, that is), and who is the primary suspect? Harry Potter himself. Add to this some enormous spiders, a Deathday Party, a ghost named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and lots and lots of suspense, and you'll soon find yourself engrossed in another terrific tale in which magic does exist and good eventually triumphs over evil.

Source: BarnesandNobel.com

I have made a decision - I am not going to read every single Harry Potter. Why you ask? Because I've seen all of the movies and so far, the books are almost to the letter exactly the same as the book. I realize that this isn't true as the books move forward. I have heard how as the movies plot on the director takes more liberties and the book and movies are no longer exact duplicates. It is for this reason I have promised a friend of mine that I would still listen to the The Order of the Phoenix book. That is where I will be picking up in the series.

I obviously cannot list myself in to the "big Harry Potter" fan category. I am not sure if it's because the movies have ruined the books for me, or if it's because the books were written mainly for the youth age group, but these books do nothing for me. I do not get excited about the characters as I read. I do not feel any type of emotion, excitement, fear, anticipation...nothing. If I wasn't listening to the audio books at work, I wouldn't be reading them at all. Let's see if I feel the same way as I get to The Half-Blood Prince - the one that, of course, I have not seen the movie for.