Happy Summer!

Happy 1st "Official" Day of Summer! (In Florida, summer is year-round so I've been enjoying summer for awhile--not to rub it in or anything.)

Today is also the wrap-up day for the Spring Read Thing. Would you believe it? I actually finished EVERY BOOK on my list and then some! I really didn't think I was going to finish, but I had an unexpected couple of days off from pH-Farms, and managed to finish. It feels great!

I honestly didn't think I was going to finish and was rather disappointed at that prospect. I knew I would be able to read the books, but actually making it a goal to finish them within the time-period given, put a lot of pressure on me and I didn't like it. (Maybe I'm more performance driven than I thought. My friend April, calls me an "Overachiever" and mentioned something about Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter series. Yes, I am a bit of a perfectionist, but I have been learning to let go--albeit very slowly.)

I think one of the reasons I didn't like the pressure is because I've had friends, students, and family members handing me books right and left with the wording..."You have GOT to read this..." and then asking me every few days.."Did you read it yet?" Plus, I won several books during this time period, but had to put them off because they weren't on my list, and I really wanted to take the time to read through and enjoy them, rather than race through so I could mark them off as having been read. Although I have the best intentions ofreading books in a certain order, if something more exciting comes along, I want to be able to pick it up and read that book instead. (I know, it is just a silly list and I had the freedom to do that at any time, but it felt weird to be reading books that I said I would read and review...) Of course I only had to put down five books that I would like to read during that time period, so maybe I am a bit of an "overachiever" as April says...

All in all, it's been a great experience. I've been in touch with other people through their blogs, and feel almost like I'm part of a community because we all enjoy reading. Reading reviews that were posted on other blogs had me starting a list of books that I want to read. It grew from a few loose post-its to a whole notebook full of novels waiting to be discovered! (If only thee were more hours in the day that we could set aside just for reading....)

I decided not to answer the questions that were posted on Katrina's site--mainly because I think I've rambled enough about my experience. ;)

Since all of my reviews are in different postings, or haven't been posted yet (yikes!), I think I'll re-post them again in case you missed them:




Missing Abby by Lee Weatherly
I must admit, I knew the ending of the book before I started reading it thanks to my library aide last year. (I was hoping that I'd forget so that I could enjoy the book without trying to hurry through it to see if she was right, but it didn't happen.) Nevertheless, Abby is missing and her former best-friend Emma was the last one to see her alive! Now Emma must re-live their friendship to try and find Abby. Will it work? You'll have to read it and find out! Overall it was a good book-despite the D&D fantasy theme. It reminds teenagers that friendships are important and to treat others kindly--you never know when you might come across that person again and need his/her help.





Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

Talk about hilarious! Lizzie Nichols might be my twin! (Although I've never been to Europe, and traveled to France through the Chunnel, and unloaded my life's story on a handsome stranger, but we both do tend to ramble.) Lizzie graduates from college (sort of) and decides to follow her boyfriend back to England for the summer. Soon she realizes that he's not for her and runs to her friends who are staying in a villa in France--helping with weddings that are scheduled there. Talk about drama! I love this book! In fact, my neighbors were probably wondering what "that crazy girl upstairs/next door" was laughing so hard about--especially since they know it's just Madison and I up here. Great read--let me know what you think about it when you're through.





Welcome to Wahoo by Dennis and Elise Carr


Victoria Van Wyck is forced to flee her privileged life in Europe when "the mob" threatens to kill her family. Being escorted by family friend/employee Adam York (aka "Uncle Bob"), Victoria (aka Amanda Jones) must face life in the middle of "no-where" Nebraska, aka Wahoo. While adjusting to changes--(having to get a job, making friends (?), and having to (egads!) clean up after herself)--Victoria/Amanda must also complete her Junior year of high school and "keep her nose clean" and stay out of the limelight so that those pesky mobsters do not find and kill her. Will she manage to pull it off? Will she survive "the mob" and be reunited with her family? You'll have to read the book to find out!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading the book--some of the characters were not as rounded as I thought they should have been--given their status in the book. The saving graces are that Victoria starts working at her local library, learns to LOVE reading, competes with her new-found friend for the best grade in History, and isn't concerned about the typical teenage "what will they think of me" syndrome. It's a really cute story and most girls will enjoy reading the book.

I've actually spoken to Mr. Carr and was in negotiations to bring him to our school--especially since he seemed to really care about instilling the love of reading to the students--unfortunately/fortunately, he was arrested for "allegedly" having drugs in his camper. Click here to read the article. Needless to say, they WILL NOT be making an appearance at our school.



Why the cows? That's what I think of when someone mentions the "middle of nowhere." (The setting of the book.) I'm sure wheat fields would be more appropriate, but Abilene is a small town (although a bit bigger than Wahoo) and that's how I related to the book. After all, I had to readjust to "small-town" life after having lived in the "big city" for a gazillion years too.




I finished another book on my Spring Read Thing list. It was a bit long, but worth the effort.


Bamboo and Lace by Lori Wick

Lily Walsh lives with her father in the country of Kashien, while her brother Jeff, lives in Hawaii (having stayed after attending college). Jeff is writing to his father and asking permission for Lily to come visit for six months so that he can teach her new things. (Kind of weird, but once you understand the Kashien culture, it makes sense.) Owen (the father) grants Lily to go visit Jeff for three months instead of six--a disappointment to both siblings, but it was better than nothing.

Flash forward to Lily arriving in Hawaii--eyes downcast and not understanding our culture. (She wasn't familiar with the items we take for granted each day--indoor plumbing, hot water, plastic wrap...you get the picture.) Jeff then has to leave for two and a half months for a work emergency on the mainland, so rather than send Lily home to their father, he asks his close friend Gabe (and Gabe's immediate family) if Lily could stay with them, and if they would continue to teach her all the things he had planned. Being a true friend--Gabe takes over for Jeff.

Lily learns new things and a romance blossoms. Will Jeff make it home before Lily has to return to Kashien? Will she be able to extend her visit if Jeff doesn't make it? What will happen to Lily's new romance? You'll have to read the book to find out what happens.

I was intrigued by Lily's situation at the beginning of the book. I became completely engrossed in Lily's "education" that I forgot there was going to be a romance. The characters became like my best friends, and I couldn't wait to find out what happens with Lily and the interactions with her family. It's a fabulous book--one that brings hope and invites inspiration.







Pretense by Lori Wick
While this book is over 700 pages, it is definitely worth your while! Have a box of tissues ready because the storyline follows the Bishop family through their trials and tribulations throughout their lives. Will they ever find God-whom they're seeking desperately? Will the characters overcome the hardships they suffer, or will they be overwhelmed and completely turn away from God forever? Captivating from page one, you will be wrapped up in the lives of each Bishop family member and feel like they are each your best friend. What a great book!





SAHM I Am by Meredith Efken

Written in the form of email postings from each of the listserv members, readers will get to know and understand the various SAHMs in this Godly group of women. Not being married, nor a mother, I didn't know what SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) meant at first. (Thankfully it wasn't too hard to figure out since the "mommies" discussed their misunderstood role with one another.) It was also a little hard for me to relate to some of the characters since I've never been in their situation--trying to raise a family in a Godly home. However, as a single person, I could relate to the "well-meaning" antics of crazy family members, as well as the frustrations of trying to run a home on their own. This book had me laughing and crying, and I was really excited to find out that there was a sequel....





@ Home for the Holidays by Meredith Efken

The sequel to SAHM I AM, the postings from the SAHM group members continue. Readers become witnesses to the day-to-day hassles that affect SAHMs and their families. This book was a little more in-depth with the relationships between certain members of the group, which was nice since things were left "hanging" in the first book. It was refreshing to see that even the best laid plans sometimes falter, but with God's strength and faithfulness, we can pull through--which is what the message seemed to be for me. Both books are very quick reads, and I know you'll grow to love the honesty of the characters as much as I did.





If the Shoe Fits by Marilynn Griffith

I didn't realize that this book was part of a series (The Sassy Sistahood)when I started it, but no worries--I still understood what was happening with the plot and the characters. (If you want to start with the first book in the series, it's called Made of Honor.) I'm still in a state of longing after having read this book...without giving too much away, Rochelle owns her own shoe store in which she designs and creates high-end shoes for most of her customers. After being single for 18 (?) years, she is provoked into joining a local Christian dating service called A Match Made in Seven. After going on several group-dates, "Chelle" is being pursued by several handsome and available men. However, her life starts to get crazy and "complicated" (don't we all know how that goes) and now she's second-guessing her decisions.

Now for my longing part--I've only been single for seven years and it feels like forever. I feel sad that she had to wait so long before she found men who were interested in her. I wonder if I'll have to wait that long? (If so, my momma can kiss those biological grandchildren from my side goodbye! :) I keep telling her that Madison is her grandchild, but she hasn't accepted that fact yet.) It seems that as soon as I decide I'm okay being single, I read a great book like this one that has me praying for more...I know--it's all in God's timing and I obviously have some major issues to work through before the timing becomes right. Keep praying....I know I will be. :)


Married to the Mob by Ginny Aiken

Book three in the series,it follows the life of mob-widow Carlie as she's on the run from the mobsters trying to cash in on her life. Special Agent Dan Maddox is her escort in trying to keep Carlie alive until she can testify in the big mobster trial. Unfortunately, he didn't factor in her live-wire spirit and joy of life since she became a Christian. He also didn't factor on falling in love with her.

If you've read the other two books in the series, this book is written exactly the same plot-wise. Thankfully there's a little bit of humor thrown in, but it does tend to get in the way of the dialogue sometimes--causing frustration in this reader. I do have to say, I knew who the mole was in book one, but had to wait until this book to find out that I was right. (Ha! Ha!) It's a great book for a quick read.




Enemy Mine by Kay Hooper


Rivals in stealing rare antiquities, Tyler St. James and Kane Pendleton, are caught in the Colombian wilderness being shot at by the same person. Joining forces as they hunt for a rare golden chalice, Tyler and Kane soon find that the attraction they have felt over the years of their rivalry is growing stronger. Will they find the chalice and its companion before they both get killed?

I'm definitely a Kay Hooper fan. While this is nothing like her other suspense books, it still has a lot of action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I finished this book in one day--it's a great read. Just make sure you don't have anything else scheduled because you won't want to put it down.




The NaNny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus


Nan is the main character and this book is about her adventures in being a nanny(babysitting) for the rich people in New York. At what started out as a part-time job, Nan soon realizes that her whole life is consumed by the plans that Mrs. X makes and expects Nan to comply with-despite her school schedule and own life. Nan also learns that the lifestyles of the rich are not always what they are cracked up to be--whether it's drugs, affairs, bankruptcy, etc.

I picked up this book because I had seem previews for the movie and it looked pretty good. I usually always try to read the book before I see the movie because the book is always better! Overall, guess it's a realistic story of the life of a nanny, but I really feel sorry for the poor kids who have no parents to depend on and are looked at as social status objects rather than as part of the family. The book does get rather boring and bland--as I assume the life as a nanny, always catering to the pesky parents would be.




Less Than Frank by Lynn Bulock


Frank, the dubious contractor, is murdered while working on his latest project. Grace Lee Harris, the tenant in the apartment that he was working on just happened to find him. (Unfortunately, she also found her husband dead not too long ago too.) So, once again she is questioned by the same Detective (Ray) Fernandez
that investigated the earlier death in her life, and her son becomes one of the main suspects. Determined to clear her son's name, Gracie tries to "help out" the investigation and uncovers more than she expected.

This book is the second book in a series, although you don't have to read the first one to understand what was happening in this book. While I'm definitely a murder-mystery fan, this book was lacking a bit. Everything seemed to be a bit glamorized and while the characters could be real-to-life, the actions that were taken by the characters were not. The book was a bit fluffy in my opinion, but it wasn't too bad of a read.




Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann


"Jade" stumbles into the backyard of Monica Pierce after dredging her way through the Hawaiian mountainside and waterfalls. She cannot remember how she got there or why she was out in the dangerous mountains, so 'Nica calls her cynical brother Cameron to help--especially since she feels that malice is all around Jade. After antagonistic run-ins with Cameron, Jade slowly remembers that someone was with her when she fell down the dangerous waterfall and rushes back out to find him. Cameron goes with her to search and they find where she fell over the falls, but no one else is within sight. Cameron decides to dive under the falls to make sure there are no hidden caves, when he eyes a lava tube that leads to a cavern...with an injured man inside. Calling paramedics, the injured man is rescued and taken to the hospital where they try to save his life.

While Cameron and Jade were in the forest, the pictures of Jade come back and she is identified as Gentry Fox, a very famous movie star. STill unable to remember who she is or what happened, Jade and Cameron delve into the reasons why she cannot remember, uncovering a sinister plot to kill her uncle and possibly even Gentry, as money is to gain.

Cameron and Gentry try to uncover the clues as her memory slowly returns and they return to their busy lives state-side--where slowly a romance develops between both of them.

Will her memory ever completely return? Will she be able to identify her possible killer? Will the injured man live? Will Cameron and Gentry be able to love each other despite their faults?

No, I'm not lolo. I promise this book is wonderful! I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. I was disappointed when I had to set down the book to go to work, but eagerly picked it back up when I was finished for the day. Ms. Heitzmann writes spectacular novels that make me wish I could live in one of her books.




The Sisterhood of the Queen Mamas by Annie Jones


Maxine and Odessa are very lively characters in this book--despite the fact they're a little older than most--they get along just fine. One of their favorite places in their town is the Five Mile Flea Market with Fabulous Finds--where they first met. It's also the place where they make new friends and help capture a crook! Yes, Maxine and Odessa are quite the busybodies as they try to set the new pastor up with one of the young girls in the church. They also try to find out why one of the other church members is trying to close down the flea market and stumble upon God's revelations throughout the way.

Odessa and Maxine's ramblings drove me crazy at first--too much chatter--but as I read further into the book, I was able to accept their ramblings as part of their characters. (After all, I tend to ramble too.) Their one-lined comments and pure hearts prove them to be great characters despite the fluffy story-line. Overall, it's a good book.




The Crystal Cavern by Hannah Alexander


Dr. Sable Chamberlin's grandfather was buried only a few days earlier when she receives a desperate phone call from his best friend, begging her to drive to his house immediately. The package was sent for her from her grandfather before he died, and included lists of people he thought were "dirty" in the town--including one of his business partners and the local sheriff. Sable rushes immediately to the house, only to find her grandfather's friend murdered and the murderer still inside! Fleeing from the murderer, she runs into fellow co-worker Paul Murphy (Murph) and urges him to run-away before it's too late. Running for their lives, police sirens close in on them, so they make it to her car and drive away as fast as they can. A few minutes later, someone runs them off of the road into the canal and leaves them for dead.

Sable and Murph manage to save themselves from the frozen water and flee to her hometown in the Ozarks by bus. Unforunately, there's a lot of ice on the road and the bus is unable to continue to its destination after coming close to Sable's homestead on the side of a cave. Sable invites the six other bus riders into her home to wait out the ice storm and more murders take place. Weary of the unusual events, Sable and Murph try to discover who is trying to murder them as well as find out what secret her grandfather was hiding before he died.

Will they find the answers in the Crystal Cavern before it's too late? How many murders will take place before the murderer is caught? Will they be able to escape before the murderer strikes again?

Great mystery story with a hint of romance. I was concerned for the characters and their safety--praying alongside them that they would get our of there before they were killed. The wrap-up at the end was a bit trite for the situation, but didn't harm the overall story. I went to the author website and found that the book has been re-written and will be re-released under another name, so maybe the ending will be cleared up a bit. Overall a great book!




Wicked by Shannon Drake


Camille Montgomery works for the Egyptian Antiquites Deaprtment at the museum. A long hard-fought position that she was determined to keep-despite the fact that she was a commoner AND a woman. Unfortunately, one day after work, her guardian's friend Ralph runs to Camille to let her know that Tristan (her guardian) was hurt trying to steal from the Earl of Carlyle and was taken into the castle by the Earl's men! Scared for Tristan and her own job security, Camille rushes to the Carlyle Castle to try and rescue him from the beast of a man known as Lord Stirling, the Earl of Carlyle. Beating on the gates of the castle, Camille is finally granted entrance and a meeting with the mysterious and beastly Earl.

The Earl (Brain) was known as a beast because of both appearance and attitude. His parents were killed by asps (cobras) a year earlier in an expedition in Egypt when they uncovered a tomb of a great ruler and sorcerer. Many said that he was cursed and that was what had killed his parents, but Brian knew in his heart that the rumors were untrue--someone close to him and his parents murdered them. He learned of the news during a vicious battle in which his face was sliced open and scarred which explained why he wore the mask in public--a place he seldom went.

When Camille demanded to know what was to become of Tristan, the Earl decided that she would make a great bartering tool in the deadly race to find his parents' killer. Unhappy with being blackmailed to help the Earl, Camille tries to find answers on her own, putting herself into more danger than she realized. As a week passes, Camille and the Earl have daily meetings/arguments and eventually fall in love. Unfortunately the killer is aware of their growing romance and decides to plot more murders.

Do they find the killer before it's too late? Will Camille and Brian's new romance blossom, or is their relationship a result of being thrown together in pressure-filled situations? Read the book to find out who is evil and Wicked.

I originally picked up this novel because I thought it was one of the books in her Vampire novels, but none of the characters were familiar so I was a little disappointed. Thankfully, the characters in this novel were just as enticing and I was soon entranced by the plot-line. I wanted to help unravel the mystery before it was too late for our characters. Excellent book!





Other books I read during this challenge:

Seaside by Terri Blackstock
Sleeping with Beauty by Donna Kauffman
The Glass Cafe OR, The Stripper and the State; How My Mother Started a War with the System That Made Us Kind Of Rich and a Little Bit Famous by Gary Paulsen
Only In Your Dreams by Cecily von Ziegesar
Would I Lie To You by Cecily von Ziegesar
The Haunting by Hope Tarr
A Woman with Secrets by Inglath Cooper
Last Part First by Angela Johnson
Shooter by Walter Dean Myers
Maximum Ride 3: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson