Don't Talk Back to your Vampire by Michele Bardsley

Don't Talk Back To Your Vampire (Broken Heart, Oklahoma, Book 2) by Michele Bardsley (Paperback - Jul 3, 2007)

2nd in series, and I think this one is just as good as the first one - which I really enjoyed! This is Eva's story (and Lorcan's). There's a lot more information and background on the ancients, the taint, the Wraiths, etc. The lore is being fleshed out a bit more here, which is great.

I give this one 4 out of 5 stars, and I'm anxious to get started on the next one!

Secrets of a Shoe Addict by Beth Harbison

This was a very enjoyable read! I loved the first book, Shoe Addicts Anonymous, and this one was just as good. It's not really a sequel, although we do get to follow more of Sharon's story. But we are introduced to three new women going through some life-changing events. The characters are very real and the plot, while a bit unbelievable in places, is still engrossing. 4 1/2 stars out of 5!

Driving with Dead People by Monica Holloway

Driving with Dead People by Monica Holloway

This is an extraordinary memoir. On the surface, it's the story of a young girl's experience growing up in a violent, abusive household. On a deeper level, though, it's about the strength and resilience that can come from that.

I highly recommend this book. It's engrossing, heartbreaking, uplifting, funny, and horrifying, not to mention well-written. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Getting ready for a vacation!

We're heading out to see the in-laws next week - woo hoo! Yes, I actually love my husband's family. I get along so well with his dad and sister - I feel completely at home there. Plus I'll have tons of reading time, since Lydia will be kept very busy!

Need help deciding what books to pack though! Feel free to vote in my little poll :)

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

A great addition to this series! Lizzie is engaged, running the show at her office, and learning about what's important to her - which sometimes isn't what she had thought before.

Loved this one!! 4 1/2 stars out of 5

Undead and Unworthy by MaryJanice Davidson

Hmmm..... not sure about this one. I was kinda bored with it until the last 3rd of the book, and then it picked up some. But, I really have to say overall I'm disappointed.

First off (and I've seen lots of other comments about this as well), it's really short. Yeah, it has almost 300 pages, but really? The print is big, almost double spaced, and the margins on each page are larger than usual.

Second, while the plot, is good I think more time and attention could have been paid on the big issues. A lot happened to move Betsy's story along, but it all felt too rushed.

And finally, other than the short story in Dead Over Heels, this was the first book after Betsy and Sinclair's marriage, and it didn't seem to play that big of a part in this book.

So, I'd give this one 3 stars, and hopefully the next installment will be better :)

Hooked on Murder by Betty Hechtman

From the back cover: Molly Pink is about to discover the joys of crochet. It's a relaxing escape from her hectic life as a bookstore event coordinator... and from the stress of being the latest murder suspect in Tarzana, California.

Molly is a wonderful, multi-faceted character, and by the end of the book, she's like a good friend! The other members of the crochet group - The Tarzana Hookers (don't you love that name?) - as well as her family also become wonderfully familiar.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I am anxiously waiting for her next one - Dead Men Don't Crochet: A Crochet Mystery by Betty Hechtman - which sadly isn't available until December.

Bright Lights, Big Ass: A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me? by Jen Lancaster

I did something I usually never do, and stopped in the middle of one book to read another! But after putting down Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain, I picked this one back up, and it was the perfect book to follow up with!

Jen Lancaster and her life with husband Fletch is hilarious! I just love her sardonic humor, her ability to laugh at everyone around her, including herself!

I have the next one - Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest To Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass LookBig, Or Why Pie is Not The Answer by Jen Lancaster waiting here for me, and I can't wait to get to it!

Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain

Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain

What an amazing book! I haven't seen vivid, fascinating characters like this since Clarice and Hannibal in Silence of the Lambs.

This book is a definite can't-put-down read. There's the murder mystery, with the three bodies in the woods, the conspiracy involving them, the cover-ups, etc. And of course, the weird relationship between Gretchen and Archie is forefront.

An amazing follow-up to the previous Heartsick. I'm anxious to find out if there's more to come with Archie, Gretchen, Susan, Henry, and the rest of the gang!

Black Out by Lisa Unger

This was an exceptional psychological thriller! Annie Freeman lives in Florida with her husband and four year old daughter. The book starts with her "death" - as she escapes this life, which was an escape from another life!

What was so interesting is that the book starts with three timelines finally merging, and Lisa Unger does this brilliantly.

The book was fast paced, completely engrossing, and keeps you guessing all the way to the end - and even beyond - you'll find yourself thinking of Annie long after you close the book. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!

The Wednesday Sisters: A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton

The Wednesday Sisters: A Novel by Meg Waite Clayton


What a lovely book! The story of five women, and their experiences with writing, the 60s, motherhood, marriage, and friendship.

Frankie, who tells us this story of the Wednesday Sisters, is a mom of two, who meets and becomes friends with 4 other women, each with their own families and issues to deal with. We watch them experience the Vietnam War and ERA , marital problems, health issues, and finally, growing and becoming the women they were meant to be. Their friendship gets them through it and strengthens them.

A wonderful novel, and an author that I hope will be writing more! 4 1/2 out of 5 stars :)

Awesome Giveaway!

Melanie at Love To Read is giving away a copy of The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle - go check it out!!

I Just Want My Pants Back by David Rosen - 4/5 stars!

Stayed up late last night finishing

I Just Want My Pants Back: A Novel by David Rosen

I really liked this book! It's refreshing to read something in this genre from a male perspective. Jason is a 20 something New Yorker just trying to find his way. He has a job he's not interested in, he parties too much, he doesn't date, and has a slight disdain for his friends who are so anxious to grow up. Not surprisingly, this carefree lifestyle stops working for him, and he realizes that he needs to do some growing up himself.

The author has a wonderful use of language. Some of the passages are so funny and well-written that I would stop and read them again a few times. I love this - it makes the book so much more enjoyable.

A definite "worth reading"!