Review - Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas

 Someone to Watch Over Me is the first in Lisa Kleypas' Bow Street Runners series.  Vivien Duvall is rescued from the icy waters of the Thames by Grant Morgan - an infamous Bow Street Runner.  To their mutual surprise, Vivien is experiencing amnesia.  Grant quickly determines - based on the bruises around her throat and the huge lump on her head - that someone had attempted murder on the beautiful Vivien.  He offers her a sanctuary in his home as he takes on the case of identifying her attacker.

Further adding to the muddle of circumstances - Vivien, in her pre-amnesia life - is a very worldly courtesan.  One who Grant had met and been physically attracted to but turned off by her nasty attitude.  The post-amnesia Vivien is delightful, engagingly intelligent and acts like a blushing virgin.  It's all rather confounding, to say the least.

Once Vivien is feeling well and over the worst of her injuries - Grant takes her to a ball to let her attacker know that the murder attempt was unsuccessful.  In the midst of trying to solve a crime - Grant and Vivien fall for one another, of course.  And then they learn even more surprising details about Vivien and her past.

I enjoyed this book and feel that anything by Lisa Kleypas is sure to be a winner.

Review - Hooked On Murder by Betty Hechtman

Hooked On Murder by Betty Hechtman is the first book in the Crochet Mysteries.  I stumbled upon this series at my library and was happy to find a mystery series about my new hobby.  The fact that the book is really good and I want to read the rest of said series is even better.

Molly Pink is a woman who became a widow about a year ago.  She has two grown sons trying to make their mark in the world, a Detective named Barry that she dates but he wants more and oh yeah, she's just stumbled on a dead body.  Literally. 

The fact that the dead body belongs to Molly's now deceased husband's business partner, Ellen Sheridan is quickly uncovered by the Homicide Detectives trying to solve Ellen's murder.  It does not look good for Molly when the detectives discover that she and Ellen parted ways in a less than amicable fashion.  Of course, there is even more circumstantial evidence that has the detectives looking in Molly's direction for Ellen's murder.  So naturally, Molly takes it upon herself - with the help of her man-crazy best friend Dinah - to solve Ellen's case.

While trying to determine the identity of the true killer, Molly learns that Ellen's crochet group, The Tarzana Hookers, were in the process of making a Granny Square afghan to donate to an animal charity.  Molly figures joining the group will help her put pieces together in her quest to solve the crime and absolve herself.  Of course, what follows is a jumble of mistakes, adventure, self-discovery and a newfound love for crochet.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Lorikeet Forest at Aquarium of the Pacific

The Lorikeets are gorgeous and my daughters and I have fallen in love with them.  We want one but my husband is adamently against it.  I wonder if us girls might be able to change his mind? Probably not but that doesn't mean i won't try. LOL

Teaser Tuesday's: Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To play along, just do the following:

- 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 list if they like your teaser.
 

My teaser from page 55 of Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts:
 
Wasn't at least part of the zip because of what they did here, the training, the sweat, the anticipation, the intense satisfaction of knowing only a select few could make the cut and be what they were? And, hello, wasn't that the reason she didn't get sexually or romantically involved with other jumpers?

And the Winner Is --

I had a lot of fun with the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Book Hop.  It was fun visiting many of the participating blogs.  I also really appreciate all those who visited and are now following my blog.  Thank you very much! Thank you to the ladies at I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Once Upon a Twilight for hosting the hop.  My experience with the hop was very smooth.  I'd definitely participate in other events put on by them.

And now - the winner of my giveaway is Jennifer from The Bawdy Book Blog.  Congratulations Jennifer! I love your blog, by the way!

Spring's Serenity Read-a-Thon

It's time for the Spring's Serenity Read-a-Thon hosted by Michelle at The True Book Addict.  As usual, this is meant to be a relaxing and fun event.  The funny thing is, this is the least serene week on my calendar in a really long time.  I still really want to be a part of this event, though.

With a cram packed week for my family, and a writing deadline of my own this Friday - my goal for this read-a-thon is to finish the book I'm reading - Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts.  I'm also hoping to finally start (and maybe finish) Watership Down by Richard Adams.  That's it - LOL - one possibly two books.  It'll be fun, though.  and as I said, that is the point.

Have a great week!

Book Blogger Hop & Follow friday

"If you find a book you love, do you hunt down other books by the same author?"


Absolutely! This is how I discovered that I adore Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas.  Last Summer I read The Duke and I by Julia Quinn and fell in love with her writing style.  It turned out that the book was the second in an eight book series.  Of course, I then started with book one and rapidly read by way through Quinn's Bridgerton series.

Sadly though, I'm not always enthralled by other books that I find by authors.  More times than not I do like an authors other works, though.




Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club! Please join in the fun and get to know your fellow bloggers with the hop at Never Growing Hold hosted by Jave.

The RULES to join in are very simple!
1. Grab the button

2. Add your link to the list

3. Visit as many other blogs as you can

4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)
Hae a great weekend!

Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Giveaway Hop. 

As stated, this is a giveaway hop and will run from April 20th until April 25th.  It begins at 12:01 a.m. ET - so that's why it is appearing on my blog a couple of hours early.  The idea is to visit the different blogs that are participating and enter for the book related items you are interested in possibly winning.  Personally, this is right up my alley.  Blogs and books - right on.  I know I'll be hopping around this week.

All you have to do to enter my giveaway is be a follower and comment so that I know you have stopped by for a visit.  That's it - nice and easy.  At the end of the week I'll randomly choose a winner and be in touch.  I'll send my giveaway internationally so this is open to every one.

As for my giveaway - I have a copy of Robin Kaye's Romeo, Romeo to pass along.  It's a book I purchased and then ended up getting a free copy of it on my Nook.  I read it on my Nook but never in the paper version.  So now I'd like to pass it on to one of you to enjoy.  I will also include a hand made book mark.

Thank you for stopping by.  Please have fun as you continue hopping around to the other participating blogs.  Have a great week!

Meet Me On Monday - April 18, 2011

Meet Me on Monday is hosted by Java at Never Growing Old. This weeks questions (and answers) are as follows:

1. Caesar Salad or Garden Salad?
Garden salad but with dark green lettuce and lots of veggies.  And Ranch dressing.  Yum!



2. Will you be watching the Royal Wedding on April 29th?
I won't be able to watch it as it happens but will definitely catch whatever repeats or highlights that I can.  I'm really interested in the Royal Wedding and my husband just can not understand why.


3. Last thing you spent lots of money on?
I am super frugal (yes, cheap is the right word for me).  I have serious feelings of panic if I spend too much money at once so this doesn't really apply to me.


4. Window seat or aisle seat?
I need an aisle seat.  Even at the movies I prefer to sit on the aisle.  I don't like feeling like I'm stuck in the middle or bothering people if I have to get up.


5. Do you know your blood type?
No.  I realize that is so not smart that I don't know it but I just never remember it.  I've been told (more than once, even) what it is but it never sticks in my brain.  Weird, I know.

Follow Friday - April 15, 2011

Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club! Please join in the fun and get to know your fellow bloggers!

The RULES to join in are very simple!

1. Grab the button (from Java's Never Growing Old)
2. Add your link to the list
3. Visit as many other blogs as you can
4. Follow the ones you like (and comment on their blog to say that you are following)

Hae a great weekend!

Teaser Tuesday's: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To play along, just do the following:
- 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 list if they like your teaser.
 
My teaser, from page 115 of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness -
 
The pieces of my puzzle started to move of their own volition, swirling in patterns that were too fast to follow.  I slapped my imaginary hands on the table and the pieces stopped their dance.  My palms tickled with recognition.

Meet Me On Monday - April 11, 2011

Meet Me on Monday is hosted by Java at Never Growing Old. This weeks questions (and answers) are as follows:

1. Who would be your dream celebrity date?
Simon le Bon - the singer of Duran Duran.



2. Do you have any food restrictions?
No.


3. How much time do you take to get ready in the morning?
About a half-hour.


4. Sausage or bacon?
Bacon.  Although I had really fabulous sausage that my husband made this morning.


5. Do you Google, Bing or Yahoo?
Google and Yahoo.

Have a great week everyone!

Mid-Readathon Survey

1. What are you reading right now?
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.



2. How many books have you read so far? One.


3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon? A Discovery of Witches and, if I get to it - Watership Down by Richard Adams.


4. Did you have to make any special arrangements to free up your whole day? My entire day is not free.  My husband is very understanding of my love of reading and desire to participate in the readathon.  However, my children, while supportive, are still young and like to interrupt mommy.


5. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those? Yes! The above-mentioned children have interrupted a LOT.  It's all right, though.  They know they come first for me.  And right now they are off at an event with daddy so some of my time is quiet and free.


6. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far? No surprises really but I love the comraderie of this event.


7. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No, I love it as is.


8. What would you do differently, as a Reader or a Cheerleader, if you were to do this again next year? Have a girls weekend away with a friend or friends who also wanted to participate in the readathon.


9. Are you getting tired yet? Not really.  This morning was a lot harder for me.


10. Do you have any tips for other Readers or Cheerleaders, something you think is working well for you that others may not have discovered? Just have fun! Oh, and don't forget to get up and move and stretch from time to time.  Get some food, somthing to drink.  I didn't do enough of this last time and got sick.  This time I've made sure to do these things and I'm feeling much better at this point in the day.

This was a fun survey.  Now I'm off to read some more! I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the readathon!

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon - Hour One Questionaire

It's here! Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon is finally here. yay! To kick off the event, the coordinators have put together this little meme.  I hope everyone has a great time today!

1. Where are you reading from today?


I am reading from home in Southern California. I may venture out to my local Starbucks later for a change of venue and more caffeine, of course.

2. Three facts about me:

    1. I am not a morning person - so this 5 a.m. start is difficult for me. Here I am though because I love everything about Dewey’s readathon.

    2. My husband and my daughters are my favorite people in all the world. One of my little girls is going to join in the readathon fun later and read some of her kids books with me.

    3. In February I started teaching myself to crochet. I am having a great time with it.

3. How many books do you have in your TBR pile for the next 24 hours?

I have five books in my immediate pile. I have plenty others to choose from though in case my mood changes through the day and night. Plus, I have a few choices on my Nook.

4. Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)? My goal is to participate through the entire twenty-four hours.

I will read a lot, visit some other participants and probably take on some mini challenges.

5. If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?

This is only my second time participating. I don’t know if that makes me a veteran but my best advice is to have fun. I mean, this is basically about reading - something I assume all of the participant’s love. So yeah, have fun!

Follow Friday

Are you a blogger over 40? Yeah, welcome to the club! Please join in the fun and get to know your fellow bloggers over at Java's Never Growing Old. 

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon

I am so excited! Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon is in four days.  I participated for the first time in October and have eagerly anticipated doing this again.  My husband and children know that I am doing this again but I will be sure to remind them.  They were super sweet and supportive about it in October - so I imagine they'll be the same this time.

I'm taking my daughters to the library Friday afternoon to pick out some books for themselves to enjoy on Saturday, as well.  My oldest is thrilled about this as she has become quite a good little reader this year at school.  Of course, my youngest is just as pleased because she is really into the picture books and identifying what is on every page of every book.  I was determined that my kids be readers and I am happy to say that they definitely are.

I have a few books ready to go for Saturday.  Okay, for some reason blogger isn't letting me upload pictures so I'll just tell you what the books are.  The Distant Hours by Kate Morton, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, Watership Down by Richard Adams, Haunting Jasmine by Anjali Banerjee and Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right by Kieran Kramer.  I know that's an ambitious amount of reading but hey, I like to aim high.  Most important for me about the read-a-thon is to have fun and enjoy the comraderie with fellow book lovers.

It's not too late to sign up if you want to take part in the fun.  Oh, I just remembered that I need (fine, I want) snacks for Saturday.  I'm going to get healthy stuff but know that I will also need coffee and chocolate.  It's just the way it is for me. 

Musing Monday's: Being Teased

Musing Monday's is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. This week, MizB asks:

When you were little did other children tease you about your reading habits?

No, other kids didn't tease me about my reading habits.  My father did, though.  He was constantly making comments about me wanting to read.  He called me a bookworm, a little nerd.  He didn't understand why I'd rather read than watch television.  I like some TV but have always preferred a book.  My father never took my books from me so I never paid too much attention to his comments.  I didn't like them but as long as I could have my books - I mostly ignored him.

My kids love their books and reading.  I can't imagine ever trying to taint that love.

Meet Me On Monday: April 4, 2011

Meet Me on Monday is hosted by Java at Never Growing Old. This weeks questions (and answers) are as follows:

1. If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pasta - any kind of pasta.  It's definitely my food downfall.



2. Do you write your blog posts in advance or the day you post them?
The day I post them.


3. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?
Yes and I was scared beyond belief! My oldest daughter was 17 months and woke up shaking like a leaf and vomitting bile.  Her skin was splotchy, blue and red and hot and cold to the touch.  It was odd and seriously scary.  I called 911 and managed to stay super calm through the entire call.  The operator immediately dispatched the paramedics and they got to us so fast.  When a small child needs to ride in an ambulance - a parent or guardian is required (if able) to be on the gurney and holding the child - which I would have done anyway.  It turned out that my daughter had a urinary tract infection and a fever of 104.3.  They took care of her in the emergency room and we were able to take her home the same day.  I was so thankful for the way every thing was handled.  But I was angry too becaue I had taken her to her pediatrician the day before.  She'd been listless and not eating, drinking or urinating.  All of which were not like her at all.  They told me, "Oh, it's nothing." And I said, "No, something is wrong with my child.  Figure it out!" They didn't and said, "Just bring her back tomorrow if she's still like this."  Needless to say, my husband and I were beyond angry.  We wrote a letter to the medical board and changed our pediatrician.  Wow, I have tears in my eyes writing this.  Over five years later and I still shake at this memory.  And thank God my child is all right.  People need to realize that most parents know their kids pretty darn well and know when somthing is wrong!


4. What is your favorite candle scent?
I love pine because it makes me think of Christmas and being in the mountains.  I also love scents that make me think of Autumn, like cinnamon or apple.


5. Coffee or tea?
Both but I tend to drink more coffee.  Which is really weird because I thoroughly disliked coffee until I was in my mid-twenties.  Now I don't go a day without it.

Book Blogger Hop and Follow Friday: 4/1/11

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by jennifer at Crazy for Books.  This week's Hop question is:

"Since today is April Fool's Day in the USA, what is the best prank you have ever played on someone OR that someone has played on you?"

I love a good joke or prank as much as the next person.  However, i'm not very good at implementing the jokes and pranks.  I'm always afraid I'm going to say or do the wrong thing and really hurt someone.  Even with my family, I avoid doing this kind of thing.  I'm actually blanking on any really amazing ones that may have been played on me.  I guess maybe people pick up on my reluctance to do this to others and therefore don't do it to me.  Also, my school-aged daughter is really sensitve and was worried about today.  I told her not to worry about any of this from her family.  I hope it's not bad at school.




There is also Follow Friday over at Java's Never Growing Old.

Have a great weekend everyone!