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February 24, 2007-

Faithless By Karin Slaughter

Offical Cover Info:
The victim was buried alive in the Georgia woods--then killed in a horrifying fashion. When Sara Linton and Jeffrey Tolliver stumble upon the body, both become consumed with finding out who killed the pretty, impeccably dressed young woman. And for Sara and Jeffrey, a harrowing journey begins, one that will test their own turbulent relationship and draw dozens of lives into the case.

Lena Adams is one of them. A Grant County detective for years, she has her own reasons for being drawn to this case and a fierce drive to see justice done. For these three people, who have each seen the darkest side of human nature, the body of the murdered girl is but the first in a series of shocking and sordid revelations.
Now, as Jeffrey and Sara narrow the field of suspects, they must confront their own doubts and indiscretions, while Lena Adams sees herself reflected in the frightened eyes of a battered woman who may be the key figure in the case. As Faithless builds to a stunning and unforgettable climax, Karin Slaughter masterfully brings together strands of interlocking lives, family secrets, and hidden passions with one astounding truth: the identity of a killer who is moreevil and dangerous than anyone could have guessed.

My own take on this book:

I read this book in approximately 2 weeks, it is about 580 pages.
I enjoyed this book. It was a crime drama with alot of back stories going on. I have never read anything by Karin Slaughter. I found out later that she writes in the same fashion as James Patterson, she continues characters throughout some of her books. I think that having a background on her characters wasn't really needed. She tells you a quick background when you need it. Anyway. This isn't a religious bashing book, its not going to make you change your mind about your beliefs or anything like that. Its just a run of the mill crime novel. Who did it and why. There are some strong PG13-R themes and language. If you're not ready for something like that, I don't suggest reading this book. If you can get past that type of thing, its a good crime novel. Its sort of like Kiss the Girls or Along Came A Spider by James Patterson. So if you like him, you'll most likely like this book.

Asking For Trouble: A Novel
By Elizabeth Young

From the Publisher
At thirty, Sophy is unmarried, and aside from her mother's near-constant hectoring, in no hurry to march down the aisle. To quiet the maternal angst, Sophy invents a boyfriend named Dominic and all is well—that is, until her sister's wedding when she must produce the real thing. At the eleventh hour and in utter desperation, Sophy contacts an escort service. Attending the wedding with "Dominic," Sophy quickly realizes that there is no such thing as one little lie...and the fabrications escalate. When the bubbles from the wedding champagne evaporate, she discovers that she likes her escort as more than a convenient arm decoration. What to do? Turn lies into sighs...and a happily ever after.


My own take on this book:
I started this book and I thought I'd never get through the first hundred pages. It took me about a week and a half for 100 pages. The beginning is obviously utterly boring. I have to admit, once you get past those pages, you can't put the book down. This book is what the movie "The Wedding Date" is based on. (Debra Messing from Will and Grace) Let me state for the record, other than the very basic story line of hiring an escort to pose as her boyfriend at her sisters wedding, they are totally different. The book is written in a different style than the movie. The movie is funny, light and original while the book is slightly darker, and desperate. You never quite feel the way about the main character as you probally should. I was annoyed with her lies in the beginning, even though I knew why she was doing it. She makes alot more colossal mistakes and overly reaching than the movie. I know I shouldn't continually put the book in the same space as the movie, so I'll stop. If you enjoy Sex and The City type things, where you just know that its going to hit the fan, this is a great book (please note that after I said I wouldn't I typed movie, and had to backspace..lol..). This book is funny, and it keeps you on your toes as to what is going to happen, and when. You feel sorry for the main character, because you know deep down that she is a great person who just let herself go too far. I think its a good book, just remember to hang on until at least the wedding. xd

Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of The Sisterhood
By Anne Brashares

Since publication of The Second Summer of the Sisterhood in 2003, readers have waited with bated breath for the third uplifting installment of Ann Brashares' blockbuster series. At last, the Traveling Pants are back! Filled with changes, surprises, and -- of course -- friendship, this appealing page-turner follows the four friends through the last eventful summer before they head off to college. Beginning with the ceremonial unfolding-of-the-Pants, Brashares dives headfirst into the complicated lives of the four girls: Carmen, who is now taking care of Lena's grandmother and dealing with a new development at home; Lena, whose plans for art school might be thwarted by her father; Bridget, who finds an unexpected surprise at the soccer camp where she is working; and insecure Tibby, who discovers in herself untapped reserves of strength. In this touching and heartfelt story, Brashares sends her likable characters off in several directions; but, as always, she ultimately brings them together in an affirmation of friendship. And, while it remains to be seen what further adventures await the girls as they leave for their different schools, one thing is sure: Fans of the Traveling Pants will continue to savor every twist and turn in this inspiring series.


My own take on this book:

This took me about 2 days to read. I read it right after reading the second summer of the sisterhood. It is another sweet and sassy addition to the series. I read most of this book on a sunday afternoon and evening. I turned off the television and couldn't put it down. This is the last summer before the girls leave for seperate colleges in seperate states. They deal with alot of changes over the summer. Its a great book if you're looking something not too serious. There are serious moments in this book, just like the rest of the series. Nothing that made me cry this time. No deaths this time. There are more ahappy moments in this one. A birth and a rebirth. Most of the girls go through a sort of rebirth. The realize whats truly important in life. They figure out themselves more. Its beautiful.

That looks really interesting.

For psmith:

(I read this one before Learning Curves.)



Once upon Stilettos
by Shanna Swendson

From the Publishers:

Click your heels three times and say,
"There's no place like Bloomies!"

Katie Chandler's life is pure magic- literally. As an executive assistant at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., she's seen more than her share of fantastical occurrences. A mere Manhattan mortal, Katie is no wizard, but she's a wiz at exposing "hokum" pocus, cloaked lies, and deceptive enchantments. And she's fallen under the all-too-human spell of attraction to Owen, a hunky wizard and coworker. Owen, however, is preoccupied. Someone has broken into his office and disrupted top-secret files, and it reeks of an inside job. CEO Merlin (yes, the Merlin) and taps Katie and her special ability to uncover the magical mole.

Keeping her feelings in check while sleuthing alongside Owen, Katie is shocked to discover that her immunity to magic is waning, putting her in grave danger. Soon she's surrendering to the charms and enchantments of everyone and everything around her, including a killer pair of red stilettos. Katie must now conjure up her natural instincts to get to the bottom of the break-in, regain her power, and win the wizard of her dreams.

My opinion of this one:

OMG!!! I loved this book. It was so much fun to read. I couldn't put it down, it took me 3 days to read. I thought it was such a creative idea. I wasn't even going to read it. I took one look at the title and I was thinking "Great another Sex and the City wannabe". No such thing. No comparison. This is a clever and original idea about a human whose only magical ability is that she's immune to magic. So she can see all the fairies who hide their wings when out in public. The ogre looks like an orge instead of looking like Brad Pitt. Its so funny. Its all based in modern day New York. I'm not used to seeing the "Fairy tale" in the modern world. Merlin isn't usually in a suit with a cell phone in his pocket. (btw he was brought out of a trance and doesn't really know much about the modern world) You see how possible it would be, if this world was real, that the rest of us would have no idea. The gargoyles at your local church could really be moonlighting at another church on saturday night as their security. Its so fun. The woman who thought of this is so smart. It reminds me of a grown up female version of Harry Potter in some ways. I adored this book. I will probally buy it so I can read it again later. Go get it. I think that the thing that really caught my eye was a quote on the front of the book.

I'm named after Samantha from Bewitched. I was hooked then. My mom showed me this book. See why I love my mom so much..lol.. heart

Any book that does that is a gift. I will have to check it out. 3nodding

Students Across the Seven Seas (S.A.S.S) #3
Spain or Shine
By Michelle Jellen

From the Publisher
Elena is lost in the shuffle between her three overachieving siblings. But now that she's on her own for a whole semester, she intends to keep the spotlight on herself—and Spain is just the place to do it. Once she starts living it up in tapas bars, lying out on the beach (even though it's November), and having a nice, long siesta smack-dab in the middle of every day, Elena finds that Spain is everything she hoped it would be. She's even met a to-fawn-over Spaniard, Miguel. But Elena has always been more comfortable writing plays than starring in them, and she's beginning to realize that keeping out of the spotlight has its perks too. . . .

My personal opinion:

This is the story of a girl who goes to Spain for a semester of school to study writing. She leave her family and friends in the US and stays with strangers. She doesn't speak spanish, and doesn't know anyone. As she starts to learn a little bit more about the school and the area she starts to come out of her shell. She begins to learn about what is really important to her, what she is really good at and how to open up. She makes some new friends and meets a guy she likes. Its alot like Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants. It was a good book and I enjoyed reading it. I'm going to see if I can find the rest of the series (this is the third). Its about girls in different foriegn countries and what they have to do to adjust. Elena ends up becoming a very strong person compared to the shy introverted girl she was before the trip.