Thursday, April 28, 2011

Review-A Pittsburgh Affair

Title: A Pittsburgh Affair
Author: T.L. Peters

Synopsis (Goodreads):
Spencer Wedgeworth, a rising young star in an elite law firm, fears that he is being drawn into an international crime ring headed by his superiors at the firm, including some rather flashy and violent women. Aided by a quirky paralegal planted to spy on him and with whom he falls madly in love, Spencer uncovers the real truth about the contraband that he has been spiriting around the globe, a truth far more terrible than anything he could have imagined. But when his friend and long time mentor betrays him, Spencer flees to Bolivia where he has it out with the mob bosses in a wild brawl instigated by his girlfriend. Will Spencer survive to see justice done, or will he become just another in a long line of unfortunate victims in a violent, no-holds barred game of espionage and murder?

My Review:
This novel surprised me. In the beginning it was hard for me to get involved, even though the first chapter was fast-paced. I'm not sure exactly what was keeping me from really being taken in by the book. But, I pressed on and once all of the other characters started showing up I was in. From there it was a fact-paced, thriller, sometimes even a bit humorous. I especially loved Moonglow. =) She was super awesome, and she kicked ass. Literally. 
There were a few grammatical errors, although they didn't deter from the story. And I felt that some of the characters and situations were under-developed.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

My Rating:
Some book lovers cupcakes


pick up this book @
Monday, April 25, 2011

Review-The Meteoric Rise of Simon Burchwood

Title: The Meteoric Rise of Simon Burchwood
Author: Scott Semegran

Synopsis (Goodreads):
On his way to New York to celebrate his impending literary success, Simon Burchwood is the prototypical American careerist: arrogant, egotistical, narcissistic. But a quick detour to Montgomery, Alabama to visit a childhood friend sends Simon on a bizarre journey, challenging his hopes and dreams of becoming a famous writer. The Meteoric Rise of Simon Burchwood is a character study that delves into the psyche of a man who desperately tries to redefine himself.


My Review:
This book cracked me up! Simon Burchwood is the author of the soon to be published novel THE RISE AND FALL OF A TITAN. He's crude, arrogant, and well just a jerk. He loves to shamelessly self promote and hands anyone, and I mean anyone, his flashy business card. While traveling to New York to do a reading of his new novel at a Barnes and Noble, he decides to take a quick stop in good ole' Montgomery, Alabama. The town of his childhood. Simon quickly realizes that this may not have been the best idea, and that his literary success may be in jeopardy.
Overall a very good and funny read. The only draw back I had was the over usage of vulgarities. 


My Rating:
A nice birthday cake



pick up this funny book@


Thursday, April 21, 2011

TBR Thursday #2

Omg! I haven't done one of these in forever.....I work way tooo much lol...
Ok here we go:

TBR Thursday is hosted by

So I received 2 books so far this week & i'm waiting on a few more. I'm also waiting to start a few....


Airmail by Naomi Bulger: 
Reclusive old Mr. G.L. Solomon's favorite things are single malt whiskey, Steve McQueen movies, and gingersnap cookies. He hates processed cheese, washing detergent commercials, and the way the teacup rattles in the saucer when he picks it up. Solomon has become accustomed to his lonely routine in Sydney, Australia-until the day he begins sporadically receiving letters in his mailbox from a complete stranger. On the other side of the world, Anouk is a mentally delicate young woman living in New York who insists she is being stalked by a fat woman in a pink tracksuit. When Anouk declares to Solomon that she is writing "from the Other Side," the old man breaks away from his daily grind of watching soap operas and reading Fishing World and travels to New York to find her. As he is drawn into Anouk's surreal world of stalkers and storytelling, marbles and cats, purgatory and Plato, Solomon has but one goal-to unravel the mystery before it is too late.




A Pittsburgh Affair by T.L. Peters:

Spencer Wedgeworth, a rising young star in an elite law firm, fears that he is being drawn into an international crime ring headed by his superiors at the firm, including some rather flashy and violent women. Aided by a quirky paralegal planted to spy on him and with whom he falls madly in love, Spencer uncovers the real truth about the contraband that he has been spiriting around the globe, a truth far more terrible than anything he could have imagined. But when his friend and long time mentor betrays him, Spencer flees to Bolivia where he has it out with the mob bosses in a wild brawl instigated by his girlfriend. Will Spencer survive to see justice done, or will he become just another in a long line of unfortunate victims in a violent, no-holds barred game of espionage and murder?




God's Lions by John Lyman:

Summoned to Rome by an old friend, a Jesuit scholar finds himself using a code discovered in the Bible to find an ancient, hidden chapel in the catacombs under the city. When a rogue force of Vatican security officials are alerted to his discovery, the priest flees to the Holy Land with a clue ... a clue that will lead him and a team of Israeli Christians to a much larger secret in the middle of the barren Negev Desert. Meticulously researched and drawing on scientific fact, John Lyman's intriguing story takes us into the world of scholars, archaeologists, code-breakers, and intelligence specialists who have discovered a prophetic code hidden within the Old Testament that authenticates the Bible as a book of supernatural origin and points to a divine plan. This gripping novel is truly a thought-provoking and action-packed thriller with implications for our future.



Amanda In Arabia-The Perfume Flask by Darlene Foster:

Amanda Ross is your average twelve year old Canadian girl. So what is she doing thousands of kilometers from home in the United Arab Emirates? It's her own fault really, she wished for adventure and travel when she blew out those candles on her last birthday cake. Little did she know that a whole different world awaited her on the other side of the globe, one full of intrigue, mystery and folklore. A world with beautiful princesses, mysterious mystics and wonderful friends. 


Review - Stay (A Callie Rose Novel)

Title: Stay
Author: C.C. Jackson

Synopsis (Goodreads):
Callie is shocked when she is ripped from her home in the middle of the night. She is taken to a city that she never knew existed only to find that she has a strange connection to her sexy captor. To top it all off, he tries to convince her that she is not even human. She learns that she is actually a fairy. Not just any fairy, but a fairy who has been destined to become queen of the fairies.
The only problem is that the current queen is a cruel tyrant and Callie will have to fight for the title that she was meant for. She is not completely convinced that this is a life that she wants to live. She would love nothing more than to go back to being the normal human girl that she always thought that she was.
When tragedy strikes, Callie finds that she no longer knows who she can trust. She must learn to survive on her own in a harsh underground world.
She finds herself dealing with the struggles of life and love for the first time. Two gorgeous guys, a bunch of new friends, and a whole new world. Will it be more than she can bear?

My Review:
Very Cute read! I loved how I was transported to this very unique world of The Fae. 
Callie is just an ordinary girl, or so she thinks, until one night she is forcibly taken from the confines of her home, by an ultra attractive man. She can't help feeling the pull and attraction to him and is completely perplexed why. Callie learns from her captor that they are destined to be together, and that she is actually the heir to the throne in Petrona. The Land of The Fae. Fairies.
To make matters worse, the current Queen is a phony and a tyrant who took over after Callie's parents (the true Queen and King) fled the land to protect Callie. Now Callie must choose: run away from her destiny or stay and fight for what is truly hers.
A quick read, really fun. Love the use of magic and the elements. Callie can sure kick some ass.

My Rating:
A cute birthday cake


pick up Stay @



Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Review - Life Seemed Good, But...



Title: Life Seemed Good, But...
Author: Richard Bell

Synopsis (Goodreads):
Welcome. Are you interested in entering a funny, bizarre and unpredictable world? I mean besides the one we all live in? Are you in the mood for dark, or possibly goofy, or possibly just hilarious stories? Then meet the strange characters who live in and around the Mystee Forest, including Oscar the Too-Lucky Gambler, Plooky the Mean Clown, Diane and her Clumsy Unicorn, and various aliens and wizards. Read about the thoughts of a grilled cheese sandwich. As an added bonus, you will also read about my various adventures involving aluminum foil, which are amazing and not to be missed. Lots of the stories are interrelated and contain hidden trivia references, which will give you something to do while you’re laughing.
Warning: This is a book of humor and not meant to be mistaken for great literature.

My Review:
Rolling on the floor, laughing my ass off funny!!! I loved this book. It seriously cracked me up. I actually loved some of these stories so much that I took it to work and read a few out loud. My co-workers, in turn, were laughing their asses off!
Richard Bell brings you into this very unique and bizarre world, that is a very nice breath of fresh air - well if you don't include Farty-Horse, whose real name is Melvin....but that is a horse of different color...lol.
Seriously, this was a great book. The stories were original, and very entertaining. I can definitely say, I will never ever look at a potato the same, ever again.

My Rating:
A Beautiful Wedding cake


pick up this hilarious book @


Thursday, April 14, 2011

Spotlight on Michelle Muto - Author of The Book of Lost Souls

I recently read Michelle's book - The Book of Lost Souls. I absolutely loved it! Check out my review here.
Because I loved it so much, I just had to see if Michelle would be willing to an interview... =) and of course the answer was yes!



Michelle has always loved storytelling. When she was a child, her favorite stories were of monsters and things that lurked in the dark. Telling stories often
frightened her classmates and got her into a lot of trouble with her teachers. They had no sense of humor.

As an adult, Michelle traded her love of writing for the corporate life where she was an IT professional. Today, she's back to doing what she loves best - writing and storytelling.

Michelle grew up in Chicago, but currently lives in NE Georgia with her husband and their two dogs. She loves scary books, funny movies, sports cars, chocolate, dogs, and changes of season.



Author Interview Michelle Muto
Random Questions:
Hardcover or Paperback? 
Hardcover.
Bookmark or Dog ear a page? 
Bookmark
Coffee or Tea? 
Tea. Loose leaf.
Pepsi or Coke? 
Coke
Vanilla or Chocolate? 
Chocolate! 
Favorite fictional character? 
Oddly, it'd be from a TV show - most of the cast from Supernatural. Cass, Bobby, Dean, Sam.
Favorite movie? 
All of the Harry Potter movies.
Have you met anyone famous? 
No, but I'm a descendant of William Howard, Blackbeard's Quartermaster. Does that make me part pirate? LOL!
Favorite Quote? 
If you think you can or think you can't, you're right. ~Henry Ford
Vampire, Witch, Werewolf etc. If possible what would you be? Why? 
Witch. No shedding, no sunburns. Ha! Plus, being a witch would just make housework so much easier.
Serious Questions:
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? 
I'm an animal fanatic, a nature lover, a die-hard geek, and accomplishment driven. I never trust people who don't have a sense of humor. I've been a sales clerk, a model, an IT professional, and a tech writer. 
When did you begin writing? Who or What were your inspirations?
 I wrote my first story when I was seven. As a teen, I became more interested in horses and boys, so writing took a back seat. I dabbled a little in my twenties and early thirties, but life and the day jobs always took center stage for a long time. But, once I got back into it, I vowed to never give it up again. My inspirations? First would be my mother who read to me as a child. Then, it'd have to be Bram Stoker, Stephen King, Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling. I read Dracula when I was ten and fell in love with all things supernatural. Hitchcock was just brilliant when it came to suspense. My brother used to babysit for me when I was young and made me watch Twilight Zone & Creature Feature reruns. So, he probably had a hand in it, too.
Do you have a favorite place to write or a favorite time of day? 
I don't really have a preference. These days, I write in a dedicated room. But, The Book of Lost Souls was written entirely on a laptop while sitting at the dining room table. I wrote whenever I could - in between doing laundry and jotting down grocery lists and paying the bills. That part, the time of day, hasn't changed. I've even been known to get up and write in the middle of the night. I'm sort of an insomniac. 
What made you write The Lost Book of Souls? Were there any scenes or situations you had to leave out for any reason?
 I loved the original Harry Potter so much that when it ended, I was at a loss to find something as light hearted and fun as the first few books. I'm also a huge fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I started to think about a small town witch and how her life was just sweet and chaotic all at the same time. I did cut out a character from this book that will be in a future Ivy MacTavish novel. Yeah, I'm starting to kick around the second one since The Book of Lost Souls has received such a warm welcome with readers. And, I miss writing about Ivy and her friends. They were so much fun.
What genres do you like to read in your spare time? 
I read all kinds of books. Literary, urban fantasy, thriller, suspense, horror, humor, young adult.
Is writing your full time job, or is it just your super hero persona? 
It's mostly my full time job now, although I do take on some short-term technical freelance writing jobs to help support my writing habit and pay some of the bills. 
Do you have any quirks or special rituals you must do before writing or when completing a story? 
Not really. Short of making an itunes play list for each book as I go. I listen to it when I have writer's block or need a boost of ambition.
If you could be a character from any story who would it be? Why? 
Jenny Weasley. She's just so powerful, so cool, and yet, she's low key.
What are your thoughts about books that become movies? Do you prefer to read the book first or see the film? 
There have been some books that were great as movies, and some that could have been better. I'm all for making books into movies. It gets people to go back and read the book. I usually prefer to read the book before seeing the movie, although I'm busy enough that it doesn't always happen that way. Like The Rite. I saw it as a movie and immediately added it to my TBR pile. Unfortunately, I still haven't gotten around to it. I'm dying to see Water for Elephants, though. I loved the book!
Are you currently working on anything right now? 
Oh yes! I'm editing a book I hope to have out this summer. There's another book that I'm totally revising, and yet another that I just recently started. And of course, I'm thinking about the sequel to The Book of Lost Souls.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a quick thank you to Michelle Muto for stopping by and doing this interview. 
visit Michelle @


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Review - The Book of Lost Souls

Title: The Book of Lost Souls
Author: Michelle Muto

Synopsis (Goodreads):
When teen witch Ivy MacTavish changes a lizard into her date for a Halloween dance, everything turns to chaos. And when no one is powerful enough to transform him back except Ivy, it sparks the rumor: Like father, like daughter. Ivy has heard it all before - that her father, who left when she was seven – was involved with the darkest of magic.

Making the rumors worse, someone uses an evil spell book to bring back two of history's most nefarious killers. Ivy's got a simple plan to set things right: find the real dark spell caster, steal the book, and reverse the spell. No problem! But she’ll have to deal with something more dangerous than murderous spirits that want her and her friends dead: the school’s resident bad boy and hotter-than-brimstone demon, Nick Marcelli. Nick’s offering Ivy more than his help with recovering the missing book – he’s offering her a way to ditch her scaly reputation as a lizard-lover. Demons are about as hard to handle as black magic, and as Ivy soon discovers, it’s going to take more than a lot of luck and a little charm if she wants to survive long enough to clear her status as a dark witch, get a warm-blooded boyfriend, and have her former date back to eating meal worms before the week’s end.
 

My Review:
One of the most adorable books I have read in a while. I read this in one day and couldn't put it down. I loved all of the characters, especially Nick . =D  
What I loved the most in this book was the nice tight-knit group of friends that Ivy had. It was very reminiscent of The Scooby Gang (in Buffy).   I also  loved the fact that the town they lived in consisted of Regulars (humans)  & Kindreds (witches, vampires, werewolves, fairies, trolls etc.) that coexisted together. I think this adds a nice dynamic to the story, you would always be wondering who's a regular? Who's a kindred?
I felt that the story was told very well, and the essence of high school was presented wonderfully. I think this book would make a great movie. It has it all: Magic, Teen Angst, Crushes, Murder. A perfect mix.
A must read!

My Rating:
A Beautiful Wedding Cake


pick up The Book of Lost Souls @


What I've Read.

Fahrenheit 451
To Kill a Mockingbird
Mistletoe Murder
The Devil Wears Prada
Eclipse
Breaking Dawn
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Lovely Bones
Like Water for Chocolate
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Bridget Jones's Diary
Life Seemed Good, But....
The Nanny Diaries
Exiled, Book 1
Beautiful Sins
The Meteoric Rise of Simon Burchwood
The Hunt for Red October
A PITTSBURGH AFFAIR
The Silence of the Lambs
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire


Ashley's favorite books »
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