What are you reading on Monday meme #2

One person's journey through a world of books has taken over the hosting of the weekly book meme that have bloggers posting about what they are reading on any given Monday. This is my second post.  Just use the link if you want to be part of the fun!

This is the book I am reading at the moment.  I have read a lot of reviews and everyone seem to agree that it is a great book but I am finding it very hard to get into.  I have read the first chapter last week and have not been able to pick it up again.





(I borrowed the Monday picture from J Kaye)

Skins for Kindles

Did you know that you could get "skins" for your kindle - it's for pleasure and protection :) Here is my favourite from DecalGirl.

Irish Thoroughbred by Nora Roberts

Irish Thoroughbred by Nora Roberts


What a cute little story that I was able to finish in a few hours. I just love a story where there is no third romantic character to butt into the relationship. Okay, there was one but she had about a paragraph in the book :)

View all my reviews >>

Evermore (The Immortals#1) by Alyson Noel

Evermore by Alyson Noel


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The blurb:
Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is.

My thoughts:
I enjoyed this book but once again was fustrated with the ending. I know that this is just the first in the series and it will continue in further books but I still feel a little let down.  After really enjoying the first part of the book, it just started sprinting towards the last few chapters. And then it was finished. Just like that! 
I was a little fustrated with Ever a few times in the book as she seemed a little selfish but I guess everyone would feel that way after the tragedies that she lived through.  I think Damen will be well liked by all and he has superhuman patience that is for sure!
All in all, this was an enjoyable read and  I am interested enough that I will also try the rest of the series.



View all my reviews >>

What are you reading on Monday meme #1

J. Kaye's Book Blog hosts the weekly book meme that have bloggers posting about what they are reading on any given Monday.  I decided to take part as well and here is my first post :)  Just use the link if you want to be part of the fun!

I am reading another of the "Black Dagger Brotherhood Series" at the moment.  Lover Revealed is the fourth in the series and as the ones before, I am really enjoying it.  Since hubby is out of town this week, I hope to be able to read another one or two of the series before responsiblities hit again :)

I am going to hate this week

Hubby is leaving for a working week in Port Elizabeth tomorrow.  I hate being alone at night.  It is so strange since I lived alone for about 10 years before I met him and never thought twice about it.  These days, I just cringe when I have to sleep alone.  I have no problem with the daylight hours, it is just the nights that bother me.  I just know I am going to baracade myself inside with all the lights on every night :)  Wish me luck! 

It's arrived!

It has arrived!  It was shipped on the 7th and this Monday morning at 8 o'clock hubby phoned to tell me it was delivered! (only 2 working days from the US)  Those UPS guys are quick!  I love it!  Hubby loves it!  I think we are going to start having a tug of war over it very soon.  Think hubby should get his own one.  After all it says in big black letters on the front page "Chrizette's Kindle"  :)

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen by Lauren Kate

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is what the blurb on Goodreads says about this book:
There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--and goes out of his way to make that very clear--she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.

My thoughts:
I knew Daniel was an angel before I started the book (I just read too many reviews) but it was a surprise that so many other angels were also part of the reform school Luce was sent to. I really enjoyed the book - it was easy to read and full of tension to keep you reading. I just didn't appreciate the ending. I know it ended so that you will want to read the next in the series but I always feel cheated without a happy ever after ending.

View all my reviews >>

Kindle from Amazon

I knew I would not be able to wait.  I broke down at last and ordered the Kindle on Thursday.   I am hoping that the estimated delivery date of the 13th will become a reality.  I can't wait, I am so excited.  Just hope hubby doesn't open my package!

Book 1 of The Host Series

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is only the second book to make me cry (the first being My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult).  I knew I loved Stephenie Meyer after the Twilight Saga but after this book, I am hooked!
When I read the overview of The Host, I was in two minds if I should try it as the sci-fi concept sounded so strange that I couldn't believe that I would be able to sit through it.  Now I am SO glad I did as this will be one of my all time favourite books.  The love story was so sensitive and sweet and the world they lived in, so unbelievable . . . what a combination.  Wanda (the female character)was so believable that I was rooting for her from the beginning.  READ THIS BOOK, you will not be dissapointed!

View all my reviews >>

The Black Dagger Brotherhood: Book 1

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

2010 Challenge:  2/100
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It was a little difficult for me to get started on this book. I tried in December but had to give up the struggle after the first chapter as I could not concentrate on the characters. Then a few days ago, I decided to give it another try as everyone seems to LOVE this book and I am so glad I did. Sometimes it depends on my mood what kind of book I should try :) And this one just proofs it again.
This was a wonderful book with a strong (and dare I say macho) hero with a sweet heroine who turned out to be lioness with a hurt cub in the final chapters. I wouldn't cross her! I am looking forward to the rest of the series and have been told that I will not be dissapointed in the rest of the brothers :).

View all my reviews >>

My Mini Holiday is over

. . . and it is back to work tomorrow (urgh!).  But we had such a relaxing time and I have a few photos of Spuddie enjoying himself :)

He loves water, any water and was swimming all the time . .  he is a superdog!  He also dives!  (yeah you read it right the first time!)
I nearly had a heart attach and almost raced into the water the first time to save him!  And after that I only had a few heart tremors when he stayed under the water too long for my sanity!

I did stitch a little . . . but not much.

 That is about it - I am so glad to be back online . . . missed being connected :)

Merry Chrismas and a Happy Holiday

I would like to wish you all a merry Chrismas and a wonderful 2010.  And if you do not celebrate Chrismas, I hope you have a blissful day filled with all the things that make you happy :)

I am leaving for a few days' holiday and will be back after the New Year.  See you then!

Curl up with a book contest

“Click above to enter  "Curl Up with a Book…and  a Nook Contest”.

Wow, this looks like a yummy competition!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Lulu, the winner of the Heaven and Earth design.  I have send you an email already but it came back "undeliverable"!  Please email me.

EDIT:  Congratulations again, Lulu - glad you liked it!  Don't forget to send a pic when you are done stitching it!

Only one day left for the give-away

See my post below to take part in the give-away for a HEAVEN AND EARTH design.  Only one day left!

Oh Bones . . .

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow, I have to agree with the girls in the Paranormal Romance group - Bones is amazing, sexy, funny . . . wow . . . I loved this book. And when he calls her "Kitten" . . .
Cat is a half vampire who becomes the Night Huntress with the help of Bones, a master vampire. Even thought there is lots (and I mean lots) of action, there is also a love story that is not to be denied. I must say that "sad" endings are usually a total no-no for me, but I knew there were more in the series, so I had hope . . .
This book also had me laughting until the tears ran down my face . . . hubby must have thought me crazy!
Just look at this little paragraph from the book . . .

“I’m saying I’m a moody, insecure, narrow-minded, jealous, borderline-homicidal bitch, and I want you to promise me that you’re okay with that, because it’s who I am and you’re what I need."

What more can I say - nothing could beat that.

View all my reviews >>

A Chrismas give-away

 Well, it's only a week to go till Chrismas (can you believe that!) and I though I would have a little give-away for my cross stitch friends.  You guys have meant so much to me, so I just have to share the love  :)  I received a few HEAVEN AND EARTH designs from a fellow stitcher a while back (too many to possibly do myself - you know how slowly I stitch!), so I decided to share . . . and since it is Chrismas, I am making it a Chrismas design " Father Christmas with Toys".

If you would like to receive this design, please leave your name and details on this post up until 23 December 2009.  I will draw the name on the 24th of December and get in touch, just before we leave for our little mini holiday.

A good feeling

Billionaire's Proposition by Leanne Banks


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I needed a little break . . . and what a sweet little break this was! I have forgotten how good these little books can make one feel :) No terribly difficult storyline . . . just a man, a woman and a love story. What could be better :)

View all my reviews >>

A witchy story

My Favorite Witch by Lisa Plumley


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. It even made me late for work this morning.  It is always a good sign when I cannot put a book down.
This love story was pretty simple. The big, powerful law man (with his sweet and loveable partner) take on an assignment to bring in a girl he cannot resist and sparks fly.  And don't forget the beautiful popular girls (or women in this case) that want to take over the world . . . Really sweet book :)

View all my reviews >>

A rant worth reading

These days I also read "book blogs" beside my cross stitching blogs and found this rant about the Twilight series on "A good addiction"  (http://agoodaddiction.blogspot.com/2009/12/random-rant.html).  I agree with it all - I was also tired of all the baggage thrown at Stephanie Meyer but Kari said it so much better that I could . . . I know that the Twilight series is not a literary masterpiece but these books gave me "reading" back :) 

My thoughts on Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce

Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I didn't like the female lead, Claire, in the beginning of this book. If I had to read about her fear of "sex crimes" one more time in the first chapters, I was going to throw something! But as the story progressed, I liked her more and more and before long, I was hooked. And off course, Malcolm, is a very, very likeable hero! (these authors know how to keep a girl happy :) It was a easy story to follow without too much thinking to be done.

View all my reviews >>

Sony Ebook Reader

Does anyone have a eBook reader?  I am interested in buying one and would like to know if anyone have any comments about it?  I am leaning towards SONY because 1.) it's cheaper (a big consideration with our exchange rate) and 2.) because it can also "read" .pdf -files (and I already have some ebooks in .pdf -format.  I will just have to forget about my .lit-files).  Kindle is beautiful (sigh) but it doesn't help that it only seem to work with books bought from Amazon . . .

Evolution of Dance

This guy is amazing . . . and talented . . . and funny.  I recognized almost all the dances . . . and was giggling all the way :) 

The League Series

I have read the first in the series of THE LEAGUE called BORN OF FIRE. First let me say that I love Sherrilyn Kenyon, so I loved the book.  The story was easy to read and romantic tension was the order of the day.  I just didn't like the female character, Kiara, that much.  Every few pages, she would end up in a crying mess.  Okay, I admit - if I was in THOSE situations, I would probably also be a teary wreck but really . . . she is supposed to be the herione.  I kept on waiting for her to break out of it and grab a gun!

The Mercy Series

I finished the first of the Mercy-books, Moon Called.  It was light, easy reading - full of strange magic, the kind that I have not come across yet.  (but then I have only read the very commecial, romantic novels).  Here, werewolves, gremlins, vampires, fae and Mercy, herself a walker, filled the pages but not in the usual kind of dreamy fiction way.  The author made this world seem normal although these werewolves have issues - they are not the werewolves of romantic novels.  They can be downright dangerous!  Even friends can be growled down to submission before the alpha males.  I guess I am still in my romantic story-fog because I just longed for a little intimicy for Mercy. And I couldn't decide up to the last two pages who the lucky devil should be . . . but the right choice was made and I can't wait for that relationship to grow in the next books.

Before I go, I just have to share this little snippet I found in the review that made me search out the book.  It is a note written by Adam, the next door neighbour of Mercy - he is the local alpha werewolf :)  This note is taped to the cat carrier on Mercy porch.

MS. THOMPSON, it said in heavy block letters, PLEASE KEEP YOUR FELINE OFF MY
PROPERTY. IF I SEE IT AGAIN, I WILL EAT IT.

Technology scares me . . .

I don't mean in the "doom and gloom"-way or that I have a technology-phobia.  It is just that I am one of those people that wants the cellphone with the least amount of features.  It just has to be able to make or receive my calls, that is what it is for.  For a long time, I couldn't even send understandable SMS's (text messages in other languages :)  Luckily I love my little NOKIA now, it must be right at the bottom of the range . . .but at least I can make it work (that was until a friend tried to send me something by BLUETOOTH this week - she had to take my phone to push the right buttons.)  I AM USELESS!  (lol)

Tonight I tried to figure out TWITTER . . . nope, I am non-the-wiser.  When did I get left behind in the dark ages!!  At one time I was the one that showed my friends the wonderful world of computers . . . what happend?

Blog Candy

Kari of A Good Addiction  reviewed this book and Random House decided to sponcer a give-away (you can also read her review on her blog).  This is a paranormal book which I have discovered is a favourite medium of mine at the moment.  I am not lucky in these kinds of give-aways (can't even win when there is only a few entries) but decided that I would give it a try anyway . . . Wish me luck!  If I am not lucky, I will be buying it in the new year.  Would really have enjoyed having it for my upcoming few days of holiday but it will take a little longer to order online (the postal system doesn't seem to be my friend most days!)

Ending:  06 December 2009

EDIT:  I wasn't one of the lucky ones :(  

Phoned my local bookstore this morning - the friendly girl there phoned the local publisher . . . the books are been distributed today (Monday - yipee).  My name is on the list, so I will get my copy later on in the week when it arrives at their store!  (smiles all around!)  I am not sure if I will be able to keep this books for my holiday-reading like I thought I would. . . 

EDIT:  Got my copy on Wednesday!  And I have been good - only read the first sentence!  Can't wait for my holiday.  Hubby even offered to hide it for me . . . that won't be a good idea.  I will be turning the house inside out trying to find it.  Better to just have it in eyesight all the time.

A few stitches

Here is an update of the stitching I have been doing - not much but at least I have started again (and it is still fun!).

100+ Reading challenge for 2010

I decided to join a reading challenge for 2010.  Since I have re-discovered my reading mojo and I AM a list-junkie, I decided that I would list all the books I read for 2010 here (with little amuteur reviews as I read them in my blog posts).   If you would like to join the challenge, you will find all the details here.  Let's join the fun . . .

1.  The Host by Stephanie Meyer

2.  Dark Lover  (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1)by JR Ward

3.  Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely #1) by Melissa Marr

4.  Fallen by Lauren Kate

5.  The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underwold#1) by Gena Showalter

6.  Lover Eternal (Black Dagger Brotherhood#2) by JR Ward

7.  Lover Awakend (Black Dagger Brotherhood#3) by JR Ward

8.  Kamakazi by Moira Rogers

9.    Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood#4) by JR Ward

10.  Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood#5) by JR Ward

11.  Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood#6) by JR Ward

12.  Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield

13. Ecstacy (The Shadowdwellers#1) by Jacquelyn Frank

14. UR by Stephen King 

15.  Evermore (The Immortals#1) by Alyson Noel 

16.  Dead until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse#1) by Charlaine Harris 

17.  Devil in a Kilt (MacKenzie#1) by Sue-Ellen Wellfonder 

18.  The Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride#1) by James Patterson 

19.  Irish Thoroughbred (Irish Hearts#1) by Nora Roberts 

20.  Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls#1) by Maggie Stiefvater

New Moon - the movie

 I loved the movie.  It was the first time that I was in a movie full of teeny-bobbers and a few "twilight moms".  And off course the few boyfriends that got dragged in.  It was such fun "ooo-ing and ahhhh-ing" at the gorgous men and off course all the little goooyeee moments . . . and the end had some of the girls yelling at the screen  . . . fun, fun, fun!