Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Happy Birthday Cassius!

Hello there, it's me Booker T.  Just wanted to let everyone know that my baby brother, Cassius, turned 1 on Saturday.  The world sure hasn't been the same since he entered it, but I love him anyway.  Happy Birthday Cassius from me, Mom and Dad.  We love you!


Monday, November 24, 2014

Bye Bye Rudy

TITLE: Fashion Faux Paw
AUTHOR: Judi McCoy
PUBLISHER: SIGNET

FROM GOODREADS: It's Fashion Week in New York and Ellie's in charge of the dogs' modeling outfits that match their mommy-mdoels for a fashion competition. But before the first round closes, one of the designers drops dead of anaphylactic shock, her Epipen useless because someone's emptied it.

The victim's peanut allergy was well-known, so Ellie and her dog Rudy must comb through the brash designer's rivals, colleagues, and many enemies to discover who was so desperate that she committed the ultimate crime of fashion.

MY THOUGHTS: Although I usually read urban fantasy and paranormal books, every once in a while I like to mix things up. A few years ago I started reading a few cozy mysteries here and there and found that nothing cures a reading slump like one of these quick reads. It also helps when I can find cozies that have either a paranormal element, or one with dogs as I am a sucker for furry 4-legged friends.

I remember stumbling on the Dog Walker series in the library a few years back and picking up the first installment. Since August 2012, I have now devoured all six in the series. Sadly to say the author passed away in 2012 and it was sad to see an except at the back of this book for a story that will never be read.

Ellie is a dog walker in New York who started life over after divorcing a creep who allowed no pets in the home. She picks up Rudy from a shelter and finds that he contains the soul of a childhood pet. She also finds she is now able to hear what dogs are saying. Rudy and Ellie end up finding themselves in a few predicaments and she starts sleuthing and finds out that as a team, they are pretty good. Like most cozy mysteries, this is a quick read. I have come to love the characters so much, it doesn't even matter if I can guess who the killer is before the book ends. I will miss Rudy and Ellie along with her other dog friends. Sad to see this series end.


RATING: 4 PAWS


Friday, November 21, 2014

Thankfully Reading Weekend

Just joined a Thanksgiving weekend event - hey, anything to keep me from shopping.  Don't know what I plan to read yet but will figure it out in the next few days.  Thanks Jenn for hosting!


Monday, November 17, 2014

My Poor Little Boy

Booker T has a seizure this morning.  It didn't last long and the last one he had was about a year ago (at least we think since we can't be home all the time).  He is doing fine and his vet is against putting him on meds full time unless they become more frequent (my husband and I agree).  His Daddy was home with him so he wasn't alone, but I can't help but worry about him.  He is such a sweetheart. Please say a prayer for our boy.

Booker T - October 2014

Monday, November 10, 2014

A Few Reviews

Reading is slowly picking up.  Seems I have been in a slump for a while and it was really bringing me down.  Reading helps me keep my sanity and October was definitely a month of crazy!  I managed to finish two books this weekend so thought I would add a few mini reviews rather than waiting for the end of the month.

TITLE: Bridget Jones's Diary
AUTHOR: Helen Fielding
PUBLISHER: Penguin Books

FROM GOODREADS: Meet Bridget Jones—a 30-something Singleton who is certain she would have all the answers if she could:
a. lose 7 pounds
b. stop smoking
c. develop Inner Poise

"123 lbs. (how is it possible to put on 4 pounds in the middle of the night? Could flesh have somehow solidified becoming denser and heavier? Repulsive, horrifying notion), alcohol units 4 (excellent), cigarettes 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow), number of correct lottery numbers 2 (better, but nevertheless useless)..."

Bridget Jones' Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud daily chronicle of Bridget's permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement — a year in which she resolves to: reduce the circumference of each thigh by 1.5 inches, visit the gym three times a week not just to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult, and learn to program the VCR.

Over the course of the year, Bridget loses a total of 72 pounds but gains a total of 74. She remains, however, optimistic. Through it all, Bridget will have you helpless with laughter, and — like millions of readers the world round — you'll find yourself shouting, "Bridget Jones is me!"

MY THOUGHTS:  I read this as part of a Goodreads group - The Reading Adventures Book Club.  I have read some chick lit and usually I find it a fast read.  However I struggled with this book.  I blame it having seen the movie and not being able to get it out of my head (and I was not a fan).  I did enjoy participating in the book group, but am in no hurry to continue with this series


RATING: 3 PAWS 

TITLE: On Borrowed Time (Library Lover's Mystery #5)
AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay
PUBLISHER: Berkley

FROM GOODREADS:  Loving a good cup of coffee runs in the family for Briar Creek library director Lindsey Norris. But when her brother, Jack, a consultant for a coffee company, goes missing, her favorite beverage becomes a key clue in a dangerous mystery.

Between preparing the library for the holidays and juggling the affections of ex-boyfriend, Captain Mike Sullivan, and her new crush, actor Robbie Vine, Lindsey has her hands full. But the mysterious disappearance of her world-traveling playboy brother takes precedence over all.

Afraid that involving the police could brew trouble for Jack, Lindsey takes matters into her own hands. But as her quest for her brother embroils her in a strange case involving South American business dealings and an enigmatic and exotic woman, it’ll take the help of both her library book club—the crafternooners—and her eager-to-please suitors to keep Jack from ending up in hot water…


MY THOUGHTS:  This book came out just last week and I couldn't wait to read it.  If chick lit can't break a slump, a cozy mystery sure can.  I really love this series as it centers around a head librarian and the events of a small coastal town.  This was a great addition to the series and the mystery kept my attention. I love all of the characters and think McKinlay does a wonderful job of creating a cast of players.  I really like this series and hope it continues. 

RATING: 4 PAWS