July Wrap-Up!!!

July was a busy month at my home.  Due to this I wasn't able to read near what I wished to or had to.  With family vacations, scouting activities, and other personal battles going on...when I looked at the calendar it was already the END of July.  Time flies.  None the less, I did get some reviews done, so here's my short wrap-up for you.  :-)


THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS AND THOSE THAT STOP IN TO READ MY BLOG!!!  YOU ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED BY ME EVERY DAY!  

Here's what I have read in March: 5 Grand Total of  Books
You can click on the title of the book to get to my review of that book.  :-)

~ 5 Adult Fiction ( Paranormal Romance/ Mystery/  Fiction):
~Three To Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich
~Pink Balloons and Other Deadly Things by Nancy Tesler
~All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
~1st To Die by James Patterson
~2nd Chance by James Patterson

How are my Challenges looking?
You can click on each challenge and you will go to my post for that challenge to see which books counted for each challenge or what each challenge entails.  

1. 1,000,000 Pages Read Challenge:  (this is a perpetual challenge)  21,010/1,000,000
2. 100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge:  64/100
3. 2012 Reading Addict Challenge: 3/15
4. A to Z Reading Challenge:  I chose the title challenge A to Z:  21/26
5. Books Published In The First Years Of My Life Challenge:  “Pre-Teen” level (read at least one book published in first 10 years of my life)  1/10
6. Color Coded Reading Challenge:  Read 9 books in the given categories  5/9
7. Cupcake Wars Reading Challenge:  14/24
8. Finishing the Series Reading Challenge:  I chose Level 2 (complete 2 series)  0/2
9. Getting Lost In a Comfy Book Reading Challenge:  Read 5 books off of the given list. 0/5
10. Immortals After Dark Reading Challenge:  Read 12 books in the series  0/12
11. Kinsey Millhone Reading Challenge:  Read the Kinsey Millhone Series (this is a perpetual challenge)  9/22
12. Mammoth Book Challenge:  Level 1 (read 2 mammoth-sized books, aka 450 + pages)  1/2
13. Mixing It Up Reading Challenge:  “Mixing Bowl” (read a  book from 9-12 of the given categories)  4/12 
14. Mount TBR Reading Challenge:  I chose to “climb” Mt Vancouver (read 25 books from my TBR pile)  15/25
15. Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge:  24/24
16. Nightwalkers Reading Challenge:  Level 3 read 5-6 books of the series  0/6
17. Off the Shelf Challenge:  18/50
18. Rainbow Reading Challenge:  Read a book title that contains certain given color words every month  ALL MONTH'S GOALS ARE COMPLETED SO FAR FOR 2012!!
19. Read Your Name Challenge:  1/5
20. Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge:  I chose Level 1 (read 4 romantic suspense novels) 4/4
21. Sea Haven Reading Challenge:  0/9  
22. Serial Killers Reading Challenge:  Read as many books as you can about serial killers (fiction or non-fiction)  5 COMPLETED
23. Sookie Stackhouse Series:  Read the series  7/12
24. Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge:  Complete the Series (this is a perpetual challenge) 2 COMPLETED
25. Stephen King Reading Challenge:  (perpetual challenge) 0/100
26. Time Travel Reading Challenge:  “Surprise Trip” level (read 1-3 books that have time travel in them)  0/3
27. TV Addict Challenge:  “Single Play”  Read 1 series that was basis of a TV series 0/1  (7 books complete toward goal)
28. Versatile Reading Challenge:  I am doing all four quarters of this challenge (all year) (read at least one book per month from the categories for those months)  ALL MONTH'S GOALS WERE COMPLETED SO FAR FOR 2012!!
29. What An Animal Reading Challenge V:  0/6
30. What's In A Name 5 Reading Challenge:  Read one book in each of the 6 categories/guidelines given  0/6
31. Why Buy The Cow Reading Challenge:  “Coupon Clipper” read 12 free eBooks  2/12
32. Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge:  “Initiate Level” (read 1-5 witchy books) 2/5
33. Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge:  Level 1 (read 1-3 books in the series)  2/3
34. Young Adult Mythology Reading Challenge:  Read 10 YA or Middle grade novels that incorporate any type of mythology  2/10
35. Young Adult Reading Challenge:  I chose the “Mini YA Reading Challenge” (read 12 YA novels)  12/12

Book Review: 2nd Chance

Title:  2nd Chance
Author:  James Patterson
Pages:  400
Publication Date:  2002
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com: 
"2nd Chance reconvenes the Women's Murder Club, four friends (a detective, a reporter, an assistant district attorney, and a medical examiner) who used their networking skills, feminine intuition, and professional wiles to solve a baffling series of murders in 1st to Die. This time, the murders of two African Americans, a little girl and an old woman, bear all the signs of a serial killer for Lindsay Boxer, newly promoted to lieutenant of San Francisco's homicide squad. But there's an odd detail she finds even more disturbing: both victims were related to city cops. A symbol glimpsed at both murder scenes leads to a racist hate group, but the taunting killer strikes again and again, leaving deliberate clues and eluding the police ever more cleverly. In the meantime, each of the women has a personal stake at risk--and the killer knows who they are."


My Review:
How can Lindsay move on after the tragic death of her partner, friend, and lover during a shootout in the last case?  She finally learned to trust a man and how to fight her rare blood disease, but then it all crashed down with the death of Chris.  To make matters even worse she feels like she should have done something more to prevent his death.  She was promoted at work after she solved the big bride/groom serial killer case and is just starting to get back into work after her time she took off to grieve the loss of Chris.  Her first case when she comes back is no small one though.  She is facing another serial killer, this one targeting blacks and more specifically blacks connected with cops.  Just as she and her girls of the Women's Murder Club are starting to figure things out, all hell breaks loose in their professional and personal lives.  Lindsay's long lost father returns, he says to make amends with her after twenty two years of being gone and out of her life; Cindy starts having feelings for the very nice and very well liked pastor, who happens to be in the middle of the new case; Claire finds herself in a shooting; and Jill finds out she's pregnant and is desperately trying to do things right after having lost a baby years ago while in her last few months of the pregnancy.  Wish all that personal drama, can these friends find the answer to another serial killing?  Can Lindsay overcome her past to see the future?  Will they all survive to be able to break this case wide open?


Once again I am left in awe of Patterson's writing and talent.  I love how he can write a main plot line and yet can also make many sub-plots that fit in oh so well AND make sense too.  There is so much that happens in this second book of the Women's Murder Club Series, but at no point was I confused or frustrated by the many plots within the main plot.  They all just seemed to flow wonderfully.  The characters of Lindsay, Clair, Jill, and Cindy develop more and become even more likable to the reader.  There is action, adventure, family drama, suspense, personal dilemas, and loads of mystery in this very well written book.  My favorite part was all the twists in this book.  It was like having James Patterson sitting next to you while you read saying...'You get it yet?  Oh, you think you do, do you?  Wait for it....ha, got ya to think in the complete wrong direction didn't I?'.  The personal situations the women are in are not only great for the sub-plots, but are very easy for others to relate to.  I can't wait to see what these wonderful ladies come up against next!  There is nothing better than great friends, great situations, and murder thrown in too.  :-)


5/5 Stars!


This book counts toward my following challenges:  100 Books Read, 1,000,000 Pages Read, Cupcake War, Mount TBR, Off the Shelf, Serial Killer, and Women's Murder Club Challenge.

Book Review: 1st To Die

Title:  1st To Die
Author:  James Patterson
Pages:  462
Publication Date:  2001
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com: 
"Inspector Lindsay Boxer of the San Francisco Police Department suddenly finds herself in the middle of two horrifying situations: The first is that she s just learned she has an often-fatal blood disease. The second is a double homicide case she s now heading up that involves the murder of newlyweds on their wedding night. Burdened with Chris Raleigh, a new partner reassigned from the mayor s office, Lindsay finds that she has too much to deal with and turns to her best friend, Claire, the head ME on the case. Claire offers helpful advice and human, friendly contact amid a job filled with violence, cruelty, and fear.
Soon a fledgling newspaper reporter, Cindy, makes contact with Lindsay looking for a career-making story. Although Lindsay can t officially comment on the case, the two women form a rapport, and Cindy joins Lindsay and Claire for their weekly meeting. When a second pair of newlyweds is murdered, and later a third, the investigation leads to a prominent crime writer, Nicholas Jenks, who has a history of spousal abuse and a predilection for kinky, dangerous sex games. With the help of an understanding assistant D.A., Jill Bernhardt, Lindsay tries to make a case against Jenks, who even had an affair with one of the slain women. Eventually Jill joins the Murder Club, and the four ladies share private interdepartmental information in an effort to track and stop the killer before he strikes again.The major subplot -- Lindsay's facing up to her illness even while she learns to fall in love again -- carefully compensates for the novel s coarse scenes of brutality. Lindsay Boxer isn t merely an obsessed cop trailing a maniac; she s also a terrified woman confronting the onslaught of disease. The story lines balance out to show us the true mettle of someone who puts the safety of others before her own."

My Review:
Lindsay was a homicide inspector who was great at her job, but lacked trust in men.  All in one day her life is turned upside down.  She finds out she has a rare, yet fatal, blood disease called Negli's Disease and then she has to start solving, what will turn into a huge serial killing homicide concerning newly wed brides and grooms.  As more couples are killed Lindsay teams up with some girlfriends to try and solve the case faster.  Together the four woman, aka the women's murder club, couldn't be made up of four more different women, but it just seems to work.  Who knew a homicide inspector, a medical examiner, a reporter, and an assistant D.A. could make such a great team?  When Lindsay is told by her boss that this is a big case and is given a new partner, Chris Raleigh, she is less than happy.  She already has a partner and doesn't want to change that, but she obeys her boss.  Soon things turn, not only in the investigation, but with her new partner too.  Can all the couples be connected somehow that have been murdered in three different towns and states even?  Who would want to kill newly married couples who have so much future in store for them?  And why?  Also, can Lindsay fight for her life from her disease and still be a great homicide inspector?  Is there beginning to be more to her partnership with Chris than just work?


This book was jam packed with action, adventure, suspense, and good old fashion "girl time".  There was never a dull moment in this book and I was always trying to solve the mystery with "the girls".  The plot was amazing and the health complication with Lindsay made the book even more interesting to me.  Here is this woman who is fighting for her life, but is more determined than ever to solve the bride/groom homicides.  To say Lindsay was a strong character is an understatement to me.  I loved all the characters in this book and felt they were very well developed.  I liked the relationship aspect of Chris and Lindsay too.  As far as the murders go, NEVER saw the ending coming!  Talk about a, keep you guessing, plot!  This book definitely had that aspect of complete surprise.  I have always loved James Patterson's writing and had been wanting to read this book for some time.  I was NOT disappointed at all!  I look forward to reading more of the Women's Murder Club Series and watching the characters continue to grow.  I can't wait to see what these four friends do next.  By far the best murder mystery book I have read in a long time.


5/5 Stars!


This book counts toward the following challenges:  100 Books Read, 1,000,000 Pages Read, Cupcake War, Mammoth Book, Mount TBR, Off the Shelf, Serial Killer, Women's Murder Club, and Semi-Charmed.

Book Review: All Together Dead

Title:  All Together Dead
Author:  Charlaine Harris
Pages:  323
Publication Date:  2007
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has her hands full dealing with every sort of undead and paranormal creature imaginable. And after being betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Sookie must not only deal with a new man in her life—the shapeshifter Quinn—but also contend with the long-planned vampire summit.

The summit is a tense situation. The vampire queen of Louisiana is in a precarious position, her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans. And there are some vamps who would like to finish what nature started. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she'll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe."

My Review:
Sookie takes on a whole new role as the queen’s telepath and has to go with the queen, Eric and Bill to the vampire summit.  Her role is to go as help to the queen in defending the fact that she did not kill her husband, the Kind of Arkansas, to gain his assets.  Sookie, being the only one to witness that the queen didn’t kill her husband, has to go along to help prove her innocence and gain control of the Arkansas assets that are rightfully hers now due to her husband’s death.  Sookie is also to come in handy by listening to all the humans at the summit to gain any information she can that can be useful to the queen.  It is a perk that Sookie’s new boyfriend, Quinn, is going to be there too working for the summit.  While at the vampire summit Sookie has many things happen that she has to deal with, a few being attending trials (including the queen’s), figuring out who planted a bomb outside the queen’s room and why, and trying to deal with the tension caused between her and Quinn when Eric ends up taking a whole new hold over her.  Is the queen going to be found innocent of killing her husband with Sookie’s help, so she can gain control over his Arkansas assets?  Who is planting bombs in the vampire hotel and why?  Can Sookie ever sort out her feelings for Quinn and Eric?  Who will get hurt or killed during this vampire summit?  Sookie takes on a bit of a detective roll in this book to snoop around in people’s minds and out to find answers to some very trying questions.  Hopefully she lives to tell the answers she finds.

This book in the series is more political issues in a sense, as far as the queen going to trial for killing her husband to gain access and control of his assets.  Although it was not quite as noticeable to me in this book as the last one.  There was more to it than just the politics.  There was more of a plot and more action and adventure and more mystery than the last book dealing with the queen.  I liked how more was revealed about Quinn and his past life and present life to Sookie and the readers.  I also liked how the book seemed to plug right along and not stall out with the action or mystery.  It kept my attention and was easy to pick back up to read when I had to put it down.  This book had a lot of things happen in it also, lots to wrap your mind around, but in a good way.  When one thing seemed to be settled another issue was right behind it to sort through and focus on.  I must say that I enjoyed Sookie’s adventures in this book and her new attitude on things.  She seems, in this book, to finally decide not to just get walked over by people even if they are vampires and she should be intimidated by them.  I say, good for Sookie!  The new dynamics of the Sookie and Eric relationship are quite something too and were a great add to the book/series I think.  Also interesting is the new adventure Jason decides to take in his life that is very unexpected and quick in Sookie’s opinion.  However, being a supportive sister she grins and bears it no matter how much she has put on the line herself to make Jason happy.  I have to say that Amelia just cracks me up too.  I love how Sookie, a telepath now is roommates with Amelia, a witch and her cat Bob…who really isn’t a cat at all, but a boyfriend of Amelia’s that got turned into Bob the cat when a spell goes horribly wrong during a lovemaking session.  Amelia is just so down blunt and open with her opinions that she is hilarious to me.  She knows Sookie can read her mind, but doesn’t seem to really care at all and never makes a big deal about it, and is not judgmental of Sookie no matter how crazy she thinks Sookie is for going on this trip with a bunch of vampires to a vampire summit.  I think she is a good friend for Sookie to have.  This is a great continuation of the Sookie Stackhouse series and shows great development in the characters.

4/5 Stars!

This counts toward the following challenges:  100 Books Read, 1,000,000 Pages Read, Mount TBR, Off the Shelf Challenge, TV Addict Challenge, and Sookie Stackhouse Challenge.

Versatile Challenge Review: Pink Balloons

Versatile Challenge Write Up:
Challenge Used For:  100 Books Read/Rainbow Reading Challenge/Serial Killer Challenge

Favorite Sentence:  “This isn’t Murder She Wrote.  There is a killer out there!”  page 200

Favorite Character:  Carrie ~ Determined, Strong, and Clever.

Least Favorite Character:  Rich ~ Self-Centered, Selfish, and Slimeball.

Review:
This is a great murder mystery about a, soon to be, ex wife who is a bit bitter about he whole situation her cheating husband has put her in.  Because of him and his new soon to be wife, whom he got by cheating on Carrie when they were married, Carrie is now a single Mom of two kids, a single income home, working out of a new office that she just set up and started with new clients (she’s a therapist of sorts), and is now being accused of murdering Erica (the soon to be wife of her ex hubby)!!!  Carrie isn’t going to stand for being accused of murder and, although she wished Erica dead many times, she would never kill her and she intends to prove it even if it means investigating on her own.  One good thing comes from being accused of murder though, and that is meeting the police inspector that is in charge of the case, Ted, who is just what Carrie needs to move on from Rich…if he doesn’t arrest her and charge her for murder that is.

B-Very Good Read

Book Review: Pink Balloons

Title:  Pink Balloons and other deadly things
Author:  Nancy Tesler
Pages:  217
Publication Date:  1997
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Carrie Carlin is trying to juggle single life in the suburbs, two frisky children, and a full-time career. Through it all she's got to stand by while her estranged husband flaunts his new, young, gorgeous fiancee, Erica. When Erica turns up dead, Carrie—the jealous ex-wife— becomes a prime suspect. But with the help of the fine Detective Ted Brodsky, Carrie will uncover the truth—and prevail!"

My Review:
Carrie Carlin is a therapist of sorts whose life lately isn’t too great, but she keeps pushing on anyway.  She is trying to adjust to her new office, which she just started up on her own, and she is trying to get used to her new house and being a single Mom after a divorce from her husband blindsides her.  Her children are just as confused about the divorce as she is to tell the truth.  Carrie has no idea what went wrong in her marriage to warrant a divorce, well, besides the young, perky, and stunningly gorgeous Erica who works with her husband Rich.  Erica starts working for Rich and there seem to be more business meetings and trips than there used to be that take Rich away from home and at work late.  Carrie, being the scorned and hurt wife, of course isn’t thrilled with the idea of Rich moving on to Erica, but what can she do?  Then she finds out from Allie, her daughter, that Rich is marrying Erica!  Not happy is an understatement about how Carrie feels about that.  She goes over to watch Erica use HER house and HER furniture and HER pool and is made to feel even worse after watching her and hearing her talk to Rich about the wedding and the costs of things.  Feeling beyond depressed Carrie heads to her car to go home and is stopped by an old neighbor on the way and asked what she is doing, and to make her feel even worse her car dies.  True Carrie wished Erica dead and may have said a few rude things about how she would kill her before she would let her marry Rich, but she wouldn’t really do it.  When Erica turns up dead…murdered…guess who’s at the top of the list?  Yup, Carrie.  How can Carrie prove she didn’t kill Erica?  She decides to do some investigating of her own to prove it, but when you are digging around for “dirt” on people, you find many secrets to sift through.  Can Carrie find the real killer before she is charged for a crime she didn’t commit?  Can Carrie rebuild her reputation again from suspected murderer if she does find the real killer?  Can Carrie concentrate on anything when the more she digs the more secrets she finds out about her friends and family?  And how can she do anything with that hunky homicide cop hanging around her?  All Carrie does know for certain is that she better find answers and quick because things aren’t looking so good for her if she can’t.  Even her son is starting to doubt her and her patients are starting to leave her.

This book reminded me of a pig’s tail, it had so many twists and turns in it!  The plot was a great one and one that could easily happen, a scorned soon to be ex wife accused of murdering the soon to be new wife of her ex husband.  CLASSIC!  This is one therapist who teaches relaxation and dealing with life who is going to start to need her own professional services to cope with all the accusations happening in her life now.  I loved the plotline, but thought some of the characters could have been more developed…like Ted, the police officer who is in charge of the investigation and has a soft spot forming for Carrie.  Carrie and Rich, the two main characters (soon to be ex hubby and wife) were well portrayed and developed though.  I really felt like I knew Carrie and Rich by the end of the book.  I got to know Ted, Meg, and Carrie’s kids, but I would have liked them to have been a bit more developed than there were.  I got the feeling though that more would come in the next book though, so maybe that is what the author is shooting for here to keep you reading on in the series.  I really was convinced that it was a set person who was murdering the women in Rich’s life and it looked like I may have been right….until the last chapter.  Then a HUGE “didn’t see that coming” moment happened and the killer comes to be known.  This was an easier read and a quick read.  It had good characters and a well thought out plot and was well written.  I would recommend this read to any mystery reader who wants an easy to read through mystery with lots of twists.

4/5 Stars!!

This counts toward following Challenges:  100 Books Read, 1,000,000 Pages Read, A to Z Title Challenge, Rainbow Reading Challenge, Serial Killer Challenge, and Versatile Challenge.

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun!! Week 72

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun!!

This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. 

This week’s statements:

1. I learned how to make coconut cream pie in my Mom's kitchen. 
2. I have always wanted to visit all of the states at some point and time before I die.
3. My purse always has a pen and hand lotion.
4. One day when I am a mother of a child that is older and on his own I am  going to travel more to reach my goal of seeing all the states.

Theme Thursday! July 26th!

Theme Thursdays is a fun weekly event that will be open from one thursday to the next.  It is hosted by Reading Between the Pages.  Anyone can participate in it. The rules are simple:

• A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday's)
• Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
• Mention the author and the title of the book along with your post
• It is important that the theme is conveyed in the sentence (you don't necessarily need to have the word)
  Ex: If the theme is KISS; your sentence can have "They kissed so gently" or "Their lips touched each other" or "The smooch was so passionate"

This will give us a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand different writing styles and descriptive approaches adopted by authors.

TIME , Clock, Hours, Minutes, Seconds

My Snippet:  Not too in depth or interesting I'm afraid, but the first one I found with time in it.  "'Your brother's right', Buzz admitted as he stood up.  'Look at the time.'"  Page 10 The Last Seer and the Tomb of Enoch

Cat Thursday! July 26th!

Hosted by The True Book Addict.

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! 

Caution, cuteness below.  LOL!

LOL, I'm sorry, but I laughed SO hard with this one.  

This is SO true!  Especially in the middle of the night when you are

 walking to the bathroom or fridge.  LOL

LOL!

Hehe, my cats right here!  They can be sound asleep and run to this sound.

Wrap Up Post for Mystery and Suspense Challenge

Yippy!  I have completed another challenge!  This is my wrap up post for the Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.  I had a fantastic time doing this challenge and read many great books along the way too.  I plan to try it all over again next year if they host again.  :)  I started thinking I wasn't too sure about my goal, but before I knew it...DONE already!  I knew I read mostly mystery books, but I guess this just proves that I really do.  LOL!

Below you will find the list of books that I read along with some links to the reviews of most of the books.  :-)  

Ok, I think I got the sign up process down.  But we shall see.

I am going to shoot for the second level in this challenge!  

I am going for the goal of reading 24 Mystery/Suspense books.

I think I can do it and am excited to try!

Book Chick City's
Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2012!

Welcome to the Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2012! I didn't do very well this year (again!) even though it is my own challenge, but I hope to do better this in 2012. However, it seems many of you did very well, so congratulations for completing the challenge. For those of you who were more like me, here's your chance to beat this challenge!

If you would like to keep track of my progress, you can HERE.

Challenge Details

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2012

• Rules: There are TWO LEVELS you can choose from:

 - Read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2012
 - Read TWENTY FOUR (24) mystery & suspense novels in 2012 

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

• You don't have to have a blog to join in - for those without a blog but who use Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing etc, you can add the URL to where you track your books. If you don't have a URL at all then choose a name you would like to use and then copy and paste the following link: 

http://www.bookchickcity.com/2011/12/sign-up-mystery-suspense-reading.html

• You can choose from the numerous sub-genres of mystery and suspense, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or romantic suspense written by the likes of Linda Howard, forensic crime such as those written by Kathy Reichs and even paranormal/supernatural suspense such as Kelley Armstrong. I'm sure this challenge will have something for everyone! :)

My Personal Progress:
1. I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton
2. Milwaukee Autumns Can Be Lethal by Kathleen Anne Barrett
3. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
4. Killer On A Hot Tin Roof by Livia J. Washburn
5. Blood Law by Jeannie Holmes
6. Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris
7. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
8. The Secret of the Scarlet Stone by T.L. Clarke
9. Blood Oath by T.L. Clarke
10. If Errands Could Kill by Jim Bronyaur
11. Turquoise Girl by Aimee and David Thurlo
12. First Time Killer by Zak Allen
13. Clear and Convincing Proof by Kate Wilhelm
14. Dead To The World by Charlaine Harris
15. The Hellcat by Carter Brown
16. Shaman, Healer, Heretic by M. Terry Green
17. Shaman, Friend, Enemy by M. Terry Green
18. Green as a Garden Hose by Fran Stewart
19. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
20. One For The Money by Janet Evanovich
21. Black Magic Woman by Dan Anderson
22. Two For The Dough by Janet Evanovich
23. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
24. Three To Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich

Book Review: Three to get Deadly

Title:  Three To Get Deadly
Author:  Janet Evanovich
Pages:  285
Publication Date:  1997
Version:  Hardcover
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"A "saintly" old candy-store owner is on the lam-and bounty hunter extraordinaire Stephanie Plum is on the case. As the body count rises, Stephanie finds herself dealing with dead drug dealers and slippery fugitives on the chase of her life. And with the help of eccentric friends and family, Steph must see to it that this case doesn't end up being her last..."

My Review:
Stephanie Plum is still working for her cousin Vinnie as a bounty hunter, much to the disgust of her Mother.  If her Mother hated it before, she will only hate it more now, when she finds out that Stephanie is out to get Mo Bedemier, aka Uncle Mo.  Uncle Mo has run the candy shop for many years and is well known and liked by all, so Stephanie hits a lot of roadblocks when it comes to finding leads to find Mo.  All keep telling her that she should be ashamed of herself trying to bring in Uncle Mo, who would never do anything wrong and must have been set up by police.  Then the bodies start coming out and the death threats start coming to Stephanie telling her to leave Mo alone or pay the consequences.  Once again Stephanie looks to Joe Morelli for help and to Ranger for help.  Ranger doesn’t mind helping Stephanie, but is determined to get her in shape so she can actually catch the bad guys if she would need to.  Well, 5 o’clock runs are NOT in Stephanie’s regular mind waves, but Ranger makes sure she does them…never mind that when she’s done she looks like death warmed over.  Lula, the new office filer and ex-hooker, wants in on the bounty hunting too, so she volunteers to help Stephanie with catching Mo.  Mo jumped bail on a carrying concealed charge, but as Stephanie works to find him, she sees there is much more to Uncle Mo than meets the eye.  Can she catch Uncle Mo before it’s too late?  Can Mo possibly be involved with the dead bodies that seem to be turning up?  Can Stephanie find out any information from a town full of people who thing Uncle Mo can do no wrong?

I have to say that the continuation of Stephanie as a bounty hunter is great.  I enjoy how the characters in this book keep building and getting more “real” to the reader.  I just love Stephanie’s family, her Mother and Grandma are by far my favorite!  I also like the dynamic of the relationship between Joe Morelli and Stephanie Plum.  They want to be together, but past experiences seem to be enough to keep them apart and not wanting to be with each other.  Joe is good for Stephanie in one sense though for sure…he tries his best to keep her out of trouble and jail by helping her when she needs it.  The character of Ranger develops more in this book too.  The reader gets more of a sense of who Ranger really is, besides just being another bounty hunter with oodles of experience and know how.  I enjoyed the action/adventure in this book and the direction the plot was taken.  I’m sure we can all think of Uncle Mo’s in our own towns or nearby towns, men or women who have been a staple in the town for years and are well known and liked by all.  I think the best part about the book is the character of Stephanie though.  She makes the books, and not just because she is the main character, but because she is a well formed and developed character.  She is easy to relate to and she is just so down to Earth and matter of fact, you can’t help but love her and the fact that she wants to make it as a bounty hunter.  Great read and I can’t wait to continue on to see what Stephanie does next and if anything happens between her and Joe Morelli.  

4/5 Stars!

Counts towards following challenges:  100 Books Read, 1,000,000 Pages Read, Mount TBR, Mystery and Suspense Challenge, Off the Shelf Challenge, Challenge Addict Challenge, and Stephanie Plum Challenge.

Getting Up To Date!

Today is all about getting my blog back up to date, so to speak.  :-)  I am working on sifting through and updating my challenges and links and such.  I have had a few challenges that have been canceled by the hosts, so I am taking them down off of my blog and my sidebars.  Also, I have a few things that I have been slacking on due to lack of activity on my part, that are in need of some updates, so I am doing those too.  I have a lot to work on, so I may not get to my review post today, but I will do my best.  :-)

Cat Thursday! July 19th!

Hosted by The True Book Addict.

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! 

Cuteness!

LOL!  This is too cute!

hehe, how funny.  My son found this hilarious.  LOL!

May I just say...AAAWWWW!  :-)

Well, I see my cats do follow the rules!  The cat rules.  

I'm Back!!!

Hello again everyone!!!  I am now back from vacation and am planning on starting to post reviews again starting tomorrow.  I'm still having some trouble with a medical issue that may keep me away from my Kindle reading, or at least will be slowing it down, but I will be reading other "real/in my hand" books in between to keep some reviews coming for you and to work on some of my challenges.  I feel that I need to explain a touch about the Kindle issue, just because I think I owe some sort of explanation to my authors that have sent me books free for review.  In a very broad/condensed version...I have always had issues with headaches and migraines (since high school and college days), but they have been well under control.  With the reading I have been doing on my Kindle the issues have resurfaced and become even worse than before.  My doctor and I have been working on a way that I can still read on it and not get migraines or headaches, but so far we are at a loss.  The only thing that seems to be working so far is to only read on it for about 15 minutes or so and then stop. Because I am fine reading "real" books, it must be the screen or reflection that bothers me.  SO...I am working on reading the Kindle books I have gotten, but I am afraid that it is very slow going when I can't read it for long periods of time.  So if you see lots of reviews, but not your book that you sent me, this is why.  I am, more than likely, reading it, just slowly.  This was all brought on by my overdoing it when I first got my Kindle Fire I believe, you know...new toy and all.  ;-)  

So that's that scoop.  I am back AND reading AND will be getting some reviews out there I promise.  I am excited to be coming back and can't wait to do more reading and reviewing.  Since April I feel like I have been a bit out of my blogging scene with one thing after another happening that has kept me away from my blog, reading, and reviewing.  I feel awful about this and am really hopeful that as things continue to get worked out and resolved I can continue to come back more like I used to be.  :-)  I thank you all for your continued patience and support.  I'm excited to get to the books I have gotten and will do my best to get to them as soon as I am allowed to.  

Fabulous Blogger Ribbon!!!! :-)

HUGE and SHOUTING THANK YOU to McGuffy for being so kind and thoughtful and giving me this wonderful ribbon award for my blog!  If you have never read this wonderful woman's blog...YOU MUST!  I have never met a more kind hearted woman who is just the biggest joy to talk with.  :-)  She is a wonderful person who takes time to create an amazing blog for readers.  

The Fabulous Blogger Ribbon

Here are the rules...

1. Post the rules.

2. Name five of your most fabulous moments,

either in real life or in the blogosphere.

* * Marrying my hubby!

** Having my wonderful son!

** Starting my blog and having it be followed by so many and all their kind words!

** Deciding to be a Cub Scout Leader for my son's Den/Pack!

** Rescuing my wonderful Furkids!!

3. Name five things you love.

(You said things.)

** The soft fur of my Furkids

* * The many hugs I get from my son

** My truck, ya I said truck...I worked very hard to get it, so it's a prized possession of mine

** Wonderful outdoors!

** Wonderful smells, 2 of my favorites being the smell of rain and the smell of a new book.  :-)

4. Name five things you hate.

** Lying

** Abuse of any kind 

** Bad Weather

** Meanness 

** Seeing any people or animals in pain or suffering.  :-(

5. Pass the ribbon on to five other bloggers.

So many of my blogging friends that I would give this too have already probably received this, so I am just going to give a shout to five bloggers that I read most and I encourage you to all check them out too.

~McGuffy's Reader

~Darlene's Book Nook

~The True Book Addict

~Reading Rendezvous Reviewz

~Feeling Beachie

~AND MANY OTHERS!!

*P.S. There is no obligation!

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun! Week 70

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun!!

This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. 

This week’s statements:

1.       I like to wear shorts in the summer, but when it's super hot there is NO outfit that makes it feel cooler.

2.     I have had a lot of fun on family vacations, and am very glad we still do them.  In fact I am leaving for one soon.  :)

3.     Public speaking makes me nervous, but not AS nervous as it used to.

4.     My car always has spider webs on it because I live out in the country and I don't have a garage to park in, so all the country spiders like to take up residence on my truck.  

VACATION!!!!

I am doing a quick post letting you know that I will be out of the blogging scene for about a week and a half to 2 weeks.  I know I have been gone a lot, but as I said before, I am still coming back from some health issues and some personal/family problems AND summer is family time and a busy time around here.  We are going to be getting ready for, and going on our family vacation.  In the time until and through and a little after our vacation I will not have time or a computer to be posting any reviews or weekly memes.  I will do my best to jump in to a routine of some sort again after we are settled back at home.  My health issues seem to have calmed down for the most part, and I think the personal/family issues are as resolved as they will get for now so are also less of a problem now.  

However, on top of being sick, having personal issues, and family trips, I also find it very hard to read and do reviews in summer.  My son is home (because of school being out) so I do more with him and I do at home summer school for him some of the days of the week.  Also, my husband's schedule is a little more lax in summer so he is home more too (in winter he is gone a LOT more).  I am doing the best I can with keeping on reading, but it's not as fast or easy as it is other times of the year.  Also, I have had some health issues that have kept me from using my Kindle (which is, of course, where all my free for review books from authors are) so I deeply apologize there too, to all my authors.  I have not forgotten you, just had to take some time off to recover.  How is it, it takes so little time to have something happen or to have health issues, but takes SO LONG to recover and get back into the swing of things????

So, I will do my best to come back after vacation with some sort of consistency again.  :-)  On the up side I am SUPER excited to be going on this family vacation!  We go every year and it will be a great time to just sit, relax, and get some good quality family time too, with no work or summer school.  :-)