Book Review: Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost!

Title:  Ghosthunters and the Incredibly Revolting Ghost!
Author:  Cornelia Funke
Pages:  120
Publication Date:  2006
Version:  Paperback
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction/Paranormal Mystery

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Nine-year-old Tom can't catch a break: He's a klutz, his sister Lola pretty much hates his guts, and--and this is a BIG "and"--he just found a ghost camping out in his cellar. Lucky for Tom his grandma's best friend just happens to be the world's foremost ghosthunter. Under her expert tutelage, Tom learns the tools of the trade--which just happen to include buckets of graveyard dirt--and soon finds he has to face down not just the Averagely Spooky Ghost (ASG) in his basement but the Incredibly Revolting Ghost (IRG) in town. All while keeping the nettlesome Lola off his trail.... "

My Review:
Tom is a nine year old boy who just happens to see a ghost in his family's cellar.  He, of course, is not believed by anyone in his family...except his Grandma that is.  Good thing she believes him, because she has a friend that is a Ghosthunter and is more than willing to help Tom confront his ghost and ask him to leave.  Soon they learn that this Cellar Ghost is not there because he wishes to be, but because he was kicked out of his normal home by another ghost, one that is mean and is hard to get rid of.  Soon Tom and his Grandma's friend are in the thick of an investigation and an undertaking that neither is sure they will be able to manage.  Can they really get rid of a big, mean, and just plain nasty ghost all on their own with just some ghosthunting supplies like graveyard dirt?

This was a quick, easy, yet very fun read for me.  I sat down and ended up reading this delightful book all in one day.  I found this to be such a fun read with so many funny things that happened in it too.  I loved the descriptions used in the writing of this book!  I felt like I was right in the thick of it with Tom.  The characters were fun too!  I loved how they really became so well developed in such a relatively short book/time.  This was a light little mystery read.  If you like a bit of mystery and love the thought of paranormal and ghosts this is very much the book for you!  I highly recommend this book for any reader, young or old.

5/5 Stars!!

TBR Triple Dog Dare Wrap Up Post

(Image from kotaku.com)

Yippy!  Despite less time to read I have finished my first reading challenge!  I have completed my TBR Triple Dog Dare Challenge.  Below is my original post along with review links for the books I read.

2016 TBR Triple Dog Dare Sign Up Post

It works like this….

For the first three months of 2016 read only the books that were already in your TBR stack as of midnight December 31, 2015.

As always, you can include books you’ve ordered but not received yet as well as books you have already placed on reserve at your local library.  You can also make exceptions for certain books that will be published early next year along with book club choices and ARCS as needed.  The TBR Dare has always been about having fun, so make whatever changes to the “rules” you need to to keep it fun.

If you just want to take The TBR Dare for a month, that’s fine, too.  The TBR Triple Dog Dare will run from January 1, 2015 to April 1, 2005. Technically, it’s not a shopping ban so you can still buy books–you just can’t read them until April 1.

To sign up, just leave a comment below.  I’ll add you to the list of who’s in as quickly as I can.

And please do help spread the word by posting on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, and anywhere else you go on-line.  Feel free to use the “button” above and to link to this page.

This is it, my friends, the last one, so if you’ve thought about joining in in the past, but haven’t, take the leap….join the fun.

Be sure to check back here from time to time.  I’ll be posting updates throughout The TBR Triple Dog Dare to see how everyone is doing.

Remember, The TBR Triple Dog Dare is not a “reading challenge”; it’s a dare.  So if you’re someone who does not sign up for reading challenges you can still participate.

I triple dog dare you.

I know I don't have to necessarily keep track of books read for this dare, but I will anyway just to see how many I manage to read that are Dare Worthy.  ;-)

1.  Conflict Of Interest by Deborah Nolan

2.  Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison

3.  The Zombie Chasers by John Kloepfer

4.  But Not For Me by Mona Ingram

5.  Cold Hands, Warm Hearts by Jenny Jacobs

Book Review: The Christmas Key

Title:  The Christmas Key
Author:  Kim O'Brien
Pages:  186
Publication Date:  2005
Version:  Hardcover
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Romance

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"After a recent divorce, Joanie Williams struggles to get her life back in order, but working in a nursery full-time while raising her two daughters, Natalie and Amelia, isn't as easy as it seemed. One daughter is flunking three subjects, and the other is riddled with tattoos.

Already late for her Suddenly Single support group two nights before Christmas, Joanie rushes to the church only to run into her ex-husband, Mitchell, who claims to be there to meet Pastor Frank. But as they try to leave, the door is stuck, and the lock won't budge. With escape on the mind, from the building and each other, Joanie and Mitchell scavenge for a way out, but what they find is a key to emotions that have been locked away and ignored too long.

Back at home, Natalie is reprimanding Amelia for allowing her boyfriend to come over when no one else is home when suddenly the doorbell rings...and Pastor Frank is on the other side. Forced to entertain Pastor Frank while Amelia and her boyfriend hide, Natalie discovers that she can't hold her family together herself, and Amelia realizes that she can't afford to let her."

My Review:
Joanie can't think of a single thing that would be more awkward or horrible than what she has to endure when she gets locked inside her local church.  It's not that she is locked in, or that she has left her cell phone in her car, or that she has no food....it's that she is locked inside with her ex-husband, Mitchell.  Of all the people...why did it have to be him she is stuck with?  While Joanie and Mitchell are trying to overcome their issues to work together to get out of the church their daughters are home alone and aren't exactly being angels.  One daughter has a boyfriend over, even though she knows it's against the rules of the house and one daughter is trying to keep her sister out of trouble by twisting her words to the Pastor who stopped by the house.  Where is their Mom?  She isn't really much good anyway, since the divorce, but it's odd she isn't home.  Will Joanie and Mitchell overcome their problems and work together to get out of the locked down church?  Will the girls ever stop fighting at home?  How did life for any of them get so out of control?  Is the spirit of Christmas able to thrive again in their hearts and home?

I really am not sure how to really review this book without giving too much away.  I also am unsure what words I really want to use to describe what I thought and felt while reading this book.  Now, you may be thinking...uh oh, was it that bad?  The answer is NO!  It was a wonderful book!  It was a book that I really connected to.  I could relate 150% to the character of Joanie.  The situation, the ex, the feelings about everything she is going through, the confusion she has about things but doesn't know why.  I could understand it all!  Here she is a woman who loves her ex, but knows it just isn't a good idea to be with him because they just don't seem to work.  She is unsure how to move on, but knows she can't stay with him at the same time.  She worries about her kids, herself, and even the well being of her ex.  They may be exes but she still cares about him deeply and would never want to see him hurt.  The other characters were wonderfully developed too.  I really felt like I got to know them all in a deep friendship way.  I loved how there wasn't a lot of other stuff going on in the book.  There was the main plots and that was it.  They were focused on with great depth and detail and that made them turn into amazing situations.  The characters, the plots, the details in the writing, the book as a whole....all come together to make an absolutely amazing read!  

It was a fast read for me because I kept wondering how it all would possibly work out, so I just couldn't put it down.  It had suspense, humor, and romance.  I must say I simply laughed out loud many times while reading this book, causing my family members to look at me funny at times.  I think it's the greatest thing ever to find a book that can touch my emotions while I am reading it.  To me, if an author can make me go through the emotions the characters do throughout the book, that is a fantastic writer!

Wonderful book that you simply must read!

5/5 Stars!!

Book Review: Cold Hands, Warm Hearts

Title:  Cold Hands, Warm Hearts
Author:  Jenny Jacobs
Pages:  185
Publication Date:  2010
Version:  Hardcover
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Romance/Suspense

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"When Char Simmons' ex-husband disappears while their daughter, Abby, is struggling to cope with a serious illness, Char's angry and upset and knows enough about why he might be missing to also be afraid. Hoping to stay out of whatever problem her ex-husband has gotten himself into, Char brings Abby to a lake home in northern Minnesota to recover. The 'lake home' is an isolated cabin in the remote snow-covered woods, and Char is determined to do everything she can to make the place a safe refuge for herself, her daughter, and their little Pomeranian. Her determination is shaken when she meets Max Wilson, a federal agent on leave, who finds out that Char's ex-husband is under investigation. Though initially suspicious, Max ends up helping Char and Abby untangle their problems so that all of them can reach their happily ever after. "

My Review:

Char has had changes that she just isn't sure how to handle.  Her ex husband seems to have disappeared, but not before stopping all payments on their daughters health insurance.  Now she is not insured.  Big deal?  Normally no, but now yes...Abby has a brain tumor.  Finally Abby seems ok and on the road to recovery, but they have no home to go back to.  Char had to liquidate anything to make payments on the health bills.  All she has left is a remote cabin in deep woods Minnesota. She knows her ex husband was into shady business and is worried he may have enemies looking for her too.  Soon she is working for the neighbor guy and his brother with cleaning out an old cabin just to try and make ends meet.  The last thing she expected was to find out he was a cop, she would become friends with him, or that she would even think of him as more.  How can she be friends with a cop when her ex is missing and under odd circumstances?   Will her ex show up and make things even worse by using her in one of his schemes again?  How can she protect her daughter?

I read this book in a matter of two days.  I loved it.  I think what I liked best was the fact that it was a suspenseful read along with a bit of wonder and romance.  The descriptions of the surroundings of the cabins and the cabins themselves was amazing!  I felt like I was standing right next to them, looking at them.  The characters were by far my favorite part of this book though.  Max, Char, Abby, and the Dr. Wilson.  They were so well developed and in great detail all throughout the book.  They were not just described and left at that. They were described and then developed more through every chapter of the book, right up to the very last page.  It was a joy to read this book.  There was enough mystery to make me want to read on and enough romance to make my softer side happy too.  I typically am not a romance reader, but I do love a great Avalon Romance book.  They seem to have the perfect balance of suspense or mystery and romance.

If you are after a great read to fill your want of romance and mystery or drama, this is the book for you!  It's also an easy and quick read.  Once you dive in, you just have to keep swimming through it until you hit the shore on the other side of the ocean of reading.

5/5 Stars!!

February Wrap Up!!

Colored by Angie@Angels Are Kids And Furkids
Part of an Adult Color Calendar

February....the month of LOVE!  I did my best to show my love of books by trying to read at least the same amount as I did in January.  Luckily I managed that at least!  :-)   

HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS AND TO ALL YOU LOVELY VISITORS THAT STOP IN TO READ MY BLOG!!!  I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU EVERY DAY!

Here's what I have read in February: 2 Grand Total of  Books!!

You can click on the title of the book to get to my review of that book.  :-)

~ 1 Young Adult Fiction:

~Zombie Chasers by John Kloepfer

~ 1 Adult Fiction:

~But Not For Me by Mona Ingram

~ 0 Children Fiction:

Below is my running list with the challenge name, a link to my post, a brief description, how I am doing, and wrap up post links.  They will be highlighted as I complete them.

2016 Reading Challenges:

1.   2016 Reading Challenge Addict Challenge  Complete Reading Challenges.  Level ~ In Flight ~ Complete 11-15 Challenges Entered.

0/15 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:  

2.  2016 Color Coded Reading Challenge  Read Books With Colors In The Titles.

0/9 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:  

3.  2016 Mount TBR Reading Challenge  Read Books From TBR Pile.  Mt Vancouver ~ 36 Books

4/36 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:  

4.  2016 Paranormal Genre Reading Challenge  Read Paranormal Books.  Dipping The Toes ~ 12 Books

1/12 Completed! 

Wrap Up Post:  

5.  2016 Mystery Genre Reading Challenge  Read Mystery Books.  Wading In ~ 25 Books

1/25 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:  

6.  2016 Craving For Cozies Reading Challenge  Read Cozy Mysteries.  Starving ~ 11-20 Books

0/20 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:  

7.  2016 New Release Reading Challenge  Read Books Released in 2016.  New Release Newbie ~ 1-15 Books

0/15 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:  

8.  2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge  Read Books Starting With Alphabet Letters.

4/26 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:  

9.  2016 Cloak And Dagger Reading Challenge  Read Mystery/Suspense Books.  Inspector ~ 21-30 Books.

1/30 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:    

10.  2016 Crafty Cozy Reading Challenge  Read Cozy Mysteries Involving Crafting.  

0/10 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:  

11.  2016 Cruizen' Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge  Read Cozy Mysteries.  Super Sleuth ~ 13-20 Books

0/20 Completed!

Wrap Up Post:  

12.  2016 What An Animal IX Reading Challenge  Read Books With Animals As Main Character Or On Cover.  Level 2 ~ 7-12 Books

0/12 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

13.  2016 What's In A Name Reading Challenge  Read Books With Specifications.

1/6 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

14.  2016 Ultimate Reading Challenge  Read Books With Specifications.
1/40 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

15.  2016 100+ Books Reading Challenge  Read 100+ Books

4/100 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

16.  2016 Charity Reading Challenge  Donate .25 Cents/Book Read to Charities of Choice (Ronald McDonald House and Saving Paws Animal Rescue).

4/100 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

17.  2016 Finishing The Series Reading Challenge  Finish A Series.  Novice Series Reader ~ 1 Series

0/1 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

18.  2016 Foodies Reading Challenge  Read Books With Food As Main Part.  Pastry Chef ~ 4-8 Books.

0/8 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

19.  2016 I Love Libraries Reading Challenge  Read Library Books.  Early Reader ~ 9 Books.

0/9 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

20.  2016 I Love Picture Books Reading Challenge  Read Children's Picture Books.  52 Books

0/52 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

21.  2016 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge  Read More Books Than In 2015.  (Read 28 In 2015)  Out Of Breath ~ 6-10 More Books.

0/10 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

22.  2016 The Series That Never Ends Reading Challenge  Read Books From A Series, Trying To Catch Up Some.  Surviving The Book Tsunami ~ 5-9 Books.

0/9 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

23.  2016 Shelf Love Reading Challenge  Read Books Off Shelf.  Pat Your Shelves On The Back ~ 11-20 Books.

4/20 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:  

24.  2016 BookaShelf Reading Challenge  Read Books To Specifications.

0/26 Complete!

Wrap Up Post:   

25.  2016 Royal Reading Challenge  Read Royalty Books.  Knight Level ~ 1-3 Books.

0/3 Complete!

Wrap Up Post: 

26. 2016 TBR Pile Reading Challenge  Sweet Summer Fling ~ 31-40 Books off TBR Pile.

4/40 Complete!

Wrap Up Post: 

27.  2016 Challenge Challenge  Complete Challenges Signed Up For.  Level 4 ~ Coo Coo For Cocoa Puffs ~ Complete at least 15 Challenges.

0/15 Complete!

Wrap Up Post: 

28.  2016 Jan to April Triple Dog Dare  From Jan to April read ONLY books owned.

4/5 Complete!

Wrap Up Post: 

29.  2016 Spooks, Howls, and Fangs Reading Challenge  Read Paranormal Romance Books.  Shifter Cub Taking Risks In The Forest Level ~ 1-15 Books
0/15 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

30.  2016 Rock My TBR Reading Challenge  Read 2 books off TBR Shelf per month.  One Adult and One Young Adult.
4/24 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

31.  2016 Pages Read Challenge  Read 13,000 pages in 2016.
912/13,000 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

32.  2016 You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge  Read 100 books in the year.
4/100 Complete! 
Wrap Up Post:  

33.  2016 eBook Reading Challenge  Read eBooks.  Bits Level ~ 5 eBooks.
0/5 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

34.  2016 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge  Initiate Level of reading 1-5 Witchy Books.
0/5 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

35.  2016 Women Reading Challenge  Girl Power Level of reading 6-15 books written by women authors.
3/15 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

36.  2016 Lady Detectives Reading Challenge  Jane Level: Read 4-6 books with a lady detective as main character.
0/6 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

37.  2016 Audiobook Challenge  Weekend Warrior Level: 5-10 Audiobooks.
0/10 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

38.  2016 New Narrator Reading Challenge  Listener Level: 3-4 Audiobooks by new to you narrators.
0/4 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

39.  2016 Southern Literature Reading Challenge  Level 3: Have a glass of sweet iced tea, honey.  5-6 Books with Southern Feel.  Example: Southern State.
0/6 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

40.  2016 Mocha Girls Reading Challenge  "Off Like a Rocket" Spell it out challenge.  Read a book with each needed letter or number.  MOCHA GIRLS 16
2/12 Complete!
Wrap Up Post:  

Perpetual:

1.  Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge  Read all the books in this series.

Wrap Up Post:  

2.  Tea Shop Mystery Book Series  Read all the books in this series.

Wrap Up Post:  

3.  Kelly Flynn Mystery Book Series  Read all the books in this series.

Wrap Up Post:  

4.  Hannah Swensen Mystery Book Series  Read all the books in this series.

Wrap Up Post:  

5.  Alex Cross Series  Read all the books in the series.

Wrap Up Post:  

6.  Fresh Baked Mystery Series  Read all the books in the series.

Wrap Up Post:  

7.  Goldy Bear Mystery Series  Read all the books in the series.

Wrap Up Post:  

8.  Lucy Stone Mystery Series  Read all the books in the series.

Wrap Up Post:  

9.  Black Dagger Brotherhood Series  Read all the books in the series.
Wrap Up Post:  

10.  Nightwalkers Series  Read all the books in the series.
Wrap Up Post:  

11.  Game Of Thrones Series  Read all the books in the series.
Wrap Up Post:  

Book Review: But Not For Me

Title:  But Not For Me
Author:  Mona Ingram
Pages:  200
Publication Date:  2008
Version:  Hardcover
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Romance

Summary Via Goodreads.com:
"Erin Delaney, a skilled and respected chef, is in demand in her profession, but her personal life is in shambles. Determined to get away from it all and get a fresh start, she accepts a position as chef at an exclusive fishing lodge on the west coast of British Columbia. Traveling to her new job via supply boat, she enjoys the company of the other two passengers but clashes with Graydon, the young captain. When an electrical fire causes all the passengers to abandon ship, Erin does what she's always done - take care of everyone else. She quickly takes control of the situation, earning the admiration and respect of Gray. By the time Gray and Erin get to the lodge, their chemistry is palpable, though Gray's strained relationship with his father, the owner of the lodge, and Erin's issues with her sister threaten to jeopardize this fledgling relationship. When her rescue story is splashed about in the media, self-conscious Erin tries to retreat from the spotlight. However, with the help of her new friends, especially Gray, Erin discovers that perhaps she deserves to be the center of attention for once."

My Review:

Erin is about as insecure as a woman can be in her personal life.  She is overweight and tends to take charge, but at the same time let's people walk over her all the time.  Erin does have talent though, she is a great chef.  After helping raise her sister, she is finally ready to do something for her well being instead of her sister's or someone else's. She takes a job as a chef for a fishing lodge.  She decides to take the boat instead of a plane.  This may turn out to be her biggest blunder ever.  She has three comrades on the boat and they couldn't all be more different.  When a fire sinks the boat Erin, once again, takes charge and helps them all live day to day and keep their heads.  She can't stop her growing attraction to the captain though, Gray.  She knows she isn't for him, but she just can't help it.  Before any thoughts of romance and forever can flutter around in her mind though, they have to somehow survive the ordeal and get rescued.

I found this book to be a quick read for me.  It was an easy flowing book, that had my attention and wonder from start to finish. The plot was good with the mystery and suspense of the boat fire and survival of the characters.  Those characters were amazing!  I really felt a connection to them the more I read of the book.  They started feeling like we'll known friends to me.  I felt like I could pick up my phone and talk to them.  Erin, Bill, Angela, and Gray were developed with such detail and care.  Just like the details of the book were written with such care.  I could see the book playing out in my head.  

I can't say enough how much I loved the characters.  Erin is such a selfless person, only worried about others and hardly ever herself.  She is so down on herself all the time, but she is brilliant, talented, and beautiful inside and out.  Gray may be a bit misguided and bitter over his personal life, but he too is a good man.  He truly cares about people and would do anything for those he loves, no matter how rough and gruff he comes off.  Angela is a woman who can be looked at in a bad light because of how she looks and the stereotype that goes with her beauty.  Once you get to know her though, she is fun, ailly, and would help in any way she can.  Then there's Bill.  He may be older with health trouble, but he is all about being friendly and helpful.  He is like a fatherly figure to all he meets.  He is sweet, caring, kind, and just a wonderful man.

I was thrilled to get so much out of this book.  I got adventure, family drama, mayhem, new friendships, and romance.  This was a nice read for me, that I am glad I took the time to read.  I would highly suggest picking up this book.  Like any Avalon book I've read, it was a wonderful read that was a page Turner right up to the end.

5/5 Stars!!