I Love You More...Than Chocolate By Melanie Milburn

This book was originally a song, and inside the back cover, you have a CD of Miss Melanie singing the song, I Love You More Than Chocolate. When Melanie would tuck her children into bed at night, she made sure they knew how much they were loved. She told them she loved them more than anything -- even chocolate! Her children knew she was a chocoholic, so they had no doubt, they knew they were loved!

~My thoughts on this book~

I really wanted to read this book because as my niece and nephews were growing up, we would always end a goodbye with "I love you more..." The title of this book brought that habit back to mind and made me smile.

I plan to share this book with my niece, who is expecting her first child in March of next year, and I hope that she read this book to my great-nephew as he is growing up. The book is the perfect length to keep a childs interest, and the rhyming will make it easy for a child to learn to recite the book by heart along with the CD that is included.

I guess you can tell, I would recommend this book.

Me and My Manny By M.A. MacAfee

To ease her loneliness, Judy Mason orders a wooden replica of her husband, Harry, a sailor aboard ship at sea. Instead of Harry's fascimile, the anatomically incorrect manny turns out to be a caricature of him. No matter. Her girlfriends are not only envious that she has found a friend and potential business partner in the dummy; they also want to borrow him and pay for his company by the hour. But their husbands soon become suspicious, most of all Harry who, when he returns home from sea, is convinced that the dummy is out to take him over. Harry's jealousy, his odd behavior, and strange goings on in their apartment building near Seattle, convinces Judy that he may be right. To put an end to Harry's uncanny switch from man to manny, Judy resorts to extremes. As usual, the outcome of her efforts is a series of comical blunders with hilarious consequences. The idea that sex sells endures, and, as in Me and My Manny, so does making fun of it.

~My thoughts on this book~

This is a keeper. To begin with, I wasn't really sure how I would take to the concept of a woman replacing her husband with a mannequin. But, then, as she tells him herself in the book, the mannequin isn't a replacement. "You're not being replaced, " I told him. "You're being celebrated."

The ending was a surprise, something I hadn't thought of as I read through the book. Other scenarios went back and forth, but nothing close to the actual conclusion of the book. I would highly recommend this book.

In My Mailbox 11/13/11

~For Review~




Uncaged by Paul McKellips




The Pony Principles by Keith Elkins




Pscyhed Out by M.A. MacAfee




Me and My Manny by M.A. MacAfee




Ayjay's Millions by Jack Wasserman

Casatigate My Sins By Elicia Clegg

It has been said perception is reality, and yet, what if the reality in question was twisted and corrupted to a disheartening degree of depravity? Would the corruption have the power to shift the human consciousness and control the very nature of what is and what is not?

In Elicia Clegg's newest novel, five teenagers: Michael, Suzy, Christopher, Beth and Leigh, will have to answer that very question. Their souls will be thrown into a pit of malevolent despair where they will come face to face with their archetypal selves. Their characters will be tested, they will be deceived, given half-truths, and face punishment for crimes they did not commit. Will any surrender to the ever growing lies, or will they escape the void of light and breathe life once again?

~My thoughts on this book~

I had a difficult time keeping up with everything that was going on in this book. The five main characters are friends that spend alot of time together. When one of the girls faces a crisis, they all come together to help her out. While doing so, they all face a bigger crisis that leads the reader to find that some of the characters have a history that no one is aware of.

The Parrot's Perch By Karen Keilt

Brazil...Electric. Exciting. Hot. Brazil is famous for its world class beaches, beautiful women, Samba and soccer, but even its gently swaying palms and sultry nouveau beat can't cover up the sound of screaming.

Soon to be a major motion picture The Parrot's Perch scores high as it weaves together a chilling tale based on actual events in a triple play of greed, deception and betrayal conjuring up images of unsurpassed beauty and unimaginable horror.

Bright iridescent feathers, resplendent tropical hues, fast cars, and the ultra privileged life in the equestrian circuit are the lives of Catlin Lauria and her big brother, Freddy. But evil has found them, and it won't back off until someone makes a final pay-off.

A sexy-successful-girl-next-door, an uber-cute-party-boy, drugs, Carnival and the good life; dirty cops, corruption and torture, this story has it all, and you won't be able to put it down for a second, wondering "Can this world be real?" It is. Fasten your seat belts as you take this journey of revenge, retaliation, and redemption; it's gonna change your life.


~My thoughts on this book~


Wow!!!!!! I was intrigued at the title of this book, and once I got to the part of the book that tells what the Parrot's Perch actually is, I was shocked. I'm not going to give it away, you'll have to read the book to find out, but you will probably be like me and have a hard time putting this book down until you have finished reading it. The author actually signed my copy, and I plan on keeping it in my personal library. There were a few errors in spelling, but not enough to take away from the story. It is terrible to know that people are actually treated like this in foreign countries; and the people don't have to be foreigners, these people were citizens!!! This book makes me feel even more blessed to live in America.

The Breath of Allah By Steven W. Ritcheson

The United States has no shortage of enemies. Some attack with technology, others attack in spite of it. If successful, either attack could be devastating. Even if our heroes are flawed and our enemies are sympathetic, our battles must still be fought -- and won. Today, we look for our heroes wherever we can find them. Many times, they can be found in the shadowy world of private defense contractors.

Comprised of elite intelligence, defense, and technology experts, the Technology Applications Group -- known as TAG to its government handlers -- creates and deploys tomorrow's solutions to today's problems.

Through the eyes of its head of operations, Charles Rayson, TAG races from Europe to the Middle East to thwart an attack that could kill thousands and destroy the government of a fragile but critical ally while overcoming treachery from within their ranks, investigation by self-interested politicians, and bureaucratic back stabbing.

~My thoughts on this book~

It was a little slow in places, but kept me interested enough to finish it. I find myself interested in our military heroes such as the Rangers, SEALS, etc. Even though this book wasn't about them, some of the action made me think of things they might do for our country.

Triple Shot by Sandra Balzo

The new Maggy Thorsen coffeehouse mystery -- There's a chill in the Wisconsin air, and it's a shot in the arm - a triple espresso shot- to Uncommon Grounds, the Brookhills coffeehouse owned by Maggy Thorsen and real estate maven Sarah Kingston. Their new autumn drink is a huge success. But two brokers have died lately, and Sarah herself is under investigation for irregularities at her job. Then a stench begins to percolate through the coffeehouse, and soon it's clear that corpses - like other bad things - do indeed come in threes.....

~ My thoughts on this book~

I was not aware that this was one in a series of books written by the author, but I will be loooking to find the books in this series that came before this one because I really liked it. The book does stand alone well, but I want to find out how some of the main characters came to know each other. I love a good murder mystery, especially when it keeps me guessing, and this one surprised me at the end which was great.

In My Mailbox 10/16/11

~For Review~

Triple Shot by Sandra Balzo
The Parrot's Perch by Karen Keilt
The Breath of Allah by Steven W. Ritcheson

~From the Bookstore, Just for Me~

New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb
An Eye For An Eye by Irene Hannon
Let The Dead Lie by Malla Nunn
A Happy Marriage by Rafael Yglesias

~For My Kindle (Still working on the freebies!!!)~

Baby, I'm Yours (Southern Roads) by Stephanie Bond
Dating a Cougar (Never Too Late Series) by Donna McDonald
One Final Night by Wendy L. Young
Death Wishing by Laura Ellen Scott
Terror by Night by Terry Caffey, James H. Ponce
Enemies and Playmates by Darcie Helle

FIRST LOVE Just Once in a Lifetime: A Memoir By Violeta Barrett

By 1956 Violeta Barrett had been working for a Wall Street investment firm more than a decade. Recently separated from her husband and feeling overworked, Violeta decided to vacation in Mexico. After her plane landed in Mexico City, a stranger with a deep, accented voice introduced himself as her tour guide. Violeta and Jorge had no idea they were about to begin a four-year romance that would endure the test of time and distance.

In her compelling memoir, Violeta shares a nostalgic and emotional journey where principles, love, and obligations collide and force unexpected decisions. Energized by the Mexican culture and Jorge's charm, Violeta is soon caught up in the joy of being loved. But before long she must return to her obligations, leaving Jorge behind. Through the more than seventy love letters she would receive from Jorge for the next few years, the two share a forbidden passion -- until the forces of morality prevail.

Nearly fifty years ago, Violeta and Jorge fell in love, changing their lives forever. Their heartfelt story proves that true love is not affected by time. It is ageless. It is eternal.

~My thoughts on this book~

Yes, I started and finished this book in one sitting!!! I'm a sucker for a good love story. This one tugged at my heartstrings.

http://youtu.be/oVU9Ay-6zX0

Bring Back Summertime By Jeanne Starr Gater

When Jeanne Starr Gater picks up the phone one morning, she receives the shock of her life. Her strong, robust, athletic husband, Dr. Julius Gater, is in the hospital! -- comatose, suffering from a stroke, broken bones...Dr. "J" IS DYING!!

A car accident that morning has left her husband unconscious, though still alive and hanging on for dear life!...And it has been a good life -- full of sunshine! Why this! .. Dear GOD! ... Why this?!

She knows she must get to him -- and fast! They had come through too much together. If she gets to the hospital in time, they will come through this awful thing too. But she needs all her resources now. In her inner spirit, she petitions her God for mercy and compassion and strength to bring Dr. "J" back from near death. Next, over time, she contacts her family and friends for their positive thoughts and prayers. She begins her long hard journey to "BRING BACK SUMMERTIME."

Thus begins the remarkable true story of one woman's courage and faith in the face of the bitterest of odds, and one man's miraculous recovery despite doctor's dire predictions. Family, and friends, new and old gather round to offer support, faith and love, as the Gaters' begin their trek back to a normal life. They encounter incredible (and numerous) obstacles from resistant medical personnel and uncooperative rehabilitation staff, to other family misfortunes. Their very survival as a family depends on their determination to hold fast to their hopes and faith.

BRING BACK SUMMERTIME is a soul searching story of a family's struggle for the restoration of physical strength, grace and human dignity. A story that portrays the power and strength of human bonding, prayer and the belief in the power of God to sustain and revive. This family somehow does not allow itself to be thrown even by this devastating accident. They continue their noteworthy accomplishments, as they struggle to deal with the prolonged recovery of Dr. "J". Their story is truly an inspiration to all.

~My thoughts on this book~

The above statements pretty much express everything I have to say. I was moved to tears at times, and strongly admire the author and her family for never giving up when faced with very difficult circumstances.

Meggie Brooks By Daphne Woods

Growing up in a small rural township in New Jersey, Meggie Brooks lives an almost idyllic life, enjoying the beauty of her extended family despite her relatives' often hilarious, dysfunctional, and sometimes mysterious behavior. But there are some things too strange for even a child to ignore, and as the years pass, Meggie is forced to question whether all is as it seems. As she uncovers the secret that has held the family in its grip for twenty years, the greatest desire of her heart is to find love and acceptance, but can she overcome the loss of her best friend, the deception of her family, and the betrayal of the man she loves? Will she ever find a man who shares her values, or is she doomed to a life of loneliness?

A young girl's journey into adulthood, a poignant search for love, a family saga full of mystery and intrigue, and a passionate romance -- this amazingly rich novel is all these and more.

~My thoughts on this book~

I was enamored with Meggie from the very beginning. This book shows the idiosyncrasies that are apparent in most families, large or small. We learn how ones past can effect the future of more than one person. I was adopted as a child, and have a second cousin who was adopted also (Her adoptive mother was sister to her natural mother as in this story. They did not tell her right away, and when they did she was upset about it until my parents asked me to talk to her and explain that it isn't a bad thing to be adopted.) But, I digress, to return to my review, this book is one that will keep you entertained from beginning to end. I look forward to more works from this author.

In My Mailbox 10/2/11

To Review~

Meggie Brooks by Daphne Woods

Bring Back Summertime by Jeanne Starr Gater

FIRST LOVE Just Once in a Lifetime: A Memoir by Violeta Barrett

to review~
Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen
The Pumpkin Man by John Everson
Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl
Demon Marked by Meljean Brook
Small Time Christmas Anthology
Twilight Fulfilled by Maggie Shayne
Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

just for me~
If I Die by Rachel Vincent
Twisted by Gina Showalter
Envy by J.R. Ward
Spider's Revenge by Jennifer Estep
One Grave at a Time by Jenienne Frost

The Safehouse By T. Thomas Ackerman

Every nine seconds, a woman becomes a victim of domestic violence in the United States. The laws don't do enough to protect these women and their children from the abuse, which will always escalate. Detective Jessica Warren understands all too well how vulnerable women are in abusive relationships. And she's not going to stand by and watch as innocent victims are injured, or worse.

The Safehouse is the story of Jessica Warren and the closely knit network of powerful women who aren't willing to allow abusive men to hide behind inadequate laws. It's the story of the victims she helps, some of whom learn to break out of the patterns holding them trapped. And it's the story of how Jessie navigates the police system with pragmatism, intelligence, and heart to extend a helping hand to women in need. But with all the time and emotional energy she spends helping others, will she be able to maintain her own life balance? And will she be able to outsmart the one member of the police force who doesn't approve of her unorthodox methods? True to life and riveting, The Safehouse will take you on a compelling journey to justice.

~My thoughts on this book~

I read this book in one sitting, was not able to put it down. To me, it was true to life, and I would like to see it made into a movie. I found a video clip that I am going to put on here for you also. Enjoy!!!!


http://www.metacafe.com/watch/7114556/the_safehouse

My Ruby Slippers: The Road Back to Kansas By Tracy Seeley

Sure, there's no place like home -- but what if you can't really pinpoint where home is? By the time she was nine, Tracy Seeley had lived in seven towns and thirteen different houses. Her father's dreams of movie stardom, stoked by a series of affairs, kept the family on edge, and on the move, until he up and left. Thirty years later, settled in what seems like a charmed life in San Francisco, a diagnosis of cancer and the betrayal of a lover shake Seeley to her roots -- roots she is suddenly determined to search out. My Ruby Slippers tells the story of that search, the tale of a woman with an impassioned if vague sense of mission: to find the meaning of home.

Seeley finds herself in a Kansas that defies memory, a place far more complex and elusive than the sum of its cultural myths. On back roads and in her many back years, Seeley also finds unexpected forgiveness for her errant father, and, in the face of mortality, a sense of what it means to be rooted in place, to dwell deeply in the only life we have.

~My thoughts on this book~

I wanted to read and review this book because it hit close to home with me. I am a five year cancer survivor myself. I was touched in many ways by the words in this book more times than I can say. Facing cancer does give a person a new outlook on life.

http://youtube.be/CzHmrsqraRl

Dark Predator By Christine Feehan

As brutal as the undead he hunted, Zacarias De La Cruz was a master executioner. Over the long, dark centuries, he plunged into so many battles they blurred into an endless lifetime of evil that hardened the soul of this merciless, ruthless and implacable dark predator

Now his stark and savage journey is over. After a thousand years in a gray world, he has accomplished everything he set out to do. His brothers are safeguarded. Each has found a woman who completes him. And they are at peace. For his brothers, Zacarias has walked the edge of madness, but with centuries as a killing machine now left to the past, and without a hunt to define him, Zacarias wonders, for the first time in his life, who he really is.

The answer awaits him back home in Peru, in an unexpected betrayal, in the vengeance of an old enemy, in the inevitable consequences of a bloody family legacy, and in the deliverance of a lifemate he never could have imagined.

~My thoughts on this book~

I have just recently found this series, and I am enchanted by it! I did not want to put the book down. I am looking forward to finding and reading the rest of the books about the Carpathian Brotherhood.

Unforeseen Fears By H. William Gruchow

They played games with murders; harmless games, it seemed, piecing together details from news reports; imagining theories about how and why; and wagering each other on the outcomes.

Even gaming the Dunwright murders wasn't supposed to be serious. Two dead adults and a missing child; tragic, of course, but it's happened before. Except, this time something was different. There were voids, unanswered questions. Was it an execution or a kidnapping? And why did it seem investigators were misleading and deceptive? Was the investigation being subverted? By whom? And for what reason?

Their curiosities fired up, Armis and Jake broke the rules and did their own sleuthing; and when nine-year-old Brianne's dismembered remains turned up weeks later and miles away, their quest became an obsession that consumed Armis.

Yet, through encounters with corrupt lawmen, malevolent executives, and reticent family members, Armis was unable to find the answers he needed; until he met the mysterious Malwina. She insidiously drew him into her plan of personal vengeance, and closer to learning why Brianne had to die. But as they intruded into a world where the bad guys seldom lose, the game turned dangerous...and deadly.

~My thoughts on this book~

I love a good murder mystery, and this one was a real page turner. I look forward to more in what I hope is a long series from this writer.

The Mission, The Men, and Me By Pete Blaber

As a commander in Delta Force -- the most elite counter-terrorist organization in the world -- Pete Blaber has taken part in some of the most dangerous, controversial, and significant military and political events of our time. And he's learned and experienced more about the real world and how things really work than most people could imagine.

Here, he reveals his intimate knowledge of warfare, and that it's not the chaotic action of battle, but the interaction -- in the form of the way we think, the way we make decisions, and the way we act on them -- that provides the keys to success and the truly meaningful lessons.

In this book, you will learn the same lessons he learned, while experiencing what the life of a Delta Force Operator is like -- from extreme physical and psychological training to the darkest of shadow ops all around the world. From each mission, Pete Blaber has brought back a life lesson with him. You will learn these enlightening lessons as you gain insights into never-before-revealed missions executed around the globe. And when the smoke clears, you will emerge wiser, more capable, and better prepared to succeed in life than you ever thought possible.

~ My thoughts on this book~

My taste in literature is fairly eclectic, I like almost everything. I prefer to read instead of watching television or listening to the radio. You will never find me without a book in my hand or at least in my purse.

When it comes to books about the military, I hold most interest in the books about The Civil War and The Vietnam War, but I can't tell you why. This is the first book I have read that dealt with Special Operations, namely Delta Force, and I really liked it. It has gotten really good reviews and I highly recommend it. It is an easy read. The author teaches some insightful lessons based on his experiences.


In closing, I would like to share what the author wrote in the forward of this book.


"My motivation for writing this book isn't personal or political. Instead, I believe that accurately understanding and sharing lessons from the past is an essential step for gaining insights into and preparing for the future.....The stories in this book and the guiding-principle lessons they produced belong to all of us."

In My Mailbox 8/28/11

~To Review





My Pictures, My Words - Mac Kenney

The Mission, The Men, and Me - Pete Blaber

Uncaged - Paul McKellips

Unforeseen Fears - H. William Gruchow

Love and Marraige Perspectives - Vince Brendan Vincents

Gog & Magog By Jerry Pollock

In Dr. Jerry Pollock's riveting thriller, Satan descends to earth with the intention of destroying God and the entire planet by inciting war between a modern-day Cain and Abel. Will he succeed? That is the question at the center of this heart-pounding mystery-thriller, which takes much of its inspiration - and it's characters - from the Bible itself. It's a classic story of good vs. evil with one important twist: it takes place in America's halls of power.

Beginning in the Garden of Eden, where he entices Eve to eat a fig from the Tree of Knowledge, Satan's quest continues to modern times, where he aligns himself with the president of the United States and his son, Cain. Standing in Satan's way is a captivating cast of characters that include a brilliant psychiatrist charged with unraveling God's prophetic secret, a modern-day Abel who represents all things good, and the archangels Michael and Gabriel. Will Satan succeed or will God himself intervene? The answer lies in a duel to the death and the electrifying conclusion.

My thoughts on this book:

It was a page turner and kept me interested until the very end. This book is available at Amazon and also for e-readers.

The Lament: Selected Poems and Prose By Ercell H. Hoffman

The Lament captures the full range of emotion that whirl around human relationships. Here are dozens of poems examining the profound joy of those deeply in love, the incredible longing of the separated partner, the intense loneliness of modern working life, and - above all - the indisputable necessity of connecting with people around us. Poet Ercell H. Hoffman casts a penetrating gaze on our everyday emotions, revealing our extraordinary capacity for feeling, empathy, and love.

In "Lost to the Moment," the speaker relishes the irreplaceable first blush of fledgling love that sweeps through her body "like a cool summer breeze." "This Afternoon" explores the painful possibilities of a love that might have been - that "I knew could not blossom." "Stay Heart Stay" is about the undying fire for another that refuses to be extinguished despite considerable hurdles. Meanwhile, other poems examine relationships in the contemporary workplace, revealing a deeply unsatisfying existence: "The Factory" looks at the peculiarly disconnected relationships among under appreciated factory workers, while "On the JOB" tackles the boredom of a career that's anything but busy. Chock full of penetrating insights into the heart, The Lament is about our most basic needs: finding and keeping love and obeying your inner truth.

My thoughts on this book:

I don't read alot of poetry, however, I enjoyed this book. I'm a hopeless romantic, and quite a few of the poems in this book touched me. "Stay Heart Stay" was one of my favorites as well as a short poem called "Knowing You."

This book is available in paperback at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. It is also available as an instant e-book download. I highly recommend this book for an enjoyable, easy read.

Alaskan Quest Series; Song of Alaska Series By Tracie Peterson

Alaskan Quest Series:

Book One - Summer of the Midnight Sun

Leah Barringer and her brother, Jacob, have come to love the rugged Alaskan territory they call home. But when Jacob determines to join an arctic expedition, Leah realizes her heart yearns for more than this solitary existence.

The unexpected arrival of Jayce Kincaid, the man who spurned her ten years before, awakens feelings that Leah would much prefer to leave buried. As Jayce sets out to prove he's a changed man, Leah cannot deny the effect he once again has upon her. But the appearance of a young investigator casts a cloud over Jayce's past..and over Leah's dreams for the future.

Book Two - Under the Northern Lights

When Pinkerton agent Helaina Beecham's obsession with capturing a dangerous fugitive dulls her judgement, she is kidnapped and carried off into the wilderness just as an early winter is approaching. Now her only hope is that Jacob Barringer -- the man who has captivated her heart -- will find her before it is too late.

Book Three - Whispers of Winter

The unforgiving descent of Alaskan winter has Jayce Kincaid and Jacob Barringer struggling for survival after their ship is trapped in the ice floes of the Arctic.

Back at Last Chance Creek, Lean and Helaina endure the long separation -- Lean wondering if her children will ever know their father and Helaina longing for the chance to express her love to Jacob.

When unexpected loss invades their world and tragedy looms once again, will they find the strength to trust in God's faithfulness?

Song of Alaska Series: Book One - Dawn's Prelude

Newly widowed Lydia Sellers discovers that through an unforseen fluke, she is the sole recipient of her husband's fortune. But instead of granting her security, it only causes strife as her adult step-children battle to regain the inheritance for themselves. Lydia, longing to put the memories of a painful marriage behind her, determines to travel to Alaska to join her aunt.

Lydia's arrival in Sitka, however, brings two things she didn't expect. One is the acquaintance of Kjell Bjorklund, the handsome owner of the sawmill. Second is the discovery that she is pregnant with her dead husband's child. What will this mean for her budding relationship with Kjell? And to what lengths will her stepchildren go to reclaim their father's fortune? Lydia soon finds her life -- and that of her child's -- on the line.

Book Two - Morning's Refrain

As dark family secrets threaten the tranquility of the life he's come to love, Dalton Bjorklund must make difficult choices about the future. To complicate matters, Phoebe Robbins falls into his life quite literally when Dalton rescues her after she falls overboard in the Sitka Harbor. He quickly loses his heart.

But Dalton is not the only one who decides to seek Phoebe's attentions -- his best friend, Yuri, decides to court her when Dalton must travel from Sitka. But when Dalton realizes the depth of his love for Phoebe and returns, the two friends find that their battle for Phoebe's affection is only the start of the problems that face them.

Book Three - Twilight's Serenade

Britta Linquist left Sitka six years ago in an attempt to distance herself from the love of her life, Yuri Belikov. Upon her return, she finds Yuri absent and his wife about to deliver a child. When tragic circumstances ensue, Britta suddenly finds herself caring for Yuri's children -- and her life intertwining with the man she's tried so hard to forget.

But Britta's other great love is for the violin, and her talent is recognized by Brenton Maltese, a conductor from England. He proposes she accept the coveted first chair position in his orchestra -- and also his hand in marriage.

At a crossroads, Britta must determine what her heart truly longs for -- and if she's willing to fight for it.

~My thoughts~

I was introduced to this author by my mother and have grown quite fond of reading her books. It has been difficult for me to put these books down. Mrs. Peterson has been a Christian since a young age, and tells readers on her website that she feels that her writing is a ministry. She states that above all else, she longs for readers to fall in love with God. These books could probably stand on their own, but as I stated at the beginning, they are a series and you learn more about the characters if you read all of them in each series.

Black Hills By Nora Roberts

A summer at his grandparents' South Dakota ranch is not eleven-year-old Cooper Sullivan's idea of a good time. But things are a bit more bearable now that he's discovered the neighbor girl, Lil Chance, and her homemade batting cage. Even horseback riding isn't as awful as Coop thought it would be. Each year, with Coop's annual summer visit, their friendship deepens from innocent games to stolen kisses, but there is one shared experience that will forever haunt them: the terrifying discovery of a hiker's body.

As the seasons change and the years roll by, Lil remains steadfast to her aspiration of becoming a wildlife biologist and protecting her family land, while Coop struggles with is father's demand that he attend law school and join the family firm. Twelve years after they last walked together hand in hand, fate has brought them back to the Black Hills when the people and things they hold most dear need them most.

Coop recently left his fast-paced life as an investigator in New York to take care of his aging grandparents and the ranch he has come to call home. Though the memory of his touch still haunts her, Lil has let nothing stop her dream of opening the Chance Wildlife Refuge, but something...of someone...has been keeping a close watch. When small pranks and acts of destruction escalate into the heartless killing of Lil's beloved cougar, memories of an unsolved murder in these very hills have Coop springing to action to keep Lil safe.

Lil and Coop know the natural dangers that lurk in the wild landscape of the Black Hills. Now they must work together to unearth a killer of twisted and unnatural instincts who has singled them out as prey.

~My thoughts on this book~

I love love love anything Nora Roberts writes!!! This book is one of the best I've read. There is just enough of a sexual tension between the two main characters. I was on the edge of my seat, holding my breath at every turn of the page as I got closer and closer to the end that would pleasantly surprise me.

Teaser Tuesday (6/28/11)

Teaser Tuesday is weekly meme hosted by Miz B of "Should Be Reading!"
It's a great way to check out what your fellow bloggers are reading. Anyone can play! Here are the rules:

• Grab your current read



• Open to a random page



• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from the page. PLEASE DON'T INCLUDE SPOILERS!



• Share the author and title of the book so that others can add it to their TBR list if they want.

My Teaser~


"I'd say we don't know what to make of each other these days. It's awkward. Visiting's one thing, and we've hardly been in the same state at the same time since."


Black Hills by Nora Roberts, pg. 96

Buddy's Tail By K. Anne Russell

Buddy Boutonnier, a big-hearted Standard Poodle, subsists in the bare backyard of a tract hme in the desert city of Yucca Dunes. MacKenzie, a Border Collie, and Javier, a Chihuahua, provide Buddy with companionship and bring him food scraps when his neglegtful owners forget to provide for him.

When Buddy's owners decide to move, Buddy meets a wonderful lady who visits his house with prospective buyers. The poodle's humans try to sell their dog and Buddy goes through a series of unsuitable living situations. The final family returns Buddy to the tract home not realizing the owners are out of town. His only lifeline, MacKenzie, is killed by an evil Hummer driver while bringing him food. Tiny Javier tries to support Buddy with the aid of Dumb Derek, a Rottweiler whose brain is damaged from years of guarding a chemical dump. The two are unable to help the poodle.

Buddy dies, but is brought back to life by Sonny, the Good Shepherd. Sonny grants Buddy's wish to go live with the wonderful lady, in return for his promise to go with Sonny when he comes back for him. Buddy has a happy life with the lady and her dog, Skootch. Together they rescue abandoned Leroy and abused Roxanne. Years later, during Skootch's fifteenth birthday party, Sonny comes for Buddy. True to his word, he goes without complaint.

Sonny takes Buddy to Haven, the canine paradise, where he is reunited with MacKenzie. Sonny explains the rules in Haven; dogs acquire free will and give up their role of caring for humans. Their only responsibility is to help guide other dogs to Haven. Buddy excels at guiding, but on a mission to bring back a bomb dog from Afghanistan, Buddy breaks the rule and helps a human, the dog's Marine partner.

The residents of Haven are furious with the poodle and he is exiled to the perimeter of paradise. There he meets a young girl who died of cancer and befriends her, another infraction of the rules. He is dragged before the communal tribunal, where MacKenzie defends him. With the help of the marine and the girl, MacKenzie convinces the judges that Buddy is not an offender, but a hero.

Buddy's story teaches young readers about the bonds of love and friendship, the role of free will in building character, the importance of responsibility in our lives, especially as it relates to animal welfare, and the acceptance of death as part of life's journey for ourselves and our pets.

My thoughts on this book.....

I loved it!!! I will be reading it to the children in my family and encouraging everyone I know to do so also.

Termination Orders: Code Name Cobra By Leo Maloney

Leo Maloney, former Black Ops contractor, penned this action thriller novel as a quasi-memoir about the dark but arguably necessary side of intelligence that the government officially denies. The book spans the late 1960's through 2001 depicting events witnessed first-hand by the author embodied in the hero, Dan Morgan. It is a masterly blend of Black Ops intrigue interwoven with imaginative sequences of fiction. The reader must guess which accounts are real and which are merely storytelling.

Termination Orders: Code Name Cobra races the reader through a twisting plotline, populated by memorable characters who make their way through a tangled web of ethical questions, personal priorities, and suspense. The storyline is comprised of counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and target reconnaissance, in a crescendo of events set across three continents from a fireside ambush at a Kandahar village pig roast, to the vast inner halls of the CIA, to a window-ledge view through a sniper scope aimed at Gaddafi in Libya.


My thoughts:

I really liked this book. From page one, it kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what was going to happen next. The characters were believable and easy to like or hate, depending on whether or not they were the good guys. I would love to see this book made into a movie. It was an easy read with chapters that weren't too long, and written so that someone who doesn't know a lot of "military speak" could understand.