Kindred In Death by J.D. Robb

When the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD and his wife return a day early from their vacation, they are looking forward to spending time with their bright and vivacious sixteen-year-old daughter, who stayed behind.

Not even their worst nightmares could prepare them for the crime scene that awaits them instead.  Deena has been brutally murdered in her bedroom, and her body shows signs of trauma that horrify even the toughest of cops, including our own Lieutenant Eve Dallas, who is specifically requested by the captain to investigate.

When the evidence starts to pile up, Dallas and her team think they are about to arrest their perpetrator; little do they know that someone has gone to great lengths to tease and taunt them by using a variety of identities.

Overconfidence can lead to careless mistakes.  But for Dallas, one mistake might be all she needs to serve justice.


This book is another from the "In Death" series.  The first book  I read in this series took a little getting used to because it is based in the future, but now the futuristic surroundings don't bother me at all, they make the reading more fascinating.  The author writes, and I easily see what she wants me to see.  I can't wait to get started on the next book in this series.

The First Phone Call From Heaven By Mitch Albom

One morning in the small town of Coldwater, Michigan, the phones start ringing.  The voices say they are calling from heaven.  Is it the greatest miracle ever?  Or some cruel hoax?  As news of these strange calls spreads, outsiders flock to Coldwater to be a part of it.

At the same time, a disgraced pilot named Sully Harding returns to Coldwater from prison to discover his hometown gripped by "miracle fever."  Even his young son carries a toy phone, hoping to hear from his mother in heaven.

As the calls increase, and proof of an afterlife begins to surface, the town -- and the world -- transforms.  Only Sully, convinced there is nothing beyond this sad life, digs into the phenomenon, determined to disprove it for his child and his own broken heart.

Moving seamlessly between the invention of the telephone in 1976 and a world obsessed with the next level of communication, Mitch Albom takes readers on a breathtaking ride of frenzied hope.

The First Phone Call from Heaven is Mitch Albom at his best - a virtuosic story of love, history, and belief.


Once again a book that I thoroughly enjoyed that had a little bit of a history lesson involved in the story line.  I think all of us, at one time or another, wish that we could hear from our loved ones that have passed on; at least, I know that I do.

The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion By Fannie Flagg

The one and only Fannie Flagg, beloved author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Can't Wait to Get to Heaven, and I Still Dream About You, is at her hilarious and superb best in this new comic mystery novel about two women who are forced to reimagine who they are.

Mrs. Sookie Poole of Point Clear, Alabama, has just married off the last of her daughters and is looking forward to relaxing and perhaps traveling with her husband, Earle.  The only thing left to contend with is her mother, the formidable Lenore Simmons Krackenberry. Lenore many be a lot of fun for other people, but is, for the most part, an overbearing presence for her daughter.  Then one day, quite by accident, Sookie discovers a secret about her mother's past that knocks her for a loops and suddenly calls into question everything she ever thought she knew about herself, her family, and her future.

Sookie begins a search for answers that takes her to California, the Midwest, and back in time, to the 1940's, when an irrepressible woman named Fritzi takes on the job of running her family's filling station.  Soon truck drivers are changing their routes to fill up at the All-Girl Filling Station.  Then Fritzi sees an opportunity for an even more groundbreaking adventure.  As Sookie learns about the adventures of the girls at the All-Girl Filling Station, she finds herself with new inspiration for her own life.

Fabulous, fun-filled, spanning decades and generations, and centered on a little-known aspect of America's twentieth-century story,  The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion is another irresistible novel by the remarkable Fannie Flagg.



This book was a really quick read for me.  I enjoy reading just about any kind of genre, but lately I have gotten more interested in books that are set in Alabama and Florida.  I was born and raised in Florida, then moved to Alabama when I was a Junior in High School.

What I liked most about this book is that it gave me a little bit of a history lesson along with the story.  I had no idea that at one time the Army Air Corps had female pilots called WASPs who helped the war effort by flying newly built planes to areas where they were needed so that the male pilots could stay involved in the war itself.

I strongly recommend this book.

Music Monday - "Believer" by Audio Adrenaline

http://youtu.be/ReJEqNJLBB0


This song is beautiful.. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  There is another version with a blind surfer in it and it is super cool to watch him.  I will try to find it and post it for you also.


http://youtu.be/lLDmrVPQd98

This second version is the official version....enjoy....have a blessed day.

The Boogie Man Is My Friend: Behind The Shield by Kathryn Loving

"Many people have asked me over the years if being a police officer was difficult. I guess at times it was, but I didn't think of it that way.  It became a part of me, who I had become.

During my career in law enforcement I think my response may have evolved over the years to a description of "police work is automatic."  The latter answer made me pause and think once it spewed of arrogance which was not the meaning I intended.  The old man who had asked me the familiar question was puzzled.  I guess I had been doing it for so many years that the work had become automatic, but not as a negative connotation.  The man was the last person to hear that explanation.  That was my last day of work.

To me, automatic meant it was a part of me - it was who I was (in true Popeye speak).  Once something is a part of you, you don't have to analyze everything or evaluate each step of the challenges you faced as an officer.  You reacted in a natural way with ease and you gave quick responses and intelligent solutions.  After I finished police work, I was still posed that question.  People are curious by nature of the profession.  I began to answer those questions with, "It was perfect for me.  I like to help people."  It was a somewhat indirect answer to a direct question.

As the years wore on, the more deviant a person was in a case, the more he or she fascinated me.  The more bizarre, the more I wanted to be on scene.  Extraordinary became the new ordinary.  Police work truly is the front row seat to pure entertainment and I bathed in it.  I wrote down all those events - some ordinary, some not so.  What does that mean since my definition of ordinary might not be the norm?  In fact, your extraordinary may be my ordinary.  I guess you will have to read the book to find out."


I truly enjoyed this book.  I became familiar with this author by reading her blog "The Boogie Man is My Friend" (http://mommafargo.blogspot.com).  In this book, she shares some of the escapades that she and her brothers and sisters in blue were involved in.  I admire her honesty and courage, she shares her thoughts and actions where alot of officers wouldn't.  This is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys reading about true crime.  I look forward to reading more of her fiction and non-fiction.

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl.  She doesn't drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe.  Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University's Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants - and needs - to avoid.  He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer.  Intrigued by Abby's resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet.  If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month.  If Abby loses, she must live in Travis's apartment for the same amount of time.  Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.



I really liked this book.  It shows the ups and downs of what a couple can go through when they are co-dependent.  As a teenager, I struggled with self-doubt and feelings of inferiority.  I feel that I may have had these kind of problems if I had tried to have a relationship with someone at the time.  I can't wait to read more from this author.

Elvis & Ginger: Elvis Presley's Fiancee and Last Love Finally Tells Her Story

I just finished reading this book on my Kindle Fire, and I loved it!  I actually paid for it in advance, which I've never done for a book.  I have always been an Elvis Presley fan, but most of the time have been disappointed with previous books because they seemed to be one sided (against or for Elvis)

In my humble opinion, Ms. Alden writes from the heart and tells the story of the love that she and Elvis shared.  They had a very short time together, but it was filled with mostly happiness and only some heartache.

If you are an Elvis Presley fan, I encourage you to read this book.

Music Monday: I Think I Love You - David Cassidy

How many of you were fans of The Partridge Family?  How many of you would even admit it if you were?  LOL.  I admit that I had a huge crush on David Cassidy and later on I had a crush on his brother Shaun.  Here is an oldie but goodie that I'm sure you will remember....




http://youtu.be/Ttmp5JapObw

Mixed Blessings By Danielle Steel

In her 30th novel, Danielle Steel weaves a powerful tale of three couples who face decisions about having children that will test, in unexpected ways, the ties that bind them as lovers, partners, and friends.  Their lives, their goals, their feelings about families, are on the line, as the word "infertility" begins to unravel their dreams.

Diana Goode and Andrew Douglas are a California couple who seem to have it all: glamorous careers, good looks, good times, and lives full of friends and family.  After their wedding, Diana teases that she will make a baby on their honeymoon.  But long afterward, she is still not pregnant.  Diana enviously watches her sisters effortlessly conceive as she shuttles between doctors' offices and Andrew struggles to find a solution to their problem in order to hold on to his wife.  As they wait out each month with great anticipation only to be bitterly disappointed, they are forced to question just how much they are willing to go through to have a baby...and at what cost to their marriage.  Unknown to Diana, damaged and scarred by an IUD when she was in college, she must face what this means to her.  Diana and Andy reach out to surrogates, adoption, and lead a life of quiet desperation until they find the solutions that work for them.

The beaming groom at the Mason-Winwood wedding is Charlie Winwood.  Having grown up an orphan, he dreams of a house filled with children, and a happy family.  His bride, fun-seeking actress Barbie Mason, has other ideas.  She thrives on excitement and dreams not of the joys of motherhood, but of seeing her name up in lights.  Their marriage is strained, but Charlie is convinced that a baby will solve it all.  But when his plan proves unsuccessful and he discovers that he is sterile, Charlie has to rethink his deepest values -- and his marriage to a woman who shares none of his dreams.

Pilar Graham, a prominent Santa Barbara attorney, astonishes her friends by marrying Judge Brad Coleman -- after living with him for eighteen years.  Brad, in his early sixties and the father of two grown children, and Pilar, in her early forties, are happy with their comfortable life together, just the two of them.  That is until Pilar begins to wonder if someday she will regret not having a baby with Brad.  Are they crazy to begin now -- with Brad about to become a grandfather?  It will not be an easy road for Pilar and Brad as they encounter the world of high-tech medicine and the bittersweet rewards it brings them.

Through the lives of these couples, Danielle Steel shows us the mixed blessings we face as we make our modern families.  But despite hardship and heartache, she reminds us again of the triumphant spirit of love.

~My thoughts on this book~
I became a fan of Danielle Steel as a teenager sharing my Mom's reading materials.  I have not read all of her books as of yet, but I am working on it.  This book grabbed my attention because of it's focus on the difficulty some couples have in conceiving children.  I was adopted after my parents had tried unsuccessfully to have their own childres, and then three years later they had two of their own children.  Adoption is a wonderful option for adults and children.

Annie By Ron Mahaffey

Cody Miller's lifelong desire to serve and protect the country he loves is a reality now, thanks to the Vietnam War.  He has served honorably and well, and he's about to be sent back to the States...along with the woman he loves.  But just as his dreams are about to come true, a tragedy strikes, giving him the opportunity to protect an angel of mercy...but at great cost to himself.

Cody wakes up in a veteran's hospital believing that he has nothing left to live for.  With a cold and angry heart, his only wish is to ride into the Colorado wilderness, never to be seen again.  But Cody doesn't know that destiny is following him in a way he doesn't expect.  Will it reach him in time?  Annie is a deftly plotted, richly characterized novel that illuminates the physical and emotional realities of war with vividness and compassion to create a deeply satisfying story.

~My thoughts~
This book was a quick read being only 144 pages long.  It quickly caught my attention because my significant other is retired military and suffers from survivor's guilt.  I'm a sucker for any kind of love story so it was a double whammy for me.  If you are looking for a book to pass the time, something short and sweet, I would recommend this book.  Good news for people with e-readers, it's available as an ebook also.

Music Monday?

Yeah, I know, it isn't Monday.  But I felt like sharing this video because I like it so much.  I can't wait to have someone in my life that will feel this way about me.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1-4u9W-bns&feature=share&list=LLHq_plfCiw5c5dQ3YzIkrHg

Devil In Disguise By Heather Huffman

Author Heather Huffman reunites some of her fans' favorite characters with this unforgettable journey of romance, friendship, humor and suspense.

Tenacious reporter Rachel Cooper devotes her life to exposing corruption by shining a light on the darker corners of the world - a career that doesn't leave much room for relationships.  Even so, she finds it impossible to stop thinking about her unexpected run-in with Conrad Langston, an old flame that never quite burnt out.

When her mother calls in the middle of the night because her sister is missing and the police are offering little help, Rachel immediately turns to the only person she knows she can always count on - Conrad.

Determined to protect her family, Rachel finds herself embroiled in the frightening and tragic underworld of human trafficking.  As her pursuit of justice pulls her deep into the darkness, she recognizes an opportunity to re-evaluate her choices in life and take a new path - even if it means walking through the fires of hell to protect the ones she loves.

Passionate, engaging and poignant, Devil in Disguise entertains while raising awareness of modern day social issues.

~My thoughts~
This book was a quick read and kept me interested throughout.  I was not familiar with this author before I found this book to review, but I will be looking for her other books to learn more about some of the characters in this book that were not the main characters.

I was shocked to find out the statistics of human trafficking, and to realize how prevalent it actually is in the United States and with young girls and boys.  I would highly recommend this book.  I look forward to reading more from this author.

The Fugitive Grandma By Dmitri Ragano

At once a crime thriller, black comedy and family drama wrapped into one poignant and satirical novel.

Deep in the heart of California's dysfunctional, strip-mall suburbs, the city of Santa Ramona is besieged by a pair of unlikely bandits.  Johnny Valentine is a lonely boy who dreams of becoming a hero, just like the masked avengers of his comic books.  His feisty grandmother Stella is a retired supermarket clerk and cancer survivor with a fierce sense of justice.  Running out of time, money and options, the old lady is driven to make one last, great contribution to the world.

Together the boy and his grandma devise a Robin-Hood style scheme to rob a ruthless retail conglomerate, stealing cash and medicine for the sick and needy.  As their crime spree continues, the citizens of Santa Ramona wonder how to judge the crazy, young boy and his fugitive grandma.  Are Johnny and Stella Valentine a menace to society?  Or are they the only ones trying to save it?

~ My thoughts~

I really enjoyed this book.  The premise is something that could happen in any neighborhood at any time.  Here is a normal, dysfunctional family where a young boys father spends more time trying to make money than trying to be a dad to his son.  The grandmother takes up the slack because there is no mother in the picture since she divorced the Dad for another man with more money.  The father has financial problems, his mother has trusted him with her finances since she is recovering from cancer, and he dips into her money to try to pay off his own debts.  I don't want to give away any juicy parts of the book, so go and get yourself a copy and rest assured that you will enjoy every page.

Pinned: A Kentucky True Crime By Charles W. Massie

"I fear the dark and I live all alone...."

Mark Casey, a native New York-er and a gentleman, wants to get out of his home state and live in another part of the world.  Over the internet, he meets and is attracted to a small town Kentucky woman named Roxie.  This woman seems to be the girl of his dreams - sensual, ambitious, funny and beautiful.  After a series of email and phone conversations, Roxie invites Mark to visit her in Kentucky.  The Meeting is magic.  They fall head over heels for each other and decide to live together.

But like the flip of a switch, there are immediate problems as soon as he gets in his new abode.  He and Roxie fight, where they never did before.  She constantly tells him lies.  There seems to be a black cloud around Roxie, where someone always gets hurt.  And their once raging sexual relationship has turned sour, causing them to sleep apart.  What could have caused this abyss?

This is a true story of flagrant injustice in a small country town.  It is a page whipping account of sex, drugs, manipulation, false arrest, corrupt public officials and good 'ol boys who take rather than give.

See what it is like to be trapped in the nest of a Black Widow.  Read the story and be Pinned.

~My thoughts~
I liked this book from the start.  It was an easy read for me.  The author is good at telling a story.  There were a few typoes, but nothing that distracted me from the story.  There was more sex in the story than I liked, but the author does warn you at the beginning of the book that it is part of the story.  Of course, the ending left me hanging and I am looking forward to the sequel to find out the rest of the story.

The Satyr's Curse By Alexandrea Weis

Gruesome murders are rocking New Orleans.

But Jazzmyn Livaudais is too busy running her restaurant to pay attention to the sensational headlines.  And when the charismatic Julian Devereau enters Jazzmyn's life, she becomes even more distracted by the handsome stranger.

Seduced by Julian's charm, Jazzmyn is swept up in a passionate romance.  Then she learns the horrific truth about Julian and the murders.  Cursed to an unending life where no woman can satisfy his lust and no wine can quench his thirst, Julian needs Jazzmyn's love to free him from his torment.

But Jazzmyn is in love with someone else.  And Julian isn't very happy about it.

He vows to keep on killing until Jazzmyn submits to his will.

For Jazzmyn Livaudais the nightmare is just beginning.

No one can ever break The Satyr's Curse.


~My thoughts~
Once again, Ms. Weis has written a gripping tale that leaves the reader wanting more.  From the first page, I was caught up in the life of Jazzmyn Livaudais.  I have to say, I warmed to chef Kyle much easier than Julian.  The story line had me captivated right away, and I can't wait to see what happens next.  I have never been disappointed in any of the books written by Ms. Weis, and I highly recommend this book as well as all of her others.

The Corner Window By Darrel Rachel

A coming of age story filled with mystery and intrigue!

Frank Baldwin, a bitter and disillusioned young man, accepts a temporary job on a remote section of the California coast where he hopes to get his life in order.  There he meets Sylvia, a beautiful young woman with a mysterious family.  Before his stay on the beach is over, Frank will experience for the first time, true love, a love that will bring him face-to-face with the shocking past of Sylvia's family.

~My thoughts~
This book was a quick read for me.  The ending has me hoping for a sequel.

http://youtu.be/ZeGiwiFT0wo

Acadian Waltz By Alexandrea Weis

At thirty, Nora Kehoe is feeling pressured to settle down.  On a blind date, Nora unexpectedly ends up in the emergency room where she meets Dr. John Blessing.  She hopes the pragmatic Dr. Blessing can make her life complete.  Then, a passionate encounter with a childhood friend changes everything.

The charismatic Jean Marc Gaspard manages the family business, Gaspard Fisheries.  But rumors abound that Jean Marc is running more than seafood through the waters around Manchac Louisiana.  When a family crisis sends Nora to Manchac, she is thrown headlong into the dangerous world of smugglers and swindlers. And as Jean Marc tries to protect Nora from his past, he realized he may lose her because of it.

The dark bayou waters run deep with secrets in Louisiana, and every Cajun knows how to dance the fine line between the right and wrong side of the law.  But for strangers, learning the steps to staying alive in the swamps can be tricky.  Life, and love, will be dependent on how well one can master the...Acadian Waltz.

~My thoughts~
Another well written book from Ms. Weis!!!!  We're introduced to a young woman who is struggling to make everyone in her life happy, especially her Mother.  She is pushed into dating men she has no interest in, and then meets an attractive doctor who seems to be the perfect answer to all of her prayers.  However, looks can be deceiving, and she has her doubts that they should be together even though her Mother pushes the couple towards the altar.  When Nora happens to meet up with an old childhood flame, the spark is still there and she starts to question what it is she really wants to do with her life. 

Sleep Fat Wake Up Thin By Kenn Kihiu

"Sleep Fat Wake Up Thin" is the first nutrition course that clues in consumers on some of the misleading profit generating practices and ideas pushed by the diet and food industry that end up making consumers fatter and unhealthier.  "Awareness is power and we have to be aware that unfortunately money is what makes the world of food and nutrition go round.  The diet and food industry spend more on marketing than on research and development because they are more interested in their bottom line than consumer's waistline" says Kenn Kihiu.  His goal is to arm the consumer with the right tools and knowledge on how to make better decisions when it comes to their nutrition habits.

Those who follow the "Sleep Fat Wake Up Thin" way will regain power and control over their life by discovering how easy it is to drop unwanted pounds, burn fat, significantly reduce their cravings, gain energy, and feel healthy while feeling the best they have felt in years.  Kenn Kihiu says that even though "Sleep Fat Wake Up Thin" goes against the current food and diet industry recommendations, he has created a course that is backed by science but even more importantly by a little common sense.

"Many of the diseases we face today - obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol - are not true diseases but symptoms of underlying conditions brought on by the things we eat that are marketed to us by the food industry.  These conditions are easily fixable with a few changes and a little education about the simple choices we make everyday" insists Kenn Kihiu.

In the author's words, to summarize the book, "The book is a nutrition and weight-loss course that teaches the natural and easy to follow principles on how to lose weight without the struggle of suffering through a small number of acceptable recipes, complex point counting charts, or dieting rules."

~My thoughts~
I received a personally printed copy of this book from the author so that I could review it.  I was impressed by how easy it was to read and understand all of the principles he brought up in the book.  I have struggled with my weight all of my life, and I found quite a number of things in this book that I am going to try.  I know it will be a journey, and not a short one, but I am excited to begin.

In the past, I have tried the "name brand" diets and most of them did not help me in any way.  I feel that I can do better with this plan, but we will see.  This book will be available at Amazon, bookstores and libraries in the near future, and it will be carried on Kindle books.  I encourage you to at least read it and see what you think.

Rogue Alliance: Part One of the Shyla Ericson Series By Michelle Bellon

Trying to escape a horrific past, Shyla has immersed herself in life as a tough, sassy cop in the bustle of LA.  When the case of a lifetime takes her back to her hometown of Redding, she is thrown into a world of organised crime, deceit, and bitter reminders of her childhood.

As Shyla's path crosses that of Brennan, an unwitting and troubled sidekick to the ringleader she's intent on taking down, she is forced to re-evaluate everything she believes about herself, her job, and what she knows about right and wrong.

Can she face the demons of her upbringing and learn to trust again?  Her life will depend on it.

Available at Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble

~My thoughts~
I am a big fan of Ms. Bellon.  Her books get me hooked right away, and I have a  hard time putting them down until I get to the end.  She always leaves me wanting more.

I found myself hoping that Shyla and Brennan would end up together and maybe they will, but since this is only the first in the series I will have to wait and find out for sure.

All of the characters are believable and likable except for Victor, and without giving anything away, it was good to read how things went down for him.

I am waiting with baited breath for the next book.  Hope it doesn't take too long....

Men Don't Pee Straight And Other Things You Should Know About Us By Mr. Rick Dean

Chock full of stuff about men that you've always known but never wished to fully grasp (and always hoped would change), Men Don't Pee Straight confirms your worst fear - those male stereotypes are real, they are accurate, and they are here to stay.

Blunt and comedic, these cartoon illustrated pages soften the sad reality for many mothers, girlfriends, and wives who have been hoping for change.  The best anyone can do is simply grimace, shrug, and then perhaps smile.

From diapers and driving thru fragile egos and toilet seats, this poignant yet tactless book will assist with that smile.

~My thoughts~
This was a cute little book and a very quick read.  It made me smile alot and laugh out loud quite often.  I plan to share it with all the females in my family and recommend it to all of my female friends.