tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16525814322745571902012-02-16T17:43:37.170-08:00Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.comBlogger711100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-84625858772461912972010-11-21T21:04:00.000-08:002010-11-22T13:01:40.361-08:00

Hardcover: 288 pages Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (September 28, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0061803782 ISBN-13: 978-0061803789 Dr. Gary Smalls is husband to Gigi Vorgan and a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher.  After thirty years of practice and research on the human brain, he has written a book about his most intriguing and bizarre cases.  He begins with the

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-23541489075699332452010-11-14T14:56:00.000-08:002010-11-14T18:18:45.025-08:00

Paperback: 448 pages Publisher: Onyx; Reprint edition (September 1, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 0451412796 ISBN-13: 978-0451412799 Coffee connoisseur and FBI agent Patrick Bowers' specialty is environmental criminology.  That means he attempts to track lawbreakers by analyzing the significance of the time and place at which the crime occurred.  Not surprisingly he meets up with some

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-70134333783697114932010-11-12T20:38:00.000-08:002010-11-14T18:12:39.236-08:00

Perfect Paperback: 252 pages Publisher: Dark Willow Books; First edition (September 30, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0615349412 ISBN-13: 978-0615349411 At the age of six months Agatha Mircea was dropped off at the babysitter's house by her mother. Her mother never returned to pick her up. The babysitters, the Dobsons, kept the baby, renaming her Holly after their own dead baby.  Holly

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-67226617721439713612010-10-16T11:50:00.000-07:002010-10-16T12:33:38.993-07:00

Paperback: 330 pages Publisher: CreateSpace (July 21, 2004) Language: English ISBN-10: 1453650318 ISBN-13: 978-1453650318 Rohm's real estate background really comes across in this novel about two strong, successful but entirely different women.  Alyson Strong owns Marry Well, a glossy magazine designed to teach women how to marry and keep a rich man. She is beautiful, strong, ruthless and

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-19805882587912589522010-10-16T11:04:00.000-07:002010-10-16T21:21:21.937-07:00

Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: It Books; 1 edition (May 11, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0061998494 ISBN-13: 978-0061998492 I just love Craig Ferguson...the accent, the crazy antics, the naughty little boy quality.  I DVR The Late, Late Show every night so I don't have to stay up half the night to see him.  American on Purpose is his brutally honest memoir. Ferguson begins his story

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-29778103419358289672010-10-04T12:51:00.000-07:002010-10-12T18:11:58.709-07:00

Jessica Dee Rohm Jessica Dee Rohm was born in New York City and graduated from high school as valedictorian at 16.  She went on to Barnard College on a scholarship, following her dream of becoming a journalist.  She loves writing and began her career with The New York Times in the financial news section.  She is the founder of Jessica Dee Communications, a marketing and communications company

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-29792106583381077052010-09-28T13:47:00.000-07:002010-10-05T19:40:36.584-07:00

Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Harper Perennial (September 18, 2001) Language: English ISBN-10: 0060953691 ISBN-13: 978-0060953690 Since childhood, Rosa Fiore - daughter of a sultry Sicilian matriarch and her hapless husband - found solace in her family’s kitchen. La Cucina—the heart of the family’s lush estate--was a place where generations of Fiore women prepared wonderful meals, and

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-46955950835583475082010-09-27T19:45:00.000-07:002010-10-05T19:41:14.810-07:00

Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Penguin; 1st PAPERBACK edition (March 7, 2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 0143036696 ISBN-13: 978-0143036692 Sue Monk Kidd writes of the abbey of a Benedictine monastery on Egret Island, just off the coast of South Carolina, which houses a beautiful and mysterious chair ornately carved with mermaids and dedicated to a saint, who, legend claims, was a mermaid

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-9625789115680178842010-09-20T12:27:00.000-07:002010-10-05T19:40:00.553-07:00

Paperback: 592 pages Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (August 31, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0425236285 ISBN-13: 978-0425236284 Cornwell's Dr. Kay Scarpetta is probably my favorite fictional character.  She is brilliant, attractive, successful and an awesome cook.  But even with her many achievements, she has had her setbacks. In the 17th novel of the Scarpetta series, Kay is living

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-86238106789346456802010-09-17T14:50:00.000-07:002010-09-17T14:50:35.614-07:00

 Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: Bantam (September 28, 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 0553589784 ISBN-13: 978-0553589788 This book tells the story of two sisters who have been separated from their mother for ten years due to a disturbing secret.  Lyra Nicholson is an heiress living on the island of Capri.  She moved there after leaving her family behind in America; a husband and two

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-83708714631859094732010-09-08T19:53:00.000-07:002010-10-05T19:41:55.278-07:00

I've never been one to read Christian novels, not because I'm not a Christian, but because my tastes run more to mystery and thriller genres.  But a few months ago someone loaned me a book titled The Secret by Beverly Lewis.  This is a story set in Lancaster County PA, a story about an Amish family.  Ms. Lewis grew up in Amish country and her extensive knowledge of the Amish people and their

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-75456583113247485802009-12-18T10:42:00.000-08:002009-12-18T19:17:54.737-08:00

I'm going to suspend posting on this blog for a while.  Obligating myself to reading challenges has sort of taken the fun out of reading because I felt pressured to read as many books as possible in order to complete the challenge.  I wasn't able to just enjoy the pleasure of reading for pleasure's sake.  When things settle down after the holidays, I'll be reading and writing reviews at my own

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-75983379587173891972009-10-26T07:39:00.000-07:002010-09-08T21:53:58.309-07:00

Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; First Edition edition (October 31, 2005) ISBN-10: 0446578673 ISBN-13: 978-0446578677 I bought this book because 1)  I love Billy Crystal, and 2) I needed something light and entertaining to read on the plane while traveling to Kansas City to visit my mother.  700 Sundays refers to the number of Sundays Billy got to spend with his

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-17206584088971922732009-10-19T12:48:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:38:32.445-07:00

Mass Market Paperback: 704 pages Publisher: Bantam; First Thus edition (October 29, 2002) Language: English ISBN-10: 0553582755 ISBN-13: 978-0553582758 Part  X-Files, part thriller, this book is unique in more ways than one.  The characters are typical of Koontz in that they are never boring, never ordinary.  Micky Bellsong is at a critical time in her life, staying with her Aunt Geneva

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-65374249751029422442009-10-03T16:01:00.000-07:002009-10-03T16:01:45.045-07:00

Hardcover: 384 pages Publisher: Atria (March 24, 2009) ISBN-10: 1416585273 ISBN-13: 978-1416585275 Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall and listen to what people were saying without their knowledge?  Casey Marshall had that opportunity...just not in the way she wanted. Casey had everything.  Boatloads of money, a handsome loving husband, a successful interior design business and

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-31845543381649534762009-10-03T15:38:00.000-07:002010-09-08T21:55:04.873-07:00

Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: Forge Books (June 9, 2009) ISBN-10: 0765319020 ISBN-13: 978-0765319029  Lily Forrester is a former prosecutor, now a Ventura, California judge, who literally got away with murder when she killed the man who raped her and her daughter a few years before.  Now her marriage to Bryce Donnelly is falling apart.  Lily has no idea that Bryce is a philanderer until

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-23775587969774165192009-09-20T15:59:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:34:56.785-07:00

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition (October 27, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 0553591711 ISBN-13: 978-0553591712 Ryan Perry is 34, wealthy and in a loving relationship with Samantha.  Ryan made his fortune as an internet entrepreneur with his wildly successful social networking site.  He has the world on a string, until he begins to have frightening

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-82969373518387812492009-09-19T10:26:00.000-07:002009-09-20T07:12:54.526-07:00

Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill Shallow Graves by Jeffery Deaver The Savage Garden by Mark Mills I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark Phantom Prey by John Sandford The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver The Front by Patricia Cornwell A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton Act of Betrayal by Edna Buchanan Dead Watch by John Sandford Twilight by Stephanie Meyer Sail by James Patterson and Howard

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-48784484626858973832009-09-15T13:14:00.000-07:002009-09-19T08:56:09.513-07:00

Hardcover: 608 pages Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers; 21st edition (August 21, 2006) ISBN-10: 0316160199 ISBN-13: 978-0316160193 Meyer's Twilight series was written for young adults but it seems to have a certain appeal for a few of the older crowd also.  I guess it could be the perennial 12 year old inside us that screams for unconditional, true love...even if it is with a

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-30124348120100714702009-09-11T08:01:00.000-07:002009-09-11T08:01:42.244-07:00

Hardcover:  389 pages Publisher: Henry Holt & Co; Book Club edition (May 1, 1986) ASIN: B001I1JYPC I just love Kinsey Milhone...she always keeps me turning the pages.  Grafton's character in her alphabet series is hired by wealthy Bobby Callahan to find out who tried to kill him months earlier by running his car off the road.  She met Bobby at the gym where they are both doing physical

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-89650352170522560872009-09-07T15:03:00.000-07:002009-09-07T15:03:50.383-07:00

Paperback: 528 pages Publisher: Vision (September 1, 2000) ISBN-10: 0446608890 ISBN-13: 978-0446608893  The characters in this book are pretty typical for a Baldacci novel... Smart beautiful heroine Strong handsome hero Evil political bad guy Hired assassin Although not his best, Saving Faith is enjoyable, but not riveting.  Faith Lockhart works for Danny Buchanan, a highly successful

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-48422122330843642742009-08-26T17:54:00.000-07:002009-08-26T19:54:15.003-07:00

Hardcover: 368 pagesPublisher: Bantam; First Edition first Printing edition (June 9, 2009)ISBN-10: 0553807145ISBN-13: 978-0553807141We are introduced to the sweet but goofy Cubby who is a best-selling author. His wife, Penny is the daughter of survivalists and also an author, but of of children's books. They are the parents of six year old Milo who is a genius and currently working on a project

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-36407648748219277612009-08-26T16:57:00.000-07:002009-08-26T17:53:13.088-07:00

Hardcover: 224 pagesPublisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd; First Edition edition (November 1969)ISBN-10: 0002311178ISBN-13: 978-0002311175Although I enjoy reading mysteries, I'd never read anything by Agatha Christie. I really didn't care for it and I found myself becoming rather bored at the drawn out pace of the narrative.During preparations for a Halloween party, 13 year old Joyce Reynolds

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-2537764877361613012009-08-25T12:54:00.000-07:002009-09-20T07:12:37.516-07:00

Finished! Click on the titles to read my reviews. 1. Rules of Prey by John Sandford (Prey series) 2. Along Came a Spider by James Patterson (Alex Cross series) 3. 1st to Die by James Patterson (Women's Murder Club) 4. Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell (Scarpetta series) 5. Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell (Andy Brazil series) 6. The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver (Lincoln Rhyme series) 7. The

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-48017734586862198252009-08-25T12:10:00.000-07:002009-08-25T13:27:28.250-07:00

Hardcover: 377 pagesPublisher: G.P. Putnam & Sons 1996ISBN-10: 0399142282ASIN: B0002Z0HW4Finishing this books means I've finished the 2009 1st in a Series Challenge on J. Kaye's Book Blog. This means I've read 12 books that are the first in any series by any author.This is the story-about two women top cops and a young male newspaper reporter in Charlotte, N.C. A series of murders of men

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-52578944859408615452009-08-15T16:28:00.000-07:002009-08-15T17:20:42.728-07:00

Mass Market Paperback: 320 pagesPublisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (November 29, 2005)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0312939000ISBN-13: 978-0312939007I really like Grafton's Alphabet series. Her heroine, Kinsey Milhone is easy to like...smart, tough and resourceful.Kinsey is hired by Beverly Danzinger to find her sister Elaine Boldt, a wealthy widow who was last seen leaving her California condo and

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-81160381825948203692009-08-13T08:37:00.000-07:002009-08-13T09:14:35.157-07:00

HardcoverPublisher: Putnam (January 1, 1980)ASIN: B001O5N39AThe story begins with a fairly simple plot. Successful screenwriter Hilary Thomas does not know she is being stalked by Bruno Frye, a winery owner she met while doing research for one of her movies. That is until he confronts her in her home and attempts to rape and murder her. She scares him off by shooting at him but when she

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-44588740029512099242009-08-04T12:48:00.000-07:002009-08-04T13:15:35.101-07:00

Hardcover: 376 pagesLanguage: EnglishWomen's Murder ClubPublisher: Little Brown & Co Feb 2008ISBN-10: 0316017701ISBN-13: 9780316017701I've always been a fan of Patterson's Women's Murder Club series and this novel is no exception. It was gripping and suspenseful with characters you can relate to. Someone is setting fires to homes of the wealthy in and around San Francisco, leaving the

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-22008162104964885482009-08-02T18:11:00.000-07:002009-08-04T13:28:29.908-07:00

Hardcover: 388 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Little Brown & Co Jun 2008ISBN-10: 0316018708ISBN-13: 9780316018708I guess an author can run out of ideas for a believable plot and multi-dimensional characters after he or she has written dozens of books. The last two Patterson novels I've read have been disappointing, including this one (although not as disappointing as Cross Country). There

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-88521633170640753872009-07-30T08:05:00.000-07:002009-07-30T12:29:12.915-07:00

Hardcover: 373 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Putnam Pub Group May 2006ISBN-10: 0399153543ISBN-13: 9780399153549I'm an avid John Sandford fan, especially of his "Prey" series and its main character, Lucas Davenport. In Dead Watch Sandford has created another interesting, though not as complex, main character, Jake Winter. While Winter is smart and diligent, he doesn't have the edge that

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-9519025753119859822009-07-29T16:10:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:41:22.214-07:00

Hardcover: 292 pages Language: English Publisher: Hyperion Books Feb 1996 ISBN-10: 0786860987 ISBN-13: 9780786860982 Edna Buchanan is a Pulitzer Prize winning crime reporter. In this novel, she writes of Britt Montero, a half Cuban crime reporter in Miami. Plagued as usual by boyfriend problems, Britt reports about the disappearance of a teen-age boy whose investigation by the police

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-70561272615419864302009-07-19T14:26:00.000-07:002009-08-04T13:55:41.666-07:00

Paperback: 498 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Little Brown & Co Sep 2006ISBN-10: 0316015849ISBN-13: 9780316015844I was prepared not to like this book...what with teenage vampires and that it targets young adults. But I was pleasantly surprised as it was a good way to escape the everyday hum drum reality we all live in. You can just curl up in a comfy chair and let yourself be mindlessly

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-40034449671895509542009-07-15T17:10:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:47:26.961-07:00

Hardcover: 274 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston Jan 1982ISBN-10: 0030590485ISBN-13: 9780030590481In the first of Grafton's alphabet series, Kinsey Millhone is an ex-cop turned private investigator who prefers to be alone and will stop at nothing to solve her case. There's nothing soft about her.Kinsey is hired by Nikki Fife to find out who murdered her thoroughly

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-70671678616959047802009-07-11T16:13:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:36:45.411-07:00

Hardcover: 180 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Putnam Pub Group May 2008ISBN-10: 0399154183ISBN-13: 9780399154188This is one of those short, superficial books you can zip right through and not have to think about. The plot wasn't complicated and the characters weren't too deep and complex. It's a weak sequel to At Risk which wasn't all that thought provoking either. I got the impression

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-17134325438674539662009-07-09T12:17:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:37:00.177-07:00

Hardcover: 421 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Penguin Group USA Mar 1997ISBN-10: 067086871XISBN-13: 9780670868711The first in the Lincoln Rhyme series, The Bone Collector is about a forensic scientist, known to his peers as "the world's foremost criminalist". Injured during a crime scene search, Rhyme is a quadriplegic, confined to a bed in his Manhattan apartment, and cared for by his aide,

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-11330770183129799722009-07-09T04:59:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:37:13.995-07:00

Hardcover: 373 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Putnam Pub Group May 2008ISBN-10: 0399155007ISBN-13: 9780399155000In the 18th book of the "Prey" series, Frances Austin, a wealthy young woman who is into the Goth scene, goes missing. Already working on an important case, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agent Lucas Davenport becomes involved in this one when his surgeon wife, Weather,

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-28819732819047680292009-07-02T03:08:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:37:34.157-07:00

Hardcover: 318 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Simon & Schuster Apr 2007ISBN-10: 0743264916ISBN-13: 9780743264914When Kay Lansing was six years old, she sneaked into the mansion where her father worked as the landscaper to see the hidden chapel. While there, she overheard a mysterious conversation between an unknown man and woman. Twenty-two years later she returned to the mansion to ask the

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-48197684770915667312009-06-29T12:53:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:37:49.356-07:00

Hardcover: 324 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Putnam Pub Group May 2007ISBN-10: 0399153535ISBN-13: 9780399153532This story by British author, Mark Mills, follows Cambridge student Adam Strickland to the Tuscan hills of Italy in the summer of 1958. Adam is a rather lazy young man whose professor asks him to travel to Villa Docci to solve the mystery of its garden. The garden, created 400

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-34697638986313962472009-06-26T18:16:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:45:14.155-07:00

Paperback: 333 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Pocket Books Sep 2000ISBN-10: 0671047485ISBN-13: 9780671047481I found some time to read while I was on vacation...Shallow Graves was one I read on the plane. Shallow Graves is the first in the John Pellam series.Pellam is a location scout in the film business. In this first novel, he is in upstate New York. I enjoyed this because the location

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-44831685653636361892009-06-19T10:35:00.001-07:002009-06-19T10:40:31.445-07:00

Tomorrow I’m off to Colorado to visit my daughter. We have a few days planned in Glenwood Springs and intend to visit the hot springs and do some hiking. I just love the mountains there and the gorgeous and abundant wildlife. And on one day, I have a wonderful spa day that the dear girl got me for Mother’s Day. Two of my grandchildren will be visiting too so we expect to have a good time.

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-84233732410288764282009-06-19T09:33:00.000-07:002009-07-19T15:16:48.687-07:00

Hardcover: 376 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: William Morrow & Co Feb 2007ISBN-10: 0061147931ISBN-13: 9780061147937Joe Hill is the son of authors Stephen and Tabitha King and Heart-Shaped Box is his first novel.Judas Coyne is a middle-aged rock star, the genius behind the heavy metal band, Jude's Hammer. He is a collector of the macabre, including a cannibal's cookbook and a snuff film. So

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-19222959135762450642009-06-15T17:10:00.000-07:002009-06-15T17:23:44.398-07:00

Thank you Susan from A Southern Daydreamer Reads, for the One Lovely Blog award! I really appreciate it.Here are the rules: Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to other blogs…. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.There are so many

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-44943933728376325352009-06-14T07:26:00.000-07:002009-09-14T21:42:30.678-07:00

Challenge: Summer Reading Challenge 2009 Start date: June 21, 2009 Finish date: September 21, 2009 Hosted By: A Southern Daydreamer Reads Here's the beginning of my list for the Summer Reading Challenge 2009. I'll be adding to it as I decide on new books. To learn more about the challenge go HERE. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill Phantom Prey by John Sandford Hornet's Nest by Patricia

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-35171369725481156672009-06-14T06:00:00.000-07:002009-09-20T07:13:37.661-07:00

Well, I've completed the Spring Reading Challenge 2009, so here is the listing of the books I read. Now, I'm busy compiling my list for the Summer Reading Challenge that Susan at A Southern Daydreamer Reads will be posting on Friday, June 19. First on my list is Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill. Mortal Prey by John Sandford Dragon Tears by Dean Koontz The General's Daughter by Nelson DeMille

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-61274874004099748592009-06-11T16:42:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:38:46.272-07:00

Hardcover: 211 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Putnam Pub Group May 2006ISBN-10: 0399153624ISBN-13: 9780399153624At Risk is the first novel in the Win Garano series. Win, short for Winston, is an investigator for the District Attorney in Boston. The DA, Monique Lamont, or Money Lamount as Win calls her, has her sights set on the Governor's office and is using Win to help get her there. And

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-31040523576595039222009-06-09T05:00:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:36:14.366-07:00

Hardcover: 406 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Grand Central Pub Sep 2003ISBN-10: 0446530891ISBN-13: 9780446530897With the reading of this book, I'm halfway through the 1st In a Series reading challenge.This book didn't get very good reviews and I have to say, that surprises me. Although I wouldn't consider it a 5 star read, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-74650304989168157592009-06-04T16:59:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:39:18.566-07:00

Hardcover: 388 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Putnam Pub Group May 2007ISBN-10: 0399154213ISBN-13: 9780399154218As always Lucas Davenport, a Special Agent for Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is called in when a situation is too tough for a local police department or too politically sensitive.The story opens with two women, an elderly heiress and her maid, being brutally murdered

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-62175069323722673032009-06-01T08:51:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:39:48.826-07:00

Hardcover: 304 pagesPublisher: Scribner; Book Club edition (January 9, 1990)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0684191415ISBN-13: 978-0684191416This book, the first in the Scarpetta series, introduces us to Dr. Kay Scarpetta, Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Scarpetta is a brilliant, dedicated woman, with degrees in law and medicine. She, along with Sgt. Pete Marino, attempt

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-92229060654233921372009-05-29T09:56:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:40:05.579-07:00

Hardcover: 376 pagesPublisher: Doubleday Feb 2003Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0385508042ISBN-13: 9780385508049In my review about Grisham's The Summons, I wrote about a particular character who should have been arrested for a serious crime; I felt the fate of this character was left hanging with no closure for the reader. This character was known as the King of Torts. So when I saw this book, I

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-720841864910703472009-05-26T07:59:00.000-07:002009-05-26T10:31:13.522-07:00

Time for What’s On Your Nightstand? hosted monthly at 5 Minutes for Books.That picture on my night stand is my mother and father in 1942, the year they were married. They met at the army base where my father was stationed during World War II. Mom worked in the PX. Shortly after they were married, she followed him to California where he was shipped out overseas. She came back home to live with her

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-42233454683976484842009-05-25T09:54:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:40:28.162-07:00

Hardcover: 341 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Random House Feb 2002ISBN-10: 0385503822ISBN-13: 9780385503822Grisham returns to Ford County, Mississippi, the location of his novel, A Time to Kill. We visit the small town of Clanton, MS, the home of Judge Reuben Atlee. His sons, Ray who is a law professor, and Forrest, the black sheep have been summoned home to discuss the Judge's will. Ray

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-19521166263047232482009-05-21T17:18:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:40:46.504-07:00

Hardcover: 390 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Penguin Group USA May 2005ISBN-10: 0399152725ISBN-13: 9780399152726I noted in the previous review that Lucas Davenport has mellowed since becoming a husband and new father, and I have no reason to change that opinion after reading this book. He's a decent guy, but not perfect. However, I kind of miss the edginess he displays in the earlier Prey

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-51895021275595010232009-05-18T10:09:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:41:05.053-07:00

Hardcover: 352 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Putnam Pub Group May 2004ISBN-10: 039915180XISBN-13: 9780399151804Hidden Prey begins with the murder of a Russian merchant marine, or so it seems. As this very complex story progresses, it becomes apparent that there is much more to the case. Partnered with a female Russian agent, Lucas Davenport is called in to solve this murder and several

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-67427838412353613802009-05-11T20:27:00.001-07:002009-07-15T17:41:19.610-07:00

Hardcover: 424 pagesLanguage: EnglishPublisher: Little Brown & Co, Mar 2001 ISBN-10: 0316666009ISBN-13: 9780316666008In this first novel of the Women's Murder Club series, Lindsay Boxer is a homicide inspector who's just gotten some very bad news. She deals with it by immersing herself in her newest case. A killer is murdering recently married couples, and Lindsay is stumped. Off duty, she

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-28096732671037680152009-04-30T14:08:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:41:37.083-07:00

Hardcover: 416 pagesPublisher : Simon & SchusterLanguage: EnglishISBN : 0743260937 2006-05-30EAN : 9780743260930Although this book is one in the Lincoln Rhyme series, it introduces us to Kathryn Dance, the character in a new series by Deaver, beginning with The Sleeping Doll. Thus, the book is listed under the 2009 First in Series challenge.Kathryn is is an agent with the California Bureau of

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-48872409569756791052009-04-22T14:10:00.001-07:002009-07-15T17:41:57.620-07:00

Hardcover: 317 pagesPublisher: Putnam Adult (July 24, 1989)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0399134654ISBN-13: 978-0399134654Rules of Prey is the first in the "Prey" series featuring Minneapolis police detective Lucas Davenport and is also on my list in the 2009 First in a Series challenge. Lucas is brilliant and rich, having earned a good sum of money developing computer games. He's cocky and rather

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-26778553658764828222009-04-22T11:50:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:42:12.370-07:00

Hardcover: 435 pagesPublisher: Little Brown & Co Oct 1999Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0785734783ISBN-13: 9780785734789Along Came a Spider is the first book in the Alex Cross series and is included on my list in the 2009 First in a Series challenge. I read this book many years ago, and then saw the movie starring Morgan Freeman as Cross. It's funny because as I was reading it again, the story

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-45409756967824571122009-04-21T12:22:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:42:25.537-07:00

Hardcover: 283 pagesPublisher: Little Brown & Co Oct 2008Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0316024759ISBN-13: 9780316024754To say this book was inspirational would be an understatement. This is a fascinating and ultimately hopeful story about Cory Friedman's battle with Tourette's syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorder. It describes the sometimes ill treatment received by the

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-42483393056578841582009-04-20T08:24:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:42:42.845-07:00

Hardcover: 333 pagesPublisher: Highbridge Co Dec 2000 Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0684871262ISBN-13: 9780684871264Although I liked this book, it isn't one of his best. The characters lack the dimension of other Deaver characters such as Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs. Deaver weaves his usual complex web of suspense with plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the page.I didn't care at

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-67623907115814430732009-04-13T09:14:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:43:00.249-07:00

Hardcover: 500 pagesPublisher: Putnam Pub Group Dec 2008 Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0399155163ISBN-13: 9780399155161If you asked me if I liked this book I would probably reply, "You tell me...I stayed in bed until noon today so I could finish it". I loved it! But then, I have enjoyed every one of the Scarpetta series. Were Dr. Kay Scarpetta real, she would be my heroine. Smart, confident,

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-80613873411193173632009-04-10T21:12:00.001-07:002009-07-15T17:43:17.699-07:00

Hardcover: 359 pages Publisher: Putnam Pub Group May 2004Language: EnglishISBN-10: 1417801670ISBN-13: 9781417801671 Naked Prey is the fourteenth Prey novel in as many years. I’ve read each one and have not been disappointed yet. Lucas Davenport, now a Director with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, continues to be a fascinating character. Tall and handsome, he’s not perfect.

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-9243100740366370692009-04-08T13:29:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:43:35.286-07:00

Hardcover: 432 pagesPublisher: Simon & Schuster (March 12, 2002)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0743221990ASIN: B00011SOXIThe Stone Monkey is the fourth book in the Lincoln Rhyme series, the first three being The Bone Collector, The Coffin dancer and The Empty Chair. Rhyme is brilliant forensic scientist who happens to be a quadriplegic. Along with a team of law enforcement personnel and his partner

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-15682925908323467782009-04-02T17:56:00.001-07:002009-07-15T17:43:49.208-07:00

Hardcover: 454 pagesPublisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1st edition (November 16, 1992)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0446513067ISBN-13: 978-0446513067Throughout this book you are very aware of the underlying attitudes of the Army towards women and cover-ups. Every bad thing that happened in the life of Captain Ann Campbell resulted from these attitudes. She entered West Point, beautiful and bright

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-68666518444726046412009-03-30T08:30:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:43:25.171-07:00

I just found out I'm the lucky winner of Everyone is Beautiful, a book about Lanie, a mother to three young boys and the wife of a composer trying to succeed in his profession. Lanie is beginning a new chapter of her life at the onset of the story, moving her family from Texas to Massachusetts to support the aspiring career of her husband. Lanie is beginning to realize her life can only be

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-35212443683684687502009-03-29T08:21:00.000-07:002009-07-15T17:44:09.874-07:00

Hardcover: 354 pagesPublisher: Putnam Pub Group May 2002Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0399148639ISBN-13: 9780399148637John Sandford is one of my favorite authors. His "Prey" series, featuring Minneapolis supercop, Lucas Davenport, never disappoints. As quoted in the Chicago Tribune, "You know life is good when you have a new Lucas Davenport thriller to escape into."This is the 13th installment of

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-18628118602309083842009-03-26T04:16:00.000-07:002009-08-25T12:51:00.284-07:00

Now, this is an interesting challenge. Read 12 books that are the first in any series. The challenge is hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog and you can read about it by clicking on the link or the picture at the top.Here's my list...1. Rules of Prey by John Sandford (Prey series)2. Along Came a Spider by James Patterson (Alex Cross series)3. st to Die by James Patterson (Women's Murder Club)

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-33855037107263907322009-03-25T13:42:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:45:50.025-07:00

I've decided to join the 100+ Reading Challenge hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog. The goal is to read at least 100 books between January 1 - December 31, 2009. Click on the link for the guidelines. I noticed some readers are listing the books they intend to read for the entire year. I don't think that will work for me so I'll list a few and add to the list as I go along. And since I'm starting

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-8652935815808232352009-03-25T08:41:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:47:55.979-07:00

Hardcover: 384 pages Publisher: Putnam Pub Group Jan 1993 Language: English ISBN-10: 0399137734 ISBN-13: 9780399137730 I have to say, I didn't really care for this book nearly as much as other Koontz novels. It was OK but it just seemed to take a long time to get into it. I found it to be rather slow paced and at times, difficult to focus on. The characters are likable and interesting

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-25629971933988867822009-03-23T05:06:00.001-07:002009-06-04T17:30:00.329-07:00

Mortal Prey by John SandfordDragon Tears by Dean KoontzThe General's Daughter by Nelson DeMilleThe Stone Monkey by Jeffery DeaverScarpetta by Patricia CornwellNaked Prey by John SandfordHidden Prey by John SandfordAlong Came a Spider by James PattersonThe Summons by John Grisham1st to Die by James PattersonBroken Prey by John SandfordInvisible Prey by John SandfordPhantom Prey by John

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-78848500310666051322009-03-22T12:52:00.000-07:002009-08-04T13:29:47.215-07:00

Hardcover: 368 pagesPublisher: Little Brown & Co Jul 2007Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0316117366ISBN-13: 9780316117364What's not to enjoy about reading about a steamy one night stand gone wrong?From the jacket:A STOLEN KISSWhen she sees her husband with another woman, Lauren Stillwell's heart nearly stops beating. Her marriage was perfect, she has a great job, she loves her life. But his betrayal

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1652581432274557190.post-8477076755259936422009-03-22T09:30:00.000-07:002009-03-23T05:11:37.888-07:00

I've been thinking about creating a reading blog for a while now and much to my delight I ran across A Southern Daydreamer Reads. She has accomplished what I was just thinking about. Anyway, she inspired me.She has thrown down a challenge for Spring 2009. Here's my list...read below for the rules and add your own.Mortal Prey by John SandfordDragon Tears by Dean KoontzThe General's Daughter by

Shirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10689372714813191534noreply@blogger.com0