A GREAT SITE FOR FINDING BOOKS

Just found a great wee site that if your in doubt what book to read next ... This wee site will give you the answer ... All you have to do is type in the name of a book or author and it will come up with suggestions that you can read next ........ Brilliant ......... If I didn't have enough books to read :) .... The site is called "What books should I read Next" ........ Enjoy :)

Do I have to choose??

Sometimes u just want to have ur cake and eat it as well ... So I choose to be in BED and READING .... Yeah the best of both worlds :)

Ohhhhh Cover ..........

I am def a book snob when it comes to my cover's of books ..... I will pay extra if there is a prettier cover around ... And would especially luv it more if it is HARDBACK .... There is nothin like a gorgeous cover for me to purchase the book :) ........ As my bookshelf can back me up on this as I have 5 versions of Jane Eyre sittin on my Bookcase :) ........

Please don't hurt my BABIES

Is this Just me or does anyone else feel this way? ... I am very precious when it comes to my books .... Handle with care and I expect to get it back in the same way I lent it out ... I am one of those fussy people that don't bend the spine of my book unless it is a second-hand copy of a loved book which shows by the worn pages how many times I have read it .... Example: Captain Corelli's Mandolin which is one of my favourite books and I have a second copy that is well read and shows :)

Woo Hoo City of Bones Movie

Excitin New for all Fans of Cassandra Clare ... The upcomin movie of 'City of Bones' due to come out at the end of August 2013 .... Should be v v interestin .....

And the lovely cast that they have choosen ....

Lena Headey - Jocelyn Fray

Lily Collins - Clary Fray

Jonathan Rhys Meyers - Valentine Morgenstern

Robert Sheeham - Simon Lewis

Kevin Durand - Emil Pangborn

Jamie Campbell Bower - Jace Wayland

Kevin Zegers - Alec Lightwood

Jared Harris - Hodge Starkweather

Aidan Turner - Luke Garroway

Jemima West - Isabelle Lightwood

Godfrey Gao - Magnus Bane

CCH Pounder - Madame Dorothea

Robert Maillet - Samuel Blackwell 

The Plot

 Clary Fray tumbles into the supernatural world when she visits a club called Pandemonium, and witnesses a murder. Following this tragic event Clary's mother, Jocelyn, is kidnapped by a man called Valentine. She then calls on those who she saw at the club, and asks them to help her. In the search for the Mortal Cup, Clary makes decisions harder than any she has ever made. She falls in love, struggles with her best friend, and becomes the person her mother feared she would become

Darkness Before Dawn by J. A. London (5)

Only sunlight can save us.

We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.

After the death of my parents, it's up to me--as the newest delegate for humanity--to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.

Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.

 Reason I purchased book: Really don't need to ask just look at the cover .... And it is abit Vampires so completely sold :)

Openin Line: As the carriage rolled across the desolate plains, the assassin slid his gaze over to his traveling companions.

Pages in book:  342 pages

I just luved luved luved this book ... My only regret is that I never purchased this book in Hardback .... And that it ended tooo soon ... It is great when u get engrossed into a novel and u really don't want it to end ... 

There is a downside to this novel and that is that it is a Trilogy ........ I know, I know another one ..... But the characters are brilliant and the story is great with abit of a twist to your usual vampire novel ... It is a mother and son team that wrote it and I have to say that I impressed and v v curious to read their other works ... 

Well lets get back to the novel ... The world knows about the existence of Vampires and there was a terrible war that was raged where both human and vampire suffered ... An agreement was stuck where a human delegate would bargain with the Vampire Lord each week on the blood supply ... The latest delegate is Dawn (whose parents where killed for being delegates) who has gotten thrown into this role to negotiate for the humans in the city.  

Even though the book is set in modern times there is still the old world element as Lord Valentine is set in his ways and likes to conduct business like in the 1800's includin dress code much to Dawn's dislike ... Enter Lord Valentines son and u just know there is goin to be trouble ... He is not your typical Vampire (bloodsuckin and ruthless) but the opposite charmin and willin to risk his life for humans ... 

Dawn has entered a new world where she has to try very carefully to keep the balance between the Vampires and the Humans ... Because if she fails than the human race will be thrown into another war ... 

Have I said how much I really enjoyed this book :) ........ It would make a great movie and the only downside is that you have to wait for the rest of the series to be released ....... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 So if you want a good book to read go out and pick this one up you will not be disappointed ...

I rate this book 5 stars

Mistress by Leda Swann (4)

She knew she was playing with fire . . . and was eager to burn.

The very thought of an innocent young woman--a teacher at a fusty finishing school--modeling for a series of titillating photographs to be sold at London's bookstalls is scandalous. But orphaned Emily Clemens's destitute circumstances have left her little choice. It is all part of her plan to capture the attention of some well-heeled roue who will then make her his pampered mistress. So the untouched beauty sheds her outer garments--and her inhibitions--to strike provocative poses before the lens of handsome photographer Eric Twyford.

But each seductive attitude she assumes is stoking a fire within that Emily never knew existed--and the heat is spurring her on to ever-greater heights of sensuous abandon. Still, the devilishly desirable Eric, a consummate professional, remains unmoved by her erotic display. If Emily cannot arouse a man in the flesh, what hope does she have as a black-and-white postcard?

She has already gone far beyond the boundaries of propriety. Now Emily's brazenly determined to go even farther--to seduce Eric, letting him take her to intoxicating places she has never been. But once she has reached ecstasy, will she ever be able to leave?

I purchased this book because:  Just look at the cover :)

The opening line: Life usually changes slowly, almost imperceptibly, as one day slides seamlessly into the next.

Pages in Book: 266 pages

Well sometimes you just want to read abit of fluff ....  And I have been eyeing this book for a while now mainly because of the cover ... I find I am like a magpie attracted to pretty covers and then I am hooked that I have to purchase it ... 

Another of my weaknesses is Period Romances ... There is something about that settin that men where men and woman had a certain air about them ... Emily is a likeable character a young girl with ambition who would like to make her way in a world still dominated by men ... She is strong of character and a good business sense but finds she is well out of her depth when the business plan takes off.  

The male lead is Eric Twyford and he is also a likeable character ... An American livin in London to make his fortune but doesn't realise when he comes into contact with Emily that what would start as a business arrangement would grow deeper ...

As with all Erotic Novels there is a great deal of sexual content but nothin truely scandalous ... It is a quick easy read and one that would be enjoyed with an early nite in bed or curled up with a hot chocolate in front of the fire.

I rate this book: 4 stars

So v v True

I wonder does anyone else have this problem? .... Or am I alone in this!!! .... It seems that my wishlist seems to get bigger and bigger no matter how many books that I buy .... I purchase about 20 books and add on 100 more .... I think my partner will have to build me my own library to cater for em ...... lol ......

Discussion Questions for THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

1. Who was your favorite character? Why?

2. What do you think motivated Hilly? On one hand she’s so unpleasant to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to Skeeter once she realizes she can’t control her. But she’s a wonderful mother. Do you think you can be a good mother but at the same time a deeply flawed person?

3. Like Hilly, Skeeter’s mother is a prime example of someone deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter – and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine is untenable. And most of her interaction with Skeeter is critical. Do you think Skeeter’s mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why?

4. How much of a person’s character do you think is shaped by the times in which they live?

5. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart’s faults so that she can get married, and it’s not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart?

6. Do you think Minny was justified in her distrust of white people?

7. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?

8. From the perspective of a 21st century reader, the hair shellac system that Skeeter undergoes seems ludicrous. Yet women still alter their looks in rather peculiar ways as the definition of “beauty” changes with the times. Looking back on your past, what’s the most ridiculous beauty regimen you ever underwent?

9. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this?

10. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white? Have you heard stories of someone who put away their valuable jewelry before their nanny comes – so they trust this person to look after their child, but not their diamond rings?

11. What did you think about Minny’s pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?

As Johnny would say 'I'm Back"

Well alot has happened over the past couple of years .... Just a few changes .... But one thing still remains the same ... The luv of books .... So without further ado Legs and I are getting back in the saddle and postin again .......... Hurray :) ............

"The Next Always" by Nora Roberts

The historic hotel in Boonsboro has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumoured hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. Beckett is the architect of the family, and his social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen.

After losing her husband and returning to her hometown, Clare Brewster soon settles into her life as the mother of three young sons while running the town's bookstore. But Clare is drawn across the street by Beckett's transformation of the old inn, wanting to take a closer look ... at the building and the man behind it. These stolen moments are the beginning of something new - and open the door to the extraordinary adventure of what comes next ...

I have become a real fan of Nora Roberts novels and I was excited to see her latest release ... this series is set around three brothers and their restoration of a local Inn. Beckett is the youngest brother and he has been in love with Clare since high school. He has his chance with romancing her when she moves back to the town after being widowed. While a lot of the novel talks about the restoration of the Inn I was quite intrigued with that side of it and felt it fitted with the story quite well. I loved the play between the three brothers and being a mum of three boys myself loved to see that they did care and love each other. Each of the three brothers have strong personalities and each bring their own unique skills into the restoration of the Inn. Beckett seems to be the more sensitive of the three boys and has a wonderful fatherly appeal to him as he relates to Clare's boys.

The three women that are the main characters in this story are all strong in their own right, but each longs for a partner that they can share everything with. Clare is a widow who has three young boys that she looks after, a book store that she owns and runs, and a guy that just won't leave her alone to contend with. Having had to deal with all that by herself for such a long time, she struggles to let Beckett help with some of the load. I love the way that they both learn to give and take and to trust each other.

There is also a side story with the Inn beginning haunted and at first seemed a little weird but I did start to enjoy the play of the ghost in the story. I actually hope we get to learn a bit more about who the ghost is in the next two novels.

Overall I would give this book a 4 star rating, i really enjoyed it.

Warning there is some bad language in this novel which to me was not necessary but it doesn't detract from the story.

It's a light read for those rainy days....

Well it has been a while since I posted on here but hopefully that will change. I have a load of books that I have read and a bookcase of new books just waiting to be read :) .....

"The Help" Kathryn Stockett

Book club read for August.

Enter a vanished world: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962.

Where black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted not to steal the silver ...

There's Aibileen, raising her seventeeth white child and nursing the hurt caused by her own son's tragic death; Minny, whose cooking is nearly as sassy as her tongue; and white Miss Skeeter, home from college, who wants to know why her beloved maid has disappeared.

Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny. No one would believe they'd be friends; fewer still would tolerate it. But as each woman finds the courage to cross boundaries, they come to depend and rely upon one another. Each is in a search of a truth. And together they have an extraordinary story to tell ...