My Sweeet Friend, Melody....

In my rush to published my previous post (see below) from yesterday, I've was trying to remember what important thing I was suppose to mention on my post while I was drafting it here. It didn't come to me, until later after I came home from grocery to get Mr. Turkey and some side dishes to keep him company *grin* and I realized what it was I forgotten. I want to say how sorry I am that I did not mention about this yesterday....but I surely appreciate the person who gave it to me! Here is what I forgot to to mention...

I received a surprise mail Monday. Okay so I was expecting it but still, it nice to see something sweet and wonderful in the mails other than all the junks mails, right? So I was all smiling and happy with glee (which scared my family when they see my face- lucky I didn't do the Snoopy happy dance or they would thought I'm nut LOL!) as I held the small envelope in my hand and did skip toward the house. I felt something bumpy inside the envelope and wonder what could be inside beside the item I expected in there. I quickly open it and took out the pretty and cute Christmas card and inside it was a pin badge that said "Thank You For Being My Friend!". Awww it the sweetest thing. Thank you Melody, I'm thank you for being my friend too! I love the pin and the card! I appreciate the thoughts that she put in to sent these to me...THANKS again, Melody! I know we will be friend for the long haul :)

Here wishing you a Happy Holidays, Melody!

Busy weeks!

Sorry that I've not been posting. Too many stuff going on at home (in and out). And with the holidays being close, I've to be prepare for family and friends visiting. And of course I'll be helping Mom cook up turkey and all the side dishes on Thursday of Thanksgiving Day, yay! So we are preparing our menu for event. Last week on Saturday, my friends and I had our Thanksgiving dinner together early. They will be gone on a holidays trip with their kids' grandparents, starting Wednesday of this week. And won't be back until Saturday, I believe. So our early Thanksgiving dinner was wonderful. I love spending time with them and eating our usual favorite foods. We had Turkey, greenbean casserole, cornbread dressing,cranberry sauce, rice with gravy, bean, rolls and Cherry Pie. It was so goood! Wish I took pictures but unfortunately my battery died - eh. And the following day - Sunday - we went out of town to meet up with my elder uncle who travel by himself from plane to visit the families. He is such the sweetest man. I have not seen him in longest times. And if we ever had family reunion again, I would have been in touch. But gathering everyone for family reunion had become difficult. As everyone always busy with something or the others - eh. I miss those days.

So after that week, I've been either working or babysitting. Kids are already off of school for a week of Thanksgiving holidays, so that keep me busy. I did lot of cleaning, laundry and changing sheet..etc. And that give me less reading times. I'm currently reading Nauti Boy by Lora Leigh. I'm also joint reading Potter Bk 4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with my friend Melody from Melody Reading Corner and also reading Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich (it's reissues) with my other friend, Annie. Pray for me that I get through reading these books in time before December/Christmas roll by.

I did brought two books, while grocery shopping last Saturday. I did plan to only buy just one book, since I'm trying to hold my money for Christmas gifts for everyone. But when you walk by a section of books, you just can't help but stop and walk through the books isle to browse *LOL*! You will never see me go through a book ban. I can't do it! It darn too hard not to! But I'll try to get just one each weeks. Maybe if am lucky and be good, someone will be my SS LOL! I saw Laura Griffin Untraceable, which I have waited to get copy of this book. I didn't expected it to be on shelf so quick. I've previously read Griffin's books and love what I've read so far. She is good with what she write, romantic suspense. Although, this book only said it "romance"...hmmm, what that all about? I also brought Rachel Gibson True Confessions, which is reissue with a new book cover. I've started out reading some of her books and thought they are fair. I do continue to read her book and are collecting few of them but not automatically brought. Turn out, my sister love her books. So in part, I'm buying it not only for me to read but my sis as well *grin*.

If you want to see the back cover synopsis, scroll down..below. I promise to post my reviews for books that I've finish but not yet draft. It coming soon! And make sure you read my last comments on blogger award.

Alex Lovell makes people disappear. Turns out, she's not the only one....
Private investigator Alexandra Lovell uses computer skills and cunning to help clients drop off the radar and begin new lives in safety. Melanie Bess, desperate to escape her abusive cop husband, was one of those clients. But when Melanie vanishes for real, Alex fears the worst, and sets out to discover what happened. Using every resource she can get her hands on - including an elite team of forensic scientists known as the Tracers, and a jaded, sexy Austin PD detective- Alex embarks on a mission to uncover the truth.
As far as homicide cop Nathan Devereaux is concerned, no body means no case. But as much as he wants to believe that Alex's hunch about Melanie's murder is wrong, his instincts- and their visceral attraction- won't let him walk away. As a grim picture of what really happened begins to emerge, Nathan realizes this investigation runs deeper than they could ever have guessed. And each step nearer the truth puts Alex in danger of being the next to disappear....

Hope Spencer got more than she'd ever bargained for in Gospel, Idaho. There are crazy neighbors, competitive toilet tossers, locals with color- coordinated hair...and a long, lean sheriff by the name of Dylan Taber. Hope takes one look at him and faces the awful truth: it's been too long since she's had a man!
All the gals at the Curl Up and Dye hair salon declare he's the best-looking thing in town, but Hope isn't about to confess to them all that she agrees. Still, when an unsolved local mystery involves them both- and when their flirting gets the better of them- Hope and Dylan know it's time to make some true confessions...to each other.
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Alice of Hello, My Name Is Alice gave me The "Uplifting Blogger" Award and I'm so thrilled to receive it! Thank you, Alice! She have always been a fun person to chat with and put up with my weird sense of humors. She have been such a sweet and great friend I have the pleasure to "meet" from blogger land. She always have some generous uplifting thoughts to say and post about. Thanks for being my wonderful blog friend. I'm passing this award back to you!

Now, I'm passing this awards to my friends who have not only been my longest friends but is true uplifting person from the heart from the action of what they do and say. Luv ya both! :)
Darla @ Nichtszusagen
Melody @ Melody Reading Corner

Here wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and upcoming holidays season! Have a wonderful, fun but safe holidays!

Practice Makes Perfectby Julie James

Julie James's website
Pub. Date: March 2009
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 304pp
ISBN-13: 9780425226742
ISBN: 0425226743

WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION....
Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face-to face, they're perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they have kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as coworkers for one reason only: to make partner at the firm.

THERE ARE NO RULES...
But all bets are off when they're asked to join forces on a major case. Though apprehensive at first, they begin to appreciate each other's dedication to the law-and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection does not last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it's an all-out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar...

My Thoughts:
After reading Just the Sexiest Man Alive, I enjoy it so much that I was looking forward to reading Julie Jameson's next book. I was excited to learn later that Practice Makes Perfect was coming. And ever since than, I waited patiently for its release. And did happy dance when I finally got my own copy. Now that I've finish the book, I have to say that I Julie James did it again! I had finish the book since October, but draft it on November 4th. And took this long to finally post it. Sorry for late review!

Payton and J.D. are rivals opposite attract, whose have worked at the same law firm for eight years. Even though they are professional, hard worker and treated each other with courtesy, behind their action there lay a grudge against each other. They always tried to beat one another at their own games. Payton felt that she always have to work harder to get the respect that she deserve more than J.D. since he seem to have more common with everyone he meet.

I like how even when J.D. is a jerk, he does have a good side of him as well. That he is not always what people seem to think he is. I admit at first I reacted strongly about his take on women in "Battle of sexes" and than later got drawn into him as I watch him fallen in love. J.D. have always had to prove to his father he can be good at what he can do and make a good living out of it without his help. So his hope to make partner is important to J.D.

Payton was always annoyed to fact that J.D. is always good with connection with people. That he always the one to be asked to go meeting with important people that could help their company corp. She felt she had to be the one to work harder to get the respect from people in way she thought she deserved.

When their boss announced that he need them to work together for a important case they wasn't please. Even worse, they discover that only one of them will be made partner because the person who is chosen must be over the age of forty so there won't be no age discrimination. This upset them because they knew that they're good at what they do and both deserved to be made partner. Now Payton and J.D. knew that their chance is impossible. Than the war with one another had begin. The teasing, the stunts that they pull at each others were harmless fun and they weren't stop until one is upper the other. But they did not expected to be attracted with one another and that was different ball game all together.

What I enjoy most about the book was that there is plenty of funny scenes, dialogues and even some good moments where I saw something positive about them when looking at it from another light - it made me smiles. At one point on certain scenes, I was chuckling and than the next I started laughing out loud at the incident happen in the courtroom. It took me out of my reading and people was given me the look. I'm sure they thought I was a loony. You just have to read it, to know what I'm talking about teehehe.

I also like how J.D friend were trying to help him about relationship and women by given him tips referring from the movie Pride and Prejudice. The whole conversation, while it was a strange and funny but a good advice, was one of those moment where you can see the friendship between the two men are secure and honest. It was interesting to see two different people can be friend and yet respect and understood each other.

I also like how we get to see a little background of J.D. and Payton life and understood where they were coming from and why they reacted the way they did. We get to see their interaction with both parents and how they dealt with it. I thought the attraction between Payton and J.D. was sensual and romantic. I thought the love scene made up for the lack of it in Just the Sexiest Man Alive and it was wonderful :)

I thought the ending was perfectly done, although I would have love to see the result if the ending was different. But I really enjoy the book overall and think reader should read this book! I'm looking forward to Julie James more upcoming books!

Grade: 4.75 stars

Book Weekend:Queen of Song and Soulby C.L Wilson

Okay, so I lied. Last week I mention to friend that I saw Queen of Song and Souls (book #4) by C.L Wilson at my local walmart. And was planning to buy it, but than I decided to put it back because I want to get a copy of the first two books of the Tairen Soul series, first. Or least check it out from the library to see if the first book would interested me. Well..that was last week. Today, I went back to Walmart and was just checking to see if there any new books on shelf, since Tuesday is the usual release date for most books. I was disappointed there wasn't anything new. And so I browse through the books and I passed by Queen of Song and Souls about three times until I finally decided to go ahead and grab a copy. I figure I should just get the book now, since it there, so I won't have to worry about buying it later. The first three books are already in my wish list, so I hope to get copies of them and than get into the series soon. Who know, maybe I be lucky to get a surprise from my Secret Santa this year *wink* teehehee.

I've read many good thing about the Tairen Soul series, from friends (you know who you are *grin*)who highly recommend it. It's a fantasy romance, which I don't read a lot of - even though I have read a few in the past. Maybe reading the book, well make me want to go back and read fantasy again.

Here is the synopsis for Queen of Song and Souls by C.L Wilson:

ONLY TOGETHER COULD THEIR SOULS BE COMPLETE...
ONLY TOGETHER COULD THEY SURVIVE...
ONLY TOGETHER COULD THEY UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF THE PAST AND UNLEASH THEIR GREATEST MAGIC....

As war rages all around them, and the evil mages of Eld stand on the brink of triumph, Rain and Ellysetta must learn to trust completely in their love and in themselves, and embrace a forbidden power that will either destroy their world or save it.

The Tairen Soul series
1. Lord of the Fading Lands
2. Lady of Light and Shadows
3. King of Sword and Sky
4. Queen of Song and Souls

Weekend Books: Two in roll

The following are books I've brought either last week or the week before it. I never post it than because I was so busy and didn't had time to do it. But now, I'm posting it and if you scroll down than you able to read the synopsis for each books. I'm familiar with Julia London, Shannon K Butcher, Lora Leigh and Shayla Black. These are the authors who I've read some of their books and like. However, Lisa Kleypas, Ava Gray and Louisa Edwards are "new to me authors" who I have discover from blog reader's reviews. I thanks those readers for tempting me to buy these three authors *grin*, THANKS! *grin*. Okay now read the Synopsis for each books below. You can also check author's website by clicking their names :) Happy Reading!

Skin Game by Ava Gray
A BEAUTIFUL FUGITIVE-WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE...
Kyra is a con woman and a particular kind of thief. She steals with a touch, but she only takes one thing: her target's strongest skill. Which means she can be a fighter, an athlete, a musician, an artist-anything she wants...for a limited time. Heartbroken, she turns her gift toward avenging her father's murder. With deadly Patience, Kyra works her way into casino owner Gerard Serrano's inner circle. After pulling off the ultimate con, she flees with his money and his pride.

A HIT MAN WHO NEVER MISSES THE MARK...
Reyes has nothing but his work. Unfortunately for Kyra, he's the best-and mercy never sways him once he takes a job. He's been hired to find out where Kyra hid the cash-and bring her back to face Serrano's "justice." Dead will do if Reyes can't locate the loot. He's never failed to complete a contract, but Kyra tempts him with her fierce passion and her outlaw heart. So Reyes faces a hell of a choice: forsake his world or kill the woman he might love.
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Finding the Lost (The Sentinel Wars series)
by Shannon K Butcher
They are the Sentinels: three races descendel from ancient guardians of mankind, each possessing unique abilities in their battle to protect humanity against their eternal foes-the synestryn. Now a young woman must put faith in a warrior whose power frightens her even as it draws her in

Andra Madison knows that monsters are real. She's been fighting them ever since her family was victimized by the Synestryn eight years ago. Now she's devoted to finding children who've been abducted by the Synestryn. When she gets a call about a lost little boy, she tracks him to a warehouse on the out skirts of town, where she's aided by a trio of human men...or so she thinks.

Paul has been searching for centuries for a woman like Andra. To find her, he strikes a bargain with a bloodhunter that could cost him his life. Now his desire for Andra threatens to destroy his much-needed control. Against her wishes, Andra agrees to join Paul on a journey fraught with danger-one that leads directly to the Synestryn.
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A Courtesan's Scandal by Julia london
Kate Bergeron is the beautiful and mysterious former mistress of a cloth merchant...and the latest beauty to capture the interest of the Prince of Wales. Mired in a disastrous divorce, the Prince attempts to distract attention from his next amorous pursuit by ordering Grayson Christopher, the eligible Duke of Darlington, to pretend to London society that he is having an affair with Kate. When Grayson reluctantly agrees to his Prince's demand, he finds the lady no more willing than he is. Kate Will grudgingly act the part in public, but her favors are not for sale to any man. s Grayson and Kate mimic ardor for the world to see, they find what started as a deception becoming all too real. And when passion flames into love, their predicament becomes extreme. For while marriage between a duke and a courtesan could never happen, Kate knows in her heart that she is willing to accept nothing less...
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Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas
HE WAS EVERYTHING SHE'D SWORN TO AVOID...
Poppy Hathaway loves her unconventional family, thought she longs for normalcy. Then fate leads to a meeting with Harry Rutledge, an enigmatic hotel owner and inventor with wealth, power, and a dangerous hidden life. When their flirtation compromises her own reputation, Poppy shocks everyone by accepting his proposal-only to find that her new husband offers his passion, but not his trust.

AND SHE WAS EVERYTHING HE NEEDED...
Harry was willing to do anything to win Poppy-excepts to open his heart. All his life, he has held the world at arm's length...but the sharp, beguiling Poppy demands to be his wife in every way that matters. Still, as desire grows between them, an enemy lurks in the shadows. Now if Harry wants to keep Poppy by his side, he must forge a true union of body and soul, once and for all...
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Possess Me At Midnight
Doomsday Brethren Series, Book 3 — Ice’s story
by Shayla Black

As a mysterious dark cloud drains the life of her beloved brother, Doomsday Brethren leader Bram, Sabelle Rion can think of little else. Still, every time she meets Ice Rykard's intense green gaze, her body aches with need for the sexy warrior. Their attraction is explosive, incredible-and forbidden. As dangerous as he is unpredictable, Ice is her brother's sworn enemy. But as Bram weakens, a more sinister force is gaining power.

Evil Mathias and his ruthless Anarki army are on a bloodthirsty hunt for the Doomsday Diary. Sabelle must guard the potent book with her life-and Ice vows to protect the beautiful witch with his. Duty demands that Sabelle deny her lover's fiery call of possession and mate with a man who can sway the magical Council against the impending rebellion. With the fate of magickind hanging in the balance, will she forsake the burning desires she can't ignore or turn her back on her people for the courageous man she can't resist?
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Nauti Boy by Lora Leigh
Too weak to resist young Kelly Salyers's attempts at seductions, Rowdy Mackay left home eight years ago. Duty as a U.S. Marine put a safe distance between him and the temptation of the nubile Kentucky vixen. Now Rowdy's back home and ready to engage in the kind of erotic games that have earned him and his tow cousins a Nauti-boy reputation.

Once it was Kelly's dream, too, to feel the heat of the boy she desired. But an attack from a stalker still on the prowl has left Kelly terrified of a man's touch. Now as fear and desire converge, Rowdy fights to save her from the deadly threats of a stranger, to rid her of her demons and to satisfy a hunger more powerful than either can imagine.
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Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards
For sharp-tongued food critic Miranda Wake, the chance to spend a month in Adam Temple’s [LE1] kitchen to write an exposé is a journalistic dream come true. Surely Miranda can find a way to cut the hotshot chef down to size once she learns what really goes on at his trendy Manhattan restaurant. But she never expected Adam to find out her most embarrassing secret: she has no idea how to cook.

AND HE KNOWS JUST HOW TO SATISFY HER CRAVINGS...
Adam’s not about to have his reputation burned by a critic who doesn’t even know the difference between poaching and paring. He’ll just have to give the tempting redhead a few private lessons of his own—teaching her what it means to cook with passion…and doing more with his hands than simply preparing sumptuous food.

Books I won:
Also, below are books that I've won from a contest. I thanks the authors and blog's readers for given me these wonderful prizes! And this weekend I'm going to grab my copy of Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts, very soon!:

~~ Winter Kiss (A Dragonfire novel) by Deborah Cooke
~~ The Angel and the Highlander by Donna Fletcher
~~ Hit Reply by Rocki St. Claire aka Roxanne St. Claire
~~ Thrill Me to Death by Roxanne St. Claire

50 Book Challenge:July, August, September & October

I am WAY behind in posting the books that I've read for each months. I missed posting about 3 months of books (not counting Oct). Now I be putting up the list, including books from October. From July, August, September and October - I've read total of 38 books! I only managed to read 3 books in October, but I'm just so close in reaching my 50 books for the challenge! YAY!

My friend, Darla is joining in the 50 Books Challenge, too. If you would like to see some of her review, please visit her blog....here. You just have to search from archive.

Below is the list of books I've read. If you click the titles of each books, you be able to see review.

July:
32. One Scream Away by Kate Brody - 5 stars

August:
33. Just Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James - 4 stars

September:
34. Harry Potter : And the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - 4 stars
35. Sex, Lies and Online Dating by Rachel Gibson - 4 stars

October:
36. Heartsick by Chelsea Cain - 5 stars (joint-reading w/Melody)
37. Black Hills by Nora Roberts - 4 stars (joint-reading w/Alice
38. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James

Sex, Lies and Online Datingby Rachel Gibson

Rachel Gibson
Pub. Date: January 2006
Series: Avon Romance Series
ISBN-13: 9780060772918
ISBN: 0060772913
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 384pp

Sex...
What is it with men anyway? Bad cars, bad jobs, even bad teeth- nothing convinces them that they can't snare a size Two Babe with a D-cup chest. And after way too many online dates with men named "Luvstick" and "Bigdaddy182," Lucy Rothchild should know.

Lies...
But sitting across from her now is "hardluvnman," and he seem different- sensitive, honest, and hot!He says he's a plumber, while Lucy claims she's a nurse! She's really a mystery writer, dating online while researching her next book. Hey, everyone lies a little, don't they?

And Online Dating...
But Quinn's really an undercover cop hunting down a serial killer, and he see Lucy as his top suspect. And while he could really go for this smart, sexy woman with the killer bod- if that's the only thing "killer" about her- he knows he need to wine and dine her and discover the truth. Hey, he realized the dating scenes can be deadly - but this is ridiculous!

I've read this book on September 2009, and I thought I post a review on this book but apparently I did not. This was probably one of the book that I delay writing review on, when I'm trying to read another books for either joint-reading or by myself. So I tend to forget about it once few days past by. Or I may have delay writing it because, I just didn't know how to start on reviewing it. Anyway, here is my review for Sex, Lies and Online Dating

My Thoughts:
It has been a little bit awhile since I last read the book, so I'm going to try to see what I remember of the book. I thought the idea for this story was clever! A cop and mystery writer going out on a date but both are "lying" about who they are, because they both are doing research on each other. She-for her writing novel and he-to hunt down serial killer. It started out to be interesting at first and I chuckle throughout their date at the Cafe but than when they were starting to get to "know" one another and having deep feeling, they continue their "lying". I understand the reason for it. I just thought that once they admit to themselves they had feeling with each other that they would have start being honest at that point. In somewhat way, I thought Lucy fallen for him so quickly. Just from that one meeting. And I felt that Quinn was more lusting after Lucy than just fallen in love with her. How could he? After all he thouht she was suspect in serial killer. Although there were some scenes between them that were steamy. Beside that problem, I did like the two characters. I chuckle over some funny scenes with them and even smiles few times. I like Lucy's friends and so glad that each will have their own stories.

Sorry, this is only thing I remember about the book. Over all, it was fun and witty. And for most part of the book, I did enjoy it :)

Grade: 4 stars

Happy Halloween!

I wish everyone a spooky but fun, safe HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Later I'm going over to my friend house to eat some Pumpkin Bread, she is baking tonight. I have eaten it before and LOVE it! It's so goooood. Maybe I'll take picture of the Pumpkin Bread here later *grin*. Also I be taking pictures of my friend's kids in their costumes too, well I hope to before they head to another part of the town so their kids can go Trick or Treating. Where I live, there just not too many people passing out candies anymore. Sad I know. Although I'll be watching movies while I pass out candies tonight 'cause I love to see kids in their costumes! Well have FUN! And be safe! :)

P.S. I did brought books this weekend, but will post it later :)
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EDITED UPDATE AT 11:31PM (SATURDAY NIGHT,LATER):

As promise, I said I would post the Pumpkin Bread that my friend baked today. And here it is...isn't it delicious!? Click pictures to view it larger. Also, my camera died and need recharged. So with friends permission, I will try to post pictures of kids in their costumes from their camera, another time. :)