Thursday Thirteen: Edition # 30

Why My Reading Have been slowed

1. Since this January of 2008, a week before Thanksgiving and during the Christmas holidays, I began to have a reading slump....again. I thought I would over pass it once the holidays is gone but unfortunately it isn't so. I thought maybe it because I was too caught up with the holidays spirit that when it over, I would settle down and read again. Nope - that isn't so either. I've been so busy, that it take away my free times to read too. Here are the reason why my reading have slowed.

2. I end up having to do two things everyday - 1. Go to work with mom and assistant her with alteration customers clothes and 2. Babysitting three years little Landen. With these two on my schedules, it hard to find the right time to sit and read. I'm contantly on call and never know when I'll be free or have day off.

3. Than two weeks after Christmas, I got sick for nearly two weeks from virus cough. Landen, 3 years old boy, got sick and because I babysit him I caught the germs and got sick. I kick back the virus with some cough medicine and take NyQuil at night for an easy sleep. And than a friend sent me two antibiotic medicines, one is the oil oreganol and the other is water sovereign silver (silver hydrosol). I got better after I took it..thanks goodness! But than my mom caught it and she end up being sick for two weeks too...*sigh*. But now she is better :)

4. Than all the TV shows that I need to catch up on need my attention. Even TV shows that I've record on tape, have never been seen until I finally broke down to watch it, late at night. I knew that if I don't watch it sooner, the next episodes will seem strange and confusion because I didn't see the last week episodes. I hate to be confuse. But lately, since Writer strike, the shows are now just showing re-run or it already ended it seasons. Thank goodness "Lost" is back today (Thursday Jan. 31)! And it will be 2 hours premiere event, starting tonight at 7PM central! *doing a stupid, silly, happy snoopy dance*

5. I've also been busy catching up on movies that was sent to me from Netflix in the mail. I get three movies at same times. Depend of course how many DVD movies I return back. But with what going on with my life, it hard to be able to have the time to sit and watch movies. I normally watch movies with my niece Trish, but she too have been busy. And I want to be able to watch it with her. Some movies took until 2 weeks until I finally watch it and return it back to Netflix. I enjoy their service, Netflix is great! The three recently movies I watch was: "War" (Jet Li & Jason Statham), " The Santa Clause 3 (Tim Allen) and "La Femme Nikita" (Peta Wilson and Roy Dupuis. *notice* - La Femme Nikita actually a TV show base on the cult motion picture. The show run for 5 years, ending it show in 2001. It about Nikita witness a woman murder and was taken to jail for life imprisonment but she has a choice to whether she want life imprisonment or work for Section One. They're a clandestine anti-terrorism organization. She chose Section One. It a very good shows if you like kick butt heroine, action and romance. I watch it in the middle of the season on TV, so I decided to start from the beginning, with Season 1. Fun and Cool!

6. Because I spent so much time either working or babysitting, I never have much time to spent with my niece Trish. So every other days would be "Trish" day, which mean we get out of the house and have fun together. Mostly we end up at the malls or going to restaurant to eat. Our favorite to eat out these days is either Raising Canes, Ruby Tuesday, Taco Bell, King Buffet..etc. Or just anything pasta or chicken (my favorite).

7. One of my friend just had a baby, a boy name Nicholas who is born preemie and weighted 5.lb. Because he was preemie, he couldn't come home the same day his mom was released from hospital. So my friend was worry about Nicholas because he was put in a tube machine (so he can eat) and he was so small that he wasn't strong enough to be home. For few days we pray for him...when finally I heard the new last Tuesday that he was able to come home I was excited and happy for her. Knowing that my friend can smile again made me happy. I also was a preemie baby. I Weighted 4.lb. Family was afraid to drop me because I was so tiny...hehe. So this is a Happy Birthday Nicholas shout out *grin*.

8. Than an old friend's mom came down for visit. She is an elder grandmother who is sweet as pie. She so kind and funny to talk to. But sometime she drive me and family nuts but we love her though :) With her being here, it hard to pick up a book to read because I'm always in and out of the house to take her to places she want to go

9. Than my mother's cousin stop by for visit because he want to take a 3 days class to study cosmetology and beauty school for nails here. so he need a place to stay. During his 3 days here, when he not in school, he went around visiting my aunts and uncle. As well as cousin too. I never met him before so it has been an interesting to learn about him. Lot of catching up on what going on with his life and mine. When he went home last Thursday, we were sad to see him go :)

10. My niece Trish and I have to take mom to doctor. Sometime gout end up on her finger but always on her feet. When it get into her finger, it swollen so bad that she get into lot of pain. A year or two ago, she has gout that end up leaving a huge bump on her front middle finger. It so huge that after the swollen goes down the bump never did go down with it. She want to see if the doctor can remove it. I hope they able to :) *notice update* - Today she went to the doctor and they given her a shot on the finger to bring down the swollen and hopefully the bump goes down with it *end notice update*

11. Landen, three old boy I babysit, gotten stomach flu virus. He hardly eat any foods and that concern us because he normally eat lot of foods. So few days of worrying and taking him to the hopistal. Than finally coming to an end when he finally eat, was a relief - YAY! I love that little guy! He call me aunt Yen..heheh

12. Chinese/Vietnamese New Year is approaching next week, so we getting everything prepare for the big event at our church community,this weekend. We setting a family festival where people can go to eat, play games and catch up on everyone live. There is a live concert with famous Asian singers on stage singing or performance a funny play for the audience. So I've been helping with setting the foods and display decoration and preparing for the event. It'll be a 2 days event (Saturday & Sunday)

13. And I over exhausted myself, that by the end of the day I'm so tired that when I get home from whatever/where-ever I'm doing/going I want to just go sleep. And sometime, even though I'm very tired, I still go in to check my emails to make sure everything that need my attention is taken care of before I take a nap. And once that done, after talking to my friends -- I pass out to sleep once my head hit the pillow. So with all that happen in my life and exhaustion...my reading habit have been slow and I'm in a reading slump. I pray that I'll find the time to relax and settle down to read again. Keep your fingers and toes cross for me :) And I do need someone to PUSH me to read. I need to be back in tune with the program! Please someone...HELP *grin*

So that is the reason why my reading have been slowed. Have you ever been in reading slump? What did you do to recover from it? :)

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!


(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Quirky

Booking Through Thursday

This week’s question is suggested by (blogless) JMutford:

Sometimes I find eccentric characters quirky and fun, other times I find them too unbelievable and annoying. What are some of the more outrageous characters you’ve read, and how do you feel about them?

- Hmmm, I do read lot of books that has quirky and fun characters and some that has characters doing outrageous things. But lot of time even outrageous characters don't bother me and I can still enjoy them. However last year, I've read the 3rd book of the Anonymous Thrillseekers "American Diva" by Julia London and the main heroine was too much for me that she had became unlikable for me. I just couldn't stand her. But than her role that she play is example of exactly how some real life celebrity have became after famous. So her character was well written. But "American Diva" was the weakest out of the first two of the Trilogy, IMO. I did managed to finish reading the book and when it end, I was just only glad it over :)

I love reading Julia London books and have read all the Anonymous Thrillseekers Trilogy and all the Lear Family Trilogy. I love the two Trilogies. I think that Julia London is enjoyable and worth to read. I'm slowly collection her older, classic books too. But I'm getting there :)

Than there is a heroine's family in "Good Girls Do" by Cathie Linz that I thought was quirky too. Everything they do are just crazy lol. Than there is Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. They're all quirky to me but very fun! I love this series.

What about you? What are some of the more outrageous characters you’ve read, and how do you feel about them?

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!

Creation in Death by JDRobb

JDRobb's Website
Nora Roberts' Website
Futuristic/Mystery/Contemporary Romance
4 1/2 stars





Okay, so I'm not sure what genres these series category to. But I know there are mixed of all three. So I just put them all. Of course, I wasn't sure if contemporary romance should be there. But these books do have romance (Eve and Roarke) in them. It took me awhile to read this book and review it. I'm slowly reading books these days. But are trying to pick up my reading habits to a speed this time :)

Nine year earlier a man whom the media have called him "The Groom", has took the lives of four women. He would artfully arrange the body of brunette woman and spread their arm, palms up and than marked them by signs of prolonged and even torture them. And there always a silver rings placed in their third finger of their left hand. Carving their torso is what took the times for them to to die. The media was on edge because of the frighten killing spree. Nine years ago, NYPSD Lieutenant Eve and her partner Feeny was unable to stop him before he suddenly disappear, never to be seen again......

Now he have came back and this time his most recent victims turn out to be employed of Roarke, whose happen to be Eve's billionaire husband. The victims was washed from producted that was owned by Roarke and was laid on a sheet that the company manufactures. When Eve found that "The Groom" has made it personal, she bring Roarke in to help and work with her at the Central. Because Eve is familiar with his method of killing, she hoped her team would be able to find the "The Groom" and stop him this time from killing more women or she might be the next killer's target. Time is running out and it is a challenge for Eve to get him this time around and redeem herself.

Mean while, Roarke is discovering for the first time what it like working at the Central. Normally when Eve asked for him for help, he does all the work in his office at home. This time he left his comfort zone and end up in Central.

JDRobb aks Nora Roberts, has kept up with a very creative story that keep you entertained and wanting more. She kept the story moving in fast pace with urgency of the characters tension to solve and catch the killer. A wonderful and charming characters that grow on you as you think of them as your own family. And you get a glimpse of another days, behind Eve and Roarke marriage life too. A very good book read. I can't wait to read the next In Death installment!

Eva's Reading Meme

I was tagged by Melody at Melody's Reading Corner for this meme. But this original post meme came from Eva

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from
reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?

I This is sure a tough question.....but I think I will go with Dorthy Dunnett. I tried to read the first book but the writing was too hard for me to understand what going on or what the hero is up to. It written sorta like lyrical and witty. Friends tell me that if I've kept reading and get into the next installment of the book, than I would have understand the hero much more. And despite the good positive of the book (okay maybe the reviews have not been all positive) I didn't continue reading the book. I tell myself that maybe in due time, I will retry it again and hope that this time my feeling of the book will change.

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?

Seriously this is hard question. It so hard to just pick three, because anyone who know me would know that I don't just stick with just only few people. Even though the question call for it *grin*. I think I'll pick: Sam Starret (Troubleshooter series), one of Kathryn Shay's fireman character (Hidden Coves trilogy) and Max (Troubleshooter series). I'm always amaze at the generous donations from people who willing to help to those whose are having trouble with life and is in time of need. If I could set up an charity events for donations of anything that I think is important for me to fight for (Cancers, homeless, children in foster home, military, books..etc) than I will set up an charity and invited the three men I mention above to help out. I think the three characters might have encounter these events. It be good way for them to get to know each other (fireman, cop and military) and for me to have a chance to thanks them in between......okay so maybe it kinda weird but I want the three characters to mingle hehehe.

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realise it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?

I hate to say it because I do like this author, but I'm going to go with Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce, although I do appreciate the hard work she had done to write it. I do like her older books and think people should try those first instead :) She write great in those IMO.

Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?

I'm sure there are books that I have done this to. But it not a whole lot though. If I've been nowhere near it, it only because I didn't have the chance to read it yet. Or I thought I've read it and discover later that I didn't.

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to 'reread' it that you haven't? Which book?

See answer above, from the last question for this answers.

You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (If you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead and personalise the VIP).

The Outlander series. When I read the books, I felt like I was a little girl sitting down on the floor listening to Diana Gabaldon tell me the most wonderful story in history of all times. You learn of the history of the war, about the fictional characters seeing AMERICA for the first time and the many other places they go to. And all the angst, tough and emotional times they have gone through the books. You learn about the brave Jamie Frasier who is heroism in his times and sweet as well. He is fighter, a father a hero who love his family...and his actions, words surely show :) Lots of action with deep writing, loves and heartbreak tales.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?

I think I would want to learn German, French or Spanish. My reason is because I have a aunt who family speak German. And although I speak Vietnamese, I want to be able to communicate in German with my cousins whose also speak both Vietnamese and German. I chose French because I took French class in high school and even though I didn't do well on it, I truly want to learn it. And Spanish because I have a friends who speak Spanish and I want to be able to communicate with them.

A mischievous fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?

Hmmm...there a lot of books I've reread over the years. Too many to counts! Yes I'm reread-er *grin*. But if I have to chose one to reread once a year for rest of my life, than I will chose...The Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I bet some of you are surprise that I didn't chose one of Nora Roberts books *grin*. In that case I would have, but there so many books of her to chose from :)

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?

Book blogs have certainly helped me in exploring more books the last two years I've been blogging. I've discover new to me authors this way, and it made me appreciate the genres and authors a lot more. It's also help me to discover myself as well. And I've made good friends from blog land by reading their book reviews(as well as fun stuff).

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.

Ever seen the movie "Beauty and the Beast"? I love Belle library. OMG the huge and tall bookshelves on every wall of the room, from the top ceiling to the bottom floor. And with ladder to climb up to reach the top. The bookshelves will have most of my favorite genres in hardcover with authors inscribed in them. There will be a desk, leather chair and pictures of my family. And my laptop. By the window it will have purple pattern certain with a sofa and lamp next to it. And picture frames of my family on the top wall, above the sofa. And TBR pile that are stacked next to the sofa. The wall of the room will be painted brown with hinted of light purple decoration.

As per the rules, I have to tag 4 people for this meme so here they are:

Marg at Reading Adventures
Kat at Strangely Out of Place
Cmate at Mini Bites
Marianne at Reading, Writing & Stuff That Makes Me Crazy

And, for extra credit, if you leave a comment letting Eva know you've done the meme with a link to the post, she will give you some link love via a big list of who's participated. Additionally, if you link back to her original post, she will enter you in a drawing to win The House at Riverton. If you're an American, this is especially exciting since it isn't going to published until April. ;) To be in the drawing, you must have posted the meme (and commented) by February 5th, which is when she is holding the drawing.

Huh?

Booking Through Thursday

What’s your favorite book that nobody else has heard of? You know, not Little Women or Huckleberry Finn, not the latest best-seller . . . whether they’ve read them or not, everybody “knows” those books. I’m talking about the best book that, when you tell people that you love it, they go, “Huh? Never heard of it?”

- This is kinda hard. Because of all the books that are my favorite, most everyone have heard of it before. So nothing is new to them. But that also depend on the person who either have same genres tastes as mine or not. But, if I have to go way back to when I was still in highschool, and think really hard...I'm going to say....."Sin" by Judith Gould. I think the book was published in 1982 and it about 709 pages long. From what I learn about the author, Judith Gould is actually an pseudonym co-authors of two guys friend (Nick Bienes and Rhea Gallaher) who collaborate together to write a book. This was new to me because at the time Internet didn't exist in my world ...yet *grin*. So I have no way of knowing. And because I've read this book a long time ago, the front cover end up ripped off. So I still have no way of knowing. Not until I recently did search on the book and discover their website. When "sin" became the New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, the novel was made into a miniseries television. And Joan Collins had the role in it. But I don't even remember if I've seen the miniseries or not. I think at the time, I love the book because it was story about a woman who goes from being orphan and than rich. She is daring but yet vulnerable and have the strong courage to use any mean to get to the top. But than she fell in love and wonder if all the things she have done was worth getting to where she is or just give it all up for love that could make her life as whole. It was pretty long story, but a strong and interesting one imo. You read about her struggle, pain and achievement as she grew up. This is novel and I'm even surprise that I managed to finish all 709 pages of that book.

"Sin" is about a woman name Helene Junot, who is the most successful fashion woman in the world. She built and own the biggest magazine empired on earth. But what happen to her childhood past in France, was horror. And she will never forget it. She vowed to repay for all the horrible sin that Nazis done to her family. From being orphan and building her schemed up to top and famous. it is how she got to where she is today. But is it enough or give it all up for the man she love?

I'm not sure if you ever heard of this book, but if not -- you can go to Judith Gould's website (click website) and see it. It doesn't give lot of info but you can at lease see the cover. I had different cover of the book, but it not shown on their website. There isn't much reviews either but it give you hint of the story :)

You might have heard of the author name but just not read the book. If you have read the book, comment it here and let me know about it :)

And, folks– Becca was nice enough to nominate Booking Through Thursday for a Blogger's Choice Award–while you’re here, why don’t you head over and vote for us, too. Because, a vote for BTT is a vote for all of us who play each week!

The Man Who Loved Christmas by Kathryn Shay

Contemporary Romance (Superromance)
Kathryn Shay's website
4 1/2 stars







This is the 2nd installment to the America's Bravest trilogy. The cover (at the top) is English version but my friend Angela , sent me the UK version (click to see the UK cover). Again I think I like the UK cover because imo, it show real people. It been sitting in my TBR pile for longest time, and I finally break down and read these books. I hope to be able to finish the next two books quickly. I loves Kathryn Shay's books -- firefighter...yummy heroes!

Firefighter Dylan O'Roarke and EMS instructor Beth Winter have been nemeses for such a long time. Both never seem to agree on things. Ever since Beth has been his instructor for the EMS class, to allowed anyone who joined the academy to learn to perform basic first aid and medical care, she has been critical with him of the risk he take in dangerous situation even though she ignore the fact that people though of him as heroism. They never been civil with each other since.

Now bad luck has been on their side, as they once again are put together. This time they have work together to instructs and train the new recruits student about EMS. Dylan suddenly felt attractive to her and no matter how much their clash became inevitable, he willing to put his anger aside and just become Beth "sex partner". They try to be friend without fighting and work out on their different. He soon learn what is it that made Beth " stone cold" toward people all the time. But in light of the season, he always bring spirit of Christmas to everyone - and try to give Beth the heart she need even when he learn of her heartbreak past. Dylan O,Roarke learned to live life to the fullest and to cherish women from his own deceased, beloved Grandma Katie. It Beth decision to take his heart or remain aloof.

The Man Who Loved Christmas is a wonderful feeling story with lot of likable characters (some from previous book: Feel the Heat. The tension between the two main characters Dylan and Beth, who is opposites of each other and fall in love, were delightful and emotionally real (even though sometime I want to bang Beth head). The fear, the risk and the training firefighter take were carefully research by the author. Great book! I can't wait to read the next installment book :)

The America's Bravest Trilogy books:

1. Feel the Heat (click titles to read review)
2. The Man Who Loved Christmas
3. Code of Honor
4. The Fire Within

12345 Meme

I got this from Marianne

1. Name one thing you do everyday.
A. Check Emails *grin*

2. Name two things you wish you could learn.
A. Be a better at blogging (book reviews, updating them quicker)
B. sign languages

3. Name three things that remind you of your childhood.
A. My favorite childhood books (Ramona series, Harold and Purple Crayon, The Fudge books, Anne of the Green Gable..etc)
B. The 80's days
C. "Girls just Want to Have Fun" movie

4. Name four things you love to eat but rarely do.
A. Steak : This is because mom and little brother get gout.
B. Fried fish : We only eat it on a Ash Day or occasionally when we feel like to eat it
C. Baskin Robin Ice Cream : Love their flavor and only buy it when I'm in mood for it. Normally I always buy the grocery store one.
D. Strawberries : But I'm allergic to it. It seem to give me pain on the side of mouth, where my cheek are.

5. Name five things/people that make you feel good.
A. Reading books (I'm avided reader)
B. TV (hey am addictive hehe)
C. Childhood best friend & niece Trish (when I hang out with them or talk about our problem)
D. Beverage: Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Sprite
E. Foods: Pasta, anything fries, chicken fingers (Raising Canes)

What to play? Just leave comments here to let me know, and than I'll check your blog :)

Thursday Thirteen: Edition # 29

Next Movies from Netflix Queue!

I think by now, some of you know that I love movies. And that I am a member of the Netflix online service. I've been with them for almost 2 years now. And I love it. It always nice to have someone thoughts in the movies and share similar likeness. Below is the list of 13 movies that is next up in my Netflix queue list. I haven't seen it yet. Please let me know your thought on the movies. Have you seen it? Did you like it? Why or why not? Please also notice that some of the movies are really old, but I've been slow in watching the movies when it first premiered and just now got around to catch up and see it. And one are from TV show series that I never gotten to see from the beginning, but have seen in the middle of episode seasons.

1. La Femme Nikita: Season 1 (Peta Wilson, Roy Dupuis) <~~I saw this show right in the middle of episodes on TV and love what I saw. I never know if the show ever end or how it ended. Cause it was interrupted suddenly off the air.

2. Shrek the Third (Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Dia..etc)<~~~I love this animated movie. Too funny and really enjoy it.

3. Ocean Thirteen (George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon) <~~~ All the yummy men are in this movie. I have seen all the "Ocean" movie and hope that this one will be the best one :)

4. War (Jet Li, Jason Statham)<~~~ love Jason and Jet, enough said! *grin*

5. The Santa Clause 3 (Tim Allen, Anne Margret) <~~~ I really love watching this movie. It fun and always heartfelt, very emotionally moving but yet very entertaining.

6. Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World End (Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom) <~~~ Johnny so yummy!! *grin* I really enjoy all the Pirates movie of his so far. It entertaining for me. Is this suppose to be the last of the Pirate movie? I hope not.

7. I Spy (Eddie Murphy, Owen Wilson)<~~~~ have always love Eddie Murphy in the old days, but still enjoy his sense of humors. This was also recommend to me by Darla

8. Ratatouille (Brad Garrett, Patton Oswalt) <~~~ Always enjoy watching animated movie from Pixar.

9. No Way Out (Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman) <~~~ I think this movie was also recommend to me by Darla....

10. The Bourne Ultimatum (Matt Demon, Patty, Considine) <~~~I personally thought this was a great movie series

11. Ronin (Robert De Niro, Stellan Skarsgard) <~~~ Never seen this movie, but it was recommend to me by Darla *grin*

12. Hairspray (Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Amanda Bynes) <~~~~ I always love watching all John movies, so am looking forward to this one. I've seen the original movie of "Hairspray" when I was a kid, and really enjoy it.

13. The kingdom (Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner) <~~~~ I always like watching Jennifer in action and I know this movie will have it...okay I hope hehehe.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!


(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Let's Review....

Booking Through Thursday


This week’s question is suggested by Puss Reboots:

How much do reviews (good and bad) affect your choice of reading? If you see a bad review of a book you wanted to read, do you still read it? If you see a good review of a book you’re sure you won’t like, do you change your mind and give the book a try?

- This is really a good questions and I'm interested to know what other people thoughts in this. Because it would explain to me more of the "why" people like or dislike the book that I might have like. Or book that I might not have like. Some reader can take you to different direction to see the other side of things, that you never thought about before on first glance of reading the book when you are just beginning to think you don't like the book. It like a light bulb moments. But than it also give you the understanding of the reader preference of the book and their dislike. It a good things for me, cause it taught me something about readers and myself.

I normally do not choose a book to read by reader reviews from an on-line bookstore (like Amazon or B&N). Because those reviews do not help me much. However, saying that...reviews do affect my choice of reading. If I see a bad review of the book I wanted to read, I do read it anyway. Why? Because I'm curious to see what reader see. And if I see a good review of the book I know I won't read, I might be curious enough to give it a try. But that depend on the person who recommend it or friends who I can trust or have similar taste like mine. And wonderful people like blogger and my yahoo reading group have help me too :)

It make the book more interesting when two reader, read the same book but have different opinion of the book. But more often, I'm always reading books by my favorite authors, and reviewers can not affect me with favorite authors. I tend to read it whether readers like it or not. But I learn alot about the reader by their review :)

P.S - Just to be clear, I am not an opinionated person...at all. I don't beat it to death. I listen and that all I do :)

What about you? Does review affect you?

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!

Wednesday Notes

Yes, I know. I've been lack on posting something new on my blog. I've been pretty much busy lately and just don't have the time to post anything. Even being busy have slow down my reading times too. I hope to get my Booking Through Thursday and Thursday Thirteen (if I have one made up by than) up later today...maybe at Thursday in midnight hours hehehe.

Right now, I'm currently reading "The Man Who Loved Christmas" (yeah I realized that Christmas is over) is the 2nd book to the "America Bravest" series. Than I might try to read "Winter Edge" by Anne Stuart. This is an older book, so it might be a hard to find book, for other who want to get a copy :) After that I want to get back to the "America Bravest" series and read the third book installment. Kathryn Shay is a wonderful writer and I have enjoy reading her books about firefighter.

What about you? What are you currently reading?

Thursday Thirteen: Edition # 28

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things!

Happy Thursday Thirteen! These are my slideshow of a few of my Favorite Things! After the first picture, the 2nd-5th pictures are bookmarks hand-made by me. I made it for a friend when we participated in Bookmarks Exchange. It is made with scrap papers material and embellishment are added in. The bookmark with the Fairy, said "Li, Let Your Imagine Fly". The bookmark that had woman in black is suppose to be Nora Roberts and it said "Nora as JDRobb" and she holding a small white paper that said "#1 New York Time Bestselling Author". I love making these bookmarks! I also cross stitches the Precious Moments and sew it into pillow for a friend 4yrs ago, on Christmas. She now pass it to her daughter. I really enjoy doing these project. It explain why I love to cross stitches and scrapbooks. And I hope to do more projects soon :)

As for the rest of the pictures, these are my family and everyone know I love to read!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!


(leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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May I Introduce….

Booking Through Thursday

1. How did you come across your favorite author(s)? Recommended by a friend? Stumbled across at a bookstore? A book given to you as a gift?

2. Was it love at first sight? Or did the love affair evolve over a long acquaintance?

- Let go back to the past, shall we? *grin*... Crockett Johnson's The Harold Series, was discover when my 3rd grade teacher gave the class to have a "read a book" time. We usually get to chose a book we want to read and than pick our favorite corner to sit and read the book for an hour or two. This is how I discover "Harold and the Purple Crayon". Johnson became my childhood favorite since. I stumble across Beverly Cleary who wrote "Ramona" series, when we use to have a Book Fair at my old elementary school. Same goes for Judy Blume's The Fudges series. I started to collect their books everytime the school have a Book Fair. And both authors also my childhood favorite. I stumble across L.M. Montgomery who wrote "Anne of the Green Gable", when I had to do a book report for school. I read the first book, did my report and got an "A" on it - yay me! After that, I start to collect the book series and read it for the whole weeks.

My first romance author was Judith McNaught. I came across her book when "Whitney, My Love" was laid on the floor in front me. Something about that book (maybe the bookcover?), made me want to read it. I asked my sisters if I could read it. They felt I was old enough, so they allowed me to read it. That how I discover and collect Judith McNaught's books. A friend of my sister, was given away books she didn't want or need. So she allowed me to take my pick. That how I discover Nora Roberts. She is one of my favorite author today. I discover her JDRobb's books by "accident", and it was funny to me. I never knew Nora wrote under another pen name until I read "Witness in Death" (borrow from library). At the time I didn't even know it was Nora and I kept thinking how similar the authors name are. And the book cover didn't even said "JDRobb aka Nora Roberts" at the time, either. I was shock to find out the true ID of the In Death and so happy that I stumble across it! :)

As for the rest of my favorite authors, I discover them by word of the mouth and recommendation of true friends who is members from JDRobb Yahoo Group (and blogger friends) who I know I can trust. Friends who have similar like in reading taste as I do. Authors like : Suzanne Brockmann, Diana Gabaldon, Kathryn Shay, Shannon Mckenna, Lora Leigh, Elizabeth Phillips, Linda Howard, Anne Stuarts, Julie Garwood (historicals), Janet Evanovich, Christine Feehan (GhostWalker), Lori Foster, Rebecca York (MOON series, Roxanne St. Claire.....etc.

Now that I think about it, I want to thanks Darla ( who gave me good recommendation over the years) and all my other friends who recommend me these authors!

What about you? How did you discover your favorite authors?

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!

Feel the Heat by Kathryn Shay

Contemporary (silhouette Super Romance)
Kathryn Shay's website
5/5




This happen to be re-read book. I didn't realize that I've read it already in the past, until I read it again. And my feeling of the book remain the same. The cover art (at the top) is the English version. My friend Angela , who live in England UK, sent me this books and along with the next three books in the trilogy (which now became 4 books). Thank so much Angela! BUT these books she sent me were all UK version. If you like to see the cover art for Feel the Heat, click UK version. Isn't it pretty? I admit I like this cover much better, because it show real people :)

I try to find the original review that I did on this book, but I couldn't find it on this blog. Maybe I never put the review up here....

Firefighter Francesca Cordaro end up in the hospital with broken arm, after she saves the life of Alex Templeton from the warehouse that caught on fire. Not only that, she accidentally drop Alex down when she fell and he end up with few bruises and some smoke inhalation to the head and into the hospital. Alex came to Francey to thanks her for saving his life and offer to bring her some Shrimp scampi from Rio. No sooner did Francesca like Alex company and found him attractive and charming. Not until she found out later that Alex is the CEO owner of the Templeton's Industries building. She don't want to end up hurt so she couldn't be with someone who is outsider - just like her mom.

Alex, could not understand why a brave woman like Francey won't take a chance on love. But he want to prove to her that she meant something to him. And show her that two different people from different world, can work.

Francey's mom have left her father after six years of marriage. But not only did she left her husband, she also left her three kids. Now she is back and it only stirred up old memories of the past for Francey, her two brothers and her dad Ben.

The police were still investigation to where the fire, origin from Alex's warehouse. And the closer they look, the closer they will soon find the answer.

Feel the Heat is a story of two strong couples fallen in love. I felt the characters gone through their angst, anxiety and admitting their love for each other. And even if there is characters you like, sometime you just want to "take their shoulder and shake them" but you will feel warm up to them as they redeem themselves. I love the interaction between the heroine and the "brotherly" characters - they're a team. A close knit group who work together and depend on one another. And Alex (the main heroe), he is sweet, caring and charming guy. :)

Here is the order the books trilogy of "America's Bravest" to be read:

Feel the Heat
The Man Who Loved Christmas
Code of Honor
The Fire Within (the trilogy have become 4 books)


Kathryn Shay is one of my favorite author. I've read her Hidden Cove trilogy and really love it. Kathryn books are usually realistic and physically and emotionally intense. Her characters are real and you can't help but fall for them as they fight through life as firefighter and finding loves or reunited with their love one, once again.

TBR Challenge : January

This TBR Challenge will be up on my blog side bar until January 31, 2008

Darla have been posting this at her blog (click her name below to her blog) every months and I just got around to participated on this. I've been lacking to post it monthly last year of 2007 but I'll try my best to post mine this year for 2008. We've have been doing this in one of our Yahoo group since the past a year or two now (Darla correct me please, if wrong!). The idea was to help us bring down our TBR pile or pick a book from the TBR pile that we normally don't pick up to read right away, once we brought them. It help our group a lot. You can post it anytime, any days until the end of this month and the next month we have new challenge :) I will post mine later. Here is TBR Challenge for this month....

The TBR Challenge for January is to read a book that has an animal in the title.
Examples from Darla shelves:

1. So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas Adams
2. The Silver Wolf by Alice Borchardt
3. A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony

Also if you Click here , you will find more examples from Darla.

As always, let us know what you read, how it fit the challenge, how you liked it, and how long it had been in your TBR pile. Good luck and happy reading! :)

Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts

Paranormal Romance
Nora Roberts' website
4 stars






Three young friends, made a blooded brothers ritual oath of loyalty of their friendship forever as brotherhood at the Pagan Stone in 1987. When their blood combine together a powerful evil come out and strike. Every seven years, horrific things happen at the Hawkins Hollow for seven days, after the blooded ritual released. It become so madness and suicidal that other people fear for their life. Some left and move away while other brave the evil flying around their hometown. But the strange thing is, when the seven days have passed, no one even remember anything. It as if nothing happen.

Now 21 years later, the three boys are grown up into a man. And they stay even when the evil still running around. And they want to fight back. With the help of three other women, they hope to find why the evilness happen and what is it they have release out. And why are they chosen to be the one to release it out. Is there connection?

As the six friends figuring out the pattern and the answers to why evil lurk out on the seven months and seven days. They also found they are bound together by fate, passion and the fight against the darkness..........

I've always enjoy Nora Roberts books and I have enjoyed this one too. The characters were likable and fun. There a little humors dialogue and romance. I just only wish the romance wasn't so quick. I would have want to see their romance get intense and built up. As it usually seen on some of Nora's older work. And it focus mostly on the paranormal than the romance. I agree with people who have said that the book was good enough to be a stand alone book and not trilogy. It seem to me the book was set up to be a one whole book. Of course that isn't true since we know the last two books of this trilogy will be releasing 3-4 months apart from each other (only for this trilogy only). Someone can correct me if I'm wrong! But I give Nora a benfit of doubts that maybe something GREAT going to happen on the next two installments, which might be why the book seem like it just one whole book.

Saying that, I really enjoy the paranormal side of this book. It made me want to know what happen next and find the connection between the three men (Cal, Fox and Gab, the three women (Quinn, Layla and Cybil) with the darkness evil. And I hope that the next two installment will be much better.

Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors and I've read most of her recent books. But I'm slowly trying to collect her older books, and add it to my shelf. I love most of her stand alone books but I have some trilogy favorite as well (Chesapeake Bay trilogy, Three Sister Island trilogy, The Dream trilogy....etc).

note: It always a pleasure to read this book together along with my friend Melody and Alice

Anticipation

Booking Through Thursday

Last week we talked about the books you liked best from 2007. So this week, what with it being a new year, and all, we’re looking forward….

What new books are you looking forward to most in 2008? Something new being published this year? Something you got as a gift for the holidays? Anything in particular that you’re planning to read in 2008 that you’re looking forward to? A classic, or maybe a best-seller from 2007 that you’re waiting to appear in paperback?

- Yes I'm looking forward to reading more books by lot of authors this year. I kept update with my favorite authors from time to time. And maybe if you notice, I'm big fan of series books *grin*. I'm sure there more books I'm looking forward to but my mind are blank at the moment. And I know someone will remind me later hehehe...below is the following books that I'm REALLY looking forward to reading.....

- Suzanne Brockmann next Troubleshooter Inc series
- Anne Stuart's ICE series (Reno story)
- Nora Roberts next stand alone Tribute, JDRobb next In Death series: Stranger In Death and Creation In Death and the next "The Sign of Seven" trilogy
- Shannon McKenna's Extreme Danger
- Lora Leigh's next SEALs Killer's Secret and Dawn's Awaking
- Roxanne St. Claire's Bullet Catcher series: Reason to Believe (from anthology "What You Can't See"
- Kathryn Shay's Taking the Heat (Liam's story)
- Diana Gabaldon's 7th book An Echo In the Bone (I think that is the title, and I'm hoping it'll be out at the end of 2008
- Janet Evanovich's Sephanie Plum series Fearless Fourteen
- Kate Angell's Boys of the Summer series Strike Zone
- Christine Feehan's GhostWalker series Predatory Game

I'm really hoping that Susan Elizabeth Phillips have her new book this year, but who know..she saying that the hero is already given her trouble *hehehe*. I was also hoping that Rebecca York will have a new "MOON" series this year as well. I wonder when the next one coming out. And maybe even Linda Howard......

What about you? What books are you looking forward to in 2008?

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!

Happy New Year 2008 !!!!

Happy New Year 2008 to everyone! Thanks you all for your friendship, support, love and laughter. I wish everyone luck, money, health and happiness. May you have another joyest year to come! let the New Year....RING! *toast a glass* :)

*Julia doing a sloppy, silly snoopy dance and singing* ;)