Delicious by Susan Mallery

Susan Mallery's website
Contemporary Romance
4 1/2 stars






Cal Buchanan need a Chef to run his family business restaurant, The Waterfront. So he hired his ex-wife Penny Jackson, because he knew she is one of the best one in town. Knowing how uncomfortable it'll be for both him and Penny, he try to avoid speaking of the past. But every time he come near her, he couldn't help but fallen for her all over again. And with it the past is once again open.....

Penny have sworn off romance and even decided to have a baby on her own, after her divorce with Cal. The problem in their marriage left Penny to wonder why he chose to let her go and not love her as much as she did. She never forgiven him, after he left her when she lost their baby. When Cal hired her to run The Waterfront, she planned to take advantage of the job and him. She want to take opportunity to make a name for herself in restaurant. Her dream, to open her own restaurant someday. But the closer she get to Cal, the attraction between them started to simmer once again.
Then she discover the secret of his past, and question herself where she stand between his love for her and his secret past.

You will met up with The Buchanan sibling who ran the restaurant of the family empire, Cal (who run the coffee emporium), Reid (who managed the bar), Walker (the Marines) and their youngest sister Dani (who managed the hamburger joint). These restaurants are all control by their evil grandmother.

This is the first time I read book by Susan Mallery, and truly enjoy it. Although I normally like to read a story where heroine and heroes have never been married or divorced. This doesn't mean I won't read book like this. What I like about the book is how well the characters of each sibling emotions developed. It was well written that you can feel the interaction between the family. And the evil grandmother is so real that I want to just smack her to come to her sense.

Delicious is the first book to The Buchanan Family series. It is a story about second chance, and fallen in love again. And family. Long writing depth but worth reading. I enjoy the book! And planning to read the next book :)

The Buchanan Family series:
1. Delicious (Cal's book)
2. Irresistible (Walker's book)
3. Sizzling (Reid’s book)
4. Tempting (Dani's book)

Thursday Thirteen : Edition #37

My Favorite things..start with "E's"


Email - Of course everyone familiar with this thing hehe. I love getting mails in my email inbox (except for spams stuff - yuck!) daily. Always looking forward to read what someone else have to say about different topic :) And then getting personal emails from family..great way for me to keep in touch with those who are distance away from my home :)

Ellen Show - I have always been fan of her show since day 1. I enjoy watching her show cause it fun, hilarious, entertaining and of course there is dancing. I love the dancing part :) Ellen is sweet, fun and generous person too. No wonder her show is still standing :)

"Everything I Do, I Do It For You" (song)- Love this song every since Brian Adam sing it. And when I saw the movie Robin Hood I love the song even more.

Emily - My bestest sister. It been awhile since I seen her but we kept in contact through emails (thanks goodness for Internet world!). I missed her very much and hope she come to visit us soon. Things at home isn't same without her. :)

"E.T" (movie) - First movie I ever really cry over when I was kid. First time I saw it, I thought E.T was strange creature and was set to dislike the movie. But once I keep watching, I grew to love E.T. afterward. Funny how kids of today don't feel the connection with E.T movie Vs the kids who did get the connection and saw it back then. Guess the time have changed :)

"ER" (TV show)- Was hooked to the show from the first day it aired. Most of all the original and past actors/actress were more better then the people who still on the show today, IMO. I miss the characters from the past the most. Since then, the characters now are just okay with me. So now these days I either miss it or watch it. But I still like watching the show though.

"Extreme Bachelor" (book)- Julia London, a Contemporary, Women Fiction, is the author of this book. "Extreme Bachelor" book #2 and it is part of the trilogy of Thrillseekers, Anonymous (which mean it is a members-only adventure service that caters to the rich and famous). I love how Julia write characters emotions and deep relationship interaction.

The Eagle - This group sang so many good songs in those days. I use to listen to their musics over and over again. Drive my family nut LOL! Some of my favorite were: "Hotel California", "Lying Eyes", "I Can't Tell You Why", "Heartache Tonight", "Tequila Sunrise", "Love Will Keep Us Alive", "Wasted Time"...etc.

"Eyes of the Tiger" (song) - Yep, I sure love to listen to the musics of this song in the old days. Still do today. It rock! I use it when I walk-exercises. And the fact that this song was from motion picture movie "Rocky" (or was it? Someone correct me if am wrong), one of the movie I love to watch repeatedly as well. And YUMMY Sylvester Stallone is in this movie, what not to like? *grin*

"Eve Dallas" - The main heroine character from Nora Roberts' In Death series. She is kick butt with attitude. She have her funny moment too. She made me chuckle with every comments or reaction she does all the times. And what else, I wish to be her so that I can have my hand all over Roarke for myself hehehe.

"Even If I Cry Without a Word" - Okay this is Korean lyrics song that was from the Korean Drama TV Show "Bad Love". I don't know the languages or understand it but thank goodness it subtitle it in English for me to understand the Drama show. The song is sung in Korean Romanticize lyrics but when translated in English, I understood what the song mean or saying. Love the song and listen to it so often!

"Eight Is Enough" - Anyone remember this show? It was hit in 70's and ran until 80's in it 5th season. I love watching it when I tune in late. It American television comedy show and it was lot of chao lol

"Ever After" - It a different version of classic fairy tale, Cinderella Story starring Drew Berrymore and Dougray Scott. I really love this version and thought it was beautiful and real done. I normally don't watch lot of Drew Berrymore movie but I think she was perfect for the role of Danielle (Cinderella).

1. Melody: Booking Through Thursday
2. Irishcoda: Ways To Save Money If You Have Diabetes
3. Hootin's Anni's: Letter Perfect
4. Adelle: lyrics to classic rock songs mis-translated to English.
5. Darla: Spring Break in the Bayerischer Wald

(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

Springing

Booking Through Thursday


Well, here where I live, Spring is sprung–weeks early, even. Our lilac bush looks like it will have flowers by this time next week instead of in the middle of May as usual. The dogwood trees, the magnolia trees–all the flowering trees are flowering. The daffodils and crocuses are, if anything, starting to fade. It may only be April 24th but it is very definitely Spring and, allergies notwithstanding, I’m happy to welcome the change of season. What I want to know, is:

Do your reading habits change in the Spring? Do you read gardening books? Even if you don’t have a garden? More light fiction than during the Winter? Less? Travel books? Light paperbacks you can stick in a knapsack?

Or do you pretty much read the same kinds of things in the Spring as you do the rest of the year?

- It always with the moods in me that change my habits. So no matter what the seasons is, it always the moods, it play part of my reading choice. So I could be reading something that happen in the winter but the currently season is now in the Spring times. And I could be reading more or less light/heavy fiction books in the Spring too. I always find it coincident when I pick up a book and it matches the seasons that it currently in at the moment. Like for an example, I would read a book and suddenly discover that the setting is in Spring and one of the characters favorite hobby is gardening. And the real life season currently happen to be in the spring time too. But the back blurb of the book, give no hint of that. And it made me think of Spring. I don't read travel books, only when I need to in order to find my destination places I'm traveling to.

So I pretty much read the same kinds of things in Spring every years. Hmmm...I'm struggling with trying to explain whatever I said (above) but I hope it make sense...if not, blame it on the fact that I'm tired hehehe.

Currently, the sun is out and it get hot during the days, every week days and weekend. That was a nice changed from all that winter cold, thanks goodness! But in the evening it could either be raining, thunder storm with Hail or just a nice quiet night. But last night we got bit of scared with heavy Hail hitting hard on my window pane, which is where my computer is. And the thunder lighting was very close to my front yard. I could have been strike by lighting in my bedroom...scary! So I moved away and sat on the other side of my bed until it stopped LOL....

What about you? Do your reading habits change in the Spring?

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

Tangled Up in You by Rachel Gibson

Rachel Gibson's Website
Contemporary Romance
4 1/2 stars







Maddie Jones (Dupree), a true crime thriller writer who interviews serial killers for a living, return home to Truly to uncover the untold story about her mother death and her past. Maddie had lost everything as child and her life have been ashamed and tragic since. Now that she is back in Truly, she want to know what really happen on the night of the double murder-suicide that involved her mother and her lover, Loch Hennessay. Included the wife who was betrayed. Maddie want to write a true-crime involved the murder and her mom. But in a small town of Truly, people tend to want to let the past go and forget. With determination, she not going to let anything stand on her way to find the truth. Or even to write the book. But she was not counting to fall for a sexy, black-haired, blue-eyed Mick Hennessy...the son of a skirt-chasing heartbreaker Loch Hennessay. She want to tell him who she is..but just couldn't or risk losing him.

Mick Hennessy, who currently is the owner of the Mort Bar and the Hennessy, always seem to caught the ladies attention but managed to keep them in line. But once he met Maddie, thing start to changed. After discovering her true reason for being in town, he was determined to stop Maddie from stirring up old memories of the past that should be kept forgotten. Even if Mick doesn't know much what happen that night, he knew well enough that it will hurt both families and open wounded memories. But each time he come near Maddie, he couldn't help but get distracted by her beauty, sexy lip and smell of her skin. He is attracted to her that he can't resist getting tangled up with her.

Tangled Up in You is a fun, sexy and romantic romp. Fast pace reading, humors and enjoyable. Great characters interaction and few steamy scenes!

I normally don't like reading book with characters who go meddling around or trying to dig up someone else past lives when it should be left alone. And then think stubbornly he/she had the right to do it. But I enjoy this book and accepted it. Because not only is it their past, but it involved the person who seeking for answers to the past too. It enjoyable book. I love the interaction "touching" between the couple. It make me smiles. Great book, read it, you will like it :)

Thursday Thirteen: Edition # 36

My Favorite things..start with "D's"

Darla - One of my good friend who is very generous and nice. Know her for 5 years (is this correct, Darla?) since I joined the JDRobb group. I met her once at Nora's Roberts Turn The Page Cafe, around July 2003 for the weekend fun. Of course, I was shy then, and we talked a little bit at the bar where everyone goes to have fun (dancing,drinking,meeting up friends). What little talk we did, I knew first hand that she is very nice to talk to. Even when I was nervous and shy around her LOL! But since then, Darla and I talked lot through emails and the group list.

Diana Gabaldon (author)- One of my favorite Historical Romance writer who wrote The Outlander series. So far there is 6th books published but there be more to come. The latest new is that there will be a 7th book release somewhere at the end of 2008 or 2009 (I forget which one). She is writer of "Drum of Autumns" and Dragonfly in Amber" (notice the "D" in title *grin*). I just felt like a little girl, sitting on the floor listening to Diana Gabaldon tell me one of the most all time bestest story in history :) Her books may be too thick and deep writing depth, but I love her books.

Dancing - Have always love to dance when I was little girl. I don't have the experience but I sure love to just dance. As kid, I was always dancing in our front yard with musics turn up. Cars would past by and driver would just look at us like we were crazy..lol. I think now, it just a way for me to relax and have fun when I have had bad day :)

Dancing With the Stars - I started watching the show two years ago. I didn't watch it when it first aired. I love watching favorite celebrity dance and win. This year, I'm hoping Kristi (Ice Skater) will win. I like her.

Dirty Dancing - One of my favorite old classic movie of all time. My friends and I use to watch this movie repeatedly a thousand times when we were kid. Lot of fun and Patrick Swayze was hottie! I'm sorry to hear that Patrick is ill with cancer.

"Dream A Little Dream" (author)- This is one of my favorite book written by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (SEP). This book is installment to Chicago Stars series, which I love! I hope you check it out, it worth reading!

Desperate Housewives - I watched this show the first day it aired. Really enjoy the show and find it funny in some situation scenes in ordinary day...or is it? hehehe. I would love to have Mike as my plumer *grin*. Not sure when the show is coming back, but I know it'll be soon.

Die Hard series - Love love LOVE the Die Hard series. Bruce Willis, non stop action packed and great characters! Did I mention Bruce Willis? *grin*. I watched this movie repeatedly until I just can't anymore hehe.

"Dying to Please" (author)- Linda Howard wrote this book. I love this book because the heroine in this book is not only a butler but an bodyguard as well who is expert marksman. It nice to see switch of women role doing men job *grin*. Also, I love Linda Howard books. She one of my favorite author.

"Dance Upon the Air" (author) - This is Nora Roberts trilogy of Three Sister Island. This is one of the trilogy I love, beside the fact that the Chesapeake Bay trilogy is my # 1 favorite. Dance Upon the Air is the first book to the Three Sister Island, about three un-related witches sister who come together to break the curse that hold the Island. This book start with Nell Channing....

"Dangerous Game" (author) is the second book to the Tempting SEALs books (the first is title "Reno’s Chance" from the anthology "Honk, If You Love Real Men"). I enjoyed these series and hope to find more. "Dangerous Game" is Clint McIntyre story, who come home for some R&R but then find himself deep in trouble with his best friend's little sister Morganna. Who he fell in love later. Steamy and hot book!

Disney Movies - I love animation movies. I remember my very first Cinema movie "Sword of the Stone". It was the only movie I seen in Cinema with my childhood friends back then and it will always remain favorite. But I've seen lot of video Disney Movie through my VCR back then too. "Alice In the Wonderland" is another favorite. As well as "Cinderella". Now, I love "Mulan" which is personal favorite.

Duran Duran - One of my favorite 80's band! Something about their hairs, their musics and how dreamy drool fine looking they are that get me every time. Play their musics so much that my tape broke. I'm happy to see them still singing today, even though their 80's look are gone but their musics still good.

1. Random Rambling: Pet Peeve
2. Margaret: Booking Through Thursday
3. Melody: Booking Through Thursday
4. Irishcoda: About Little T and the Autistic Spectrum
5. Hootin' Anni: Still Photos of The Killing Fields
6. Picture of Life: My Busy Day
7. Juli: Vegetables Much Better to Throw Then Eat It
8. Darla: Spring Break in the Bayerischer Wald
9. Adelle: Wish List
10. Tips About Writing From Bird By Bird
11. Denise: People I Wish I Still Kept In Touch With
12. Debora: Things I'm Planting
13. R.G. Alexander: 13 Lines
14. Nicholas: Books
15. Alice: Book Review "Dingo"
16. Pussreboots: Super Green

(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

Vocabulary

Booking Through Thursday

Suggested by Nithin:

I’ve always wondered what other people do when they come across a word/phrase that they’ve never heard before. I mean, do they jot it down on paper so they can look it up later, or do they stop reading to look it up on the dictionary/google it or do they just continue reading and forget about the word?

-When I come across words/phrase that I don't know or never heard of, I Sometime try to say the words in a way that I think it is pronounced in my head and then continue reading. I have learn some Scottish words this way and even try to run the words to my friends who can then correct me of the pronunciation. But then I figure out the meaning of a word by the context, so it was easier on me. I think if I write the words down on papers or look it up in dictionary/google it would ruin my reading enjoyment if I stopped. So I try not to do that and just keep on reading. And then hope to see the words again so I can remember to ask my friends about it the next time. I've friends who I know can help me with these words/phrase and I can run it with them to tell me what the words mean. Since they are fan of dictionary and google *grin*. And sometime authors would give the meaning of the words as they tell the story too.

Saying that, most of the time I normally just ignore the words/phrase and just continue reading. It no big deal if I forget what words/phrase that I want to ask friends about. I just know sooner or later, my friends would come across the same words and then mention it.

I hope I make sense, because I think I'm going around the bushes with this LOL! What about you? What do you do when you come across words/phrase you never heard of before?

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!

Bodyguard of Lies by Robert Doherty

Bob Mayer/Robert Doherty website
(Suspense)
4.5 stars







For March: Read a book with a bird on the cover
Examples from Darla shelves(click title to see cover art):

The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Ilse Witch by Terry Brooks
The Phoenix Guards by Steven Brust (a phoenix, duh)
Trouble in Paradise by Robert B. Parker (a flamingo)

As always, let us know what you read, how you liked it, how it fits the challenge, and how long it had been in your TBR pile. Please post it in the comments box here, or give me the link to your actual participation post at your blog.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I chose Bodyguard of Lies by Robert Doherty. Robert Doherty is covert name of Bob Mayer who is one of the USA Today Bestselling author in both fiction and non fiction books. The only books I've read under Bob Mayer is his two collaborations books with Jennifer Crusie (a very good book!). This is the first time I read book under Robert Doherty, it won't be my last :)

Neeley was the lover and protegee of Gant Anthony, a Cellar operative. After his death, Neeley was trying to get her life back together when she came upon a mystery that Gant have always held close but never told her about. Knowing nothing about Gant past, except for his family that he have told her a little about, she went to follow Gant instruction from a note that he wrote and kept in locker before his death - to find two person: John Masterson and his wife Hannah. With everything Gant taught her, she put her training and skill to good use to find them.

Hannah Masterson was devastated and angry when she discover her husband, John simply disappears leaving her nothing to her name. She tried to hide it and pretend nothing was wrong in their marriage from his circle of friends but rumors spread fast then she expected. But when she met Neeley, things start to change her life.

When Neeley and Hannah met, they soon realized that the men in their lives share a dangerous secret. A secret that even one of the most powerful people would kill to keep safe and protect. But what most frighting discovery is not only are they involved in web of lies, intrigue and betrayal but they found out that The Cellar is involved too. Now crisscrossing around the globe, both women are fighting to stay alive and protect the the United States. They knew they must win or the truth will be protect by a bodyguard of lies, forever.

Bodyguard of Lies was a heart-racing and non stopping action. The two main characters, Neeley and Hannah, were like Thelma and Louise in action a very well smart and strong heroines. And a good twist and turn. The reading pace keep the story moving and you just can't put it down. I truly enjoy it :)

There is second book title Lost Girls which came out on August 2007 of last year.