Alive But Rarely ....

It has been so long since I posted here! Just wants to see if my blog still working. Since my life have been difficult, I struggle with the changed and make myself busy and be with my family. I won’t post much anymore, but I might come here every now and then. I’m still reading books and will continue to do so. Reading is my life and that will never change. I wish you have a good day.

Bullet to the Heart Trailer !

I have enjoyed reading BULLET TO THE HEART by Lea Griffith, book 1 of the No Mercy series. It is an contemporary action, romance with a kick ass heroine name Bullet who is a trained sharp shooter. And a hero who been searching for the killer to justified for the seven years death of his wife and daughter. and to bring down The collective would mean to capture their , most valuable assets...Bullet.

Here is the Bullet to the Heart trailer! to entice you to try book 1 of the series. There are already book 2, ARROW TO THE SOUL.

Edge of Never by J.A. RedmerskiReview

First, let me say that I do not normally read books from the Young Adult genre, usually I am drawn to older protagonists. While I had tried books from this genre before they didn't hold my interest then. Lately though I find that my reading tastes have changed over time and I became interested in trying this genre again.

I have a friend who has been, since last year, introducing me to a new genre, New Adult. This is similar to Young Adult, except that the two lead characters are older (coming of age) and or have either just entered college or have recently completed college. These books can be a bit more steamy/sexy than what you usually find in the Young Adult genre. My friend recently recommended two New Adult books for me to try that turned out to be really good. They are Easy by Tammara Webber and Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski. I loved Edge of Never very much! I read this book last year of December, so yes I'm late to review it. While my review is concerning Edge of Never, I highly recommend readers also give Easy a try too. Both books are worth it!

Edge of Never is about two different people from two different worlds, whose fate has brought them to a place where they travel the same path, find each other and fall in love again. Together they find resolution to their hopes and dreams

When I started reading the first few pages from this book, I felt it was kinda slow at first. But then once I got past the part where Camryn first gets on the Greyhound bus, that's when the story really started moving along. I loved how Camryn and Andrew first met. I also loved how they took the time to get to know each other. I don't often see this much in books, it was refreshing. I also liked that they were patient with each other, even on a topic that they were uncomfortable to talk about. They knew that eventually they would talk about their issues and the secrets when they were ready. But they were keeping each other company while they traveled from Texas to New Orleans and that was a lot of fun.

There were many favorite moments in the book. Like the way they spent the moments in the car on their road trip to places unknown. Or how they took that peace and quiet just relaxing outside. I loved that they visit places I'm familiar with and I enjoyed to see them spending times there and having fun together. There was a scene at one point where I thought it was strong, a lot of angst and emotionally satisfying between them. That moment had me in tears. I thought it brought them to a higher level in their relationship. I loved that they visit places I'm familiar with and I enjoyed seeing them spend time there and having fun together. There also a surprise dark secret that I never saw its coming!

Their time spent together was sweet, deeply moving and fun. I loved both Camryn and Andrew. If I dislike anything, then it would be that I wish their story has not ended. I wish for more about them. I felt that Camryn have learned a lot about herself and the friends she have had loved during this journey. Andrew had taught her to expect the unknown but to live life to fullest and enjoy what you have and have fun. I love it when the are together and I thought they were the perfect match for each other.

I thanks my friend for recommend me this book. And I will definitely get my print copy of the book. Also looking forward to The Edge of Always, the sequel of Edge of Never that is coming out soon (no details yet)! And this book will be mostly in Andre's point of views! YAY :)

Grade: 4 stars

Twenty-year-old Camryn Bennett had always been one to think out-of-the-box, who knew she wanted something more in life than following the same repetitive patterns and growing old with the same repetitive life story. And she thought that her life was going in the right direction until everything fell apart.
Determined not to dwell on the negative and push forward, Camryn is set to move in with her best friend and plans to start a new job. But after an unexpected night at the hottest club in downtown North Carolina, she makes the ultimate decision to leave the only life she’s ever known, far behind.
With a purse, a cell phone and a small bag with a few necessities, Camryn, with absolutely no direction or purpose boards a Greyhound bus alone and sets out to find herself. What she finds is a guy named Andrew Parrish, someone not so very different from her and who harbors his own dark secrets. But Camryn swore never to let down her walls again. And she vowed never to fall in love.
But with Andrew, Camryn finds herself doing a lot of things she never thought she’d do. He shows her what it’s really like to live out-of-the-box and to give in to her deepest, darkest desires. On their sporadic road-trip he becomes the center of her exciting and daring new life, pulling love and lust and emotion out of her in ways she never imagined possible. But will Andrew’s dark secret push them inseparably together, or tear them completely apart?

Happy New Year 2013!

I want to wish everyone Happy New Year 2013!!! May this year be more better, more success and more reading for you!!!!!!

My 50 Challenge Books 2012

Here are all the books I've read in 2012. The challenge was to read 50 books and I did achieved that this year -- yay! So the next challenge for me was to try for another 50 books but I stopped at 18 books. I'm happy that I read a total of 68 books this year. It's a lot more than what I've read last year 2011.

My goal for 2013 is to challenge myself to read 50 books. And hopefully try for another 50. Maybe 100 total by the end of year.

JANUARY
1. Swept Away by Toni Blake – 4 stars
2. Her Innocence, His Conquest by Jules Bennett – 4 stars
3. Whisper Falls by Toni Blake (re-read/print/Destiny novel) 4.5 stars
4. Sugar Creek by Toni Blake (re-read/print/Destiny novel) 4 stars

FEBURARY
5. Changing the Game by Jaci Burton – 4.5 stars
6. Cowboy Casanova by Lorelei James (ebook/RR series) – 4.5 stars
7. Shane’s Stand by Suzanne Brockmann (ebook) 4 stars
8. Dangerous Grounds by Shelli Stevens – (ebook) 4 stars
9. Wrangled and Tangled by Lorelei James (print/BTC) – 4 stars

MARCH
10. Time Out by Jill Shalvis (ebook) - 4 stars
11. Exclusively Your by Shannon Stacey - 4 stars
12. Game for Anything by Bella Andre – (ebook) 3.5 stars
13. Smart and Sexy by Jill Shalvis – (ebook/Sky High trilogy) 4 stars
14. Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis – (ebook/Wilder Advent trilogy) 4.5 stars
15. Because of You by Jessica Scott – (ebook) 4 stars
16. Strong and Sexy by Jill Shalvis – (ebook/Sky High trilogy) 4.5 stars

APRIL
17. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James – (ebook) 4 stars
18. Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James – (ebook) 4.5 stars
19. Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James – (ebook) 4.5 stars
20. Tempted Me Tonight by Toni Blake – (re-read/print book) 4 stars
21. Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis – (ebook/Wilder Advent trilogy) 4.5 stars

MAY
22. About That Night by Julie James (print book) – 4.5 stars
23. Wicked Pleasure by Lora Leigh (reissue MMPB/print book) – 4 stars
24. Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis (ebook/Wilder Advent trilogy) – 4.5 stars
25 Nauti Intentions by Lora Leigh (print book) – 4.5 stars
26. Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis (print book) – 4.5 stars
27. Superb and Sexy by Jill Shalvis (ebook/Sky High trilogy) – 4.5

JUNE
28. Forbidden Hero by Laura Kayne (ebook) - 4 stars
29. Club Shadowlands by Cherise Sinclair (ebook) – 3.5 stars
30. The Witness by Nora Roberts (ebook) – 4.5 stars
31. Betting Hearts by Dee Tenorio (ebook) – 4 stars
32. Edge of Courage by Elaine Levine (ebook) – 5 stars

JULY
33. At Last by Jill Shalvis (print book) – 4 stars
34. Try Me by Olivia Cunning (ebook) – 3.5 stars
35. Melt Into You by Roni Loren (print book) – 4.5 stars
36. Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley (ebook) – 4.5 stars
37. Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley (ebook) – 4 stars
38. Barefoot in the Sand by Roxanne St. Claire (print book) – 4 stars

AUGUST
39. Willow Springs by Toni Blake (ebook) – 4 stars
40. Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis (print book) – 4 stars
41. Knight by Kristen Ashley (ebook) – 3.5 stars
42. Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis ( print book/oldies) – 4 stars
43. Rock Me by Cherrie Lynn (ebook) – 4 stars
44. Kissing Tell by Lorelei James (ebook) – 4.5 stars
45. Midnight Rescue by Elle Kennedy (print book) – 5 stars

SEPTEMBER
46. If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones (ebook) – 4 stars
47. The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst (print book) – 3.5 stars
48. The Great Escape by SEP (print book) – 3.5 to 4 stars
49. Tempt Me by Olivia Cunning (ebook) – 4 stars
50. Creed by Kristen Ashley (ebook) – 5 stars
51. Heart of Mine by Michelle Beattie (ebook) – 3.5 stars
* In between the each books, I kept re-read favorite scenes from Head Over Heels and Lucky In Love by Jill Shalivs --- these two books are my favorite*

OCTOBER
52. Tangling With Ty by Jill Shalvis (print reissue book from “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” anthology)
- 4 stars
53. A Forever Kind of Love by Shiloh Walker (ebook) – 3.5 stars
54. Sweet Dream by Kristen Ashley (ebook) – 4.5 stars
55. Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis (print book/ re-read) – 5 stars
56. Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis (print book/re-read) – 4.5 stars
57. Heat of the Moment by Elle Kennedy (ebook) – 3.5 stars

NOVEMBER
58. Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis (print/Animal Magnetism series) – 4 stars
59. Take Me by Olivia Cunning (Ebook/One Night with Sole Regret series) – 4 stars
60. Wild Man by Kristen Ashley (ebook/Dream Man series) – 3.75
61. Easy by Tammara Webber (ebook/adult YA) – 4 stars
62. Tempting the Best Man by J. Lynn (ebook) – 3.75
63. The Red Diary by Toni Blake (reissue ebook) – 4 stars
64. Leave Me Breathless by Cherrie Lynn – have not read but 4 stars

DECEMBER
65. Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan - 3.75 stars (still good)
66. All I Wants For Christmas by Jaci Burton – 4 stars
67. Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski - 4 stars
68. Fallen To Far by Abbi Glines - 4 stars

My Life and Books

I'm way behind with my book reviews, and I'm sorry I haven't kept up. I will try my best to keep up with my blog when I have the chance to do so. I have been reading a lot of books but just not able to post a review when I'm done. Every time I tried, something else important needed my attention. Life just get in the way, sometimes. Now that Christmas is around the corner, I don't know how much times I will have to 'play' on my blog this month. I probably will be busy to get things ready for the holidays. Today I put up my tree and all the lights and ornaments are now hanging on the tree. But the bad new is, when I was taking pictures, my camera died out on me. Now it's broken. This mean new camera for me this year but that also means bye bye to my money, *sigh*. But I still need to go gifts shopping and there are some gifts I need to package up and mail out, some cookies and treats I need to bake, I need to pick out a photo for my Christmas photo cards to mail out and plan I need to make for dinner with friends as well. Just too much going on for the holidays! But even if it's going to be crazy and busy, I'm looking forward to all the fun that goes with it!

Below are the books I've bought in November. I figured that I should share what books I bought, if I'm not posting review today. Notice, Jill Shalvis' books have became one of my favorites, lately. I find myself re-reading her books, especially the newer ones. I'm always looking forward to read more new books by her and hope she continues writing great alpha heroes. Also, I just got Nora Roberts last book from the Inn BoonsBoro trilogy The Perfect Hope. Now that I have it, I can start reading the first book The Next Always and the second book The Last Boyfriend
I also listed below the upcoming books that releasing out in December too. I'm sure there are more books for December but I just haven't been able to browse at authors website yet. Or I forgot to write it down and save it. Hope everyone have a good weekend! --- Julia

Books Bought on November
Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis (11-6-12 Reissue in MMBP)
Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis (11-6-12) Animal Magnetism series
Heart of Danger by Lisa Marie Rice (11-6-12) A Ghost Ops novel
Exposed to You by Bethany Kane (11-6-12) One Night of Passion series
The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts (11-6-12)Inn BoonsBoro trilogy
Double Time by Olivia Cunning (Nov. 2012) The Sinner Tour series
Where Angels Rest by Kate Brady (11-20-12)
Secret Sins by Lora Leigh (11-27-12)
Shattered Valor by Elaine Levine (Nov. 2012)
The Ties That Bind by Jaci Burton(Reissue - Originally release as part “Unlaced” anthology)

Upcoming Books Releasing In December
Edge of Sanity by Shannon Butcher (The Edge series/ book # 3)
Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis (12-3-12 – Lucky Harbor series/novella)
Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis (12-4-12 – Reissue to MMBP)
Gone Country by Lorelei James (12-11-12) Rough Rider – Gavin
Double Danger by Dee Davis (12-18-12 - #6 A TAC series)
Shade of Gray by Maya Banks (12-31-12 – A KGI series)

50 Challenge BooksMy November Books

Sorry I've been so quiet. I've got so busy that I don't have enough time to sit for a moment to blog. Plus the holidays is here and that kept away from posting. But that shouldn't excused me from my absent. I've lost track of writing my reviews as well and I hope to get back on track on them. I also have lost track of posting my monthly "50 Challenge books" too. The last time I posted was in June. So today, I will just post my November books, since November is ending and December is here. Then at the end of December I will post all the books I have read this year of 2012.

NOVEMBER
58. Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis (Animal Magnetism series) – 4 stars
59. Take Me by Olivia Cunning (One Night with Sole Regret series) – 4 stars
60. Wild Man by Kristen Ashley (Dream Man series) - 4 stars
61. Easy by Tammara Webber (/YA) – 4 stars
62. Tempting the Best Man by J. Lynn – 3.75 stars
63. The Red Diary by Toni Blake (reissue ebook) – 4 stars
64. Leave Me Breathless by Cherrie Lynn - 4 stars