City of Bones by Cassandra Clare Review

City of Bones

The Mortal Instruments Book One

By Cassandra Clare

Clary Fray and her best friend Simon head out to the all ages club, Pandemonium in New York City. On this outing Clary runs into three tattooed teenagers wielding strange weapons that murder a boy, but when his body disappears into thin air Clary’s mind soon goes from calling the police to making sure she makes it out alive. This is only the beginning of how Clary’s world is completely shattered in the blink of the eye. The next day she is being obstinate towards her mother after being unjustly grounded when a frantic phone call from her mother takes her to her ram shackled apartment to find her mother gone and a demon waiting for her. With the help of the three teen warriors known as the Shadowhunters and her best friend Simon she will do anything she can to save her mother.

I picked this book up through audible not too long ago thinking it sounded interesting and young adult romances are always a quick and fun read for me. What I had not anticipated was that this novel would blow me out of the water, Not only do you have a fascinating story line but then Cassandra Clare throws in one twist after another until you are left shocked and thoroughly anticipating the next installment of this series.  To add into the fun as you weave your way through the story line this novel has some of the best action scenes I have come across and the author is able to fully bring to life each instance almost making you flinch as you follow along. This was definitely a remarkable book though there was a moment when I cringed and the “eww” factor went up a few notches, but in the end it added to the fun of the book.

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Professor Gargoyle by Charles Gilman Review

Professor Gargoyle

Tales From Lovecraft Middle School Book One

By Charles Gilman

Robert Arthur’s neighborhood has been redistricted so now Robert will be starting middle school at the new state of the art school Lovecraft Middle School. To add to his misfortune of starting a new school the one person he recognizes from elementary is his long time bully, Glenn, having to deal with Glenn after so many years may not be so bad, but when a cute girl comes up asks if you are ok, well for a teenage boy life just gets worse from there. But soon Robert will make one or two new friends depending on how you count the two headed rat he finds in the Attic above the library, and this is just the beginning of Robert’s adventures at Lovecraft Middle School.

Where do I start with this novel? Ok, how about the obvious, the cover. My favorite part of having the cover transform from a solemn looking man to a smiling red skinned yellow eyed “gargoyle” is not telling anyone about it. For example I was in the middle of moving from Germany back to the U.S. when I was trying to receive this book so I had it sent to my mother, I am on the phone with her right after she receives it and she is telling me she is going to open it. Well, there is no arguing with my mother, so the next thing I hear is “Oh, Shoot!” to which I calmly reply “Oh, you saw the cover?” Not only does the cover provide hours of fun but when you add onto this fact that the novel itself is full of twists and turns at every step, you start with an average kid trying to survive school add in a two headed rat and the fun is exponential. Then the book is rounded off by amazing illustrations making this a book that is truly fun for all ages.

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Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie Review

Manhunting

By Jennifer Crusie

Career orientated businesswoman Kate Svenson has decided to get married all now she needs to do is follow her business plan that she drafted for finding the perfect man to settle down with. She decides to go to an exclusive resort in Kentucky where a lot of powerful men vacation in hopes of finding her Mr. Right. But after one disastrous date after another she decides to give up completely and then is taken off guard when her Mr. Right was under her nose the entire time.

Not many books can make me laugh out loud I may smile and enjoy a scene but to laugh out right is embarrassing but this book was so cute and amusing I couldn’t help myself. Jennifer Crusie has written a fun steamy romance, full of finding love and learning that you cannot always plan every detail of your life no matter how hard you try. I loved Jake the heart throb and the laziest man in the world his outlook on life may be jaded but he makes this book, and the antics that Kate finds herself in as she accidentally maims one date after another, even though sometimes it’s not quite an accident.  If you enjoy contemporary romances then this is definitely worth the read.

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Austenland by Shannon Hale

Austenland

By Shannon Hale

Jane is unlucky in love to say the least, after one failed relationship aft6er another she soon becomes obsessed with Mr. Darcy. When he great aunt passes away Jane receives an unexpected gift, the vacation of her dreams to Pembrook Park where she will be immersed in regency England. Jane decides to take the gift and purge her system of all of her Mr. Darcy fantasies hoping in doing so she will be able to finally move on and find a lasting love. What she doesn’t realize is the man of her dreams may not be Mr. Darcy but the love they share will be just as strong.

This was such a cute novel Shannon Hale did a wonderful job in recreating an Austen-esque setting with the right blend of modern influences. The ending was my absolute favorite as Jane is turned on her head with an unexpected revelation that is sure to leave you giggling. If you are a fan of Jane Austen and have also found yourself swooning at Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy then you will surely appreciate this book, if not then you may enjoy the witty dialog and the personal growth the character traverses. This is an absolutely wonderful contemporary romance novel.

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Being Light by Helen Smith Review

Being Light

By Helen Smith

While Roy Travers is helping to install a new state of the art bouncy house, a freak gust of wind picks him and the bouncy house up dropping him in Paradise, where he meets the only other resident Sylvia. Meanwhile his wife, Sheila, is continuously searching for her husband after a while she comes to believe whole heartedly that Roy has been abducted by aliens and is determined to get him back.

Once again Helen Smith comes up with a quirky and interesting cast of characters, though this book surrounds Roy and Sheila’s problems the author manages to encompass many varied side stories that will leave you going “What in the world?” The only problem I have is that you must pay strict attention to the characters names, the author incorporates so many stories that they flow into each other, for me this is a problem since I have a horrible time remembering character names. That being said the book itself is fun and witty, the author is so descriptive in her narration of the London scenery you can see exactly what she is talking about without having ever been there. I definitely cannot wait to see what else this author has in store, especially considering this book has one of the worst cliffhangers I have ever seen.

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Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer Review

Agnes and the Hitman

By Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

Cranky Agnes is a successful food writer and when a gun toting guy comes into her home after her dog her first call is Joey a former mobster and one of her best friends. Joey calls in his nephew, Shane who is a hitman, to come and protect Agnes afraid that the dognapper is only the beginning. Agnes not only has to contend with a dognapper but if she cannot pull off an upcoming wedding without a hitch she will lose her home and everything she thought she ever wanted. Agnes and Shane work together to pull off the wedding, stop the assassins who keep coming for Agnes and inevitably begin to have feelings for each other that will change their lives forever.

Agnes is not your ordinary damsel in distress, not only is she good with a frying pan in the kitchen but it seems to be her weapon of choice, making her truly an interesting character and when you add in Shane the hitman and a variety of eccentric side characters you have one heck of a funny and captivating novel. I have read several of Jennifer Crusie’s novels and I truly enjoy her writing and the stories she creates, they are light, fun and full of the warm and fuzzies, when you add in Bob Mayer to the equation, a former Green Beret and West Point graduate it adds a different perspective to the male character making him more realistic yet still a heartthrob. This is truly a fun book from two talented authors; if you are into contemporary romance I would recommend you give these two a try!

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Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich Review

Wicked Business

Lizzy and Diesel Book Two

By Janet Evanovich

Pastry Chef Lizzy Tucker has been pulled into a world of magic and mischief when she finds out that she is someone who can find magic objects. Diesel comes into her life to protect her from his cousin and so that she can help him find the seven stones that hold the seven deadly sins. When an English professor is thrown off his fourth floor balcony Lizzy and Diesel begin a scavenger hunt that will lead them all over Boston in search for the stone that represents Lust.

Janet Evanovich did a wonderful job with this novel; she manages to encompass fantasy, romance, mystery, and fantastic comedy. Though this one may not be as funny as the first one in the series, the author did add new characters into this one that adds an interesting take into the magical world that Janet Evanovich is creating. What is interesting is the series of events towards the end of the book when we find out what happens when two magically tuned people consummate, it is interesting and adds to the fact that Lizzy and Diesel cannot be together physically in a much more potent way. This was a fantastic novel and I look forward to seeing where the rest of the series will take us. The only problem I have with the book is reading it makes me hungry, they talk about and consume food constantly and the author describes the pastries so well I almost drool for a cup cake!

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Before the Daisies Grow by Micki Street Review

Before the Daisies Grow

Capers of the Glamour Grans Book One

By Micki Street

Three women in their sixties decide it is time to go on Holiday, after much debate and consideration taking into account the message from Dotty’s deceased husband through the make shift Ouija Board, they all decide to travel to Zanzibar. But when Dotty meets a handsome stranger in a bar who tells her all about the fun she can have in Brazzina the plan soon changes and they are off to this West African Island for some fun in the sun. What they don’t realize is that the island is not quite what it was made out to be and they are soon pulled into the middle of an investigation and subsequent drug bust.

With one mishap after another Micki Street comes up with one hilarious novel revolving around three women who are eccentric and fascinating to follow along as you keep wondering how in the world they find so much trouble. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this novel, I am by far a “Glamour Gran” so I was worried I wouldn’t be able to relate with the characters but as soon as they boarded the small plane I couldn’t help laughing as I myself had clutched to my husband’s hand for dear life in a similar situation, thinking the plain would surely crash just because I was on it. This isn’t the only part I could relate to but it was the funniest though I did catch myself laughing out loud at many of the antics these women find themselves in. It was all very well written and the comedy was flawless.

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Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich Review

Wicked Appetite

Lizzy and Diesel Book One

By Janet Evanovich

Lizzie Tucker gave up her fast paced career in New York and moved into her aunt’s old house in Marblehead and soon started working in a small local bakery life was quiet and fit her just fine. One day a handsome stranger brands her with his mark and disappears shortly after this unusual encounter another gorgeous man comes looking for her and tells her the other man is his evil cousin who is after a relic that represents gluttony, if his cousin manages to collect all of the relics that represent the deadly sins he can open the gates to hell on earth.

Not only is this a wonderful thriller it is also hilarious with outlandish characters such as the monkey who continually flips people the bird to the would-be witch whose spells continually go awry. Janet Evanovich does a wonderful job in blending multiple genres into one brilliant and cohesive novel. With fantasy, mystery, romance, and comedy this book has a little bit of everything for everyone. It is a light hearted and fun read, so if you are looking for something thought provoking you may want to go elsewhere.

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Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore Review

Sacre Bleu: A Comedy d’Art

By Christopher Moore

Vincent van Gogh has been murdered; Lucien Lessard is a painter/baker/rat catcher once he learns of van Gogh’s demise he immediately heads to the Moulin Rouge in search of his closest friend Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The two of them spend a great deal of time together until Lucien’s ex-lover whom broke his heart returns and Lucien finds himself lost to Juliette  and he even begins to loose large chunks of time not knowing where or what he was doing. Lucien’s family Toulouse Lautrec’s help in rescuing Lucien from the woman, once Henri tries to intervene he begins to uncover a shocking truth that not only effects Lucien but all painters.

I have always been a fan of impressionism so I had worried that Christopher Moore may not be able to capture some of the paintings that I love, but he not only managed to make each artist outrageously funny and interesting but he brought to life some of the world’s most precious pieces of art. I have read a few of Christopher Moore’s novels before and I always end up laughing, if you have a crude sense of humor and can’t help but giggle at idiotic things then this will surely keep you enthralled if not then you may want to move on quickly. My favorite scene was Lucien as a boy in a graveyard trying to catch snails, when he spots one he says “Ah Ha” and in turn the snail says “Ah Ha” to which the young Lucien starts to run away screaming, that isn’t the entire scene of course you will have to actually read the book to find out more but it is a glimpse into the absurdity and childish humor I so love from Christopher Moore.

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Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie Review

Anyone But You

By Jennifer Crusie

Nina is turning forty and after years of being married to a controlling man she is finally free and has decided her life needs a cute perky puppy, but then she sees Fred. Fred is mild aged and smelly and on his way to being put down in the local shelter. When she brings him back to her apartment she teaches him to use the fire escape to let himself out and in, on one of his excursions he stumbles upon Nina’s downstairs neighbor thirty year old gorgeous doctor Alex. Soon Nina and Alex find themselves in a fun and flirtatious friendship but nothing more Nina knows she is too old for him until one day she winds up in his E.R. and realizes he isn’t as immature as he seems.

This was such a cute book with witty commentary and the most adorable dog. It is funny and well written the two combined bring to life a beautiful romance. The trials the two must overcome to be together are realistic which adds to the drama of this novel and in the end, like all good romances, there is a happily ever after. If you are a fan of contemporary romance, you should definitely give this one a try it is sure to please.

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Casino Shuffle by J. Fields Jr. Review

Casino Shuffle

By J. Fields Jr.

Native Sun Casino is the host to some rather interesting characters, all high profile and full of drama. Antonio Cruz is the resident baby sitter or Head Butler make sure that each of the guests is fully satisfied and taken care of, he takes pride in his job and he is the best at what he does making sure not a single flower is out of place. When a famous actress and her rapper boyfriend come to stay for the weekend Antonio must use his eye for detail to catch the “Kamikaze Cam” before he manages to snap any pictures of the two.

This is unlike any book I have ever read it is witty and fun most books like this are outrageous and far-fetched but I think this book is so enjoyable because you can see these odd things happening. Though there is some action and a little romance it is more about the crazy things that happen at the hotel and the man who comes behind each of the guests to fix things for them. The only thing I can think to compare it to is the old black and white movies where people are chasing each other in and out of doorways and you can’t help but laugh. If you are in the mood for a light and quirky read you may want to give this a try.

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The Wrong Stuff by M T McGuire Review

The Wrong Stuff

K’Barthan Trilogy Book Two

By M T McGuire

The Pan of Hamgee is back and as cowardly as ever but this time we travel from K’Barth to modern day London as The Pan is trying to rescue Ruth from the Grongles. We also follow along with the continuing story of trying to find the true Architrave as Deirdre sets herself up for the Resistance to try to deceive the populace that she comes from humble beginnings by working in the castle’s laundry, As Lord Vernon searches for The Chosen One to become his bride so he too can pretend to be the rightful Architrave, all the while the true chosen one has yet to realize who he actually is. As Ruth and The Pan become close and begin to fall in love the story becomes interwoven and immensely beautiful.

M T McGuire once again brings to life a fun a hilarious novel. This novel picks up right where the first book left off and I laughed so hard since The Pan was only able to say “I’m a little teapot” to Ruth when he first meets her! I have no idea how M T McGuire comes up with these things but combining his wickedly funny imagination and a fantastic writing style the book comes to life. Not only is this book funny it also has a lot of action and adventure and even romance I am sure this book will please anyone who wants to read it. So far this series has definitely been highly entertaining I can’t wait for the third book to come out.

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Few Are Chosen by M T McGuire Review

Few Are Chosen

By M T McGuire

K’Barthan Trilogy Book One

The Pan of Hamgee is accident prone to say the least and when he accidently burns down a mob boss’ flat he soon wiggles his out of a cement box into being the greatest getaway driver K’Barth has ever seen, because if there is one thing The Pan knows how to do it is run away. This is only the beginning for the Pan though he soon becomes wanted not only by Lord Vernon the ruler of K’Barth but also wanted by the head of the resistance which seem just as bad as the current rulers, and for some reason an Old Man seems to bring him even more trouble as the man searches for the person who is destined to rule over the land.

This book is witty and fast paced, The Pan often finds himself saying the most inappropriate things at the most inopportune times leaving you silently chuckling to yourself at the audacity of the guy. M T McGuire has also seemed to imagine some of the most interesting characters for instance the three foot tall creatures with cat’s facial feature and only one leg, which becomes very angry if you mention their height. This book is certainly entertaining and imaginative I can’t wait to read book two The Wrong Stuff.

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I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella Review

I’ve Got Your Number

By Sophie Kinsella

Poppy Wyatt is on cloud nine her life seems perfect, perfect fiancé, perfect job, perfect engagement ring, until Poppy loses her ring then everything starts to fall apart. As Poppy is frantically searching for the missing ring someone steals her cell phone but luck is on her side when she continues the hunt and comes across a perfectly good cell phone that someone has tossed the trash. This unexpected surprise leads to changing her life forever when she comes in contact with the phones owner Sam Roxton.

Though this was a funny and well written book, I couldn’t truly enjoy it. Poppy comes off as vapid and flakey constantly changing her mind about who and what she wants and even whether or not she should stand up for herself. I think if the main character had been a bit more self-reliant the book may have gone over better with me. Then there were the footnotes, I know they were meant to be comical and actually had a point in the story but they began to be a bit tedious and annoying in the end. It wasn’t a terrible book like I said there were funny moments that gave me a chuckle it was just not my cup of tea.

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