declan's cross by carla neggers

Title: Declan's Cross
Author: Carla Neggers
Pages: 314
Rating: 3.5/5
Cover rating: 4/5
Summary:
An escape to an idyllic Irish seaside village is about to turn deadly in this riveting new novel by master of romantic suspense Carla Neggers. For marine biologist Julianne Maroney, two weeks in tiny Declan’s Cross on the south Irish coast is a chance to heal her broken heart. She doesn’t expect to attract the attention of FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan— especially since a Donovan is the reason for her broken heart. Emma and Colin are in Ireland for their own personal retreat. Colin knows he’s a reminder of everything Julianne wants to escape but something about her trip raises his suspicion. Emma, an art crimes expert, is also on edge. Of all the Irish villages Julianne could choose… Why Declan’s Cross?

Ten years ago, a thief slipped into a mansion in Declan’s Cross. Emma’s grandfather, a renowned art detective, investigated, but the art stolen that night has never been recovered and the elusive thief never caught. From the moment Julianne sets foot on Irish soil, everything goes wrong. The well-connected American driver who invited her to Ireland has disappeared. And now Emma and Colin are in Declan’s Cross. As a dark conspiracy unfolds amid the breathtaking scenery of Declan’s Cross, the race is on to stop a ruthless killer…and the stakes have never been more personal for Emma and Colin.

My 2 Cents:
Reading from the summary, we could see there's a lot are going on. What makes me really happy with the book is, it is about a marine biologist. It was exciting to read something close to you in fiction books. I used to live by the sea when I was growing up, and it was superb! The setting of the book is perfect - a seemingly idyllic seaside town in Ireland. It's romantic and old world - a perfect place for romance and mystery to occur.And to add a lot of adventures into it, even more awesome. This was a great romantic suspense novel that had me eagerly turning the pages until the end. I've never read the author's work before, it can be a good stand alone as well as I wasn't that confused by the plot or the characters and their relationships. The characters were very well written, especially the two main characters of Sharpe and Donovan. We get to see their strengths, weaknesses, personalities, and their pasts. The plot was fast paced and flowed naturally, making it hard to put down. The mystery was intriguing and full of twists, which mystery and suspense lovers will find excitement and fun to keep up with.

About the Author

Carla Neggers has been spinning stories ever since she climbed a tree with pad and pen at age eleven. Now she has millions of copies of her books in print in more than 30 countries, and more than two dozen of her books have placed on the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. Declan’s Cross is the third novel in her acclaimed Sharpe & Donovan romantic suspense series that launched with Saint’s Gate and Heron’s Cove and has been praised as “a breathtaking reading experience” (Providence Journal), “gripping and suspenseful” (Nashua Telegraph), and “outstanding” (USA TODAY). Her popular Swift River Valley series debuted with Secrets of the Lost Summer, which spent four weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and garnered rave reviews, including a starred review from Booklist and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews. Growing up in rural western Massachusetts with three brothers and three sisters, Carla developed an eye for detail and a love of a good story. Her imagination, curiosity and sense of adventure are key to creating the complex relationships, fast-paced plots and deep sense of place in her books.

the last will of moira leahy by therese walsh

Title: The Last Will of Moira Leahy
Author: Therese Walsh
Pages: 288
Series: Stand alone
Published: October 19th, 2009
Rating: 5/5
Source: Received from author

Buy at: Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

Summary (Website):

“I lost my twin to a harsh November nine years ago. Ever since, I’ve felt the span of that month like no other, as if each of the calendar’s thirty perfect little squares split in two on the page.”

Maeve Leahy is a busy professor of languages at a university in upstate New York. So busy that she leaves little time for memories—the memory of her lost twin, Moira, and of her many lost opportunities. Until a childhood relic and a series of anonymous notes changes everything—resurrects her long-dead dreams, a lost language, her most painful recollections, and prompts her to cross an ocean in search of ancient history. There, Maeve will learn new truths about her past, and come face to face with the one thing she truly fears. Only then can she choose between the safe yet lonely life she's built for herself and one of risk, with bonds she knows can be both heart-breakingly delicate and more enduring than time.

My Two Cents:

The Last Will of Moira Leahy for me is quite a difficult read, in a good way. I was easily immersed in the story, intrigued and the whole summary really got me intrigued. It started quite slow though, with Maeve keep herself so tight and avoiding to tell us what's going on with her. She's mysterious, which made me don't understand her but it kind of weird when I think she's so connected with me as the story goes on. Walsh deserves credit for writing a character whose personality leaps off the page. There were so many times in this novel that I thought I knew exactly what action Maeve was going to make, and eventually twisting the book's journey. I got surprised a lot by Maeve, which always turned me down when I was wrong.

So when she got the keris, everything went back to her and she wants to discover the truth behind it. I don't think I ever read something like this before; a mix of mystical and mysteries in a contemporary fiction. I was fascinated by the keris itself, because I myself has Javanese blood (even my fiancee is Javanese). Keris for real has mystical power which holds thousands mysteries to the owner of one. As that being said, I kind of truly understand the connection of the keris and Maeve's past. If you don't know this, when you read the book, there will be the part where you will learn the truth of the keris function in the story. You maybe think it's nothing but I got the chill on my spine. So this book got me an impact.

There's some flash backs of Moira and Maeve that told us how close they were and how they became apart. It tells a lot even though it's less than two pages each time. The bond of twins fascinated me, which I truly adored their relationship, mostly when they can read or block their mind on each other. However, because of some tragedy, Maeve became the Maeve we know right now in the book; well-kept, mysterious, hurt, and pessimistic. I wish she could enjoy her life because she really deserves it. Not to waste it for nearly a decade after her sister's death.

And I love Noel! (thank God there's some romance in it!). I thought the book would be a heavy and depressing read after all. Noel is tender, gentle and a great guy. He waited for Maeve for as long as he knows her. And funny too. In this, I was glad for Maeve, Noel is someone who will complete her. Teenage Moira was the best. I don't know why, but I think I love her wittiness and how she wants to do what she wants despite of being so different from Maeve like their mother wants. I dislike her mother for separating their likeness into something so-called identities just because she can't tell which is which between the twin.

That being said, I like the book so much. Walsh really did an excellent job bringing the mysteries of keris and a woman's past that we keep pondering until Walsh ties the two threads together beautifully at the end of the book. There's a bit of suspense elements, but it kind of worked okay to me. But I cried when I learned the truth and how she and Moira let go the worst past in their life and forgave the person who come between them. This book was ultimately about healing from grief, siblings relationships, and about remembering past and yet letting it go forever. Highly recommended.

starless sky by paige agnew

Title: Starless Sky
Author: Paige Agnew
Pages: 456
Rating: 4/5
Source: Received for review

Summary (Goodreads):

Life is funny sometimes. Little kids drop ice cream cones, people in general often run in to screen doors, there's even the occasional moment when one might trip going up the stairs. Kahlen could expect those things, deal with them even. But what she didn't expect, not even in her wildest, horrific nightmares, that just as something so terrible could happen, something so wonderful could follow after it. When Kahlen Thomas has a difficult time dealing with the lost of her best and only friend, she has hopes that the new boy at school, Kennley Morgan, will be the perfect distraction from her pain. She slowly realizes that Kennley doesn't as much distract her from her problems as much as he adds to them because of his own interesting past.

My Thought:

This is my first young adult contemporary that I ever read, and I'm very glad I did it. The story of a young girl dealt with her lost of her best friend was really unbelievably sad and heartbroken. I think I know that I will feel the same way if I lose a best friend when you only have a few friends that you cherish and means the world to you. It will unacceptable and I could have spend a lot of time to forget about it. I was absolutely enticed with the characters, Kahlen, Kennly and Marissa. I felt so sorry for her, and I felt the tension that she felt to deal with people, family, and friends after the loss. And when she thought Kennley could distract her from the pain, Kennley is also has a past that he also need to deal, which bring a great mysterious and intrigued me to find out.

Other than that, one thing that I can give a big applause to the author is how she bring up the big issues such as drugs, staying clean, moral issues, and also what I've mention before is the loss of a dear one. The issues are heavy and I really think the author successfully translating it on the paper. And I can't believe she's a teenager herself! The plot line was great, the scenes are organized very well even there's a part which I thought shouldn't be dragged into great details. Most of the time, my eyes were watery and I couldn't hold back because it was too sad, and yes, it's a real tearjerker.

However, I have tiny little complain. I quite having a problem with the font of the words. It kind of a bit distracting and made me a little harder to read. Nonetheless of the complain, it is a beautiful story. All in all, despite of the complain (maybe I'm just too whiny girl), I love the story. The book should get all attentions of all young adults fan and you will agree what I've said. Two thumbs up for the author!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from Author Paige Agnew for an exchange of fair review. Receiving a copy in no way will ever reflected my review and these are my honest review.

i heart new york by lindsey kelk

Title: I Heart New York
Author: Lindsey Kelk
Pages: 305
Rating: 3.5/5
Source: Borrowed from Poo

Summary (Goodreads):

When Angela catches her boyfriend with another woman at her best friend's wedding, she's heartbroken and desperate to run away. With little more than a crumpled bridesmaid dress, a pair of Louboutins, and her passport in hand, Angela decides to jump on a plane for - NYC! Settling into a cute hotel and quickly bonding with benevolent concierge Jenny—a chatterbox Oprah wannabe with room for a new best friend—Angela heads out for a New York makeover, some serious retail therapy, and a whirlwind tour of the city. Before she knows it, she's dating two sexy guys and blogging about her Big Apple escapades for a real fashion magazine. But while it's one thing telling readers about your romantic dilemmas, it's another working them out for yourself. Angela has fallen head over heels for the city that never sleeps, but does she heart New York more than home?

My Say:

I never read chic lit much, but sometimes, I do corner my direction of reading to something lighter and quick. Reading I Heart New York is a very great choice when you want something light, quick and funny. Let us meet Angela, a naive, sweet and indecisive woman. What happened to her could happen to anyone on earth nevertheless it sounds quite unreal when she started her journey to New York. Maybe I think it's illogical, but proves me wrong if; 1) I runaway as far as to another continent (not a country!), 2) I get a best friend who is very a stranger to you that would do anything to cheer you up in a whim in less than 24 hours, 3) I can date two hot guys at a time! For me, it sounds like that is NOT what a normal/wise people would do. But who knows, maybe there's actually someone did that when they've been cheated by their boyfriend.

All in all, I'm not saying that I dislike it, I do like it because it brings out the impossibilities that I've reasoned. I wish I can be like her; not to get dumped of course but to have all the fun she experienced. And all those shoes! It's actually a good book to enjoy and I think I will her other two books in the series as well, but not so soon.

the last song by nicholas sparks

Title: The Last Song
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Pages: 413
Rating: 4/5
Source: Borrowed

Summary (Goodreads):

Seventeen year-old Veronica “Ronnie” Miller’s life was turned upside-down when her parents divorced and her father moved from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina. Three years later, she remains angry and alienated from her parents, especially her father… until her mother decides it would be in everyone’s best interest if she spent the summer in Wilmington with him. Ronnie’s father, a former concert pianist and teacher, is living a quiet life in the beach town, immersed in creating a work of art that will become the centerpiece of a local church. The tale that unfolds is an unforgettable story about love in its myriad forms – first love, the love between parents and children – that demonstrates, as only a Nicholas Sparks novel can, the many ways that deeply felt relationships can break our hearts… and heal them.

My Say:

Okay, a confession: I watch the movie first and I wish I hadn't. Well, blame Miley Cirus for that. I have nothing against her, really.

First of all, Ronnie is believable in the book but not that fake in the movie (Is it too harsh?). I can't blame her, maybe she needs a lot of more practice to be natural. I hate to confess, I hate her fake laugh in the movie. It sounds fake to me. Maybe it's real to you, but I just can't accept it. But otherwise, the movie is great. Every other character done their parts very well. I enjoyed it and I cried at the end of the movie but not as much as I cried when I read the book. That's it.

It's may be a same old same old writing style and everything seems to be predictable in any Nicholas Sparks books. Even though I know how it might turns out; crying, feeling sad, and fully enjoyed the love scenes in it, it never bores me and I have to say I pick it up to read at the right time. I don't want to be biased and dislike it because he serves the same thing over and over again. So, being rational I am, I love the book. Everything is so great and so well developed. There's joy, hate, cries, love and life, scrambled together which it never tires me at all.

Yes, it's predictable but every time I read any of his books, I learn about appreciating people, love and life. It works wonders and somehow it creates a great feeling after I finished reading his books. It sticks around longer in heart and I can still recall any of his books and feel the same way even though just to remember about it. For me, it's a must read.

zoya by danielle steel

Title: Zoya
Author: Danielle Steel
Pages: 397
Rating: 4/5

Summary (Goodreads):

Follows Zoya, from the revolution in Russia through the sixties and seventies in America, from St. Petersburg to Paris to New York in the eighties, as...more Follows Zoya, from the revolution in Russia through the sixties and seventies in America, from St. Petersburg to Paris to New York in the eighties, as she struggles to survive in the face of insurmountable odds.


My Thought:

A beautiful classic! This was a very memorable read about a young girl, a princess, lost her family in early age. Like any other Danielle Steel's work, this one is also a bit predictable but I think I like it.

The leading protagonist, Zoya, is portrayed as a strong, a bit naive, beautiful woman who face and dealt with many obstacles and hardships. I love the character Zoya. She lost her whole family when she is little and her dearest cousin that she considered her sister. Their relationship although for a while, was very sweet and cherished. Went to Paris with her very old grandmother, they built a small life in refugee and tried to live to the fullest and leave everything behind. In Paris, she fall in love with an American soldier and I found it very sweet and romantic but unsecured. He left her a lot but came back into her life in a blink and thank God they managed to build a life and got married and live quite happily in America for a short while until her husband died. With her two small children, she had to move on. In a part, I really admired which she stood on the ground and being proud of who she is when she used her title as The Countess to get a work but being modest and hardworking. Her sense of fashion is incredible and leaving me wanting to be at her time.

The plot line is honestly quit flat and but there are a few small climax which I found them acceptable as that were a few moments of the character's obstacles and hardships. Other characters are well-developed and completed the story as well as well-adapted to the main character. The emotions were there and I can relate to the story but sometimes I felt lost and felt it being dragged a bit.

The most interesting part of the story probably would be the historical setting and connections to the Russian Tsar, set against the Russian Revolution with an assemble possibility of Anastasia Romanov. It was described beautifully and I thought I was nearly absorbed with the beautiful setting.

It's quite an enjoyable read and I barely can put it down. Although it is somewhat predictable, I found it like a beautiful memoir with beautiful life ending. Fully recommended.

stuck with you by trish jensen

Title: Stuck With You
Author: Trish Jensen
Pages: 368
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary (Goodreads):

As lawyers on opposing sides of a messy divorce case, Paige Hart and Ross Bennett ought to have kept matters purely professional, yet Paige and Ross c ...more As lawyers on opposing sides of a messy divorce case, Paige Hart and Ross Bennett ought to have kept matters purely professional, yet Paige and Ross came to loathe each other with an intensity that was strictly personal. The bad blood between them takes on an unexpected new dimension when the infuriated pair is forced to share a hospital room, when they're quarantined after being exposed to the rare and highly contagious Tibetan Concupiscence Virus that's reputed to shift sensual desire into high gear. When symptoms (which a non-medical person might mistake for pure and simple lust) start showing up way ahead of schedule, the lawyers' objections to each other are overruled and they enjoy every minute of it. But, after the doctors declare that the disease has run its course, Paige and Ross are still feverish with a longing for one another that they hope will never be cured. When the verdict comes in, will they be sentenced to life in love?

My Thought:

This trend toward funny, sexy contemporary oriented romance is something like I kind of enjoy of reading it. It is quite unbelievable regarding to the virus issue, but overall, it could be very cute to read two hard-headed lawyers fall for each other in a funny situation. I never heard of the virus and I don't mind of how crappy that is.

The main characters are sweet, witty, both sides are very arrogant and act like cat and dog. Until they have to spend their quarantine together for a while until the experts figure out the cure. Although they part of the story is quite enjoyable to read, the secondary characters, Paige's brother and their doctor for the case are actually known each other like forever until they broke up for some misunderstanding. How their love reincarnated together is somewhat more sweet and pretty endearing to me. I still love the main characters but as much as I like the secondary characters too.

The story is fun, sometime hilarious and I lough or smile a lot whenever I read the dialogues and they quite incredible as hate each-other-lover. I'm enjoying reading the book and it's a quite a page turner. Only that, I don't find any ups and downs or climax of the story, it's just linear but a fun read. You probably want to read it leisurely in one or two sittings and might want to re-read it again sometime soon after that.

the ghost by danielle steel

Title: The Ghost
Author: Danielle Steel
Pages: 444
Rating: 5/5

Summary (Amazon):

Architect Charles Waterston has a job he loves, a charming and beautiful wife, and an idyllic life in London. But when everything comes crashing down around him--his wife leaving him for another man and his sudden transfer back to the New York home office--Charles takes a well-deserved ski vacation in Vermont. When an unexpected snowstorm strands Charles in a small town, he takes refuge in a small bed-and-breakfast. The proprietor, an elderly widow, also owns a family home in the woods, which Charles decides to rent. Soon after moving in, Charles senses a ghostly presence. While investigating in the attic one day, Charles discovers the diary of Sarah Ferguson, who left her abusive husband in England for a better life in the New World. Charles soon finds himself drawn to Sarah, and he even visits the local historical society in an attempt to learn more about her. There he meets lovely, timid Francesca Vironnet, the historical society curator and librarian, who has fled France with her young daughter. Through Sarah's journals and Francesca's kindness, Charles is able to heal his heart and learn to love again.

My Thought:

It's a heartfelt story that I just couldn't resist. I just finished this book and I loved it. It is a very good story and I loved reading about Francois and Sarah. Their story is so heartwarming and inspiring. As Charlie said while reading the journals, Sarah and Francois life experience almost feel real to me. Although I kind of hoping that Sarah is really a ghost that physically communicating with Charlie instead she just wanders around and makes only one time appearance to Charlie, and never speak to him. However, as the story goes on, Sarah is actually giving Charlie some hints to her journals. Although the story is predictable, I grow fond of it and it almost makes me cry bucket to learn Sarah's adventures and misfortunes.

It is a very simple story, an easy read, a page turner and almost a heart-wrecking read. Other than Charlie finally learns that he has to move on with his life and cherishes people around you, I too has learn quite a great deal by reading the book as a little motivation to move on forward. As always, Steel's stories really get me hooked up and love.

honeymoon by amy jenkins

Title: Honeymoon
Author: Amy Jenkins
Pages: 360
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis (Barnes&Noble) :

Something incredible happens to Honey on her wedding night. She walks out onto the balcony of her New York hotel suite - the warmth of the night, the complimentary champagne, the gloriously illuminated skyline are all so utterly perfect - turns, and there, standing on the neighboring bridal suite balcony, is the love of her life, the man she spent only one night with seven years ago and has never seen again. Until now. On her honeymoon.

My Say:

I love the book. I love the story of it. Well, except her name is actually Honeymoon. Honey would be okay but not Honeymoon. Apart from that, the book was refreshing and sweet. It's a story about Honey, about to get married but not really confident that Ed is the one.

Would you rather left your husband and escape with someone that you think he's love of your life even after 7 years? Well, I would probably ends up like Honey too if I were in her shoes. She thought that Ed would never be someone that she really love. He just her escape boat or maybe her last resort to be on the safe side. It may sounds not cool, but the story is actually focusing on a woman's decision before she regrets of what it would be if she just let the opportunity escape even if she has to hurt somebody.

I especially love the ending, very sweet. It is kind of expected and I thought I might be wrong. Seriously, I believe love at first sight. Since it happened to me. But I never believe to have my dream guy because I don't. The book tells you that too. You probably would think the same as I am if you read the book. I found it very sweet, funny and sometimes hilarious, fast pace with a focus on love that either because you want him to be or someone who really wants you. This is a book that will show you about soul mates, romance and destiny. What's more, you will enjoy and love the book!

heartbeat by danielle steel

Title: Heartbeat
Author: Danielle Steel
Pages: 432
Rating: 5/5

Summary (Goodreads):

Bill Thigpen, writer producer of the No.1 daytime TV drama was so busy watching his career soar that he never noticed his marriage collapse. Now, nine years later, living alone in Hollywood, even without his wife and kids, his life and success are still reasonably sweet. Top-of-the-chart ratings, good-natured casual affairs, and special vacations with his two young sons. His life is in perfect balance, he thinks.

Adrian Townshed thought she had everything: a job she liked as a TV production assistant and a handsome husband who was a rising star in his own field. In as enviable life they'd worked hard for—the American Dream. Until she got pregnant. Suddenly all she had was chaos. And Steven's ultimatum. Him or the baby. The question was: did he mean it? He did.

Bill Thigpen and Adrian Townshed collided in a supermarket. And the very sight of her suddenly makes him want more in his life, a woman he really loves, a real family again. But does he need the heartache of another man's baby, another wife? Neither does. But they couldn't help it.

My Say:

I did it again. This is my third reading this book and I never feel tired of it. Heartbeat is a very heartwarming book. Steel's books might be a bit stereotype or a bit predictable but I love how it's written. But I think the truth behind the story is about second chance to love and to forgive ourselves. This book really swept my heart every time I read it. The friendship between Bill and Adrian brought them together and been meaning to start a whole new life. They shared their sorrows, supports each other and their friendship deepens into love. Even though I found it quite harsh to believe Adrian's husband divorced her just because she's pregnant, the storyline is believable and it really has strong plot line. It is quite a linear story with a little climax, but it is also very well developed till the end. I enjoy reading the book thoroughly and never get tired of it. It is also full of motivation, self-help, love, forgiveness and second chance to seek happiness. Maybe you'll think there's no hope and world will collapse, but you never know what will happen at the end of the day if you give up on life. It really teaches me that. I can read it over and over again, and I fully recommend you to read the book too.

anyone but him by sheila o'flanagan

Title: Anyone But Him
Author: Sheila O'Flanagan
Pages: 600
Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Andie and her sister Jin have never seen eye to eye. Andie doesn't envy Jin her marriage to a wealthy businessman, while Jin can't believe Andie's happy with her man-free existence (if only she knew!). But when their widowed mother Cora comes back from a Caribbean cruise with more than just a suntan, Andie and Jin are united in horror. Who is this gorgeous young man who's swept their mother off her feet? What the women really need is a friend to set the world to rights with - but can they be friends with each other?

My Review:

I never read anything from Sheila O'Flanagan before. I was reluctant to read the book and one of the reason is that it has 600 pages. I thought I will never finish it but I'm surprised that I managed to finish it.

Well, I was not determine to read it when I started reading it but after two pages, I thought, OK, this sounds interesting. The story was packed with family member's conflict where 2 girls being electrified by their mother's new hot hunk after spending holiday on a cruise.

The story is simple and being deliberated in as good as possible to attract my attention to read and understand their mother-complex-craziness. It's a bit predictable but it's fun to know if what I've been assuming is true or does it is actually a twist. What I like most is to know that each of the sister has their own dark side. They've been over protective towards their mother but they kind of never realize they have a really messed up life.

I have to say I'm quite OK with the story but when it is nearly to the ending, the storyline is some what kind of having an adrenaline rush. Andie and Jin's decisions' were a bit strange and I don't think it is a good closure for an ending. A better conclusion or an epilogue will be better I suppose.

I kept guessing how it will turn out and quite intrigued with the story. It's quite an OK read after all. I'll recommend to anyone who would love to a read a fast pace, funny and witty storyline.

p/s: I have a new layout now but stick with the back and white layout. How do you think? After Steph and Chelleyreads change to a new background, I'm quite 'affected' to change mine too =)

marrow by tiffanie darke

Title: Marrow
Author: Tiffanie Darke
Pages: 428
Rating: 1.5/5

Synopsis (Amazon):

In the steamy kitchens of the restaurant world, the lore of the macho chef invariably holds sway, and there are few chefs more overbearing and arrogant than Seamus Bull. Then Genevieve arrives to rake up the past and turn his life upside-down.

My Thought:

I don't really know why I picked up this book to read in the first place. I bought from a used book bookstore. Maybe I thought it has some chef thingy and culinary stuff then it would be great since I haven't read any of like this. I was hoping something cool but it never appears.

Sadly, the book didn't really hooked me up. I read it till the last page because I can't give up reading a book. The plot is shaky which the destination of the storyline is lost and I can't think of a good reason why the book is poorly comprehended.

Seamus is a jerk, yes. Genevieve wants a bit like revenge to Seamus but she can't because she keep falling to Seamus. However, when Genevieve thinks she can't love Seamus in the end, Darke makes a dreadful closure. I must say, it was out of no where, and suddenly Genevieve fall for someone else from Marrow and left Seamus just like that, by explaining like a quarter of page phone call conversation. Dreadful.

I don't think I would ever read it or recommend it. But, maybe you will like it better than I am. The only thing that I love the book, well, maybe the recipes before new chapter begins. Found myself some delicious recipes though =)

not another new year's by chrissie ridgway

Title: Not Another New Year's
Author: Chrissie Ridgway
Pages: 353
Rating: 4/5

Summary (Goodreads):

After all, this year brought Hannah Davis nothing but the memory of her wandering fiancé marrying someone else behind her back. Now, sitting alone at a bar in Coronado, California, on December 31, she decides to do something radical and lets a brooding good-looker take her to bed. But when a hysterical woman bursts into their room much too early on New Year's Day, Hannah realizes this guy's more complicated than she thought.

Ex-Secret Service Agent Tanner Hart screwed up, big-time! Hoping to temporarily boot some of the ghosts from his life, he hooked up with this sexy stranger for a hot one-night stand—only to discover she's the woman he's agreed to protect, from men just like him!

But a new year is a time for fresh beginnings. Despite the danger, the hoopla, and the hangovers, if Hannah's brave enough to risk her heart again—and Tanner's wise enough to realize he deserves it—maybe this one will be different.

My Thought:

So, it's another romance genre again that I picked up to read. Well, obviously it was a good read. This one is totally cute, fun and a bit funny to put it all together. I love the scenery made for the storyline which in Coronado (I never know what it would be like), but the sound of beach and ocean is always a good choice!

Hannah is a quite a Miss Prissy and always love to please everyone. Her mom, dad, family, everyone. Which ends up the way she lived back stabbed her later on. How she's being dumped by her former fiancee' after he's already dead. There's a mystery though that kept her from move on. She has t find Caroline which is not important enough for me to know about her when there's only a slight explanation of why Caroline involved in her live. Mystery? Yes, but not that intriguing enough to make me wonders. Well on the other hand, Tanner is such a hot guy, and I can accept that as I always see any Secret Service Agent as a hot and neat man. Tanner's included. A fling between them is very sweet and also romantic which differences could be the best things that complete them each other.

Hannah and Tanner really made a good story but the secondary romance of his brother Troy and Disiree is quite compelling. Or maybe even better than the primary characters. The only thing that I feel disappointed with the book was how in ended. Like a straightforward and a statement full stop. End. Just like that. I wish there's an epilogue like they're married or something nice.

Overall, the book is a good mixture, mix and match of some funny, light, romance and action which lighten up the book. As I would conclude it is a fast pace, quick and heart warming read. I also just knew that Not Another New Years is actually a sequel to Must Love Mistletoe, and they said it's a bestseller so I don't know how interesting it would be but at the same time, really want to read it. And oh yes, I'll recommend everyone to read this. Whoever like any romance type of a book.

country brides by debbie macomber

Title: Country Brides
Author: Debbie Macomber
Pages: 272
Rating: 4/5

Summary (Amazon):

Two women--each engaged to the wrong man.
Two weddings--but not the ones they plan.

"A Little Bit Country"

Rorie Campbell has a pleasant, predictable life in San Francisco, where she's seeing a pleasant, predictable man. Then, one vacation, her car breaks down on an Oregon country road, and horse rancher Clay Franklin comes to her rescue. Rorie soon discovers that a city girl can fall in love with a country man. But Clay has no right to return her feelings because he's engaged to another woman.

"Country Bride"

Kate Logan is devastated when Clay Franklin, her former fiance and the man she's always loved, marries Rorie Campbell instead. But at Clay's wedding, and after a glass of champagne too many, Kate proposes to her longtime friend, rancher Luke Rivers. Luke accepts her proposal and refuses to renege on his promise. What's more, he insists that Kate doesn't love Clay, she loves him.

My Review:

I've never read Debbie Macomber but I heard a lot of good reviews on her books. Country Brides is a compilation of two story of two couples. I have read a lot of comments about this book on Goodreads as well as Amazon. Although most of them were not really giving such good comments and rates, I think this book didn't really let me down. It's a romance type and a very quick read. Can't blame on the fast pace of how the story was told for a love at first sight. This a good book if you are looking for something that doesn't take much thinking and is easy to read. It's a book that make you relax that holds interest at the end of a long day and this one filled the request. Voila!

Macomber definitely an excellent writer as I was easily absorbed with this book. The simplicity of the storyline, of how she created a very down to earth scenario is absolutely how a love at first would be. Maybe it sounds a little bit corny, but I love it. While the second story is actually a chronology from the first story. Kate, the ex-fiancee of Clay is trying to figure out how she could find her own happiness after the man she loves married someone else. Turn out the happiness she was looking for is actually a man who is always next to her. Someone who is really really confident that 'he's the man' for her.

I love reading the book and I am sure that the time spent reading this book is worth a tiny bit something. One thing for sure, this book will definitely not be the last book of her I'll read.

a bend in the road by nicholas sparks

Title: A Bend in the Road
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Pages: 352
Rating: 4.5/5

Summary (Barnes&Noble):

The nearly thwarted but eventually triumphant romance of deputy sheriff Miles Ryan and second-grade teacher Sarah Andrews goes down as easily as marshmallow fluff and offers about as much real nourishment. Miles's high school sweetheart, Missy, was killed in an unsolved hit and run accident, leaving him to raise their son, Jonah, in New Bern, N.C. Sarah's politically ambitious husband, Michael, dumped her when her ovaries proved inactive, and she fled to New Bern to teach, and love, other people's kids. Miles and Sarah meet at a parent-teacher conference, and the sparks fly. But there's a fly in the ointment as well; an italicized voice threaded among the happy chapters alerts us that Missy's death was caused by someone whose identity, if revealed, could destroy Miles and Sarah's new-found joy. As tough truth shadows their landscape, Miles and Sarah find depths within themselves, and their rekindled light illumines all. New Bern becomes a city of the reborn. Charlie Curtis, Miles's stickler boss, learns to bend; Missy's aimless killer morphs into a healer; and Jonah once again knows a mother's love.

My Opinion:

There's two side of the story. One is from a narrator and another is the story itself. I was intrigued the whole time I was reading the book. You see, I was wondering who is that narrator. Because the narrator is somewhat in grief and guilty. I've been guessing it's Sarah herself at the first glance. But I thought wrong which made the story even more exciting and mysterious.

Like Sparks' other books, I enjoyed this book too. I was easily hooked up and absorbed with the story as it made me can't wait to finish it but feel sad when it nearly comes to the end. The conflict of Miles to face his wife's death after two whole years still distraught him and he nearly lost himself when he wanted revenge against someone who is innocent (although the accused was a total jerk).

The story started with an introduction of Miles, Jonah and Sarah. As he met Sarah, he thought he could forget and start a new life once again with his son. The same feeling happened to Sarah too. Divorced by an unrealistic reason, I felt so sorry for her. Though Sarah was hurt by her previous divorce, she sees Miles as someone she could trust. Miles and Sarah's attraction to each other is both gradual and realistic as they begin to emerge from their old fears and broken hearts. I love all the moments when they were together and indulged in every bits of it. Sounds pretty romantic. =)

However, the new relation they working on wavered. In a heart wrenching and clever twist of fate, circumstances intervene and threaten to destroy this couple's new found happiness. Emotions ride high as the reader is kept guessing until the last page is finished as to whether love can really overcome all. I hardly believe or guess what will Miles will do in the end. And I ensure you, it ended with a sweet happy ending. The story is a fine addition with memorable characters facing real life problems. Readers will be reluctant to part with Miles and Sarah as their story comes to a gripping conclusion. As they said, LOVE CONQUERS ALL. So true.

The story really swept me away. Maybe it will do the same to you too *wink*

sunset in st. tropez by danielle steel

Title: Sunset in St. Tropez
Author: Danielle Steel
Pages: 213
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary (Goodreads):

As Diana Morrison laid the table for six at her elegant Central Park apartment, there was no warning of what was to come. Spending New Year’s Eve together was a sacred tradition for Diana, her husband of thirty-two years, Eric, and their best friends, Pascale and John Donnally and Anne and Robert Smith. The future looked rosy as the long-time friends sipped champagne and talked of renting a villa together in the South of France the following summer. But life had other plans.

Just two weeks after New Year’s, tragedy strikes the heart of their close circle, as Robert Smith suffers a sudden, unexpected loss. Without hesitation, Diana and Eric, Pascale and John rally to his side, united in their support, love, and shared grief. Convinced that a change of scenery is just what Robert needs, they urge him to join them on the Riviera in August. But as they soon discover, the ramshackle old mansion they rented in St. Tropez--sight unseen--is far different from the exquisite villa and sun-drenched gardens touted in the brochure. Cobwebs hang from the ceiling. Beds collapse beneath them. All while a would-be housekeeper in a leopard-skin bikini and six-inch heels sashays through the house with a trio of yapping poodles at her heels.

But the biggest surprise of all is the woman Robert invites to the villa as his guest--a lovely, much-younger film actress with mile-long legs and a million-dollar smile. Diana and Pascale hate her on sight. But the men are dazzled. And amid the crumbling furniture and the glorious sunsets, the strained relationships and the acts of forgiveness, more surprises are in store for the villa’s occupants. With the last days of summer fast approaching, each couple finds themselves changing in unexpected ways, as old wounds are healed, new love discovered, and miracles unfold.

My Review:

Well, after quite sometime, I'm off to read a contemporary fiction. And I choose to re-read Danielle Steel. I always love her works, well, most of them. Honestly, I don't know why I picked this one instead of other book.

I must say that this was quick and easy read. However, there was not one character that I found myself really invested in. Generally when I read Danielle Steel I become emotionally wrapped up in the story's central character and again, most of the time. The thing is, there were too many main characters which I did not get the feeling of connection that I usually do. Sometime I'm forgetting who is actually who.

But of course, Steel simple elaboration on her storyline made me easy to understand and enjoyed. Although 3 couples (6 main character?) are a lot to cover. What really made me interested to read the book is actually the story itself (obviously?). It's a story of 3 married couples/ best friends like 30+ years and I've never read about senior citizens love story. I mean, have you ever read a book that has 50-60 years old main characters? Well, this is my first time or maybe I forgot if I actually had. They are condensed with exciting friendship relation to each of them. And what I like most, they are so believable and so true. I wish I would have best friends like them (like till I grow very old and they still there when I need them). Of course, there were ups and downs in their marriages. That's the story all about anyway in St. Tropez.

All in all, this is not her best books but still, I feel a loyalty and obliged to reading her books. I keep them to the side until a sudden urge comes over me to read one. I know it really sound corny but it's true. This was one of her books that I enjoyed. This book probably a good, quick and easy read to kill some time =)

p/s: Is it true that EVERYBODY reads Danielle Steel? It's like it's written on each of her books.

back when we were grownups by anne tyler

Summary :

The woman is Rebecca Davitch, a fifty-three-year-old grandmother. Is she an impostor in her own life? she asks herself. Is it indeed her own life? Or is it someone else's?

The discovery of this realizes that she has done nothing with her life since a party at colllege when a charming young man came up to her and said 'I can see your'e having a wonderful time' (when she wasn't). She later married that man, and now, many years later, nothing has happened since.Not that she isn't happy with her stepdaughters Patch, No-No, and Biddy. And her own family Min Foo. But when Rebecca decides to change her life and the way people look at her, she finds out what she never knew was really there all along.

My Thoughts:

"Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person."

I have this book quite some time and decided to read it after I read her biography on the web that she won a Pulitzer prize years ago. But mind you, this is not the book she won the prize. So, I just gave it a try.

There's not much conflict only that Rebecca have just realized how wrong she turned out to be. At first, I think the 'what if' she thought really boring. How she tried to remember what she have done in the past and what about she is going to do when she was 19. As far as I read, then I realized that how she figured things of what she have done, she's doing and will do is another exciting step of reading this book. There's a part which she sets out to find out who she really is by looking up the fiancee she gave up for the life she made. She thought she is a woman who fears she has lost her true self, but only to discover that she has been living the life she deserved all along. This is just wonderful because I thought it is actually better not to look too far back.

This is a wonderful book. The story is very light read, and I finished it in one go. It was almost lyrical. It has it's funny moments, it's sad moments but at the end, I just like it as it is.

My Rating: 3.5/5

the smoke jumper by nicholas evans

I actually took the book from my mom's bookshelf. Technically it's mine, but I don't really remember I had it. First time to read Nicholas Evans too. I've been wanting to read The Horse Whisperer, but I guess The Smoke Jumper will do.

The Summary :

Connor and Ed are smoke jumpers, elite fire-fighters who parachute into blazing forests to cut fire breaks. They are also best friends, which causes problems when Connor meets Ed's girlfriend, Julia, and is powerfully attracted to her. So, he kind of ran away from them.

In the wake of the fire, Connor embarks on a harrowing journey to the edge of human experience, traveling the world’s worst wars and disasters to take photographs that find him fame but never happiness. Reckless of a life he no longer wants, again and again he dares death to take him, until another fateful day on another continent, he must walk through fire once more.

My Thought:

I think the story has an original idea. Smoke jumper, I can't reckoned which one he meant, which one is the hero of the story. But I think that this book was truly moving. While I was at first turned off at what appeared to be a 'love triangle' the Evans managed not to cross that line and remained very tasteful by staying away from infidelity. You know how I hate to read a sex scandalous between best friends or married couple. I found it so irritating and annoyed. However, yes, not every books really rely on that particular storyline.

What would you think when Ed married to Julia, but Connor fathered their child, as biological dad? Julia and Connor know they have 'something' together. But they never confront to each other. Ed knew, but three of them made it like nothing was happening. Julia and Connor thought if they cannot have each other, at least they shared something together. When they have the baby, Connor was in estranged, like running away from them.

It's not really an exciting read, but I found the book has a fast pace adventure, mind you about simple elaboration, yet very informative about each character. Through marriage, birth, estrangement and death, Evans clear and precise writing makes 'The Smoke Jumper' worth turning every page. This book was more than a love story, it's the battle of good and evil, finding hope and living life.

I was also astonished at the amount of research the author had to have done to write a convincing novel that covered everything from smoke jumping in Missoula, the war in Bosnia and African religious wars. It is little exciting to read or learn something from a fiction novel. I never thought of smoke jumper really exist! *LOL* (and never know what they are)

This one maybe not his best, but I enjoyed reading it and definitely will read his other books later.

My Rating: 4/5

dear john by nicholas sparks

The Summary (Goodreads):

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever. Returning home, John must come to grips with the fact that Savannah, now married, is still his true love--and face the hardest decision of his life.

My Thought of The Book:

Okay, the first chapter of the book already stated that John and Savannah are not together in the end. But it doesn't stop me to finish the book till the end as I like Nicholas Sparks on his previous books I've had read. It intrigued me more than ever of what was actually happened to their relationship.

I know this doesn't end with happy ending but the story was entirely amazed me although I already knew what the finishing line. Nicholas Sparks never fail to amuse me and Dear John is another heartbreaking and pulled my heartstrings.

I love the fact that the love story between John and Savannah are sweet and true; in the beginning, or at least to John in the end. John sacrificed a lot for Savannah and I think it's not that Savannah meant to break her promise to wait for John, but fate plays it's own part. September 11 is a big thing and changes a lot of other person's life too. And that changes everything between john and Savannah.

I cried, but not because of John and Savannah. I particularly cried because of John and his dad. Knowing the fact that his father has an Asperger; some sort of disability, made John realized that he finally learned to love his father. Thanks that to Savannah.

I am angry for the sad ending and mostly on the reality that leaves John with nothing. No love, no money. But one thing for sure, John believe that he finally know the meaning of loving someone that is when you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be. However, living with the fact that there will always never be a happy ending eventually in every relationship/love story, I come to the conclusion that I love the book, very much.

My Rating: 4.5/5

here on earth by alice hoffman

The Summary (Goodreads):
In Here on Earth, the darker, obsessive side of love is revealed in all of its power, and with all the havoc it wreaks.

After nearly twenty years of living in California, March Murray, along with her fifteen-year-old daughter, Gwen, returns to the sleepy Massachusetts town where she grew up to attend the funeral of Judith Dale, the beloved housekeeper who raised her. Yet returning to her hometown also brings her back to Hollis, March s former soul mate and lover. March s father had taken the teenaged Hollis, an abandoned child, and the product of a series of detention homes, into his house as a boarder, and treated him like a son. Yet March and Hollis s passionate love was hardly a normal sibling relationship. When Hollis left her after a petty fight, March waited for him three long years, wondering what she had done wrong.

Encountering Hollis again makes March acutely aware of the choices that she has made, and the choices everyone around her has made including Mrs. Dale, who knew more of love than March could ever have suspected, and her brother Alan, whose tragic history has left him grief-struck, with alcohol as his only solace. Her attraction to Hollis is overwhelming and March jeopardizes her marriage, her relationship with her daughter and her own happiness in an attempt to reclaim the past.

My Thought on This:

I don't know whether I like or I dislike the book. The book was in Oprah's Book Club list back in 1999. I don't know why I read this from the start but I knew why I took so long to finish it. The only book I've read by hers was The Practical Magic. At least I like that one. This one, is beyond my imagination and when I said that means this one is likely not really good. Maybe it's because I don't like what it is all about.

Although the plot line seems interesting and promising, the book couldn't have been more *boring*. There, i said that. It's quite bizarre, I never figured out if the bad guy was really the devil or just a jerk. The main character was such an awful mother, putting her sex life ahead of her kids, I never identified with her or had any compassion. It is a frightening tale of how an otherwise self-sufficient woman can be sucked into an abusive love relationship. Some kind of dark romance.nThe woman comes back into contact with an old lover who had a strange hold over her when she was younger. It's an oddly compelling story.There are some characters, the teenagers, Gwen and Hank, prove to be the strongest characters in the novel, thank God.

Maybe the best part is because it makes you reflect on your own past relationships and question if you really have closure, or if you just forced yourself to block it out and forget the people you once loved. Of course, the book took an interesting turn, but not the kind of love story it started out to be.

Overall, not really what I had expected. I was planning to rate this as a "???", but the last 80 pages gave it an extra boost/credit.

My Rating:

Emm..ok