The Tiger's Curse

My cousin Jessie bought this first book thinking it might be a good read for her son. After really looking over the description of the book, she thought that he might not enjoy it and that it might not really be for a 10 year old boy.  Now that I have read it, I agree with her.  I however have loved reading every minute of it and have fallen in love with the author Colleen Houck.  You fall in love with the characters right from the start and get sucked into their story.  The way that Kelsey meets Ren is so unique from most of the other books that I have read.  There is an instant connection between Kelsey and Ren and is one that I can relate to because that is how I felt when I first met Kenny.  Kelsey soon learns that her tiger is more than he seems and is soon swept up in helping him solve the riddle to remove a curse from him. I love the images that are described of India and of the culture.  I also love the details described of the outfits that Ren picks out for Kelsey.  Of course there are going to be parts that I don't like, but it's so easy to overlook them when the story is moving so fast.

 Tiger's Quest is the second in the series and keeps the adventure moving forward and you meet Ren's brother Kishan.  They also accomplish another part of the equation to move closer to breaking the curse that is on the brothers that makes them be tigers for so many hours per day.  It also adds in a new twist where both brothers are now in love with Kelsey.  It almost add a Twilight feel to the book.  I know that this author has Stephanie Meyer as one of her role models.  You see the connection in that one of the brothers is more controlling and overprotective and one just loves Kelsey for who she is and doesn't expect her to change anything to be with him.  As this book moves forward the challenges become more intense and pull you through the book. The challenge isn't just more challenging but takes longer and more creativity as well as putting Kelsey and Kashon in a situation where they get to know each other better.

In this third book, the emotions and relationships get as complicated as the quest that they are on. Kelsey has to make her decision as to which brother she wants to be with and doesn't want to make it because she doesn't want to hurt the one not chosen (I'm seeing a definite correlation here to Jacob and Edward, just saying).  The obstacles that they have to overcome for this part of the adventure are more dangerous and take longer than the ones before.  There is so much imagery and history in all of these books that it is hard to take it all in, that or I just read to fast to truly enjoy all of it.  I love how in each book there is so much added to the story by adding in mythology from many different cultures.  So many stories run within this one series. They each build on the one before and I have learned so much as I have read about not just the Indian culture and their stories but many of the Greek and Eastern Countries as well.

All three books pulled me through so fast and I enjoyed the adventure so much. Each came with a mythical weapon and help from so many characters from so many mythical stories.  I know I said it has that whole Twilight feel to it, but that only is part of the relationship drama, past that there are no other similarities. The complexities of this story are so diverse and keep you wanting more.  I would definitely recommend these to anyone who wants a good adventure story with passion and romance (clean romance which is nice for a change).  I can't wait for the next book to come out in November!

Worth It ... Not Worth It?: Simple & Profitable Answers to Life's Tough Financial Questions by Jack Otter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

such good advice! Everything is kept very simple so that all of us everyday normal people who don't have a finance degree can understand and use the advice in our lives. The book starts with the advice that all of our financial decisions are simple and that we don't need to make them hard or listen to anyone who wants things to be complex. I love how clearly everything is spelled out and how each section has little sections within it and questions to help you decide what is best for your situation.  Very very good!!


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Something More by Janet Dailey

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a sweet read. For a change I read a book that really just focused on the characters and the story. I loved reading how each of the characters showed what their weaknesses were and as the story progressed they started to confront each of their issues and began to realize that all they really wanted was already right there in front of them. It was easy to relate with each of the characters as well and understand why they felt the way they did because I think each of us have been in that point in our lives or will at least face that challenge at some point. It is so easy to relate to Toby and his youth and seeing your whole life ahead of you, all your dreams and passions and at the same time slowly figuring it out that part of what is holding you back is your youth and inexperience.  Angie is so fun to relate to with her enthusiasm to finish a dream that her family has held onto for the past couple generations. Maybe we haven't faced the same loss as Luke but at some point in all of our lives we will face loss and need to learn how to work through that loss. It is so easy to understand Griff and his feelings of being stuck in life. It is hard when we his that stage in life and then try to face it. I just wonder how he is able to work things out with his wife when he goes home, the book doesn't get far enough to let you know that part. That is just part of who is in the book and what they are going through in life. There are some things that are left hanging and left for you to finish and for me I always hope for the best and that even though each of these characters will continue to face challenges, they will also take the knowledge and peace with them that the book ends with and take that into their future lives. Just as we can take that same knowledge into our lives and put it towards our dreams and work to make our lives better. Just like in the book, most times in our lives when we feel frustrated or stuck or scared, everything we need to work through those challenges are right there already in our lives.



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Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book and the twist that it put on Cinderella. I was really unsure at the beginning, but enjoyed it more and more as the story built. My only suggestion I could make regarding this story would be that the characters didn't get much time to develop, taking this one idea and breaking it into 2 or 3 books would have given them the time to develop so that anyone reading could appreciate how the Prince ended up like he was and to better understand Cinder and Ella and who they are and their talents. I truly loved the idea that we are connected to other living things within our "kingdom" (don't want to give anything away by saying what they were connected to).  It is something that I can relate to and is a part of my life. Being connected to those things around me was a feeling I had before I met my husband and his Grandma was Native American and would tell him how her tribe was connected to the wolf, I loved hearing this story and having it continue to be a part of our family. So, within this story it didn't seem far fetched at all to have their kingdom be attached to another "living" thing within their kingdom. The bond between the sisters was inspiring and so true to what my life is like, it was also true to what can happen when outside influences can bring between sisters (or siblings). Even with family relationships strained, these amazing characters stayed there by each other and cared for one another, they show us that even though life has hardships and you can allow yourself to become bitter and uncaring, it is so much more rewarding to do what you can to care for each other. I totally think this is a good read, but like I said at the beginning, I wish I could have known more about Cinder's time at the Palace and the Prince among other things.  Definitely a fun kingdom to visit!



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Austenland by Shannon Hale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was so fun to read. I could easily see myself visiting a place like Austenland. I know there are real places out there that are like this where you go and dress in period clothes and live life like they did in whatever time period you are visiting. I could never go and get into the "act" if I was married like the majority of the other women that are visiting but I love going along the journey with Jane as she tries to figure out what is real and was is pretend. I think most of us have to have that moment in our lives. There was a time for me when I knew that the life I was living was not the life I wanted and then when someone came into my life that could offer what I wanted it took me some time to be okay with actually getting my "fairy tale".  I completely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good love story and loves anything at all Austen. There are some questions at the end for reading groups and I would even suggest going over a few of those, there is one in particular that points out the lives of the heroine in Austen's books. It is at least something to read over and think about. I don't want to give anything away and I feel as though I already have but think about this point and I would love to hear what others have to say on this subject.


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Juliet by Anne Fortier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thoroughly loved this story. I am such a sucker for a good love story..I am a complete hopeless romantic.  I also enjoyed how Ms. Fortier brought so much attention on family history.  It makes me want to do more of my family history and find out more about my ancestors. I have no greats hopes of finding out that I am related to any famous people or have a famous story written about my ancestors but it was so interesting to see how the two tied together to make this a fun read.  I also enjoyed reading about the sisters and how their relationship was and how they were finally to come together and get on the same page so they could appreciate having each other. Reading about how the families believed in the old family lore and based so much of their lives on the old blessings and curses. My Grandma's family is from Italy and I know how much old family lore and wives tales impact those families who still believe them.  Just one more part of the story that I could relate to.


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The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This really did take a few twists and completely threw me for a loop at the end.  I am still slightly bewildered as to why this book is under the horror section.  I think I have read more suspenseful books in the Juvenal section.  Not to say that this was bad, I just don't feel that it should have been considered horror.  It was more suspenseful than anything and it did a wonderful job of keeping me guessing. In the end it was a good quick read that did keep me on my toes.


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The Hunger Games Trilogy

Disturbing, that was my first thought when I started reading The Hunger Games.  How could anyone come up with the idea of having children fight to the death.  By the time I was done reading the first book I was not going to keep reading but everyone was so in love with these books that after some constant nagging I finally picked up the second and third books.  I can't believe how good they ended up being, still disturbing, but good.

I can't even begin to understand how someone can have the imagination to come up with such a story and then to make it into three books.  They built on each other so well that you have to finish all of them and find out how it ends.  I am still in shock at how each character developed and how much I fell in love with each of them.  I knew who I wanted to win and by the end I knew who I wanted to spend their life with Katniss.  I was not disappointed!

Now that I have finally listened to my son and cousin, I am glad that I read all of the books and was able to visit this other amazing Country that could treat their citizens so cruelly.  I am purposely not saying much about the story because I don't want to give anything away.  These stories are too good to let anything slip. It would be to easy to say one little thing and then it would give everything away.  If anyone wants a really good story to read I would highly recommend these books.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am so torn as to what to think about this book. I loved the story and the characters and their stories.  Each character is so unique and amazing, It's been a while since I have read about so many different people with such a wide variety of personalities and backgrounds.  I really had a hard time with the first about 5 chapters. I thought I was reading something close to a porn. I couldn't believe how explicit things are described and the detail that was used. I should have quit reading at that point but I loved the characters so kept reading. I'm glad I finished the story and found out what happened with everyone. I just really wish that I could have not read the inappropriate parts. Some of the people that read this before me had just said that it was the way things were. Even if that is how things worked with the circus back then I would rather have had the story skim over it instead of being so detailed.  I was amazed at how the circus worked and how they would acquire new people and animals. I was also amazed at how they would get ride of workers when money got tight or if they didn't like the person. The circus world is definitely its own world. Their world is one that has social classes and scum just like any society.  In the end, after I get past everything, it was a very interesting and entertaining read.


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The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this one as much as the first book (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).  I am now affectionately calling these my smut books.  The mystery part is amazing and of course, like the first book, lots of sex.  It is an adult book though :) I am amazed at how the plot will twist and turn and even though you know who didn't do it, you have to pay attention to learn who is behind everything. I have completely enjoyed seeing how the characters have developed and even when I get upset with them for not talking with each other openly I know that that is just part of the whole development.  I can't wait to read the last book in this series!


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The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked the story and how it all unfolded. I love reading mysteries that can just suck me in and pull me through...I never have time to wonder who did it because I'm just enjoying the story too much.  I did however have a problem with some of the language and content, but the story was so good that I was able to overlook most of the language and the content was part of the story and what had happened.  I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to read it. If you are sensitive to language, this might not be for you but if you can overlook it it is a great read.


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Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! It was so much fun to read about how much life has changed and yet how many things are still the same for women and mothers.  I would suggest this to anyone who likes to just get sucked right into a book and become a part of their lives.


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The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. I know someone who grew up in the south and had a "Mammy". It was such a different life, I can't even imagine growing up with help in the house that also helped to raise the kids. I loved how Kathryn Stockett took the time to make sure the reader understood the risks that they were taking by writing that book. It was such a scary time in our history and unfortunately some things in the South haven't changed much. I love how strong the women are in this story, both white and black. The story wouldn't have been the same if it didn't include all the good and bad. I love Minny and her strength and understand how she could put up with the abuse for so long. It was good at the end when she finally gets the strength to leave. Aibeleen is amazing with the kids that she is caring for. She is so brave to tell her story and to share her secret stories with baby girl. It was so fun to see how each of the women developed and grew through the story. I am so glad that my mom got this book for me and that I was able to enjoy and learn more about an area of the Country that I would love to visit. I have always loved the South and the idea of living on a plantation. Darn that Gone with the Wind! :) I know that the movie isn't going to be as good, but now I have to see the movie.

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A Visit from the Goon Squad

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I truly hate saying anything negative about any book but this book is one that I can't say anything good about. As I tried and tried to read this I was wondering how it received so many awards. There was nothing within this book that I could relate to and I couldn't stand that the "f" word was on every page at least once. I can read books that contain that language, however, I have not encountered one that used it so liberally as this one did. When I say there was nothing for me to relate to I never left home to live with an older man to do drugs and have sex. I have never done any drugs and could not relate to or understand them using so many hard drugs so young and that it was so acceptable. This may make me a prude and that is okay. I was just raised with a different set of standards and expectations. I know there are a lot of you out there that really like this book. I'm glad that you can understand it and relate to it. I'm happy for Jennifer Egan for writing a book that has brought her much fame and awards. I really wish that I could say something nice as well but this is one of those times that I feel that I can't support the portion that I struggled through to read.

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Of Pigs, Pearls, and Prodigals

Of Pigs, Pearls, and Prodigals: A Fresh Look At the Parables of Jesus by John Bytheway

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I learned so much about what Jesus taught and how to use it in my every day life. It also helped me to re-evaluate some of my priorities. I loved being able to read the parable and then the commentary that helped to bring it to my level in a way that I could not only understand some of the parables better but also learn how they can make me a better person.

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Comic Book Club

The idea of a comic book club was first mentioned by Chase, my cousin Jessie's son. He thought up this whole idea and even had a sign up sheet for all of his classmates to sign up on if they wanted to attend. To Jessie's surprise, almost every one in Chase's class signed up. Yesterday was their second meeting and my boys were able to go and enjoy reading comics with other kids.

Kelton and Taylor were a little nervous at first because they are the oldest kids in the group. It didn't take long for them to find their nitch and the group that had the same interest as them. There were 15 kids total there for this meeting, however, unless I had all the parents sign releases or something I didn't feel comfortable taking other kids pictures and posting them.

There was a lot of comic book reading which totally surprised me. The kids would take a book and read it and share cool parts with someone sitting by them and then they would trade out their book for another one and there was so much reading going on for an hour! There was also several serious discussions. Comics aren't all fun and not everyone is going to agree with the content in each issue. I got a chance to tell Chase how cool I thought it was that he had come up with this idea and how great it was as a way to keep the kids reading during the summer. He had to think about it for a minute and then said, "I never thought of it that way." I told him I was pretty sure he hadn't but as a mom that was my first thought. Good job Chase for having such a good idea.

Like I said there were some pretty interesting discussions and we had a few "good" kids who were very quick to point out if they felt like the comic book they had was to graphic for them. Evidently not all children are okay with seeing guts ripped out or an arm getting cut off. I think it's easier to say that those kids are too sheltered, not that my kids are too desensitized.

These three monkeys came home with me, well I guess I should have at least taken 2 of them, they are mine. Since I didn't get any other pictures, that would require me to remember my camera more than once in a day, I didn't get any pictures of them swimming. Chase came home with us and we went swimming in our pool. I think we were there for close to 2 hours and they had a ball the entire time. With one teenager and two tweens I was amazed to not have any arguing, whining, or any other form of not getting along. They were so wonderful!!

I made their night by ordering pizza and letting them sleep in the front room and stay up watching a movie. I had to totally rearrange the furniture and I wasn't even sure Kenny was going to be able to get out the front door to leave for work this morning. I was nice and didn't take their pictures while they were asleep but only Kelton and Chase stayed in the living room, Taylor went to his bed. His recliner was the one blocking the door, Kenny was able to get out for work. I was so proud to be able to announce that I had stayed up this morning when Kenny got up and was going to cook a good breakfast before I had to get Chase home early for his swimming lesson. However, I fell asleep and woke up when we were supposed to be leaving. I only had health food and no milk for cereal. I had to take the poor child home without feeding him. I may soon be fired from sleepovers.

When Kelton and I got back from taking Chase home Taylor had put the front room back together and both boys collapsed back into their recliners and watched the "old" Transformers cartoons that we got from Netflix. I would almost bet that Chase makes it through his lesson and then crashes at home. They played hard yesterday and they were outside almost all day and then stayed up late. I didn't even do half of what they did and I'm ready for a nap, or should I say another nap :)

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

This last month for book club it was decided that we would read One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie. I really didn't know what to think when I first started to read this book and for me it started out a little slow. As I kept reading, I was hooked. I absolutely love how this book has so many twists and turns. Just when I thought I might have an idea who it could be that committed the crime something would happen and knew I had no chance to figure this out at all. I don't usually try to solve a mystery as I read the book. I really like to enjoy the ride and let the author lead me through their maze of thoughts. Sometimes the plot is really thin and I actually can figure out who did it. Other times, like this time, there was no hope of putting this mystery together. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this mystery and would recommend it to everyone. I know I have left it really vague so that if anyone wants to read this book I won't ruin anything for you. I would hate to give anything away.

Kenny can always solve any mystery. He has this habit of leaning over just a few minutes into any television show and will tell me who did it. The same thing happens with most movies. So, I handed him the book to see if he can figure this one out before the end of the book. Even in books he can figure out the guilty one is within the first few chapters. So far he is four chapters in and hasn't figured it out. I can tell he is getting frustrated. I don't think it will take him the whole book like me, but I sorta hope it takes him over half way to put it together.

This has been a fun book to read and to watch Kenny try to figure out. I can't wait to see what everyone thought about it at book club tonight.

The Fever Series

I recently finished reading the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. I have to say that I was instantly hooked with the first book, Dark Fever. It kept flowing and moving quickly as the story progressed. It was like that all the way through to the 5th book. The story takes place in Dublin and starts out with our main character finding out that her sister has been murdered. The Dublin police can't find any clues as to who could have killed her and close the case quickly. This is when our main character defies her parents and takes off to Dublin to solve the case of her sisters murder. She isn't in Dublin for more than a day or so when she quickly gets involved with the whole other side of life that is going on around her and starts learning that she is a part of that other world and has her own special power. She also soon learns that everyone wants to use her for that power.

I am just going to get this out of the way first, if there was one thing that I could complain about with these books it would be the use of the "F" word. Amazingly there really isn't much swearing in these books other than that one word, or I kept trying so hard to skip that word that I didn't notice anything else. Either way, that is one of the words that I really have a hard time with. I have a friend that gave me some really good advice when we were younger and I was testing my limits and was thinking I sounded so grown up when I swore; she said that it made me sound stupid and that anyone who has to constantly resort to that kind of language is stupid because they can't come up with any other words to use out of all the words that we have in our language to describe their feelings or tell a story. Just sayin'....

I loved all the characters in this series. I love how they describe the main character, MacKayla Lane, she starts out so innocent and naive and then as she understands her role and begins to accept and grow into her new life she just blossoms into this amazing woman. The only things that bugged me about her was that she spent so much time in the beginning trying to learn everything and trying to be tough and saying that she didn't need help. However, by the end of the third book, Faefever, she gets raped by the fae and is completely changed by it (leaving it vague so that I don't give to much away). Once she recovers with the help of Barons (I'll explain him later) she is mad at him for not being there to rescue her. It's hard to see the heroin try so hard to be independent when you know she can't be and then get mad when someone isn't there to rescue her. I wish her character would have been willing to open up more and accept help.

Barrons, who if he was real I would seriously have a crush on, is the strong protector that takes Mac in (or Ms. Lane as Barrons calls her). He owns a bookstore and allows Mac to live there so that she is protected and is also trying to teach her and help her to learn her new talents. At times he can be very gruff and frustrating, even abusive. But somehow with Barrons it is okay for him to be that way. He keeps many secrets (as all the characters do), however, as I read I couldn't help but think that if he would have just opened up a little bit it would have helped his relationship with Ms. Lane so much. She would have needed to open up a bit also as well. I understand why they didn't and it did make it fun to read as they have these conversations and try to figure each other out and end up fighting. Their fights are always emotional and have a strong sexual undertone to them, so when Barrons does slam Ms. Lane up against the wall and hold her there, it's okay and you just hold your breath wishing he would just kiss her.

V'Lane is the other main character who is Fae (or is a fairy) and has his own special power that left Mac in a few compromising situations. I can't tell you his power, you will have to read the books, but whenever he enters the story I end up blushing and hoping that nobody has noticed. He is very good looking and has also taken an interest in Mac. He spends time with her and is trying to help her understand the history of all that is going on as well as teach her about her power. For me, I wanted to like V'Lane but had a hard time really liking him as much as Barrons. It could be that Barrons carries more masculine power with him, the whole big and strong thing that would make me like him more. But I also think that as I read there were just little things here and there that bugged me about V'Lane, something was just off.

I absolutely loved these books and would suggest them to anyone who likes to read really good adventures with lots of sexual undertones and a little bit of a love story in there as well. Ms. Moning does an amazing job describing Dublin and developing her characters. She does an incredible job making you continue to guess the entire time who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. She literally does this through the entire series and almost right up to the last page. I can't wait until I have some time to be able to read more of her books.

I hope that I didn't give to much away, I wanted to offer just enough that it would bait you and want you to get sucked away to Dublin for several days. I need to thank my cousin Jessie for suggesting that I read this series and for lending me the books. Thank you, Thank you, I loved every minute I got to read them.

December, Snow, & Giving

YEAH!!! It's December and now I feel like I can officially put a winter border on my blog. I love this one, it makes me go for a walk and enjoy the cold crisp air. I used to go walking every morning when it was 19 degrees and loved every moment. I hope my walking partner enjoyed it as well :)

I will add in pictures of Thanksgiving soon, but with over 15 inches of snow sitting outside and below freezing temps, I feel like focusing on winter and Christmas.

My friend Kim let me borrow some books and one of them was called "Christmas Jars". It is a short book, but has more meaning than some books that are hundreds of pages. I was immediately sucked into the story and before I was done I was trying to figure out how to better implement my own Christmas jars into my life. I was taught early, through watching my parents, that helping others is an important part of life. I love helping as long no one knows it came from me. That is what makes it fun, watching people try to figure out where things could have come from. Giving also means a lot to me because I was the recipient of Sub for Santa and Quarters for Christmas and other groups that help families in need. The year after my parents got divorced we had Sub for Santa and received some amazing gifts that we wouldn't have had if it wasn't for the love of others. We also received certificates from Quarters for Christmas so we could get some new shoes. Going to the Ballet and seeing the "Nutcracker" was the cherry on top that year. I still love going to the Ballet and will always remember that Christmas when my family was spoiled by other people's love. That Christmas helped to plant more than one seed, a love of the arts and a love of giving.