My new books!!!

So, I was chatting with Ames and Holly and when I told them I bought books, their first question was: What did you buy?

LOL, I wasn't about to type up all the new books twice!! And then, I was so tired from transporting that box of books to the car, my arms, shoulders and back were hurting ^^;

Anyway, so here are my new books :D

From the bookstore

- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - I'm not a big fan of Young Adult novels, but I've been wanting this book ever since I've read DC's review. Ever since she reviewed it, I wanted to read it. It is a very good novel by the way.
- Immortals: The Gathering by Jennifer Ashley
- What a Lady Wants by Victoria Alexander
- Secrets of a Proper Lady by Victoria Alexander
- I think I Love You by Stephanie Bond
- No Holding Back by Liz Allison & Wendy Etherington
- Wicked Deeds on A Winter's Night by Kresley Cole

*Have you guys been wondering through a bookstore lately? Seriously, how difficult is it to find some new contemporary romance? I'm talking about straight contemporaries, not paranormal or romantic suspenses. Just straight contemporaries. There really aren't a lot out there.

From the McGill Bookfair

- Blue Willow by Deborah Smith (for Holly :)
- Rules of Engagement by Kathryn Caskie
- Prospect Street by Emilie Richards
- A Summer Affair by Susan Wiggs
- The Goodbye Summer by Patricia Gaffney
- Young Wives by Olivia Goldsmith
- Pearl Moon by Katherine Stone (a personal favorite of mine, for a friend)
- Can You Keep A Secret? by Sophie Kinsella (I got 2 copies, tradepaper back and HC... it was so cheap, I didn'T know which one I should buy... so I got both :P)
- The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
- Every Boy's Got One by Meg Cabot
- Boy Meet Girls by Meg Cabot
- The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot (those are because of Rowena, she's such a fan, I had to know why)
- Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern
- Brighid's Quest by P.C. Cast
- Elphame's Choice by P.C. Cast
- Our Husband by Stephanie Bond
- The Butler did it by Kasey Michaels
- Homeport by Nora Roberts (my first NR and one of my favorite, for a friend)
- Seal Island by Kate Brallier
- The MacGregor Grooms by Nora Roberts
- Eden Burning by Elizabeth Lowell
- This Time Love by Elizabeth Lowell
- Nip, Tuck, Dead by Lori Avocato (wait a minute, do I have that book already? hmmm)
- The Parting Glass by Emilie Richards
- Tall, Dark & Hungry by Linsay Sands
- A January Chill by Rachel Lee
- Where Truth Lies by Christiane Heggan
- Hearts Divided - it's an anthology and I bought it for Katherine Stone :D
- O'Rourke's Bride by Barbara Dan
- The Waitress by Melissa Nathan
- Desperate Duchess by Eloisa James
- The Scoundrel by Lisa Plumley

*So what do you think of my finds? Authors that I saw the most at the bookfair were Stephanie Laurens and Mary Balogh... for my greatest surprise.

From the UBS

- A little bit Wicked by Victoria Alexander
- Lady in Question by Victoria Alexander
- The Pursuit of Marriage by Victoria Alexander
- Carnal Gift by Pamela Clare
- Sweet Release by Pamela Clare
- Lady Midnight by Amanda McCabe
- Merely the Groom by Rebecca Hagan Lee (I wanted the Gossamer, but couldn't find it)
- California Holiday by Kate Cann
- Grecian Holiday by Kate Cann
- Blooming All Over by Judith Arnold
- Love in Bloom's by Judith Arnold
- Name Dropping by Jane Heller
- Off Limits by Michelle Albert
- A Gentleman by Any Other Name by Kasey Michaels
- The Dangerous Debutante by Kasey Michaels
- Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan (I have this book, but I've been wanting a new copy for keepsafe and this one is in pristine condition!)


So, what do you think? Sorry, they're not in order :P Let me know if you've read any of this and if yes, what you've thought of it?

Have to run now :D Have a nice day all!

and the vacation continues!

LOL, do you really want to know what I've been doing? If yes, well keep on reading :)

Day 2 was a very quiet day. Basically, I've been having difficulties mustering interest twds my TBR pile and haven't been reading much. So I haven't been reading much lately... instead, I've been re-reading Loving Jack by Nora Roberts - this in my opinion is one of the best serious hero meets lively heroine and she thaws him out plot :) I've also re-read Vrigin River by Robyn Carr (loved this book LOL) and Now You See Her as well as Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard. I think those are my two favorites by this author :D

So basically, I lazed around, read and slept. It was a rainy day, not very nice weather. I still went downtown to pick up my sister - cos I'm nice LOL :) It was hellish to find a parking place though... ugh. Then I wondered around a little bit since I was early... bought myself an ice cream to cheer me up and window shopped... then, of course, stopped by the bookstore... and I didn't come home empty-handed LOL :) I'll make a list of my new books in the next post :P And that's about it :P

Day 3 - i,e. today - was much more exciting. It started early because I had to go downtown and wanted to miss traffic. Today was the McGill Bookfair at the downtown campus. Basically, the McGill Bookfair is a charity event: during the whole year, they accept book donations and during 2 days in October, they sell them. It started at 9am, so I wanted to be there early. I picked up my friend, cos she wanted to come with me, and also drove my sis to school. My friend and I went for breakfast then head to the bookfair. Ugh, I guess it doesn't matter at all how early you get there or not, there was a LOT of ppl present there already. I went through the books for about 2 hours... I was so tired afterwards (actually, still am). There were books on the tables and under and very little space btw the tables. The hardest was crouching down and looking through the boxes, having ppl stepping over/behind you and then, standing up again... with a tons of books in your arms! So final count? 28 or 29 books! The thing is I bought some books for friends too... so I'm not certain yet :P The worst though was to lug all the books back to my car! I had a box and had to transport it... by the end, my arms felt like jello!

Afterwards, I went to buy some manga and went to the lab where I did my internship.... however, my professor wasn't there!! So I have to go back tomorrow. So afterwards, my next stop was the UBS. I've been meaning to go this week so I could really laze around and explore, but after the bookfair, because well I didn't want to get the same book twice... Plus, books at the bookfair were cheaper... They were still holding the Buy 3 get the 4th Free sale :D So I ended up with 16.

Finally, I went to the video rental store and got my weekly fix of TVB shows. Went back to the Mcgill campus to pick up my sis, beat the traffic and got home... however, I'm exhausted now! Book shopping is really hard LOL :) but I think I'm done for the week!

I'll be listing my new books soon :D Stay tuned!

Day 1 of vacation!

hey everyone :D

man, even if it's been a few days, I miss blogging. My problem is that I haven't been reading much lately :( For some reason, I'm not interested by any books in my TBR pile. In addition, it seems I'm on a paranormal overdose :( Anyone has a suggestion? Holly has recommended Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. So I'll be looking out for it. I really want to go to the bookstore, but tomorrow is the McGill bookfair... I'm thinking I should stop myself, cos I mean, perhaps I'll find the same books at the bookfair for much cheaper... of course, I could always return the ones bought at the bookstore. Ah well, we'll see.

So what did I do on my first day of vacation? LOL :) Nothing really interesting. I cleaned my room and now I'm actually able to walk in it! Next step is going to be the closet... maybe :P and going through my books, but then, again, I'll be doing that after the bookfair... Do you think I have too much hopes for the bookfair? I have the feeling I'll end up being disappointed. Sigh.

Then, I brought my car to the garage for a check-up, oil change and a lavage. I went for professional lavage, because they have the really powerful vacuum cleaner + it smells so good afterwards... and it was really worth it! Also, the whole thing was cheaper than I expected. So I was quite happy.

I also went out with a friend... She actually picked me up at the garage and drove me back to pick up my car later in the afternoon... it work out really well because I don't like waiting for my car, but at the same time, I don't like having them driving me home... So we went for sushi :) I love Japanese lunch menu because their specials are really worth it! You get the miso soup, the salad, your lunch and ice cream for 10$ How cheap is that?!? Also, the food was excellent :D

All in all, a very nice first day of vacation. In addition, the weather was sooo nice! Sunny and about 22°C. It was hard to believe we are in October. Oh and I got Road to Hell by Jackie Kessler, the 2nd installment after Hell's Belle.

Review: Squeeze Play and Curve Ball by Kate Angell

I've recently discovered this author while I was looking for something funny to read. While her books aren't that funny and even if I have some issues with them, they are quite enjoyable and fun to read.


Squeeze Play by Kate Angell
published by Love Spell in June 2006

Risk Kincaid has just won the World Series with the Rogues from Richmond. Now, he's going back to his hometown of Frostproof where he's going to spend a month; first for the charity event organized by another baseball player and his childhood friend, Aaron Grayson, but also to spend time with Jacy Grayson. Jacy is a sassy and spirited woman who owns a coffee shop... and Risk thinks he is her rebound lover... Basically, Risk and Jacy became an item soon before Risk left to start his pro career and knowing the demands, he didn't want to commit to Jacy, but promised her he would be always there when she needed him most, i.e. when her heart got broken - which is how they first got together.

Genre: Contemporary romance, Sport romance (baseball)
Series: The Richmond Rogues series, Book #1

Why I got this book? I got and read Curve Ball first and enjoyed it... so I decided to get this one too.

My first impression: I enjoyed this book. Of course, it wasn't perfect, but it was quick and fun. My only problem with this book is there were three storylines: 1) Risk and Jacy, 2) Zen (another baseball player) and Stevie and 3) Aaron and Natalie, and we get to follow all three in the same book. In this one, it does work because all three players are here for the same reason and the book spans a short period of time... however, I'd rather follow only the main characters and their sex scenes, instead of all three couples.

The Characters: I really enjoyed all the characters except for Natalie and Aaron. Risk and Jacy were just perfect together... Risk is the mature ball player who's been a pro long enough and the fast and edgy life is no longer appealing. Instead, he wants to make his relationship with Jacy official. I think he came across as everything to the reader - lover, big brother and friend, as well as handsome and sexy man :) I like his protective and jealous side :) Jacy was fun. She's lively, likes colors and changes... think of new-age outside, without the new-age thinking. She knows Risk is a public face with a lot of groupies, but she's confident in herself, enough not to panic and run away. She's also building her courage to tell Risk the truth - that she loves him... and that all those break-ups she had were with imaginary boyfriends, and all she wanted was Risk.

As I said, we also follow Zen and Stevie's relationship and Aaron and Natalie. I liked Zen and Stevie... Zen was the serious type, the one that doesn't simply see the outside appearance of a person. Very logical man who falls in love - always fun :) Stevie always thought she would marry Aaron, but then get dumped without notice when Aaron announced his engagement to the very rich and spoiled Natalie. It doesn't help that Stevie has gained quite a lot of weight in the past year, ever since Aaron has been distancing himself from her. I liked Stevie, she was genuine... of course, she took the break-up hard, but Zen was there for her and she quickly got over him... Aaron and Natalie were my least favorite couple... basically, I think they are fake and phony and that Aaron is very stupid. I also didn't believe in Natalie's love for Aaron at the end. We're also introduced to the Bat Pack, three young ball players with a lot of powers... their job was to provide the comedy relief and they delivered :D

I guess that's pretty much it. I think that everything tied in quite well - the characters, their relationships to each other and the events/what is happening. Like I said, I just simply didn't like Aaron and Natalie and the fact that all three couples had sex scenes. I don't know, I prefer to follow one couple... I don't mind the knowledge of them having sex, but don't like to read about it. Of course, I don't think that everyone will mind that :P

Grade: B


Curve Ball by Kate Angell

published by Love Spell in August 2007

The Bat Pack are the bad boys of baseball and have always live fast and hard, but all this comes to an end when they actually fight with their new star pitcher on Media Day, just before the start of the season. As a result, they are being benched for 13 matches... and all have to find how to spend that time...

Genre: Contemporary romance, Sport romance (baseball)
Series: The Richmond Rogues, book #2

Why I got this book? I was looking for something funny. Someone recommend this to me at the used bookstore.

My first impressions: For some reason, I really liked this book... probably for the characters. I don't think that most of you will find it as enjoyable as much as I did. Again, we follow 3 couples. The three main guys were introduced in Squeeze Play, but I read that book afterwards... Unfortunately, I don't think that the author did as good as a job in this book intertwining the three relationships with the events. I guess it would have been better if each player had their own book, but all three books happened at the same time... understand what I mean?

1) Psycho (Cody McMillan) and Keely Douglas (his decorator): Psycho is the crazy one, the dangerous one, the one no one can predict... he's also a confirm nudist. In Squeeze Play, he was a funny PITA, but he comes across much more dangerous in this book. I liked him... as Keely says, "Mr. McMillan says and does what he pleases. He doesn't give a damn. That fascinates ppl." I totally agree :) As for Keely, she's the poor girl, fed up of small job and trying out as a decorator. It's kind of unbelievable that she pulled it off, but aside from that, I liked her. I guess because she can stand on her own and even say no to Psycho, without being too ass-kicking... Personally, I think they were my favorite couple... there's just something about Psycho :)

2) Romeo (Jesse Bellisaro) and Emerson Kent (a sport reporter): Romeo is the playboy, the one with way too many women buzzing around him. Emerson is a sport reporter and she intrigues Romeo, mainly by not falling at his feet. Basically, I don't have much to say about them, because I think this one was the most boring out of all three couples and their story was the most cliché...

3) Chaser (Chase Tallan) and Jen Reid: Jen is Chaser childhood friend and neighbour. Basically, they're still living next to each other and after a surprise kiss, sparks fly and they realized that the person they've been looking for was there all along. Seriously, who doesn't like the whole best friends turn lovers plot? The only problem was this was way, way, way too short. We were introduced to them, they kiss and then, didn't appear for awhile. Then, went on a couple of blind dates and realized that they want to be together, had sex and then, we didn't see them anymore, at all! I mean, come on... why write their story then?

So obviously, there were some problems; however, the book wasn't all that bad. The characters were fun and I enjoyed seeing professional players outside of sports. All the charity activities they participate in and their interaction, that I liked. Still, I'd have like them to have all their own books.

Grade: B-

ps. Anyone has read Ms Angell's previous books? They are not sport books, so I don't know if I'll enjoy them as much... so I want others' opinion :)

Vacations!

Isn't that an awesome word? Vacation! LOL

So I've talked about my situation at work in many posts, but let me recap: I'm working in a biotech company, in a lab. Basically, we're looking for a drug against cancer, but any other disease is good. I started this job in September 2006. At the time, I still had a semester left for my master degree, so when I was hired in the company, it was on a student contract for 4 months. They renewed my contract for January-April and then, renewed once again for April-August. However, those are 4 months, student contracts... and they always let you know about the renewal at the last minute... putting you under lots of stress.

During the summer, they told me they were going to give me a one-year contract... this meant some advantages and vacations... The one-year contract turned into a 2.5 months contract, because board of directors wanted to do a head count.

My current contract ends tomorrow...

So what's the deal this time? A 6 months contract with a ridiculous raise, but a raise nonetheless :) I'm okay - not happy or unhappy. Seriously, I was expecting another renewal and after New Year, I'm going to put myself into gear and seriously start looking for a permanent job. Seriously, I know that it's cheap for a company to hire on a contract-basis and also, we're not included in the head count, but I'm tired of the uncertitude and all. Also, it's not enough money... I manage to save money because I live with my parents, otherwise, I would have nothing in my saving account... but for now, it's okay...

However, best of news? VACATIONS! Well not real vacations - as in, I'm not going anywhere. Just one week off - no need to go to work. That definitively sounds like heaven! Basically, my real last vacation was spring break 2006... that's 1.5 + year already... so I really need that week off. I think it's going to be wonderful for me - both physically and mentally :D and you know what vacation means :) More time for blogging and reading! yay!

So basically, tomorrow is my last day of work! yay! I have to admit that I'm very ambitious for my week off, as I almost have plans for every day, but I don't care! So I'm really looking forward to it!

TV meme

Yesterday was Transformers' DVD release date. We don't have a big DVD collection contrarily to many ppl, but whenever we see a movie that we really enjoyed, we buy the dvd :P So we watched it yesterday night and it was great :D Really a good movie :) Now, my advice, buy the 2-discs edition, so you get the special features :) I think that the director is crazy LOL :)

anyway, the real topic of this post isn't Transformers, but a TV meme I was tagged for by Devonna :)

What are your top five favorite television shows when you were a kid?

1. Lady Oscar
2. The Smurfs (Les Schtroumphs)
3. Les Quatres filles du Dr. March (Little Women)
4. Passe-partout
5. Bibi et Genevieve

LOL, I bet most of you have never heard of some of this show :P Of course, as a kid, I didn't watch any shows in English. the cool thing is that they had a channel for kids shows and so that's what was showing the whole day. Cartoons and educational shows and exercises shows and so on. I think that kids tv shows in the past were better than today's though. Anyway, Lady Oscar and Little Women were both Japanese cartoon (at least, Lady Oscar... not sure about Little Women - it was drawn by Japaneses, but not sure if it was for North America/Europe or Japan). The Smurfs, I think everyone know those little blue creatures :D they were soo cool. Passe-Partout and Bibi et Genevieve were both shows produced in Quebec. Actually, Passe-Partout was a cult tv show for kids.

So here are the rules:

List your favorite 5 television shows from your childhood, name three more bloggers to do this meme, copy/paste these very short and sweet rules, and then leave said bloggers a comment letting them know you have tagged them!

I'm tagging DC, Holly and Chantal!

Review: A Touch of Minx by Suzanne Enoch

Finally, I get to write some reviews :) Let me start with this one:


A Touch of Minx by Suzanne Enoch
published by Avon Romance in October 2007

Samantha Jellicoe and Rick Addison have been together for a year and Rick is ready to propose to Sam, but fears she's not ready to commit and run off instead of saying yes. Meanwhile, Sam - who is bored of installing security cameras and systems - is looking for a several hundred years old samurai armor. See, this is a museum-lost-item retrieval job and if she gets it done, she'll get many more jobs which will give her the thrill and adrenalin that have been missing ever since she stopped her career as cat burglar.

Genre: contemporary romance
Series: Sam and Rick, Book #4

Why I got this book: Because I read the first 3 books and I like cat burglar storyline. In addition, Casee's review at Book Binge made it sound better.

My first impressions? Many have in the past compared this series with the In Death series. Samantha and Rick are like Eve and Roarke in reverse... Rick and Roarke are both incredibly handsome, rich and speak with an accent. The difference is that Samantha is the one who has a criminal past instead. Anyway, I have to say that between this series and the In Death one, the In Death is better. See, the problem with this book was that Sam and Rick are still at the starting line... basically, I thought this book was boring.

The Characters: For those who haven't read the series so far, basically Sam was a cat burglar on the verge of retiring. She met Rick during one of her adventure, fell in love and completely retired... However, she misses the adrenalin and thrill of her previous job and this worries Rick. Also, many situations in the previous books had made it impossible for Sam to completely severe the ties with her past, to Rick's chagrin. Anyway, both are still working out their relationship. My problem is I don't really see a difference between the Sam from this book to book 1 and ditto with Rick. Sure, all their compromises are talked about, but seriously, when you really look at it, it feels empty. Deep down, Sam still wants to B&E, even if it's not to steal, just for thrill... and Rick gets angry as soon as she threatens to leave... and dang, he's never happy with whatever she decided to do. On the outside, they both look good and attractive, but on the inside, they're empty... and their chemistry is not great... it especially pales in comparison to Eve and Roarke. I know I shouldn't compare both series, since they're quite different, but it's quite hard not to... and I think most ppl would agree with me.

The Story: This book was busy... On one hand, you have Rick who wants to propose, but is afraid of how Sam will react. On the other, you have Sam trying to investigate the whereabouts of the samurai armor... and also, an anatomical man - requests from Rick's niece. I thought there were a lot blabla that could have been cut short. It just made the book seems so long. Overall, the plot wasn't bad... but it's the way it was written, made it sound long... and made it tedious to read.

One of the thing that annoyed me was Sam and Stoney, her fence, relationship. Stoney is like a surrogate father to Sam and when she retired, he retired too... the problem is that he doesn't enjoy his life, he doesn't like to work in the security business. Sam doesn't seem to care and I find she takes him for granted. Also, Rick doesn't like Stoney and can't stop making disapproving sounds. I find both Rick and Sam a bit too selfish. I mean, Stoney did give up his lifestyle in order to stay with Sam... at least, Rick and Sam could be more understanding.

Grade: C

I'm not sure about this series anymore. I haven't enjoyed the last couple of books, so I'm considering stopping it. Even if in the end, Sam agreed to marry Rick, I feel like their relationship is still going nowhere. I also have difficulties to read Suzanne Enoch's books... I don't know if it's her style or the font, but most book, I found it long to read and end up skipping a couple of pages, not even skimming... just skip.

Oh, and the cover, not very nice in my opinion. The pair of hands? Also, why the bracelet?