You guys know I love you when...

... I blog instead of getting cozy in my bed and start reading a book :P

I just came back home after watching Transformers! Seriously awesome movie and oh, does it bring back childhood memory... I remember having one of the Transformers toy... my sister said she'd try to find it, but good luck LOL :P Anyway, the movie was REALLY AWESOME! Everyone should go see it on big screen :P I've read a lot of comments on blogland about Transformers, but it was really better than my expectations :D

After watching the movie, I went to Indigo LOL :) Seriously, that buy 3, get the 4th book free is ruining me... luckily, I had some gift cards... Ames, I've used up all the $ you sent me in one shot... I bought another big box, a basket, a folder and 4 books... not bad right? Actually, the truth is I went over and had to pay 0.74$ LOL

After the bookstore, I rushed to Tacos Bell where my friends were waiting for me... Now, I know that in other province, it's not a big deal, but Tacos Bell is really new in Quebec province... as in, few months new only!! It's really crazy when you go there at lunch or supper hours... apparently, you have to wait at least an hour or even more... my friend told me she waited like 1.5 hours for the drive-thru! Can you imagine? I ate a quesadilla... it was okay, not totally impressed... but at least, now, I can say that I've eaten at Tacos Bell.

So what else? Well my week-end was quite boring. I went to work at the Fathers' place the whole Saturday from 8.30am to 9pm... I was replacing my friend. It wasn't so bad... actually, it was real quiet and there wasn't any weirdos coming or any bad phone calls. The only thing is that I got worried from one of the Brother, because he usually comes and chat with me or collect money for the lottery ticket... but he didn't come at all on Saturday... I was worried that perhaps he fainted or worst in his room... but apparently, he went out for the week-end and forgot to tell us ^^; Sunday was equally boring... I slept half the day away and then, cleaned my room... which took up all my energy! but at least, it's clean and less dusty LOL :P

Book-wise, i didn't read that much this week-end... I read Pepper's Way by Kay Hooper which is part of her newest reprint (it's a 2-in-1 tradepaper)... it was pretty enjoyable :D Kay Hooper knows how to write different heroine :D I've been wanting to read In the Midnight Hour by Patti O'Shea, but I'm too tired... and I really don't want to fall asleep through the book... so it's been waiting... Instead, I've re-read Kare Kano which is a 21 volumes long shoujo manga. Very good! I definitively have to sit one week-end and re-read it... there's so much I have forgotten!

So anyhow, that was my week-end... i'm going to bed now! Talk to you all tomorrow and I'm going to try to write a review tomorrow morning!!

Night night
xxx

Book news, Rocking girl and life

So what is this, the 4th post this week? I'm getting back in! Yay!

All right, so today, no reviews... well at least, not now :D Instead, book news!! I don't have many, but what the heck :D

First, Kay Hooper's website has finally been updated!! Yay! I ranted in one of my previous post that Blood Dreams was being pushed back... well if you need your Kay Hooper fix for this summer, some of her old books are being reprinted!! Yay! Yep, there's a 2-in-1 trade paper coming out on July 31 with Something's Different and Pepper's Way. At the end of August, C.J.'s Fate is being released... and she has another one being reprinted in December too... All of these are her earlier romance books :D I already got my hand on the trade paper 2-in-1... I've only read Something's Different so far, but I enjoyed it :D

Okay, next news... Fans of Robyn Carr, if you've been looking for the Grace Valley trilogy, rejoice, it is being reprinted RIGHT NOW!!! Yay! If you haven't receive Robyn Carr's newsletter, here's the gist: All three books are being reprinted at the moment and should be available by the end of this month! Although, the author says that if you want to be sure to get the books, tell your bookstore to order it. Isn't that a great news? Previously, when she said that there were talks of the Grace Valley trilogy, I was thinking: here we go, I'm going to have to wait a couple of years... but NO! I guess this is due to the Virgin River trilogy popularity :D Anyway, I've checked at Chapters online and Amazon online and I can't order it yet... I've also ask in a bookstore and still can't... so maybe next month? or perhaps it's different if you live in Canada instead of the US...

***

So, I've been picked by Isabel for the Rockin' Girl Blogger!! Yay! and thanks a lot Isabel :D Now, I think I have to choose 5 other bloggers to pass this on... I'm not sure of the rules, if there's any and I know that many of you already have been chosen... so I won't make my life difficult:

Amy, Holly, Cindy, Mailyn, Rosie, Kristie and Kris

Mailyn and Kris, you have to change your name so it finishes with an "e" sound LOL! Anyway, congrats girl! :D

***

So what about my life? Nothing much has happened. I went to see Ratatouille with some friends on Wednesday night :D I definitively should go to the movies more often, especially when it's only 5$.

Ratatouille was definitively a good movie and highly enjoyable. There was some good moments and great laughs... but it also made me squirmed in my seat when I saw so many rats together...

Ma favorite scene is probably when all the rats get together to cook and Remi is giving orders. It's so hilarious... and then, the health inspector walks in! Surprise! LOL :P

I think I'm going to go see Transformers with some friends on Monday evening :D that should be entertaining too... and I'm toying with the idea of going to see the new Die Hard... but nothing's sure yet.

***

Finally, I need some help... LOL, nothing hard... I'm supposed to order some books online for a friend... and I still need to buy a couple of books in order to get the free shipping... so any suggestion? Also, I've been looking for some books and I told myself that I should order them.. but now, I can't remember which one I was talking/thinking of... Anyone remember me mentionning or commenting about that? Yeah, it's so sad... Alzheimer at my age T_T

I hope everyone has a great week-end :D Mine is going to be quite boring... I'm working the whole day tomorrow at the Missionary Place, replacing a friend that went to Chicago... and then, probably won't be doing much on Sunday either :( Apparently, it's supposed to rain too, the whole week-end :(

Review: Double Trouble by Claire Cross

Youppi! I managed to come to work really early this morning... it's a quiet day with me having nothing much to do and no one's in the lab right now! So what does that mean? That I have time to write a quickie review!! (well, I would usually have blog-hopped, but not many updates since last night).

I didn't know which book to review and in the end, chose to review the last book I've read, which is Double Trouble by Claire Cross.


Double Trouble by Claire Cross
published by Jove in 2001

Maralys and Marcia are twins. Maralys is the bad twin, the one that didn't listen to her parents, the one that defied normality... the one that is still single with no kids. Marcia is the good twin, the one that accomplish all of her parents and the others' expectations... that is till she leaves her husband and two sons.
Nothing is going well for James Coxwell and his wife walking out on him is the last of his worries. About to lose everything for which he work so hard in the past 2 decades, James has to make quick adjustments... and that includes correcting an error he's made almost 20 years ago...

All right... so that is a very short synopsis and it leaves out a lot, but I think it's better than to give the book back blurb which is misleading a little :P

Genre: contemporary romance
Series: Coxwell siblings, Book #2

Why did I get this book? Well normally, I would have skipped this book, because I'm not a fan of the H/H being brother/sister-in-law or have previously dated your sister/brother storyline... I mean, isn't there something bizarre about it? What convinced me of picking up this book is that 1) I like the happy-go-lucky, unusual woman and stuffy, yuppy man falling in love storyline and this one looked like one and 2) Devon reviewed it and seemed to have enjoyed it.

My impressions: I was pleasantly surprised about this book :D The plot was much more than I expected. Some twists here and there. I was also sad, because it seems like Maralys and James' lives could have been so different and much happier.

The Heroine, Hero and Romance: I enjoyed both characters quite a lot :D However, there was something that prevented me from connecting with them in order to like them. Maralys wasn't as happy-go-lucky as we are led to believe in the black burb and she has an attitude... it's like an armor with a cynic/sarcastic breastplate to protect herself. She's also pretty blunt I guess... and she's definitively the "what you see is not what you get" type. I mean, she appears irresponsible and everything, but she's definitively not... she's like the pillar in her family. As for James, he was okay too... handsome, but he comes with lots of baggage and I think that made him stronger. So you have to admire that... as for the romance, I'm happy that it wasn't a twin replacement and falling in love with the twin plot. Maralys and James had had feelings for each other for such a long time, but they've been suppressing it. Also, I was glad that they didn't jump into each other's arms right away. I have to admit that the flirting started a bit too soon in my opinion, but the rest of the relationship was well written... they didn't see or talk to each other everyday, Maralys was very reluctant committing herself and so on, also James tried to settle with the kids and figure out his problems before the romance... So I guess it was quite realistic in that way.

Secondary characters: There was no "subplot" or "secondary romance" in this book; however, we were introduced to many characters... James' siblings which turns out to each have their own book; however, we actually didn't get to see them him... they were just mentionned. Maralys' group of girlfriends. Lots of potential there for future books, which I think is the author's plans. The great thing is that they didn't overshine and steal Maralys and James story. They really were secondary characters which is the way I like it :D Other secondary characters worth mentionning are Maralys father which kind of play an important role, James' kids of course and Marcia... but Marcia only appears near the end, so she doesn't ruin it.

What I liked: It's hard to pin-point exactly what I liked. Yes, I did enjoy the story, but were there things I particularly liked, I don't think so. It's more the general feel of the book and the story. Oh, and one thing I really liked is as I said above, the plot is more complex than we are led to believe at first.

What I didn't like: Two things... first the pacing. Although I was glad that James and Maralys didn't just fall for each other as soon as the twin walked away, the pacing was of the story was kind of weird which impacted the romance. The other thing I didn't like was that sometimes, the way the book was written, you kind of forget that James is 42 y.o. and Maralys is 38 y.o. I usually like the H/H to be younger, i.e. mid-20's to mid-30's, so I should have been happy... but because you forget the characters are so "old," they just don't fit with the storyline anymore.

Grade: B

Why I haven't been blogging...

Hey everyone!!

So wassup? How was your week-end? Did anything special? Me, nothing at all... the only thing I did was take my sister shopping on Sunday morning... Otherwise, I've been lazy :( So why haven't I been blogging? Here are some reasons... :P I'm very good at finding excuses...

1) Too tired
2) Not allowed to blog at work anymore
3) Too hot - I usually keep my computer open 24hrs/day and it's competing with the AC and unfortunately, is winning... I had to close it yesterday for the first time in a while... ^^;
4) Been sleepy
5) Had headaches the past two days... Luckily, today, I took an Advil early enough and my head isn't so bad right now...
6) euh... too much clothing on my computer chair... couldn't sit comfortably enough to blog ^^;
**ETA: 7) it seems I forgot to state the obvious... too lazy! LOL :P**

LOL :P yeah, some excuses these are, I know... I'm half surprised my parents haven't killed me yet... my room is a mess... it's in the same state as pre-Ames' visit- state... (don't remember? well you can see the mess here) Sad no? i've been meaning to clean my room several times, but there's always something more important... like reading or blogging... but to tell you the truth, it's just discouraging me... although most of it is going in the trash can.

So that's been it with me in the past few days... I was reading One Piece during the week-end... One Piece is a manga about pirates and it's probably one of the most popular shounen manga right now... it's just so hilarious and the plot is seriously good :D the drawing is great too :D anyway, an excellent manga... but long :P it's what, 40-something volumes right now in Japan and still running... and it's not ending anytime soon :P Anyway, I re-read about 25 volumes, not bad :D I've also finished Double Trouble by Claire Cross and Something's Different by Kay Hooper :D July is definitively an awesome reading month and the great news is that it's not over yet!!! LOL :D

Well, I bet August is going to be a good month too... since I'm being abandonned by my parents and sister... they're going on vacation, an all-inclusive trip to Riviera Maya or Cancun... for one week :( I'm not going because of work... stupid work no?

Reviews: Shadow Dance by Susan Andersen and Stray by Rachel Vincent

I know, I promised some reviews... and it never really happened ^^; At least, on the other hand, I've been reading a lot, so I guess it kinds of make up for it... no? I'll have lots of books to review when I'm in a reading slump :P Anyway, I'm still going to take the easy way out tonight and review these:


Shadow Dance by Susan Andersen: DNF
published by Harpercollins Canada in 2002

What Lurks in the Dark Shadows of the Heart?

Most men who see Amanda Charles dance worship her from afar. But one "admirer" is getting too close to the glamorous showgirl...perilously close.The looks, style, and grace that make Amanda sparkle on stage have now made her something else: the target of a serial killer.

Detective Tristan MacLaughlin has drawn the case that is pulling him deep into a world of pageantry and dazzle -- and closer to the stunning, violet-eyed beauty who keeps her secrets and emotions locked tightly inside. Tristan never thought he’d be bewitched by Amanda’s charms, never though he’d care. And he never imagined that by wanting her, by trying to protect her, he’d place her in the gravest danger of all.

Why did I get this book? Because I usually enjoy Susan Andersen's book... Truth be told though, I've often picked up this book, but put it back... I guess this is like exam with multiple choices: first instinct is always the best... should have left it on the shelf ^^;

My impressions: I've only got through the first couple of chapters... It just didn't do it for me... I liked Tristan enough, but my biggest problem was the heroine, Amanda... She just annoyed me so much, always jumping to wrong conclusions. Actually, both characters have the habit of thinking the worst of each other and that creates unnecessary trouble. So yeah, got annoyed by Amanda... then, I read the ending and I just figured it wasn't worth reading, because Amanda wasn't getting any better... ^^;


Stray by Rachel Vincent: DNF

published by Mira in June 2007

I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.

Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.

I'd been warned about Strays—werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back…for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I''m no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever—and whoever—I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays—''cause I got claws, and I''m not afraid to use them...

Why did I get this book? Because it sounded good, the cover is nice and I usually enjoy Mira books. I picked it up as soon as I got home from the trip from Toronto, but then put it down before reading the first page... not a good sign. Then, I picked it up again because Kris enjoyed it.

My impressions: Again, I got annoyed by the heroine... Faythe is tough and has an attitude and I guess she's strong too... the problem is that she's 23 y.o. and her "rebellion" comes off as immature and selfish to me. Seriously, she's annoyed at her father and brother's over-protectiveness and I understand that... but there's danger out there... aiming at her... and she just doesn't care as long as she can have her own life... Sorry, but man... these ppl are your family and they care about you... and for her just to get stubborn... She just clung too much to her independence, not caring about anyone else than herself... It really bothered me :( Also, all the sexual innuendos ^^; You guys know me... I like the one woman/one man relationship... and so all the attraction btw her and the other guys was just one more thing I disliked ^^;

Kris seemed to have enjoyed this book well enough... so I guess that all this is just me and if what I said above doesn't bother you usually, you'll probably enjoy the book :D I know that from the author's website, it seems that this is going to be a series...

Exhaustion...

Hey ppl :D

this is just a quick post to apologize, cos I haven't had time to review, post or comment! I'm still blog-hoping religiously, but been too busy and tired to comment or do anything else. See, I've changed my working schedule and now start working from 6.30am to 3pm... So I'm still adjusting to the time and I definitively need to go to sleep earlier :( It's also been cutting in my reading time :(

Also,

HAPPY B-DAY HOLLY!!!

Turns out Holly's b-day is the same day as my dad :D So this is going to be easy to remember from now on!! :D Speaking of my dad's b-day, my mom decided to organize a mini-surprise. So after a very long day at work, she made me run to do this and that and so that completely killed me. I think I'm going to need a few days to recover LOL :D

Well that's it for me. I have to cut down my internet time at work too :( So can't blog too much :D Talk to everyone later!

Review: High Noon by Nora Roberts

Hey everyone :D

it seems like forever since I last wrote a review, I'm not too sure if I remember how :D Now, kidding aside, I've had such a crappy week last week because of work that it has put me in a mood. In a changing mood... so things here will probably change around a little... and that includes my review format... :P

So onto the first review:


High Noon by Nora Roberts 
published by Putnam in July 2007

Police Lieutenant Phoebe MacNamara found her calling at an early age when an unstable man broke into her family's home, trapping and terrorizing them for hours. Now she's Savannah's top hostage negotiator, defusing powderkeg situations with a talent for knowing when to give in-and when to jump in and take action. It's satisfying work-and sometimes those skills come in handy at home dealing with her agoraphobic mother, still traumatized by the break-in after all these years, and her precocious seven-year-old, Carly.

It's exactly that heady combination of steely courage and sensitivity that first attracts Duncan Swift to Phoebe. After observing her coax one of his employees down from a roof ledge, he is committed to keeping this intriguing, take-charge woman in his life. She's used to working solo, but Phoebe's discovering that no amount of negotiation can keep Duncan at arm's length.

And when she's grabbed by a man who throws a hood over her head and brutally assaults her-in her own precinct house-Phoebe can't help but be deeply shaken. Then threatening messages show up on her doorstep, and she's not just alarmed but frustrated. How do you go face-to-face with an opponent who refuses to look you in the eye?

Now, with Duncan backing her up every step of the way, she must establish contact with the faceless tormentor who is determined to make her a hostage to fear... before she becomes the final showdown.

Why I got this book: It's Nora Roberts :D Need I say more?

My impressions: This book delivers. It was well written, the story was engaging and intriguing and the characters, well developed. So I truly enjoyed this book :D I pre-ordered it and got it one day before its release date... and one day was enough for me to finish it :D This was quite an action-packed book, as in one thing happens after the other... and it's almost too much, but then, I think it's because of Phoebe's job... After all, she's not a regular cop, she's a negotiator...

The Heroine, Hero and Romance: Phoebe and Duncan are pretty much Nora Roberts' "classical" characters. Phoebe is quite strong, but she does have weakness. In fact, she's like a gentler version of Eve with a family. As for Duncan, the guy is really too charming, LOL :P He's very outgoing and probably the most lucky guy on Earth... I mean, winning 138M$ at the lottery... ^^; Are there such big jackpots nowadays? I have to admit, I really liked him :D As for the romance, theirs was quite nice... I'm getting a bit tired of the "hero is ready, but not the heroine" romance type ^^; Think I've read too many of those lately... but there chemistry is good and it's not just Phoebe and Duncan, but it's also Duncan and the whole family.

Secondary characters: There was a myriad of secondary characters such as Phoebe's family, Duncan's family and then the cops and so on... but there was no secondary storyline/romance really worth mentioning. This book was pretty much focus on Phoebe and Duncan. However, I do think there's potential to write about a character or two that was introduced... I don't know if it'll happen though since this is a stand-alone book.

So, what I liked: pretty much everything of the book :D I think that what Nora Roberts does best is writing about human interaction... She almost always on target with the amount of chemistry, romance and fighting :D

What I didn't like: Not much... 1) The quotation marks ^^; I know, it sounds stupid and the worst is I think this is the proper way to use quotation marks... but sometimes, I was lost as who was talking :( 2) The ending did seem rush a little bit. I'd have like for more closure. 3) Duncan keeps mentioning his best friend Jake, but he never really appeared and I found it annoying cos I wish he would ^^;

So if you're a fan of Nora Roberts, don't hesitate, find a way to read it :D

Grade: A-