On Facebook today I was prompted to enter my five all time favorite books. That corresponds with what Susan Anderson posted yesterday on Running With Quills.

I think I would have a really hard time narrowing it down to 5 but #1 would have to be A lantern in her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich

Because the road was steep and long,
And through a dark and lonely land,
God set upon my lips a song
And put a lantern in my hand.

JOYCE KILMER

This books was first published in 1928 and I purchased my first copy of it in the late 1960's. Somehow it disappeared from my life and I just recently was able to find another copy. It is every bit as wonderful as I remembered. For a wonderful review/synopsis check Buried Treasure This book was really special to me because my grandmother was born in Prairie Union Nebraska in 1897!

The #2 spot belongs to National Velvet The movie was wonderful but the book was oh so much better!

Number 3 Gone With The Wind...*sigh*



Here is where it gets dicey. I read a lot of series books. My first series of books was Nancy Drew. I could not get enough of them. When I was so ill with my second child I dug them all out and read them again. I still love them although I can go through them like potato chips. And the Little House Books Add on Cherry Ames, Donna Parker, The Bobbsey Twins...

Karen by Marie Killilea (also With love from Karen) both terrified and astounded me and I have re-read it several times. until today it has never occurred to me to look on the internet to see if I can find out what happened to her


Let's face it, I could never pick just 5. There is no way. Probably some of my all time favorite books haven't even been written yet. Isn't it wonderful?

Oh I forgot the Maida books by Inez Hayes Irwin...See what I mean?:-)

Well I stopped reading The Sacred Blood and requested The Sacred Bones from the library. I was notified today that it is in so I will go and get it and start again. In the meantime I am listening to The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer on my Zune and I am loving it. I love the audio books because I drive about 40 minutes each way to work and it is a great way to pass time especially if I get stuck somewhere for almost an hour as I did last week! I just wish Overdrive media would fix their software so it was easier to delete the books from my Zune. Right now it is time consuming and a little frustrating.

You know what I hate? I hate starting a book that really captured my attention and finding out it is a sequel! I started Sacred Blood last night and I am about 1/4 of the way into it when I realized that I was surely missing something. I am. The was a book before this one called The Sacred Bones. hmmm... now I am trying to decide if I should stop reading this one and get the other one to read first or of I should just finish this one and then get the next one. I hate decisions like that! Especially on a Sunday, on a day I have to go to work. When I don't have time to find the other book. Daggone it! Oh well. That will teach me I guess. (Yeah, right!)

I realized today that I am totally addicted to my audio books. I finished one at lunch today and had nothing to listen to on the way home from work! WOW, I had not realized how much I really enjoyed that unwinding on the way home. I was able to listen to a podcast from Authors in your pocket. This turned out to be really fortuitous since it was an interview with Lisa Jackson. I never knew Lisa had a sister who was an author as well and I can't wait to find some of her books! Lisa's sister is Nancy Bush, co-author of Wicked Game with Lisa. I have not read that so I am going to have to go get it.

The book I just finished was The Deepest Water by Kate Wilhelm. I believe I may have read this years ago in a Reader's Digest Condensed Book. I remembered parts of it but it was a long time ago. I do know I need to find more of her books as she is simply awesome. Kate Wilhelm On her site she has a list of books a mile long so I don't think I will be running out anytime soon!!

When Jud Connors, a successful writer, is found murdered in his isolated cabin in the woods of Oregon, his daughter Abby's world starts to fall apart. Who wanted her father dead and why? More puzzling is how anyone could have gotten to the cabin undetected. Was the murderer someone Jud knew? As Abby embarks on her own investigation, she soon realizes that the clue to the murderer's identity is buried in her father's latest novel, finished just weeks before his death. But will she be able to see through the fiction in time -- before the killer comes after her?

This book was great. I was on the edge of my seat, There were surprises around each corner. I love strong women stories too so this was high on that list as well. Her characters were richly described and well thought out. At some point I began to think of them as real and was almost shocked when the book ended! I rate it two thumbs up.

Sugar Maple looks like any Vermont town, but it's inhabited with warlocks, sprites, vampires, witches-and an ancient secret. And Chloe Hobbs, owner of Sticks & String, a popular knitting shop, has a big secret too. She's a sorcerer's daughter in search of Mr. Right-and she's found him in Luke MacKenzie, a cop investigating Sugar Maple's very first murder. Bad news is he's 100% human, which could spell disaster for a normal future with a paranormal woman like her.

Same author, different genre... I liked it. It was offbeat, a little comical and just quirky enough to catch my interest. I am a sucker for craft related books (I have read almost all of Monica Ferris and Earlene Fowler's Bennie Harper Series) so that is why I picked this one up. Anyone can tell that Barbara is a stash junkie just by her writing. That made it even more fun.

The next book in the series is Laced with Magic and is due out in August 2009. I am putting it on my can't wait list.

Baker Hayley is barely making ends meet. When Finn Rafferty, a slick and sexy lawyer comes in and offers her an obscene amount to bake a cake for a famous rock star, she is at first suspicious, but relents and lets her teenage daughter iron out the contract, hoping that this high profile assignment helps get the business in the black. What Hayley doesn't realize and that Finn is pretty sure of is that she is the long lost daughter of rock star Tommy Stiles. Her paternity was discovered during an investigation while ironing out a pre-nup with Tommy's latest love. Finn is falling hard for Hayley, and his guilt for keeping the secret is eating away at him, and threatens to destroy their new relationship. When the cat jumps out of the bag, will Hayley's life ever be normal again?

I actually picked this book up because it is by the same author of another book (Casting Spells) I picked up and I thought I would give it a try. It was a quick easy read but I think it missed the mark in my mind. I thought the plot was shallow and the characters weren't developed as well as they could have been. I would classify this book as what I call a summer read, you know, the kind of book you can take to the pool or beach and not have to worry about losing your place, you know you will be able to pick it up again and find yourself in the same spot. It is a Harlequin like story which is cute but not my usual cup of tea. Hayley had so much more potential then she was allowed to develop here. Sorry, not one I would recommend.

I tried to change my background today and LOST all my links. Please be patient until I get them fixed. I promised I won't be messing with it again!

I just finished "reading" (it was an audiobook this time) Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain. Sweetheart is the second book in a series about a female serial killer (Gretchen Lowell) and cop (Archie Sheridan). It is a twist on the Hannibal Lecter story that deals in the twisted realtionship between Gretchen and Archie since Archie was one of Gretchen's victims but she let him go. His fate might be worse than death. These books are far more about the hunter and the hunted than the actual killings that Gretchen committed. I found them both (the books that is!) memerizing and horrifying.

I am getting hooked on my audiobooks since it allows me to do other things while reading. I am finding them addicting as well. Last night everyone was out and I crawled into bed with the lights out to "read" some more of this book and I found it more intense as I became enveloped in this other world. I was really disappointed that folks came home as soon as they did!

Great reads both of them. Again, click the title of the post to be taken to Chelsea Cain's website!

Synopsis:
HeartSick

Portland detective Archie Sheridan spent years tracking Gretchen Lowell, a beautiful and brutal serial killer. In the end, she was the one who caught him…and tortured him…and then let him go. Why did Gretchen spare Archie’s life and then turn herself in? This is the question that keeps him up all night—and the reason why he has visited Gretchen in prison every week since.

Meanwhile, another series of murders is tearing up the Portland streets. Archie seems to be getting closer to solving this high-profile case…until he finds himself in a fatal collision course with the killer—one that inevitably leads him back to his former captor. Gretchen may be the only one who can help do justice. The only thing she can’t do, this time, is save Archie’s life.

Sweetheart:

With Heartsick, Chelsea Cain took the crime world by storm, introducing two of the most compelling characters in decades: serial killer Gretchen Lowell and her obsessed pursuer Portland Detective Archie Sheridan. The book spent four weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and garnered rave reviews around the world. But the riveting story of Archie and Gretchen was left unfinished, and now Chelsea Cain picks up the tale again.

When the body of a young woman is discovered in Portland’s Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the last time they found a body there, more than a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer’s first victim, and Archie’s first case. This body can't be one of Gretchen's—she’s in prison—but after help from reporter Susan Ward uncovers the dead woman's identity, it turns into another big case. Trouble is, Archie can't focus on the new investigation because the Beauty Killer case has exploded: Gretchen Lowell has escaped from prison.

Archie hadn't seen her in two months; he'd moved back in with his family and sworn off visiting her. Though it should feel like progress, he actually feels worse. The news of her escape spreads like wildfire, but secretly, he's relieved. He knows he's the only one who can catch her, and in fact, he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all.

The next book in the series Evil at Heart is due out September 1, 2009

I found this in an article written by Kristen Ketteringham. It summarizes my thoughts on this author very well. To read the entire article click on the title above or the link below!

With respect to Robyn's writing, she says that her style reflects how she views life. She wants some laughs, but not so much that it is a joke, and she creates books that allow the readers to have a good time. She takes on real women's issues but finds a way to make the story both humorous and gritty. Her books don't really have "villains" but rather issues to tackle. She tries to write about those issues that every woman faces at some point in her life, without losing that basic sense of humor that helps you through the tough times. Readers may not be able to identify with the romantic story line, though they are entertaining, but they will and can relate to the women's conflicts and issues. Whether it be abuse, marriage, divorce, violence, or loss, Ms. Carr is a genius with it comes to using these subjects to create brilliant stories that touch the heart while putting a smile on your face. Though just having begun reading Ms. Carr's works, I can say that her characters are so real and that the plots are so genuine and refreshing that I would instantly pick up any other title authored by her in the future. Everything flows so nicely and you don't want to put the book down.

Robyn Carr: A Closer Look at the Successful Historical and Contemporary Romance Author
Who is Robyn Carr? Learn more about this brilliant author of both historical and contemporary romance.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/383714/robyn_carr_a_closer_look_at_the_successful.html

While in the throes of sickness this week, I got to read a few more books by Robyn Carr an author I found last fall. I found the first three books of her Virgin River series ar Sam's Club and bought all three at once. By the time I was halfway through the first book, I was hooked on the author and her delightful characters. This week I have read book 4 of the VR series (A Virgin River Christmas) and two of her stand alone novels Blue Skies and Never Too Late.

I like Robyn's books because they primarily revolve around strong women characters. Most have undergone (or will under go) some life changing experience and are pulling themselves up by the bootstraps so to speak.

“I was always meant to write about women,” Robyn says, “women who were tougher than the women of their time, smarter and more courageous … characters who would never trade places with anyone.”

They have been a good "pick-me-up" for the icky blues and a nice break from the more serious aspects of things I have been reading. If you click the title of the post it will take you to Royn's website. I am looking forward to many more books from her...I just wish she could write as quickly as I can read! :-)

If you check Amazon, her average book rating is 4 1/2 stars out of 5!

I just finished book #14 (!) in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. I am not sure what I thought of this one. I primarily read for escapism. That isn't to say that I don't read other things because I do but this book brought the "news" a little too close to my relaxation time. Alex gets caught up in the horrors of the atrocities in Darfur and other parts of Africa. I am not unaware of these situations and I do believe they are horrific (and I wish I could think of something stronger than that to say) but I did not want to have to see Alex and his family have to deal with it. I always feel like a good book should make you feel something and this one did. Total disgust for the people that allow thse atrocities to continue.

As usual the book was well written and intelligent. Alex has his usual tenacity. Nana is still hanging in there. The kids are growing up too.

I love Allison's books and I cannot wait to pick up her new one Sudden Death. I have read all the others, I fact I read her No Evil series entirely during my one week vacation in Hilton Head last year. WOW! She grabs you and you don't want her to let go. Want to know another reason I love Allison Brennan? This is on the home page of her website.

"I love books.
I’ve always loved books. I love the way they look on the shelf; I love the way they smell; I love browsing bookstores, admiring covers, reading blurbs, and discovering new authors. My love of reading came at a young age when my mom let me get my first library card as soon as I could print my full name. I was four. That card changed my life."

I could have written that myself. I don't think I was much older than that when I got my first library card. I would spend my summers walking to the library and carrying home as many books as I could hold. I went through hundreds. One summer it was all horse books, Marguerite Henry's Misty books, Anna Sewell's Black BeautyEnid Bagnold's National Velvet... you name it, I probably read it. All the Nancy Drew series, those my friend Graciella and I spent trading and reading in her basement all summer. Another summer it was all biographies. I got in trouble more times than I can count for bringing books to school and reading when I should have been doing something else. I remember a program in elementary school called SRA, it was how to read for information, you read a story and then took a test on it. I went through those so quickly they thought I was cheating. LOL

I was heartbroken when the library moved to bigger quarters and I could no longer walk to it but had to wait for someone to take me. Fortunately, I got my love of reading from my mother and it was never too long a wait to get there.

Anyway back to Allison. Some could call her books brutal. They do deal with serial killers. Her books are dark, violent thrillers. One reviewer on Amazon said "the clock is ticking and you can't wait to know the outcome" That is how I feel about her books.

Here's the list, see for youself and let me know what you think!

Romantic Thrillers

Predator Trilogy (2006)

THE PREY (Jan)
THE HUNT (Feb)
THE KILL (Mar)

No Evil Trilogy (2007)

SPEAK NO EVIL (Feb)
SEE NO EVIL (Mar)
FEAR NO EVIL (Apr)

Prison Break Trilogy (2008)

KILLING FEAR (Feb)
TEMPTING EVIL (June)
PLAYING DEAD (Oct)

Sacramento FBI Trilogy (2009)

SUDDEN DEATH (April 09)
FATAL SECRETS (June 09)
CUTTING EDGE (August 09)

Diana Gabaldon's newest in the Outlander series (Book 7) An Echo in the Bone is due to be published on September 22, 2009. If you like Historical Novels you will LOVE this series.
From her site:

The adventure began in 1991 with the classic Outlander ("historical fiction with a Moebius twist"), continued through five more New York Times-bestselling novels--Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, and A Breath of Snow and Ashes--and a nonfiction (well, relatively) companion volume, The Outlandish Companion, which provides copious details on the settings, background, characters, research, and writing of the novels. Gabaldon (it's pronounced "GAH-bull-dohn"-rhymes with "stone") has also written two historical mysteries, Lord John and the Private Matter, and Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, as well as several novellas featuring Lord John Grey (which will appear in volume form this November, as Lord John and the Hand of Devils). A Breath of Snow and Ashes, the most recent novel in the main Outlander series, opened simultaneously at #1 on the bestseller lists of four countries, and won both a Quill Award and the Corine interntational literary prize for fiction.

Previous books in the series are:
Outlander
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
Breath of Snow and Ashes

You will not want to put these down once you get started. I am going to start re reading them this summer since the last one was published in 2005. I am so excited!!

As a side note, if you like this series then you will also like Sara Donati's Into the Wilderness series. In fact if you have already read the Outlander series, you will find some familiar friends are in the wilderness as well. :-) Check that series out at Sara Laughs

time consuming endeavor.

Last week, my friend Pam died. She and I were two sides of a coin. She once sent me a sticker that said God knew our mothers couldn't handle us being sisters so he made us best friends. It was very true. I was closer to her than I am my own sister. I miss her dearly. One of the things I will miss most is sharing books. In Pam's obituary they put this quote:

"Too many books? There is no such thing as too many books, but too few bookshelves can be a problem."

She said it to me a LOT. Her bookshelves were two deep and she loved to collect series. She always started with the first book in a series even if the first book that came to her attention was number 7! We shared titles, authors, reviews, and whatever else she could come up with. (BTW, she was not someone you could ever beat at Scrabble or any word game, I know, I tried and while I am by no means stupid, she creamed me nearly every time)

So, to cut a long ramble short, I decided I would start this blog with my favorite books or what I am reading and hope that others may find it and join in. My favorite thing about the internet is the information at my fingertips. No, maybe it is the variety of people you can reach and share things with... I don't know but I will start by listing the web pages of some of my favorites and hope it moves on from there.