Sunday Salon

It's Sunday once again! The last Sunday in May. . .how can this be? 2009, where have you gone? I am, however, happy that the warm, humid weather is here. It can never get too hot for me (crazy, some call me). I purchased furniture for my deck this week and I have been outside reading. It's so relaxing: me, my book, my cats and the sun. Honestly, can it get any better than that? It's really just the little things. . .

Speaking of new things this week, I received an invitation to join Amazon Vine! I've been trying to figure out how one becomes a "Vine Voice" and didn't realize it was by invitation only. I selected my first book on Tuesday (arrived on Friday) and Thursday was sent another newsletter to select two more books.

As summer rapidly approaches, I've been thinking about my summer reading plans. These last few weeks, I've been book browsing at my library, Borders and Barnes & Noble, reading reviews on Amazon.com and other book blogs to come up with a summer reading list. I decided I want to read light, fun beach-worthy books this summer. I'll also have to keep reading books for the challenges I'm participating in.

I'm open to any suggestions that any one has. Here's what I have so far:

• Here Today, Gone to Maui by Carol Snow
• Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham
• The Queen of Babble series by Meg Cabot
• The Beach House by Jane Green
• City Dog by Alison Pace
• Hounding the Pavement by Judi McCoy
• Beach Trip by Cathy Holton
• Easy on the Eyes by Jane Porter
• Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison
• The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax
  

There are also series that I would like to start and/or complete and several young adult books that have been recommended to me.

What about you? Do you prefer to read light, fun books in the summer? Do you have a summer reading plan?

Happy Sunday, Saloners!

Books Read ~ May

May books:

1. Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin*
2. Private by Kate Brian*
3. Invitation Only by Kate Brian
4. Untouchable by Kate Brian
5. Confessions by Kate Brian
6. Inner Circle by Kate Brian
7. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
8. 204 Rosewod Lane by Debbie Macomber
9. The 8th Confession by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
10. Deadly Advice by Roberta Isleib*
11. Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
12. Madame President by Nancy Krulik
13. If I Stay by Gayle Forman*
14. Asking for Murder by Roberta Isleib
    

*new-to-me author

For more details, click here.

An Advice Column Mystery Series by Roberta Isleib

I recently began reading a new cozy mystery series by Roberta Isleib. It's An Advice Column Mystery series featuring Dr. Rebecca Butterman. Rebecca is a clinical psychologist and also writes and advice column for Bloom! She's currently divorced and toying with the idea of returning to the dating scene.

Here are mini-reviews of the first three books in this series:

Title: Deadly Advice
Author: Roberta Isleib
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Date Finished: May 23

Summary: Clinical psychologist Dr. Rebecca Butterman's neighbor was found dead in her condo. Apparently from a suicide. Her mother doesn't believe her daughter would kill herself and insists Rebecca look into her daughter's death. As Rebecca retraces Madeline's last steps, she realizes her neighbor had a secret life. Can Rebecca find out what really happened the night Madeline died before the killer stops her?


Title: Preaching to the Corpse
Author: Roberta Isleib
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Date Finished: May 24

Summary: Dr. Rebecca Butterman receives a frantic phone call in the middle of the night from her pastor. One of the parishioners was murdered and he's in police custody. After being questioned and released by the police, Reverend Wesley asks Rebecca to fill the Lacy's empty position. Lacy was the chair of the search committee to hire a new assistant pastor. Rebecca agrees hoping this will lead to clues to solving Lacy's murder. Was Lacy killed over her choice for the new assistant pastor? It's up to Rebecca to find out before the killer silences her vote too.


Title: Asking for Murder
Author: Roberta Isleib
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Date Finished: May 30

Summary: Dr. Rebecca Butterman arrives at her friend and colleague, Annabelle Hart's office for their lunch date. Rebecca immediately expects the worst when Annabelle isn't in her office. Her assumptions appear to be correct when she learns Annabelle has not shown for her morning therapy sessions. Rebecca immediately goes to Annabelle's home where she discovers Annabelle badly beaten. Who left Annabelle for dead? An angry client? Her new boyfriend? Or was it a burglary gone bad? Rebecca is determined to solve this mystery.

About the author: Roberta Isleib is a clinical psychologist turned mystery writer. She's also the author of the Golf Lovers Mystery series featuring Cassie Burdette. Her website can be found here.

Recommended to: Readers who love cozy mysteries. If you are a fan of the Alison Bergeron series (Murder 101) by Maggie Barbieri, then you will also enjoy this series.

Friday Finds

Jenn of Should Be Reading asks:

What great books did you hear about / discover this week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

While browsing at Barnes & Noble on Sunday, I discovered Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham. Later on that afternoon, I saw this review by Cheryl of Cheryl's Book Nook. Cheryl writes:

"Have you ever wanted to feel what it is like in someone else's shoes? Well you can in Holly's Inbox. Holly Denham has decided to open her inbox to readers. So come take a wild and crazy ride into Holly's world."

She concludes her review by saying:

"I want to thank Holly for letting me into her world and specifically her email inbox. What a hoot. I started this book on a Sunday morning and by evening I had finished it."

I immediately added my name to the wait list at my library. I also discovered this website for Holly's Inbox. Sounds like it will make a great summer read.

Melody of Melody's Reading Corner wrote a fantastic review of The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax. Melody writes:

"Besides about authors and an insight of the publishing world today, The Accidental Bestseller is a wonderful story about friendship, loyalty and courage. Wendy Wax created four well engaging characters and through their experiences in life, these give us something to ponder about what if life does not turn out as planned, and/or are we willing to give life (or anything) a second chance?"

Another good summer read. This book will be released on June 2, 2009. I've added it to my wish list.

Finally, Nely from All About n reviewed 20 Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler. Nely writes:

"This was such a beautiful and poignant story about the powers of friendships, loss, summer romances, healing and believing in oneself. Once I started I could not put it down. The characters were so real - you can’t help but to laugh, cry, and eventually fall in love with them. Ms. Ockler wins you with her imagery and you long to be there laying out on the beach with the girls. I loved this and I highly recommend it."

Another winner for a good summer read. I also added my name to the wait list for this one.

What books did you find this week?

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

What I'm waiting for:

Title: Hope in a Jar
Author: Beth Harbison
Publication Date: July 7, 2009

Twenty years ago, Allie Denty was the pretty one and her best friend Olivia Pelham was the smart one. Throughout high school, they were inseparable…until a vicious rumor about Olivia— a rumor too close to the truth—ended their friendship. Now, on the eve of their twentieth high school reunion, Allie, a temp worker, finds herself suddenly single, a little chubby, and feeling old. Olivia, a cool and successful magazine beauty editor in New York, realizes she’s lonely, and is finally ready to face her demons. Sometimes hope lives in the future; sometimes it comes from the past; and sometimes, when every stupid thing goes wrong, it comes from a prettily packaged jar filled with scented cream and promises. (From Amazon)

Cover Attraction

Each Wednesday, Marcia from The Printed Page, hosts Cover Attraction. She writes:

"I’m a very visual person and love beautiful cover art. It doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll read the book but at least I might stop and take a peek instead of walking right on by. "

I am a visual person as well and have often read books simply because I liked the cover. My cover attraction for this week:

Title: City Dog
Author: Alison Pace
From the back cover: After her divorce, Amy Dodge thought she’d finally write the next Great American Novel. Instead she’s now the author of a bestselling children’s book series, Run, Carlie, Run!, starring her adorable and spirited West Highland White terrier, Carlie, and a dashing (but fictional) Scottish explorer, Robert Maguire. When Carlie is offered the starring role in her own television show about activities for urban canine, and Robert Maguire begins to take on a life of his own, Amy’s world takes a turn toward the surreal.

As Amy finds herself getting cropped out of Carlie's many photo opportunities and unable to get the image of Robert Maguire out of her head, the city she once loved begins to lose its appeal. But just when Amy starts to think it’s a dog’s life after all, she figures out a way to make everything change. And while life in New York is not always a walk in the park, it might just take Amy and Carlie exactly where they need to be. . .

I've been seeing this cover for awhile now. (Isn't the dog cute???) I love NYC and I love dogs. I finally decided I needed to purchase it. I think this will make a good, relaxing summer read, don't you think?

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Title: If I Stay
Author: Gayle Forman
ISBN-10: 0525421030
Pages: 196
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Young Adult
Date Finished: May 25

First sentence: Everyone thinks it was because of the snow.

Seventeen-year-old Mia may have an almost perfect life. She's a senior in high school and recently auditioned for Julliard. She's dating Adam, the lead singer and guitarist of a band, and she has a good relationship with her parents. Quite honestly, she really doesn't have anything to complain about.

Then on a snowy February day, her life forever changes. The choice is no longer should she move to New York City and pursue her dream or stay in Oregon to be with her family or Adam. The choice she now has to make is between life and death.

If I Stay is told in the present after the car accident as Mia watches herself in a coma. Her family and friends arrive at the hospital to wait, hope and pray for her. The story also unfolds by flashbacks of Mia and her family. It's in these flashbacks where the reader comes to understand the intensity of her relationship with her parents, younger brother Teddy and Adam.

When Mia overhears an ICU nurse speaking with her grandparents, she realizes she can either choose life or death.

"You might think that the doctors or nurses or all this is running the show," she says, gesturing to the wall of medical equipment. "Nuh-uh. She's running the show. Maybe she's just biding her time. So you talk to her. You tell her to take all the time she needs, but to come on back. You're waiting for her." (p. 69)

It's not until Adam arrives to see her that Mia comes to understand the impact her decision will have. Not only for her, but also for Adam and her friends and family.

Although If I Stay is a young adult novel, adult readers will be moved by the story too. It's a beautifully written story that I highly recommend.

What's On Your Nightstand?

I can't believe it's the end of May! I finished 3 out of the 4 books this month:

• Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin
• The 8th Confession by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
• Deadly Advice by Roberta Isleib
  

I have way too many books on my nightstand right now. . .they've actually spilled over onto my dresser! Anyway, here the books that I want to read in June:

A few more to choose from:

• Ambition by Kate Brian
• Revelation by Kate Brian
• Paradise Lost by Kate Brian
• Privilege by Kate Brian
• Airhead by Meg Cabot
  
• The Diary by Eileen Goudge
• Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson
• Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson
• As Good as It Got by Isabel Sharpe
• Busy Woman Seeks Wife by Annie Sanders
• The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
  

So, what's on your night stand?

Tuesday Teasers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  

My teasers:

"The car is eviscerated. The impact of a four-ton pickup truck going sixty miles an hour plowing straight into the passenger side had the force of an atom bomb."
~p. 13, If I Stay by Gayle Forman~

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about gift certificates…

Do you give gift certificates to book stores as presents? If so, do you give for actual stores or online stores? Do you like to receive them yourself?

I do like to give gift certificates as presents. Unfortunately I don't know many people who enjoy reading (sigh). When I do buy gift certificates, it's usually for Borders or Barnes & Noble. That way they can also buy a DVD or CD.

I, on the other hand, prefer to receive a gift certificate. I've been told on numerous occasions that I'm hard to buy for when it comes to books. To make it easier for them to purchase a book for me, I will either tell them a title of the book to buy or make a list of titles that they can choose from. Normally, I just say "you can always just give me a gift card." For Christmas, one of my presents is always a gift card to Borders.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday. . .

Books read last week:

• The 8th Confession by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
  
• Deadly Advice by Roberta Isleib
• Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
• Madame President by Nancy Krulik
  

Audio book I finished listening to last week:

• 204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber

Audio book I started listening to last week:

• 311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber
  

Books I hope to finish this week:

• If I Stay by Gayle Forman
• Asking for Murder by Roberta Isleib
• Legacy by Kate Brian
• Best Intentions by Emily Listfield
  

Madame President by Nancy Krulik

Title: Madame President
Author: Nancy Krulik
Series: How I Survived Middle School #2
ISBN-10: 0439025567
Pages: 104
Year Published: 2006
Genre: Children's Fiction (Series)
Date Finished: May 24

My review: It's time to sign up for the after-school clubs. Jenny's friends all know which club they want to join, but Jenny is still undecided. When her friends learn Addie, Jenny's former BFF, is running unopposed for sixth grade class president, they convince Jenny to run against her.

When Addie and the other Pops, AKA Popular, make promises to only the students who vote for her, Jenny's friends decide to come up with a few schemes of their own. When Jenny prevents them from moving forward with their plans, her campaign manager is barely speaking to her. And one of Jenny's friends may be a spy for Addie! Jenny must decide to be true to herself if she wants to win this election.

The 8th Confession by James Patterson

Title: The 8th Confession
Authors: James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Series: The Women's Murder Club #8
ISBN -10: 0316018767
Pages: 352
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Date Finished: May 21

From the dust jacket: Appearances can be deceiving.

As San Francisco's most glamorous millionaires mingle at the party of the year, someone is watching-waiting for a chance to take vengeance on Isa and Ethan Bailey the city's most celebrated couple. Finally, the killer pinpoints the ideal moment, and it's the perfect murder. Not a trace of evidence is left behind in their glamorous home.

But the truth can be deadly.

As Detective Lindsay Boxer investigates the high-profile murder, someone else is found brutally executed-a preacher with a message of hope for the homeless. His death nearly falls though the cracks, but when reporter Cindy Thomas hears about it, she knows the story could be huge. Probing deeper into the victim's history, she discovers he may not have been quite as saintly as everyone thought.

Let the confessions begin.

As the hunt for two criminals test the limits of the Women's Murder Club, Lindsay sees sparks fly betwen Cindy and Lindsay's partner, Detective Rich Conklin. The Women's Murder Club now faces its toughest challenge: will love destroy all that four friends have built? The exhilarating new chapter in the Women's Murder Club series, The 8th Confession serves up a double dose of speed-charged twists and shocking revleations as only James Patterson can. And remember, this is the only Murder Club episode of the year.

First sentence: The old chrome-yellow school bus crawled south on Market Street at half past seven that May morning.

My review: The 8th Confession begins with a bombing of a school bus. Next Cindy Thomas discovers the mutilated body of a homeless man. Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin are working both cases. Things quickly get complicated when the super-rich are being targeted. Medical examiner Claire Washburn is stomped on the cause of their deaths. To her, it's the perfect crime: no evidence has been left behind.

Meanwhile, Yuki Castellano is prosecuting a woman on trial for murdering her father and the attempted murder of her mother. Yuki cannot afford to lose this case. If she does, she fears she will also be out of a job.

As much as I love JP and this series, this book was a letdown for me. About page 100 or so, I just didn't care about the killer's identity, the plot or the characters. In prior books, The Women's Murder Club played a significant role in solving the crimes. In this book, however the characters' interactions didn't flow. They appeared to be "too separate" for me. Claire was hardly mentioned at all. The storyline for Yuki was abrupt and somewhat disappointing when she met the cute doctor.

I did mange to finish it only because I think JP may be taking the characters in a new direction. I'm curious to see what will happen with Lindsay's relationship with Joe. Despite feeling disappointed, I will continue reading the rest of this series, and of course more of JP's books.

204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber

Title: 204 Rosewood Lane
Author: Debbie Macomber
Series: Cedar Cove #2
ISBN-10: 155166923
Pages: 379
Year Published: 2002
Genre: Romance
Date Finished: May 21

From the back cover:

Grace Sherman

204 Rosewood Lane
Cedar Cove, Washington

Dear Reader,

If you've been to Cedar Cove before we've probably met. You can usually, find me either at home or at the public library, where I work. I've lived in this town all my life and raised two daughters here. But my husband and I -- well, about six months ago, he disappeared. Just . . . disappeared. Where's Dan? Why did he go? Who's he with? Will I ever find out?

My hometown, my family and friends, bring me comfort during this difficult time. Comfort and a sense of shelter. I'm continually reminded that life can and does go on. For instance, everyone's been discussing weddings and babies lately. Justine -- the only daughter of my best friend, Olivia Lockhart -- impulsively got married a little while ago. My own daughter Kelly recently had, a baby. Unfortunately, she refuses to accept that Dan might not return to see his first grandchild. My older daughter, Maryellen, is more realistic. I think she's seeing a new man, but for some reason she won't tell me who it is.

Then there's Jack, who's been pursuing a romance with Olivia, and his son, Eric, and Eric's girlfriend, Shelly (I think she's pregnant), and Zach and Rosemary Cox, whose marriage is reputedly on the skids and . . . Well, just come on over and we'll talk!

Grace

My review: In the next installment of the Cedar Cove series, we are introduced to Rosie and Zach Cox. Zach is extremely frustrated that Rosie spends more time volunteering and barely has time to cook a meal. Dinners at their house are usually microwaved or take-out. Marital stress takes it toll and the couple decides to separate.

Meanwhile, Grace Sherman has divorced her husband, who disappeared in 16 Lighthouse Road. She's convinced he left her and her daughters for another woman, so she decides it's time for her to move on as well. She develops a friendship with Cliff Harding and entertains the idea of moving their relationship forward.

Grace's daughter, Maryellen, has sworn off men as a result to a short-lived marriage. Maryellen feels men are not to be trusted and spends her time avoiding the dating scene and engrossed in her work. That is until she meets Jon.

Olivia Lockhart, her mother Charlotte, daughter Justine and boyfriend Jack are also back in this book. 204 Rosewood Lane continues to interweave the lives of the residents of Cedar Cove. As more characters are introduced, readers cannot help but to feel as though they are catching up with old friends.

Library Loot

May 20 - May 26

When I went to the library today, several of my holds had arrived earlier this morning. Here's what I checked out today:

• Best Intentions by Emily Listfield
  
• Legacy by Kate Brian
  
• The Visibles by Sara Shepard
  
• The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow
• Hollywood Car Wash by Lori Culwell
  

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Title: Living Dead Girl
Author: Elizabeth Scott
ISBN-10: 1416960597
Pages: 170
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 12

From the dust jacket: Once upon a time, I was a little girl who disappeared.

Once upon a time, my name was not Alice.

Once upon a time, I didn't know how lucky I was.

When Alice was ten, Ray took her away from her family, her friends-her life. She learned to give up all power, to endure all pain. She waited for the nightmare to be over.

Now Alice is fifteen and Ray still has her, but he speaks more and more of her death. He does not know it is what she longs for. She does not know he has something more terrifying than death in mind for her.

This is Alice's story. It is one you have never heard, and one you will never, ever forget.

First sentence: This is how things look: Shady Pines Apartments, four shabby buildings tucked off the road near the highway.

To me, Living Dead Girl is both compelling, yet disturbing. I found myself wanting to put it down, but at the same time wanting to know how things would end for Alice. It's a short book and one that could be read in a few hours. I decided to read it over a span of two days because at times I just had to step away from her story.

Ms. Scott wrote a story that allows the reader to delve into Alice's mind and feel the pain and anguish she has to endure by Ray. Each time she met someone new, I hoped this would lead her to freedom. That somehow, someway she would be able communicate to the person what is happening to her.

Living Dead Girl is the second book I read by Ms. Scott. I enjoy her writing style and look forward to reading more of her books.

Inner Circle by Kate Brian

Title: Inner Circle
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #5
ISBN-10: 1416950419
Pages: 220
Year Published: 2007
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 10

From the back cover: Last year was just the beginning. Welcome to the inner circle.

Reed Brennan arrived at Easton Academy expecting to find an idyllic private school experience -- challenging classes, adorably preppy boys, and a chance to create a new life for herself. Instead, she discovered lies, deception, blackmail, and...murder. But, thankfully, the killers were caught and the nightmare is finally over.

The old Billings Girls are gone.

Now, with a new school year ahead of her, Reed steps back on Easton's ivy-covered campus ready to start over. So when the headmaster announces that billings is forbidden from holding their traditional, secretive initiation, Reed is relieved. She champions the new rules and the six new girls the administration has picked to live in Billings Hall: Constance, Missy, Lorna, Kiki, Astrid, and newcomer Sabine.

But Reed's fellow Billings resident and new nemesis, Cheyenne Martin, believes the changes are a mockery of Billings history. Despite the new rules, Cheyenne vows to keep the old ways alive, no matter what -- or who -- stands in her way...

First sentence: An early morning rain had come and gone, leaving behind a wet sheen that shimmered on the trees alongside the road.

It's Reed's junior year at Easton Academy. She has returned to school determined to move forward after the tragic events of last year. Now that the Billings Girls are gone and a new headmaster has been hired, Billings House won't be the same. The new headmaster assigns six new girls to Billings, against the traditional process. This causes dissension among the current Billings Girls, which will eventually lead to an outcome that none of the girls will see coming.

Inner Circle introduces (and brings back) new characters that adds to the storyline. A former Easton Academy student returns, although not everyone is thrilled to welcome her back. After reading Confessions, I really wondered how the next book would be without the original Billings Girls. I like the direction the author is taking the series and am looking forward to reading book six. Just as each book before it, Inner Circle ends with a cliff hanger. To be continued in Legacy.

Confessions by Kate Brian

Title: Confessions
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #4
ISBN-10: 1416918760
Pages: 232
Year Published: 2007
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 9

From the back cover: Sometimes the truth hurts. . .

Reed Brennan came to superposh Easton Academy to make a brand-new life for herself. At first it seemed as though her dream had come true-she was living in the ultraexclusive Billings Hall, hanging out with the all-powerful Billings Girls, and dating the very hot Thomas Pearson. But Thomas turned out to be different from what she thought...and then he turned up dead. And if that wasn't twisted enough, Reed's new boyfriend, Josh Hollis, was arrested for Thomas's murder.

Now everyone is back to worrying about the regular stuff, like how to sneak to the boys' dorms at night, whether two-ply cashmere is warm enough for fall, and whether to fly to London or Barcelona for Thanksgiving break.

Everyone except for Reed.

Reed is convinced that Josh is innocent, which means the killer is still out there. Now it's up to Reed to uncover the truth. But the deeper she digs, the more secrets she unearths and the closer she gets to the confession that will change everything...if she's alive to hear it.

First sentence: When faced with tragedy, we gather as many people around us as we possibly can.

Now that a suspect has been arrested for Thomas's murder, the student body tries to return to normalcy. Finals are coming up and everyone is looking forward to winter break. Everyone, except Reed. Reed doesn't believe Josh could kill his best friend. She takes matters in her own hands and starts her own investigation. When Reed discovers the truth about what really happened the night Thomas was killed, she will question her decision to come to Easton Academy.

Confessions is a quick read. When the killer's identity is revealed, we also learn the history between this person and Thomas. So, the question is, how does this affect the Billings Girls? Stay tuned for Inner Circle.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday. . .

Read last week:

• Private by Kate Brian
• Invitation Only by Kate Brian
• Untouchable by Kate Brian
• Confessions by Kate Brian
  
• Inner Circle by Kate Brian
  

Reading this week:

• Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
  
• 8th Confession by James Patterson
  

Still listening to:

• 204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
  

Untouchable by Kate Brian

Title: Untouchable
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #3
ISBN-10: 1416918752
Pages: 236
Year Published: 2006
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 9

From the back cover: Cheating, partying, blackmail, and now...murder?

Can the Billings Girls remain untouchable?

Reed's boyfriend, Thomas Pearson -- the popular, easygoing, irresistibly handsome and charismatic boy she fell in love with -- is dead. No one knows how it happened, and everyone is after the truth. Or are they?

Life at Easton Academy begins to feel very different. Taylor is acting like the poster child for Prozac, Kiran is spiking her cornflakes, Noelle is being kind of...nice, and Arianna keeps floating along as if nothing has happened.

Thanksgiving break arrives and Reed and Josh find themselves alone on campus. They are forced to confront the feelings they've been hiding. Those feelings combined with an empty campus result in the hottest hookup Reed could possibly imagine. But when Reed breaks the news about Josh to the Billings Girls, there's no fun game of tell-all. Instead, Josh begins to look like suspect No. 1 in the murder of Thomas Pearson.

The perfect life Reed has constructed as a Billings Girl begins to crumble. And as everyone becomes more convinced of Josh's guilt, Reed's private suspicions lead her somewhere she doesn't want to go.

First sentence: My first funeral.

My thoughts: Untouchable is the 3rd book in the Private series. The book opens with Thomas's funeral. There are still unanswered questions surrounding his death. Everyone has different theories on why Thomas died and each thinks he was murdered. As the police continue to investigate, more and more details are revealed about Thomas's life.

Reed is trying to move forward after her first real loss. She doesn't know what to do as everyone is constantly watching her every move and commenting on everything she does. She does find solace in her friendship with Josh, Thomas's best friend.

With Untouchable, the plot thickens and at times I found it difficult to believe what anyone said. I knew the Billings Girls were still keeping secrets from Reed, however were they protecting her or themselves? Their "friendship" felt more forced to me in this book than the previous novels. Reed appeared to feel this way as well, however she continued to make excuses to remain friends with them. Secrets, lies and cover-up continue to be the themes of this series.

Now that a "suspect" has been arrested, I wonder will the details of Thomas's death finally be revealed. I guess I'll have to read Confessions to find out.

To read more about the Private series and its spin off series, Privilege, click here.

Invitation Only

Title: Invitation Only
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #2
ISBN-10: 1416918744
Pages: 257
Year Published: 2006
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 6

From the back cover: Reed Brennan's future is looking as bright as the two-karat diamonds in her new housemates' ears. Being accepted to the most prestigious private boarding school in the country wasn't enough for Reed. She had to break every rule to do it, but she has accomplished the impossible:

Reed is a Billings Girl now.

And with her new status come respect, envy, and, most important, opportunity. Not to mention the parties. Unfortunately, at the next illicit party in the Easton campus woods, her roommate snaps some pictures of Reed in more than one compromising position. She uses the photos to blackmail Reed: Dig up dirt on the most powerful and popular Billings Girls or she will have Reed expelled.

And speaking of parties, the Legacy is coming up. It's the invitation-only Halloween party in NYC and it's rumored that Thomas -- Reed's MIA boyfriend -- will be making an appearance there. Too bad Reed isn't even close to invited.

Life as a Billings Girl is every bit as glamorous as Reed imagined. What she didn't bargain for is the tangled web of private lies these girls weave.

First sentence: It was a cold night.

My thoughts: Invitation Only is the second book in the Private series. Reed is finally a Billings Girl. Unfortunately for her, she has to clean their rooms, make their beds and wash their windows as part of her initiation. She accepts these chores because the prize of being their friend is worth it to her.

At one of their parties, she meets Walt Whittaker and soon finds herself in a compromising position. Someone else has witnessed their encounter and begins to blackmail Reed. Reed has to learn the truth behind the expulsion of a former Billings Girl or face being expelled herself. Seeing no other choice, Reed begins spying on the other Billing Girls and learns some interesting facts about each one. It's not until Reed learns the truth, that she realizes what it entails to be a Billings Girl.

Meanwhile, her former boyfriend, Thomas Pearson, is missing. The police have been called to investigate his disappearance and Reed fears she will become a suspect. Thomas's friends are nonchalant about his disappearance and believe he will attend the Legacy, an invitation only party in NYC. But when Thomas doesn't show, the severity of his disappearance becomes apparent.

Invitation Only begins where Private ended. I like that both books end with cliff hangers and immediately jumps right back into the story. I've found myself engrossed in the characters and wonder what will happen next.

Private

Title: Private
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #1
ISBN-10: 1416918736
Pages: 227
Year Published: 2006
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: May 4

First sentence: Where I come from everything is gray.

Warning: Review may contain spoilers!

Reed Brennan desperately wants to escape her hometown of Crofton, PA. Her mother suffered a tragic accident and now pops pills and drinks away her pain. She takes most of her suffering out on Reed. Meanwhile Reed's father tries to hold the family together, but Reed knows this is a burden for her dad. When she's offered a scholarship to Easton Academy, she knows this is her opportunity to leave and live the life she's always dreamed about.

The first day she stepped foot on campus, she felt she was out of her league. The other students were different than her peers at her former high school. Suddenly doubts fill her mind and she begins to wonder if Croton, PA is her fate after all.

While walking back to her dorm, she meets Thomas Pearson, the most popular (and gorgeous) senior on campus. Reed is immediately attracted to him and secretly wishes she'll run into him again.

It's not until her chance glimpse of the "mysterious girls" that things start to turn around for Reed. She learns their true identities during a meal in the cafeteria: Noelle, Ariana, Kiran and Taylor AKA the Billings Girls.

Billings House is the dorm on campus. If you're fortunate to live there, then you are set for life. All the girls want to be a Billings Girls. Much to Reed's amazement, she wants to befriend them as well. These girls represent everything that Reed doesn't have: wealth, beauty, power, confidence and loyalty. Due to her home life, Reed isolated herself from her peers and did not have social relationships. Now that she's at Easton, she's realizing she has missed out on a major part of being a teenage girl.

The Billings Girls take an interest in Reed as well, and before Reed knows it, she has become part of their group (well on the peripheral). There is a price to be one of them. These girls begin to ask Reed to steal an exam, break up with a guy and any other demeaning task they can think of. As Reed struggles to belong to their group and do what's right, she begins to wonder if their friendship (if indeed it is friendship) is worth it.

Meanwhile, her relationship with Thomas develops and soon they become a couple. Things are going well with them, until Reed learns Thomas's secret. Devastated that he lied to her, she ends their relationship, but isn't sure if she did the right thing. He attempts to explain to her why he did not confide in her and wants to get back together. The Billings Girls tell her she's better off without him and makes her promise to have nothing to do with him. Reed finds herself torn between these new feelings for Thomas and wanting to secure her place with the Billing Girls.

Just as Reed makes her decision, Thomas goes missing and one of the Billings Girls is expelled from Easton for cheating. Which means there's a spot open. . . in the Billings House. Will Reed be the next Billings Girl?

I really liked this book! I was immediately hooked with Reed's humble background versus the entitlement of the Billings Girls. Although I didn't agree with the decisions that Reed made, it was hard not to empathize with her. Reed is so desparate to be a "normal" girl and leave her past behind, that this often clouded her judgment. Following her conscience repeatedly conflicted with the goal of becoming the next Billings Girl.

I liked that the book ended with a cliff hanger. So where is Thomas? Will Reed fill the open spot in the house? What was the real reason behind the expulsion of the former Billings Girl? To be continued in. . . Invitation Only.

Cover Attraction ~ May 6

Each Wednesday, Marcia from The Printed Page, hosts Cover Attraction. She writes:

"I’m a very visual person and love beautiful cover art. It doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll read the book but at least I might stop and take a peek instead of walking right on by. "

I am a visual person as well and have often read books simply because I liked the cover. My first choice is:

Title: The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square
Author: Rosina Lippi
Summary: Julia Darrow runs a thriving business in South Carolina, has a houseful of foster dogs—and she wears designer pajamas all day, every day.

John Dodge makes a living moving around the country, fixing up small businesses on the brink of disaster. His newest venture takes him to South Carolina, where he’s greeted by an odd sight: Julia Darrow, walking across Lambert Square, in pajamas.

Intrigued, Dodge asks Julia out to dinner only to be refused. The townsfolk warn him that Julia is an unsolvable mystery, but Dodge likes mysteries, and he’s really good at fixing things… (From Amazon.com)

When I first saw this cover, my immediate thought was curling up on my couch, under a blanket with this book. It looks so cozy, don't you think?

Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin

Title: Life Without Summer
Author: Lynne Griffin
ISBN-13: 978-0312383886
Pages: 310
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: May 3

From the dust jacket: Tessa Gray's life changes forever when she loses her four-year-old daughter, Abby, in a hit-and-run accident outside her preschool. Once a vivacious, joyful mother and wife, Tessa now spends her days holed up in Abby's room, sleeping in her bed, clutching Abby's Tootsie Rabbit stuffed animal—anything to keep her memories close. As Tessa grapples with a terrible grief, made worse by the police’s insistence that the case is unsolvable, she finds solace in Celia Reed, the therapist her husband has pushed her to see, and in the journal she’s keeping, where she compulsively counts the “days without Abby” and maps out her plan for catching the driver who tore her family apart.

As Celia struggles to keep Tessa from getting caught up in a bleak crusade for answers, she finds that their sessions open the door to emotions that she’s spent years ignoring, forcing her to face the rising tensions in her life—her troubled teenage son, her alcoholic ex-husband, and her fragile new marriage. Celia begins to realize that she must come to terms with the tragic mistakes of her past and the choices that have led her family to their own brink of destruction.

A haunting portrait of two women whose lives converge unexpectedly when the answers one needs turn out to be the other’s only chance for peace, Life Without Summer illuminates connections between love, marriage, truth, and forgiveness no reader will forget.

First sentence: There's a thud as her little body collides with the steel fender.

Life Without Summer is the debut novel written by Lynne Griffin. Tessa is a young woman whose life stops when her daughter is killed by a hit and run driver. Tessa isolates in Abby's room, sleeps in her bed and slowly unravels as she tries to comprehend a life without her only child.

Celia is Tessa's therapist. While working with Tessa, Celia realizes her new marriage may not be as stable as she thinks and learns her son is battling his own problems. Meanwhile, her alcoholic ex-husband is still present in her life and her feelings towards him further complicates things.

Life Without Summer is written in journal entries. The narration alternates between Tessa and Celia. The reader is privy to each woman's struggle and pain as she tries to heal and move forward. I highly recommend this book.

Tuesday Teasers

My teaser for this week:



"Hey, speaking of Felicia," I said, settling in, "did she ever mention anything to you about the Legacy?"

"The Legacy? No. Doesn't sound familiar. What is it?"
(p. 45)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday. . .

Read last week:

• Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark
• Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin
  

Reading this week:

• Private by Kate Brian
  
• 8th Confession by James Patterson
  

Still listening to:

• 204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
  

Books Read ~ April

Books read in April:

1. True Colors by Kristin Hannah
2. Still Life by Joy Fielding
3. Never Give Up by Joyce Meyer*
4. 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber*
5. Can You Get an F in Lunch? by Nancy Krulik*
6. The Law of Attraction Plain and Simple by Sonia Ricotti*
7. Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark

*new-to-me author

Click here for more details.

Friday Finds

It's been awhile since I last participated in Friday Finds. Here's what I discovered this week:


Title: Hollywood Car Wash
Author: Lori Culwell
Summary: Amy Spencer is an accidental celebrity. On Monday, she’s a normal college student in Michigan. By the end of the week, she’s in Hollywood, starring in a TV pilot - as a regular girl from Michigan. It’s all fun and games until the show gets picked up and Amy learns the terrible price of stardom - to keep the part she didn’t even want at first, she’s going to have to get the Hollywood Car Wash to make her more marketable. First, she’ll have to lose twenty pounds. She’ll also need new teeth, blonder hair, and a megastar boyfriend with a big secret. By changing everything from her weight to her hair to her name, Amy slowly learns that the only way to survive in Hollywood is to lose herself. Inspired by true events, this shockingly accurate novel about the ins and outs of the Hollywood game will leave the reader wondering - who is Star? (Taken from Barnes & Noble)