 Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Release Date: July 30, 2013
Format: Kindle
Pages: 394
Source: Amazon
Genre: Chick Lit
Review Date: December 11, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: At the heart of The Husband’s Secret is a letter that’s not meant to be read
My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died...
Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .
Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.
Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and, ultimately, ourselves.
This book was really good. You'll be thinking about this book for days after you've finished. Have you read Moriarty's What Alice Forgot? If you did and you enjoyed it then you'll love this as well. If you haven't read Moriarty, I recommend that you do! She's an Australian writer, and to be frank, she's the only Australian writer I've read so far, and I'll keep reading her. This book has the same writing style, but instead of the POV from only one character and her family, this book is comprised of three different stories of three women whose live intersect in a way you'd never imagine. With the center of this story being Cecilia and her husband's secret, this by the way, is a total shocker. You're set up to think it's going to be one thing, but then it take a complete left turn and that threatens to send Cecilia to a mini visit to Crazy Town. Ironically, Cecilia can join Rachel, who has been living in Crazy Town for a while. Even though her feelings are warranted, the results of Rachel’s very angry and vengeful actions are unfortunate. |  Here's the appropriate reaction to the reveal of John-Paul's secret! |
Hey friends!
I have a mini review for you today! A mini review is my short and sweet analysis of a book. You'll know in 350 words or less if this is a book I recommend.
 Publisher: Viking Adult
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Source: Publisher
Genre: Autobiography, Memoir
Review Date: December 2, 2013
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis:The Emmy Award-winning producer of PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery! reveals the secrets to Downton Abbey, Sherlock, and its other hit programs
For more than twenty-five years and counting, Rebecca Eaton has presided over PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, the longest running weekly prime time drama series in American history. From the runaway hits
Upstairs, Downstairs and The Buccaneers, to the hugely popular Inspector Morse, Prime Suspect, and Poirot, Masterpiece Theatre and its sibling series Mystery! have been required viewing for fans of quality drama.
Eaton interviews many of the writers, directors, producers, and other contributors and shares personal anecdotes—including photos taken with her own camera—about her decades-spanning career. She reveals what went on behind the scenes during such triumphs as Cranford and the multiple, highly-rated programs made from Jane Austen’s novels, as well as her aggressive campaign to attract younger viewers via social media and online streaming. Along the way she shares stories about actors and other luminaries such as Alistair Cooke, Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, Benedict Cumberbatch and Daniel Radcliffe, whose first TV role was as the title character in David Copperfield.
Readers will also get to know Eaton on a personal level. With a childhood steeped in theater, an affinity for nineteenth century novels and culture, and an "accidental apprenticeship” with the BBC, Eaton was practically born to lead the Masterpiece and Mystery! franchises. Making Masterpiece marks the first time the driving force behind the enduring flagship show reveals all.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As you all can tell (possibly from the content on my blog) that I rarely read nonfiction so this one is a tad bit out of my comfort zone, but I had to read it. I adore Masterpiece Theatre, especially Downton Abbey, Mr Selfridge, and The Paradise. Not mention, my husband LOVES to watch Sherlock. What can I say, I'm addicted to British TV....as are many of us PBS/BBC watchers. When I was asked if I'd like to review this, I jumped at it just to get a small peak behind the curtains.
| Throwback Thursday is my weekly feature which I created to post a review that I've written from the past. I'll post a review that I've written prior to my blogs existence. I'll be sharing both the books that I think you'd enjoy and the books that I should warn you against wasting your time on! ;-)
In honor of the Catching Fire movie release tomorrow, I'm posting my 2011 review of Catching Fire! Not only that, I'm rocking one of the Hunger Games limited edition nail colors by China Glaze called Stone Cold! Yes, that's me baby, stone cold! LOl Just kidding (sort of). ;-) If you want this color for yourself, click there. -> Anyways, if you haven't read these books yet, you need to. Now! My book club will be seeing this tomorrow night. What about you? Who's seeing the movie this weekend?!
| |  Publisher: Scholastic Press Release Date: September 1, 2009 Format: Kindle Pages: 391 Source: Purchase Genre: YA Dystopian Original Review Date: September 6, 2011 Rating: 4 bookmarks Synopsis:Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create. Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying. In Catching Fire, the second novel in the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.
** spoiler alert ** This book was a easy read and the drama continues…a very good follow up to The Hunger Games. I jumped right into reading this book following The Hunger Games.
 Publisher: Signet
Release Date: First published September 6, 2011/ Audio unabridged edition Released November 1, 2011 by Brilliance Audio, Inc
Format: Audio MP3
Pages: 454 (Mass Market Paperback) / Audio Length: Approx 13 hours
Narrator: Eric G. Dove
Source: Library Borrow via Overdrive
Genre: Paranormal / Paranormal Romance
Review Date: November 20, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: A man and a woman tread the lines of danger, desire, and deliverance in the new novel of the Fallen Angels from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr., grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father- while fighting his inner demons. Assigned to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in him is both professional and arousingly personal. And Veck and Sophia have another link: Jim Heron, a mysterious stranger with too many answers... to questions that are deadly. When Veck and Sophia are drawn into the ultimate battle between good and evil, their fallen angel savior is the only thing that stands between them and eternal damnation.
I just loved this story. It's the best of the three I've listened to so far. Just as I suspected that as the series goes along, that more I'll like it. These characters are so well written and flushed out. There is a constant evolution of the characters, such as Jim, Eddie, Ad, Nigel and even Colin. Even evil Devina is evolving. This book totally takes you though highs and lows. The twists and turn are great and you never can tell exactly how things will work out.
 Publisher: Soho Teen
Release Date: October 29, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Source: Soho Teen
Genre: YA Dystopian
Review Date: November 16, 2013
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: For fans of Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games: high fantasy and dystopia meet in this high-stakes tale of a civilization built on lies and the girl who single-handedly brings it down.
When Eva’s twin brother, Eamon, falls to his death just a few months before he is due to participate in The Testing, no one expects Eva to take his place. She’s a Maiden, slated for embroidery classes, curtseys, and soon a prestigious marriage befitting the daughter of an Aerie ruler. But Eva insists on honoring her brother by becoming a Testor. After all, she wouldn’t be the first Maiden to Test, just the first in 150 years.
Eva knows the Testing is no dance class. Gallant Testors train for their entire lives to search icy wastelands for Relics: artifacts of the corrupt civilization that existed before The Healing drowned the world. Out in the Boundary Lands, Eva must rely on every moment of the lightning-quick training she received from Lukas—her servant, a Boundary native, and her closest friend now that Eamon is gone.
But there are threats in The Testing beyond what Lukas could have prepared her for. And no one could have imagined the danger Eva unleashes when she discovers a Relic that shakes the Aerie to its core.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a courtesy in exchange for an honest review.
When I was asked if I would like to review this book I jumped at it. The description and the cover art combined really pulled me in. I must admit, it wasn't a quick read at first. I found myself putting it down over and over again. But when I had a few hours to just sit down and focus on only reading it, I was able to get through it in one sitting.
Things started well enough, but the pace was a little slower than I'd like. In all seriousness, the last 75 pages or so were the best part of the book. The story didn't really start getting really interesting until then. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Eva, and what happened to her brother. I wanted to know what she would decide to do once her life changed. Basically the would as she knew it wasn't really what it was at all. Eva feels like she's hit with a ton of bricks with the understanding that just been taught a bit fat lie, they all have for 100+ years. I wanted that turning point to happen earlier in the book some how. I get the purpose cliff hangers, but we didn't get enough of the "good stuff" in this installment.
Throwback Thursday is my weekly feature which I created to post a review that I've written from the past. Every week I will post a review that I've written prior to my blogs existence. I'll be sharing both the books that I think you'd enjoy and the books that I should warn you against wasting your time on! ;-) I adore L.A.Banks and her series, The Vampire Huntress Legends. That series started my Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance obsession. After reading those books I delved into the world of vampires, werewolves, and all things paranormal and never looked back. Sadly Ms. Banks died a few years ago. This was her last published book, and it was also her first time writing YA and it was worth the read. When I wrote the review in 2011 we were awaiting book two, but obviously she wasn't able to publish the next book in the series. Even if you haven't read her previous adult series, you can read this and won't be lost at all. In addition, if you like Urban Fantasy I also recommend reading The Vampire Huntress Legends series, you'll be happy you did..  Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin Release Date: November 11, 2010 Format: Kindle Pages: 560 (Paperback) Source: Purchase Genre: YA Urban Fantasy Original Review Date: January, 2011 Rating: 5 bookmarks Synopsis: Set in a post-apocalyptic world following the Armageddon, in Shadow Walker, the teenage children of the world’s Guardians of the Light must learn to hone their extra-sensory talents to one day join in the battle with their parents.
While they are secreted away in the Temt Tchaas Academy, (aka Neteru Academy), these students must learn to fight evil as well as learn to resist the temptation of fighting with each other. Although these young people have super powers, they still struggle with the same dramas and insecurities like any other high school student – and just because their parents may be superhuman doesn’t mean their parents are perfect. Far from it. That only makes life more confusing, as peer pressure, budding romances, decisions about whether or not to snitch, or whether or not to use one’s supernatural gifts for personal gain must be sorted out.
In this coming of age story, Sarah Rivera and her twin brother, Alejandro, must figure out when to use their wings or fangs, how to get along with their compound siblings, how to fit in with others in a huge new school, and perhaps most importantly, how to pick their battles to always fight for what is right
I LOVED this book. It threw me back to the Vampire Huntress series. It was so well told and I was excited to see the characters we loved so much from that series make cameos in the new book. I loved the kids too, the new generation of guardians are so fun to read. Even though they are too defending the world from evil, they all have their own unique personalities and traits. It doesn't seem like we are reading a remix of the old Huntress series. Its fresh. Even though it’s an YA book, I didn't feel like it was too child like at all. A bit of the themes are kind of similar to the Huntress series, which kept it from being too "young". Plus the kids are older teens, so they deal with a lot of issues that kids that age deal with in regards to parents, relationships, dealing with authority. All of it. I read this book in 2 days in my free time. I didn't want to put it down! I'm saddened that Ms.Banks isn't able to share more of her writing genius with us, she was a very talented writer. She will be missed.
Happy Reading,
~Tamara Get the Kindle version here:  
 Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books/ Viking
Release Date: December 31, 2012
Format: Hardcobver
Pages: 369 (Hardcover
Source: Viking
Genre: Romance / General Fiction
Review Date: November 5, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.
Disclaimer: I received this book as a courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Hey friends, Check out my video review of Me Before You! Did you read this book? What did you think of it? Happy Reading, ~Tamara | |
 Publisher: Signet
Release Date: First published January 1, 2010 / Audio unabridged edition Released October 5, 2010 by Brilliance Audio, Inc
Format: Audio MP3
Pages: 454 (Mass Market Paperback) / Audio Length: Approx 13 hours
Narrator: Eric G. Dove
Source: Library Borrow via Overdrive
Genre: Paranormal / Paranormal Romance
Review Date: November 4, 2013
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: Seven deadly sins. Seven souls that must be saved. One more no-holds- barred battle between a fallen angel with a hardened heart and a demon with everything to lose.
Isaac Rothe is a black ops soldier with a dark past and a grim future. The target of an assassin, he finds himself behind bars, his fate in the hands of his gorgeous public defender Grier Childe. His hot attraction to her can only lead to trouble-and that's before Jim Heron tells him his soul is in danger. Caught up in a wicked game with the demon who shadows Jim, Isaac must decide whether the soldier in him can believe that true love is the ultimate weapon against evil.
I know that I said in my last review that this series is completely different from the BDB series. I'm going to have to eat my words and take that back. You all know I love the BDB series, so that's not exactly bad per say, I was just hopeful for a series unrelated. My how things can change in only one book. With that said, I still continue to love the characters. Each of them were well done and served a purpose to the story. No extra fluff there.
Jim's got wings! I adore Jim with all his new angelic powers. Jim, Adrian (aka Ad) and Eddie are set on saving Isaac Rothe from Mathias, in turn saving him from Devina as well. Mathias wants Isaac dead and will stop at nothing to kill him…or will he? Jim is willing do anything to save Isaac, which technically didn't make sense to me. How does Mathias killing Isaac allow him to be claimed by Devina? Fortunately it all began to make sense when Jim figures out that he was trying to save the wrong persons soul. But in this case, even if he did have the correct person from the start, this guy seemed beyond saving. I did enjoy that little turn of events and it made the story come together better. Although, initially I did spend a good amount of time trying to figure out does Devina even would want Isaac?
Isaac, I like him. I hope he makes an appearance later in the series. He is a lot like Jim. He’s a dangerous, lethal killer with morals. Isaac is an oxymoron for sure, but that makes him a good guy. Sort of. I thought for a second he would end up apart of Jim’s team, but that didn't happen. Maybe it will later.
Hey friends!
I have a mini review for you today! A mini review is my short and sweet analysis of a book. You'll know in 350 words or less if this is a book I recommend.
 Publisher: Avon
Release Date: First published January 1, 2010 / Audio unabridged edition Released August 10, 2010 by Blackstone Audio, Inc
Format: Audio MP3
Pages: 361 (Mass Market Paperback) / Audio Length: Approx 10 hours
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Source: Library Borrow via Overdrive
Genre: Paranormal / Paranormal Romance
Review Date: October 28, 2013
Rating: 5 bookmarks
Synopsis: Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she's only imagined in her worst nightmares.
At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who thought he'd seen it all. Then Kira appears, this fearless, beautiful . . . human who braved death to rescue him. Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life. Yet sending her away is unthinkable.
But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.
Pros: Kira is amazing. I love that she's so strong and independent. I like her more than Denise (From First Drop of Crimson). She's not as whiny and dare I say stronger? Maybe it's her background as a PI that makes her more able to deal with the vampire world. I never knew really what to make of Mencheres, but this book made me like him. Not as much as Vlad or Bones of course, but still he's decent people as far as vampire masters go. I listened to this on audio so I must give props to Tavia Gilbert, this woman can narrate a book with near perfection. I love listening to her narrate Frost's books! Cons: Hmm....well, beside the awful cover art, I actually had zero issues with this story. I only wish she had a better designer for these covers. They are so cheesy. Thank goodness for ebooks and MP3 audio! Final Thoughts: I loved this book, even more than First Drop of Crimson. I enjoyed that one, but this was just wonderful, a notch better. Mencheres and Kira's story really drew me in. The connection was there, the drama was there and the story was easy to get into. If Frost ever decided to do more stories with Kira and Mencheres, I would definitely read them! If you've been reading the Night Huntress series with Cat and Bones, I recommend that you read the two books in the Night Huntress World spin off. If you can, read them after Destined for an Early Grave (book #4) and before This Side of the Grave (book #5). You'll be happy you did. Happy Reading and Listening, ~Tamara Read my review of First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World #1), by Jeaniene Frost (Audiobook) Get the Kindle version here:  
 Publisher: Author, Prescott Lane
Release Date: April 14, 2013
Format: PDF
Pages: 283
Source: Author
Genre: Romance
Review Date: October 21, 2013
Rating: 3 bookmarks
Synopsis: Emory faces life’s challenges at the one place that’s never failed her, the ballet barre. But even the barre can’t steady her when fate brings her face-to-face with her old college flame, Mason, who’s hoping to return to the NFL after a career-threatening injury. Before they can surrender to their sexual desires and find salvation in each other’s arms, they need to come to terms with their past. Mason must confront the demons that have set him on a path of self-destruction, while Emory must decide whether to keep her painful secrets locked away, or expose them and risk losing the love of her life. But nothing can prepare Mason for what Emory has kept hidden, or the possibility that he himself may be to blame for the very secrets she keeps – and why they continue to haunt her.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook as a courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone knows that I'm a sucker for a pretty cover. I found this cover appealing then add to that the synopsis and it captured my attention. I've previously enjoyed stories where sports are mixed in with romance so at first glance this was a win-win. First Position is a story I've never read before, by that I mean that it's unique and original. Which is always a good thing. I also liked that the story seemed more realistic than the average romance. It absolutely doesn't follow the typical reunion romance formula and I appreciated that.
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