http://www.goodreads.com/user/updates_rss/1125613 en-US Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:40:08 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 31963036 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:40:08 -0700 Review21837058 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21837058 to: Undead and Unworthy (Undead Series, Book 7) by MaryJanice Davidson
bookshelves: personal-read
MJD points out in her introduction that the new cover of UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY reflects the new direction that this book and the two upcoming ones will follow; a mini-story arc within a story arc. Frankly, I'm not all that thrilled.

Betsy is still Betsy -- still childish, still prone to immaturity, still interested with having sex with her new husband as often as possible, still the new guardian of Baby Jon (although he's conspicuously missing from this installment), still back-and-forth with best friend Jessica, still vampire-non-grata for Detective Nick.

It's all still there, with a bit of humor thrown in, and a new weird sideline into what I guess is the aforementioned "arc."

My biggest complaint with the story was the fact that, although after seven books I realize that MJD never goes into much description for ANYTHING, I was shocked that there was a major (and majorly depressing) conclusion to the book that was summed up in about three pages.

I hate that. Really. I don't expect the author to go into intricate detail (a la Stephen King) of description, dialogue, and backstory (as I said, it's not MJD's trademark), but just a few pages when you've seriously lessened the number of main characters??

Okay, overall, I didn't mind spending 2 1/2 hours reading UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY. And I'll still follow the series, even though it's not as great as it once was (basically, during the first two books). But I'm putting MJD on notice that, really, it's just not right to indiscriminately kill off some of my favorite characters. ]]> 31962944 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:39:01 -0700 Review27750590 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27750590 to: Micah (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 13) by Laurell K. Hamilton
bookshelves: personal-read
A short story of sex and Micah.

That's it. Really. Were you expecting more? There isn't anything more. No, I'm not kidding.

MICAH is a very short novella put into book form to make Ms. Hamilton more money. And no, I'm not kidding about that either.

Thankfully, I like Micah, although I don't think there are too many more descriptions that the author can make up to describe his physical characteristics. He's not that tall, but he's big where it matters, is hotter than hot, and can have sex as often as Anita needs. Which, we all know, is basically any time she's not unconscious.

I'm glad I read it, because it's part of the series. But the only thing I learned that was new is how Micah became a wereleopard and what happened to his family.

That's it. Really. I tried to tell you. ]]> 31962897 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:38:10 -0700 Review21807908 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21807908 to: The Broken Window: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel (Hardcover) by Jeffery Deaver
bookshelves: personal-read
Another good Lincoln Rhyme read, although I wasn't as impressed with it as some of the former titles.

I will say, though, Mr. Deaver did his research on identity theft, and knowing how easy it is for people to find out a whole lot about you on the Internet is eye-opening, to say the least.

Fans of the series will want to pick this one up, just to stay up-to-date. ]]> 31962811 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:37:30 -0700 Review21836903 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21836903 to: The Host: A Novel (Hardcover) by Stephenie Meyer
bookshelves: personal-read
I am one of only a few people on the planet who can't stand Stephenie Meyer's TWILIGHT series. So I was a little leery of picking up THE HOST, afraid that I would dislike it as much as I did the first book in her other series. Thankfully, I gave it a chance, and now I'm very glad I did.

THE HOST is science fiction, but it's so much more than that. And it's also a love story, but, again, it goes far beyond the normal romance of many books out there today. I don't want to give away the entire story (to read what it's about, just check out the blurb), but I will say that THE HOST covers just about everything, from the invasion of Earth by a different species of being, to the ethics of mind control and morality of killing, to how far one person will go to be with the one they love.

My only complaint about the book, and the one that kept it from being a 5 Star read, is that the story drags on FOREVER. THE HOST could have been told, just as wonderfully, in about 150 less pages.

Overall, though, this was definitely worth my time, and I'll be happy now to at least give a chance to anything else the author publishes. ]]> 31962676 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:35:37 -0700 Review21807880 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21807880 to: Blood Noir (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Book 16) by Laurell K. Hamilton
bookshelves: personal-read
More Anita. More sex. More people trying to kill Anita, more of Anita killing other people. More pouting and stupidity from Richard. A Jean Claude who is nearing maudlin. Jason begging (again). Nathaniel wanting rougher sex (again). Men and women both bespelled by Anita's cuteness and charm (again...and, yet, what?).

Basically, for followers of the series, you'll read it, because even if someone told you it was made up of only three 20-chapter sex scenes, you'd still read it. But please, do yourself a favor and borrow it from the library. At least that way you can save your money, even as you give up your common sense.
]]> 31962526 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:34:13 -0700 Review27750276 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27750276 to: Don't Leave Me This Way: Or When I Get Back on My Feet You'll Be Sorry (Paperback) by Julia Fox Garrison
bookshelves: personal-read
I really loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. Although I've never suffered any of the physical impairments that the author has, her story is very easy to relate to. Not to mention that it serves as a reminder to all of us to never give up, and to never take anything for granted.

Ms. Garrison's persistance is to be admired, as is her sense of humor through ordeals that have broken the spirits of many. Kudos to you, Julia, and may you never lose your courage, love of life, and wonderful spirit! ]]> 31962032 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:33:25 -0700 Review27749886 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27749886 to: Third Degree (Hardcover) by Greg Iles
bookshelves: personal-read
I've been surprised over the negative comments about THIRD DEGREE, mostly because I enjoyed it so much. As far as thrillers go, it's not amazingly original, but the writing is great and it moves along at a really good clip.

This isn't about crazy terrorists, gun-toting assassins, or super spies. It's simply about a marriage that has fallen apart, a husband who has literally gone over the deep end, and a wife trying her best to both apologize for her betrayal and keep safe everyone she loves the most.

I read THIRD DEGREE in a day, because I didn't want to put it down once I started. For me, a really enjoyable read! ]]> 31962006 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:27:34 -0700 Review21807165 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21807165 to: Switching Time: A Doctor's Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities (Hardcover) by Richard Baer
bookshelves: personal-read
I've always been interested in cases of multiple personality, and SWITCHING TIME is the mother of them all.

I found myself immersed in the story of both the doctor and patient and cringing at the horrors this poor woman suffered (although I will admit that I'm not quite sure, even after reading the book, how many of the events she mentioned actually, truly happened).

This book is disturbing at times, but also immensely interesting. For fans of the subject, this is definitely a must-read! ]]> 31961901 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:26:35 -0700 Review21837031 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/21837031 to: Sundays at Tiffany's (Hardcover) by James Patterson
bookshelves: personal-read
As long as you put your sense of belief onto a shelf before turning the first page of SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY'S, you'll be fine.

It's a fast-moving read, as all of Mr. Patterson's books are, a love story of sorts that includes an interesting yet weirdly strange plot device. I enjoyed the basic writing and even the tone of the story, but parts of it were just so unbelievable that, at the end, I closed the book with a feeling of "Huh?" more than "Wow."

Patterson's fans will undoubtedly like it, but I wish he'd stick to subjects he writes about best -- murder and mayhem. ]]> 31961752 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:25:43 -0700 Review27749650 http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/27749650 to: Tribute (Hardcover) by Nora Roberts
bookshelves: personal-read
I loved TRIBUTE so much that I stayed up late two nights in a row to finish it. Then I was depressed that I had finished it so quickly!

This latest offering from Nora Roberts really does have everything I've come to love in her writing: mystery, romance, great character development, and a truly interesting storyline.

With the added fun additions of flipping houses, hosts of HGTV shows, graphic novelists, actresses and screen legends, and high school English teachers, all branches of career and life are covered.

This really is a book for your keeper shelf. You'll fall in love with Cilla and Ford, you'll agonize over the dual mystery of Janet Hardy's death and the current terror that the main character is facing, and you'll laugh-out-loud at the wonderful chemistry and dialogue between the hero and heroine. I would really like to read more about this couple in the futre -- they're just really down-to-earth people that you come to respect and admire by the end of TRIBUTE.

Maybe we can get an update on their lives when Ms. Roberts writes Steve and Shanna's story? (Hint, hint!) ]]>