Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis





Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Publisher:
Bell Bridge Books

Format:
Ebook

Release Date:
July 2011


The Tiki Goddess Series starts off with a bang when Em Johnson is summoned to Hawaii to help her uncle run his Tiki Goddess Bar. After going through a messy divorce, Em thought running the bar would take her mind off her own problems. However, things don’t turn out that way when their nasty neighbor turns up dead in the luau pit. Suspicion falls right on Em and her uncle Louie.

The wacky dancers of the Hula Maidens pitch in to help investigate this murder, but they find themselves getting in deeper and deeper. Two of them are accused of the crime and they do everything they can to clear their names, but are they helping or making matters worse? Even Em is at a loss of who to trust.

Jill Marie Landis literally transports her readers to Hawaii and gives us a cast of memorable characters including a talking parrot named David Letterman. This was truly a fun mystery, although I kind of suspected who the real culprit was early on in the book. Still, it was a fast-paced book with characters that will work their way into your hearts. I’m anxiously looking forward to the second book in this series.




For reading challenge:

A to Z Mystery Reading Challenge

FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Teaser Tuesdays - August 30th




If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB 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 that what you share doesn’t 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!


This week I'm reading...



She tilted her head in wonderment. Where had the time gone? She didn't feel old, despite the evidence in the mirror. How could she possibly be nearing seventy-five? It didn't make any sense.

But what did make sense, now that her life was no longer dictated by her often demanding, though charismatic husband, was doing what she wanted in whatever time remained to her.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Musing Mondays - What was the last book you...




If you'd like to play along on Musing Mondays, just click the button above to join in.


This week’s musing asks…

What was the last book you…
• borrowed from the library? Dog On It by Spencer Quinn
• bought? The Square Root of Murder by Ada Madison
• cried over? Nothing recently.
• disliked and couldn’t finish? Again, can't remember anything. I usually finish everything.
• read & loved? Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend
• got for review? (or: got in the mail?) Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis
• gave to someone else? I just gave a big bag of books to someone at work - I can't remember which titles. I just needed to clear some books out.
• stayed up too late reading? I never seem to stay up late and read anymore.


Funny Pictures - Cute Kittens
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?






This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Last week I finished...




Now I'm reading...



And I plan to listen on audio to...



I'm not going to post what I plan to read next since I didn't read any of the books I posted last week that I intended to read. LOL

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sunday Salon - Hurricane is Coming!




If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.

It's a stormy Sunday coming. It's really Saturday night now and I figured I would post it now in case we lose power. The hurricane is pointing right at us but I'm hoping against hope that everything will turn out alright.

I have a fully loaded and charged Nook, so I'm set :) And, if necessary I have a lot of physical books with book lights. All the necessities for a storm (Yes, I have chocolate too!)

Onto the books I finished this week...

Dog On It by Spencer Quinn
The Egyptian by Layton Green

I'm currently reading Mai Tai One On by Jill Marie Landis. It's really a funny cozy. I'm enjoying it. I'll have a review in a few days.




If I'm not around for a few days, it means I lost power.

I do hope all of you that are in the path of Hurricane Irene are safe.

Have a great week!

The Egyptian by Layton Green


Genre:
Suspense, Thriller

Format:
Ebook

Publisher:
First Ward

Release Date:
August 2011


Domenic Grey goes on his greatest adventure yet…he’s off to Cairo, Egypt to locate a missing test tube which is supposed to be a cure for aging. His client, Al-Miri, claims to have discovered eternal life. If the test tube gets in the wrong hands, it could be a disaster for all mankind.

Grey still hasn’t recovered from his last case in Zimbawe and he’s still getting over the end of his romance with Nya. After their last case, Nya hasn’t been the same and Grey has no choice but to move on with his life. He delves into his work with Viktor and devotes himself to helping Al-Miri.

He had no intentions of finding romance, but that’s exactly what happens when he runs into the beautiful journalist Veronica. She manages to get herself in the middle of the investigation. This could be the biggest story of her career. She won't let anything get in her way, not even her attraction to Grey.

Grey and Veronica do not have much time for their developing romance as friends turn into enemies, scientists are being murdered and religious cults could be taking over. They race against the clock to discover what's really behind Al-Miri's motives and stop him before it's too late.

This is the second Domenic Grey thriller by Layton Green and it’s guaranteed to take readers on a roller coaster ride they won’t soon be forgetting. The story absorbs the reader into the adventure and takes you to another land, leaving readers breathless and anticipating what will happen next. The book did tend to get a bit too technical for me, but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of it. Layton Green has done his research and it shines through on each page. I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment of the Grey adventures.

These books each stand alone, but it's more fun to read them together. This weekend, and this weekend only - Amazon and Barnes & Noble have both ebooks, The Egyptian and The Summoner (read my previous review of this fabulous book by clicking the title), on sale for 99 cents each!




FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Dog On It by Spencer Quinn



Genre:
Mystery

Format:
Audio

Release Date:
February 2009

Publisher:
Recorded Books



When Madison, a teenage girl, is reported missing by her divorced mother, Bernie and his trusty sidekick Chet are on the case. Chet is a canine investigator. He’s very smart, a huge help to Bernie and as loyal as they come. Unfortunately, what starts out as a relatively simple case, turns out to be something much more sinister and dangerous. Her mother is sure someone kidnapped her but there's no ransom. Madison's father thinks she just ran away and will return on her own. Bernie and Chet aren't so sure. In fact, they are convinced the father is up to something and it's not a good something.

Bernie and Chet set out to find some answers, but instead find themselves in mortal danger.

This is a cute detective mystery told from the dog’s point of view. Chet doesn’t have super powers or talk to humans, but the reader knows what he’s thinking throughout the entire book. He reacts to things as most dogs would (he loves to eat!).

I listened to the audio version and it was a nice, light book and perfect for my drive to and from work. A couple of times I started to giggle and then looked around to make sure no one from other cars was watching. There were also a couple of times I cringed, afraid for Chet’s life (I can’t read about any type of animal cruelty, but I didn’t need to worry – it was hinted at, but not really part of the book.)

I already took out the next two audio books in the series from the library and I’m looking forward to those as well.

4 kitties for Chet (sorry Chet, but I give out kitties)





For reading challenge


What an animal reading challenge

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun - Week 25



This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.

This week’s statements

1. I don’t remember what I need when I go grocery shopping. I always need to take a list with me (and sometimes I don't remember to make one - LOL)

2. I love a vacation! I long for my next vacation - just me and hubby on a beach somewhere relaxing.

3. When I lose socks in the dryer, I think why are they running away from me?

4. My favorite snack to eat while watching t.v. is ice cream (low fat since I'm trying to be healthy). In the winter it would be cookies.

funny pictures - never sleep again
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

The Friday 56




This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

It's that simple.

This week one of the books I'm reading...



From page 56 of the ebook...

At least her folks' generation boasted real hippies who fought for causes like world peace, ending the draft, or at the very least, burning bras to liberate breasts.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Cover Art Weekend Blog Hop


Cover Art Weekend Blog Hop




This is a brand new meme to display all those beautiful, funny, crazy and even those that make you think book covers you come across each week. I don't know about the rest of you, but I love looking at different book covers. You may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but they are sure fun to look at. So, if you'd like to join in the fun, all you have to do is...

1. Take the button at the top of this post and post it on your blog.

2. Chose a book cover of your choice and post it. (You can post as many covers as you'd like.)

3. Sign up with Mr. Linky below. Please use the url that links directly to your cover art post.

4. Visit other blogs on the list to see what covers they are featuring this week.

Instead of just one day, I thought I'd run this through the weekends - from Fridays to Mondays. That gives people more of a chance to blog hop.

Have fun!

I was browsing through the upcoming cozy mystery releases and this cover struck me.




Theme Thursday - TREES (Plants/Greenery )


Theme Thursdays


This is a new meme hosted by kavyen at Reading between Pages.. “Theme Thursdays” will be open from one thursday to the next and anyone can post it. The rules are simple:

* A theme will be posted each week (on Thursday’s)
* Select a conversation/snippet/sentence from the current book you are reading
* Post it and don’t forget to mention the author and the title of the book
* Since we may take a few days to finish a book, this event is open for one whole week

This will give us a wonderful opportunity to explore and understand different writing styles and descriptive approaches adopted by authors.

This week’s theme is – TREES (Plants/Greenery )

This week one of the books I'm reading...



His yard showcased some of the crap he had salvaged. Rubber tires filled with dirt and planted with yellow and orange day lilies were scatted around. A four-foot tall plush Bugs Bunny was strapped to the trunk of an African tulip tree. A bald Cabbage Patch Doll in a frilly pink pinafore was impaled upon a metal fence stake at the entrance to the driveway.

Cat Thursday - August 25th



Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.

funny pictures - You hoomin know nothing about eating properly!
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Teaser Tuesdays - August 23rd




If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB 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 that what you share doesn’t 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!


This week I'm using a book I'll be reading in the near future...




Both of these teasers are on the first page...

The opening line...

They would have found the body sooner if it hadn't been two-for-one Mai Tai Night.

and further down the page:

Six months ago, if anyone would have told her she'd be living on the North Shore of Kauai divorced, broke, and managing a shabby - albeit legendary - tiki bar, she would have told them to start spinning on a swizzle stick.


Monday, August 22, 2011

Musing Mondays - Characters or Plots?




If you'd like to play along on Musing Mondays, just click the button above to join in.


This week’s musing asks…

Do you prefer character-driven stories, or plot-driven stories?

My answer...

This is a tough one because I think you need a good mixture of both. If I have to choose, I guess I'd pick character-driven stories. I love getting to know characters. Since I read many series books, I often read and get to know many of the same characters for years. As with most series, not all books in a series are good but I'll still read it to re-visit some of my favorite characters. When you read series, they almost become old friends.

Funny Pictures - Cat Gifs
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?



This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! D This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

Last week I finished...



Currently, I'm reading...



and still listening to...



Coming up, not sure in what order and most likely not all this week, but this is what I'm choosing from...



Sunday, August 21, 2011

Sunday Salon - August 20th



If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. I can't believe it's almost over. Where does the time go?

I only finished one book this week, "A Dog Named Slugger" by Leigh Brill. I know it felt like I was reading it for weeks, but the only reason I didn't finish it sooner was because of other commitments. It had nothing to do with the book, the book was really good. Suddenly I'm reading dog books. How weird to give "kitty" ratings to dogs. LOL

This week I had the honor of interviewing Kari Lee Townsend. She wrote a cozy mystery I loved, "Tempest in the Tea Leaves". I love doing author interviews :) In fact, check out my sidebar, I have quite a few interviews/guest blog posts/blog tours coming up. I'm really excited about them.

I'm still trying to decide if I should do a cozy blog. I was thinking it would be a good place for me to keep track of the different cozy series I'm reading, new releases coming up and I would post my cozy reviews there (as well as here). I don't know. I'm not sure I have the time, but I'm thinking about it.

So, how was your week? Read anything good this week?

Hope you all have a great week!


funny pictures - These words you shout, "OFF" and "TABLE," what do they mean?
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!