Stephanie Plum: One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum has hit a major road block in her life. She just lost her job as a lingerie buyer and needs some money to pay her rent. Luckily, her cousin Vincent Plum is looking for a secretary for his Bail Bonds office. But Stephanie has another job in mind, Bounds Enforcement. Bounds Enforcement or Bounty Hunter, pays just as much (and sometimes more than) as a regular office worker but Stephanie isn't tired of that conventional route.

Her first case is to find and capture Joseph Morelli. Joe and Stephanie grew up in the same neighborhood, on the same street for years. Needless to say they have a history of touch and go incidents. The first, when Joe invited her over to play Choo-Choo in his garage when Stephanie was six and Joe, eight. Second when he taught her the more adult version of the Choo-Choo game ten years later; and the last when Stephanie deliberately ran over him with her dad's Buick two years after that.

Now a days Joe is a vice cop for the Trenton Police Force, and he's wanted for murder. Stephanie has to find him before his bound agreement expires and Vinnie loses $100,000 and Stephanie, $10,000. However, while looking for Morelli she stumbles across and some evidence that may prove his innocence. And with this evidence she gets mysterious threatening phone calls and a crazed serial rapist with a penchant for torture stalking her With all this going on Stephanie realizes that being a bounty hunter isn't as easy as she thought it would be.

I haven't read a really good mystery in, well, a month or so. My version probably sounds less than appealing. But, this book was equal parts comedy and mystery. It was very well written and the story flowed smoothly. The only thing is that there were some slightly detailed sex scenes that were a bit embarrassing because I was listening to this book with my mom It just felt weird. I probably didn't mention this before, but this is the audio book read by C.J. Critt. It was fun listening to her read. I especially love her voice portrayals. I'll definitely check out the rest of this series. I'd have to read them by audio book though (for my mom's benefit).

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Yelena has committed the ultimate sin and for that, she has been sentenced to die by hanging. Yet when she faces the man who will send her to the noose, She is surprised when he offers her a chance to live instead. There is a catch though. Yelena is to take on the duty of the duty of food taster. Poisoning is the favored way to take out the Commander (ruler of Ixia) and since the last food taster had just recently died, Yelena is next in line for the job. Thinking the she could escape this duty, she takes the job. Valek, the Commandder's cheif of security and second in command, expects this and as a precaution slips her the world's most rare and deadliest poison, Butterfly Dust. Now she is forced to report to him everyday for the antidote, which is the only way to survive the poison for Yelena and a sure way to ensure that she doesn't run off for Valek.

But as Yelena begins and perfects her new poison detecting skills, she still has to deal with the general, the father of the man she killed who wants her dead. As if this isn't enough, her powers which manifested slowly long ago, is now at it's full potential, and she must learn to control them or she'll be in even more trouble than she ever needed. And if that isn't enoguh, she has stummbled upon a plot to kill the Commander, and if she doesn't gather the evidence to proove the conspiracy the land of Ixia will be in grave danger.

I had such an adrenaline rush after reading this book. It's crazy the abuse this girl went through: mental, physical, verbal, emotional, and possibly sexual. If I had to go through this I'd probably off myself. Sad but true. Yelena is a pillar of strength though, I truly admire her for that. This was an awesome read. It was one of those books that leave you very energized after you've read it. There is so much suspense in this book, and surprises at every corner. I really, really love this book I think I'll head out to the library to get book two: Magic Study ASAP.

Books2Movies '08: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

It's been about a year and a half since the last Narnia movie rocked the movie box office. Now, the Pevensie kids are back with new characters in tow.

It's been a year since the Pevensie kids: Peter, Susan, Edmond, and Lucy, entered (and left) the world of Narnia. Now they're back, and it's 1300 years since their departure from Narnia and everything is different. There's a new ruler, for one, and a new struggle for power in Narnia. The Pevensie Kids, have to help Prince Caspian, the future ruler of Narnia, stop his uncle from killing him and seizing the kingdom. With the help of the ever present magical creatures and talking animals: Peter, Susan, Edmond, Lucy, and Caspian, prepare and lead the creatures of Narnia to a battle to recapture their home.

The second Narnia movie finished too quickly for me. Even though it was one hundred and forty-seven minutes (two hours and twenty-seven minutes) long it felt like a few minutes passed before I was watching the credits roll by. The movie was fun-- just like the first one. However, it seemed that there were a few things in the book that wasn't added to the movie. I'm not sure about this but it just feels that way. Other than that, all was good. It was great seeing my favorite character, Lucy, again; and to watch how she, and her siblings, character development was portrayed on film. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian is worth your ten dollars and change to see. So check your local listings and set a time to go watch the movie, Then stay tuned for the next Narnia movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which debuts in theaters 2010.

Private: Inner Circle by Kate Brian

It's been a year since Reed Brenan has been at Easton Academy. Months since the insident with Thomas Pearson. Now she's back as a junior, trying to put the horrors of the previous school year behind her. But Easton has changed starting with the new principal who is determined to put an end the Billings Girls' "reign of terror", first by appointing six girls, Constance, Missy, Lorna, Kiki, Astrid, and the new girl Sabine, to the Billings House.

But new Billings president, Cheyenne Martin, isn't happy about this development. Until recently, anyone interested in living in Billings had to be voted in by the majority of the current Billings residents. So Cheyenne decides to put the girls through a few "tasks" that, if they pass, will secure them a place in Billings. Reed isn't too happy with this plan. She just wants a normal school year with minimal to no drama. So she takes a stand against Cheyenne.

I was skeptical about continuing to read this series after the events of the fourth book, Confessions. I was worried that the second chapter of the series (books 5 to 8) wouldn't be as great as the first part. But as usual, I was wrong. This book was intense from the first sentence. Reed was the same. I didn't find that she changed that much. The new characters blend in seemlessly. Reed's budding relationship with a previously known character makes me worry about her. I have a feeling that It's gonna blow up in her face and It's not gonna be pretty. I wish I'd hear a lot more from the previous Billings girls I miss them, especially Noelle. In honor of her I'll be flying this I heartNoelle banner everytime I review a book from the Private series. Getting back on topic; I 'll end this post with a few words of advice: Read the Private series. It's a clique-ish type book but it has some intense suspense which leaves you hungry for more.

The Salamander Spell by E.D. baker

In this prequel to the Frog Princess story, Princess Grassina of Greater Greensward is the 13-year-old younger sister of the beautiful and charming Princess Chartreuse. 15-year-old Chartreuse is being groomed to be the next Queen and future Green Witch of their kingdom. But there's a hitch in this development. Chartreuse cannot seem to tap into her powers. Add a gang of Princes vying for Chartreuse's attention and hand in marriage, and you've got one grumpy and mean Princess who takes out her frustrations on her younger sister. Grassina, on the other hand, is expected to excel in all her "Princess Lessons" and later be married off to some Prince in a faraway kingdom.

But everything goes up smoke when their mother succumbs to the family curse. After her 16th birthday; if a princess of Greater Greensward touches even a petal of a flower she is turned into an evil hag. Now with her mother roaming the kingdom, creating havoc and mayhem within every passing second, their father being confined to the dungeon by their mother's magic, and the sudden onslaught of werewolves, the girls are forced to keep the peace in the kingdom. While Chartreuse steps up to run the castle, Grassina is left feeling like she's underfoot. And after a fight with her sister, she decides to runaway to the swamp, a place where she has always felt safe and free to be herself. Upon reaching to the swamp she discovers a way to help get things back to normal......or as close normal as it use to be.

Refurbished Fairy Tales are another one of my weaknesses, so I wasn't too surprised when I fell in love with The Frog Princess series. This story was great but I finished the book so quickly I was shocked when I realized that I was on the last chapter of the story. Like I said before, I liked reading Grassina's story. But I felt her adventure paled in comparison to that of her niece's adventures. I guess I expected more. But that's just me.

The Other Sister by S.T. Underdahl

15 year old Josey Mueller has a awesome family life. Two happily married parents, two great brothers, and with her in the middle, the only girl in the family, a star student, and one of the few Juniors in her class to know what career they want to have after college (Josey wants to be a Psychologist), she's feeling pretty lucky. But then her mom tells her about the baby girl she and Josey's dad gave up when they were 16. Audrey Merriday is now 25 years old: she's beautiful, and is engaged to be married to a extremely handsome and successful guy, and to top it off a cool internship at a Minneapolis Hospital that will help her achieve her PhD to become a Psychologist.

At first Josey is a little shocked but ok with the news, but when Audrey decides to meet the family she never knew. Josey begins to feel pushed aside for the "better daughter", and less unique than she thought she was. And to make matters worse, no one seems to see how she feels. Just as she feels her world crashing down around her; the person who she least expects, steps in to help make sense of it all.

I'm always up for a good story about someone who was adopted and finds their family. But S.T. Underdahl, who was adopted and found her family, takes a different approach and tells this story from the other sibling's POV. By doing so she gives readers a chance to see how an adopted child re-entering the lives of the family they never knew effects the way siblings may feel about the new development and an effective way to deal with it. I for one would have loved to hear what Audrey had to say on this matter, but when I read this book I couldn't help but sympathize (a bit) with Josey. S.T. Unerdahl writes a touching, realistic story of a girl dealing with the knowledge of the sister she never knew and feeling like she has to compete for the spotlight which was sometimes always on her.

In or Out by Claudia Gabel

Marnie and Nola have been the best of friends ever since they met on the first day of kindergarten. Fast forward 9 grades later the girls are starting High School. Marnie is excited. With her older sister off at college she has a chance to make a name for herself. Nola on the other hand is terrified of starting high school, after all high school is when EVERYTHING changes.

On the first day of the school Marnie makes friends with the Lizette Levin, the cousin of her older sister's best friend and proclaimed it girl of Lizette's Middle School. Nola on the other hand makes Lizette her enemy, but she makes three new friends. Soon afterwards the girls are leading different lives. Marnie Is living it up as the new potential "it girl" with Lizette and her crew, while Nola is left feeling alone and abandoned.

I started reading this book out of curiousity-- I mean the plot was obvious; two girls who were bffs since kindergarten enter high school and find that they want different things. Marnie: to be as popular as her older sister was and Nola...Nola just wants to survive. You're probably asking; "Then why read this series if it's so predictable?". Well, I guess I kind of see where Claudia Gabel is going with this series and I guess that-- even though the plot was--is predictable, I wanted to see what she'd do to make it different. I don't think she did much to seperate her story from others but she did make Nola stronger than we'd expect. I'm not blown away by this sereis but Like I said before it's a bit Interesting. If you're interested, check out the series. I for one will be doing so from time to time.

I HEART TAGS!!

I was tagged again by Books&Love. I like tags they're actually fun. Just as long as they don't become too repetitive.

Rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book.

2. Open to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people and post a comment to the person who tagged you once you've posted your three sentences.

Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator

"She fell."

"You're kidding," Liz said unsympathetically. "You mean you
didn't know she committed suicide?"

The people I tagged:

Reviewer X

BookBopper

Midnight Twilight's Book Blog

The Magic of Ink

Squeaky Books

New Tag!!

Kelsey aka Reading Keeps You Sane tagged me some time ago so. Here goes nada..

Rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people and post a comment to the person who tagged you once you've posted your three sentences.

Private: Legacy by Kate Brian

"....I have a plan," I lied, wanting to get off the phone as soon as possible now that I had an audience.
"Reed, listen, about Saturday--"
"Actually, I can't talk about it right now," I said quickly, as Sabine shot me a quizzical glance.

DUN DUN DUUHN!

That was fun! No appologies to anyone since there aren't any spoilers.

The, um, harder part of this tag.

YA Book Reviwer
The Story Siren
Addicted Readers

Reading is For Lovers

Teen Fiction Café

That's all.....For now.

I'm BAAACCCKK!!

I'm still swamped with school work but I've been getting a daily burst of creative energy lately and have been working on some of my reviews. They've been scheduled (yes scheduled) to appear starting Monday 5/19/2008 that's when the first new post will be....well, posted. Just giving you the head up.

CUOM
(That means see you on Monday)

Out of Commission

I've got so much on my plate at the moment. Upcoming finals And a TON of books I have yet to review. The reviews are the easy part but summarizing the book without giving too much away is the tricky part for me. So.... you probably won't be seeing many posts from me for the next two weeks or so. It's not because I've lost interest it's just that in the battle for my time and creative energy let's just say that school has this blog in a choke hold right now.

BBS!!!
(That means Be Back Soon)