Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

A modern girl’s comedic odyssey in a school filled with the descendants of Greek gods.

When Phoebe’s mom returns from Greece with a new husband and moves them to an island in the Aegean, Phoebe’s plans for her senior year and track season are ancient history. Now she must attend the uberexclusive academy, where admission depends on pedigree, namely, ancestry from Zeus, Hera, and other Greek gods. That’s right, they’re real, not myth, and their teen descendants are like the classical heroes—supersmart and superbeautiful with a few superpowers. And now they’re on her track team! Armed only with her Nikes and the will to win, Phoebe races to find her place among the gods.

I have been in love with mythology ever since I was ten (or so) years old. I was infatuated with the Greek Mythology more than others. So much so that when the teacher'd asked, "Who was the God and Goddess of love?", while everyone else was screaming, "Venus and Cupid", I was screaming "Aphrodite and Eros", because those were the true gods of love. Ever since then I've been into anything with a hint of Greek Mythology. So that was the appeal of this book. Even though it was really cute and funny it was really predictable-- too obvious. So instead of focusing on where the plot was headed I was focusing on things like; the possibility of in breeding. Don't ask! I really do not want to explain. But if you read the book you'd probably get it. Summing it all up cute story but too predictable. Three stars!!

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father a laudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.

The Order - the mysterious group her mother was once part of - is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.

...And we have come full circle.... I usually cry and whine when a series ends, but when I finally finished The Sweet Far Thing I felt very content. I wasn't sad (much) I was happy. Libba B. did an amazing job ending this series. There weren't a lot of questions left unanswered-- at least for me, everything was wrapped up neatly which is how a story and a series should end. the story itself was a pleasure to read (there's no other word that could describe the experience). I loved all the terrifying moments, the small victory and that seriously shocking discovery (for those of you who read the book you know what I'm taling about). It was just a lot of fun reading this book. Yes I'm still sad and yes I wish the story never ended but this was just such a really good story that I not so upset about it...ending that is.

Hercule Poirot: Hickory Dickory Dock by Agatha Christie

Year: 1955
Detective: Hercule Poirot
Location: London

An outbreak of kleptomania at a student hostel is not normally the sort of crime that arouses Hercule Poirot's interest. But when he sees the bizarre list of stolen and vandalized items - including a stethoscope, some old flannel trousers, a box of chocolates, a slashed rucksack and a diamond ring found in a bowl of a soup - he congratulates the warden, Mrs Hubbard, on a 'unique and beautiful problem'. And, reasons Poirot, if this is merely a petty thief at work, why is everyone at the hostel so frightened?

Ah!! I struck gold again. Hickory Dickory Dock was absolutely....fun. It was a bit confusing because I couldn't keep the names of the male characters straight. Who-was-who was completely lost to me. But I loved every second of this story. I baffles me how Mr. Poirot (pronounced: P-WAH-ROW) figures out his cases. he says it's through Psychology but it's crazy (the conclusions he comes up with). Moving back on track; Hickory Dickory Dock is an amazing story. you guys should check out her books (most of them) they are amazing.

Hercule Poirot: The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie

Year: 1936
Detective: Hercule Poirot
Location: In a country house

A serial killer is on the loose, murdering his victims in alphabetical order, leaving an ABC Railway Guide beside each body... and playing a dangerous game with Hercule Poirot. He alerts Poirot in advance of the locations of the murders, but Poirot always arrives too late. Intrigued by the psychopath’s mind and methodology Poirot, with the help of Hastings and Japp, travels the length and breadth of England - determined to track down this ruthless killer before he strikes again.

Wow!! A serial killer? Crazy!! those were my thoughts when I read the synopsis for this book. When I saw this Agatha Christie book on the shelf at my library I didn't even bother to read the synopsis; I just put it in my basket along with the other books I found and headed to the checkout machine. So, while listening to the opening chapter I decided to see what it was about. Serial Killers. Well, one serial killer to be exact. But as remarkable as the story was like Black Coffee (check Death in the Clouds Review) it didn't leave an impression.

Hercule Poirot: Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie

Year: 1935
Detective: Hercule Poirot
Location: On a plane

On the short flight from Le Bourget to Croydon the woman in seat number two dies from a wasp sting. Hercule Poirot is also on the flight and he is not convinced that a wasp sting caused the death. Poirot has a large cast of characters to choose from in this ‘locked-room’ mystery and working with Scotland Yard and the Sûreté he sets out to discover the truth in his very methodical way.

I can see why Agatha Christie is so revered in the mystery world. Even though her books are so old, her stories are so original that they can catch even the most die hard mystery fan off guard. That's was this book did. This isn't the first Agatha Christie book I've read. It is the second; the first was another Hercule Poirot (prounced: ER-CUE-L P-WAH-ROW) called Black Coffee; it didn't leave an impression on me for some unknown reason. But Death in the Clouds did. It is remarkable how everything fit together. I found this book very ingenius and I was really impressed. And as I said before I see now why Agatha Christie is well loved.

Secrets of My Suburban Life by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

And you thought your life had a dark side....

Everything changed for Lauren ("Ren") after Harry Potter killed her mom. No,it's not what you think--Harry Potter didn't come to life and stab her oranything. A stack of those thick books crushed her. Now Ren is stuck out inthe suburbs of Connecticut, dragged out there because her father is too grief stricken to continue living in New York.

Ren tries to fit in at her new school, but the most popular girl, Farrin,keeps icing her out. Then Ren discovers that Farrin has a secret: She's beencommunicating online with an older man, and they are actually planning tomeet! Ren can't let Farrin go through with it--she's witnessed enough tragicevents as it is. So she comes up with the perfect plan to stop the perv. But then she finds out who he is...

This book was a bit predictable from the get go. As a die hard mystery fan I've learnt at an early age never to suspect (verb) the first suspect (noun) in a novel, TV series, or movie. So even though I knew is wasn't who she thought it was I decided to read Secrets of My Suburban Life out of curiousity. The plot was ok and the story was a bit surprising. however, I found the story to be very average. As in it was neither really good nor really bad. It was just okay.

Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder

The apprenticeship is over— now the real test has begun.

When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before.…

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear.

Ok. How do you know when your summer is officially over? When you find that all your favorite book series are ending. I finshed three and I'm on my way to finishing four. This is the case with Fire Study. As the last book it was both thrilling and fun. Even though this book was hardly suspenseful, I laughed twice as hard and freaked out about the suspense twice as much. I think I will add this series to my wishlist on Shelfari. The Study series was a blast to read. Yelena is a great heroine. I'm really gonna miss this series.

Talent by Zoey Dean

It’s all about talent in LA: who has it, who doesn’t, who wants it, and who can find it first!

When thirteen-year-old Mac Armstrong witnesses newcomer Emily Mungler’s stellar lying-to-gain-entry performance during a movie premiere party at the Roosevelt in Hollywood, it dawns on her that her own talent is to discover it in others! So Mac and her BFFs set out to prove it by turning fresh-from- Cedartown-Iowa Emily into a box office bombshell. They’ll make deals, throw parties, crush on boys, all on the way to discovering that no matter how famous or important you are, friendship always comes first. Well, almost always.

So, you've been hearing about this new series by Zoey Dean called Talent about tween girls running around in Tinsel Town and you think, The Clique, that other book Ashleys [is it?] and other books about twen girls who act like the PG-13 version of Gossip Girl and Co. Then you think; "What's the diff?". Well there isn't. But if you want to look at it in another way, this series is about:

• A girl who feels that in a town where just about everyone is talented she isn't and sets out to find her's (talent).
• A girl who realizes that she does have talent and gets a once in a lifetime chance to show the world.
• A girl who knows she has talent but no one seems ready to let her showcase what she can do.
• A girl who just wants the boy next door to notice her.

So you see, this series is standing out from the rest. That is why I really enjoyed this story and cannot wait to read the other books in this series.

The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson Part 1

Twenty-year-old Ruth Berger is desperate. The daughter of a Jewish-Austrian professor, she was supposed to have escaped Vienna before the Nazis marched into the city. Yet the plan went completely wrong, and while her family and fiancé are waiting for her in safety, Ruth is stuck in Vienna with no way to escape. Then she encounters her father’s younger college professor, the dashing British paleontologist Quin Sommerville.

Together, they strike a bargain: a marriage of convenience, to be annulled as soon as they return to safety. But dissolving the marriage proves to be more difficult than either of them thought—not the least because of the undeniable attraction Quin and Ruth share. To make matters worse, Ruth is enrolled in Quin’s university, in his very classes. Can their secret survive, or will circumstances destroy their love?

I wasn't able to finish most of this book (I had to return it :-\) but so far I have to say that it is a really sweet story. I don't know, but so far after reading A Company of Swans and (almost finish reading) The Morning Gift I find that. Ms. Ibbotson's heroines have the same free spirited-ness that that Anne of Green Gables' Anne Shirley possesses. With characters like these I tend to enjoy reading their stories even more than I expect to. So since I haven't read this book throughly--yet. I am unable to give a proper recommendation. However, I will ask you to consider checking out this book It was really enjoyable...well the parts I read so far.

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle

In 1837 London, young daughters of viscounts pined for handsome, titled husbands, not careers. And certainly not careers in magic. At least, most of them didn’t.

Shy, studious Persephone Leland would far rather devote herself to her secret magic studies than enter society and look for a suitable husband. But right as the inevitable season for "coming out" is about to begin, Persy and her twin sister discover that their governess in magic has been kidnapped as part of a plot to gain control of the soon-to-be Queen Victoria. Racing through Mayfair ballrooms and royal palaces, the sisters overcome bad millinery, shady royal spinsters, and a mysterious Irish wizard. And along the way, Persy learns that husband hunting isn’t such an odious task after all, if you can find the right quarry.

I did not enjoy this book as I originally hoped I would. What I thoguht to be an intriquing plot filled with twists and turns that I wouldn't see turned out to be transparent. Everything was so obvious that it felt as if I didn't gain anything after shutting the book.

The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman

When Katie and Michaela Wilder are uprooted from NYC and planted in rural Fir Lake, Katie is horrified by their new surroundings: the too-friendly neighbors, the local uniform of sandals paired with socks, the very idea of milking a cow. But while Katie suffers through shopping withdrawal, Michaela transforms into a small-town social firefly, flirting with the hot quarterback and soaking up nature with her new hick-town friends. As in, people who think camping is *fun*. Does Katie even know her sister anymore? And after Michaela hides a jaw-dropping secret from her, does Katie even want to?

New girl stories are another of my faves. But that wasn't what attracted me to this book, it was the title. It was frustrating to read Katie this book because it was from Katie's POV, and she was very ignorant of the oppurtunity she had in front of her. I guess I'm being biased because I'm almost always up for a good adventure. I did, however, like the sisterly bond the book stressed. But was annoyed with the comment Mick-a-ay-la (I think that's how it's pronounced) about sisters and friends. To sum it all up; The Year My Sister Got Lucky was a good read. I was disappointed.

Principles of Love: Lessons in Love by Emily Franklin

It's Love's senior year at Hadley Hall, and she's stuck sharing a dorm with the evil Lindsay Parrish, who's imposing way too many rules during her reign as head monitor.

On top of that, her handsome boyfriend, Charlie, has gone back to Harvard, and her ex, Jacob, still insists on giving her the cold shoulder. On the bright side, Love's mom is offering her the chance to work for an indie music label in New York City. Suddenly, Love's future's looking bright again. Until, that is, the newspaper publishes a photo of Charlie on the gala circuit- with another girl. Obviously it's time for some lessons in love...

Ah Love. She's my favorite female character at the moment. But I am very sad to say I found this book a bit repetitive. Love's Issues are the same in my opinion. This made the book a little boring and monotonous for me. I guess in a sad kind of morbid, depressing way it okay. This way when the series ends I won't be sad. I need some cheering up now.

Heaven Looks A Lot Like The Mall by Wendy Mass

When 16-year-old Tessa suffers a shocking accident in gym class, she finds herself in heaven (or what she thinks is heaven), which happens to bear a striking resemblance to her hometown mall. In the tradition of It's a Wonderful Life and The Christmas Carol, Tessa starts reliving her life up until that moment. She sees some things she'd rather forget, learns some things about herself she'd rather not know, and ultimately must find the answer to one burning question--if only she knew what the question was.

I always loved those stories where a person gets to explore they lives. I gues that's why I love things like Numerology, Astrology (even if I don't check my horoscopes), and other ologies that explore your inner person. For the protagonist (who is also the antagonist) of this story, life has been one bad decision after another which lead to a very sad life for her. I think the reader is suppose to feel sorry for her but I didn't. I find it hard to feel sorry for people who put themselves in avoidable conflicts. However, that doesn't mean I enjoyed this book. It had me thinking of all the wrong turns I had in life. Wendy Moss writes a great story that sends a message (or more) that speaks loud and clear; "The good and the bad you do in life while always come full circle.". As for the other messages, you have to read the book to find them for yourselves.

Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swensen, owner of The Cookie Jar and Lake Eden, Minnesota's own amateur sleuth extraordinaire, returns in "Lemon Meringue Pie Murder" to track down the killer of a neighbor with a sweet tooth.It's summer in Lake Eden and Hannah's younger sister Michelle is coming home for a visit. But before the family reunion can get under way, Hannah discovers the body of a local resident in the woman's basement. The only clue is one of Hannah's luscious lemon meringue pies on the kitchen counter with only one slice missing...even though from the looks of the victim's kitchen, she was planning an intimate dinner for two.

Suzanne Toren

The House of Night: Chosen by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Bloodlust and dark forces are at work at the House of Night, and fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird’s adventures at the school take a mysterious turn. Those who appear to be friends are turning out to be enemies. And, oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. So begins the gripping third installment of this “highly addictive series” (Romantic Times), in which Zoey’s mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity. Speaking of rare, Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare position of having three boyfriends. Mix a little bloodlust into the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any tougher, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. But, as Zoey and her friends find out, things are not always what they seem…

Ok series is getting a little frustarting. It's like Order of the Phoenix all over again and I don't like it. I mean-- it makes for awesome suspense and drama when the hero/heroine of a story warns their public that something's gonna go really wrong and they do not pay attention. That's basically what Zoey's doing here in this book. Not only that, she's alienating herself from the people who matter the most and who can help. Everything is going so wrong I'm a bit apprehensive about theoriesing the series's next step. But as you know I'm loving every minute of it.

The House of Night: Betrayed by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.

WHOO!! The things that go on in this book...you have to read to finnd out. But in the meantime I'll give you my usual vague thoguhts on this book. Zoey is becoming--in my opinion, more powerfull in a sense. She hasn't let her power seduce her into compromising who she is...yet. And that makes me sigh in releif. As for the appeal of fresh boytoy meat she is rendered very unlikely to resist temptation. Betrayal was a really fun read that had me biting my nails (a temptation that I cannot resist) wondering what will good down next. And as to who exactly is behind the currupt things going on behind the behind the scenes (that wasn't a typo), I have absolutely no doubts that my theories are correct.

Stephanie Plum: Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich

Looking to get lucky?

Stephanie Plum is back between-the-numbers and she’s looking to get lucky in an Atlantic City hotel room, in a Winnebago, and with a brown-eyed stud who has stolen her heart.

Stephanie Plum has a way of attracting danger, lunatics, oddballs, bad luck . . . and mystery men. And no one is more mysterious than the unmentionable Diesel. He’s back and hot on the trail of a little man in green pants who’s lost a giant bag of money. Problem is, the money isn’t exactly lost.

Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur has found it, and like any good Jersey senior citizen, she’s hightailed it in a Winnebago to Atlantic City and hit the slots. With Lula and Connie in tow, Stephanie attempts to bring Grandma home, but the luck of the Irish is rubbing off on everyone: Lula’s found a job modeling plus-size lingerie. Connie’s found a guy. Diesel’s found Stephanie. And Stephanie has found herself in over her head with a caper involving thrice-stolen money, a racehorse, a car chase, and a bad case of hives.

This book was as fun as the other Stephanie Plum novellas which was disappointing because there's so much you can do with a Saint Patrick's Day themed book. I really need to go watch Luck of the Irish now to restore my faith in St. Patty's day.

The Specialists: Down the Wire by Shannon Greenland

GiGi is back, this time teaming up with electronics specialist Frankie, aka Wirenut, for their next mission. Wirenut has an uncanny knack for breaking into the highest-level security systems that stump even the experts. Which is precisely why he was recruited by the Specialists. So when wealthy entrepreneur Octavias Zorba hires the Specialists to recover a stolen neurotoxin, the head of the Specialists is sure that Wirenut is perfect for the job. But there’s a catch.

The computer-coded hints that will lead to the neurotoxin are hidden in a few precious artifacts. And when these hints are found, there is limited time to get them decoded or they will disappear forever. But as GiGi and Wirenut begin their mission, they suddenly find themselves on a fast-paced hunt for the criminal, with time quickly running out….

I am absolutely in love with my library right now. Certain books are becoming really scarce at my local bookstores and frankly I'm getting really annoyed. It's the situation with this series; it is non existant in my area but not in other counties. Getting to the point. I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series: Model Spy, so I was eagerly waiting to inhale GiGi's next adventure. Down the Wire was just as fun as the first book and a bit darker. It was sad to see them get double crossed in that way. I really liked how Shannon G. is laying out theseries, introducing us to each of GiGi's teammates by writing a book that allows us to get to know them better. Model Spy was GiGi's intro and Down the Wire was Frankie's. I'm really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait to read the others.

Fendi, Ferragamo, and Fangs by Julie Kenner, Johanna Edwards & Serena Robar

Meet the vamps of the Vamps, Inc. modeling agency:

Olivia, straight-A nerd turned overnight star model--unfortunately, her boyfriend doesn't know exactly how much she's changed...Big and beautiful Veronika, the new plus-size model for Vamps, Inc. on an all-blood diet...and Sydney, misunderstood bad girl and whispered-about tabloid sensation.

It's about time that the undead live it up...

I liked this book 33.3333% because, I only liked one story and that was Olivia's story. The other stories didn't stand out as much to me and I was disappointed because the saying; "Never judge a book by it's cover", does not apply to this book. You can pretty much tell what the stories are about by just reading the synopsis. I find that really sad. There are sub plots that could have been brought forward but weren't. After reading this book I had so many question that i began to feel as if this book was incomplete.

First Daughter: White House Rules by Mitali Perkins

In First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover, Sameera showed the United States it was ready for a Pakistani-born First Daughter. With her brains and bravado, she helped her dad win the presidential election.

Now she's living in the White House. Fabulous! Right? Actually, it's no fairy tale. The Secret Service and the paparazzi follow Sameera everywhere. She misses her friends--and even her school--back home. So Sameera decides to escape. Will she be able to pull it off, or will her plan backfire on the entire First Family? This smart and funny novel continues the adventures of a Pakistani-American teen in the spotlight.

I read the first book to this series (First Daughter: An Extreme American Makeover) about this time last year and was really impressed with the story. I love Sameera. She is sort of like me (in a way); she's always discovering and rediscovering herself and her purpose in life. In this book it's no exception. Even though the focus is on Samee and her potential boyfriend. Like the fact that her cousin who is spending some time at the White House with Sameera and her parents and is deiscovering her love of movie making. She doesn't wnat her aunt and uncle to lather her with gifts so she decides to find a job doing something to earn spending money. What she comes up with is awesome. There's also Sameera's wish to attend school just to be around kids her age again. These issues help make up a really good summer read. I hope there's more to come.

Betwixt by Tara Bray Smith

For three teenagers, dark mystery has always lurked at the corner of the eyes and the edge of sleep.

Beautiful Morgan D'Amici wakes in her trailer park home with dirt and blood under her fingernails.

Paintings come alive under Ondine Mason's violet-eyed gaze.

Haunted runaway Nix Saint-Michael sees halos of light around people about to die.

At a secret summer rave, the three teenagers learn of their true, changeling nature and their uncertain, intertwined destinies.

I was really disappointed in this book. The synopsis was enticing but what was suppose to be a new and unique look at the ever popular faerie lore turned out to be a dull and drawn out story. I felt as if I was being lead around a circle at a really slow pace. There were, however some fun and exciting pieces; but it didn't hide how tedious the book was.

Midnighters #3: Blue Moon by Scott Westerfeld

The five teenage Midnighters of Bixby, Oklahoma, thought they understood the secret midnight hour—until one morning when time freezes in the middle of the day.

The noise of school stops. Cheerleaders are frozen in midair. Everything is the haunted blue color of the midnight hour.

As the Midnighters scramble for answers, they discover that the walls between the secret hour and real time are crumbling. Soon the dark creatures will break through to feed at last . . . unless these five teenagers can find a way to stop them.

There isn't much to say about this book except, that it was really, really good. The plot was really great and I was sad to see it all end. This review was really short, I know. But, there isn't really anything else left to say.

Midnighters #2: Touching Darkness by Scott Westerfeld

Bixby, Oklahoma, is full of secrets. Some come out at midnight. Some should stay hidden.

As the Midnighters search for the truth about the secret hour, they uncover terrifying mysteries woven into the very fabric of Bixby’s history, and a conspiracy that touches the world of daylight.

This time Jessica Day is not the only Midnighter in mortal danger, and if the group can’t find a way to come together, they could lose one of their own . . . forever.

Ah!! Better. Much, much better. I like how Jess accepted this strange phenom. I love how her sis is bieng annoyingly inquisitive. I especially love how the mystery keeps escalating. I just love it all. There isn't much to say except how this book is. I'm a bit worried about Dess she kinda has no one. That's pretty sad.

Midnighters #1: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld

Nobody is safe in the secret hour.

Strange things happen at midnight in the town of Bixby, Oklahoma. Time freezes. Nobody moves.

For one secret hour each night, the town belongs to the dark creatures that haunt the shadows. Only a small group of people know about the secret hour -- only they are free to move about the midnight time.

These people call themselves Midnighters. Each one has a different power that is strongest at midnight: Seer, Mindcaster, Acrobat, Polymath. For years the Midnighters and the dark creatures have shared the secret hour, uneasily avoiding one another. All that changes when the new girl with an unmistakable midnight aura appears at Bixby High School.

Jessica Day is not an outsider like the other Midnighters. She acts perfectly normal in every way. But it soon becomes clear that the dark creatures sense a hidden power in Jessica . . . and they're determined to stop her before she can use it.

Ooo!! This was surprisingly good I'm Impressed. Not impressed like as in; "Oh my goodness Scott Westerfeld actually wrote a really good book". It was more of a "Wahw this book was actually pretty great". Yeah I'm a ditz I know; but seriously...this was a really good book. It's believable and It makes sense. I was a bit envious of the kids who were Midnighters. I actually called up my mom and asked her what time I was born. She doesn't remember and I was disappointed. But I'm over it. So, back to the book...The Midnighters....really good. Scot W. did a great job. It was a bit predictable but whatever it's excusable.

Stephanie: Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich

New secrets, old flames, and hidden agendas are about to send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most outrageous adventure yet!

MISTAKE #1: Dickie Orr
Stephanie was married to him for about fifteen minutes before she caught him cheating on her with her archnemesis, Joyce Barnhardt. Another fifteen minutes after that, Stephanie filed for divorce, hoping never to see either one of them again.

MISTAKE #2: Doing favors for super bounty hunter Carlos Manoso (aka Ranger)
Ranger needs Stephanie to meet with Dickie and find out if he’s doing something shady. Turns out, he is. Turns out, Dickie’s also back to doing Joyce Barnhardt. And it turns out Ranger’s favors always come with a price. . . .

MISTAKE #3: Going completely nutso while doing the favor for Ranger, and trying to apply bodily injury to Dickie in front of the entire office
Now Dickie has disappeared, and Stephanie is the natural suspect in his disappearance. Is Dickie dead? Can he be found? And can Stephanie Plum stay one step ahead in this new, dangerous game? Joe Morelli, the hottest cop in Trenton, New Jersey, is also keeping Stephanie on her toes---and he may know more than he’s saying about many things in Stephanie’s life. It’s a cat-and-mouse game for Stephanie Plum wherein the ultimate prize might be her life.

I think J.E.'s reading my mind because, all the things I've pondered about, all the things I've wished to happened in the series--so far, has come true. This time was no different. I've always wanted to know a bit more about Steph's ex-husband Dickie Orr (because I'm just so nosey). And as usual I wasn't disappointed. Everything exceded my expectations. And I was left wanting more. However--this isn't a bad thing-- I noticed that Steph's getting into a lot more dangerous situations which is scary; but, it's seems that J.E. replaced all sexual encounters with more dangerous expiditions. It's fine with me but I'm just pointing out something I've noticed. In closing great book. If you haven't started reading this series I suggest you start ASAP.

Snowed In by Rachel Hawthorne

Well, apparently I live here now—my mom just bought the place. And named it after me, Ashleigh, which was nice. But did she know how cold it is here??

Um, it's a tiny island with not much to do, unless you really like sleigh rides. But I gotta say there are quite a few hot guys on this cold island . . .

Curiosity was the reason for me wanting to read this book, even when I knew that I probably wouldn't like it. Knowing this I opened my mind to this book and was surprised that I liked it even if it was just a little bit. The plot was predictable but sweet. And the drama was typical teen relationship issues. There's not much else to say about this book except I give it three stars.

Stephanie Plum: Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich

WATCH YOUR BACK...
Mysterious men have a way of showing up in Stephanie Plum's apartment. When the shadowy Diesel appears, he has a task for Stephanie--and he's not taking no for an answer.

LOOK BOTH WAYS...
Annie Hart is a "relationship expert" who is wanted for armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Stephanie needs to find her, fast. Diesel knows where she is. So they make a deal: He'll help her get Annie if Stephanie plays matchmaker to several of Annie's most difficult clients.

BECAUSE LOVE IS IN THE AIR...
But someone wants to find Annie even more than Diesel and Stephanie. Someone with a nasty temper. And someone with "unmentionable" skills.

AND THAT MEANS BIG TROUBLE!
Does Diesel know more than he's saying about Annie Hart? Does Diesel have secrets he's keeping from Stephanie and the two men in her life--Ranger and Morelli? With Stephanie Plum in over her head, things are sure to get a little dicey and a little explosive, Jersey style!

Diesel is back with another supernatural misadventure for Stephanie. This time it's a Cupid-like person. I've always loved the whole matchmaking storyline so I was really happy with this story. not only did Janet do an awesome job with is short but entertaining novel, she also made me excited for her next supernatural themed story. Long live J.E.!!

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

God is dead. Meet the kids.

When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of the many embarrassing "gifts" his father bestowed -- before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.

Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall, good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is from day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun ... just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.

Because, you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil. Some said he could cheat even Death himself.

Growing up Anansi was one of my favorite fictional characters in folk tales. He was so tricksy and got into so much trouble it was hilarious. When I saw this novel (I dom't remember where) I was extactic. I was even more extatic when I found out that my library had the audio book on file (this way my mom could enjoy it too). Reading Anansi Boys triggered so many memories of the Spider God I grew to love, overlooking his apparent love for mischief and mayhem. I was really pleased. Neil Gaiman, author of Stardust, another favorite of mine, did an awesome job incorporating the world of Anansi into modern day society.

Stephanie Plum: Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich

FIRST A STRANGER APPEARS

While chasing down the usual cast of miscreants and weirdos, Stephanie discovers that a crazed woman is stalking her.

THEN THE STRANGER REVEALS HER SECRETS
The woman dresses in black, carries a 9mm Glock, and has a bad attitude and a mysterious connection to dark and dangerous Carlos Manoso …street name, Ranger.

NEXT, SOMEBODY DIES
The action turns deadly serious, and Stephanie goes from hunting skips to hunting a murderer.

SOON, THE CHASE IS ON

Ranger needs Stephanie for more reasons than he can say. And now, the two are working together to find a killer, rescue a missing child, and stop a lunatic from raising the body count. When Stephanie Plum and Ranger get too close for comfort, vice cop Joe Morelli (her on-again, off-again boyfriend) steps in. Will the ticking clock stop at the stroke of twelve…or will a stranger in the wind find a way to stop Stephanie Plum…forever?

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Secrets are spilling in this story. Especially secrets belonging to Ranger. By now you guys should know the deal. The Stephanie Plum series is awesome!! There are laughs, action, thrills on every page-- in my case on every track(on the CD). There isn't much to say except; "This Stephanie Plum book was awesome, and I cannot, cannot, cannot, wait for the next book."

Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake by Jennifer Allison

Zany Gilda Joyce leaves her wacky disguises at home but brings all her psychic and investigative skills with her as she sets out to investigate a mysterious death at a Catholic girls’ school. Is Our Lady of Sorrows really haunted by the ghost of Dolores Lambert? Or is the student body suffering from group hysteria? Solving this mystery will put Gilda in more danger than she ever imagined— and will put all of her brashness, bravery, and smarts to the test.

I decided to try reading Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake to decide once and for all if I liked the series or not. And I'm sad to say that I still found the story lacking the suspense that mystery books usually have. I guess this mystery series doesn't appeal to me as I thought it would. I believe that this series is for the beginner mystery fans; the kids who just finished their Nancy Drew phase and are looking for something different. I recommend this book to children who love mystery books and/or looking for something new.

Stephanie Plum: Eleven On Top by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum is thinking her career as a fugitive apprehension agent has run its course. She’s been shot at, spat at, cussed at, fire-bombed, mooned, and attacked by dogs. Time for a change, Stephanie thinks. Time to find the kind of job her mother can tell her friends about without making the sign of the cross.

So Stephanie Plum quits. Resigns. No looking back. No changing her mind. She wants something safe and normal. As it turns out, jobs that are safe and normal for most people aren’t necessarily safe and normal for Stephanie Plum. Trouble follows her, and the kind of trouble she had at the bail bonds office can’t compare to the kind of trouble she finds herself facing now. Her past has come back to haunt her. She’s stalked by a maniac returned from the grave for the sole purpose of putting her into a burial plot of her own. He’s killed before, and he’ll kill again if given the chance. Caught between staying far away from the bounty hunter business and staying alive, Stephanie reexamines her life and the possibility that being a bounty hunter is the solution rather than the problem.

After disturbingly brief careers at the button factory, Kan Klean Dry Cleaners, and Cluck-in-a-Bucket, Stephanie takes an office position in security, working for Ranger, the sexiest, baddest bounty hunter and businessman on two continents. It might not be the job she’ll keep for the rest of her life, but for now it gives her the technical access she needs to find her stalker. Tempers and temperatures rise as competition ratchets up between the two men in her life---her on-again, off-again boyfriend, tough Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and her bad-ass boss, Ranger. Can Stephanie Plum take the heat?

This book wasan answer to my internal question; "What would happen if Stephanie decided that bounty hunting wasn't for her?". And I have to say that my theories were mostly correct. This was one of the best books in the series. There are a lot of laughs and an unsolved case in this book. I especially liked that Ranger gave her a job. It make for great conflict. I don't have much to say about this book. No complaints either (if I do I probably forgot them). Great book.

The Squad: Killer Spirit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Saying Toby Klein is an unlikely cheerleader is like saying Paris Hilton might be into guys–understatement of the year. But as a Bayport High cheerleader and an undercover government operative, she’s living a life that’s anything but typical. Being on the Squad has its benefits, but just as Toby is getting the hang of protocol and pep rallies, fate kicks things up a notch.

I didn't enjoy this as much as the first book Perfect Cover, but that didn't mean I didn't like it. Toby is coming into her own and is evolving as a cheerleader, spy, and a character. I especially love the way the relationship between her and Jack (Is that his name?). This is a bit surprising because i usually don't really care about the romantic aspects of a story. The thing that made me not like this book as much as I did was predictability-- as usual. Other than that, this was a fun enjoyable read. I hope there's another one on the way.

Stephanie Plum: Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich

It begins as an innocent trip to the deli-mart, on a quest for nachos. But Stephanie Plum and her partner, Lula, are clearly in the wrong place at the wrong time. A robbery leads to an explosion, which leads to the destruction of yet another car. It would be just another day in the life of Stephanie Plum, except that she becomes the target of a gang---and of an even scarier, more dangerous force that comes to Trenton.

With super bounty hunter Ranger acting more mysteriously than ever (and the tension with vice cop Joe Morelli getting hotter), she finds herself with a decision to make: how to protect herself and where to hide while on the hunt for a killer known as the Junkman. There's only one safe place, and it has Ranger's name all over it---if she can find it. And if the Junkman doesn't find her first. With Lula riding shotgun and Grandma Mazur on the loose, Stephanie Plum is racing against the clock in her most suspenseful novel yet.

Remember when I said that Sally Sweet makes the Stephanie Plum books well.....sweeter. Well, I'm saying it again. I was so happy when he (Sally) showed up in this novel. He was as funny and taboo as ever. I guess Janet E. brought him back to help lighten the mood in this dark book. It's crazy and scary; gang members after Stephanie. Whoa. Gangs scare me so this was a bit terrifying to read/listen to. But it makes for great action/adventure/comedy and at the end of it all-- as I was removing the CD for the player, I was really happy with the story and the way things turned out.

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb

In the class of the high school English teacher she has been haunting, Helen feels them: for the first time in 130 years, human eyes are looking at her. They belong to a boy, a boy who has not seemed remarkable until now. And Helen—terrified, but intrigued—is drawn to him. The fact that he is in a body and she is not presents this unlikely couple with their first challenge. But as the lovers struggle to find a way to be together, they begin to discover the secrets of their former lives and of the young people they come to possess.

Even though this was an original story plot I found that this book was a bit boring. I cannot explain exactly what was wrong with the but I believe that the story moved too slowly and seemed to go into great detail in places that didn't need it. I often found myself avoiding this book and mu mind kept wondering while I read it. I was really hoping to enjoy this book but it didn't turn out as I hoped it would.

Stephanie Plum: To the Nines by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum's got rent to pay, people shooting at her, and psychos wanting her dead every day of the week (much to the dismay of her mother, her family, the men in her life, the guy who slices meat at the deli...oh, the list goes on). An ordinary person would cave under the pressure.But hey, she's from Jersey.Stephanie Plum may not be the best bounty hunter in beautiful downtown Trenton, but she's pretty darn good at turning bad situations her way...and she always gets her man.

In To The Nines, her cousin Vinnie (who's also her boss) has posted bail on Samuel Singh, an immigrant who becomes an illegal alien by violating his Visa and extending his stay in the United States. When the elusive Mr. Singh goes missing, Stephanie is on the case. But what she uncovers is far more sinister than anyone imagines and leads to a group of killers who give new meaning to the word "hunter..."In a race against time that takes her from the Jersey Turnpike to the Vegas strip, Stephanie Plum is on the chase of her life.

It looks like Hard Eight put the series back into swing-- for me at least. To the Nines was just as nail bitingly scary and hilariously funny as the last book. As you can expect I'm could nine-- no pun intended (okay maybe just a tiny bit). Now I'm really excited for book ten.

Bass Ackwards and Belly Up by Elizabeth Craft & Sarah Fain

Harper Waddle, Sophie Bushell, and Kate Foster are about to commit the ultimate suburban sin--bailing on college to each pursue their dreams: write the next Great American Novel, make it as a Hollywood actress, and backpack around the world. Middlebury-bound Becca Winsberg is convinced her friends have gone insane...until they remind her she just might have a dream of her own. So what if their lives are bass ackwards and belly up? They'll always have each other.

Harper is going to be the next Jane Austen. Or Sylvia Plath. Or Plum Sykes. Figuring out which should be easy. It?s living with the lie she told her three best friends that?s going to be hard.

Kate doesn?t know exactly what she wants. But whatever it is, she won?t find it at Harvard. Maybe the answer is in Paris, or Athens? or anywhere Kate can be someone besides the girl with perfect grades, perfect hair, and the perfect boyfriend.

Sophie is a star. She?s already got the looks, the talent, and a list of demands for her dressing room. Now that she?s wrangled a furnished guesthouse in Beverly Hills, it?s only a matter of time before she?s discovered. Unless she isn't.

Becca is dysfunctional. At least, her family is. Which is why she can?t wait to flee the drama and get to college. But Becca?s friends know she needs more than a spot on the Middlebury ski team and a cozy dorm room. They know she needs to fall in love.

Dreams are complicated. They almost never turn out like you imagine?they almost always change. Sometimes, they change you.

Another Sisterhood type novel. It was fine, I guess. And it got a little boring at parts but over all a pretty good read. I don't really have anything else much to say about it......Sorry. Three and a half stars.

Stephanie Plum: VIsions of Sugar Plums (A Stephanie Plum Holiday Novella) by Janet Evanovich

It's five days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for Fugitive Apprehension Agent Stephanie Plum. She hasn't got a tree. She hasn't bought any presents. The malls are jam-packed with staggering shoppers. There's not a twinkle light anywhere to be seen in her apartment. And there's a strange man in her kitchen.Sure, this has happened to Stephanie Plum before. Strangers, weirdos, felons, creeps, and lunatics are always finding their way to her front door.

But this guy is different. This guy is mysterious, sexy-and he has his own agenda. His name is Diesel and he is a man on a mission. And Diesel is unlike anyone Stephanie has ever met before in her life. The question is, what does he want with her? Can he help her find a little old toy maker who has skipped out on his bail right before Christmas? Can he survive the Plum family holiday dinner? Can he get Stephanie a tree that doesn't look like it was grown next to a nuclear power plant?

These questions and more are keeping Stephanie awake at night. Not to mention the fact that she needs to find a bunch of nasty elves, her sister Valerie has a Christmas "surprise" for the Plums, her niece Mary Alice doesn't believe in Santa anymore, and Grandma Mazur has a new stud muffin. So bring out the plastic reindeer, strap on your jingle bells, and get ready to celebrate the holidays-Jersey style. Visions of Sugar Plums-the world of Plum has never been merrier!

Whoa I did not see this coming. The supernatural world interacting with the real world. BB likes. This is something different. I took Diesel's advice and went along for the ride totally committing to the experience. Remembering the days of Sweet Valley where things like thins always happened. And you know what? I enjoyed the book. I kind figured out who the villain was but who cares. Steph you're back on my list of faves.

Stephanie Plum: Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum picks up a case a little nastier than anything the wisecracking bounty hunter's seen before. Evelyn Soder and her young daughter have gone on the run, leaving an angry ex-husband who's planning to collect on a child custody bond that will leave Evelyn's grandmother homeless. Stephanie's first clue that there's more to it than that comes in the form of Eddie Abruzzi, a shady local businessman who warns her to butt out of the case. Stephanie doesn't scare easily, but when Abruzzi's henchmen leave a bag of snakes on her doorknob and tarantulas in her car, she has no choice but to call Ranger, the hunky man of mystery whom she already owes too many favors.

Steph knows that Ranger will soon be calling in his marker, but with her ex- fiancé Joe Morelli out of the picture, that should be OK--shouldn't it? In the meantime, she's got other fugitives to catch, aided by the usual band of misfits, plus a bumbling correspondence-school lawyer who's developed the hots for Stephanie's sister, Valerie. And Steph's in for a surprise from her mother, who proves she's not above wielding a dangerous weapon to save her daughter's life.

OMG!!! This was one wake up call!! After a few (three actually) okay books Janet E. delivers this fun,and scary, and funny, but terrifying book. The villan in this books was the real deal. Scary as (INSERT WORD HERE). And we get a pleasant and hilarious surprise and a really huge scare. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome!! This si what I call a Stephanie Plum adventure. And to make it better, no sex scenes.

Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affair by Jen Calonita

The filming for sure-to-be-blockbuster movie Pretty Young Assassins has wrapped, and teen movie star Kaitlin Burke returns to life on the set of primetime drama Family Affair. After ten seasons of filming the hit favorite TV show, Kaitlin would have thought that she could see any curveballs coming, but with a plotting new actress on set, all bets are off. The new diva, Alexis, makes even Kaitlin's long-time nemesis Skye seem like a puppy in comparison. Can Kaitlin keep her sane boyfriend, her insane job, and her composure in the face of this new star power?

Family Affair wasn't as good as I hoped. I found it too repetitive. Kate finds something that she wants in life that her friends get to enjoy problem free. I know that this is the sub plot, a tiny detail that makes up the big picture. Call me Ms. Nit-Picky or whatever but that small detail distracted me from the over all plot and I didn't enjoy this book as I probably would've. Sorry. On the other hand, Paparazzi Prince sounds promising 'cause Katie's makeing changes and taking control of her life.

Stephanie Plum: Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's got a lot on her mind. How does cigarette smuggler Eddie DeChooch, a fugitive so geriatric that even the hot-to-trot Grandma Mazur won't go out with him a third time, keep giving her the slip? How did a woman who died of a heart attack end up in DeChooch's garden shed with five bullet holes in her chest? Who stole a rump roast from Dougie and Mooner, the two lovable potheads who have decided to be crime fighters in Spandex bodysuits? Can Stephanie's perfect sister Valerie make it as a lesbian single mother without driving her family crazy? And--oh yeah--what should Stephanie do about that damn wedding dress on hold at Tina's Bridal Shoppe, waiting for her to decide whether vice cop Joe Morelli's really the one for her?

To complicate matters further, Stephanie's made a reluctant deal with the devil: if she can't bring in DeChooch by herself, her sexy but dangerous cohort Ranger is willing to help--for a price that a girl who's not-exactly-engaged is uncertain whether she should pay. But when Dougie and Mooner disappear, Grandma is kidnapped, and a crazy widow starts taking pot shots, no one who hides her .38 in a cookie jar is going to turn down a little friendly assistance.

This wasn't so bad. I think that things will start to heat back up for Steph and co. soon enough. Since her sister-- who I've been hearing about in every book is back in the picture with a not so perfect life. I think that Janet E. made it so just to give a big, sloppy, imaginary raspberry to all the picture perfect siblings out there. Back to the review; Seven Up was a hilarious read But I didn't like the change in narrators. The one who read this one, Tanya Eby, didn't commit to the characters' voices. For instance, Grandma Mazur; I've always pictured her with the voice of Sophia Petrillo from the Golden Girls. But she made GM sound like a rickety old woman which didn't quite fit her character. Other than that the book was great.

It's Not About the Accent by Caridad Ferrer

Sick and tired of her life in small-town Ohio -- completely boring with a side of dull -- college-bound Caroline Darcy is determined to start fresh...as a new person. And that means following in the footsteps of her late Nana Ellie -- her witty and vibrant Cuban great-grandmother with a glamorous, well-traveled past. Donning a seriously caliente new wardrobe and a vivacious persona to match, she becomes Carolina, a half-Cuban aspiring actress ready for adventure.

Once at school, everything goes according to plan. Putting her primo acting skills to use, she flirts up Erik, a smooth-talking frat guy with gorgeous baby blues -- who can't get enough of her "exotic" charm. The only person who doesn't seem impressed by her Latina facade is Peter, a quiet, sweet Cuban guy from Miami. But when "Carolina" gets in over her head and finds herself in a dangerous situation, it's Peter who comes to her rescue -- and leads her on a real adventure to discover the truth about Nana Ellie and her family. It turns out that being boring old Caroline is way more exciting than she ever could have imagined.

This is the first MTV Book I've read in months and I'm happy to say that I loved it. First of all the plot; it was very original. To avoid spoiling anyone who reads this I virtually gag myself so I won't accidentally spill anything. As I was saying the plot was original and the story blindsided me I didn't expect the story to turn out the way it did which as you should know is exactly how I love my book plots. It's Not About the Accent was a really good read. It made me remember why I love MTV Books.

Stephanie Plum: Hot Six by Janet Evanovich

Five months After the events of the last book, Stephanie finds herself freezing her butt off on a Trenton bridge trying to keep her friend Carol--caught shoplifting some crotchless panties she was too embarrassed to buy--from committing suicide. When Stephanie finally talks Carol down and makes it in to work at Vincent Plum Bail Bonds, it's only to find that her libido-boosting pal Ranger, the professional bounty hunter and sometime hit man, has disappeared.

A building owned by black-market arms dealer Alexander Ramos has burned down, with Ramos's son Homer lying inside, dead from a gunshot wound. Ranger, who was caught on film there by video cameras, is wanted for questioning. Stephanie's boss Vinnie wants her to find him, but Stephanie, who knows she won't find Ranger if he doesn't want to be found, refuses. Soon everyone, from her cop boyfriend Joe Morelli to the two Laurel and Hardy wannabes who suddenly start following her around Trenton in a badass black Lincoln, thinks she's hot on Ranger's trail.

And Stephanie's got other things to worry about. For one thing, Grandma Mazur's moved in with her, and so has Bob, a golden retriever who's only partly house trained. Then Ranger starts popping up at odd times of the night, with instructions for Stephanie to keep an eye on another Ramos son, Hannibal. Add to that one homicidal maniac, a couple more dead bodies, Stephanie's usual bad car karma, and the zit from hell, and you've got yourself one fine Stephanie Plum adventure.

I guess my mind is still reeling from the events of book four. Because this book didn't have any effect on me. It was funny no doubt about it; just not as funny as book four. Sad, I know, but it's the truth. I'm gonna keep on reading though. I have no choice in the matter, my mom loves every book; and because I'm a Leo (which is basically a cat) I'm easily overcome by the deadly drug that is curiosity.

Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison

Ever since her father died, quirky Gilda Joyce has been working hard to sharpen her psychic skills. She’s determined to communicate with spirits from the Other Side and become a crack investigator of spooky, twisted mysteries. After wrangling an invitation to visit relatives in San Francisco, Gilda discovers that her dreary, tight-lipped uncle and his strange, delicate daughter need her help to uncover the terrible family secret that has a tortured ghost stalking their home. From poignant to hair-raising and hilarious, this is a behind-the-scenes, tell-all account of the very first case in the illustrious career of Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator.

I decided to read Gilda Joyce out of sheer curiosity and I have to say that I didn't really like it. I guess reason was predictability. I bsically guessed my way through the novel and I was right about what was to come 100% of the time. There were no twists and/or turns that I didn't foresee. And it got kind of boring. I wouldn't recommend it to hardcore mystery fans or any mystery fan who's read enough of thiese books to figure how the plot would turn out.

Stephanie Plum: High Five by Janet Evanovich

Out of bail skippers and rent money, Stephanie throws caution to the wind and follows in the entrepreneurial boot steps of Super Bounty Hunter, Ranger, engaging in morally correct and marginally legal enterprises. So, a scumball blows himself to smithereens on her first day of policing a crack house and the sheik she was chauffeuring stole the limo. But hey, nobody's perfect!

Anyway, Stephanie has other things on her mind. Her mother wants her to find Uncle Fred who's missing after arguing with his garbage company; homicidal rapist Benito Ramirez is back, quoting scripture and stalking Stephanie; vice cop Joe Morelli has a box of condoms with Stephanie's name on it; and Stephanie's afraid Ranger has his finger on her trigger.

Ok, I've got to be honest. After the events of book 4, Four to Score, High Five wasn't as exciting. This is good news for me because I was beginning to panic. Nothing can be this good, can it? Anyway, High Five was another good read by Miss Janet E. and even though I loved book four better I cannot wait to get a hold of book six. And as for Steph's sexual encounters, they're practically non existent.

Private: Ambition by Kate Brian

The higher you climb, the farther you have to fall....

Reed Brennan knew being elected president of exclusive Billings Hall would change her life. What she didn't count on was being dumped by her boyfriend, Josh Hollis, or being held responsible for a fire that destroyed Easton Academy's oldest building. And now the administration wants to shut Billings down. Forever.

As president, it's up to Reed to save Billings Hall. What better way to win over the head­master than to host a glam fund-raising event in New York City? Everyone needs a date, and the newly single Reed is the most eligible girl on campus. All of Easton's hottest boys are angling to take her out, and for once, Reed's biggest problem is which one to choose.

Reed has never felt so popular or powerful -- until the police start asking questions about Cheyenne Martin's death. Excited party buzz quickly turns to whispered rumors and dark moods, and one thing becomes clear: There is someone who wants to see Billings, and Reed, go down. And they will do anything to make it happen.

Oi vay!! Something just hit the fan and it doesn't smell or look at all pleasant. So, like I predicted, Reed's misdeeds blew up in her face and it wasn't at all pretty. I felt like throwing the book out of my window and running into a corner to bite my nails in fear. It is so scary will the Billings girls are POed; especially when you're the one who fueled that emotion. Reed. Reed. Reed. What am I gonna do now that you're potentially dead. I'm in no hurry to read the next book-- which will be released September 16th of this year, not because I hated this book but because I'm too afraid of what's to come in the next book. So don't expect to see me review Private: Revelation anytime soon. Do, however, check out the Private series by Kate Brian. It just keeps getting better and better.

Stephanie Plum: Four to Score by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum, the trash-talking New Jersey bail bondswoman of this popular series, is tracking Maxine Nowicki, who's wanted for skipping out on a car-theft charge lodged by her ex-boyfriend. Now the ex-boyfriend's very interested in getting back the love letters he supposedly wrote to Maxine.

But what he's really looking for is the secret on which Evanovich hangs her screwball cast of colorful minor characters, including Sally Sweet, a cross-dressing drag queen; Lula, the 250-pound ex-hooker who works for Steph's boss; Cousin Vinnie, the bail bondsman; Grandma Mazur, who packs a Glock and is always looking for a little action; and Joyce, a wannabe bounty hunter who's been cramping Steph's style since she played pass the salami with Steph's ex-husband.

The action doesn't get much farther from Trenton than the Jersey Shore, but when Steph's apartment and car are blown up by the others on Maxine's trail and she moves in with Joe Morelli, the handsome, arrogant cop she's been hung up on since high school, it gets hotter than the craps table in Atlantic City.

Like I said in my last review; the Stephanie Plum series is AWESOME. I mean what else can she do that would go absolutely wrong. I have to say though, Four to Score is my favorite, so far. Sally Sweet is hil-a-ri-ous. With him in the story it made situations even more funny. I bet if Janet brings him back in another book I bet it'll be jumbo sized cereal box full of laughs and fun times. Oh and by the way, there isn't too much of the sex run down.

Crimes of the Sarahs by Kristen Tracy

Sugar and spice and everything nice.

At sixteen, Sarah Trestle has a lot going for her. She's cute, funny, and a terrific alto. She's also great behind the wheel, which is why she drives the getaway car. But Sarah T doesn't complain; she loves being part of the best clique in Kalamazoo: The Sarahs.

Sarahs Aberdeen, Babbitt, Cody, and Trestle aren't out to hurt anyone -- they're simply honing their craft. They start off their summer the usual way: interspersing petty crimes with nature walks, crushes, and volunteer work. Of course, everyone knows that a band of criminals is only as strong as its weakest link. When Sarah T botches a shoplifting attempt, her fate in The Sarahs is seriously called into question. And she's willing to do just about anything to prove that she's worthy....

Ah, Crimes of the Sarahs. Loved the book. It reminded me of that movie Sugar and Spice (which was what the appeal of this novel was to me). Anyway, moving on, Loved the book hated the protagonist Sarah T (as in Trestle) and of course the antagonist Sarah A. and that hatred was what made me love this book. I've never (and I mean never) read someone so flawed as Sarah Trestle. Her blind loyalty to an obvious tyrannic and verbally abusive friend was baffling to me. I found myself getting angry every time she'd let Sarah A put her down or treat her like a doormat. You would've thought I hated this book the way I talk about it but...I don't. I cannot explain it but something about this book made me love it. Maybe it was because it was something very different from I've read in the past...or maybe it's something else. But after reading this book I realized that I absolutely loved it.

Stephanie Plum: Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum, the brassy babe in the powder blue Buick is back and she's having a bad hair day -- for the whole month of January. She's been given the unpopular task of finding Mo Bedemier, Trenton's most beloved citizen, arrested for carrying concealed, gone no-show for his court appearance. And to make matters worse, she's got Lula, a former hooker turned file clerk -- now a wannabe bounty hunter -- at her side, sticking like glue. Lula's big and blonde and black and itching to get the chance to lock up a crook in the trunk of her car.

Morelli, the New Jersey vice cop with the slow-burning smile that undermines a girl's strongest resolve is being polite. So what does this mean? Has he found a new love? Or is he manipulating Steph, using her in his police investigation, counting on her unmanageable curiosity and competitive Jersey attitude?

When it comes to this series there is much to say except; "Just as funny as the last." and "BRING ON THE LAUGHS JANET!!! I HOPE YOU KEEP WRITING ABOUT STEPH UNTIL SHE'S GRANDMA MAZUR!!!"

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Are you predator or prey?

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Quincie Morris has never felt more alone. Her parents are dead, and her hybrid-werewolf first love is threatening to embark on a rite of passage that will separate them forever. Then, as she and her uncle are about to unveil their hot vampire-themed restaurant, a brutal murder leaves them scrambling for a chef.

Can Quincie transform their new hire into a culinary Dark Lord before opening night? Can he wow the crowd in his fake fangs, cheap cape, and red contact lenses — or is there more to this earnest face than meets the eye? As human and preternatural forces clash, a deadly love triangle forms, and the line between predator and prey begins to blur. Who’s playing whom? And how long can Quincie play along before she loses everything?

When I first read the synopsis for Tantalize I instantly thought; "Twilight rip off". Extremely harsh, I know, But what was I to think when I read the words: "werewolf best friend", "prey", and "Vampire themed"; in the same synopsis. So naturally my curiosity got the better of me and I just had to know what was so different about this book. Well, for starters, this book is much more darker than most other books. My heart went out to Quincie who has had more betrayals than most anyone I know, and that alone made me like the book a bit. However, I felt as if something was missing from this story. Something more could've been one to.... I don't know.... spice it up a bit. I found myself wanting to skip to the more interesting parts most of the time. And when It ended I didn't have that thrill I usually do after reading a book.

Stephanie Plum: Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is still learning the ropes at her cousin Vinnie’s bail bond office, so when she sets out on the trail of Kenny Mancuso—a suspiciously wealthy, working class Trenton boy who has just shot his best friend—the stakes are higher than ever. That Mancuso is distantly related to vice cop Joe Morelli—who is trying to beat Stephanie to the punch—only makes the hunt more thrilling….

Taking pointers from her bounty hunter pal, Ranger, and using her pistol-packing Granda Mazur as a decoy, Stephanie is soon closing in on her mark. But Morelli and his libido are worthy foes. And a more sinister kind of enemy has made his first move…and his next move might be Stephanie’s last.

Ah! Another hilariously funny Stephanie Plum book that-- I have to say, was better than the first. Even though Stephanie still isn't the greatest bounty hunter she's still the funniest. The sex scenes are still a bit embarrassing to listen to with my mom around though. Janet Evanovich weaves another funny tale of mystery solving gone wrong. And the best part is there's still more Stephanie Plum misadventures at my library waiting for me (and my mom) to devour.