Kicking 2012 To The Curb

Here we are, folks...another year done.  All of the hype about 2012 being the year that the human race bites the dust has turned into so much bullshit.  How many does that make, now?  Five end of the world apocalypses?  I've lost count...

This seems to be the time that people start focusing on those New Year resolutions.  You know those people.  We all know those people.  Hell, we ARE some of those people.  We make all these grand commitments about how we are going to improve our lives.  Eat healthier, get more exercise, go to church, reduce our stress, be happier, save money, blahblahblahblah.  Frankly, I don't know anyone who makes a resolution and actually sticks to it all year.  Do you?

We start out with great intentions, though.  "This is the year, I am finally going to (insert activity here)!"  Those great intentions might actually motivate and carry us for about three weeks until reality kicks us in the ass and before you know it, the holiday season is upon us once more and those resolutions made eleven months prior come knocking to remind us we broke our promise.

I'm beyond sick and tired of setting myself up for failure and disappointment.  Instead of making resolutions for ourselves, we should make them for other people.  The people in our lives we love and care for and even the people we don't.  Our spouses, children, parents, siblings, extended family members, friends, co-workers, employees, supervisors, anybody really.

To be honest, if left to my own devices, I will respond in the same manner when I was told, as a child, to clean my room.  My sister, Susan, and I would go into the room full of good intentions to clean up, remove the mountain of laundry from our bed, put said mountain of laundry away, put the toys away, make the bed, etc..and so forth...hours later, we haven't done a DAMN THING except goof off.  But we still want Mom to think we have made progress, so we would just cram everything under the beds or tossed into the closet.  I won't follow through on the resolutions either.  I will find something else to do that looks like a lot more fun and will be distracted away from the resolution.  Even now, the resolutions that I want to make that I can live with are eat more chocolate, take more naps, do LESS housework, play MORE Bingo....

So, it appears in 2013, I will require supervision.  I say, BRING IT ON, 2013!  Show me what you got! 

REVIEW: Perfect On Paper by Patty Froese

Title: Perfect on Paper
Author: Patty Froese
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Publication Date: April, 2012
Genre: Inspirational Romance
Rating: 8/10

Description: Anne Stanborough, a well known mystery writer, inherits her maiden aunt's book store, Perfect on Paper. The lawyer handling her aunt's estate is none other than the handsome Jake Harrison, but despite his attraction to the beautiful author, his painful divorce has made him wary of a marriage between two driven professionals. Anne can't let go of the career she's worked her entire life towards, and he isn't willing to make a second mistake in marriage.

It looks like they should call the whole thing off until Anne discovers that her late maiden aunt might not have been so "maiden" after all… A love story from the past tugs this couple back together again, but will it be enough to prove that a love founded in God really can overcome anything?

My Thoughts: Perfect on Paper was a giant departure for me in the romance genre. There are no scary monsters, zombies, werewolves or vampires lurking in the dark shadows. No serial killers hiding in the basement waiting for the moment to attack. I was able to relax and enjoy Perfect on Paper without wondering who the killer was because there was no killer. Just a sweet romance between two characters I enjoyed meeting and getting to know.

Anne is a mystery writer who moves to Charity Falls when she inherits her deceased Aunt's book store. Jake is the attorney handling the details of the estate. Immediately there is an attraction that they both feel but it appears to be futile. Jake is divorced and wants a wife who is happy to take care of the home, him and children. Anne is definitely not your barefoot and pregnant type of gal. She has enjoyed some moderate success with her writing career and, having lived in New York City, is quite independent. She does not want to give that up.

The story gets really interesting when Anne is asked by the mayor to write a book about the history of Charity Falls. Anne has been struggling with writer's block on her mystery novels, so she happily accepts. This assignment brings her into more contact with Jake as a resource for historical facts and anecdotes. During her research, Anne discovers some secrets hidden away by her Aunt. The mystery novelist in her prods her to investigate, which then ignites a fire in Anne to write a romance novel based on what she learns.

Perfect on Paper is an inspirational romance that explores the choices and struggles normal everyday Christian people face and how their faith in God gives them the strength and courage to widen their horizons and take a leap of faith in each other.

If you are looking for something that is sweet and heartwarming without any gore, violence or sex, I recommend Perfect on Paper. Jake and Anne are characters that will work their way into your heart and put a smile on your face.

REVIEW: Hold Tight by Harlan Coben

Title: Hold Tight
Author: Harlan Coben
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: April, 2008
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Rating: 10/10

Description: Best-selling author Harlan Coben asks that provocative and terrifying question with his fifteenth thriller. How much do parents really want to know about their kids?

Tia and Mike Baye never imagined they'd become the type of overprotective parents who spy on their kids. But their sixteen-year-old son Adam has been unusually distant lately, and after the suicide of his classmate Spencer Hill - the latest in a string of issues at school - they can't help but worry. They install a sophisticated spy program on Adam's computer, and within days they are jolted by a message from an unknown correspondent addressed to their son - 'Just stay quiet and all safe.'

Meanwhile, browsing through an online memorial for Spencer put together by his classmates, Betsy Hill is struck by a photo that appears to have been taken on the night of her son's death and he wasn't alone. She thinks it is Adam Baye standing just outside the camera's range; but when Adam goes missing, it soon becomes clear that something deep and sinister has infected their community. For Tia and Mike Baye, the question they must answer is this; When it comes to your kids, is it possible to know too much?

My Thoughts: Through no fault of his own, Harlan Coben is an author I overlook often. That's really unfortunate and sad because he is a wonderful story-teller. His ability to create characters that a reader can connect to and really care about is exemplary. In addition, placing these unique and interesting characters into stories that weave in and out of the nooks and crannies of his mind to end up in a book that keeps the reader glued to their seat from start to finish takes extraordinary skill. I found myself so intensely focused on this story, anxiety building wondering what would happen next.

The sad fact that I haven't read many of Mr. Coben's books is completely my fault. As I stated above, I overlook this author often. It's likely down to laziness on my part. I don't take the time to take a good look at what is being offered when I am in the mood for a thriller / suspense story. Fortunately, it's never too late to teach a reader new reading habits.

I loved the way this author takes multiple story lines and knits them together into one book and so they are all connected. The best part is how realistic the story is. It's as if the kinds of events described in this book are taken from current day media headlines. Murder, suicide, bullying, parental spying, disobedient children, psychosis and even revenge. Whatever your reading preferences are leaning toward, this book can deliver on many levels.

Don't make the same mistake I did. If you have not considered Harlan Coben when you are looking for something in the thriller / suspense genre, it's not too late to rectify that. You will be glad you did.

REVIEW: Vamps And The City by Kerrelyn Sparks

Title: Vamps And The City (Love At Stake #2)
Author: Kerrelyn Sparks
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: April, 2006
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 7/10

Description: Who says a vamp can't have it all?

Darcy Newhart thought it was a stroke of genius—the first-ever reality TV show where mortals vie with vampires for the title of The Sexiest Man on Earth. As the show's director, Darcy's career would be on track again. And she can finally have a life apart from the vampire harem. Okay, so she's still technically dead, but two out of three's not bad. Now she just has to make sure that a mortal doesn't win. If only she wasn't so distracted by a super-sexy and live contestant named Austin.

But Darcy doesn't know the worst of it. Austin Erickson is actually a vampire slayer! And he's got his eye on the show's leggy, blonde director. Only problem is, he's never wanted any woman—living or dead—as badly. But if he wins her heart, will he lose his soul? And if it means an eternity of hot, passionate loving with Darcy, does that really matter anyway?

My Thoughts: After being quite disappointed with the first book in this series, I wasn't at all sure I would like this book or even want to continue reading the series. I really enjoyed the premise of this book. A vampire reality show that mirrors The Bachelor type shows we are inundated with on television would be a lot more entertaining to watch, in my opinion, especially when there is a mix of human and vampire contestants.

Characters from the previous book make an appearance, as expected, but happily this story does not focus too much on them. I struggled a little bit with my memory of the first book because it's been six years since I read it so a lot of the details were fuzzy. Even so, those murky details did not keep me from enjoying this story, which I did, and more than the first book.

Now that my interest in this series has been rekindled, I will be looking for the next book.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In November

Unfortunately, 2012 is nearing the end and, once again, I wish I could say that real life has kept me from completing my annual reading goal. If only that were true. There's still another month left, and though I am 99.9% positive, I will fall short, I am closer this year than I was last year or the year before.

November brought only one new addition to the pile and the review for this book will be up in December. As I begin to wind down my reading year, I can only look back and be thankful for the opportunity I have had this year to read the books I did read and go forward hopeful that next year will be more productive.

Title: Hold Tight
Author: Harlan Coben

Description: Best-selling author Harlan Coben asks that provocative and terrifying question with his fifteenth thriller. How much do parents really want to know about their kids?

Tia and Mike Baye never imagined they'd become the type of overprotective parents who spy on their kids. But their sixteen-year-old son Adam has been unusually distant lately, and after the suicide of his classmate Spencer Hill - the latest in a string of issues at school - they can't help but worry. They install a sophisticated spy program on Adam's computer, and within days they are jolted by a message from an unknown correspondent addressed to their son - 'Just stay quiet and all safe.'

Meanwhile, browsing through an online memorial for Spencer put together by his classmates, Betsy Hill is struck by a photo that appears to have been taken on the night of her son's death and he wasn't alone. She thinks it is Adam Baye standing just outside the camera's range; but when Adam goes missing, it soon becomes clear that something deep and sinister has infected their community. For Tia and Mike Baye, the question they must answer is this; When it comes to your kids, is it possible to know too much?