New Additions To The TBR Pile In March

My reading has really started to fall behind, but the new additions still manage to find a way in...

Title: Her Best Match by Tamie Dearen
Description: Anne Best was bored with her life in Texas. But when this feisty forty-five year old starts a new life in the Big Apple working for Gherring Inc., she stumbles into more adventure than she bargained for.

Billionaire Steven Gherring always makes the Most Eligible Bachelors list, but he’s given up looking for love.

Gherring’s grandmother, known to everyone as Gram, is on a not-so-secret campaign to find a wife for her grandson.

When veteran matchmaker, Anne Best, joins forces with Gram to find a match for Gherring, passions rise along with hemlines.

Will they find a match for Gherring?

And will Anne take a chance on love?

Filled with lovable characters, plenty of romance and frequent plots twists, Her Best Match will have you tingling with anticipation and laughing out loud.

Title: The Demon's Deadline by Tori Centanni
Description: Some teenagers deliver pizza, some deliver newspapers. My part-time job? I deliver mysterious envelopes for a demon. I don't even get tips.

It seemed like a good deal at the time. I almost died in a car accident, and Azmos saved me... gave me a second chance. At first, it wasn't so bad. I got to live, go to high school, hang out with my boyfriend Cam. He's too cute for his own good, but he's getting tired of all this demon stuff. I hate lying to my best friend Melissa and my dad, who's still not over my mom's death. Neither am I.

But now, this gig is getting dangerous, and it's not like I can quit. Even if I could, then what? I've seen things I can't unsee. I just hope I can figure out how to navigate the darkness before I do something I can't undo.

It's time I face my own demons.

REVIEW: Worst Case by James Patterson

Title: Worst Case (Michael Bennett #3)
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Publication Date: February, 2010
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Best case: survival

The son of one of New York's wealthiest families is snatched off the street and held hostage. His parents can't save him, because this kidnapper isn't demanding money. Instead, he quizzes his prisoner on the price others pay for his life of luxury. In this exam, wrong answers are fatal.

Worst case: death

Detective Michael Bennett leads the investigation. With ten kids of his own, he can't begin to understand what could lead someone to target anyone's children. As another student disappears, one powerful family after another uses their leverage and connections to turn the heat up on the mayor, the press--anyone who will listen--to stop this killer. Their reach extends all the way to the FBI, who send their top Abduction Specialist, Agent Emily Parker. Bennett's life--and love life--suddenly get even more complicated.

This case: Detective Michael Bennett is on it.

Before Bennett has a chance to protest the FBI's intrusion on his case, the mastermind changes his routine. His plan leads up to the most devastating demonstration yet--one that could bring cataclysmic devastation to every inch of New York.

My Thoughts: I am really enjoying this series. Michael Bennett is an extremely likable character dealing with the daily ups and downs of being an NYPD Detective and a single parent to ten children. This book shows Michael as potential boyfriend material when he is partnered with an FBI agent on a case of a psychopath who is kidnapping children of wealthy families, only to kill them when they don’t pass the quiz he gives them on humanitarian and social issues. The psychopath has formed a connection to Michael as well as he plays a cat and mouse game with him as Michael and Emily race the clock to find the missing victim and stop the killer before he claims another life.

Supporting characters Seamus, Michael’s priest grandfather and Michael’s nanny, Mary Catherine, add depth and warmth to this series. I love this family and get a warm fuzzy seeing the love they all have for one another and how in spite of the horror Michael sees on a daily basis, he manages to remain a normal man, no anger issues or excessive vices. His children and family appear to be grounded and stable and I love the banter sessions between Michael and Seamus. It’s easy to forget that these characters are fictional because they are so well written and come alive in the pages, I feel like I know them personally.

The cases he works are intense and suspenseful, but very intriguing and interesting. I am on the edge of my seat wondering how it will all play out, but one thing I know for sure is James Patterson is a master at drawing it out to the last detail and I have been rarely disappointed. I highly recommend this series to fans of mystery, thrillers and police procedurals.

REVIEW: No Weddings by Kat Bastion

Title: No Weddings (No Weddings #1)
Author: Kat Bastion
Publisher: Kat Bastion
Publication Date: September, 2014
Genre: Chick Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: I think I have my act together as a successful bar owner, my master’s degree within reach, and a list of no-strings-attached women warming my bed. Turns out, I don’t.

Hannah believes she has safeguarded her wounded heart by shunning men and focusing on her new baking business. The thing is, she hasn’t.

When my three sisters and I form an event-planning business with Hannah as our baker, I have no idea how my life is about to change. As Hannah and I work closely together, the attraction between us becomes irresistible. And complicated. I’ve promised my sisters I wouldn’t mix business with pleasure. But I’ve never been one to follow the rules.

My Thoughts: Reading a chick lit romance story from the man’s point of view is such a refreshing and entertaining change. No Weddings is a very amusing story featuring Cade and Hannah, who are brought together when Cade and his sisters start a catering business and they need a baker, but not just any baker. They need a baker who can design cakes for their clients with a creative flair, a baker who will agree to never bake for a wedding…no exceptions. When Hannah and Cade first meet, he is attracted to her and tries to make a move, but is shot down so fast and disdainfully, I am still shocked he was able to get up off the floor where Hannah knocked him down. Cade has never backed down from a challenge and I really enjoyed how he avails himself to assist Hannah with marketing her business.

Cade and Hannah have both been burned by love in the most humiliating and hurtful of ways and neither of them wants any kind of relationship or commitment. Cade keeps a list of women on the side to be his no-strings attached bounce buddies and Hannah keeps men at arm’s length with her ice queen persona. Both of these intriguing characters are seriously flawed and intriguing at the same time. What I find so interesting about this story is the build-up of tension in this story kept me so plugged in that I didn’t mind that I will need to read the next book in this series to find out if Hannah and Cade actually get together.

Overall, if you like a lot of tension and build-up in romance with a lot of flirting, sexual innuendo and a lot of fun mixed in, No Weddings is an excellent place to start.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of No Weddings from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In February

New arrivals in February.

Title: The Dragon In The Garden by Erika Gardner
Description: There is magic beneath the mundane and in The Dragon in the Garden, Siobhan Orsini witnesses it all. No lie can fool her, no glamour or illusion can cloud her Sight. She sees through them all and wishes she could close her eyes. Returning to face her past, Siobhan inherits her grandparents’ house in California’s wine country. She encounters a talking dragon, a hot fallen angel, a demon lord, a Valkyrie, and, oh yes, her ex-boyfriend. And that is just in the first twenty-four hours.

It’s time to find out why she has this power.

Siobhan seeks out the Oracle and learns that only her Sight can help mankind navigate the travails of an ancient war. Our world is the prize in a battle between the dragons, who would defend us, and Lucifer’s fallen angels, who seek to take the Earth for themselves. Using her gift, she will have to make a choice that will decide humanity’s future.

Title: The One You Really Want by Jill Mansell
Description: A funny, heartfelt novel about second chances at love from beloved bestseller Jill Mansell

When it comes to love, never say never

When Nancy discovers the expensive jewelry her husband's been buying isn't for her, she decamps from the Scottish countryside to her best friend Carmen's posh Chelsea town house to sort things out.

Nancy finds herself in a surprising new world, where rock stars are nicer than you thought, social workers are not necessarily to be trusted, and the filthy rich are folks with problems just like you. Everybody falls in love with the wrong people, and the path to true love twists and turns before you discover who you really want.

Title: Worst Case by James Patterson
Description: Best case: survival

The son of one of New York's wealthiest families is snatched off the street and held hostage. His parents can't save him, because this kidnapper isn't demanding money. Instead, he quizzes his prisoner on the price others pay for his life of luxury. In this exam, wrong answers are fatal.

Worst case: death

Detective Michael Bennett leads the investigation. With ten kids of his own, he can't begin to understand what could lead someone to target anyone's children. As another student disappears, one powerful family after another uses their leverage and connections to turn the heat up on the mayor, the press--anyone who will listen--to stop this killer. Their reach extends all the way to the FBI, who send their top Abduction Specialist, Agent Emily Parker. Bennett's life--and love life--suddenly get even more complicated.

This case: Detective Michael Bennett is on it

Before Bennett has a chance to protest the FBI's intrusion on his case, the mastermind changes his routine. His plan leads up to the most devastating demonstration yet--one that could bring cataclysmic devastation to every inch of New York.

REVIEW: The Love List by Eve Devon

Title: The Love List
Author: Eve Devon
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October, 2014
Genre: Chick Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Falling in love is just not on Nora King’s To Do List…

Neither is accidentally super-gluing her shoe to her hand right before the biggest presentation of her life!

With all the hard work she’d put into securing the family business after her father’s death, Nora has no choice but to accept help from a knight in shining armor.

Disaster relief worker Ethan Love is still haunted by his last deployment, and desperate for distraction. He’s in town to ask Nora for a major favor, and swooping in to save her presentation is a sure way to get her on side.

As Ethan sticks around and helps Nora through her grief, her barriers tumble down…but will she dare to swap her To Do lists for a How to Fall in Love list?

My Thoughts: The Love List by new to me author Eve Devon is a charming and humorous story about an independent woman who has no time for love, but find her life derailed by it anyway. Right before she is set to give the biggest presentation of her career, Nora King super-glues her shoe to her hand and there is nobody who can help her except the gorgeous Ethan Love, whose brother broke her sister’s heart many years ago.

I really liked Nora and Ethan and found them easy to relate to. I thought their individual personalities set them far apart from one another but drew them together, complementing each other perfectly. The chemistry between them is felt instantly, though Nora tries her hardest to fight it. Her focus is on the company she inherited from her father and she has not time or room in her life for any distractions. I love these kinds of stories when the heroine is so deep in her head, she doesn’t see love coming. It’s always entertaining to watch her get knocked down a peg or two when it hits.

I thought Ethan was an amazing character. He carries an enormous amount of guilt from the horrors of natural disasters he has been deployed to assist with. I really liked how the author writes him as a very strong character, but you see the pain and compassion below the surface. He has a natural ease with people that draws them in with interest in what he has to say or what he will do and I found myself riveted to what he would do or say next.

Overall, I found The Love List an enjoyable read with the right blend of humor mixed in. I recommend this story if you enjoy seeing strong willed characters get bowled over when love comes calling.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Love List from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Obsession In Death by J.D. Robb

Title: Obsession In Death (In Death #40)
Author: J.D. Robb
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February, 2015
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Romantic Suspense / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: Lieutenant Eve Dallas walks the thin line between love and hate in the latest thriller from #1 New York Times bestseller J. D. Robb....Eve Dallas has solved a lot of high-profile murders for the NYPSD and gotten a lot of media. She - with her billionaire husband - is getting accustomed to being an object of attention, of gossip, of speculation.

But now Eve has become the object of one person's obsession. Someone who finds her extraordinary, and thinks about her every hour of every day. Who believes the two of them have a special relationship. Who would kill for her again and again. An aggressive defense attorney who's sparred with Eve in the courtroom is the first victim, but she isn't the last. The messages left for Eve at the crime scenes chill her and turn her stomach. It doesn't get much more personal than this - and Eve refuses to hand the investigation over to anyone else. With a murderer reading meaning into her every move, handling this case will be a delicate - and dangerous - psychological dance.

And Eve knows that underneath the worship and admiration, a terrible threat lies in wait. Because the beautiful lieutenant is not at all grateful for these bloody offerings from her "true and loyal friend." And in time, idols always fall....

My Thoughts: Eve and the gang are back in the 40th installment of one of the best series I have been blessed to get to read. This time the villain is a deranged lunatic who is obsessed with Eve and goes on a killing spree to right the scales of justice on people that in the wack job’s contorted mind believes these people have wronged and disrespected Eve in the past. The psychopath leaves a letter at each crime scene for Eve always signed “your true and loyal friend” and Eve fears it’s only a matter of time before the lunatic switches their to focus to those Eve cares about.

I really enjoyed this story. I always enjoy how Eve’s tenacious nature drives her like a missile locked on a target. Eve is determined to shake the lunatic’s tree to see how far she can push the psycho to come after her instead. This kind of behavior from the heroine would normally enrage me and label the character as “too stupid to live,” but with Eve, it’s amazing because not only can she handle herself, she can be a little frightening herself with how focused she gets when hunting down a killer. I almost feel sorry for the bad guy because when Eve catches them, they will wish they were off planet or in another dimension. I certainly wouldn’t want to go up against her.

This series continues to deliver excitement and entertainment on all levels. I eagerly look forward to the next book, Devoted In Death. If you enjoy strong, kick-ass characters that are able to show their humanity in the worst of situations with some laugh out loud moments, this is the series to look for.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In January

New arrivals to the monstrous pile to be read...

Title: Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson
Description: Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.

After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.

But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.

When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.

Title: Obsession In Death by J.D. Robb
Description: Lieutenant Eve Dallas walks the thin line between love and hate in the latest thriller from #1 New York Times bestseller J. D. Robb....Eve Dallas has solved a lot of high-profile murders for the NYPSD and gotten a lot of media. She - with her billionaire husband - is getting accustomed to being an object of attention, of gossip, of speculation.

But now Eve has become the object of one person's obsession. Someone who finds her extraordinary, and thinks about her every hour of every day. Who believes the two of them have a special relationship. Who would kill for her again and again. An aggressive defense attorney who's sparred with Eve in the courtroom is the first victim, but she isn't the last. The messages left for Eve at the crime scenes chill her and turn her stomach. It doesn't get much more personal than this - and Eve refuses to hand the investigation over to anyone else. With a murderer reading meaning into her every move, handling this case will be a delicate - and dangerous - psychological dance.

And Eve knows that underneath the worship and admiration, a terrible threat lies in wait. Because the beautiful lieutenant is not at all grateful for these bloody offerings from her "true and loyal friend." And in time, idols always fall....

Title: Santa Takes A Wife by Betsy Bennett
Description: He was Santa Claus...wasn't he?

Nicholas St. Noel knew what to do to make children happy and he knew where every gift in his over-packed sleigh had to go until one Christmas when there was a gift he could not deliver.

It was time to choose a wife.

Beth Anderson believes in Christmas and in Santa Claus. She'd been relentlessly teased her whole life since she caught the real Santa as a child. But was she willing to give up her family and move to the North Pole and live with a thousand miserable elves?

Title: The Broke Hearts Book Club by Lynsey James
Description: Secrets never stay buried for long...

Lucy Harper has always been good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nana Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world she most wants to avoid...

Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, but the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery!

Lucy only intended to stay for a day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily has not only left her a cottage but also 'The Broken Hearts Book Club', Lucy is intrigued. Her Nana never have mentioned the club and Lucy can't wait to get started, but walking into her first meeting she is more aware than ever that her past is finally catching up with her.

One way or another, Lucy must finally face the secrets she's kept buried for so long - or spend the rest of her life on the run...

REVIEW: Girls Night Out by Kate Flora

Title: Girls Night Out
Author: Kate Flora
Publisher: Shebooks
Publication Date: August, 2014
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: When the man who date-raped a friend is found not guilty, the women in her book group decide to take matters into their own hands.

My Thoughts: Like the description, the book is also very short and left me expecting more at the end than the abrupt ending I got. I really enjoyed the premise of women looking out for each other. They take matters into their own hands to dispense justice on the man who rapes their friend and gets acquitted for the crime. I liked their plan but, of course, it does not end the way they hoped. When the police get involved, I thought it was going to get interesting, but the story just…ends…loose ends hanging all over the place.

My Final Verdict: If you are looking for a quick read with strong female characters and don’t mind abrupt endings or loose ends, give this one a look. I would have enjoyed this story a lot more if there had been a little bit more.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Girls Night Out from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Santa Takes A Wife by Betsy J. Bennett

Title: Santa Takes A Wife
Author: Betsy J. Bennett
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Publication Date: November, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: He was Santa Claus...wasn't he?

Nicholas St. Noel knew what to do to make children happy and he knew where every gift in his over-packed sleigh had to go until one Christmas when there was a gift he could not deliver.

It was time to choose a wife.

Beth Anderson believes in Christmas and in Santa Claus. She'd been relentlessly teased her whole life since she caught the real Santa as a child. But was she willing to give up her family and move to the North Pole and live with a thousand miserable elves?

My Thoughts: Very cute story depicting the human side of Santa Claus as he embarks on a mission to find his true love and convince her to become his wife. I absolutely loved Nicholas and Beth. Their chemistry is vibrant and so enjoyable to witness. I liked that they knew each other as children and now have an opportunity as adults to become more than childhood friends. I also loved Beth’s grandmother. She brings a special charm and spirit to this story and I enjoyed her wisdom and acceptance of Nicholas without requiring proof of his true identity. This story made me smile and there were a few tearful moments, but these were so beautifully written that they added to the story instead of pulling me out of it.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this story as an addition to any Christmas reading list, but honestly, why wait? Christmas shouldn’t be celebrated only on the last week of December, but should be commemorated in our hearts all year long.

Honorable Mentions Of 2015

For the books that didn't make the top reads list for the year, I want to give an honorable mention to the titles I read in 2015 that didn't make the cut for the best but were still good reads and recommended:

The Body In The Woods by April Henry
We Are The Goldens by Dana Reinhardt
Bound To The Highlander by Kate Robbins
Murder At Rudhall Manor by Anya Wylde
Four Of A Kind by Shannon Clayton
Rock My World by Sharisse Coulter
A Pretty Mess by Carla Caruso
Mommy Tracked by Whitney Gaskell
A Kiss & A Cuddle by Sophie Sloane
‘Twas The Nate Before Christmas by Sophie Sloane
Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison
NYPD Red by James Patterson
Kitty And The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Christmas Wishes And Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale
Mistletoe In Manhattan by Talli Roland

Annual Reading Review - 2015

Another year has come and gone and the best part of the reading year is upon me as I get to look back and evaluate what I read and how my stats measured up. I am thrilled to report that not only did I meet my goal, but I exceeded it. I read 55 books, 10 of which did not work for me and did not review. I can see that my tolerance for stories that don’t work for me has deteriorated to a non-existent level. With a to be read pile of over 1,500, I have noticed this decrease in tolerance much more. My goal was to read 50 books and I completed 110% of my goal. Hopefully, this continues into 2016, so decided to push myself a little bit and make my goal even higher.

Goal for 2016: 60 books

Review requests continued to dominate my reading and to be read pile in 2015. I was quite taken aback and surprised at how many books out there that authors and publishers are clamoring to have reviewed. I had to deny a few requests because of the backlog and I wish I could review every single book, but it just isn’t possible.

I read more Chick-Lit romances than any other genre in 2015, which isn’t a surprise considering my reviewer commitments. Cozy Mysteries continued to be absent from my reading in 2015 and hope that changes this year. I actively sought more Christmas themed Chick-Lit stories at the end of 2015 and will continue into the beginning of 2016. In comparison to 2014, Chick-Lit, Historical Romance & Young Adult went up by at least half. General Fiction more than doubled. Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy remained the same. There was a slight decrease in Erotica, Mystery / Thriller / Suspense & Romantic Suspense.

I was fortunate to come across many new to me authors in 2015 which is always a joy as well as reading multiple titles by favorite authors. Here's how 2015 stacked up:

Chick-Lit: 27
Contemporary Romance: 2
Erotica: 1
Historical Romance: 2
Mystery / Suspense / Thriller: 6
Paranormal Romance: 2
Romantic Suspense: 3
Urban Fantasy: 2
Young Adult: 3
Other Fiction / Literature: 7

A big shout out to the authors who were new to me and the authors that made multiple appearances in my reading year:

New To Me Authors In 2015
Faith Bleasdale
Allison Brennan
Carla Caruso
Sophie Childs
Shannon Clayton
Sharisse Coulter
Dianne Emley
Tina Ann Forkner
Jeff Gardiner
Whitney Gaskell
Lily Greene
Beth Harbison
April Henry
Zara Keane
Sally Koslow
Chelsey Krause
Lindsay Lewis
Jodi Linton
Dianne Maguire
David J. O’Brien
Dana Reinhardt
Kate Robbins
Talli Roland
Kristi Rose
Ruth Saberton
Sophie Sloane
Vanessa Leah Stevenson
Nick Trout
Fiona Valpy
Carrie Vaughn
Madeleine Wickham
Sonja Yoerg

Authors Read Multiple Times In 2015
Michele Gorman
James Patterson
J.D. Robb
Kate Robbins
J.K. Rowling
Sophie Sloane
Nick Trout


My selection for the best reads of 2015 in the order they were read are:
Can’t Always Get What You Want by Chelsey Krause
10th Anniversary by James Patterson
House Broken by Sonja Yoerg
The Patron Saint Of Lost Dogs by Nick Trout
The Unexpected Consequences Of Love by Jill Mansell
Pretty Reckless by Jodi Linton
Dog Gone, Back Soon by Nick Trout
The Curvy Girls Club by Michele Gorman
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Love And Shenanigans by Zara Keane
Weightless by Michele Gorman
Cop Town by Karin Slaughter
Concealed In Death by J.D. Robb
The Night Visitor by Dianne Emley
Promised To The Highlander by Kate Robbins
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Girl He Knows by Kristi Rose
Dead Romantic by Ruth Saberton
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Festive In Death by J.D. Robb
The Creatives by Lindsay Lewis
Poppy’s 3 Men by Sophie Sloane
Behind The Scenes by Sophie Childs
The French For Christmas by Fiona Valpy
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
T Is For Trespass by Sue Grafton

Here's hoping 2016 will be a keeper-shelf-book year!

REVIEW: Bella's Christmas Bake Off by Sue Watson

Title: Bella’s Christmas Bake Off
Author: Sue Watson
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: Bella Bradley is the queen of television baking – a national treasure. Her Christmas specials have been topping the ratings for years and her marriage to Peter ‘Silver Fox’ Bradley is the stuff of Hello magazine specials.

But this year things are going to be different.

For Amy Lane, Bella’s best friend from school, life hasn’t held quite the same sparkle. And when Amy’s husband walks out three weeks from Christmas, it seems their lives are further apart than ever.

Amy has watched Bella’s rise to fame fondly, despite the fact Bella was always a terrible cook. But when she realizes that Bella’s latest Christmas book is made up entirely of Amy’s mother’s recipes, the gloves are off…

After winning a competition to appear on Bella’s TV show, Amy is going to make sure that for Bella and her viewers, this will definitely be a Christmas to remember…

A hilarious, heart-breaking and feel good read about best friends, baking and the magic of Christmas.

My Thoughts: This was a very good story about long-lost friends reconnecting under less than joyous circumstances. After Amy discovers her best friend from childhood is using Amy’s mother’s recipes as her own, Amy decides to take a stand and confront Bella. Amy isn’t having the best Christmas holiday. Her husband has left her for a pole-dancing colleague and her children have other plans. While watching her old friend, Bella Bradley, on television, Amy learns that her friend is deceiving the world by passing off recipes as her own. Amy wins a contest to appear on Bella’s cooking show and is determined to right many wrongs.

I liked Amy very much and felt great empathy with her situation. I liked that in the middle of her heartbreak and despair, she shows great strength and courage to everyone around her. She reminisces about her friendship with Bella and how they are no longer friends due to something Amy did and the guilt that Amy carries with her all these years later. As much as I liked Amy, I was equally prepared to dislike Bella. I found her arrogant, presumptuous, conceited, selfish and haughty. In spite of all these negative personality traits, Bella intrigued me. I knew there had to be much more to Bella’s attitude and demeanor than just what Amy had done when they were younger. Once Bella’s true personality starts to emerge, I found it easy to see why Amy and Bella were friends and was hopeful they could resolve all of the issues standing between them. I liked that Amy was not impressed with Bella’s glitzy and glamorous lifestyle and willingly stood up to Bella. I liked that there are several layers covering up the real Bella and when she lowers her guard and the layers start to peel back, we get to see a character who lives in constant dread of her life being exposed to the media. She harbors many secrets in her celebrity life and has to walk on eggshells with everyone around her. I enjoyed the tension between Amy and Bella as they worked through their animosity to get back to the friendship they had lost. Numerous supporting characters add to the story to make it more intriguing and entertaining with their personalities. A few surprises are in store with some of the characters that I felt added to the story’s charm.

My Final Verdict: Sue Watson delivers up another sparkly Christmas filled winner with all the festive trimmings and is an author that readers should be on the lookout for. I am looking forward to next Christmas and Sue Watson’s next book. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy feel good stories sprinkled with the magic of Christmas.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Bella’s Christmas Bake Off from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In December

Happy New Year! December saw the arrival of many new arrivals to the teetering pile...

Title: A Christmas In Disguise by Katie Fforde
Description: Treat yourself to some extra romance with this exclusive, straight-to-digital short story from the Sunday Times No. 1 Bestseller.

When Jo’s friend Andi asks if she’ll stand in to cook Christmas lunch for her employer, Jo reluctantly agrees. She knows Andi will lose her job if she doesn’t, and wants to help out her friend.

Jo is nervous because Andi’s boss is a well-known celebrity diva, who outright refuses to have anyone but Andi cook for her. But she also insists Andi wears full chef's whites so the girls think they’ll get away with it … it’s the perfect Christmas disguise.

But when Jo runs into one of the guests - good looking and very smart Anthony - things get even more complicated…

Title: Falling For Prince Charles by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Description: Daisy Silverman has always been obsessed with His Royal Highness, Prince Charles. When the underachieving 30-something cleaning lady wins a million dollars, she follows her lifelong dream to go to London. Once there, she meets Prince Charles—the real Prince Charles.

Through a series of misunderstandings, the Royal Family doesn't realize that Daisy's Jewish or that she's spent her life up to the elbows in the wrong kind of toilet water. By the time they do, Daisy is in love with Charles, Charles is in love with Daisy, and the Queen's white gloves are off.

FALLING FOR PRINCE CHARLES is an offbeat alternate-universe romantic comedy showing the heir to the British throne in a light quite unlike any he's been seen in before.

Title: Hide by Lisa Gardner
Description: You have good reason to be afraid. . . .

It was a case that haunts Bobby Dodge to this day—the case that nearly killed him and changed his life forever. Now, in an underground chamber on the grounds of an abandoned Massachusetts mental hospital, the gruesome discovery of six mummified corpses resurrects his worst nightmare: the return of a killer he thought dead and buried. There’s no place to run. . . . Bobby’s only lead is wrapped around a dead woman’s neck. Annabelle Granger has been in hiding for as long as she can remember. Her childhood was a blur of new cities and assumed identities. But what—or who—her family was running from, she never knew. Now a body is unearthed from a grave, wearing a necklace bearing Annabelle’s name, and the danger is too close to escape. This time, she’s not going to run. You know he will find you. . . .

The new threat could be the dead psychopath’s copycat, his protégé—or something far more terrifying. Dodge knows the only way to find him is to solve the mystery of Annabelle Granger, and to do that he must team up with his former lover, partner, and friend D. D. Warren from the Boston P.D. But the trail leads back to a woman from Bobby’s past who may be every bit as dangerous as the new killer—a beautiful survivor-turned-avenger with an eerie link to Annabelle. From its tense opening pages to its shocking climax, Hide is a thriller that delves into our deepest, darkest fears. Where there is no one to trust. Where there is no place left to hide.

Title: Match Me If You Can by Michele Gorman
Description: Ever thought about recycling your ex?

Best friends Catherine, Rachel & Sarah are fun, smart, successful and single – just like millions of women with a low tolerance for idiocy in their dates.

Mr. Right hasn't turned up yet, and Mr Right-Now isn't worth booking a wax appointment for. So when Catherine, London’s finest matchmaker, gets Rachel and Sarah to join her dating site where they can recycle their ex-boyfriends in exchange for an upgrade, they soon realise that anything could happen . . .

Three best friends, proving that sometimes it really isn't you… it's him

Title: Suddenly Sorceress by Erica Lucke Dean
Description: PMS can be a real witch.

Ivie McKie isn’t your run-of-the-mill kindergarten teacher. After an encounter with a horny goat, followed by a confrontation with her lying, cheating fiancé, Ivie is shocked when the big jerk suddenly transforms into a skunk—the black and white furry variety.

Enlisting the help of her shopaholic friend Chloe and sexy club magician Jackson Blake, Ivie is forced to play a literal game of cat and mouse as she races against the clock to change her ex back before she's arrested for his murder.

With every new spell comes a fresh wave of sexual desire, drawing Jack further into Ivie’s troubles—her panties, the car, the kitchen, and assorted seedy bathrooms along the way.

Ivie soon discovers what every witch worth her spell book knows: There’s nothing worse than a bad case of Post Magical Syndrome.

Title: Swimsuit by James Patterson
Description: THE BEACH...

A breathtakingly beautiful supermodel disappears from a swimsuit photo shoot at the most glamorous hotel in Hawaii. Only hours after she goes missing, Kim McDaniels's parents receive a terrifying phone call. Fearing the worst, they board the first flight to Maui and begin the hunt for their daughter.

...WILL NEVER BE...

Ex-cop Ben Hawkins, now a reporter for the L.A. Times, gets the McDaniels assignment. The ineptitude of the local police force defies belief--Ben has to start his own investigation for Kim McDaniels to have a prayer. And for Ben to have the story of his life.

...THE SAME FOR YOU AGAIN.

All the while, the killer sets the stage for his next production. His audience expects the best--and they won't be disappointed. Swimsuit is a heart-pounding story of fear and desire, transporting you to a place where beauty and murder collide and unspeakable horrors are hidden within paradise.

Title: Switch A Wish by M.B. Earnheardt
Description: Chris and Amanda Claridge are that couple. They look happy. They live in a well-kept house, have three little girls and fit squarely into the traditional roles of a husband and wife.

Chris is a handsome college professor, and easily charms most everyone he meets. He loves his job and can’t wait to go to work each day. Amanda is a dedicated mother and caretaker. She tends to the kids and appreciates how important her job is, even if others don’t get it.

Underneath the surface of this functioning family, things are unraveling. Their marital problems are about to split them apart when something magical happens. Chris and Amanda make a bedtime wish that forces them to live the life of the other person.

Chris must pretend to be his wife as he takes on childcare and household chores. Amanda steps out of her heels and into Chris’ shoes to tackle his job as a college professor. The role reversal is a revelation for the couple. Neither one has it as good, or bad, as they expected.

Can Chris and Amanda’s newfound understanding of each other survive when the secrets come out? Or, did a magical wish just cost them their marriage? Will they be able to switch back?

Switch-A-Wish examines the complexity of a stressed relationship through the eyes of partners who are required to live as each other. This unique perspective allows Chris and Amanda a chance to find their way back to the feelings of the love they once shared.

Title: T Is For Trespass by Sue Grafton
Description: trespass \'trespes\ n: a transgression of law involving one's obligations to God or to one's neighbor; a violation of moral law; an offense; a sin -Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition, Unabridged

In what may be her most unsettling novel to date, Sue Grafton's T is for Trespass is also her most direct confrontation with the forces of evil. Beginning slowly with the day-to-day life of a private eye, Grafton suddenly shifts from the voice of Kinsey Millhone to that of Solana Rojas, introducing readers to a chilling sociopath. Rojas is not her birth name. It is an identity she cunningly stole, an identity that gives her access to private caregiving jobs. The true horror of the novel builds with excruciating tension as the reader foresees the awfulness that lies ahead. The suspense lies in whether Millhone will realize what is happening in time to intervene.

Though set in the late eighties, T is for Trespass could not be more topical: identity theft; elder abuse; betrayal of trust; the breakdown in the institutions charged with caring for the weak and the dependent. It reveals a terrifying but all-too-real rip in the social fabric. Once again, Grafton opens up new territory with startling results.

Title: Twice Upon A Time by Lisa Ann Verge
Description: IRELAND. 513 A.D.

Born on Samhain Eve to the most powerful priestess in Ulster, this bold warrior king's conquests are legendary. But Conaire knows he is no ordinary man. Some whisper that he is not a man at all.

The daughter of a vanquished king, exiled from her tribe, Brigid possesses the sacred gift of prophecy. Enchanted by her solemn beauty and magical powers, Conaire defies his people to make her his queen -- only to lose her in a shattering act of treachery....

FRANCE. 1249 A.D.

Doomed to wander the world alone, Conaire is brought by a stunning twist of fate to a stranger's bedside. Her name is Deirdre, and in her mystical green eyes he recognizes his lost love.

Now, in a land seething with dark intrigue, murderous passions and ancient secrets, Conaire and Deirdre must fight to reclaim the passion kindled so many centuries before -- an immortal love destined to bind their souls through all eternity....

REVIEW: Last Christmas by Lily Greene

Title: Last Christmas
Author: Lily Greene
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Publication Date: October, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: Last Christmas Ella’s heart was broken.

She had been with sophisticated banker Robbie Newton for six years when they suddenly broke up on New Year’s Eve.

Robbie had left her heartbroken and hurt with nothing but a note explaining he had taken a job in Chicago.

This Christmas Ella is determined to bury her past and start afresh.

She focuses on her career as an artist and organizes her debut exhibition in a swanky London gallery.

While shopping for her best friend, Libby Crosley, who is hosting her infamous Christmas party that evening, Ella bumps into a mysterious man in the supermarket.

After a series of awkward run-ins and chance meetings with this stranger, Fergus Lamb, Ella feels the pangs of love again.

Fergus is nothing like any man Ella’s ever dated.

He’s a quirky, smart, bold, and spontaneous war photographer who looks like James Dean.

Just as Ella’s luck is changing, Robbie shows up unannounced at the opening night of her exhibition.

Ella is faced with a choice when Robbie finally offers her what she always wanted…

Who will Ella choose? Her suave and successful ex-boyfriend who she finds so irresistible? Or the exciting new stranger who has just waltzed into her life?

Will this Christmas be a fresh start? Or will she be dragged back to the memories of Last Christmas?

My Thoughts: Last Christmas by new to me author Lily Greene is a short Christmas novella about a woman who is determined to make this Christmas much better than the year before. Last Christmas, Ella was devastated when her long term boyfriend dumped her to take a job in Chicago. Ella focuses on her work and upcoming exhibition in an art gallery and spending time with her friends. She meets photo journalist, Fergus, at a Christmas party and begins to experience feelings again. Everything is going beautifully in her new relationship until her ex-boyfriend, Robbie, shows up unexpectedly looking for reconciliation. Now Ella is faced with making a decision that will affect the rest of her life and future happiness.

This was an OK story for me. I liked Ella and Fergus and thought some of his date ideas were very creative and intriguing. I thought Ella was a character I could easily relate to and empathized with her confusion and frustration when Robbie shows up at the art gallery. I did not like Robbie or his arrogant assumption that he could just waltz back into Ella’s life, thinking she will welcome him back without question and with open arms. I felt disappointed with the way she resolves her past with Robbie. I felt it lacked the emotion that should have been there considering the length of time they were together and the way he broke up with her. I was expecting to see more conflict. Robbie comes across as a very weak character and he proves it with how he behaves after telling Ella he wants her back. Everything ends well, but I think the story would have played out better for me if it had been a longer story with more time spent with the characters interacting more. I recommend this to fans of chick-lit romance looking for a fast Christmas story. Readers that enjoy a longer story and prefer their characters to be more complex should look for something else.

REVIEW: T Is For Trespass by Sue Grafton

Title: T Is For Trespass (Kinsey Millhone #20)
Author: Sue Grafton
Publisher: G.P. Putnams Sons
Publication Date: December, 2007
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: trespass \'trespes\ n: a transgression of law involving one's obligations to God or to one's neighbor; a violation of moral law; an offense; a sin
-Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition, Unabridged

In what may be her most unsettling novel to date, Sue Grafton's T is for Trespass is also her most direct confrontation with the forces of evil. Beginning slowly with the day-to-day life of a private eye, Grafton suddenly shifts from the voice of Kinsey Millhone to that of Solana Rojas, introducing readers to a chilling sociopath. Rojas is not her birth name. It is an identity she cunningly stole, an identity that gives her access to private caregiving jobs. The true horror of the novel builds with excruciating tension as the reader foresees the awfulness that lies ahead. The suspense lies in whether Millhone will realize what is happening in time to intervene.

Though set in the late eighties, T is for Trespass could not be more topical: identity theft; elder abuse; betrayal of trust; the breakdown in the institutions charged with caring for the weak and the dependent. It reveals a terrifying but all-too-real rip in the social fabric. Once again, Grafton opens up new territory with startling results.

My Thoughts: The more I get to know Kinsey Millhone, the more I like her. This character is so interesting on her own, she has great strength of character and integrity and though she is flawed and makes mistakes, she doesn’t let it stop her from doing the right thing, even if doing the right thing causes her problems. I also enjoy her observant outlook on the world around her. She’s very intuitive and that serves her well in her day to day activities. Without her high level of perception, the outcome would have been much more horrific for the victims because the predator in this story is someone you should be able to trust. Someone you hire to care for your elderly parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt. Someone you rely on to have the needs of your loved one as their number one priority. When Kinsey’s cranky neighbor, Gus Vronsky takes a fall, it doesn’t take long for Kinsey and her landlord, Henry, to realize that Gus needs help. Kinsey is able to track down Gus’s only living relative, a niece who lives on the other side of the country. She hires a nurse to care for Gus, but she does not realize the woman she hired is not who she thinks she is. This woman is a predator who has assumed numerous identities over the years to ingratiate herself into the homes of her elderly patients, where in addition to drugging and stealing from them, she ultimately murders them.

When Kinsey starts looking into the background of Gus’s nurse, she does not anticipate how shrewd this predator is and how she manages to stay just a few steps ahead of Kinsey. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game the author illustrates as Kinsey tries to figure out Solana’s plan only to have to backtrack and rethink it when Kinsey finds herself outwitted. I admired Kinsey’s vigilance and determination to protect Gus, in spite of his less than nice personality. Though she was certainly not required to step in and could have very easily ignored the matter as not any of her business, I liked that Kinsey’s instincts draw her into the matter so that she feels obligated to take action.

I enjoyed the whole book, but the last few chapters are what drew me in. The anxiety building suspense was a real nail-biter as Kinsey has to first rescue Gus and then deal with the retaliation from Solana. The ending was completely unexpected but well played out. I recommend this book to all fans of mystery, thriller or suspense novels, but don’t start in the middle of the alphabet with this series. In order to understand the all of the character’s backstory, I recommend this series be read in order.

REVIEW: Mistletoe And Wine by Faith Bleasdale

Title: Mistletoe And Wine
Author: Faith Bleasdale
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Publication Date: October, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: One office party, three couples, lots of secrets. What could possibly go wrong?

Harry Augustus, the third generation boss of Augustus Estate Agents, is hosting the biggest and best Christmas party yet.

He is pulling out all the stops and has a big announcement to make.

Gabby, the glamorous office manager, is in charge of the festive bash.

But she’s also sleeping with the boss.

Their office romance has been anything but subtle and is made more scandalous by the fact that Harry is married with two kids.

But theirs is not the only secret relationship in the office…

Caroline, Harry’s dutiful PA, is dating her irresistible colleague, Rob Sharp, who wants to keep their relationship private so it won’t affect his chances of an upcoming promotion.

But Caroline is at her wits end; she’d rather face the inevitable gossip than the icy front Rob puts on in the office.

Why does she feel like she’s the one having the affair?

Gabby takes Caroline for a drink at the ‘Olive’ to plan the party and tells her she thinks Harry is going to leave his wife for her.

That’s what the announcement is going to be about.

While leaving the bar, Gabby sees Evie and Joseph, two juniors at the company, sharing a tender moment.

She thinks they’d make a cute couple but Evie has set her sights on Rob…

As Gabby, Caroline and Evie grow closer, their secret relationships threaten to catch up with them.

Trouble is brewing…

What is Harry’s speech going to be about? How will the couples cope when the truth is revealed during a not so secret ‘Secret Santa’ present swap?

Can mistletoe and wine save the day?

My Thoughts: With Mistletoe And Wine, new to me author, Faith Bleasdale, offers a story about the pitfalls of office romances and three women who navigate their lives around them. Gabby is the office manager and is sleeping with the boss, Harry. Caroline is Harry’s personal assistant and is dating Rob, a colleague, who wants to keep their relationship a secret to improve his chances of advancement. Evie, a junior employee is dating Joseph, but she is attracted to Rob, not knowing that he is dating Caroline.

I found the story to be OK. I enjoyed the blossoming friendships between the women and enjoyed the outcome, but I struggled with why Gabby and Caroline allowed themselves to remain in relationships they knew were bad for them. Though the story ends on a high note for all three women, I don’t like stories where the leading characters allow themselves to be treated as objects by men who claim to love them. The story does get interesting as we are drawn into the office Christmas festivities and what transpires. The result proves to be entertaining and enjoyable.

If you are looking for a fast read with a Christmas theme and do not mind toxic relationships, give this one a try.

REVIEW: Mistletoe In Manhattan by Talli Roland

Title: Mistletoe In Manhattan
Author: Talli Roland
Publisher: Notting Hill Press
Publication Date: November, 2012
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: As Little Missington's first Christmas baby in fifty years and the daughter of 'Christmas When You Like It' party-planners, Holly West has been surrounded by the holiday spirit since birth. Trouble is, she's not exactly filled with festive cheer. In fact, Holly can't wait to ditch the tinsel and Santa suits for champagne and celebs, and become a party-planner to the stars.

When British film star Dean Layton hires her parents' company to throw his holiday bash in Manhattan, Holly jumps at the chance to help, confident she can handle a little Christmas in exchange for access to Dean's exclusive world.

But New York and Dean's over-the-top demands are more than Holly bargained for. Can Holly deck the halls and make it a party to be proud of, or will this Christmas be one she'll never forget . . . even if she wants to?

My Thoughts: Mistletoe In Manhattan is the story of Holly West, a young woman has been surrounded by Christmas her entire life and is looking for a change. Born on Christmas Day to Christmas party-planner parents, Holly hoped for much more in her life than returning home and helping her parents with their party-planning business. She is ecstatic when an opportunity comes her way to plan a Christmas party for Dean Layton, a British celebrity living New York. Arriving in Manhattan, Holly discovers that party-planning for a celebrity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Dean’s assistant is less than helpful and appears to want Holly to fail miserably. Dean’s Christmas party soon turns into an after-party that Holly is also expected to organize and launch. The problem is if Holly stays to oversee the after-party, she will miss spending Christmas with her parents back in England. The one bright spot in Holly’s world is Alex, the cute bartender at the hotel Holly is staying at.

I liked this story, but it was too short for any closure on what happens to Holly, Alex, or Dean. There were too many loose ends that left me unsatisfied. If you are in the mood for a Christmas themed story, but don’t have a lot of free time to spend reading a full-length novel, this book may be the perfect choice. Though this book left me with more questions than answers, I enjoyed the author’s voice and will be looking for more of her work.

REVIEW: Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale

Title: Christmas Wises & Mistletoe Kisses
Author: Jenny Hale
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Description: An uplifting, beautiful story about never letting go of your dreams, the special magic of a family Christmas… and the rush of falling in love under the mistletoe.

Single mother Abbey Fuller loves her family more than anything, and doesn’t regret for a moment having had to put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold. But with her son, Max, growing up, when a friend recommends her for a small design job she jumps at the chance. How hard can it be?

Nick Sinclair needs his house decorated in time for his family’s festive visit – and money is no object. What he doesn’t need is to be distracted from his multi-million dollar business – even if it is Christmas.

When Abbey pulls up to the huge Sinclair mansion, she has a feeling she might be out of her depth. And when she meets the gorgeous, brooding Nicholas Sinclair, she knows that she’s in real trouble…

With the snow falling all around, can Abbey take the chance to make her dreams of being a designer come true? And can she help Nick to finally enjoy the magic of Christmas?

My Thoughts: As I read this book, it rang so familiar to me. I realized it is because I recognized a lot of the same themes in this book that were present in the author’s book, A Christmas To Remember, which I read last year. Rich single brooding man, who lacks the Christmas Spirit, hires single attractive woman to be his nanny and she sets out trying to change him. This time, the single parent is the female and this time she’s an in-home nurse who dreams of being an interior decorator. Abbey is hired by Nick to decorate his entire home because his family is descending upon him for the holiday and he’s going to pay her an obscene amount of money to do it. When Nick’s ex-wife left him, she took most of the furnishings with her, so Abbey has her work cut out for her if she hopes to make Nick’s house a home in less than a month. She also has her nursing duties to Nick’s grandmother as well as being a single parent to her son, Max, and helping her mother take care of her grandfather.

Even with the similarities of themes between the two books, I liked this story. Abbey and Nick were wonderful characters and I liked how Abbey was able to get under Nick’s skin and how powerless he was to resist her or her son, Max. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Nick and Max and loved how quickly they bonded. Nick is a workaholic but he showed willingness on many occasions to put work aside and spend time with Abbey and Max. I really enjoyed these scenes the best. I loved Max, Abbey’s precocious little boy. My heart ached quite a bit for him missing out on the father-son relationship his school mates enjoyed, but he didn’t act out or misbehave. Instead, he gravitated toward Nick and the next thing I knew, Nick was agreeing to go to Max’s school for father-son day. This book had several Kleenex moments as well as many heartwarming and fun scenes. The author does a wonderful job of capturing the perfect Christmas background that brings her characters together to celebrate the joy and beauty of the Season. As a reader, it gave me the feeling that I was standing in the kitchen with Nick and Abbey sipping hot chocolate or outside helping them build a snowman.

Overall, this is a warm-hearted story that reminds me how Christmas can make you believe in miracles and love if you just open your heart to the possibility. I recommend this book as a must-read for anyone who loves Christmas and the joy it can bring.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: June, 1999
Genre: Young Adult
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: All Harry Potter wants is to get away from the Dursleys and go back to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby - who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone--or something--starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects... Harry Potter himself.

My Thoughts: The second book in the Harry Potter saga starts out with Harry back at the Dursley’s for summer vacation with a few changes. He has his own bedroom now instead of being relegated to the cupboard under the stairs. It’s actually Dudley’s second bedroom (don’t get me started on the degenerate waste of space this kid is) and out of the grace and goodness of their hearts, Harry is now using it. This entire attitude demonstrated by the Dursley’s resulted in major eye-rollage on my part and activated my gag reflex. These people are truly despicable. Not sure which is the lesser of the two evils for Harry…living with the Dursleys or being attacked by Voldemort.

After a very interesting and exciting first year at Hogwarts, we now find Harry very melancholy as he hasn’t heard from his friends all summer and is feeling very lonely. Harry meets Dobby, a mysterious house elf who comes to Privet Drive to warn Harry not to return to Hogwarts, which is not an option for Harry as he considers Hogwarts his true home. Dobby demonstrates very strange and self-loathing behavior by frequently assaulting himself with inanimate objects to punish himself for saying anything, which is a little bizarre because he doesn’t really tell Harry much of anything, other than to not return to Hogwarts.

Fortunately for the fans of this series, Harry does not listen to Dobby and through a series of misfortunate events manages to return to Hogwarts to discover an evil creature attacking students. Sadly, Harry is thought to be the one behind the attacks so he has to find out who is behind it before the next attack results in another death, like the one that occurred fifty years prior.

In this book, we get to meet a lot of interesting new characters in addition to Dobby. The new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher is best-selling author Gilderoy Lockhart who gives arrogance a whole new meaning. He was quite entertaining but very annoying, except the female students think he’s wonderful. Harry meets Draco Malfoy’s father, Lucius Malfoy who we quickly learn is quite evil and now see where Draco gets it from. Ron’s sister, Ginny is now a first year at Hogwarts and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and the rest of the Weasley family better. Many new magical creatures are introduced in this book such as Fawkes and Aragog, to name a few. A new ghost is introduced to Harry and his friends. Moaning Myrtle haunts one of the girls’ bathrooms and though she can be quite annoying proves to be a very interesting character.

I enjoyed learning more about Hagrid and Voldemort’s past in this story and getting a bird’s eye view, if you will, of major events at Hogwarts fifty years prior with the help of an enchanted diary. I loved the scenes with Harry and Ron in the enchanted car; there’s more than one and one of them is quite intense so be prepared.

Overall, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets proves to be entertaining on every level. There are a few intense scenes that may be too graphic for young readers and may cause nightmares but older age groups will be thoroughly pulled into this story as Harry navigates the perilous hallways and dark corridors of Hogwarts to stop the evil creature lurking within.

REVIEW: Kitty And The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

Title: Kitty And The Midnight Hour (Kitty Norville #1)
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: November, 2005
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Buy The Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station - and a werewolf in the closet. Her new late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged is a raging success, but it's Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew?

My Thoughts: Once again, I come across a book that has been languishing on my to be read pile for a decade that I kick myself for taking so long to read. This is the first book in a series by new to me author Carrie Vaughn, about a young woman who is trying to find her place in the world while coming to terms with her life as a werewolf. Kitty is a DJ and her show, “The Midnight Hour,” has attracted the attention of many and displeases her Alpha. Playing by the rules doesn’t come easy for Kitty Norville and she has no problem stepping on a few toes, even those of her Alpha male and Alpha female, to achieve her goals. She also comes face to face with Cormac, a hired assassin, trained to kill lycanthropes. Kitty joins forces with Cormac to find a rogue werewolf attacking humans while trying to avoid becoming a target from those who feel she is a threat.

I really liked Kitty. She is a character I found easy to relate to and could empathize with on a grand scale. Learning how she became a werewolf was a little hard to read, but Kitty is a fighter and survivor. She doesn’t adjust well to pack politics and though she knows she needs the pack, she seems to prefer to do things on her own. I also liked Cormac. The chemistry he and Kitty share was very intriguing and I hope to see more of him in future books. He comes across as very cold-blooded when he is initially introduced, but he is a very complex character that will take time to get to know and understand. Kitty’s friend and pack-member, TJ, is also a great character. I love how he has her back with the rest of the pack and is always there for her to help and protect her.

Overall, this was a good start to the series and I am intrigued to see where the series takes Kitty next. I recommend this story to readers who like strong characters who are survivors and not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.