Deadly Deals by Fern Michaels (audio)

Published on April 30, 2010April 30, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

Bookjourney traveled to: Washington DC

Rated in the top 10 best coffee houses in Washington DC, I want to mention Ebenezers Coffeehouse because it has a great story and is part of Mark ‘ Church. Mark Batterson is also an author and I have enjoyed his books.

3 CDS

Cover story: I like it a lot. It however gave me a more layed back feeling to the book and that was no the case at all. Overall I don’t think the cover is a good fit for the story.

¤ ¤ ¤

As this audio, opens we are introduced to Rachel Dawson. Rachel is a woman at the end of her rope and she enters a law office and sadly spills her case of adopting twins and having the birth mother change her mind after several months and take them back. Rachel along with her husband Tom are heart-broken and have no money left to do battle in a court system as all their saving went to the adoption. None of which had been returned.

As attorney Lizzie Fox hears Rachel’s story as well as the name of the lawyer involved in the adoption, Baron Bell…. a fire is lit with her soul. As the story progresses, it is soon uncovered that this is not an isolated incident but several couples who had worked out adoptions through Bell had the children taken back and no money returned. Lizzie Fox knows exactly who to assist her in the case and as she connects with the Sisterhood we are off and running through a quick and fun mystery.

¤ ¤ ¤

I picked up this audio in Florida at Wal-mart. I was loving the cover and loving the story line. What I did not find anywhere on this audio was anything saying that this was part of a series, and having never read Fern Michael before I had no idea that this was part of a large Sisterhood series and this was book #16.

In some books, I can say that you do not need to read the previous books to fall into what is happening but in this case that is not true. I struggled listening to the audio, and while the story line was very good, I could not fully grasp who the Sisterhood was, why one of the ladies speaks to her daughter who has died…. or how this group of seven women known as the Vigilantes came to be…

As I worked my through these cds I again have to say the story line is very good and I felt if I only know the background of what was happening I would probably enjoy what was happening more. At times parts of this book seemed far-fetched (there is a little tar and feathers scene that is a bit out there) and there is quite a bit of language towards the end of the audio that I didn’t like.

Overall it would be unfair of me to judge Fern Michael by this particular read. I would read her again and be sure when I do that the book I choose is one that is not a series and stands on its own.

I purchased this audio at Wal-Mart in Pensacola Florida

This book was added to my book travels for 2010:

Morning Meanderings…

Published on April 30, 2010April 30, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)31 Comments

Here is my text conversation with my son last night: (True Story)

Son: There is a message on the bathroom wall(where he goes to college)that says The Chamber Of Secrets is open.

Me: Sweet. I am watching the first movie right now.

Son: I think I am going to re-read all the books. I am such a nerd.

Me: I am going to watch all the movies again. I am such a nerd.

Son: We are so cool.

Me: So cool….. we need a secret Potter handshake.

Son: We’ll work on that soon.

Yes, I know… I really need to get a life. *sigh*

Minnesota (central Minnesota anyway) is gloomy and rainy today. Looking out the window this morning I can really say the weather has its “gloom on”. I have plenty to do without that affecting me. I am off to the gym this morning for Group Power and then taking a massive amount of Library books back to the library. Many of them, sadly – unread. I will have to try again at a later date.

I have books to mail today for recent winners. Laundry. Basic house stuff.

As this is the last day of April (wow right???) I want to remind you that this is the last day to be entered in the April comment contest (every comment left on this blog on non giveaway osts is counted as an entry). I also have several giveaways ending over the next few days so check them out as well.

Tonight I am doing dinner and a movie with my husband and hoping date Night is still here because I really want to see that with him. With the rain supposedly lasting through Sunday looks like I will have some indoor reading time 🙂

How about you – any plans tonight or for the weekend?

Pondering Moment…. Create Your Own Book and Title

Published on April 29, 2010April 29, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

Recently for my giveaway of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Killer (I know, I know…. don’t even get me started…) I had asked participants to create a new book title for an existing book but change it up like the books we are seeing all over now: Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters, Slime and Punishment, Mr Darcy Vampyre….

** For the record, I have not read any of these and if there is an original book IE. like Sense and Sensibility, I will not read any of these books if I have not read the original first. In many cases, not even then…. (sorry – side rant)

Anyway – the responses on this giveaway are so fun – so original and brilliant that I wanted to open that discussion up here. I would like to see a new title to an existing well-known book, that includes werewolves, vampires, zombies, seamonsters…. and a little synopsis of what the book would be about.

Here is my example:

Alice in Zombieland. Alice one day is out walking through the cemetery, a short cut to her friend Kate’s home, when she falls into an open grave.

For anyone who has participated in this through the Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Killer giveaway, feel free to use your same answer if you would like.

I just love to see what everybody comes up with.

That’s all you need to do to participate – I will choose one participant using random.org on May 6th to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card that I will email to the winner. Have fun!

Morning Meanderings…

Published on April 29, 2010April 29, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)32 Comments

Good morning! I am sipping away at my first cup of coffee this morning. I mentioned yesterday during the morning meandering about a book review format that I was excited to try out. I did that yesterday starting with my review of Worst Case.

The idea was to make the reviews have a bit more of my personality, a bit of “Book Journey, One persons journey through books and coffee.” So that is what I did. I actually had fun doing it. I added:

Book Journey traveled to: ______________________
some type of coffee related tip about the area the book is about
page number or CD count
Cover thoughts

On my left sidebar you will see a new “Where Have I Been?” map and that I am still working on but it is so far a lot of fun. On this map that I am making through Google Maps I am charting out where the books I have read this year are from. What I am finding most interesting about that is how many books I have read this year that are set out of the US. I have read books centered around London, England, Italy, South Africa… (I have a lot more to enter yet too)

If you click on the link to see the map zoom it out by using the little bar on the left side of the map and clicking the minus sign. I have no idea why when you enter it is fully zoomed in so you see nothing. If you click on the blue pegs, it pops up with the book cover, title, and links back to my review.

So I am off to prepare for my day. I have a meeting at 8:30 am across town, a recap of the home show we had a month ago. I am excited to hear how it went overall. Then I am in my office for the afternoon and probably gym with my friend Heidi after that and tonight, I am making BLT’s and we are watching SURVIVOR!

** A fun pondering moment coming up in a few hours….

Worst Case by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge (Audio)

Published on April 28, 2010April 28, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

Book Journey traveled to: New York

Best Coffee in New York: gimme! coffee

Audio CDs: 6

Cover: Eye catching…. makes you fully aware you are stepping into a suspenseful mystery

Described by Patterson himself, as a “speeding freight train” I would have to toot my horn in agreement. Worst Case is the third book involving Detective Michael Bennett and his family. The first book being Step On A Crack where Michael Bennett, father of 10 kids (yes 10) sadly loses his wife and falls head first into a crime that will start your heart pumping. The second book Run For Your Life ,(and this is where I came in) Michael juggles home life, sick kids, and a killer who calls himself the teacher. The audio was incredible and the killer – just the right level of creepy.

Which brings us to Worst Case. Michael Bennett finds himself partnered up with the FBI and Emily Parker is who works with him on this case. Not only is she smoking hot, she is incredibly smart, and they pair up nicely for this new crime wave.

What’s the crime? Seems New York’s wealthiest families are having their kids snatched and held hostage. The kidnapper isn’t after ransom, which would be the first thought…. no, he instead quizzes the kids on their pampered lifestyles and their knowledge of those less fortunate than themselves. The thing that drive this “one french fry short of a happy meal” kidnapper over the edge is that these rich kids and their families go about their lives living high and noses raised above the reality of the worlds poverty issues.

What Patterson and Ledwidge have done here is create another can’t put down, or in my case, can’t stop listening to, suspense story that left me at times sitting in my car in the garage long after I had returned home just to hear what was going to happen next.

I have really enjoyed the story line of the Bennett family. Having a main character Detective not be your typical bachelor type is refreshing. The fact that he juggles a full family life, as well as a hard full time career is something that I find to be a great combination.

Comparing this book to a freight train? Yes James. Absolutely.

I received my review copy from Hachette audio

Morning Meanderings

Published on April 28, 2010April 28, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

Good Morning! Coffee Cup and I are sitting here this morning on the verge of what looks to be a beautiful day. I was just thinking about a discussion going on at a blog I was reading earlier this week about review layouts. The discussion (and I am so sorry but I do not recall where I seen this at) revolved around if we had a set layout for our reviews. Such as: some of us, write our own synopsis of the books we review, or we link to other reviews of the book, or include the page number and/or genre, links to purchase, ratings… the list goes on and on.

So…. as I look at my new (and hopefully improved) blog name, I tried to think of a more designed review style and actually came up with a few ideas that have me not only excited for this blog, but I think I can apply one of the steps to my book club group as well.

I don’t want to give it all away…. and as in all things, there may be tweaking as I go…. but the new review layout will show up on the review that I am posting later today. And that is all I am going to say about that. 😉

According to my local weather on Google, today is the last of the nice sunny days for a while. Looks like rain tomorrow through Friday which hits the bummer scale for me as that means no biking or rollerblading. It does however mean reading time and that is good as I am so loving the Michael Sullivan series and can not wait to review the first three books of his series.

I leave you with this…. I have been in such a Potter mood lately. I recently listed to the second book on audio (which I HIGHLY recommend) and since then I have been jonesing for book three. Must…. stay….. strong….

However – my dear friend Heidi who knows about my Potter addiction, sent me a link to the following video. I had seen this before but it is still so fun!

Have a great day everyone!

Read, Remember, Recommend by Rachelle Roger’s Knight

Published on April 27, 2010April 27, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)37 Comments

I love to keep notes of what I read and what I felt about the book. Before I blogged these thoughts, I put them in binders, the result being several large journals filled with books I read and my thoughts about them. I treasure these books in my own writing.

Now with the blogging taking over my hand written version, I still like to take notes and of course jot down titles of books that others recommend to me. These notes go on backs of grocery receipts or whatever piece of paper I can find at the time and inevitably get lost resulting in the sheepish phone call of,

“What was the name of that book you were telling me about?”

When I received this book,, Read, Remember, Recommend for review I was thrilled with what it had to offer. Not only is there spaces to record what I have read and what I recommend, but also the books I have loaned out to others. The front of the book is pages of award-winning books with spaces for you to check if you have read them, recommend them, or want them.

This is the type of book that any book lover should have. I am thinking with Mother’s day coming up it would make a great gift for all the mom’s out there who enjoy reading.

I thoroughly am enjoying my copy!

See the Teen Version here

I received my copy of this book for review from the Author.

Read, Remember, Recommend For Teens by Rachel Roger’s Knight

Published on April 27, 2010April 27, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments

I love to see teens read. It’s like reading… the next generation. When I had the opportunity to review Read, Remember, Recommend For Teens I jumped at the chance. As an adult I love the version of this book made for me, but was thrilled to see the genius that went into this one.

What do I mean? The lists of books in the early pages are award-winning books – YA Literature. In the introduction, teens are encouraged to try other genres that maybe they hadn’t thought they would like or never had the opportunity to read. The books recommended and listed have an age next to them so teens can know at what age the book was written for. I enjoyed looking through the titles of the books and wanting to read some of them myself.

The record keeping part of the books where you keep track of the books you want to read is just in a fun layout that will appeal to teens. Journal pages and pages to write your own recommendation… this is a teen readers way to organization and possibly new books and authors.

I was in love with this book from the first time I flipped through its pages. There are thousands of reading suggestions in this book!

See the adult version here

I received my copy of this book for review from the Author.

Morning Meanderings (the story of a bike ride…)

Published on April 27, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)28 Comments

Good Morning friends of books! 🙂 I hope everyone’s weekend was super fabulous! If you follow whats happening over here between many cups of coffee than you know I had my first bike ride of the season this past Sunday at the Ironman in Lakeville, MN. The Ironman is a 30, 65, or 100 mile bike ride. It is called the Ironman because at the end of April in Minnesota the weather could be anything from freezing cold, rain, and even snow.

This year I went with my friend Amy who was experiencing her first long distance ride. Our goal: The 65 mile route. We had completed a few short rides here in town. Last week she and I completed a 32 together, and I ran that route twice during the week as well as a ride into work so before we left for Lakeville I had 70 miles on my bike from last week.

The morning of the ride was miserable. After a beautiful week of sun and seventies, we woke to rain, wind and 40 degrees. We put on our bike wear and rain gear and headed out the door.

My complaint about the Ironman ride is that within two miles of the start, you have to choose which route you are taking. You turn right for the 30 mile, and go straight for the 65. As awful as the weather was we made the decision together to turn right and do the 30.

In some ways I kicked myself for not pressing on to the 65 but as we rode and fought hills and wind, I think we made the right choice. Amy agreed that she will do other rides with me this year and I know we will get in longer rides. I have one coming up in June that is 150. 150 period. There is no option of a shorter route.

4,600 Riders this year at the Ironman

When we were done we packed up the bikes, received our participant t shirts, and drove back towards St Cloud where we enjoyed lunch at Mongos Grill.

While it wasn’t everything I had hoped for, I had a blast hanging out with my friend and I am excited to do more rides with her.

My next ride is May 8th, it is a ride for MS also in the cities and it is a 65.

So that’s my weekend. Came home feeling good but tired. Rollerbladed with my friend Wendy yesterday for 18 miles…. legs are feeling that a bit this morning. 🙂 I am hoping to go riding with her later today. Of course now that the Ironman is over, the weather looks like it is going to be nice all week.

Registration and starting line

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?

Published on April 26, 2010April 26, 2010 by Sheila (Book Journey)118 Comments

It’s still Sunday evening and I arrived back home from the Ironman Bike Ride about 4 hours ago. I am tired but had a blast hanging with Amy! Thanks Amy! 😀

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. I offer a weekly contest for those who visit 10 or more of the Monday Meme participants and leave a comment. You receive one entry for every 10 comments, just come back here and tell me how many in the comment area.

Last weeks winner (using Random.Org) was:

Laurel

Congratulations! Please choose an item out of the PRIZE BOX and email me your choice with your mailing address as well! journeythroughbooks@gmail.com

*** I will be adding to the prize box yet this week!

So what happened here at Book Journey This past week?

I chatted with the incredible Kay Cassidy and her feeling now that her book Cinderella Society is on the book shelves!

Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman If you like adventure, and want to read of an incredible true journey, get a hold of this book.

Daughter Of Mine by Laura Fabiani – an incredible look at a beautiful country!

Did you see the Gimble that I found? It holds you books open – free hand! Hallelujah!

hold still by Nina Lacour a book I picked up at a bookstore in Florida and I loved it!

100 Cupboards by N D Wilson (A wonderful YA read!)

I listed many new giveaways!

Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets by JK Rowling (Audio review that blew me away!)

Checking out the flavor of the week:

I need to complete Fablehaven… I am so close and it is so good!

Titanic 2012 is almost done as well and my goal this week is to get this wrapped up so I can pass it on to Ryan at Wordsmithonia who picked it for me to read and then I am giving it to him.

Read, Recommend, Remember and Read, Recommend, Remember for Teens are drool worthy books that I have been loving and will be reviewing these books this week.

The Girl She Used To Be by David Cristofano is a book I am not only reviewing for Hachette – but it is my book club read for May! Got to love that!