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Posts Tagged ‘Books’

Book 32 in the 2013 Booklist: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Thursday, December 19th, 2013

Finished: November 26
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
So, Taylor and I started this trilogy partly because he decided we should read them and partly because RO and Ricardo both suggested we read them. Normally, I’m not a “young adult” genre kind of person, but this was a really good trilogy!
Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don’t live to see the morning?
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before – and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Ok, so, yeah, I loved this book! The characters are amazing, and I felt as if this was actually happening! I will say, I believe that my favorite character throughout the entire trilogy is Peeta. I couldn’t help myself. Of course, the love stuff in this book was good, but I found myself with a wandering mind to desiring some X rated scenes! 
I suggest that everyone read this trilogy! In fact, I bought my friend/reader the first 2 books as her Christmas present, and she’s loving them!

TaTa for now,
Amanda Ellen

Book 31 in the 2013 Booklist: Dexter’s Final Cut: A Novel by Jeff Lindsay

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Dexter’s Final Cut: A Novel by Jeff Lindsay
Finished: November 21

If I were ambitious and fair to whatever readers I have, I would tell you what number this is in the series of Dexter books by Jeff Lindsay, but since I’m not, I won’t. 

This series started out as the basis for a loose interpretation of the TV show that was on Showtime, Dexter. If you know anything about it, Dexter is a serial killer that kills other bad people. I think this is the first series that turned into a TV show or movie, that I enjoy each the book and the TV show. I will say that after season 1 of the TV show, the books and the show do not really have the same plot line, and this is probably why I enjoy them both.

Lights. Camera. Mayhem. You won’t find this story on television.
Hollywood gets more than it bargained for when television’s hottest star arrives at the Miami Police Department and develops an intense, professional interest in a camera-shy blood spatter analyst named Dexter Morgan.
Mega-star Robert Chase is famous for losing himself in his characters. When he and a group of actors descend on the Miami Police Department for “research”, Chase becomes fixated on Dexter Morgan, the blood spatter analyst with a sweet tooth for doughnuts and a seemingly average life. To perfect his role, Chase is obsessed with shadowing Dexter’s every move and learning what really makes him tick. There is just one tiny problem…Dexter’s favorite hobby involves hunting down the worst killers to escape legal justice, and introducing them to his special brand of playtime. It’s a secret best kept out of the spotlight and away from the prying eyes of bloated Hollywood egos if Dexter wants to stay out of the electric chair. The last thing he needs is bright lights and the paparazzi…but even Dexter isn’t immune to the call of fame.

Oh Dexter, the tangled webs we weave!

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book30 in the 2013 Booklist: Lightning by Dean Koontz

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Lightning By Dean Koontz

Finished: November 5

This was a book I snagged on the Daily Deals that Audible has started to do recently. The publishers summary seemed interesting enough, and I like a lot of Dean Koontz’s books so I thought of giving it a try.
Glad I did, while this book was not OMG fabulous, it was rather interesting.
This book is centered around WWII and time travel. Very different, and not what I was expecting.

A storm struck on the night Laura Shane was born, and there was a strangeness about the weather that people would remember for years. But even more mysterious was the blond-haired stranger who appeared out of nowhere – the man who saved Laura from a fatal delivery.
Years later – after another bolt of lightning – the stranger returned, again to save Laura from tragedy. Was he the guardian angel he seemed? The devil in disguise? Or the master of a haunting destiny beyond time and space?

I love the Ackerson Twins and many of the characters in this book I just love!
Congratulations Mr. Koontz, this was a very good book!

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book29 in the 2013 Booklist: Gone: Michael Bennett, Book 6 by James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Gone: Michael Bennett, Book 6 by James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge
Finished: October 21

This is a series I started many moons ago when I was on a serious James Patterson kick. I found the series by accident, and have followed it ever since I caught up with it. This is one of the 2 series by James Patterson I read and look forward to the new installment every year.

A crime lord has declared war on America. Only Detective Michael Bennett knows why.
Manuel Perrine doesn’t fear anyone or anything. A charismatic and ruthless leader, Perrine slaughters rivals as effortlessly as he wears his trademark white linen suit. Detective Michael Bennett once managed to put Perrine behind bars, the only official in the US ever to accomplish that. But now Perrine is out, and he has sworn to find and kill Bennett and everyone dear to him.
Detective Bennett, along with his 10 adopted children, their nanny, and his grandfather, are hidden safely on a rural California farm, with guards courtesy of the FBI’s witness protection program. Perrine begins to embark on an escalating series of assassinations across the country, killings whose brazenness and audacity bring into question the possibility of safety and law in the U.S. The FBI has no choice but to ask Detective Bennett to risk it all in Perrine’s war on America.
With explosive action and fierce villainy that rivals James Bond movies at their best, Gone is the next astounding novel by James Patterson.

I really love the 10 kids, and the Priest AKA the grandfather he’s a hoot!

This book was good as advertised. I enjoyed it, and of course will be anxiously awaiting next years installment. I love this crew of characters!

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book28 in the 2013 booklist: Cold Days: The Dresden Files, Book 14 by Jim Butcher

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Cold Days: The Dresden Files, Book 14 by Jim Butcher
Finished: October 11

Let’s cue the tears now, and the sense of being lost. I have reached book 14 of the Dresden Files series. There are no more published books in this series yet. Whatever shall I do, this has been my go to series when I want a new book!

Harry Dresden lives!
After being murdered by a mystery assailant, navigating his way through the realm between life and death, and being brought back to the mortal world, Harry realizes that maybe death wasn’t all that bad – because he is no longer Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard. He is now Harry Dresden, Winter Knight to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness.
After Harry had no choice but to swear his fealty, Mab wasn’t about to let something as petty as death steal away the prize she had sought for so long. And now, her word is his command, no matter what she wants him to do, no matter where she wants him to go, and no matter who she wants him to kill. Guess which one Mab wants first?
Of course, it won’t be an ordinary, everyday assassination. Mab wants her newest minion to pull off the impossible: kill an immortal. No problem there, right? And to make matters worse, there exists a growing threat to an unfathomable source of magic that could land Harry in the sort of trouble that will make death look like a holiday.
Beset by enemies new and old, Harry must gather his friends and allies, prevent the annihilation of countless innocents, and find a way out of his eternal subservience before his newfound powers claim the only thing he has left to call his own… his soul.

Now, that sounds really mellow dramatic, but it really is a good book. It was full of twists, turns, and a bunch of WTF moments!
I really enjoyed it, and it was left open for a book 15, and I researched and researched, followed Jim Butcher on Twitter… and found that there will be a book 15!
Oh happy day!
No word when it comes out, but I have seen that the editors have it, and publishing should happen soon!
I can’t wait, I have missed Harry Dresden and his gang of friends!
So glad to know the series isn’t over yet!

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book 27 in the 2013 Booklist: Ghost Story: The Dresden Files, Book 13 by Jim Butcher

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Ghost Story: The Dresden Files, Book 13 by Jim Butcher
Finished: September 22

This is book 13 of the Dresden Files series. When we reached this book I was filled with dread because I realized that currently there were only 14 Dresden books! I did not, and still do not, want this series to end! I love it so much; I might just be able to marry it!

When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn’t doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin. But being dead doesn’t stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has no body and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own. To save his friends – and his own soul – Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic….
Due to scheduling conflicts, there’s a new Dresden narrator in town. You may already know John Glover from Smallville, and we think he’s done a great job capturing Jim Butcher’s world. We hope you enjoy his performance.

Yeah, book 12 left in a cliff hanging, WTF kind of moment. I was a bit irked to see the short stories to be in between myself and book 13, but boy did things fall into place better thanks to the short stories.
Book 13 is interesting, as Harry is a ghost… but I liked it. I however was not pleased that this book has a different narrator then what I am accustomed to. I will say, despite my doubts, this narrator was not horrible… he gave it his own sound for sure… but it was tolerable.
So, yeah, next comes book 14… dun, dun, dun
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book 26 in the 2013 Booklist: Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Finished: September 4

This is a book of short stories that the author did that involved Dresden. Many of the different short stories were written for different occasions, but this book proves to be very important information when it comes to book 13 and the rest of the series, because circumstances from these shorts tories are mentioned and play a part in later books.

new Harry Dresden short stories!
This is a collection of cases that Harry and his group of allies managed to close in record time. The tales range from the deadly serious to the absurdly hilarious. Also included is a new, never-before-published novella that takes place after the cliff-hanger ending of Changes. This is a must-have collection for every devoted Harry Dresden fan, as well as a perfect introduction for readers ready to meet Chicago’s only professional wizard.
Good collection, and glad it was published!

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book 25 in the 2013 Booklist: Changes: The Dresden Files, Book 12 by Jim Butcher

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Changes: The Dresden Files, Book 12 by Jim Butcher
Finished: August 5

Another Dresden book, once again I loved it! Of course! 

Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden’s lover – until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.
Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it – against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry’s not fighting to save the world…He’s fighting to save his child.
This book was action packed, and a little sad. I really think this building up a climax to later books. Although, the point can be made that this book in itself is a roller coaster! Very fun to read, enjoyed it a lot!

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book 24 in the 2013 Booklist: Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death: A Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery, Book 2 by Denise Swanson

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Nickeled-and-Dimed to Death: A Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery, Book 2 by Denise Swanson
Finished: July 13

This was book 2 in a series I picked up on through an Audible sale. I really enjoyed it, obviously I did, or I wouldn’t be talking about book 2 waiting to see if there will be a book 3! 
More hunky Jakeness in this one! Not as much perhaps as the first, but boy does he make me swoon!
We also get some Noah, *rolls eyes*, he tries too hard.
I love these characters, Boon and Poppy seem like they could be my best friends!

Dev’s five-and-dime may be doing well, but her love life is in turmoil. She’s torn between Deputy U.S. Marshal Jake Del Vecchio, who is on an undercover assignment, and her ex-beau Noah Underwood, the local doctor from a high-society family. So she welcomes the distraction when Elise Whitmore offers her a great deal on antique chocolate molds that would be perfect for her Easter gift baskets. But do the molds actually belong to Elise’s soon-to-be ex-husband? In buying them, has Dev committed a felony?
When Elise is found shot to death, the mystery deepens – and Dev’s good friend Boone, who discovered the body, is taken into custody. With the help of her best buds, Dev must clear Boone’s name and find the real killer. Good thing that when it comes to amateur sleuths, they broke the mold with Dev Sinclair.

Jealousy, it will get you every time, I tell ya!

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book23 in the 2013 booklist: Turn Coat: The Dresden Files, Book 11 by Jim Butcher

Thursday, December 12th, 2013

Turn Coat: The Dresden Files, Book 11 By Jim Butcher
Finished: July 2

So, I am obviously behind, because I finished this book long ago. Anyways, this is book 11 of the Dresden Files series that I have raved about for what seems like forever now. This book was a really good one, but as the final stretch goes, the books just keep getting better and better! Morgan, Harry’s nemesis on the White Council is in trouble, and can you guess who he turns to for help?
Yep, good ol’ Harry Dresden!
So, yeah, this book was a bit different, and certainly entertaining. I loved it, even the ending!
Now, Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less-than-agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head – someone like Harry!

I just really love these books, the characters, the manner in which it is written, and most especially the narrator! He’s so good; he embodies all that I think of as Harry Dresden!

Guess that’s it for this one, prepare for a bombardment of book posts!
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen