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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

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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

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Book 22 in the 2013 Booklist: Little Shop of Homicide: A Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery, Book 1 by Denise Swanson

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

Little Shop of Homicide: A Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery, Book 1 by Denise Swanson
Finished: June 25
“Loved, loved, loved this book!”
That was my first note I made about this book upon completion. I loved it so much in fact, that once I finished it I grabbed the next book in the series. I was sad to realize it was a series in its infancy, and only had 2 books. I really hope the author continues on, because I fell in love with this series! This is another good ol’ found it on Audible sale book. I am starting to notice a trend here, I am really being pleasantly surprised with how much I am loving the books I pick up at random on Audible sales! This is your somewhat typical “who done it” book, but the combination of the author’s writing style and the narrator I became more involved in the characters individually and as a group more than the plot itself. I felt as if I had known the characters for a long time by the time I went on to book 2, almost as if this were my favorite TV show I had been watching for years. I won’t give much away about the plot of the book, because the summary on Audible doesn’t either, but I will warn you, the narrator is probably a love or hate her type of narrator. Just so happens I loved her after a little while, so I encourage you to not give up on her too soon!
Dev Sinclair is the happy new owner of the old-fashioned shop in her small Missouri town. But if she doesn’t focus on finding the killer of her ex’s fiance, this five-and-dime owner may find herself serving 25 to life.

That’s all folks!
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

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Book 21 in the 2013 Booklist: The Poet by Michael Connelly

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

The Poet by Michael Connelly
Finished: June 22
This is another one of those in between actual Bosch books, but still part of the over all Bosch series. I really enjoy this character Jack McEvoy, but heck I haven’t not enjoyed a Connelly character yet!
This is a sort of book suggestion from RO, so have her post about it This book really had me thinking, and I sometimes like that about a book! The Edgar Allan Poe quotes really grabbed my attention since I believe deep down, I have a lit major that just wants out.
The main character really sounded similar to a character mentioned in an earlier Bosch book, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I kind of hope/hoped that we get this character again in another in between Bosch book, because I found him quite enjoyable! This plot captured my mind, but I also was getting into this book reading funk about then. The funk is still here, and probably why these posts are so far behind, and not a whole lot of new books are being added to my list.
So, with the beginnings of the funk, it took me a little longer than usual to finish it, but once we got to the end I was very happy with the book.
This books title is mentioned in an earlier stand alone book with Terry McCaleb having worked the case, and is probably why I was so anxious to read this book!
I can only suggest this 1 if you like crime books, because you don’t have to read it in order with the other Bosch books since it is a stand alone book.

That’s it for this one.
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

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Book 20 in the 2013 Booklist: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn A Signature Performance by Elijah Wood by Mark Twain
Finished: June 6
This is a classic that I read portions of in an American Literature class I took a few years ago. I really enjoyed the way the professor explained the text then, which made me enjoy what I read of it. So, when I found this book on Audible, on sale I believe, I grabbed it up. I am really glad I did, the narrator was most excellent, and I still enjoyed the whole story, from start to finish!
If you are easily offended, I don’t suggest reading this book. There is offensive language used, and is not good for all readers. If you on the other hand, can handle a little harsh language, then this book is great! Many parts of this book kept me laughing. I highly suggest this to anyone who wants to take a chance on the classics, because this version of Huck Finn is great!
So, go grab this and tell me you didn’t like it, I challnege you!

P.S.
I grabbed Tom Sawyer because apparently you need to read it before Huck Finn, but I haven’t gotten to read it yet. I only hope it is as good as Huck Finn.

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

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Book 19 in the 2013 Booklist: Small Favor: The Dresden Files, Book 10 by Jim Butcher

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013

Small Favor: The Dresden Files, Book 10 by Jim Butcher
Finished: June 4
See, now we really are almost caught up, too bad I have 1 more posting left, and no ability to get it out! 🙁
This is yet another Dresden book, and I will be totally sad when this series is over! This book has to do with a “small favor” that Dresden owes to Mab, the Queen of the Winter Fae. It starts with Dresden teaching his apprentice how to make shields in her backyard while her sibilings throw snowballs at her. They are quickly interuppted by none other than the Billy Goat Gruffs! There is more than three of them in Dresden, but I still had to laugh a bit. In Dresden, the gruffs are enforcers of the Summer Fae court and they are after Dresden. The Gruffs are Servants of Summer and the origin of the Three Billy Goats Gruff story, with the heads, fur, and legs of goats but the torso and arms of a man (albeit a large man). They increase in size, much as the storybook version, as they become older, until apparently the Eldest Gruff. This is apparently also reflective of their temperament, growing larger and angrier until the Eldest Gruff, who appears to be extremely level headed, and even reluctant to finish his task. The Eldest Gruff is of the size of a wizened human, but with incredible magical power . Queen Mab offers the winter knightship to Dresden once again, and again he refuses. Dresden is charged by Mab to protect our good friend, and local crime lord, Johnny Marcone. The Fallen Angel things are back from the book Death Masks. The Archive, or “Ivy” is back too with Kincaid as well. A really good book and like other Dresden books before it, I can’t wait to get to the next one! Almost there too, and it’s going to be great!
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

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Book 18 in the 2013 Booklist: City of Bones: Harry Bosch Series, Book 8 By Michael Connelly

Saturday, June 22nd, 2013

City of Bones: Harry Bosch Series, Book 8 By Michael Connelly
Finished: May 22
Almost caught up! YAY!
This is another book in the Bosch series, and I have to say, this could almost be my favorite. I have always had a love of cold cases, and that is exactly what this book is all about! Here is RO’s posting that includes her take on the book along with some other Bosch related books I have posted about previously. I know that Taylor gets bored with all the cop books I read, but I have to say that Michael Connelly is a freaking genius with Bosch and the other character books that tie in with him. I really enjoy the twists and turns that each Bosch book makes. I honestly rate this series pretty high in my top series I’ve ever read. I have to agree with RO, that through this whole book I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about Bosch! Is he getting too old for this, will he ever be truly happy, will he stay in the Hollywood division with Edgar… millions of questions, and a sort of cliff hanging ending to make me want to read the next! Good book Mr. Connelly, good job!
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

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Book 15 in the 2013 Booklist: White Night: The Dresden Files, Book 9 by Jim Butcher

Thursday, June 6th, 2013

White Night: The Dresden Files, Book 9 by Jim Butcher
Finished: April 30

I should have prefaced the last post with this, but forgot. I am really behind on book postings, and will likely be flooding the blog with the posts I’m behind on. If I don’t get them all done today, I’ll certainly be working on getting caught up soon, because I’m out of school for the summer! I’ll write a seperate post about that when I’ve got the energy to do the posting some justice. Anyways, back to the book posts now!
This isn’t something I do often, read back to back Dresden books, but I really wanted to get to the next one after the prior one, Proven Guilty . I was not disappointed with this book either! Jim Butcher has to be like a master genius or something with how good these books are. This book involves a lot of different people and characters. I am really liking that Thomas has become sort of a main character now, helping Harry out where needed. In this book though, Harry’s first love, and sort of partner in crime from his messed up childhood, Elaine, is back. I have to say that I really have started to like her. In this book she plays the role of private investigator, the same thing that Dresden does. She is in charge of helping an order of witches protect themselves from the recent rash of magic practitioners that have been murdered. This brings the vampires back in to center focus, because the vampires are behind the murders. Except, instead of the Red Court, this time it is some of the White Court vampires. Marcone is back with a health club/ brothel that he gives Dresden an exclusive membership to. One of the ladies from the order goes missing just for Dresden to find out that she is working for Marcone at this new health club of his. With her help of supplying information, Dresden figures out who the bad guy is, and how they have inside information. Dresden and a new warden, Ramirez take out the bad guy without Elaine’s help. The battle is very long, and much is revealed and some of it to do with Thomas’ sister, Lara. Since Marcone helped Dresden in the battle, he agrees to help Marcone become a signatory of “The Unseelie Accords”. Dresden is most interested in what Thomas’ new job has been that he refuses to divulge any information about. Dresden then follows him to a trendy boutique-coffee shop. Thomas explains he put himself through cosmetology school and opened this hair salon; nothing illegal or immoral is involved. Dresden is relieved that Thomas’ job is nothing horrible, and the two reconcile their differences over coffee.
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

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Book 14 in the 2013 Booklist: Proven Guilty: The Dresden Files, Book 8 by Jim Butcher

Thursday, June 6th, 2013

Proven Guilty: The Dresden Files, Book 8 by Jim Butcher
Finished: April 21

This was the 8th book in the Dresden series, and a very different one in my opinion.
This one had little to do with vampires, which have been center staged pretty much for the last few books. This one introduced some new points that changed the series from here on out. Someone Harry knows is revealed to be a wizard themselves, and more is revealed about a sort of side character. There is more and more involvement of the faerie courts, Lilly and Vix from the book Summer Knight are back. This book takes us in to Winter’s realm of Faerie, and I found it kind of interesting.This book deals with some horror movie villans, and I found it entertaining to try and match the book’s movie villans with the movie villans of reality. A character that was not very important up to this book, now becomes a staple character in the books that follow. I really enjoyed this book, although it probably wasn’t exactly my favorite book this far. I still highly suggest to anyone that they read the Dresden series, it is a lot of fun to read, and I get sucked in to every new book I start!
That’s all for now,
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

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Book 12 in the 2013 Book List: Dead Beat: The Dresden Files, Book 7 by Jim Butcher

Friday, April 12th, 2013

Dead Beat: The Dresden Files, Book 7 by Jim Butcher
Finished: April 8
With the conclusion of this book, I am officially half way through the Dresden Files series. Man, am I ever glad I decided to give this series a try. I really enjoy it, and I love the narrator, James Marsters. According to Audible, he is famous, but I’m not sure from where.
I will say that he embodies Harry Dresden, and I couldn’t imagine anyone else “being” Dresden. He does good voices for different characters, and makes the already funny wording, even more funny. I’ll say it again, if you haven’t tried to give this series a run, you must! It’s funny, magical, suspenseful, and has action too! In fact, Taylor is so wrapped up in the series that he has put aside Bosch in favor of continuing the Dresden series. Bosch now will become part of my “listen by myself” series. Man, now that I think of it, I got a few of those books piling up over in my library. I think that the author tries to touch on as many magical things as possible, throughout the series. I always have fun guessing from the title, what that book will be about. I think my favorite character has to be Bob though, and you have to read the series to find out who Bob is. 🙂
Well, I’m already in the next book of the Dresden Files series, and still finishing up my on my own book suggested by RO…
And of course, I was behind with this book posting, but that’s been partial laziness and partial health issues.
Anyways, go grab Storm Front: The Dresden Files, Book 1 and dive into 1 of my most favorite series I’ve ever read!
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

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