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WW Ladies Book Club BlurbsJune 17, 2009 Today would have been my dad's 81st birthday. He's been gone for over 20 years now, but I often wonder what he'd think of what I ended up doing with my life. I'm sure the internet would have boggled his mind and he never was much of a book reader, but he taught me how to do the scoring while listening to a baseball game on the radio (1-3-4 double play), tried to teach me to drive a stick shift (hopeless) and drove me to numerous dances (embarassing). If I was any kind of a drinker, I'd have a shot and a beer in his honor, but I'll just raise my can of Diet Coke and wish him a Happy Birthday from a daughter who's living her dream. Now the WW Ladies have quite a few gems to offer. Read by Heidi
Angels of Mercy Medical Center has had two patients with similar symptoms and are now dead. A third patient is in a coma. Med student Amanda Mason may have found links but is not sure. Now she is showing symptoms. Amanda's friends band together to find answers before she becomes another victim.
CJ Lyons really created a new and exciting hospital scenario to enjoy. I really enjoyed the how all the lives of the characters seemed to flow separately, but together at the same time. It was kind of like an episode of ER and CSI; Emergency thrills and mystery of death all around. Quite a fun ride!!
Red Cullens is as hot as her San Antonio bar, Red's Hot Honky-Tonk. Her fifteen-years-younger fiddler boyfriend doesn't know she's a mother, much less a grandmother. Her one-bedroom apartment above the honky tonk isn't a good place to raise kids. Red doesn't think she was a great parent to her own daughter. But when her daughter, stationed in Afghanistan, calls to tell her that her children's other grandmother is in the hospital, and orders Red to take care of them until she gets back to the states, Red has no choice. Her grandchildren call her Bad Grandmother in Spanish, and her boy-toy boyfriend thinks it's funny. A real estate company wants to tear down her bar. In the midst of her messy life, she's trying to do the right thing, despite her ineptness and under the disapproving eye of her young grandchildren. She's getting second chances, and she's afraid she'll screw them up this time, too.
Read by Dina
Pizza delivering Mary Tucker has had her share of disappointment with men. Her grandfather who died when she was very young, her father who abandoned her, her husband who cheated and now her brother, who escaped and is on the run from the law to protect his girlfriend from a very bad ex-boyfriend, also an escapee. Mary is just trying to get on with her life, but now she is concerned for her brother. Jake Baldwin, the detective is there to make sure Mary is safe for what can happen. They try to keep their distance from each other, because the attraction between them is powerful.
This was my first book by Christine and I was so thrilled. I was very facinated with it, it took me in many directions, but each characters story blended together so well. I couldn't have picked a better choice for my first Christie reading.
 EON: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
Brilliance Audio
Listened to by joysann
Eon has been living as a boy for enough of her 16 years that she's forgotten how to be a girl, and she needs to keep it that way, or face death. Her deception was begun by her master, for he believes her unheard of ability to see all of the energy dragons means she could be chosen by one as Dragoneye apprentice, something that happens only to boys, ever. When evil intent and betrayal threaten Eon, her devoted friends, and the Imperial family, it becomes a desperate race to find the one word that could call a dragon and save them all.
A large part of the thrill and tension I felt listening to EON came from the superb performance by reader Nancy Wu. She had me on the edge my seat and watching the story unfold clearly behind my eyes. The book will suit adult readers, though it is suggested as a YA fantasy, and if one can get past the bit of teenage agony and misapprehension, it is quite enjoyable.
Madeline House is a writer who needs a quiet space to create on a deadline; but her house is under construction. Her neighbor, eighty-four year old Ginny Ross suggests the local Bed & Breakfast. Ginny's friends, Arthur and Annabeth Tyler, ran the successful business before Annabeth died a few years ago. Arthur is a full time professor at the University and doesn't have time to maintain or rent out the large house. It is left empty all day giving Maddie the perfect space to finish her book. Maddie & Art leave daily letters for each other and they grow very close. They both imagine that the other is as old as their mutual friend Ginny, but they are very surpised when they finally meet!
This book was a delightful, easy read. It had romance and comedy and it warmed my heart. I can't wait to pick up another Deb Raney book!
Sasha Trudeau is a soldier first and a shadow wolf second, but she’s learning that when the moon is full the wolf doesn’t play second fiddle to anyone or anything. She has to find two of her missing team members and make it to New Orleans before the second full moon of the month, add Mardi Gras to the mix and you have a recipe for disaster. Max Hunter is a full blood shadow wolf, who is playing Indian guide to his Mate while she’s in heat. In other words he’s in hell and he’s having a hard time controlling his wolf. It may have a little to do with the tainted werewolf blood that is running through his veins as well. I love the interaction between Sasha and Max, Sasha and Shogun, and Sasha and her team members. Sasha is a hot, military trained, take no crap, Cajun/LA (that's Lower Alabama) gal and Max is a suave Native American wolf who rarely loses his temper, throw in Shogun, a slick Asian werewolf who has the hots for Sasha and you have one hot, adventurous read. This was a great book, so good that I had to go back and read Bad Blood and then re-read Bite the Bullet again. Now, I’m anxiously awaiting my copy of Undead on Arrival.Hocus Pocus By Teresa Roblin  Read By Bekah Amanda Santorelli is meek and dull on the surface. Yet, deep down, where she can’t seem to reach, lives a drop dead gorgeous, outgoing temptress. Unfortunately, this saucy side isn’t the one her boss gets to see. Until her aunt intervenes. In one single, innocent act, Amanda’s aunt turns her inside out with a powerful rhyme. Now, Amanda can’t stop herself from speaking her mind and showing off the vibrant person she truly is. Her boss Mark notices the change immediately and although it sets his perfect life off course, he can’t stop himself from watching and wanting the new woman his assistant has become. Mark doesn’t know if it’s a case of wanting what he can’t have or something much deeper. And while he teeters on indecision, Amanda continues to blossom till neither one of them can guarantee what is real and what is magic. This magical story reminds me of Cinderella. The princess is simple at first glance, but then her fairy godmother reveals what Cinderella’s like inside on the outside: beautiful. Yet, the prince isn’t fooled and he can see that Cinderella is wonderful through and through. Amanda is Cinderella, like all girls, searching for her prince to rescue her. But Amanda is also a real life woman who knows that she can’t wait for a prince to come save her, so, she takes matters into her own hands. Hocus Pocus reminds readers that they can’t sit around and wait for love, but have to go out and seize it for themselves. I adored this story for that reason and for the blast of humor that made me laugh out loud.  Touching the Void by Joe Simpson Read by Michelle This is an incredible adventure told from the perspective of two men who climbed Siula Grande in the Andes and struggled to survive against impossible odds. Two friends are faced with making life and death decisions and the choices they need to make to fight for their lives. Joe Simpson and Simon Yates climb the 21,000 foot peak only to have Joe crush his knee. Circumstances arise when Joe plunges over a crevasse with no ability to climb back up his rope and Simon is losing the battle to stay firmly planted on the mountain and is forced to cut the rope. Simon believing the Joe is dead continues to descend the mountain and finds his way back to base camp. Meanwhile, Joe lands on a ledge and grasps on to the only hope he has to survive and begins to crawl his way up the crevasse and back down the mountain. Joe Simpson shares his story in such a way that I felt I was on the mountain with him, sharing in his enthusiasm and desire to reach the summit. I was also let into his private Hell of torturous pain and the incredible faith he had to overcome incredible odds. Where most would have perished, Joe survives. It can only have been a miracle. This is a two thumbs up for anyone who loves a gripping adventure!
Lady Olivia Bevelstoke heard that she had a new neighbor who killed his fiancé. So why shouldn’t she spy on him to find out? She decides to hide behind the curtains in her bedroom; she watches him for five days and discovers that he’s an intriguing man who’s definitely up to something. Sir Harry Valentine is a Russian translator for the War Department, usually a very boring job but his neighbor next door doesn’t seem to think so. Lady Olivia has been spying on him for the past five days; he doesn’t do anything interesting other than sit at his desk and translate lines of correspondence. Harry is surprised when his next assignment comes in and he’s assigned to watch a Russian Prince who just happens to be interested in Lady Olivia. I love the interaction of these two characters; at first they didn’t like each other. Harry thought that Olivia was cold and unfeeling, but she just detached herself from unpleasant things to save her sanity, things like horrid musicals. Olivia thought that Harry was a bit eccentric and was up to no good, but he put on a good show and a feathered cap because he knew that she was spying on him from her bedroom window. I never go wrong with a Julia Quinn book. Posted by Barbara Vey on June 17, 2009 | Comments (40)
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Kristen Painter commented: Thanks for all the great recommendations! And I love that you're living your dream, Barbara. You're a real inspiration.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs mamamattice commented: Happy Birthday Dad!
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Dianna Love commented: Good birthday story Barbara and another round of super blurbs that are going to make my TBR pile to grow.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs CJ Lyons commented: Barbara, your dad sounds like a great guy! I'm sure he'd be proud of everything you've done!
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Alana Abbott commented: *raises my mug of tea to Barb's dad*
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Cynthia Eden commented: Happy birthday to your dad! And thanks for a great round-up of books.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Ann Lethbride commented: A great line up for the summer, particular love the CJ Lyons and Hocus Pocus sounds like fun. More to add to the TBR.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Edie Ramer commented: I just finished reading GOTCHA! and thought it was great, too. Loved the characters and her humor.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Joe Prentis commented: I immediately became a C.J. Lyons fan as soon as I finished the first page of her first novel. I hope she continues to turn out these spine-tingling action stories. Can't wait to get my hands on Warning Signs.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Faye Hughes commented: You've got some great books blurbed today, Barbara! And, Dina, Gotcha! is one of my favorite Christie Craig novels. Make sure you keep an eye out for Divorced, Desperate and Deceived, her late November release. It concludes her Divorced and Desperate series and it is fabulous! ~Faye
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Christie Craig commented: Hi Barbara,
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Donna Marie Rogers commented: I'm reading Christie Craig's Divorced, Desperate & Delicious right now, and it's fantastic! Funny, sexy, perfectly paced! I can't wait to dive into her next book! Christie just became a automatic buy for me. :-)
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs azteclady commented: *raising my coffee* Ms Vey, I'm sure your father would be proud of you--living one's dream, what could be better?
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs tess commented: Thanks for the head's up on all these books...They all look so good!!!
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Clea Simon commented: Happy birthday to your dad! Your note made me think of mine, gone these 16 years, so thank you for that. Also for the great book suggestions!
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Yasmine Galenorn commented: Barbara, here's a toast to your dad, and to you--my mother's been gone almost 9 years...and I always think of her on Mother's Day and her birthday.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Anna Kathryn Lanier commented: Howdy! I love Christie Craig books.....and am looking forward to reading this. The thumbs up review is well deserved, I'm sure.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Robin Haseltine commented: Thanks to the reviewers and to Barbara for all the great suggestions! I'm a fan of Christie Craig's humor and I'm glad to see her latest book reviewed here.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Vivian Zabel commented: Thanks to a message from CJ Lyons I discovered this blog. How interesting.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Ruth commented: Just bought GOTCHA can't wait to read it. I just know it will have me rolling on the floor with laughter like the last books did.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Eileen Wilks commented: Barbara, I love the pic of your dad. :-) And thanks to Heidi for the reminder about CJ's book--I've been looking forward to this one and now have an excuse to head to B&N. (Okay, sometimes I don't wait on an excuse, but it's nice to have one!)
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Jo Anne commented: Barbara ~ My dad's been gone 20 years, too. But my family's memories of him will keep him alive forever. Great bunch of books and reviews here. Thanks for the recommendations. Just picked up Gotcha. Love Christie's work and can't wait to chuckle my way through it.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Ciara Gold commented: Oh I love Christi Craig's books. Glad to know she's got another out that I'll have to look for. Thanks for posting.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Jane commented: Wow! These all sound terrific. I'm heading to the store for Christi Craig's book and Janet Evanovitch's.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Lw1508@aol.com commented: Barbara,
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Linda Barrett commented: What a great group of books! I already read Cristie and now I'll get her newest. And will explore the others. Summer's just beginning!
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Sandy commented: I'm really looking forward to reading Christine's book, Gotcha.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Adrienne G. commented: I loved your post Barbara. Makes me miss my "Daddy" a little more today.
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Judy M. commented: Glad to see one of Deb Raney's books in the mix today. Love her writing. You should read Yesterday's Embers--a total delight!!!
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Rene commented: Love, love, love Deborah Raney!!
June 17, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Grace commented: Love the eclectic nature of the recommendations. I deserted Stephanie Plum after book 12. This review makes me think maybe I should try again. Especially if Ranger is back. LOVE Deb Raney's books. Just read a couple of her newer titles. . .Remember to Forget and Leaving November. She's a winner. Her book A Vow to Cherish shows a Dad who's a real man. I think it's a movie, too.
June 18, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs ReaderGirl commented: Oh I LOVE Deb Raney books! Her newest one, Yesterday's Embers, is fabulous!
June 18, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Kansas girl commented: I love Deborah Raney's books. The relationships she portrays are very real and poignant. Read the Clayburn series!
June 18, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Drue Allen commented: Barbara, your dad does sound great--and I know he is proud of you. I also know all about missing dads.
June 18, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Emily Bryan commented: Love Christie Craig's GOTCHA!
June 18, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Cheryl Pientka commented: Alison Goodman's EON is a tour de force! I love this book - it got me hooked on fantasy -- and I can't wait for the sequel.
June 18, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Ann Christopher commented: Sounds like a great selection of books! C.J., that's quite a recommendation--CSI and ER. I'll be looking for it!
June 18, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs john d commented: I' gonna have a shot & a beer tonight
June 18, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs Hannah A. commented: Great suggestions. I can definitely vouch for Deborah Raney's books. Every one I've ever read has left me feeling joyful and warm. I've seen her name on several award lists and bestseller lists.
June 21, 2009
In response to: WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs M. L. Kiner commented:
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