Heat Wave - Richard Castle

TITLE: Heat Wave

AUTHOR: Richard Castle

SUMMARY:

HEAT WAVE is a tie-in to the ABC primetime show, CASTLE, that premiered in March 2009. The main character of the show, Richard Castle, is a bestselling mystery writer. HEAT WAVE is his next book: Mystery sensation Richard Castle, blockbuster author of the wildly best-selling Derrick Storm novels, introduces his newest character, NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat. Tough, sexy, professional, Nikki Heat carries a passion for justice as she leads one of New York City's top homicide squads. She's hit with an unexpected challenge when the commissioner assigns superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook to ride along with her to research an article on New York's Finest. Pulitzer Prize-winning Rook is as much a handful as he is handsome. His wise-cracking and meddling aren't her only problems. As she works to unravel the secrets of the murdered real estate tycoon, she must also confront the spark between them.

We will be making the first ten chapters (approximately) available for digital download from ABC.com over the summer to coincide with the repeat schedule of the show. Then, in the fall, the entire book will be published as a trade paperback. We will be working with ABC Marketing to publicize the downloads and the book. - From Publisher

REVIEW: Once my fandom shaped heart imploded from delight in reading this book I realized something. Non-Castle fans probably wouldn't enjoy this as much as I did.

I loved the characters because I both love the show and know the history of how and why this book came to fruition. If you don't watch ABC's "Castle" my gut tells me that you wouldn't be giving this book such a high rating. Not because the book itself wasn't readable or enjoyable but because unless you're a fan it wouldn't be memorable. This book is different than most tv tie-ins. The general tie-in takes the actual characters and works a plot around them. For example in Keith DeCandido's "Nevermore" (a Supernatural tie-in) you've got the Winchester brothers on a hunt. You probably wouldn't pick it up unless you are a "Supernatural" fan. Whereas "Heat Wave" is about fictional-fictional (head hurt yet?) characters. Theoretically you wouldn't have to watch the show to read this book, though to truly enjoy this read it'd probably be a good idea.

My favorite part of this book is that we got "Rook" and "Nikki" finally together, which isn't a spoiler if you've watched the show and specifically the scene with Stana Katic's Kate hiding in a bathroom stall trying to find the smut in said book. The pairing is something I really hope in another season or two we do finally get. I loved the way they played off each other and their characters are very tangible in book form. I'd be quite happy if we got more of these as the seasons continue.

If you've watched even one or two episodes of "Castle" or if you are simply a fan of Nathan Fillion you'll probably enjoy this book. However, if you are addicted to Nathan Fillion and "Castle" you'll be bouncing about deliriously happy while reading this.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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Bed of Roses - Nora Roberts

TITLE: Bed of Roses

AUTHOR: Nora Roberts

SUMMARY: Love blooms in the second novel in Nora Roberts's celebrated Bride Quartet series.
As little girls MacKensie, Emma, Laurel, and Parker spent hours acting out their perfect make believe "I do" moments. Years later their fantasies become reality when they start their own wedding planning company to make every woman's dream day come true. With perfect flowers, delicious desserts, and joyful moments captured on film, Nora Roberts's Bride Quartet shares each woman's emotionally magical journey to romance.

"In Bed of Roses," florist Emma Grant is finding career success with her friends at Vows wedding planning company, and her love life appears to be thriving. Though men swarm around her, she still hasn't found Mr. Right. And the last place she's looking is right under her nose.

But that's just where Jack Cooke is. He's so close to the women of Vows that he's practically family, but the architect has begun to admit to himself that his feelings for Emma have developed into much more than friendship. When Emma returns his passion-kiss for blistering kiss-they must trust in their history...and in their hearts. - From Publisher

REVIEW: Enjoyable romance novel and a lovely second book in the Bride Quartet. Roberts always writes a beautiful tale and I've found this series really delightful. I am not big into straight romances, but every once and a while I like to dive into one and this series has been a great outlet. Fans that love straight romance will lap this up and be satisfied with it.

While Mac is probably my favorite character with Laurel running in second I was worried that Emma's character wouldn't grab me. Thankfully I found myself quite liking Emma and her romantic outlook. Sometimes authors write the romantic character with two feet off ground and their heads in the clouds that they tend to bug me. Emma did not fit this. While she was romantic and enjoyed romance she wasn't a push over and didn't see things that weren't there. Jack. Jack was just what you expect from Roberts. Hot in that overly male yet romantic way.

A good read and I'm looking forward to the next book coming out.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid: The Simple Truth to a Complicated Relationship - Howard J. Morris & Jenny Lee

TITLE: Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid: The Simple Truth to a Complicated Relationship

AUTHOR: Howard J. Morris, Jenny Lee

SUMMARY: Since the dawn of time, when the first smitten caveboy tried to woo the object of his affections by shoving her into the mud, men have demonstrated that when it comes to women, they are profoundly stupid. And when it comes to men, women -- no matter how intelligent or mature -- are completely crazy.

Based on this simple yet groundbreaking insight, comedy writers and real-life couple Howard J. Morris and Jenny Lee have devised a relationship guide that is refreshingly honest, completely hilarious, and surprisingly practical. Using their own crazy/stupid romance as an example of these forces in action, they set out to explain why women ask questions that they absolutely do not want answered -- and why men persist in answering them. What are men really thinking -- or crucially, not thinking? Why do women view even the most mundane events through an emotional prism? Why do guys suck at being romantic? And why does every conversation with a woman lead back to whether or not she''s fat?

Using wit, hard-earned wisdom, and a highly entertaining he said/she said format, the authors explore the surprising method to his dumbness and the valid reasons behind her insanity, while providing real solutions to perennial relationship problems. By teaching men how and why they''re stupid around women and showing women how to "control the crazy" for everybody''s sake, Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid helps couples to reach the place where giving isn''t giving in, needing isn''t needy, and where the sexes can break the dysfunctional patterns and find a way to live lovingly, happily ever after. - From Publisher

REVIEW: The truth about humor is there always is truth in it. We laugh at the jokes and tales because we've either been that person or know someone who was. In the case of "Woman are Crazy Men are Stupid" it's our relationships (past and present) written out for us to read. The truth? Men are stupid and women are indeed crazy, the funny/truth is right there in the title, how can you not want to read?

When snatching this book up the title was what first caught my eye and then when I pulled it out and saw the book cover? Well, the book cover alone beckons me to sit and read. They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but I roll my eyes at that. If we aren't suppose to judge by the cover why not make all books with a white background and just the title and author in Times New Roman black font? Publishers don't, because they want to catch your eye. Lure you in and at times this gets you to read a mediocre book just solely based on it's cover. With this book it's all five stars. The title, the cover but more importantly the content, cause really isn't that the point?

This book had me laughing through out it and yet some how at the end had me crying. I suppose that whole chapter on woman emphasizing was true. That chapter was re-iterated to my husband so he could understand why I cry so much during football. Heck, I cry during those "America's Game" DVD commercials.

The genius of this book is that while you are reading, laughing, agreeing or reading chapters to your spouse (who then also laughs and agrees) you are actually gleaning information. Sure, some of it the basics that you knew but perhaps didn't know. Some of the funniest portions of the book are when Howard and Jenny banter back and forth about their perspectives of a romantic night gone terribly wrong. I've had many of those nights and it's nice getting to understand the way a man's mind works, or in the case of romantic interludes, doesn't. And for men, fear not you'll get some key information that should help and if it doesn't then you may just be hopeless.

This is definitely a book I think everyone should read, whether you're in a relationship or not it'll shed some light on the stupid and the crazy and will have you chuckling. Plus, as Howard explains the STUPID did come before the CRAZY.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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Undone - Karin Slaughter

TITLE: Undone

AUTHOR: Karin Slaughter

SUMMARY: In the trauma center of Atlanta's busiest hospital, Sara Linton treats the city's poor, wounded, and unlucky-and finds refuge from the tragedy that rocked her life in rural Grant County. Then, in one instant, Sara is thrust into a frantic police investigation, coming face-to-face with a tall driven detective and his quiet female partner…. In Undone, three unforgettable characters from Karin Slaughter's New York Times bestselling novels Faithless and Fractured collide for the first time, entering an electrifying race against the clock-and a duel with unspeakable human evil. - From Publisher

REVIEW: If you're looking from a purely evil killer with some hard edged, driven and "intense" Special Agents then you'll enjoy this book, however read "Faithless" & "Fractured" first.

This was my first dive into Slaughter's work and I wish I had read all her previous books. It's not part of a trilogy but the characters are from two of her previous books and I think having some more back ground knowledge and knowing more would've helped me a bit. Especially with it came to the hard edged Special Agent Faith. I found myself more often than not annoyed with her childish behavior and somewhat ignorant attitude. Perhaps if I had known her story more I would've had justification for her action. She still wouldn't have been a favorite of mine but I'd like to at least enjoy her input and views rather than wish she's disappear.

My favorite character of all was Dr. Sara Linton. This didn't surprise me as she had the heart break factor that often sways me. I adored her character and felt like she was the most honest and real character of them all. Her story about losing Jefferey, her husband, was heart breaking and that tugged on my heart-strings. She alone makes me want to pick up Slaughter's book so I can get more of her.

Special Agent Will Trent was also fascinating. The way he's over come various life obstacles to get where he is made his character dynamic and layered. He wasn't your typical handsome SA. Of course some of that love was lost when it came to his estranged wife Angie. Again, I don't know the full back history but not a fan and I felt like it made Will a weaker character. I understand the connection between the two I just hated how shitty she treated him and how he allowed it. I didn't like that Will hasn't realized and embraced his self worth. And on that note I move on before this turns into a group session.

The plot itself was good. I wasn't hooked and addicted until close to the end of the book. I felt like there were times when the plot slowed and I became bored. But when we were in the thick of the investigation or in dark caves I was hooked. Or when Will & Sara had any scenes together I was innately curious. But just when I was sinking into the book we hit a slow part.

All around, I didn't love and I didn't hate this book. I lacked passion for it and that is, in my opinion, worse than hating a book.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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Strange Angels - Lili St. Crow

TITLE: Strange Angels

AUTHOR: Lili St. Crow

SUMMARY: Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called "the touch". (Comes in handy when youare traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)

Then her dad turns up deadabut still walking and Dru knows she's next. Even worse, she's got two guys hungry for her affection, and they are not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever or "whoever"a is hunting her? - From Publisher

REVIEW: I am torn with this book; sorta sitting on the fence, waiting to read "Betrayals" before I make my final verdict. I enjoyed the book, yet at the same time I felt like Crow hasn't fully found her footing in this 'verse. There were some strong elements that reminded me of TV's hit show "Supernatural" and it appears that in the second book ("Betrayals") I may be reminded of Mead's VA series. In no way am I saying that Mead & Kripke own all rights on family hunting businesses or school for supernatural just that this book didn't stand on it's own enough considering some of the sameness.

This book read more like as set-up for the second book and I felt like we finally got into the story just as it was ending. When I was finally sinking into the characters and the roles they all played the book ended and now I just want to get my hands on the second book so I can see how things pan out.

Still, despite some of the elements that ruffled my feathers I'm all for a strong female lead that can kick the tail of some serious baddies. I feel like that's what I got from Dru in this book and that come the second book we'll get it in spades, which I'm really looking forward to. I love how awkward she is with affection and how closed off she is. She often sticks her head in the sand when it comes to dealing with feelings.

Hopefully with the second book this 'verse will shape into it's own as concept has huge potential to be an explosive and addicting series.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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The Bro Code - Barney Stinson

TITLE: The Bro Code

AUTHOR: Barney Stinson, Matt Kuhn

SUMMARY: Everyone''s life is governed by an internal code of conduct. Some call it morality. Others call it religion. But Bros in the know call this holy grail the Bro Code.

Historically a spoken tradition passed from one generation to the next, the official code of conduct for Bros appears here in its published form for the first time ever. By upholding the tenets of this sacred and legendary document, any dude can learn to achieve Bro-dom. - From Publisher

REVIEW: Everything you've ever wanted to know about being a "bro". The legend - wait for it - dary book was out of this world awesome! I absolutely adore the TV show "How I Met Your Mother" and this book, which has been mentioned more than once was, was everything I had hoped for.

I feel as though I am now fully equipped to handle being a wing-woman and can easily spot a true bro and a faux bro.

For those of you that are fans of the show or Neil Patrick Harris I cannot state enough that you MUST read this and also get the audio book.

RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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