Saturday, July 31, 2010

"An Offer You Can't Refuse"


Another great book from Jill Mansell, a chick lit that I enjoyed thoroughly! The beginning caught my attention right away with the offer that was not to be refused. The author wasted no time in the beginning getting right down to the nitty gritty.


Lola and Doug are from two totally different upbringing and lifestyles, opposites attract would fit their situation very well. Lola and Doug are young and in love. Dougs mother does not want Lola in her sons way of accomplishing his dreams of an (Ivy League School) as we would say in CALI. They spend the whole summer together just doing what couples do having fun , enjoying their young teen lives together. Lola and Doug are inseperable. Doug gets ready to take a tour of the school he will be atteding and Lola is at home working in town. They have plans to spend their weekends together since Dougs school is a ways from town and if that doesn't work then Lola would move up with Doug so they can be together. Perfect plans!

Things change over night and Lola takes off with her friend hundeds of miles away from their little town and doesn't give Doug any explanation just a letter that she's leaving and things are moving too fast for her. It a very sad parting indeed. Really felt bad for Doug. He was so in love with Lola and doesn't understand what happened. Things were going so good for them and when he returned home from his visit to his new school in Dublin Lola is gone with no good byes, no nothing.

10 years later, Lola returns home and Doug and his family are still there. Her father has since passed away leaving her a good amount of money to live off of. She was an avid reader and gets a job at a bookstore. Her co-workers have bright personalities and in time, Lola becomes the manager. As the story progresses, she eventually bumps into Doug and all those feelings she felt for him 10 years ago jump right back into her as if she were a young teenager agan. She still loves Doug, but does he love her? Is he married, is he with someone else, how and what is he doing with his life? So many questions Lola has in her mind, will she be able to get the answers? Does Doug hate her for breaking his heart on the day she left him and why did she leave, he still doesn't know. What is the "Offer that can't be refused", who amde the offer?"

There were times in the book where Lola got on my royal nerves with her " I gotta keep on tryng attitude" so determined to get what she wanted, but sometimes I wanted to say girlfriend give it a rest, you did all you could do and leave it at that.

Gabe, Lola's best guy friend, was a nice character to follow in the book. He was there for Lola thru thick and thin, in her time of need, etc. His lifestyle was interesting and his lifes experiences were very different to follow. I enjoyed his character!

Doug got on my bad side too at times by trying to put up this I don' care attitude because he never got over the break up. He was cruel at times, but deep inside I knew he was just acting out of anger, understandable!

Doug's sister, Sally, was a joy. A bit spoiled but had a great " I'm gonna do what I wanna do" attitude which is what kept her going in life. She became good friends with Lola and in the story she was able to do things different in her life for the better!

I too asked these same questions mentioed above and they are all answered in the book. I enjoyed this book for the suspense and for the other characters in the book that made the book so fun, and a beautiful love story!

Jill Mansell does a great job of developing her heros and heroines in the story. I aso love the way the other characters have their own drama and storyline to tackle which along side the main characters just makes the story that much more interesting and captivating!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

"MULU AND PEDRO VEGA"


CONGRATULATIONS TO MULU AND PEDRO VEGA SEALED FOR ALL TIME AND ETERNITY!!
JULY 24, 2010 - I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU DAWG! I'LL MISS YOU BUT ITS TIME FOR YOU
TO START YOUR NEW JOURNEY IN LIFE!!

Mulu Lokeni now Mulu Vega is happily married to Pedro Vega. I've been friends with Mulu for awhile now and even though we dont hang out everyday or communicate everyday we still know how we are without words. She deserves the best! Faithful to her testimony and values in the gospel, good friend, very funny, good dancer and loyal and trustworthy amiga por vida! I wish her the best with her husband and pray that they will through thick and thin have a happy relationship centered upon the Love of God First..Aighty Mulu dawg, have a good one and keep in touch. Much alofaz!

Love ya muchisimo!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

"What Happens in London"


This is my first time reading a Romance Novel by Jula Quinn and I must say that I absolutely loved this book. I guess since reading and all is new to me, and reading Romance Novels right now seems to be my nitch, I imagine I'm just going to devour (meaning reading) all the Romance Novels I can get.

"What Happens In London" really reminds me of Pride and Prejudice, so while reading this book, I kind of envisioned Mr. Darcy as Sir Harry and Lizzy Bennett as Lady Olivia.

Characters are:

Sir Harry Valentine- works as translator ofr War Office, loves Olivia
Lady Olivia Bevelstoke- nosey neighbor, loves Harry
Sebastian- Harry's cousin, free spirited bachelor
Prince Alexi- Russian Prince


The book was refreshing, funny and most of all lovely! I enjoyed this book very much. Sir Harry has moved next door to Lady Olivia and her friends tell her that he killed his fiance. Rumor and gossip flourish London like nobodys business, apparently there is nothing else to do but tell stories whether true or not true. So with this in mind, Olivia does not believe a word of it, but she begins to watch her new neighbor from her window. She watches him for 5 days thinking that Harry has no idea that he sees her when all the while he sees her. Harry works for the military as a translator of French and Russian documents but was still trained to fight in combat. He began to do things in his office to entertain Olivia being that she didn't think that he knew she was watching him. He wore a big hat with feathers and threw papers in the fireplace which he usually wouldn't. One day she was watching Harry, he looked up and their eyes met and she quickly dropped to the ground embarrassed that he saw her. But Harry knew all along she was watching. Their relationship builds from talking at the their windows at night.

Harry and Olivia have that Love - Hate relationship going on which I love! There was adventure and twists and turns in the Romance Novel. I really enjoyed the romantic part of the novel, the way the author described the desire that Harry and Olivia had for each other. It's always good to hear adult and mature descriptions of the loveliest experience one could have.

Sebastians character was very pleasant and he's a ladies man, but sounds like he's a delightful friend to Harry. I pictured him being a vibrant reader and actor as he read excerpts from the Miss Butterworth book Harry gave to Olivia. In the book Sebastian is reading and everyone in Lady Olivia's house is amazed and listeneing even the servants. Tells me that he is one good narrator..

Prince Alexi fancies Olivia but he is not a dumb prince and realizes that Oliva does NOT love him she loves Harry, for this I was greatful. I can't stand it when a man knows that a woman loves someone else and still yet tries to persude her to love him; not kool; get a clue and move on..Bloody Hell!! Love that British slang!

I enjoyed the ending of the book as well. I"m trying my darndest not to give too much information away, but I'll be looking out for more books by Julia Quinn. I must admit this novel reminded me of Pride and Prejudice which is my favorite English Movie of all time. I highly recommend this book to Romance Novel readers. Alot of good stuff going on this novel.Thanks again Ms. Quinn for a most enjoyable book!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

"GRACELING"


A Kristin Cashore book which tells of 7 Kingdoms and individuals who have GRACES which they were born with. These graces vary from a Gift of Killing, Survival, Manipulation of peoples thoughts, Sensing peoples feelings, Swimming in water as fast as a fish, Detecting oncoming storms, etc..

Main characters are:

Katsa-Graceling-able to kill with barehands and survival skills- loves Po
Po- Prince from Lienid- graceling-able to sense peoples thoughts and ambushes-loves Katsa
Raffin-Katsa's cousin, Prince of Middluns
Randa- King of Middluns
King Leck- Evil King, Graceling- able to maniulate peoples minds and thoughts
Oll-Katsa works with him, works for King Raffa
Giddon- Works for King Raffa-loves Katsa
Bitterblue-daughter of Evil King Leck (10 yrs old)
Ashen-mother of Bitterblue

This book in the beginning was hard for me to follow probably because it was set in a time of long ago and I just pictured it like in the era of Renaissance. After the edplanations about the different kingdoms and all the kings, the book and storyline was easy to follow. In this book I'm just gonna touch up on the things i found exciting and that caught my attention..

Katsa is the main character who is sent out to inflict pain on people in her Uncle Randa's kingdom who do not pay their debts to the king and things of that nature. Katsa was born with the GRACE of killing with her bare hands and the grace of survival. She killed her older cousin when she was 10 yrs old. She didn't like the way he was trying to touch her, putting his hand on her leg and on her shoulder and she saw how he was touching the other servants. When her older cousin tried to touch her more, she hit him on the nose sending the bone straight up to his brain and he died instantly! Her parents passed away when she was young and was with her Uncle King Randa to live and learn how to control her GRACE of killing and the King would use her for his dirty work and greedy gain. She loved her cousin Raffin whom she grew up with. Her and Raffin were not far apart in years, so they were very close. He was interested in medicines but his father King Randa did not want anything to do with his sons notions of medicine.

Katsa, Oll and Giddon are the Kings workers who set out to go and inflict pain on those people who do not obey the king. During the book we find out that Katsa forms a Council where her and others from other kingdoms unite to help each other. She is able to use her Grace to help solve crimes and things of that nature. They go to rescue The King of Lienids father who was kidnapped. They rescue him and bring him back to Raffin so he can help the grandfather heal from his wounds. On her way to rescue the King of Lienids father, she bumps into a Lienid man who blocks her way while she tries to make her way to the Lienid Kings father. She doesn't kill him like she would anyone who got in her way, she was invinceable! There was something about this Lienid man. They fought and he was rather good. She was not accustomed to this as she is fierce being able to subdue anyone who got in her way. He was quick, and sharp as she was, she thought to herself he is definitely graced in fightin. So in the end, she knocks him out cold, not feeling the need to kill him, but in a sense she kind of trusted this Lienid man..she continued with her mission and rescues the Lienid Kings father. That is her first encounter with Po.

Giddon obviously loves Katsa and is very protective of her, Katsa knows she needs noone to protect her as she can kill anyone. We find out later on that Giddon asks Katsa to marry him and she refuses. From her infancy, she always told everyone, her cousin, the king that she is not to marry anyone and she will not. She sees her GRACE and herself as nothing more than a killing machine, not being able to love anything or herself for that matter. Being the kings #1 killing machine she sees herself as a wild killing person, nothing more.

Her friendship with Po develops as he stays at King Randa's castle and works with Katsa on his fighting skills as a way to stay and find out any information he can get about the motive why his grandfather would be kidnapped. Katsa takes PO to his grandfather who is hidden in Raffins headquarters to help him get better. Po is relieved to see his grandfather is getting better. During Po and Katsa's fighting practices, she always wins the battle, but Po gets better and takes a real beating from Katsa from Day one. As you read on, you can tell that a relationship develops between Katsa and Po. So cutey!

One of my favorite parts in the book is where Po and Katsa are along on their journey to Monsea to find out what and who ordered the kidnapping fo Po's grandfather. Katsa was really frustrated for in her thoughts she knew she was falling for Po and she knew that Po could sense her thoughts and he knew she was in love with him but she would never say it. Po tells Katsa, 'I know you don't want this, Katsa. but, I can't help myself. The moment you came barreling into my life I was lost. I'm afraid to tell you what I wish for, for fear you'll..oh, I dont know, throw me into the fire, Or more likely, refuse me, Or worst of all, despise me, he said , his voice breaking and his eyes dropping from her face. His face dropping into his hands, " I love you," he said. You're more dear to my heart than I ever knew anyone could be." Now that was good stuff! Neither one of them planned things to happen but as the story develops you could tell that they were going to hook up.

Another line Po says to Katsa, that love is simple he says, "I'll give myself to you however you'll take me" Now that is classic. The guy is obvioulsy in love with her. She seems to be one of those beautiful girls with, animal instincts to kill. She has one blue eye and one green eye..Some gracelings have differnt colored eyes.

One of the ways Katsa clears her mind is by fighting which comes natural for her. This part in the book is delicate yet very touching! A WOMANS FIRST TIME..FROM SAVAGE KILLER TO WOMAN IN LOVE!
Katsa told Po, fight me, hit me..and she heals really fast not as fast as the wolverine but quick. They begin to fight, hitting each other and pinning each other to the dirt, getting swinging back and forth, then he stopped saying I taste blood. His hand was bleeding from her boot and her mouth was bleeding from his ring when he struck her. Then Katsa had to make a choice as they were so close to one another, she knew the choice she had to make. She jumped into Po's arms and she was crying because she knew what was going to happen. It felt so good in Po's arms and he rocked her back and forth in his arms. She put her arms around his neck and he grinned then..." his lips touched her throat and nuzzled her neck. She gasped. His mouth found hers. She turned to fire." This part of the book was very sweet! She experienced love in a way she never thought would happen to her at least. BEAUTIFUL!

Bitterblue the EVil King Lecks daughter who would be crowned Princess if anything were to happen the King; she would be the next in line for royalty! Her father is an evil man wanting only anything and everything for himself, greed and lust. Unfortuantely the books doesn't go into detail about his lust for young girls but you get a hint of what he wants to do with his daughter. Her mother Ashen, Po' aunt is in fear for her daughters life and virtue; she stays locked up in her chambers with her daughter. The King (her husband) gets impatient ordering to see his daughter when Ashen hears of this her and and her daughter climb out the castle window and run into the wilderness. She tells Bitterblue to keep on running and so she does leaving behind her mother who is shot with an arrow under the commnd of her own husband. Po sees the whole incident and can't believe what he witnessed the death of his dear aunt. Bitterblue escapes and hides in the hollow of a tree. Po and Katsa set out to find Bitterblue and they find her but she doesn't trust them as she holds her knife in hand with a tight grip towards them.

Alot goes on in "Graceling"..I love this book for the scenery, the adventure to save loved ones, the love story, the graceligs talents and gifts, the many characters each with exciting personalities and relationships with one another a total joy ride as I read this book. This was the first book of this kind that I've read and thoroughly and amazingly loved! Although, I'm still one of the "happily ever after" ending people, the ending was not as I imagined, but once you read it, you'll form your own undestanding and reasoning of why it ended the way it did.
I would definitely read more books such as this one..TEAM KATSA AND PO" all the way!

Another wonderful book to add to my list of great authors and literature..

Saturday, July 10, 2010

"Practice Makes Perfect"


Julie James author of this book does a great job of combining the "Love and Hate" relationship between JD Jameson and Payton Kendall. 2 Lawyers working for the same firm for 8 years; different offices, same thoughts! Things get heated when it's time for the firm to make the senior associates Partner for the firm. But, they soon find out that there is no room for 2 Partners and only one of them will be selected for Partner. They both worked hard for the past 8 years for the firm, making snde remarks to one another yet at the same time unable to stop thinking of each other.

Kendall Payton-lawyer, loves JD
JD Jameson-lawyer,loves Payton
Laney- Paytons best friend at the firm
Tyler- Jamesons best friend at the firm
Ben- Payton and Jameson boss at firm

This book was fascinating to me because of the ending. I kind of had a hunch that Payton and Jameson were in love and I thought they were both gonna make partner, but as the story progresses we see a differnt turn, which is lovely!

JD and Payton act like they can't stand each other but we all know its that Love and hate thing they got going on. They were both assigned a case and were to travel to Florida to meet the new Million Dollar Clients which haven't exactly chosen their firm to represent them yet. They were happy to travel together as they had a previous encounter at her place and almost went for the goal..But they didn't. Ne-ways, at a previous dinner they were asked to say something about each other and to their surprise each of them had a lot of nice things to say about each other.
In Florida, they had a nice dinner with the clients and then in the evening it was all or nothing! They had a great time with each other, burning the midnight oil, or as I would say it..Takin that Morning Ride, Evening Ride and Late Nite Ride..it was intense! So they extended their stay in Florida for the whole weekend instead of one night. They were able to talk freely, get to know each other and just fall in love with each other which was nice, since in the book they are just mean to each other..

After their marvelous weekend, it was getting closer to the date where the firm would announce who would be the partner and the other senior associate would probably leave to find another firm to work for. JD and Payton returned to work after their needed weekend together, JD walks to the car and Payton follows and stops JD and says, " This situation between us is totally messed up, " she began. "Frankly, I haven't changed my mind in thinking that whatever decision the firm makes tomorrow is going to be a problem for us. A big problem." "But here's the thing-the alternative means not being with you. And I've been not with you for years, JD I dno't want that anymore." " I think we can get past this partnership thing if we go into it together."
I loved that part of the book, Payton was like "F it" I'm gonna tell him how I feel. I love that about her, she jut made the first move and told him that she wants to be with him, no matter what the firm decides upon. She doesn't know that JD is feeling the same way. As in other books I've read, if you feel the situation is right and you feel like who gives a dayum I'm going for it, then your best bet is to go for it damn it, I would! So she did and I respect Payton for that.

Paytons heart was broken when she found out that JD told the boss that he slept with her in his office which was not true. Truth is, he was jealous when he saw Payton talking with some other client at a company party and he made it up. JD was in love with Payton the first day they met at the firm 8 years ago. The things men do ay yay yay!

The day came when the firm was ready to announce who they chose to be partner..This is one of my fave parts too..JD and Payton sat next to each other and both very competitive, they were in Bens office, right before Ben was to announce who made partner, JD stood up and said, "All right, Paytonm F*** it, I quit Ben." Payton was furious, she did not want to win being partner by default. JD wanted to talk to Payton badly; so after quarreling they went into another room to talk.

Here comes the good parts..he was trying to explain himself to Payton but she was being such a sour puss and upset at JD for the lie he told their boss. So he just came right out and said it, "I'm in love with you Payton." "I've been in love with you since the very beginning. You asked why there isn't anyone else in my life, and the reason ...is you." " I know I've acted otherwise. I know I've been terrible to you at times. That's just a defense mechanism. Because the truth is, every single day for the past eight years I've wanted you to look at me the way you did when we first met." A tear ran down her cheek as she said, " Sorry. I just keep thinking"-how we've wasted so much time." Why didn't you ever say anything?" JD said, "I know, Payton-I wish I could go back, I wish I could take it all back" But I'm saying it now, dont tell me its too late."
I loved that part in the book, how they were both fessing up to loving each other long time ago for 8 years and only now they decide to break the ice and fall in love with each other and express themselves, how kool is that. I respect how JD just let it all out and put the cards on the table. He didn't care much for his pride at the time and was willing to sacrifice whatever would happen to make things work out with Payton. Now that is LOVE!

Another part that caught my emotions was when JD said to Payton, "We can do this Payton. We don't have to let them separate us- that was their decision, not ours. The best part of this job was that I got to spend everyday with you. I don't want to lose that." This is so classic! A man spilling his gutts that he loved everyday because he was working with her, not exactly with her but in the same department and across the hall from each other for 8 years. Whoa like 8 years is enough for me indeed it is; if you don't know you love someone by then, then give it up..haha!
But Payton told JD that they would be together and that from this day forward she never ever wanted to be apart from him again..Aww True Love!

In the end, Payton and JD leave the firm and decided to start their own firm with their first clients the Millionaires from Florida. Ben (their ex-boss) told them that they were fools to leave and try to start their own firm. Payton told Ben, "You shouldn't have let it come down to this Ben. Jd and I both deserve this and if this firm values strategic leveraging over the committment we've shown over the last eight years, then frankly, you don't deseve us."

This book was geat! I loved how they both ended up leaving the firm and how they both finally confessed their love for each other. You dont find out who the firm chose to make partner, but just for the sake of guessing, I thought it would have been JD Jameson. I don't know firms and especially with men like Ben, I think they are trying to keep it male dominated and white collar all the way..But with Payton and JD Jameson on the same team; I think they will be unstoppable and in love!

Thats my take on the book and thank you Julie James for another wonderful novel. I am looking forward to reading the next book, "Something about You" and after I read it i will write my thoughts and my favorite parts of the book on my blog.
I don't really do book reviews, because I'm new to the whole reading and loving books, that I just end up telling what happens in the books I read and telling of my favorite parts and how they made me feel..So if you read my reviews and dont' want to know what happens in the books, then dont read my reviews and thoughts on the books, I totally give it away..

Friday, July 09, 2010

"The Truth About Forever"


This is one of Sarah Dessens YA books which is one of my favorites. I've read alot of her books and plan to read them all. I have yet to do some insight commenting or book reviews of her other books that I've read. Her books evoke anticipation and emotions in me that I haven't even bothered to tap into in a long time. So for this and many more reasons, I really enjoy her books!

Macy- the main character, lost her father-saw him die
Wes- artist, works for Wish Catering
Delia- Wes' aunt, owner of Wish Catering
Bert-Wes' little brother, loves Sci-Fi
Kristy- Macys friend, lively young lady, does and says what she wants, works for Wish
Monica- lives with Kristy, slow paced, doesn't talk much, works for Wish Catering
Jason-Macys Ex-Boyfriend, nerd, all about academics
Macys mother
Caroline-Macys sister

Macy was with Jason for several years and he was a brainiac guy and she just followed suit with his plans, studying all the time for SAT's, doing extra homework and hanging out with noone but Jason. He prepared to go to Brain Camp and thus she is stuck at home for the whole summer by herself and fills in for Jason at the library. When he leaves Macy misses him and sends an email to him saying that she loves him; big mistake. Jason is wound up in his academics that he doesn't have time for distractions and feels that his relationship with Macy at this point in life is a distraction. So he replies to her email and tells her he thinks they should take a break from each other.

Macy's father passed away and she saw the whole thing, He was jogging that morning and before he left the house told Macy to get up and get to running, She didn't feel like running, but got up later and headed out towards their regular route. She finds her dad on the street and a stranger holding him trying to revive him back to life; he passed out and had a heart attack. She's devastated as she was very close to her father!
Then as the story progresses things happen and Macy finds a job, new friends and she finds herself opening up to Wes and enjoying her new life for the summer, outside of her comfort zone!

One of my favorite parts in the book was where Delia had her baby and Macy was there to help. The hospital was too much for Macy to handle as it brought back those memories of her in the waiting room as they waited for the doctors who were tending to her father years ago. She takes the elevator excusing herself from Delia and the others and finds an empty alcove where she began to sob tears as the memories of her father overwhelmed her. Behind her was Wes. He put his hand on her shoulder and she didn't move away as she usually would have. Instead, she gave in and let Wes pull her against him and pressed her head against his chest where she felt his heartbeat steady and true. What a moment! When you're down and out and not at your best, who comes to your aid, WES a true hunk and comforter! He also lost his mother to illness so he has compassion and understands what Macy is going thru.

Throughout the book when Macy meets Wes while working for Wish Catering, she and Wes play the "Truth Game" and this is the way they get to know each other so well. Their likes and dislikes, what their thinking and so forth, The catch is, you have to tell the Truth. I like that game, no long story telling just right to the point..Thus motivated by this, I'm playing the Truth Game with my friend and its going pretty good. No judging of one another, just Truth!

Another part in the book that just got me thinking and I really enjoyed was when Macy runs to look for Wes as he left her house. They had a previous conversation where Macy was telling Wes that I guess things a re back to normal she would be with Jason and wes would be with Becky. Macy is out of breath when she reaches him and told him that there has been a change in the "Truth Game." He didn't understand, she told him that he has to ask her the question he passed and then the game would be over. He didn't know where she was going with this. Macy thought to herself, " I knew, in the silence that followed, that anything could happen here. It might be too late: again, I might have missed my chance. But I would at least know I tried, that I took my heart and extended my hand, whatever the outcome." This paragraph had so much meaning for me. Isn't that the way its suppose to be, to take that chance and if you really have a good feeling about the situation, take that step and go for it..

I'm so glad Macy took that step because when Wes asked her the question, "What would you do if you could do anything?" Macy closed the gap between her and Wes and kissed him right there in the street for anyone to see. She then says, " As for me, I was just trying to get it right, whatever that meant. But now I finally felt I was on my way. Everyone had a forever, but given a choice, this would be mine, The one that began in this moment, with Wes, in a kiss that took my breath away, then gave it back-leaving me astounded, amazed and most of all, alive." Was that deep or what. I love that part in the book.

Macys father before passing away bought her a gift and she wasn't suppose to open it until he told her. When he passed she just pushed the gift aside in her closet. As time goes on and she's friends with Wes, she decides to open the gift and to her surprise it was a sculpture of the angel that Wes made. Her father told her it was gonna be a great surprise and indeed it was!

It's hard when a parent passes away, leaving you with only the memories to reflect on. My father recently passed away last year due to illness. So I could sympathize with Macy as she had flashbacks of her father. Unlike Macy, where she saw her father pass away, noone was in my fathers hospital room when he passed. It was like, he didn't want anyone around when he took his last breath of life! I think he wanted it that way. He wasn't in pain when he passed nor was he conscious according to the doctors, but I believe he could hear us all when we spoke to him. The last night I was with him, it was my watch and I did the night shift. We never left him alone. For some reason in the morning, I looked at my dad as he lay there still and I don't know it was like I was prompted to whisper in his ear, "Dad, if you're too tired and you're body wants to rest and you want to be at peace, its OK.. go ahead, we will be fine! The next day, sure enough he passed away! I was devastated, I didn't know what to say, I regretted saying what I said to him for a moment, but I knew it was his time to go. His body has been thru so much and it was too much physically to try and stay alive to be with your loved ones. I know he gave it his best, but what matters is that he's at Rest with the one on high who brought us all down to earth! Sorry, kind of went off from the book, but what is a book if you can't relate it to real life! Fictional or Non-Fictional it is the Circle of Life!


Delia and Kristy were two characters that made the book come alive and have some real life incidents and attitudes. Delia the owner of WISH, somehow always has mishaps during her catering and its like without them she doesn't really feel normal. In any case, she always handles everything in a fast pace and gets the job done!

Kristy is such a vibrant girl, living life, adventurous and pretty much spills the beans about Wes and Macy and how they both know they want to be with each other but because of their different personalities just can't seem to get it right. She compares Wes and Macy to a novel she read and explains everything to Macys mom and the whole Wish Crew at Macys house while they are at work. Kristy is a kind of friend I wouldn't mind having, Speaks the truth and just tells it like it is, and she also has your back!

Bret is a Sci-Fi junky. He plays the Gotcha game with his brother Wes and always loses. Wes pretty much looks after Bret. He makes me laugh when he pulls up in his new car, what once was an ambulance, too funny

Monica- quiet and sticks to her words of Mmm Hmm for everything

Caroline- Macys sister, she renovates their old beach house, where they have plenty of memories with their father. She was the outspoken and older sister. It was her idea to re-do the house and have her mom and Macy come to take vacation. She was tired of not talking about the good memories they had with thei dad and it was time to move on and remember him and everything he's done for them

Well, this has got to be one of my longest reviews and sharing of my feelings. To all who read it, thanks and enjoy! Sometimes, well most of the time, I can't stop and just type away.

Monday, July 05, 2010

"GROWN UPS"


July 5th, no work HOORAY! I decided to treat myself to the 10:45am showing of Grown Ups." I went by myself, didn't want to wait for anyone to get ready, didn't want to wake up anyone to go with me, so I decided to venture on by myself, and it was NICE! There were a few older couples in the theater and just me, so it was nice and relaxing.
The movie is hilarious! You laugh in the beginning to the end. A story about 5 dovoted friends who were able to win the Basketball Championship for their Middle School in 1978. Their coach really loved the boys and 30 years later everyone is grown up living with ther families and kids. Their coach passed away which brings them to reunite at the funeral.
You have to have a good sense of humor and be quick whitted to understand all the comedy in the movie. Everyone is like ragging on each other at any given time and if you don't listen carefully you miss the joke, its very funny!
One of my favorite parts was when the fathers take their families to the water park and the 5 friends are in the pool and they all take a leak in the pool and the water turns dark blue..that was hilarious. Adam Sandler's wife in the movie is Salma Hyak and she's this high end fashion designer in Beverly Hills and Adam is a Hollywood Agent. His 2 boys are total rich brats. Always texting the nanny to bring them food, playing their video games and acting like punks. He has a little daughter who drives his merecedes into a patio table. Ne-ways, the get together for their coachs' funeral, brings all the guys and their families together for a weekend at the old river house. Each family and their kids have their own issues.
In the end, everyone has a good time and Adam Sandlers brats enjoy themselves and get to break out of their rich habbits at least for the week with everyone else. Salma breaks down and tells Adam instead of leaving to Milan, Italy after one night at the river house; she decides family time is more important that her fashion show which can be handled by others.
Because Adam Sandlers team won the basketball game in 1978 their enemies would not live it down. So they play and Adams son plays and the enemy plays with his son against them. At the final moment where Adam Sandler never misses the bank shot, he looks at his enemies wife and family and purposely misses the shot. At the end of the movie, the fireworks are going off and Salma asks Adam why did you miss that shot, he said because sometimes the enemy needs to win, and we need to learn how to lose! A nice ending.
A nice family summer movie. I would recommend this movie to families and to get a good laugh! Good family time..

"ECLIPSE"


For some reason, I wasn't really excited to go watch "Eclipse" and I really wasn't planning on watching it, but when the day came, I ended up going. Went to Rolling Hills Cinema with my cousins to watch it and it was playing in 4 theaters so it wasn't really crowded. I was surprised to see alot of guys there without girlfriends watching the movie which was kinda cool. I mean Edward is HOT and Jacob does have a nice body! Although, I'm TEAM WOLF, Jacob really got on my nerves trying to win Bella's heart when we all know she's in LOVE with Edward. There were certain parts in the movie when Edward wasn't as pale and white where he looked totally HOT. Jacob with no shirt always looks good!!

The parts I didn't like were where in the book, I was hatin Bella, but when I saw everything in my face and on the screen, I was a TRUE BELLA HATER! At the jump of the movie she's kissing on Edward, throughout the movie, then she's always making out with Edward and then on the mountain she's making out with Jacob, who does that! YUCK, in the theater some random guy yelled out she's a SLUT when she was makin out with Jacob, and I couldn't hold back, so I turned around and yelled out, you're right, she is a slut! WHOA..I was not diggin her at all.
I enjoyed all the parts that they put in the movie because it depicts all the important parts of the book, but couldn't help myself when I saw how Bella was like torn between Jacob and Edward. Its obvious that she's in love with Edward, so Jacob give it a rest..

I enjoyed Rosalie and Jaspers stories and I appreciated Victoria, but the old Victoria kinda stuck in my head. The old Victoria looked like a natural, but this new one wasn't quite there for me. I love the Cullens, love their devoted protection for one another in their family, don't love how everyone is willing to die and get hurt for Bella, for what..UGH! Like how the wolves and vampires combined forces to work together!

I would definitely go sse "Eclipse" again just to see what details I missed out on. I recommend this movie it was good and we all know whats going to happen in the book, so seeing everything on screen was kool. Of course, the book is always better than the movie because its hard to plese everyone and their expectations. There were 3 different directors and each one brought different ideas and perceptions into the movie. I"ll be waiting for "Breaking Dawn" This is the book where everything unfolds and plenty of action will take place.

Friday, July 02, 2010

"Keeping the Moon"



This is one of Sarah Dessens books that I found very in tune with my theme in 2010 of Happy Endings! This book is a nice caption of a girl who has found friends who help her to seek her inner and outter beauty and at the same time finds LOVE!

Characters are:

Colie-15 year old girl, low self esteem, lost weight
Kiki Sparks-Colies mom
MIra- Colie's aunt/artist, writes cards like hallmarks
Morgan- Waitress #1 at Last Chance Diner, Isabels BFF
Isabel-Waitress #2 at Last Chance Diner, Morgans BFF
Norman-17 year old boy, rents room at Mira's, Artist and cook at Last Chance Diner

The book starts off by introducing Colie as a young girl with her mother who travel in different cities and states looking for employment and a place where they fit in. Colie and her mother Kiki are both overweight in the beginning. Kiki soon after gets inspired and loses weight. She then helps her daughter Colie to shed some pounds as well. Colie doesn't have much self esteem always being teased in school as the fat girl and rumors about her sleeping with a boy, which was not true! Rumors spread by Caroline whom she hated ugh! I just hate girls like that. Colies mother is now doing infomercials and selling her weight loss programs and inspiring other ladies around the world to get up and lose weight! Kiki has to go on a tour to Europe to sell her products and make appearances on TV Shows. So Colie goes to stay with her aunt in Colby, NC for 2 months while her mother is on tour.

The part in the book that I found to my liking was when Morgan and Isabel (BFF's) were total opposites but you can tell they had each others back. Morgan was a well structured young woman, neat, structured had plans for her futre, while Isabel was an outspoken, cigarette smoking, blonde who loved CD's. Their friendship was so cute. Everytime Morgan would leave the diner and say she was quitting Isabel knew the routine, she would come right back in the diner. When Morgan was cheated on by her fiance, well he was actually married and the wife pregnant while all along Isabel told Morgan what was going to happen, Morgan didn't want to believe Isabel. When the truth came out,Morgan was distraught but Isabel was rigt there to console her as any good BFF would do! They would turn up their disco music and just dance their problems away, dancing to one of my faves, " I will survive." Singing, "First I was afraid I was petrified" haha love that song and the message is SWEET, yes us women "WILL SURVIVE"..Their relationship was a lasting one indeed.

I enjoyed Colie's character as it unfolds and she finds friendship which is something she never had movng from state to state with her mom and being that she was fat, not easy to make friends. Colie works at the Last Chance Diner and Morgan and Isabel befriend her. Morgan teachers her the ins and outs of working, and that having a good attitude as a waittess is crucial! It took a while longer for Isabel to warm up to Colie. Isabel dyed Colie's hair, plucked her eyebrows and told her the rules of walking up right, straight back, smile with confidence and always believe in yourself, don't let anyone disrespect you, don't give them that satisfaction that they made you feel inferior to them. Morgan was a nice girl, always telling Colie that she would be okay and would invite her for a girls night out and let her hang out with them at their place down the road from her aunt Mira's house where Colie stayed. Morgan and Isabel helpd Colie believe in herself and have respect for the person she is!

Another character I enjoyed was Norman. A young slow pace moving, artist, who moved out of his house when he told his dad he didn't want to become a salesman like all his other brothers and his father. He moved out and rented a room from Mira and worked as a cook as The Last Chance Diner.He picks up Colie from the train station when she arrives in Colby. He's a good artist and saves money to go to ARt School. He was always nice to Colie. She never thought of Norman as a boy she would ever date, just as Norman. But, as time progresses he asks Colie if he could do a painting of her and she says YES! The BFF's notice that Norman likes Colie and when they asked Colie, this of course is after her whole make-over, she says, I never thought of Norman like that, I mean he's an artist and collects weird things. Upon hearing this, Isabel gets heated and tells Colie, Norman is a nice guy anyone should be happy to date him, had I known you would act like this I would have never helped you look different. Colie was ashamed of herself and inside she knew she appreciated Norman for being the first to be nice to her and small talking with her when she was new in town. Colie with her new make over was gaining a little confidence and hurting the wrong people.
When the painting is done, which took 2 months of sitting and posing and in those 2 months, Colie and Norman become good friends and enjoy each others company. Norman told Colie the painting is done, and she was kind of sad that it was over as she spent every nite in his room posing and talking with him, enjoying their friendship. Norman told Colie I'll show you the painting tonite after I cook you dinner. So she was very excited. So he makes her dinner, and then after dessert, he receals the painting and she can't believe her eyes, its a painting of a beautiful girl, its her. She asks Norman is this how you see me, and he says this is how you are! She was so happy and as they sat on the floor on his blanket with candles, he leaned over and gave her a kiss and she was ecstatic and felt so comfortable with Norman and she knew he was right for her. They went outside to see the Moon Eclipse and Morgan and Isable saw them holding hands and her aunt Mira as well. It was a nice site for everyone to be there watching the moon that night.

I enjoyed this book, the BFF's and their relationship. Norman and Colie and how they ended up together. Mira, Colies aunt was an artist, who was fat and she dressed in loud colors and rode her bike around town; her only means of transportation. But she didn't care what the town was saying about her, she wan an eccentric artist and was fine the way she led her life. Also, Isabel understood what Colie was going thru being fat because before she was this blonde, thin, beautiful girl, Isabel was a fat girl all thru high school, so she could sympathize for Colie, but never told her. Morgan was arguing with Isabel and told her at least she didn't wear a necklace with a frog on it, and Colie realized the picture of the fat girl was Isabel.

Would definitely recommend this book..Thank you Ms. Dessen for another wonderful novel..

"RUMOR HAS IT" Jill Mansell


This was my first time reading a book in a British Setting. I must say that I enjoyed this book very much. Its amazing how Small town gossip and rumors can spread faster than you can say Supercalafrejalisticexpialadocious...Of course who knows if I spelled the darn word correctly, if it is a word at all in the english language.

The book had a lot of characters and twists and turns.
These are the main characters, well at least to me they are:

Max- Husband and Father; turned Gay
Kaye- Wife of Max, Hollywood actress
Lou- 13 year old Daughter of couple
Betty- Family dog
Tilly- House and Child Sitter for couple, doesn't have steady relationships
Erin- Tilly's BFF, hooks up with Fergus
Jack- Player, Player in town, Works with Max, lost fiance Rose, loves Tilly
Rose- Fiance of Jack, is mentioned that she rescued family dog, but drowned and was with child (Jacks)
Fergus- Seperated from wife; hooks up with Erin
Stella- Seperated wife of Fergus, beautiful, over confident, gets cancer and dies
Parker- Fan of Kaye, loves Kaye and both move to New York

My favorite character in the book was Max. His character was funny and he often just spoke out and said what he wanted to say at any given moment. He also was a good father to Lou. When he was interviewing Tilly for the job of Girl Friday, which was a girl needed to stay at the house to take Lou (his daughter) to school, pick her up, make dinner when necessary and keep things running smooth around the house; he basically hired her for her whit over the phone.

I also liked the way Max was a little over protective when his Ex-wife Kaye was meeting up with her fan Parker. He went above and beyond to make sure Parker was not a psycho stalker, which he wasn't. It just showed how even though he was divorced and turned gay, he still cared for Kaye, which was nice. I also liked how the book ended with Max and his side remarks, it ended where Tilly and Jack are finally together and engaged and Max says finally and you two still reak of garlic..well that was paraphrasing and not word for word, but its so funny!

The drama between Tilly and Jack is a cute one. Tilly is not good with relationships and often finds herself waiting for her partner to fall out of love with her so he can be the one to call it quits in the relationship, she just thinks its better that way. She sees Jack Lucas and instantly finds him gorgeous as the other ladies in the town do as well. She feels different around him and opens up to him and he does the same telling her how he's lost his fiance. She hears the rumors around town about Jack, that he's a lady's man and goes out with every beautiful woman and they all swear that they have slept with him, truth is, he hasn't slept with them!

He just lets the ladies in town say whatever they want and thus he becomes the most eligible bachelor to date all the beautiful women! Although, he does sleep with Kaye (Max's wife) so she can gain her self esteem back, I didn't like that part. Its just weird ya know sleeping with your friends ex-wife because he told her he was gay. It is tough, but I still didn't like that he slept with Kaye even if it were for one day UGH! Against the FRIENDS RULE!!

Tilly a good relationship with Lou..Tilly lives with Max and Lou and they hit it off and get along well with each other. Lou is such a sweet daughter and loves her gay father. She end up beatin up Eddie from school for teasing her about her dad; what a sport, to give a boy a black eye, classic!


Ne-ways, he stood up Tilly for their dinner date because Rose's parents stopped by his house unexpectedly and he didn't want to be rude and chase them away just so he could go on his date. Tilly gets really upset and makes up her mind that she doesn't want to see him anymore, just as FRIENDS. Jack knows he loves Tilly and she knows she does too but he asks her what does he have to do to prove to her that he's being serious..Jack is very patient with Tilly, but she kind of got my nerves trying to avoid him, but he still persisted and Tilly's lucky he didn't give up on her..

I really enjoyed the part in the book where Jack went to Rose's parents to ask for their blessing as he moves on in his life and embarks on a new quest to gain Tillys heart, even though we know she's dying to be with Jack, she has her reserves, but is always assuming things, which when you do that all the time, you know the saying, when you ASS-U-ME, you make an ASS out of U and Me, so thats why you shouldn't assume!

In the end, he goes to Plan C, and takes a walk with her and passes by neighbors and tells them good morning, this is Tilly the lady I'm going to marry and does that into town as well. They go to the jewelry shop and buys her an engagement ring. Tlly finally opens up her heart and lets Jack in, the things he had to do to win her love. A nice ending! Tilyl and Jack are engaged and her BFF Erin is with the man she loves Fergus and they both can be with the men who they will spend the rest of their lives with!

It was a nice Chic Lit book..I would definitely recommend this book to readers.
Thank you Jill Mansell for a lovely book! Her next book I will be reading is "An offer you can't refuse"