Happy Monday!

Dinner with my brother and his wife, and the 'rents last week. Shopping with my Mom this week.

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Alyce at At Home with Books for hosting in January. February's host is DCMetroreader (blog link, not post link).


Received for Review:


Giveaway:


from Author:


Purchased:
Impact by Douglas Preston


kindle/ebooks:
13 free books, most children's

What are you Reading?
is a weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit, visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:
Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr
Tails of Love edited by Lori Foster
Trinity by Deena Remiel


Reading:
Trinity by Deena Remiel
Fairytale by Maggie Shayne
Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley
A Place to Die by Dorothy James
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae by Stephanie Laurens


Started, not actively reading:
Before I Fall
52 Small Changes
Redwall
Always
The Eighty Dollar Champion
Murder on Monday

Next up:
The Priest and the Peaches (Mar blog tour)
something fun
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae


Reviewed:
Tails of Love

Did Not Finish:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

Spin the Plate, short story (current read)
A Modern Witch (current read)
Kekula (current read)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Second Chance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thoughts on...Tails of Love anthology

This book has been on my wishlist in Trade paperback format for quite some time so I was very pleased to see it at my local Target in MMP!

The stories were well worth the wait. Ten stories by new-to-me authors and favorites of animals being instrumental in bringing human love into their owners lives. I cried through several and laughed out loud at others. And finished the book wishing for "just one more".

There is a little bit of everything in here. A ghost in Scotland, a jealous boyfriend, a shy man and his equally shy neighbor, long time friends, new neighbors. A scarred black lab, a hairless Crested, a pygmy goat (named Houdini), a capuchin monkey, and others. No horses ;) but lots of dogs and cats doing what they do best. Love us.

I'll be re-reading this one. Grade B

Disclaimer: This book is from my personal library. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of publisher.


Tails of Love
edited by Lori Foster

Berkley
Mass Market Paperback
romance
18+
304


Product Description:

From seeing-eye dogs to cats who sit in your lap, animals are there for us in more way than we can count. Helping us get through the day with a wag of the tail and a tilt of the head, they let us know that someone is on our side-no matter what. They also have an uncanny ability to break down barriers between people, bringing families and loved ones closer, and giving strangers an excuse to strike up conversation. In Tails of Love, each writer draws from her own unique perspective on our loyal friends-exploring the many mysterious ways they bring love into our lives.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Happy Monday!

What did you do for Valentine's Day? Out to dinner with a sweetheart? Hot bubble bath with a good book? Both are fabulous and I hope you enjoyed yourself. :)

Someone made as appointment for my husband for Tuesday night (go figure) but as he's feeling under the weather, we didn't have plans. Except now he's not feeling well and he has to go to a meeting :-(

The rest of the week was a struggle with A Place to Die (progress review posted Thu), a baby blanket and a lot of drama, and fallout, with the Mom of the girl I pick up at school.

This week will be more baby blanket (she's due this month!), lunch/shopping with my Mom and some for fun books.

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Alyce at At Home with Books for hosting in January. February's host is DCMetroreader (blog link, not post link).


Received for Review:
Just a Minute by Wess Stafford

Giveaway:


from Author:


Purchased:
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae by Stephanie Laurens
44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel
The Walled Flower by Lorraine Bartlett
The Joy of Books: Confessions of a Lifelong Reader by Eric Burns


kindle/ebooks:

What are you Reading?
is a weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit, visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:



Reading:
Trinity by Deena Remiel
Fairytale by Maggie Shayne
Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley
A Place to Die by Dorothy James


Started, not actively reading:
Before I Fall
52 Small Changes
Redwall
Always
The Eighty Dollar Champion
Murder on Monday

Next up:
The Priest and the Peaches (Mar blog tour)
something fun
The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae!


Reviewed:
A Place to Die (progress report)

Did Not Finish:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

Spin the Plate, short story (current read)
A Modern Witch (current read)
Kekula (current read)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Second Chance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thoughts on...A Place to Die by Dorothy James

Just a quick note....I'm on vacation, and away from internet access, the week before this is due....if you can read this sentence, I goofed up! Don't you love the cover? My copy is very glossy and the colors pop.

I'm such a mood reader that my feelings toward the book and ultimately my review, are greatly affected by my mood. On the other hand, a good book can turn around a sour mood. It remains to be seen what happens next.....

This was not a good vacation book for me, I was easily distracted with games and talk so my first intro to the book was horrible!

I don't think I like Eleanor and I know I don't like Franz. I'm liking Georg so while the book starts with Eleanor as the "main character" it is a George Buchner book and I have high hopes.

off to read some more......

This does not read like a first in the series. Not to say that I feel I'm missing something but rather the characters are well developed and "fleshed out" as if they've been around a while. I still don't think I like Eleanor but I like her a little more now than earlier. Still don't like Franz. There have been a couple of twists and I'm looking forward to seeing how they turn out. Unfortunately, I will not be finished before the review is posted. (darn that real life-I'll update the review). When I first started reading I was a little miffed at all the descriptions but as I'm farther along, realized they were very necessary to show the differences between all the have-a-lots.

Each chapter has a bit of an introduction and is broken up into sections. I like the sections but sometimes reading the into throws me out of my head space. So far the book is a definite C and I know just the friend to hand it off too. I will add this author to my "read these" list but she may not be the first one reached for.

liking this, off to read some more......

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Tribute Books.


A Place to Die
An Inspector Georg Buchner Mystery
by Dorothy James

publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 9781450082693
Trade Paperback
Release: April 21, 2010
Mystery
436 pages



Product Description:

Eleanor and Franz Fabian arrive from New York to spend Christmas with Franz's mother in her sedate retirement home in the Vienna Woods. Their expectations are low: at best, boredom, at worst, run-of-the-mill family friction. But when the wealthy, charming Herr Graf is found dead in his apartment with an ugly head wound, the Fabians are thrust into a homicide investigation.

Some residents and staff have surprising connections to the dead man, but who would have wanted to kill him? Inspector Buchner tracks down the murderer against a backdrop of Viennese history from the Nazi years to the present day. Witty, suspenseful, lyrical, this is a literary whodunit that will keep you guessing till the last page.

Available at Amazon: paperback or Kindle. Also available in Hardcover

Available at Barnes & Noble: paperback or Nook

and at the iBookstore

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Happy Valentine's Day

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Happy Monday!

I went cruising last week! Left Monday afternoon and came back home Friday afternoon. Birthday party and one last dinner out with the cruise group on Saturday. Migraine on Sunday.

My reading on the boat was almost nonexistent but I made up for it once I got home ;) I still need to finish A Place to Die as I'm a tour stop on Thursday.

I had a fabulous time but it is good to be home.

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Alyce at At Home with Books for hosting in January. February's host is DCMetroreader (blog link, not post link).


Received for Review:


Giveaway:


from Author:


Purchased:



kindle/ebooks:
Lessons Learned by Nora Roberts
Sleep Tight by Anne Frasier & Theresa Weir
35 Quick & Easy Chicken Dishes
Star Soldier by Vaughn Heppner
Anne of Green Gables plus two more

What are you Reading?
is a weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit, visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:
The Book of Deacon by Joseph Lallo
Taking Love in Stride by Donna Clayton
Busy Bees 123 by Peter Lawson
How Lego Built a Comeback
The Longest Stride by TA Chase
Permanently Legless by J. L. Merrow
A Lesson Learned by Carol Lynne
Bring Him Gold by TA Chase
Permanent by Megan Slayer


Reading:
The Book of Deacon
Trinity by Deena Remiel
Fairytale by Maggie Shayne
Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley
A Place to Die by Dorothy James


Started, not actively reading:
Before I Fall
52 Small Changes
Redwall
Always
The Eighty Dollar Champion
Murder on Monday

Next up:
The Priest and the Peaches (Mar blog tour)


Reviewed:


Did Not Finish:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

Spin the Plate, short story (current read)
A Modern Witch (current read)
Kekula (current read)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Second Chance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thoughts on...Time Slice by Kerry Downing

This will be a partial review. While I may have the book read by the deadline, I'm away from the internet and can't update but will do so as soon as I can. ;)

First, I really, really don't like the daughter. So daddy wasn't around when you were little, boo hoo....he's here now and is trying but you have such a chip on your shoulder, you resent the time he spends with his grandchild. Your daughter! Good heavens woman, grow up!

Okay. Now that that's off my chest ;) I hope she does.

Where I'm at has too much technical jargon but I don't see Roy accepting anything less so I'm struggling through it.

Emily's doctor has asked her to start a diary and I'm loving her entries. Great way to get inside a character's head.

Looking forward to finishing the book.....wishing I had planned better.

I still don't like Ann (daughter) but I love her husband and their daughter.

....off to read some more!

Finished.

Satisfied.

Once Roy doesn't need to explain, the technical jargon goes away and the story become fast-paced and slightly dangerous. Still not sure I like Ann. Loved Emily.

Grade: B


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Tribute Books.


Time Slice
by Kerry Downing

Camel Press
June 2011
ISBN: 9781603818520
Paperback
age: 14+? 16+? anyone interested in the science behind the traveling may enjoy this
Contemporary Fantasy (alternate reality)
256 pages


Product Description:

Ordinary People. Extraordinary Adventures. Science Fiction with Heart.

Newly retired workaholic Roy Washburn is not ready for a life of leisure. On a trip to the mall with his wife, he finds a small metal cylinder with odd markings. One nudge of the cylinder's triangle-shaped pointer and Roy finds himself embarking on an exciting new adventure in the Time Stream.

There he meets The Traveler, a tall, gangly being who shows Roy how to use the cylinder to visit other civilizations that co-exist on "his" Earth, each occupying a different, thin Time Slice. The Traveler solicits Roy's help in recovering an object invented by his murdered father and beyond his own reach. Roy is his last hope.

At first it seems that the Traveler's wish might be easily granted. But after Roy's wife Emily becomes ill and his daughter's long-held resentments rise to the surface, he can no longer "travel" at a moment's notice. He also discovers the very real physical and mental risks involved in roaming the Time Stream.

Despite the dangers, Roy is determined to help the Traveler. But he can't do it alone. Fortunately he has a loving wife and a core group of loyal friends. But first he must convince them--and his daughter--that he isn't crazy ...

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thoughts on...Great Short Poems

I never saw a purple cow... sound familiar? How about "Cinq Ans Apres"?

Ah, yes! I wrote the "Purple Cow" -
I'm sorry, now, I wrote it!
But I can tell you, anyhow,
I'll kill you if you quote it!

Which may lead you to believe that the book is full of silly poetry but that is not true. I just liked that G. Burgess wrote the second poem!

This has everything from "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" to "There Was a Little Girl" (you know, the one with the curl). I enjoyed reading laugh and the world laughs with you in the proper context. I marked several to share but was thinking I'd limit it to one but am now having a hard time deciding on one.....how about Longfellow's "The Arrow and the Song"?

I shot an arrow into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For, so swiftly it flew, the sight
Could not follow it in its flight.

I breathed a song into the air,
It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong,
That it can follow the flight of song?

Long, long afterward, in an oak
I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end,
I found again in the heart of a friend.

I originally picked this up because I wanted to read poetry this year (I'm not a fan) and it was full of short ones. I'm still not a fan but the collection is nice and I'll keep the book. And I won't shy away from the other poetry collections.

Grade: C


Disclaimer:Personal book. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of publisher.


Title: Great Short Poems
Edited by Paul Negri
publisher: Dover Publications (Dover Thrift Edition)
ISBN: 978-0468411057
date published: February 2000
format: Trade size
genre: poetry
pages: 64
Ages: 14+

Product Description:

This outstanding anthology of short verse offers poetry lovers an impressive sampling of more than 150 masterpieces spanning over 400 years of English and American literary history. Although short in length (the longest are 24 lines, most 16 lines or less)., these poems are long on beauty, power, imagination, and originality.

Attractive and inexpensive, this compilations of carefully chosen verse contains many of the most loved, most anthologized poems in the English language. Students, teachers, and any lover of great poetry will treasure this splendid collection

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Terrific Tuesday

Time Slice and Wife by Wednesday

Hosted at Bibliophile by the Sea
Every Tuesday, she'll be posting the opening paragraph (maybe two) of her current read. Why don't you join us?

Roy Washburn sat in his favorite chair next to the window. Sunlight streamed through the partially closed venetian blinds, casting alternating dark and light bands like prison bars across his lap He didn't notice.

Time Slice
Kerry Downing

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme,
hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
1. Grab your current read Open to a random page
2. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page ~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!~ make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!
3. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"I need a wife, Carter, and I needed her yesterday.” Riding in the back of the town car en route to a Starbucks, of all places, Blake Harrison glanced at his watch for the tenth time that hour.

Wife by Wednesday

Catherine Bybee

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Happy Monday!

I'll be offline this week but have a couple posts planned. See you next week.

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Alyce at At Home with Books for hosting in January. February's host is DCMetroreader (blog link, not post link).


Received for Review:
The Book Lover by Maryann McFadden

Giveaway:


from Author:
Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon: The Stranger from the Valley by Oscar William Case (autographed!)

Purchased:
really? wow, I know a new one came out last Tuesday, can't believe I haven't pick it up yet.


kindle/ebooks:
really? nothing? wow
24 free books!
Trinity by Deena Remiel

What are you Reading?
is a weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit, visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:
Hidden Summit
A Cookie Before Dying
Great Short Poems
Wife by Wednesday
Time Slice

Reading:
A Cookie Before Dying
Time Slice
The Book of Deacon
book of 150 "Great Short Poems"
Hidden Summit



Started, not actively reading:
Before I Fall
52 Small Changes
Redwall
Always
The Eighty Dollar Champion
Murder on Monday

Next up:
A Place to Die (Feb blog tour)


Reviewed:
Time Slice (goes live Thursday)
Great Short Poems (goes live Wednesday)

Did Not Finish:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

Spin the Plate, short story (current read)
A Modern Witch (current read)
Kekula (current read)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Second Chance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Books Read in 2012....

Hoping to keep up with 12 books a month. Think I need more than that for all the challenges :/ Good thing so many can overlap!

February Recap

13. Wife by Wednesday by Catherine Bybee
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Romance, Mt. TBR, Off the Shelf, What's in a name, 52-52-52, The Eclectic Reader

14. Amethyst Moon by Ann Mayburn
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Paranormal Romance, 50 States, Where are you reading?, Immortal, Paranormal, The Unread Book, Color Coded

15. Opening Moves by Sean Michael
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, 52in52, A to Z, Where are you Reading?

16. Time Slice by Kerry Downing
150+, One Million Pages, Mixing it Up, Read & Review

17. The Book of Deacon by Joseph Lallo
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Free Reads, Why Buy the Cow, Mt TBR, Off the Shelf, 12 in 12, Around the Stacks, The Electric Reader, What's in a Name

18. Taking Love in Stride by Donna Fasano
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, 50 States, Where are you reading, Sports Romance

19. How Lego Built a Comeback by the Editors of New Word City
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, A to Z, Where are you reading, Why Buy the Cow

20. Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr
150+, One Million Pages, 52 in 52, A to Z, Off the Shelf, Mt. TBR

21. Tails of Love edited by Lori Foster
150+, One Million Pages, Read & Review, Mixing it Up, Romance, Mt. TBR, Off the Shelves

22. Trinity by Deena Remiel
150+, One Million Pages, 50 States, Where are you reading, The Unread Book, ebook, Immortal, 12 in 12, Paranormal Romance, Romance

23. The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae by Stephanie Laurens
150+, One Million Pages, the Eclectic Reader, Where are you Reading?, Around the Stacks, The Unread Reader, A to Z, 52 in 52

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Challenge - What an Animal V

.... tapping my feet waiting for March 1!

What an Animal V

Mar 1, 2012- Feb 28, 2013
hosted by Yvonne at its own blog
sign up here

Check out the sign up page for complete information but the basics are:

Read six books that have an animal....on the cover, in the title, plays a major role, Main character is an animal or shifts.

Possibilities:


Books read:

1. cover - Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas (butterfly)
2. title - A SEAL in Wolf's Clothing by Terry Spear (Navy SEAL wolf shifter)
3. major role cover - Liver Let Die by Liz Lipperman (duck)
4. is an animal/shifts - Squeak and a Roar by Joyee Flynn (mouse & lion shifters)
5. cover - Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis (cat, parrot & dog)
6. cover - Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis (dog, goose, & pig)
7. cover - Welcome Home Cowboy by Eden Cole (horse)
8. shifts/cover/title - The Dragon & His Houseboy by Crymsyn Hart (dragon, phoenix)

9. major role - Hiss of Death by Rita Mae & Sneaky Pie (animals help protect main character)

um, I'm using Liver Let Die as major role because duck liver plays a HUGE role in the story....as in, no Foie gras, no story! I do have a new Mrs. Murphy cozy....dog and two cats with major roles! ok, ok, Liver Let Die was stretching it!

~Challenge Complete~
April 12

10. cover - Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey (fire lizards)
11.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012