The Men I Didn't Marry

Name: The Men I Didn't Marry
Author:Janice Kaplan & Lynn Schnurnberger
Pages: 285
Start Date: Feb. 19
Finish Date:Feb. 21
Type: Chick Lit (?) ;Softback
Status: Library
Rating:

Summary:Hallie, a fortysomething successful lawyer and mother of two college kids, is devastated when her husband of 21 years tells her that he is leaving her for a woman half her age, named Ashlee--with two e's. After wallowing in self-pity and succumbing to an Oreo cookie and QVC coma, Hallie pulls herself together and decides that the past might hold the key to her happiness. She goes looking for her old boyfriends: Eric, a college boyfriend who is now an extremely rich investment broker; Barry, a sensitive guy she met while backpacking across Europe; Kevin, her old high-school boyfriend; and Dick, the one she thought she was going to marry and would now rather forget than find again. But it is in rekindling these old relationships that Hallie rediscovers who she is and what she wants out of life. Kaplan and Schnurnberger know how to craft a fun read that is perfect for those days when the most you want to do is lie around in your pajamas, watch QVC, and eat Oreos.

My Review: I am not really into books about divorces or divorcees, adult or teen. But this book really pulled it off. Everything that happened seemed real. If someone had just given it to me and I had no info about it I might have thought it no-fiction. It gets in so many funny situations, you forget at times what it's really about: the dumped last year model for the new and improved model. Like a old TV for a flat screen. Also it hits true to home I think on how men go through their thought process. That they are superhuman gods and that women just fall at there feet, begging to come back so can fix them sandwiches. I am teen and i understand all this! Guarantee you love this book from start to finish.

Exert: X

Cover/Title: The funny thing is that the woman looks like my mom! Thin, perky boobs, legs up to her chin, and the 'I don't Care' hand thing. And the title really just states what it's about, but I think they could have been just a bit more creative but it works.

Extras:

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Deadly Little Lies

Name: Deadly Little Lies
Author:Laurie Faria Stolarz
Pages: 282
Start Date: Feb 18
Finish Date: Feb. 19
Type: Paranormal Romance; Hardback
Status: My Bookshelf; 2nd in Touch Series
Rating:

Summary:Last fall, sixteen-year-old Camelia fell for Ben, the mysterious new boy at school who turned out to have a very mysterious gift--pyschometry, the ability to sense the future through touch. But just as Camelia and Ben's romance began to heat up, he abruptly left town. Brokenhearted, Camelia has spent the last few months studying everything she can about psychometry, and experiencing her own strange brushes with premonition. Camelia wonders if Ben's abilities have somehow rubbed off on her. Can the power of psychometry be transferred?
Even once Ben returns to school, Camelia can't get close enough to share her secret with him. Despite the romantic tension between them, Ben remains aloof, avoiding contact. Then when an unexpected kiss leads to a frightening argument, Camelia makes the painful decision to let Ben go and move on. Adam, the hot new guy at work, seems good for her in ways Ben wasn't. Adam is easygoing, and seems to really care about her.But when Camelia and Adam start dating, a surprising love triangle results. A chilling sequence of events upturns secrets from Ben's past--and Adam's. Someone is lying, and it’s up to Camelia to figure out who—before it’s too late.

My Review: Well, was so hyped about this book because Ben comes back and everything, but it was really a disappointment. Camelia was really stupid and got me so mad! But, I can't say to much other than she needed to trust Ben. The ending will catch you off guard and you will be, like, what??!! And really the description doesn't do the book justice. It really had a different vibe to me then what I thought it let on to have. Also, how many more people in this town are going to stalk Camelia?? But I flew through this book, so I think this is one I will need to re-read.

Exert: I close my eyes and feel Ben's hand slide up my back, underneath my shirt, sending tingles all over my skin. His fingers glide across my shoulders and down my spine, nearly stealing my breath.
And stealing his breath too.
As I start to fall asleep, I hear his breath heaving in and out. A gasp escapes his throat and he has to pull away, only to do it all over again a few moments later. At one point in the night, I think I feel his kisses at the nape of my neck, his leg against my thigh, and his body spooning me up from behind.
My blood stirs and my body churns.
But maybe it's all just a dream... ~ pg. 125-126


Cover/Title: i read this fast but i soooooooo don't remember a red umbrella. I guess it's just supposed to be a freak-y stalker-y person. The title is perfect.

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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The Raider

Name: The Raider
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 338
Start Date: Feb. 17
Finish Date: Feb. 18
Type: Romance; Softback
Status: Library; 8th in the Montgomery Series; 1st in the Taggert Series
Rating:

Summary:
Jude Deveraux continues her beloved Montgomery saga in America with this dramatic, passion-filled tale of rebellion and love -- a breathtaking adventure to be savored all over again -- or discovered for the first time!The Raider In colonial New England, the British are hunting a fearless, masked patriot whose daring foils them at every turn. He's known simply as the Raider. Jessica Taggert, a proud-tempered beauty, thrills to the Raider's scorching midnight embrace, but despises Alexander Montgomery, the drunken town buffoon. In truth, the cleverly disguised Montgomery lives two lives...and only his triumph over the hated Redcoats will free him, at last, to know the full pleasure of Jessica's love.

My Review:I had this wanting to read a romance and here is what i picked up. And it satisfied me. It is a good book, in where the story might be familair, it takes on a less dramatic, and more historical feel. But the, quote, 'love' that the main characters suposedly have just didn't seem firey enough for me. Jess is fire-ball when she gets mad, but as the 'Raider' starts taking her clothes off, she chatters. It was a little like," Uh, chick, please get in the mood other wise your are going to put Jude to shame." And she almost did. Put Jude to shame I mean. But that's ok, because, you really needs more of that? LOL

Exert: Sorry, the book went back before I got one!


~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Chew on This (2)

Be yourself, be free and allow others the same freedom.
Bella Sara card: Athena~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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When It Happens

Name: When It Happens
Author: Susane Colasanti
Pages: 310
Start Date: February 15
Finish Date: February 16
Type: Teen Romance/Coming of Age; Hardback
Status: Library
Rating:

Summary:Reminiscent of the movie Say Anything, a debut novel for all those searching for The One!Sara and Tobey couldn’t be more different. She is focused on getting into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. Sara’s other goal is to find true love, so when Dave, a popular jock, asks her out, she’s thrilled. But then there’s Tobey. His amazing blue eyes and quirky wit always creep into her thoughts. It just so happens that one of Tobey’s goals is also to make Sara fall in love with him. Told in alternating points of view, Sara and Tobey’s real connection will have everyone rooting for them from the minute they meet!

My Review: WARNING: You will not be able to put this down AND it does I have sexual content! But it is AWESOME! It's so rare to read a book with the main couples 1st POV and I loved it! Tobey is exactly the kind of boy I want. And probably every other girl on this earth. Also it has a rockin' 'soundtrack'. I had a note pad beside me and kept writing down all the songs. I'll put a playlist up here sometime ;)BUt this is just a coming of age, soulmate/true love, feel good story that makes you ache for a pinch of the love that these charaters have for each other. Don't just 'borrow' this book; BUY IT!

Exert: Sara bends down to help me. "Are you okay?" she says.
I get up quickly like it's no big deal. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Every time I see you, you're bumping your head!"
And every time I see you, I wish my headboard was bumping against the wall. With you in my bed.
The bell rings. - pg. 60

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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The Door in the Hedge

Name: The Door in the Hedge
Author: Robin Mckinley
Pages: 216
Start Date: February 10
Finish Date: February 17
Type: Fairy Tale (Retellings)
Status: Mom's Bookshelf
Rating:

Summary:Master storyteller Robin McKinley here spins two new fairy tales and retells two cherished classics. All feature princesses touched with or by magic. There is Linadel, who lives in a kingdom next to Faerieland, where princesses are stolen away on their seventeenth birthdays-and Linadel's seventeenth birthday is tomorrow. And Korah, whose brother is bewitched by the magical Golden Hind; now it is up to her to break the spell. Rana must turn to a talking frog to help save her kingdom from the evil Aliyander. And then there are the twelve princesses, enspelled to dance through the soles of their shoes every night. . . . These are tales to read with delight!

My Review: I'll admit i didn't want to read this. The only story in this I wanted to read was "The Golden Hind" because I didn't know what that was! But, when I had read them all, the princess and the frog was my favorite. It was also the shortest. The last story, about the 12 princesses dragged for me. But in my book [haha] it was just a book. Nothing spectacular but not bad.

Exert: The world turned, and new stories rose up, and the legends of the old days faltered a little, or turned themselves in their course to keep up with the lives of their people, and the lives of their great-grandchildren of those they had first known. Perhaps even the immortal ones beyond the borders of this last land felt the change in some fashion: for that they ventured at all, and for what ever reason into mortal realms risked them to some sense of mortal lives and cares. Perhaps. - pg. 9

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Twin of Ice

Name: Twin of Ice
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 303
Start Date: February 14
Finish Date: February 15
Type: Adult Romance; Paperback
Status: Library; 1st in the Chandler Twins Series; 2nd in the Taggert series
Rating:

Summary:Happily betrothed to Dr. Lee Westfield, Houston is every bit the good girl she was raised to be. So when faced with Kane Taggert's brash marriage proposal, Houston is outwardly shocked. But beneath her gracious demeanor lies a woman of hidden longings -- and her defenses begin to melt the second this rugged stranger touches his hungry lips to hers.

My Review: AwwwwwAhhhh!!!!! That was my reaction when I finished this book! LOL I really didn't want it to end. This is one of Jude's better books. And it has a twist: The other book Twin of Fire is, like,what i call a 'side car book' because it's the other side of the story. Like, in this book there is part when the other twin comes in and she is saying something about 'Indians' but you never find out what! Well, read Fire and you will. Well, I still need to read it too. Anywho, this is also about how the 'marble mansion' in Colorado got built and why. (In the other Mont. boooks they usally mention it). And, just good ol' love story that makes you curl your toes. Read.

Exert:"I got all a man can ask for," Kane said, moving to his side. "I got a naked woman in my arms she's smilin' at me." He put his big thigh between hers. "Hey, lady, you wanta get tumbled by the stableboy?" She rubbed her hips against his. "Only if he's very gentle and doesn't frighten me with his barbarian ways." Kane gave a grunt as his mouth followed his hand. "When a man wants somethin', he uses a gun or a knife, but, honey, the weapons you scare me to death." "You look terrified," she said, as she took his ear lobe between her teeth...... -pg. 258-259







~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Coffehouse Angel

Name: Coffeehouse Angel
Author: Suzanne Selfors
Pages: 276
Start Date: February 13
Finish Date: February 14
Type: Teen Supernatural Romance
Status: Library
Rating:

Summary:From the author of Saving Juliet comes a romantic comedy that is good to the last drop. When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother’s coffee shop, she decides to leave him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over. Little does she know that this random act of kindness is about to turn her life upside down. Because this adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is really a guardian angel on a break between missions. And he won’t leave until he can reward Katrina’s selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Now if only she could decide what that might be . . .

My Review: I was going to buy this but then I saw it at the library and just couldn't help but grab it! I couldn't even waititn to get home to read it, so i braved it and risked getting car sick and started it. I LOVED it! There is not one thing I would change, and the story and ideas she comes up with are original and fantastic!!!!!!! You fall in love with everyone(!!!! Malcolm!!!!!). My mom even liked it, because in the truck I started reading it to her, while eating Oreos. And I recommend that part about the Oreos. Oh yeah, you need to read the book too ;}


Exert: Why do we drink coffee? As kids we hate it. It's disgusting. But somewhere along the way we learn to accept the bitter flavor, even crave it. When does that happen exactly? I think it happens right around the time we realize that maybe nothing exceptional will ever come our way. That maybe we should just forget about Shirley Temples and pineapple punch and limeade, throw away the festive paper umbrellas and the maraschino cherries, and settle for a mug of brown liquid. - pg. 36

Cover/Title: Well, I just realized there is a heart in the coffee mug lol. I think the cover works but I wish the cat or one of the coffee-beans was included. The title is simple and sweet, and straightforward. Perfect.

Extras:



~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Kissed by an Angel (Trilogy)

Name: #1 Kissed By An Angel; #2 The Power of Love; #3 Soulmates
Author: Elizabeth Chandler
Pages: 230;225;235; = 690
Start Date: February 8
Finish Date: February 10
Type: YA Romantic Suspense Mystery; Paperback
Status:My Bookshelf; All 3 books in the Kissed by an Angel Trilogy
Rating:

Summary:A love beyond life...a danger beyond doubt.
In a romantic and suspenseful collection of the New York Times bestselling trilogy, love's unbreakable bonds are put to the test.When her boyfriend, Tristan, died, Ivy thought she'd lost everything, even her faith in angels. But now she's discovered that he's her guardian angel -- his presence so strong that she can feel the touch of his hand, the beat of his heart. Ivy needs Tristan now more than ever because he knows she's in terrible danger. Only Ivy's guardian angel can save her now that his killer is after her.But if Tristan rescues Ivy, his mission on earth will be finished, and he must leave her behind forever. Will saving Ivy mean losing her just when he's finally reached her again?

My Review:Whoa. There isn't much to say but that it made me cry. It's like Ghost and another movie named The Invisible put together with a more of a teen twist. But the thing that got me mad was that, unlike Ghost, Tristan didn't get to become 'whole' for Ivy one last time. That might have been too copy-catty but it needed to happen. And that might be giving away to away much..... oh well, cry if you want; I did. Also the whole, all of a sudden she could hear him, made me think the author just wanted to get this over with but that needed to happen first. I had "Arms of the Angel" by Sarah M. on repeat on my ipod and computer the whole time i read this, and that even enhanced the mood more. It was good, but I don't really recommend it for people that take 6 months to read a book like this.

Exert: "How does she look to you?' Lvy asked Tristan. He hesitated. "Yes, tell us both, how do I look to you?" Lacey asked. Tristan tried to think of an objective description. "Like...five foot something... with brown eyes, I think... and a roundish nose, and sort of thick hair."
"Good job, Tristan," Lacey remarked. "You've just described a bear." ~pg. 79 in Soulmates

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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Forever...

Name: Forever... A novel of good and evil, love and hope
Author: Jude Deveraux
Pages: 359
Start Date: February 7
Finish Date: February 8
Type: Romantic Supernatural Mystery; Hardback
Status: Library; 1st in the Forever Trilogy/ #18 in the Montgomery Series
Rating:

Summary: Darci Monroe overcame a childhood of neglect with an ebullient spirit, a positive attitude...and extraordinary determination. Now the resourceful young woman, hired as Adam Montgomery's personal assistant, devotes more than just professional attention to this devastatingly handsome millionaire. But one thing bars Adam from accepting Darci's love: he is intent on discovering the secret of his parents' disappearance, for she possesses the otherworldly abilities needed to help him fight a terrifying mistress of the dark arts. What Darci ends up offering is a gift greater than Adam ever hoped for, for Darci loves with all her heart, and all her soul, forever...

My Review: My mother had the 2nd book so we both read this and both got the same result: Disappointment. This is a bad book compared to Jude's other books. It was cute and funny and a little misterious but it was VeRy flat and so irritating. And it had THE WORST ending! It needed about another 30+ pages and she needed to forget writing 2 more books. And I'll tell you right now, in the other 2 SHE DOES NOT FIND ADAM!!!! and there is no inkling of there be any more books in series. The only reason that this get 3 daises is because I am imagining the end of this book is 'the end'. Truthfully I couldn't wait for this to be over, and will not be reading the others.

Exert: For a moment, Daci had a vision of transforming herself into Awesome Woman, creature of massive strength, and pulling stones from the walls and bombarding his head with them. But when Adam turned back to look at her she smiled sweetly and finished her third candy bar. ~ pg. 73

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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If Tomorrow Comes

Name: If Tomorrow Comes
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Pages: 404
Start Date: February 5
Finish Date: February 7
Type: Adult Mystery/Drama; Hardback
Status:My Bookshelf
Rating:

Summary:Lovely, idealistic Tracy Whitney is framed into a fifteen year sentence in an escape-proof penitentiary. With dazzling ingenuity she fights back to destroy the untouchable crime lords who put her there. With her intelligence and beauty as her only weapons, Tracy embarks on a series of extraordinary escapades that sweep her across the globe. In an explosive confrontation Tracy meets her equal in irresistible Jeff Stevens, whose past is as colorful as Tracy's.

My Review: My dad's mom sent me a box of books from California, and this was in it. And so far it is my favorite in the box! The beginning hit the ground running and it didn't stop till the end, and I actually followed it. It was a great book; kinda like a 1-woman version of the Ocean movies. I loved the romantic banter with Jeff, the anger in the prison, and completely admired the brain power and creativity with the heists. I think Sidney was a thief in another life! It was just so believable and had so much emotion. I great read you won't want to put down! Trust me: put on your bookshelf.

Exert: My grandmother has the book right now so I have to somehow get the book back to get a exert. So sorry.....

~ The Clumsy Reader aka Christine

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