Ratatouille

ISBN: 0736424393
Pub. Date: May 2007
Publisher: Random House Children's Books

I saw this trailer when the hubs and I went to watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but too bad it will only be released on 30 Aug over here. I told him I will watch it with or without him when the day arrives, because knowing him he will only watch the animations on DVDs. But I have got the hunch that he will follow me in the end though, hehehe. Anyway, I saw this book during a trip to the bookstore one day and decided to pick it up. And I was glad that I enjoyed reading it, despite the story is short and it is meant for children (OK, please don't laugh).

Remy is not your typical ordinary rat. Well you see, he has a sharp sense of smell and taste, and on top of that he loves to cook, not to mention he is also a great cook too and he dreams of becoming a gourmet chef one day. But how could he be when he is viewed as the dirtiest and most unhygiene thing to be seen in the kitchen! However, his fate is about to change after he flees from an old lady's house when she threatens to kill his family and he ends up in the Gusteau's restaurant.

Linguini got a job as a garbage boy in Gusteau's restaurant, through a letter left by his mother Renata who happens to be the great chef's old flame. He died shortly after the fine reputation of his restaurant is tarnished after a scathing review by France's top food critic Anton Ego. However, he left Linguini a will but only Skinner, the head chef knows about it and he will think of every possible way to get rid of Linguini.

The thing about Linguini is he doesn't know how to cook. One day he accidentally ruins a soup and just when he is about to make a remedy, he is shocked when he finds Remy adding up spices and making the soup. Unfortunately Skinner noticed the rat and he ordered Linguini to get rid of it. But Linguini has a soft spot for Remy, and to top it off he knows how to cook so they decided on a plan. Remy gets to stay but he will help Linguini to cook. The only way he could do is to hide himself inside Linguini's hat and gives him instructions through tugging at his hair.

Soon, everyone came to know about Linguini's skills and this includes Anton. And Skinner is going to ruin Linguini's plan after knowing his little secret. So, what do you think the people will react if they find out the whole truth? And do you think Skinner will get his way? I am not going to spoil it for you, but I definitely have a great time reading the last few chapters, and have laughed out loud on several occasions. I just can't wait to watch the animation!

New Moon

ISBN: 0316160199
Pub. Date: September 2006
Publisher: Little, Brown Children's Books


Well, what should I say about New Moon? I have been looking forward to reading it after being hooked to the first book, Twilight. It is this book that has made me fallen in love with Edward Cullen, although he is a vampire, and a very charming one to boot.

However, in New Moon, I was very, very disappointed to note there is only a slight mention of Edward. Although Stephenie Meyer has done a great job in weaving a great suspenseful paranormal story, New Moon doesn't captivate me the way Twilight does.

Bella celebrates her birthday with the Cullen family but a small papercut accident puts her in danger as some members couldn't resist the smell of blood, although they have sworn off blood. To ensure Bella's safety, Edward decided it is best for them to leave town and to end their relationship, although it pains him in doing so.

Devastated over his departure, Bella is depressed until she finds good friend in Jacob Black. However, Jacob has romantic feelings for her, and to make things worse, he isn't what she thinks he is. Bella is shocked when she later finds out the truth about Jacob, and on the other hand she is trying to escape from Victoria, the evil vampire who vows to kill her in return of Edward killing her lover during the last installment. Jacob protects her fiercely, and it is after this episode that the story began to speed up and it gets better when Bella finally meets up with Edward, only to find he is in grave danger and she has to race against time in order to save him before it is too late.

Although this second installment isn't as good as compared to the first one, this book is focusing more on Jacob and this is where we get to know his inner thoughts and how he struggles to be a 'normal' person. And I like the way how he protects Bella. There are also some scenes that makes my heart goes out to him. I can't wait to get a copy of Eclipse and find out more.

Note: Alice, it was a pleasure reading with you once again. I'm hoping we will read Eclipse together soon.

Other Bloggers' reviews:

Rhinoa's Ramblings

In Your Eyes

ISBN: 0804120056
Pub. Date: June 2004
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Finance whiz Alex Miller decides to end his relationship with his lover. He isn't interested in committed into a permanent relationship in the first place, and he thinks Sydney Raines will understand but she thought he will change his mind in the end. So now he is stuck with her as her firm helps to oversee some of his projects.

Genevieve Monaghan is a talented artist. When Grace Miller, a friend asks her if she is keen to take up a project to paint for the new children's wing in a Boston hospital, she accepts it since her companion has moved away and she is in need of a studio space and Grace has kindly offered to her. The only thing she doesn't expect is, she has to work with charming and good-looking Alex who seems to be getting on her nerves yet she is attracted to him at the same time.

On the other hand, Alex is attracted to a rollerblader he saw at the Central Park, and he is attracted by her simplicity and natural beauty. Imagine his astonishment when he realizes she is the same person who is hired for his project.

Although they are different like day and night, but still this won't stop the attraction from growing between them until it sizzles with intensity.

This is a sweet story about two different people falling in love that will bring a smile to your face.

Astrid and Veronika

ISBN: 0143038079
Pub. Date: February 2007
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

This is a story about a friendship between two women, young and old, and how their encounter with each other changes their life after they have bared their souls and exchange their life stories.

Veronika is a 30-year-old writer. She moves into a quiet and small village in Sweden, hoping to find some isolation and also to devote her time in her writing. She then meets her neighbour, an older woman, whom the village considered her a "witch" because she doesn't mix around with people and they think she is a little strange.

Astrid, the older woman, has been watching her new neighbour behind her curtains the day she moves next to the house, until a day Veronika didn't come out of the house. After much hesitation and out of curiousity, she decided to stop by Veronika's house to have a look and found out she was sick. Although Astrid isn't used to playing hospitality, still she helps Veronika with cooking her meals although she appears to be discreet.

After this incident, their friendship starts to blossom and they become close friends. It is during this time that they began to talk about their past, as each has their own emotional story to tell. The things they had shared are basically about their relationships; e.g. Astrid being rejected by her grandfather as a child, how she came to lose her true love and then spending her life miserably after she was married to a man she didn't love. Veronika, on the other hand, leaves her boyfriend and falls in love with a New Zealander when she met him in a pub one day, but their relationship didn't last and she grieves.

Linda Olsson has written this story with a beautiful poetic style, as she switches the characters' POV by chapters so that the reader is able to get a glimpse of the individual character's thoughts.

What also makes this a captivating read to me is the unique friendship between the two women despite their age gap and different social backgrounds, and how their individual life experiences have changed their mindsets through sharing and learning from each other. There were times that I felt sorry for the characters, but in the end I was simply touched by their courageous for moving on with their lives.

Twilight

ISBN: 0316160172
Pub. Date: October 2005
Publisher: Little, Brown Children's Books

This has got to be one of the best YA novels I have ever read in my 'thirty-ish' years! I love reading paranormal stories, thus I didn't hesitate to pick this up after reading the interesting blurb.

17-year-old Isabella Swan moves to stay with her father in Forks, Washington, where rainfall is common in this little town as compared to her mother's place in sunny Phoenix. She struggles to fit in initially, but what intrigues her greatly is the attractive yet strange Cullen family, in particularly Edward Cullen who happens to be her lab partner in class. Bella (as she prefers to be called) is attracted to Edward, but she doesn't understand why he is unfriendly and avoids her like a plague at times. On the other hand, Edward is also fascinated with Bella, but he keeps his distance from her until the day he saves her from a truck accident.

After this incident, Bella insists to find out more about him. She later finds out Edward is a vampire; and though Edward warns Bella to keep a distance from him, still they can't fight off the attractions they have for each other. Bella doesn't care if he doesn't belong to the human race, but little does she know she is putting herself (as well as her family members) at risk after they discover another clan of vampires and they want Bella's blood badly.

The story starts at a slow pace in the beginning; this is where I learn about Bella's family history and why she ends up staying with her father in Forks. Thereafter, the story begins to pick up its pace after reading the part she has met Edward, and how it changes their life after knowing each other. I was very much attracted to Edward despite he being a vampire, he is so very charming. But what most attracted to me was the way he protects Bella even though deep in his heart he wishes her to be his own.

Stephenie Meyer has written a wonderful debut story with a bite and I will be looking forward to reading the sequels New Moon and Eclipse.

Other Bloggers' reviews:

Passion for the Page

Rhinoa's Ramblings

Tanabata

Exit Strategy

ISBN: 0553588192
Pub. Date: June 2007
Publisher: Bantam Books

For readers who have read Kelley Armstrong, I am sure you are familiarised with her Otherworld series. But do you know that she is also writing a completely new genre? Crime thriller, that's what. I'm so excited about it. I love reading stories about strong heroines, no matter if they are assassins or policewomen.

In this case, Kelley delivers a great new voice in Exit Strategy, where we get to meet the protagonist, Nadia Stafford as the female assassin. Or to be exact, she's a contract killer, and she does her 'assignments' for a Mafia family. Actually, Nadia isn't really borne to be a killer, and she has the blood of a police's family. She used to be a former cop, but was out because of a scandal.

But when the Helter Skelter killer committed several murders and made to the news, her mentor, Jack approaches her and asks if she wants to take on this mission. They later find out that this killer is also formerly a hitman, and is now turning to a serial killer. Hence, it becomes a killer versus killer mission for them all. As Nadia plunges deep into the assignment, she doesn't know who to trust anymore.

I was completely engrossed in reading Exit Strategy due to the tight plot; and that Kelley is great in keeping up the suspense until the end. The protagonist is one tough heroine, and I like that about her. I understand from Kelley's website that there will be a second book after this.

Other Bloggers' reviews:
Musings of a Bookish Kitty

High Noon

ISBN: 0399154345
Pub. Date: July 10, 2007

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Wow! I absolutely enjoyed this book! I'd have finished this book sooner, if I wasn't sick and delayed my reading. Anyway, I like the plot, as well as the characters and the suspense behind the story.

Phoebe MacNamara is the top hostage negotiator with the Savannah Police Department. While trying to prevent a suicidal bartender from jumping off the roof, she gets to know Duncan Swift, who happens to be the bartender's employer and he owns a sports bar. She manages to coax the bartender down from the roof, and after this incident Duncan can't seem to stop thinking about her. Phoebe, on the other hand isn't so sure about their relationship, since she has left her ex-husband some years ago and is very happy with her young daughter and her agoraphobic mother whom they have survived from her ex-lover who had broke into their house and terrorized them when she was younger. Till now, Phoebe's mom doesn't dare to step out from her house. It was partly this incident that Phoebe decides to become a hostage negotiator, taking after Dave, who was the negotiator then and is now her mentor/superior.

Then, someone assaults her in the police station by putting a hood over her head and humiliates her. Subsequently, she starts to receive a mutilated doll and dead animals at her doorstep. Thinking it is a subordinate she had had an issue with, she confronts him but later finds out that someone other than her subordinate is watching her every moment closely. She soon learns he is out to get revenge, and she intends to stop him before he succeeds in getting what he wants.

I was really hooked to the story from the beginning to its ending. Nora Roberts succeeds in creating a great suspense and holding it and never let go. There were times I was impatient and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. And another thing is, I like everything about the hero, Duncan. He is such a sweet and understanding man, that at times I wish he is real. High Noon is definitely a keeper for me.

Dark Seduction

ISBN: 0373772335
Pub. Date: April 2007
Publisher: Harlequin
Series: Masters of Time Series, #1


Claire Camden is a strong and smart woman, and her life revolves around her beloved bookstore consisted of old books. Then one night, a woman by the name of Sibylla breaks into her store, and seeing Claire is around she demands for a page. She is later rescued by a strange man dressed like he belongs during the Middle Ages, and mistook him as an actor sent by her friend because she loves Scottish history and hopes to visit the place one day. But the man claimed he is Malcolm of Dunroch, and a member of the Masters of Time who is there to protect the Innocents and save them all from the evil Moray. Moray is known to kill his female victims through sucking the life out of them through sex pleasure. Malcolm knows Sibylla is sent by Moray himself to get the page, whom they believe they could gain healing power if anyone acquires it.

To ensure she is safe from Moray and Sibylla, Malcolm decides to send her back to his time. There, Claire finds out that the Masters of Time was formed by some great knights whose aim is to battle the demons. Slowly Claire begins to fall for Malcolm, and later both of them realize they must work together to bring down the evil.

Frankly speaking, I was drawn into the story initially because I find the plot is different from the others (paranormal meets time travel), and I love reading books with Highlanders warriors. But the reason I rated 3.5 stars is because there are some parts I find hard to follow, and although I understand the way Malcolm speaks, reading too much of his dialogues "didna ken", "Ye" or "Ye be", I felt them a little overwhelming. Although I still enjoyed reading this book (saved by the sexy Malcolm), I would still prefer to read Brenda Joyce's historicals.

Note: Julia and Alice, it was a pleasure reading with you two. Looking forward to more of our reading-together in future.

Life's Golden Ticket

ISBN: 0061173908
Pub. Date: May 2007
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

I saw this book online and its cover attracted me in the first place. I went on to read the blurb, and liked what I read. The next thing I knew, I went to the bookstore and asked for the book. It wasn't placed on the shelf yet, but the staff was kind enough to check for me and anyway, I was glad to have the book.

First, I wish to clarify that this isn't your normal fiction novel. I mean, it is a fiction but it is an inspirational novel wrapped with a fantasy theme. I have to respect and admire the author for coming up with the clever plots as I was hooked right from the beginning to the ending. I started reading this book on Sunday and have finished it last evening. I don't recall finishing reading a book at this record time, hehe. But anyway, enough of my ramblings and on to the review.

This is a story about a man who is trapped in his past lives. He is pessimistic and thinks himself as a failure. His wife has gone missing for 40 days, and no one knows what has happened until he heard from the news that they had found his wife. She was involved in an accident and is in intensive care. He rushes to the hospital, glad she is alive but she is seriously hurt. She gives him an envelope, telling him to visit an abandoned amusement park to experience the things that happened to her.

Puzzled and hoping to search for some answers, he enters the amusement park and is shocked to find the park magically comes to life. He is then greeted by a groundskeeper named Henry, and he invited him into the park and made him sign a contract which stated he will agree to give up all his defense mechanisms and face the truth.

From there, the narrator begins his adventure as Henry introduces him to the park employees and through these people - a hypnotist, an elephant trainer, a fortune teller, a lion tamer, a strong man etc, he is to overcome all obstacles thrown by them and through these, he begins to learn about the meaning of life and love, to be a stronger person with open mindedness and finally, discovering what happened to Mary and what holds inside her mysterious envelope.

Thief With No Shadow

The story begins with Melke, the heroine escaping from her captor. She is a wraith, as she has the ability to walk being unseen by others. The reason she escapes is because she has stolen a necklace from Bastian sal Vere, whom he believes the necklace can lift the curse that bestowed upon his family for generations. But Melke has no choice, because she has to get this necklace in exchange for her brother's life with the salamanders, which are a hordes of terrifying fire breathing creatures that are deadly if anyone dares to cross their paths.

Anyway, Melke has her brother back but Hantje is seriously hurt. Bastian tells her his sister, Liana is able to save his brother's life, but on a condition that she has to get the necklace back from the salamanders. Melke agrees. She later learns from Liana that the necklace was strung with the paarson's tears, and have passed it down from generations to generations, but someone from the previous generation had stolen it and thus begins the curse. Bastian's father managed to find it; he passed the necklace to Bastian before he decided to join their dead mother. And now the paarson will return at the next full moon to ask for the necklace or else it will take one of the remaining sal Vere members. During the time when Liana is healing Hantje, Bastian assigns his dog Endal to scrutinize Melke every minute of the day. Although the dog can't talk, but it is capable to communicate with people through mind thoughts.

Hantje begins to recover well under the full care of Liana, for she has a magical healing touch. But the days of the paarson's arrival is drawing near, and Melke has to risk her life to get the necklace from the salamanders' den. While Melke is in their den, the paarson came for the necklace. Liana begs Bastian to save Melke, and Hantje promises him he would never let the paarson takes Liana away.

I have to admit I was first fascinated by the bookcover, because I like reading a fantasy story with a female heroine in it. I like the characters in this story, even Endal the dog.

Thief With No Shadow is one compelling read. It's about magic, forgiving and finding love. I will be looking forward to more Emily Gee's book in future.

Shadows at Sunset

What can I say? This book is awesome! I really like the way Anne Stuart plots her stories and of course, not to mention her writing style is superb! I have read most of her recent releases, and am looking up her past releases as well. Although I did manage to find a few, sadly her very much earlier ones are really hard to find! I'm hoping her publishers will consider to re-issue those books. Anyway, quit my ramblings and back to the review.

La Casa de Sombras was once a beautiful mansion occupied by the Hollywood movie's elite in the fifties. During that time, there was an uproar of a murder-suicide case. Everyone speculated that movie star, Brenda de Lorillard had killed her director lover Ted Hughes before she took the gun on herself. Although the incident had died down through the years, but the ghosts of Lorillard and Huges still roam about in that mansion.

The heroine, Jilly Meyer, with her two siblings, Rachel-Ann and Dean inherited this mansion from their grandmother. Jackson, their father wants the house to be demolished but couldn't do anything because Jilly wouldn't allow it. A millionaire, Jackson is known to be ruthless and couldn't give a damn about his children except Rachel-Ann, who is his favourite amongst the siblings.

Then enters the hero, Coltrane who works as a right hand man to Jackson. Jackson trusted him and wants him to keep an eye on his children and have them off his back while he deals illegal stuff for his businesses. But Coltrane has other agenda on mind, for he is out to destroy Jackson as he knows Jackson was the murderer who had killed his mother back when they were having an affair at the old mansion. His original plan is to use Rachel-Ann to get back at Jackson, because he knows Jackson cares Rachel-Ann more than her other siblings, but after he meets Jilly, he changes his mind as he finds her attractive and different; moreover he loves a challenge. Later, what seems like an easy plan becomes a tricky situation to him, as he soon finds himself deeply engrossed with the Meyer's family relationships and getting too personal with it.

I am really drawn to this intriguing romance suspense and besides the taut plotting, I also enjoyed reading the two spirits' POVs in the story. Although it was weird reading them at first, but I quickly understand Anne's purpose of doing so and that it makes sense and goes well with the whole story. This is one of Anne Stuart's fine classics in my opinion; and after reading it really makes me want to find her other older releases.

Note: Julia, it is always fun to read Anne Stuart's books with you. Looking forward for more!

Be Mine

Sherry Seymour is an English teacher at a community college. She is happily married with a teenaged son Chad; her relationship with her husband Jon is stable but boring. Then she receives an anonymous valentine note in her school mailbox, and from that day onwards it changes her life. At first, she is both amused and flattered by it, but is quickly replaced by curiousity as she continues to receive the notes.

She tells Jon about the notes whom he thinks it's rather sexy and that this little drama could spice up their sex life - with him fantazing being the other 'lover'. Later she runs into Garret, who is Chad's childhood friend, and while catching up on old times, he tells her about his mechanics instructor, Bram who mentions her name a few times during class and thinks he might be the secret admirer. Assuming he is the one who left her the love notes, she begins to take notice of him and soon they started an affair.

Thereafter, it simply gets out of hand when she realizes Bram didn't leave any note to her at all. And to make things worse, Bram appears to be obsessive and wouldn't want her to find the person who left her the notes. Sherry's world begins to tilt when she learns a secret which she isn't supposed to know; and also she begins to feel a sense of loss when Chad seems to pull away from her.

I really enjoyed this novel, and was hooked from the beginning till the end. The book blurb said it is an erotic thriller, but I didn't see anything 'erotic' in this story. Unlike others, you won't see much steamy scenes here and even if there are a few, the author concentrates on the emotions of the characters rather than the act of doing it. There is also something 'poetry' about Laura Kasischke's writing style which I find it refreshing. I am satisfied with the story which it ends with a twist that surprises me.

Jackson Rule

I have never read anything by Dinah McCall (also known as Sharon Sala), but this book has definitely sets me thinking. Jackson Rule is an emotional read, and a story about redemption.

Jackson Rule (the book title as well as the hero's name) is a convicted killer. To anyone, he has committed a hideous crime by killing his own father, thus spending his fifteen years behind the bars. The years has passed, and finally he is released from prison and he tells himself he wants to start a new life again.

Rebecca Hill is a preacher's daughter. She first meets Jackson when he helps her with a car problem. She later meets him again when he applies for a job at her own landscaping business, even though he tells her he was an ex-convict because she believes anyone should be given a second chance. Slowly, their attraction for each other grows but Jackson is scarred by his childhood's memories, while Rebecca struggles to come to terms not only with her father who disapproves of everything but also to Jackson who believes they have no future together.

I like the main characters in this story. I really sympathize with Jackson but I also admire his strength. I like Rebecca because she is kind, and she believes in herself regardless what the others think, and in my opinion this needs a lot of courage (especially the scene where she hires Jackson even though he is an ex-con).

Ice Blue

Anne Stuart has done it again! This latest release is the third book of her Ice series, and like her previous books - Black Ice and Cold As Ice, I was once again swept off by Anne's another creation of a dark hero and strong heroine in Ice Blue. If you have read this series, you should have known the heroes in this series are members of the Committee - a secret anti-terrorism organization led by their leader Madame Isobel Lambert, in which they are known to be cold and ruthless.

The heroine, Summer Hawthorne is a museum curator; she also owns a priceless blue ceramic bowl which was passed down from her beloved nanny, whom had told her to take good care of it before she died. But what Summer doesn't know is this bowl - which is actually an ancient urn is also sought after by Shirosama. He is the leader of the True Realization Fellowship, a Japanese religious cult which they believe they can "cleanse" the world (i.e. to kill the people so that they can reach the other stage of life) once he gets the urn and the location of the shrine to perform the deeds. Shirosama ordered his followers (so called 'brothers') to capture Summer and have her to hand over the urn, but before he could get hold of her, she manages to escape with the help of an exotic, attractive man by the name of Takashi O'Brien ("Taka").

Taka thinks this is one of his other assignments, that is to get rid of the woman who holds a dangerous secret before this is acquired by the cult. There are a few times he had saved her from Shirosama's followers and that he keeps telling himself he will make it a quick and painless death for her, but yet he doesn't understand why he couldn't bring himself to killing her. Then that's when Summer tells him the bowl displays at the museum is actually a fake, Taka further convinces himself he will protect her and gets the actual urn and learn about the location of a shrine before he kills her, which is his original plan anyway.

From there onwards, the story picks up quickly and I am drawn to the suspense as I am dying to find out what happens next, as well as the intense relationship between Taka and Summer as their adventure begins whey they flew off to Japan to find the shrine. I absolutely like the half Asian hero and the heroine in this book. Summer is one brave lady, who doesn't succumb to the hands of fate even though she is held as a hostage for several occasions. Taka, on the other hand does has a soft spot although he appears to be a cold-hearted killer, which I find it rather sexy.

I really enjoyed reading this book, even more so while reading this with my good friend, Julia. We have made a pact that we will read all the Ice series books together, and that makes me think I can't wait to get a copy of Ice Storm, which will be released in November. This will be a story of Madame Isobel Lambert, the woman behind the Committee. While reading Ice Blue, I can also sense a spark between Jilly (Summer's younger sister) and Reno (Taka's younger cousin) towards the end of the story. I'm hoping Anne Stuart will write about them next.

Sight Unseen

Raven Callahan is a thief. But she isn't your ordinary thief, you see, for she works at Antiquities Preservation Institute and she recovers stolen art to their lawful owners. Besides the specialty of her job, through her special gift she is also able to feel the objects when touching them (i.e. she can feel the emotions of the person that owned or is connected to the objects).

Then her superior Bigley asks her to go for an auction with her partner Walter to bid for a Vassalo painting, but Walter was kidnapped and she has to steal the painting if she wants him to be alive.

Ex-cop David "Dax" Maddox cannot let go of his past after his rookie partner, Nick was murdered some time ago. He blames himself for Nick's death and vows to catch the killer, hoping to seek revenge for Nick which leads him to the Matador's Auction House in Miami, where he recognizes the woman thief. Initially, Raven is reluctant to team up with Dax but after seeing the threat note which is left by the maniac kidnapper, she has no choice but to work with Dax even though they have different perspectives.

Samantha Graves succeeded in writing this fast paced story packed with action and romance. This book will definitely keep your heart racing.

The Secret Life of Bees

As you can see, lately I was in a mood for mainstream stories. This is another beautiful story I read right after The Memory Keeper's Daughter. One of the great things I find reading mainstream stories is they are very much like reality and can be thought provoking at times.

The story takes place on a peach farm in South Carolina in 1964. Lily Owens is a fourteen-year-old girl, living with her father and a black housekeeper named Rosaleen. She isn't happy staying with her dad because he is quick tempered and he always find chances at yelling and punishing her. She misses her mom, who died when she was four. Thus, Rosaleen becomes her only confidant. Rosaleen is a woman full of spunk and Lily finds she can be embarrassingly unself-conscious at times.

And that leads to a racial brawl when Rosaleen insults three of the deepest racists in town one day. Rosaleen ends up bruised and beaten in jail. Lily thinks it is up to her to save her, and miraculously, she did. They then head off to a town called Tiburon in S.C., after finding its name on the back of a picture left by her mom.

It is there that they meet the trio of black beekeeping sisters by the names of May, June and August. They take Lily and Rosaleen in, and they work for the sisters in return.

It is during the stay with the trio, Lily begins her journey of finding the missing piece of her life, and daring herself to dream.

Inspiring and heartwarming, this story will captivate readers both mature and the young.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

This book is about family, relationships, choices, secrets and unconditional love. A moving and thought provoking story that touches my heart, and that it will stay in my mind for a long time.

The year is 1964. Dr. David Henry is an orthopedic surgeon and he has a perfect life. He married Norah - a wonderful and beautiful woman, and they are about to start a family soon. They even have the names chosen - Paul should a boy be born and Phoebe should be a girl. On the night when Norah is in labor, a snowstorm hit and David is forced to deliver his own child with only help of his nurse, Caroline Gill. Although he is thrilled to learn they have twins, he isn't prepared to welcome the baby girl who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Hoping to spare everyone in the family from the pain, and that this incident reminds him too much of his young sister who died from a heart condition during his childhood, he decides to send her to an institution and so instructs Caroline to have the baby sent to an institution. Caroline went with a heavy heart, but upon reaching the institution, she changes her mind and decides to raise the baby as and on her own from Lexington, Kentucky to Pittsburgh.

When Norah comes around, she asks David about the twins and he lied to her that Phoebe died at birth. Some years pass by, Norah still couldn't accept the loss of their girl while David continues to harbour the guilt. From there, the story quickly unfolds and readers will soon find out how that one decision will leave an impact to both families - David's and Caroline's.

I liked all the characters in this book. Their emotions are strongly felt and I really sympathize with each of them: David for coming up with the decision (no matter what the circumstances is); Norah for coping with her loss; Paul for his dream and yet his dad has other expectations from him, and also not to mention he wonders about his "dead" sister and how life will be like if she is around; Caroline for her dilemma (as in whether to tell or not to tell) and finally Phoebe being the innocent victim amongst all.

All in all, this is a wonderful novel in my humble opinion. I will definitely check out Kim Edwards' books in future.

Other Bloggers' reviews:
1MoreChapter
Lost in a Good Story
Maw Books Blog
Musings of a Bookish Kitty
Puss Reboots
The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness

Officer Down

Officer Down is one intense crime thriller IMHO. It is no wonder this novel was the winner of the 2006 Edgar Award for best first novel. In fact, this is one reason I picked up this book, and I am not disappointed with it. And did I mention this is Theresa Schwegel's debut novel? I am totally impressed.

Samantha "Smack" Mack isn't your typical police officer. She works in Chicago's 23rd District, has a drinking problem and is involved with a married lover - Mason Imes, who is also her fellow officer. She has issues with Marko Trovic, a child molester which she vows to bring him to justice but fails.

Then one night, the Sarge asks her to fill in a co-worker's shift and she accepts it, because she thinks she owes him a favor; and so together with Fred, her partner and ex-lover, they follow Trovic's trail to a dark and rundown tenement house, whom they believe it is him they are chasing. They got split up inside the pitch dark house and later she hear gunshots. Then she finds Fred is shot. He dies later and Sam is called in by her superiors for some interrogations. Everyone thinks Sam shoots Fred by mistake although she claims she didn't and is positive Trovic probably hit her into unconsciousness because she wakes up with a nasty concussion. She is asked to put on administrative leave but she refuses to back down; telling herself she would investigate the case on her own after all no one is believing and supportive of her.

Mason says he will help her to close up the case, although she is still piss off that he doesn't leave his wife earlier when he told her his relationship with his wife doesn't work. Then someone begins to follow her and she is curious to find out the reason behind it. From there, the pace picks up quickly and I was anxious to find out who betrays Sam and why.

I like the way Sam is determined and her 'never give-up' attitude, although I don't agree with her drinking habits and why she wants to get involved with married men.

No Regrets

The heroine, Noelle Blanche is a cryptologist. She refuses to accept a grant from the military when they asks for her help in an operation, although it will cause her her job for she wouldn't want blood on her hands should her specialized field be used for violence. But things don't go well as she expects when she finds her house is raided and she has no choice but to seek for safety.

David Wolfe is a former Delta Force operative and he thinks he has finally lay the ugly terrors behind him after the Swarm, a terrorist organization had murdered his wife. But when his former superior seeks for his assistance to work on a mission, he isn't sure if he is able to do it again but when he hears the Swarm members are back, he accepts the mission for he wants to wipe them out this time round.

And the action begins when David and Noelle go on the run until they found a safe place where she can work on breaking the code. It is at this time when their feelings for each other begins to grow but David thinks it is too dangerous for Noelle to be with him and that he doesn't want her to follow in his ex-wife's path. But Noelle has her own thoughts and she has no fear nor regrets being with David.

I enjoyed reading the story and how it flows smoothly, as well as the characters. I am also awed by Noelle's intelligence, as well as her bravery. I will be checking out Shannon K. Butcher's upcoming releases.

The Dollmaker

Claire Doucett is devastated ever since her daughter, Ruby was abducted seven years ago in New Orleans. Dave, Claire's ex-husband works as a private investigator after he left the police force after that tragic incident and bury his sorrow by drinking. And his relationship with Claire worsen after he is involved with his former police peer Angelette Lapierre under the influence of his drinking, thus leading to a divorce by Claire but then she isn't entirely happy with her remarried life either (she is in the middle of a divorce).

Then Claire sees a doll in a shop window and is mersmerized by it, for it looked a lot like her missing daughter, with its frilly dress and all. Alex, her soon-to-be ex husband thinks she is obsessed with finding her daughter despite all the years, but she thinks otherwise and tells herself she would get to the bottom of it. So she approaches Dave whom is involved in an investigation when Angelette told him about Graydon Losier's missing daughter and asked if he could help. From then, the tension begins to build.

Readers will no doubt follow this taut suspense thriller, with the chapter begins with a thief stealing the doll. While reading this book, I really sympathize with Claire of losing her daughter, and not to mention I admire the way how she took it despite all the years and hasn't really given up hope... This is the first book I read by Amanda Stevens and it surely won't be my last.

Flint's Code

Oh wow, I can say this is one of the best crime thrillers I have read so far (well, besides Mo Hayder that is IMHO)! It has all the right elements in this book; thrill, action, suspense, emotional intense...you name it, this book got it. Now I just have to look out his two other releases - Flint and Flint's Law, which is part of this series.

The heroine, Grace Flint is the best undercover cop in the business. She changes her identity/personality like a chameleon whenever the job requires her to do so, and she knows she is good at it. But she is tortured by her past betrayals; for she would never forget what her ex-husband did to her and also she is beginning to like and attach to their son, Jack who now facing great danger from her tormentors.

Karl Grober is an ambitious and a vicious East European money-launderer, not to mention one of the Ten Most Wanted criminals by the FBI. Grober's ally, Alexander Carcani, is an Albanian who runs a prostitution business and also selling childrens' body parts around the globe. Flint's assignment is to infiltrate Grober's organization and bring him down. She is also feeding doubts into Carcani's mind by pulling off another stunt, hoping the two men will fight between themselves, but she doesn't expect her cover is blown and now she will try every means to bring the two criminals to justice and to protect her son before all hell break loose.