Reading Nooks

What a great Reading Nook!!!!





[source]


[source]


[source]

My Favorite!!!!


[source]

What Should I Read on the Beach????

Hello all my reading fans...I know "long time no see" well the New Year got away from me but I am back...So let me give you some suggestions for this summer's reading pleasure on the beach, or anywhere..

Here are some "BEACH" ideas for a good read....

Dead Until Dark is this author's 1st book in the Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire series, which also inspired the HBO TV series True Blood. Dead Until Dark is a fast paced and and quite sexy boo. It is well written and chocked full of very interesting and lovable characters. If your a vampire or supernatural  reader fan then this isa  perfect beach reading. It is a fast read and lots of twists. And each book will lead you right into the next in the series. :) 304 pages

Tomorrow come back for more...................

Review The Devil's Elixer Book

I cannot believe that I have not blogged in soooo long, but my life has been filled. So filled that I have not even read the books I wanted to 
read. :( 


But I did manage to finish a book, that I needed to critique.

 I got"The Devil's Elixir"  in the mail from a gal at the "The Book Report Network" to review & critique... this was a real THRILLER and anyone that knows me knows that I love THRILLERS!!!

The author Raymond Khoury, part of the "Authors on the Web" is a New York Times Bestseller author of his previous best seller, "The Templar Salvation" I will have to read that one after this one. 

The book "The Devil's Elixir"[affiliate link] was released in hardcover and
ebook editions last December. The book features the FBI agent Sean Reilly and archaeologist Tess Chaykin, who were first introduced in the New York Times bestseller "THE LAST TEMPLAR."[affiliate link]  

My review:

I found, Khoury's book [which is actually #3 in the "Templar" series] to be one that made my skin chill because of its so "real to life" excitement and plot turns that I wasn't able to put it down. The only warning I have for other

"thriller-a-holic's" is that you should not read it at night, alone, or before bedtime. I fear that you will be "spooked" and/or have nightmares!! :)

It's truly a great thriller, Raymond gives you a little background info in the beginning from the 1700s Mexico and sets the scene switching back and forth between present day and 5 years ago when he was involved in a drug bust. 

Then he switches to the present where he receives a call from a former girlfriend who is in danger and is fearing for her life. She is being chased and doesn't know why? But she does know that she cannot go home because they broke into her house, so she has fled with her little boy. She contacts Reilly for his help. Reilly of course, comes to rescue her and her son in Southern California. The plot thickens with lots of violence, drug dealers, and thrills. 

It catches you right from the first page, fast-paced, entertaining, and action packed with his complex and interesting characters like FBI agent Sean Reilly. He manages to get entangled with the Mexican cartel taking place in Southern California and Mexico. There is the lust of a "mind blowing" drug,"The Devil's Elixir"  that comes from a plant found deep in the rain forest that Reilly races to keep out of the hands of the drug world. If it gets out it could rock the worlds very foundation in a kilter!!

I love to read thrillers that end with a twist that I didn't see coming, and Raymond's book didn't disappoint me.  But, you'll have to read it for yourself to see what I am talking about.  Sorry, I don't want to spoil the ending for you. 

Go ahead and order it today and read an excellent summer vacation thriller when you are laying on the beach; riding on a commuter train to work; camping in your RV; or just sitting in the comfy of your big easy chair at home. 

You'll be pleasantly surprised with this wonderful thrills and chills book by Raymond Khoury, "The Devil's Elixir" I highly recommend it!!

Enjoy!!

What a great place to Read!

Don't you just want to grab a book and sit on the patio here and read?

Raymond Khoury's "The Devil's Elixir"

I am starting a New Book that I got in the mail from a gal at the
 "The Book Report Network" to review...Looks like a real THRILLER and anyone that knows me knows that I love THRILLERS!!!


The author Raymond Khoury, part of the "Authors on the Web" is a New York Times Bestseller author of his previous best seller, "The Templar Salvation" I will have to read that one after this one. 


This one is called "The Devil's Elixir"[affiliate link] and was just released in hardcover and
ebook editions on December 22nd. The book features again FBI agent Sean Reilly and archaeologist Tess Chaykin, who were first introduced in the New York Times bestseller "THE LAST TEMPLAR."[affiliate link]  However, Khoury's latest novel will appeal to new readers because it stands alone.

"The Devil's Elixir"[affilate link] [Kindle Ed] is written in the first person from Reilly's point of view.
This is a historical thriller and will be enjoyed by many who love to be kept on the edges of their seats! I know I read with my throw so I can hide under it when the parts get too thrilling! lol


"The Devil's Elixir"[affilate kink]  is about the thought that there is a drug lost in Central America's Jungles capable of inducing an experience so momentous and so unsettling that it might just shake the very foundations of Western Civilization! And both sides of the law gets wind of this and both are fighting to to get their hands on it first!! Whoa.....


Raymond Khoury's million-copy-selling Templar novels, Reilly and Tess traveled the globe to unravel ancient mysteries with present-day ramifications. In 
"THE DEVIL'S ELIXIR", they find themselves dragged into a race-against the clock, against a brutal drug kingpin known as "El Brujo"-the sorcerer-and even against government authorities-to merge two divergent trails, one several hundred years old, the other as current as a heartbeat, that could drag humanity down a whirlpool of pain and destruction.




I haven't started read "The Devil's Elixir"[affiliate link] yet, but starting it this weekend and looking forward to reading read more about this intriguing thriller...so stay tuned for a review real soon...

and I will also be hosting a contest coming up this next week to win

2 e-books     

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from  "AuthorsOnTheWeb," A Division of 

TheBookReportNetwork.com I was not required to write a positive review, but to read the book and voice my own objective

 critique. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade 

Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning  the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Christmas Reading

Christmas is always a great time of the year to curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book, your "snuggie" and some hot tea or cocoa. The warmth of the fire always makes the book reading more enjoyable especially with the cooler evenings. A few years ago I read "The Christmas Jar" it is an excellent book of giving and saving and the joys of Christmas cheer...if you get a chance I highly recommend it. I know I have a Christmas jar now every year...

One of my other favorite authors is of course, Debbie Macomber and this year she has out her latest and final [sad to say] Cedar Cove series book, "1225 Christmas Tree Lane" it's on my Christmas list for sure!!!

A brief take:  Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series. 1225 Christmas Tree Lane is book 12 and the final novel in the series. You will get to know Beth Morehouse, her daughters, and her ex-husband. There are puppies that will bring back characters from previous books in the series. They adopt the puppies and the reader will learn what’s new in their lives.

You’ll have to read the book Debbie Macomber gives all of the Cedar Cove residents a fond farewell in this satisfying series finale. You will love it and feel bound to this warm neighborhood with all its characters and you might even feel the need to start all over again with the 1st one in the series, "16 Lighthouse Road"

Here are some other good reads:

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

The Perfect Holiday Gift

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts is a heartfelt book of inspirational stories, fun family traditions, yummy recipes and so much more! This book is the perfect holiday gift for that very special someone on your list, a gift they will treasure for a lifetime.

"This book took will take your breath away. Truly beautiful, unique, heartwarming. It's one of those books you'll treasure from year to year, reading and re-reading the stories within until you know them by heart. It has a hodgepodge of everything - recipes, inspirational stories, Christmas tips, poetry, projects. There are 160 pages, and it's an overflowing chest full of treasures!"

A Simple Christmas

Twelve Stories That Celebrate The True Holiday Spirit

If you're looking for a little clarity, sanity, and inspiration at this insane time of year, you're sure to enjoy A Simple Christmas. Mick Huckabee tells the stories of twelve of his own Christmas memories, some funny, some deeply moving, that will make you take a deep breath and appreciate the magic of Christmas. You will laugh and cry it is a touching book not about politics..

The Christmas List - A Novel

A Story To Warm Your Heart

A beautiful story of the love between a husband and wife that will have you in tears of joy and sadness, and leave you feeling inspired, uplifted and grateful. Be warned - you won't be able to put it down!

Letters From Father Christmas 

A Stunningly Beautiful Book

A beautiful collection of the letters that the children of J R Tolkein received from Father Christmas over the years from 1920 to 1943. Each letter tells a wonderful story and the illustrations are absolutely spellbinding.

"Tolkein wrote these letters to his own children as if they were coming from Santa Claus at the North Pole. They are sweet, funny, obviously done with great love. There are sketches to illustrate. you'll have this one around for many years and give them as Christmas presents  and continue to make rereading it a part of getting into the Christmas spirit."

Reading When it Rains Outside

Do you like to read when it rains outside? I do...I especially like to get my favorite "lapghan" and curl up next to the fireplace and grab a good book and read. The only problem is making sure DH stays away long enough to get me through more than a few chapters. LOL.....

I am just starting A Veiled Deception  by Annette Blair, and love it...If you love cozies, get this first-person paranormal mystery. This is a new series and this being the 1st one is one not to be missexd. The main character is a dress designer/vintage clothes collector with paranormal gifts inherited from her late mother. New York designer Madeira Cutler who returns to Connecticut for the wedding of her younger sister Sherry, who she virtually raised when their mother died.  Their father can't deal with the details of the wedding and the hostility of the groom's wealthy mother. Then the groom's former flame shows up, obviously planning to replace Sherry as bride.

When she's strangled at the shower with her antique bridal veil, Maddie has to not only redesign the dress but also make sure neither bride nor groom is jailed for the murder. Helping her -- and vying for her affections -- are her hot FBI sometimes-boyfriend and a local police detective she's fought with since high school. yummy....be sure to grab a copy of this short paperback and curl up by your fireplace to enjoy another wonderful read like I am doing, opps here comes more rain...ta ta for now I am off to read some more.. :)
 

               

Dogs and the Miricles they Create for Us and Mitford Series

Hello 2010...I just found out that Jan Karon's "Mitford" series has like 9 books in it... WOW I thought there were only 4....so I am back to excitingly reading the 3 I have and the Bedside Companion one too!






I wanted to share this video I found on A Knitting Junkie blog with you. It is so inspiring that I had to add it here. :)

Back From a Long Break

I have been away from blogging here for some time. But I am back, had the flu and just "life" got in the way of my visits here.

So what am I reading? Well....I am on book #3 of Debbie Macomber's "Cedar Cove" series. I just love them and in this one we are talking about 311 Pelican Court where Rosie lives. Will her and hubby be divorced forever, or will they get back together? And what is happening with the dead guy in the B&B? Who was he?

I cannot wait to read more to find out what's going on in Cedar Cove...I think the next thing should be some good recipes and knitting patterns, will have to get the companion crafting book next. :)

Too Funny Animals

Another Type of Reading???

I went to the library last week and was amazed at the improvements of library borrowing... you can now borrow books on CD's and books on MP3...wow....for $1 I got "Twenty Wishes" by Debbie Macomber, I am listening to it now...I put the CDs in my computer CD drive and listen while I surf the net.. :) and next week I will rent a MP3 of James Patterson's "Beach" now I do not have to try and get the time to sit and read a book I really want to read, all I have to do is stick an ear piece in my ear and do or go where I have to go and "voila" I am getting to finish a book along with my chores or crocheting too!! What a wonderful concept!!!.. I am hooked....And since I have run out of room on my bookshelves, I don't have to purchase the book, the library is free...what a great way to save in these "tight" economical times! Now DH is happy too!!

Advise and a Weird New Kind of Bookshelf

Some good advise? Take it or leave it, but remember that most of it is quite true and could make you a happier person from this day forward!

• Your career is not nearly as important as your life. Don't sacrifice the latter for the former.
• Hug your Mom. Someday she'll be very old, very loving, very concerned, 1200 miles away, and too frail to travel. And someday after that, she'll be gone.
• I think the best advice I have heard was to try to never let someone ruin your day by their actions.
• Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. (Mark Twain)
• Enjoy your kids now, but remember that your job is to make yourself unnecessary to them eventually so they can live their own life happily and independently.

An unusual bookshelf design and is one that you can "roll" up with a good book. Here’s a circular bookshelf by designer Zhdanova Irina. Her design also comes with a set of sofas that can be stored as a matching ring: Link - via Cribcandy and Yanko Design

What's Happening to the Novel's Future?

The news is saying that the novel is DEAD!!

I read reports that say the novel is dead. What? How can that be? I am still buying them and racking up the $$ on my Visa; aren't you? I mean any "readoholic" is doing the same. And who doesn't love book stores? It just is not the same to use a cell phone to read a book or download it onto the computer. I need that warm and fuzzy feeling I get in a book store. I also need the scones they have there!!

It's no secret that the number of independent bookstores is on the wane. And even big chain stores like Borders are having trouble. Scott Karp, who writes the Publishing 2.0 blog, predicted bookstores would be obsolete in 10 years. That was last year, so we apparently have just nine years left.

Is it time to write the novel's obituary?
More recently, author Richard Laermer wrote that book publishing is dead because editors are too young (oh, please), books are too expensive (maybe), and the publishing industry publishes too many books and spends too much marketing books that don't need it, and not enough on books that do (I'm inclined to agree). Also, the industry generally moves too slowly (I'd second that).

With dying bookstores and publishers, what future is there for the novel?

I predict it will be around for a long time, although maybe not necessarily in the form we're used to.

Though publishers might have to find new ways to make money and structure deals, people have loved novels far too long for them to vanish.A Scholastic project called "The 39 Clues" is already out. This is a 10-book mystery series about the powerful Cahill family; each book is said to unlock one clue (I'm a little worried about the math, given that there aren't 39 books in the series). "Book 1: The Maze of Bones" was written by Rick Riordan, the author of the wildly popular Percy Jackson series. It's likely this will be big with kids. I sure want to read them.

In the most important ways, the future of the novel looks great. People still love writing them, even if they're doing it in their spare time on cell phones, as did the best-selling Japanese novelist. People also still love reading them, as evidenced by the bake sales they'll hold to buy more.

If publishers can't figure out how to make a profit on the novel, that's their problem -- and another story entirely.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Happy Thanksgiving