It’s fair to say that I probably read too many (or not enough) depressing books in my spare time. So with this in mind, I decided to go for a bit of comedy this time. Yes, comedy. No, the world hasn’t ended, well, not that I’m aware of at least.
This light-hearted read from British comedian, Miranda Hart, takes a look at her life 20 years ago, and her life now. If you were to meet yourself from 20 years ago, what would you say? What advice would you give? Well, this is the premise of the book. Told in an almost vignette style, Hart attempts to explain to her younger self such things as the Internet, emailing, mobile phones, and office shenanigans. In the chapter about technology for example, Hart tries to describe the concept of email, and with this explanation, includes several funny tales of company wide inappropriate emails, issues of miss-communication, and general hilarity. Each chapter talks about a different topic such as Dating, Technology, Early careers etc, etc…
What I found particularly great about this book was the fact that you could actually hear Hart saying the words. The humor is very British, so I would Youtube a few videos of her before you read, just so you can get her style of delivery, which is rather unique! I didn’t realise this before I purchased the e-book, but Hart has recorded an audio of her book, which is far better, in my opinion, because she is a stand up comedian by trade, and so her audio delivery is spot on. However, if you don’t want to get it on audio just yet, you can get it for a good price on the kindle
~ Pegasus.
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Review: Once Upon a Valentine by Allison Leigh
I look forward to straight up, straightforward, no surprises, happily-ever-after romances. Know why? Because they’re relaxing. Yep, I’ll read literary fiction and mysteries and intensely dramatic romances, but when I’ve had a long week or a tough day, I want something reliable.
Last night I read Once Upon a Valentine, and all my troubles disappeared. I read a philanthropic, boat-building millionaire for the alpha hero. (Pax has been in love with Shea for years, but she pays him no mind.) I got a sweet, hard-working, on-her-way-up journalist who stands on her own two feet as a matter of principle. And they were supported by (separately) quirky and charming and gruff and loving characters.
I knew Shea and Pax would make it, and that I’d get a Happily Ever After at the end. I enjoyed how Leigh got me there: with terrific writing, a believable fairy tale plot, and characters I rooted for from beginning to end. Leigh’s timing is perfect and the dialogue natural.
After reading Once Upon a Valentine, I rested easy with very sweet dreams.
-Calliope
Buy it now Once Upon A Valentine
Review: The Happy Endings Book Club by Jane Tara
This book is weird. That’s my opinion, and it’s not to say the book is bad, because it’s not. The book is well written and clever; it’s just the quirkiest, oddest book I’ve ever read. I was slogging through it, not enjoying it at all, when all of a sudden at 75% of the way through, I got it. I understood. And I burst into tears as all the problems of all the characters met inside my mind and exploded there. I’m not sure if that made me ENJOY the book any more than before, but I sure do appreciate it now.
The Happy Endings Book Club is a group of women who need a little encouragement and uplifting. They’re fading into the background of life and need some verve. Some of the women find “life” in reality, and some find it in fantasy: fairly lands and magic.
The fantasy world in the novel isn’t isolated like Hogwarts in Harry Potter. Instead, it’s part of the regular world… More like fantastical beings existing with all their powers in the mortal world. And while that allows great freedom in the plot, it also confuses a linear realist like me!
I liked the characters, the plot lines, the endings and new beginnings. I had a tough time with the magic, the fairyland, and the special powers…. but only because those are out of my comfort zone. This clever novel opened my eyes and gave me a lot to think about.
–Calliope
Buy it now The Happy Endings Book Club
Merry Christmas!!
Review: Crazy for You by Juliet Rosetti
What a caper! I didn’t read number one in this series, but I didn’t have to in order to laugh out loud and appreciate Mazie Maguire’s ex-con predicaments. Mazie gets herself into lots of trouble by accidentally getting mixed up in a murder investigation. And not unlike Stephanie Plum, she has a handsome hero to help her out of the tough spots.
What makes this novel especially good is that Mazie doesn’t actually need a hero to rescue her, he just happens to make things a little more interesting. She appreciates Ben’s affections and his willingness to walk beside her as she weaves her way through new jobs, bad guys, and insecurities about her looks. She also appreciates Ben’s good looks!
Sometimes cozy mysteries or caper-ridden novels depend on the dumbness of the characters. Not here. I like that Mazie and Ben are smart. The trouble that meets them doesn’t result from any mistakes or idiocy on their part…. And they intelligently put their heads together to keep each other safe.
I laughed hilariously throughout this book, loved the romantic element, and will be on the lookout for book 3. Juliet Rosetti, you’re a find!
— Calliope
Buy it now Crazy for You
Review and Blog Tour: Elect(Eagle Elite #2), by Rachel Van Dyken
Would you die for the one you love?
Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family’s enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.
Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family’s sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend… But Trace isn’t ready to give up on a future with Nix–and if he won’t fight for them, she will.
In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . .
“I feel lost”
“Let me find you.”
“I feel sick.”
“Let me heal you.” I kissed her head.
“I feel sad.”
“Let me be your happiness.”
WOW!! What a ride! This is like The Godfather for young adults. I highly recommend reading Elite first, otherwise you’re missing out on basically everything. It’s written from many different point of views. I liked seeing how Nixon and Chase, and even Phoenix handle the pressure and stress of living in a mob, and knowing that your days are numbered.
Nixon loves Tracey, and has for his entire life. But loving her has now put her in grave danger. The only way to keep her alive is to push her away. But what’s even harder, is that he pushed her towards his best friend, Chase.
Chase loves Tracey, but he knows he can’t really do anything about it. He is loyal to his friend. But he will do everything he can to protect her, even if it means convincing her to choose him.
Tracey loves Nixon and doesn’t want to be left behind. She wants Nixon, but understands that he needs to do his job and protect her the only way he can. She know’s it hurts him to let her go, but he has to hold onto hope, that it will all work out.
“I’m going to apologize in advance, though.” Tracey sniffed as a tear ran down her cheek.
“Why are you apologizing”
Her eyes met mine. “Because I’m going to break your heart.”
Watching Trace with Chase and seeing how hard it was for Nix, was painful to watch. He was no longer living his life for himself. He was living, and willing to die, for her. But he needed to make some very difficult choices and watch his family deal with those choices.
Seeing the background on Phoenix, made me like him a bit more. I didn’t fully trust him, but I understood him. His days were truly numbered. 😦 In the end, he was a friend to Nixon, when he needed one.
Phoenix slapped me on the back. “If it’s any consolation, she clearly loves you.”
“How would you know?” I snapped.
…”The way she looks at you. It’s different than how she looks at Chase.”
“And how does she look at Chase?”
“Like he’s her savior,” Phoenix said softly.
“And me?”
“Like you’re her oxygen.”
I was dying for the situation to be resolved, so that Nix and Trace could be together! I was starting to get a bad feeling about have way through. But I had faith it would all work out. Trace had no choice but to go towards Chase, even though her heart wanted another.
“You have my heart, but Nixon…he owns my soul.”
*heart breaking*
When it was all said and done, hearts were broken, lives were taken, but the truth came out. None of them will be the same after this, but they know if they have family, they can get through anything. There was a bit of a twist in the end, so I’m curious as to what will happen in the next book. I’ve got a feeling, but I’m gonna keep it to myself. 😉
Make sure you enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win!
Also, here’s a little mafia game for you.
~Melpomene
Buy it now Elect (Eagle Elite)
Review and Blog Tour: Gabriel’s Redemption, by Sylvain Reynard
“Of all the gifts God gave me…the greatest one is you.”
Let me start out by saying that I was perfectly happy with the way Gabriel’s Rapture ended. If there wasn’t a third book, I would be content. Even Sylvain Reynard was content with the ending of Rapture. That being said, I’m even happier he changed his mind and gave us a bit of closure and a bit of their futures.
Professor Gabriel Emerson left his job to follow his wife, Julianne, to Harvard for her graduate program. He is happy, just to be with her. But when he brings up having children, Julianne’s world crashes around her. She wants to make him happy, but also feels selfish for wanting to finish school first. She knows that for him to want children, is a big step. But she seems a bit childish in this situation. I know having children is scary, but knowing that Gabriel would need a vasectomy reversal soon, since it’s been 10 years, I can’t understand why she would want to wait. She made me a bit irritated.
While Gabriel has a need for a family, he realizes he knows nothing of his own family history, except what he dreams about. And even then, he’s not really sure if it’s real or not. So in order to make his dreams come true, he needs to do a bit of digging into his past. And his past is nothing he wants to be near, too many ghosts.
He also has a hard time accepting the fact that God has forgiven him for his reckless past and he can move on. He doesn’t feel he is worthy of happiness. Julianne has to show and teach him that he is worthy of everything. And no matter what struggles they go through, they will always be together.
“For you, my love, I would endeavor to pluck the stars from the sky, only to shower them at your feet.”
The love between Gabriel and Julianne is so great, I’m surprised my kindle didn’t start smoking. Some of the scenes were downright HOT! I feel even harder for the professor. He knew how to show love and he showed it a lot. 😉 I loved the little snarky narrator, that added to the scenes. For instance, Desk sex can be very, very good, but it’s important to remove the staplers first. 🙂
We also get a glimpse of Julianne’s friend, Paul, and his quest to move on from Julianne. My heart kinda broke for him. He loved Julianne and every time he saw her or though about her, a little piece of his heart broke off.
We also run into and old enemy who decides to continue with the trouble she caused before. I so wanted to beat her! She was making me so mad. I kept hoping she’d get put in her place.
I absolutely adored both of their families. Their struggles to keep moving forward with their lives, was heart breaking. The loneliness of some were eased, while others still struggle. But the love they all share, will get them through anything.
It’s bittersweet to read this book. But all good things come to an end, right? But these will always remain of of my favorite series.
Enter the a Rafflecopter giveaway
to win a pair of Christian Louboutins(Gabriel’s favorite) or 1 of 15 signed sets of the trilogy. Me personally, I want the books. I’d fall on my face in those shoes. I’m a chucks kinda girl. 😉
~Melpomene
New Releases for Nov 26, 2013
It’s super Tuesday!!! There are a ton of great books being released today. Again, I’m thanking my family for all the GC. I am using them up quite quickly.
Remy (The REAL series)
Crash into You (Harlequin Teen)
The Chocolate Heart (Amour et Chocolat)
Highland Master (The Murrays)
Love a Little Sideways (The Kowalskis)
Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion)
Now, I hope you found at least one book that caught your eye. Make sure you fill up your kindles before you head off to family gatherings. You never know when you’re gonna need a break from all those crazies. 🙂
~Melpomene
Review – LIFE The Day Kennedy Died: Fifty Years Later: LIFE Remembers the Man and the Moment by the editors of LIFE.
I am a self-confessed conspiracy nut, and make no apologies for it. Saying that however, I am an intelligent conspiracy nut – I like to review the evidence and make my own conclusions. Now, we’ve all seen in the last few weeks a flurry of books being hastily released in order to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the day that President Kennedy was assassinated. Most of these have no merit, and are purely released to garner some money and attention. This is not to say that this book released by LIFE magazine isn’t making money – you still have to pay for it – but I would rather pay for another JFK book by a respected author/collaboration such as LIFE magazine.
Before we get into the review proper, I must warn you that this is a book with media – the original, unedited Zapruder film; it is only downloadable to tablets, Fires, etc… I’m not sure how the DTB edition deals with it.
This book covers events from the emigration of the Kennedy family from Ireland, right up until the horrible day in 1963. We are treated with many previously unseen personal photos, some in colour, some black and white, with a running commentary. As it is told in chronological order, there is a sense of a real narrative here, and it actually makes the read all the more shocking. Like I said above, I am conspiracy/history buff, so I thought I had known pretty much all there was to know about JFK, but I was wrong! LIFE magazine has a reputation for preserving history through photographs and articles, and I learnt a few new interesting things last night.
Due to the linear narrative, when it comes time to watch the Zapruder film, it really does pack quite the punch. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still audibly recoiled and felt a bit sick. This was real life, with real people, and EVERYONE was affected somehow. That is proved in the chapter that collects the “where I was on that day” stories from random people from reporters, to Barbara Streissand, to Bill O’Reily. The Kennedy’s may have been economically out of touch with many Americans, but even when you have staunch republicans, and Russian leaders say that they were dismayed when died, you know that he was someone unique, and someone to look up to.
~ Pegasus.
Buy it here: LIFE The Day Kennedy Died: Fifty Years Later: LIFE Remembers the Man and the Moment<
New Releases for November 5, 2013
There are over 100 new releases today!! Narrowing them down, to list them here, was quite difficult. But I tried to find a few that would catch your attention.
Champion: A Legend Novel
This is the final book in the Legend trilogy. I haven’t read these yet, but I’ve heard good things about it.
Born Wild: Black Knights Inc.
Can we just stare at the cover for a bit?? This is #5 in the Black Knights Inc series. Another series that is sitting on my kindle waiting for me to start. *sigh*
Rumor Has It (An Animal Magnetism Novel)
LOVE Jill Shalvis!!! But I’ve never read her Animal Magnetism series yet. They are sitting next to the Black Knights. 🙂
Striking Distance (An I-Team Novel)
I can’t wait to read Javier’s story!!! I know it’s gonna be a good one.
Mine (The REAL series)
My review of this will be on Friday, during the blog tour. Kinda geeked about that!!
The Edge of Always
I actually posted my review already. Here’s the link for that. And here’s the rafflecopter link.
Don’t forget to go to our Facebook page and enter the first of my birthday month giveaways!!!
~Melpomene
Random Book Muses 