Review: Missing in Mexico by Stuart Gustafson

Goodreads: Private Investigator Stan W. is hired to find a college freshman who's missing after a family vacation in Los Cabo, Mexico. Even with local help and some promising leads, he's unable to find her and returns home to inform the hurting parents. Months later he receives a mysterious letter and jumps on the next plane to Los Cabo. Will this be the break that he needs to find her? Or will she remain missing - Missing in Mexico?

Kritters Thoughts:  A plot line that was to die for and made you think about all the missing persons cases that have taken place abroad lately in the news.  A story centering around a young girl who goes missing after a family vacation in Mexico.  Was she kidnapped?  Did she go missing willingly?  You want to find out what happened to this girl and help get the clues as to where she  has gone.

With a PI named Stan, the reader goes on a journey trying to find the missing pieces to help him and her parents discover where she has gone and maybe even why.  Throughout his investigation, you are treated to chapters here and there that take a glimpse back to Sarah's childhood - in these chapters you learn a lot about how she grew up and the person she is before she goes missing.  To be honest - one of these chapters definitely helped spoil the ending, which one - I will not tell! 

The main reason my review is a like and not a love is the wordiness that occurred in a few spots that didn't keep the story moving.  At times, I thought the author was trying to boast about their knowledge of the area. 

I would recommend this read to those who enjoy a little search and find with clues coming from all sorts of places.

Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Pages: 245

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author in conjunction with Partners in Crime tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It's Monday, What are you Reading? (37)

Another Monday, but one where me and the boy are off and get to play!  I have book club tomorrow at One More Page, so this weekend I read Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy.


Currently Reading:
Just My Type by Simon Garfield
Sophie's Turn by Nicky Wells


Next off the TBR pile:
Freedom's Call by John Walker

In My Mailbox (44)

Although I was out of town for two nights this week - it was a good week in the mailbox!

A meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Swap Sites:
Reinventing Mona by Jennifer Coburn
A Soft Place to Land by Susan Rebecca White

Winnings:
The Train of Small Mercies by David Rowell
Happy Birthday by Danielle Steel

Bought for book club:
Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy

August - the month of birthday and many adventures

August was an eventful month - from a funeral for my Mimi, to my and my mom's birthdays, and ending with a fun trip to Nashville.  Along with the adventures, some crazy weather - an earthquake in VA and Hurricane Irene that made me think that the wind was going to come straight through our windows.  Just thinking of August makes me exhausted and in all of the adventures I finished 19 books - so crazy.  How was August 2011 for you?

Books I read:

1. The Allegra Biscotti Collection by Olivia Bennett
2. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake Aimee Bender

3. Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell
4. Sins of the Mother by Tara Hyland
5. Wicked by Sara Shepard
6. Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
7. Killer by Sara Shepard
8. Heartless by Sara Shepard
9. After the Party by Lisa Jewell
10. Wanted by Sara Shepard
11. Repairing Rainbows by Lynda Fishman
12. Why I Love Singlehood by Elisa Lorello
13. That Day in September by Artie Van Why
14. Telling Lies by Cathi Stoler
15. Missing in Mexico by Stuart Gustafson
16. Shut Up & Dance by Jamie Rose
17. Does a Bear Sh*t in the Woods? by Caroline Taggart
18. LA Woman by Cathy Yardley
19. When No One is Watching by Joseph Hayes

Total pages flipped or tapped:  4,881

Where I Was Reading?

New York City, NY (4)

Los Angeles, CA (4)
London, England (2)
Rosewood, PA (5)
Montreal, Canada
Wilmington, NC
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Chicago, IL

Review: Does a Bear Sh*t in the Woods? by Caroline Taggart

Goodreads:  Serious answers to rhetorical questions--what's not to like? 

For those of us who have long wondered where bears go to take care of their business, if the Pope is actually Catholic, or whether anyone is really made of money, Caroline Taggart provides the answers to these and a host of previously unanswerable questions. 

From the most profound questions of philosophy to queries of geography and science, this deadpan book is full of hilarious information you never knew you needed including: 

What's love got to do with it? 
How many roads must a man walk down before you call him a man? 
Where does the time go? 
Can a leopard change his spots? 

Kritters Thoughts:  A funny take on answering those questions that have been out in the world left unanswered because we all weren't sure if there was truly an answer for any of them.  A collection of questions sorted by topic with answers that range from short and simple to more with a philosophical approach.  My favorite question and answer was - "Is it me or is it hot in here?"  With the answering mentioning menopause - I started laughing out loud because I have been around a woman in the middle of menopause and the hot flashes were something else.


A cute little read that I enjoyed in one sitting, but others may enjoy a question or two a day.  While others may even enjoy leaving it on their toilets for their guests to enjoy.  I think these questions and answers could even be enjoyed as a group - while enjoying other's takes on how the questions were answered.  Definitely a delightful little read.






 Rating: perfect beach read


 Pages:  160


July-Sept 2011 Challenge: Taboo






Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the publishing company.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Wordless Wednesday

A pic of me and the boy from my mimi's funeral.

Review: Shut Up & Dance by Jamie Rose

Book Cover:  At forty-five, Jamie Rose was an independent, take-charge woman whose career as an actor was going nicely, with frequent roles on hit television shows and in films.  Although she was ready to get married, her boyfriend wasn't.  His reason?  They fought too much - and unfortunately, he was right.  But something magical happened when she signed up for tango lessons, she began to understand that letting someone else take the lead from time to time wasn't giving up, but rather, letting go.   

Kritters Thoughts:  A book that combines two things that interest me, dancing and relationship advice.  As a dancer for most of my childhood and teen years, I love dancing more than most things.  I may admit to watching Dancing with the Stars and just wishing that I was a former star, so I could grace that stage with the costumes and dance combinations.  So when I heard about a book that uses dance as a platform to convey relationship advice, I was more than intrigued.

From the beginning, she had me hooked because I felt like she was talking about me - hard headed, stubborn and a woman who wants to find herself in control all of the time - yep that's me!  Thankful for my single years, which made me who I am, they may have also made me a little more self sufficient and needing of control.  Through her book, I realized that following the boy's "lead" doesn't mean I am giving up control, it just means we are moving together as a unit as we should be.

I would absolutely recommend this book to the ladies of my generation who had a time being single and may have become used to being in control of all the decisions of their lives.  We are a generation that didn't go straight from college to married life, but instead we are creating our own homes before we get into relationships - because of this we may not be the most accomodating to "someone" invading our homes and lives! 

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Pages:  240

July-Sept 2011 Challenge: Time for a Change

Review: LA Woman by Cathy Yardley

Goodreads:  A girl who has done something that is not all that uncommon...moved to a new city for a guy who wasn't worth it. She moves to L.A. and changes her whole life in anticipation of marriage to her business-minded fiance, Benjamin. After continual stalling on Ben's part to join her, Sarah eventually snaps and dumps him. According to her new roommate, Martika, Sarah is in the perfect place to start a new life -- L.A. Before she knows it, Sarah has become Martika's project, getting pulled headlong into a crazy, chaotic world of nightclubs and day jobs, where the only constant is change.


Kritters Thoughts:  With a little hesitation, I pick up chick lit because I have to be in the mood for light and fluffy.  Although this quintessential chick lit, it had heart and soul that made it more than just a girlie read.  A story centered around a girl who makes the decision to "follow" or rather move to a new city - L.A., where her long-term fiance is said to follow.  Will he ever move and will they ever get married?  The ultimate questions.

As a girl who has decided to move with a boy, it takes some courage, guts and many conversations to confirm that this is the best decision both for yourself and the both of you as a couple.  Not recommended for everyone, but if done right, it can build a solid foundation.  Off the soap box - I loved this book, even if I had to read it in mass market form!  

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Pages:  288

Off the Shelf Challenge: 19 out of 50

July-Sept 2011 Challenge: Red Dress Ink

It's Monday, What are you Reading? (36)

An interesting week in weather in VA - an earthquake and a hurricane, we survived it all.  I had some great reading this past week and got myself a little ahead of the reviewing schedule, now to just stay ahead is the goal!


A meme hosted by The Book Journey.

Currently Reading:

LA Woman by Cathy Yardley


Next off the TBR pile:
When No One is Watching by Joseph Hayes

In My Mailbox (43)

A quiet week in the mailbox, which was quite alright as I still have a list more than a mile long to read and review!  Here is what came across my threshold this week:


Review:
The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory


Paperbackswap or Bookmooch:
Burning the Map by Laura Caldwell
Lucky Girl by Fiona Gibson

The Ramble - an earthquake in VA?

Yes, you may have heard through one of many media outlets, there was an earthquake real close to my house on Tuesday.  I know I am just now getting to share my story - between the earthquake, a hurricane, friends having babies and a corporate retreat that is just over a month and a half away, my work has been coming home with me. 

Back to the earthquake, I work on the 14th floor of a building in Tysons Corner, VA and as I was cleaning up our board room - the shaking began. 


I share all of this to also share the below pictures of the ceiling tiles that were hanging right near my desk. 

As far as damage at our house - I had a picture wall that looked a little cock eyed and some books that fell off a shelf, but nothing was lost.  The boy was home with the pup, so she was not alone when our place did a little shaking.  She loves to bark at thunder and has no fear, so I just wonder what she was thinking when the ground beneath did a little shaking.  And just for kicks - a great pic of my reading partner and four-legged cuddler!

Review: Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Goodreads:  Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own.  And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.

Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them.  Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends.  Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn't take.  Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can't seem to shed her old restlessness.

Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await.  And indeed, it will change their lives forever - but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

Kritters Thoughts:  As a fan of the series - The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, although I was just beyond the usual age group, I was ecstatic to hear another book would be coming to finish the series.  What a finish. 

As excited as I was to read this book, the timing at which I picked it up was less than ideal.  A book that I took along with me on my Nookster as I headed out of town for my grandmother's funeral.  As a spoiler to the plot line for this book - one of the girls will die, but I will keep you guessing as to which character we have to say goodbye to.  In this book, as many have said the tone is different because they have to deal with the death of a close friend, who is more like a sister.  A somber tone to my already somber week, wasn't the greatest decision. 

But in the same breath, I appareciated reading it where because as you revisit the girls in a new place in their lives, they are each battling with life decisions and just at the same age as I am now.  It was refreshing to meet the girls who I had met awhile ago and see them at the same point in the road that I am at. 

I loved this ending to the series.  Although with a more mellow note than the rest of the books, the endeavors they shared fit with their childhood shells and as an adult I felt that their journeys were complete.

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Pages:  349

July-Sept 2011 Challenge: Name Game

Review: Why I Love Singlehood by Elisa Lorello

Goodreads: Eva Perino is single and proud of it. So pround, in fact, that she regularly boasts about it in her blog, "Why I Love Singlehood." But upon learning of her ex-boyfriend's engagement, Eva discovers her foundation is weaker than her facade. So begins a clumsy (and occassionally uproarious) search for love as she secretly joins an online dating site, tries her hand at speed-dating, and gets involved with one of the regulars at her coffee shop, The Grounds. But the self-prescribed "experiment" quickly unravels as Eva witnesses the trials and tribulations of her best friend Minerva's marriage, her sister's suburban family, her manager Norman's possible crush on her, and the one guy she can't seem to stop thinking about. Soon Eva's simple search for a date becomes a deeper exploration of love - sexual, platonic, and familial - and a powerful examination of who (or what) is the true love of her life.

Kritters Thoughts:  A wonderful bright and easy chick lit read.  I completely consumed this book in two sittings each by the pool!  The book centers around a women in her early thirties who owns a coffee shop in a small college town.  Within her coffee shop are regular customers who had some spice to the story, each of them have their own plotline that adds to the overall story.  Eva is stuck in a relationship rut when she finds out that her ex is now engaged. 

With three men vying for her attention, it was pure joy to read and try to guess who she may end up with.  Sadly, I was wrong, but that made it even more fun and a lot less predictable.  I will not divulge as to whom she ends up with, but I will say that it was more than fun to see one of the men end up as a friend and just a friend. 

The writing and word choice were light and fun.  I felt as though it was Eva's true voice within each page.  As some chick lit books read, the character can be whiny and depressing - this was not that kind of read.  She was intelligent, successful and unsure as to whether a man would even fit in her life. 

I think young and old, married and single will enjoy this one.  A classy read with heart and depth.

Rating:  absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Pages:  356

July-Sept 2011 Challenge: On TV

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Little Bird Publicity.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Pretty Little Liars 7-8 by Sara Shepard

Goodreads: Hanna, Aria, Emily and Spencer have been telling some outrageous tales; only, the proof always seems to go missing.  The friends insist they're telling the truth, but all of Rosewood thinks they're just out for attention - and nobody likes a girl who cries wolf.  So when the big bad killer comes after them, will anyone believe the girls . . . or will they be the next to disappear?

Kritters Thoughts:  Another great set of books in the Pretty Little Liars series.  To make it short and sweet - I felt that at the end of Wanted it had come to a great conclusion, so I did some research.  I found that this was to be the end of the series.  Apparently as the tv show gained attention 3 books were added to the end of the series, so I decided to end my reading at book 8 - Wanted.

In conclusion of the series, I absolutely loved it.  It was perfect to read by the pool during the summer, nice and easy reading. 

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Heartless pages:  274

Wanted pages:  261

July-Sept 2011 Challenge:  Heartless: Starstruck
                                                Wanted: Going Paperpless

                                          

Review: Pretty Little Liars Series 4-6 by Sara Shepard

Goodreads: Sometimes lies come back to bite you. In the case of four pretty little Pennsylvania liars, the chomp really hurts. For years, cutie Spencer, Aria, Hanna and Emily have survived and thrived with nifty prevarications; now, in this series clincher, it's time for them to 'fess up - or pay the piper!

Kritters Thoughts:  Call me a fan!  I have fallen even deeper into this series and with each book, I can't wait to find out more clues to eithe confirm or deny my guesses.  I think I could be close, but really I have no clue and I love it.

The writing has been so addictive.  It is easy to slip into the story after reading a book between and I found myself immersed in the hunt for A and the killer.  With each book, I hope to be closer and then at the end I find myself no closer, yet no further away from the truth.  As stated before, there is some repetitiveness to each book because as the story develops Shepard repeats clues from previous books, but it can be easily bypassed.  

As I still haven't started watching the series, I am intrigued as to how close to the characters they follow and if the intricacies of the story are apparent on screen.  Maybe a show I will check out soon, but I definitely want to complete my reading before I begin my viewing. 

I think this series can be enjoyed by all ages as the mystery is the heart of the story.  As they are high schoolers, the drama is obviously at that level, but I don't think the story is any lower due to their ages.

Rating:  absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Unbelievable Pages: 352

Wicked Pages: 320

Killer Pages: 320

July-Sept 2011 Challenge:  Unbelievable: Well Rounded (YA)
                                                 Wicked: To Be Young Again
                                                  Killer: Going Green

Review: Pretty Little Liars Books 1-3 by Sara Shepard

Goodreads: Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by some one in their cycle? Worse yet: Is Alison back?

Kritters Thoughts: A great series with some suspense but with a YA twist. To review this series, I am going to group the books in sets of 3. As I think, that reviewing each book may be a little excessive.

Reading a series basically in a row - I have a fear that there will be reptition in the story as the author tries to remind the reader what happened in previous books. My thoughts in regards to this series, yes there is repeating of facts in each book, but not to an extreme. As I read them one after another, I was a little annoyed, but if I had read them with space in between it probably wouldn't have hurt to be reminded of some of the events that occured in previous books.

These characters are funny and endearing - I grew to love them and hate them all at the same time. Each one was unique, but I could really see Ali as the glue that kept all these girls connected. As the books continued I loved trying my hand at figuring out not only who A was, but also who the killer was. At the close of book 3, I had some thoughts, but my guesses were less than educated!

I would recommend this series to young and old alike - a great summer read. I have enjoyed going from one book to the next trying to find out the who dun its and their motives.

I have unofficially decided to read one easy YA series or set of books each summer, so last year was Gossip Girl and this year it was Pretty Little Liars.

Rating:perfect beach read

Pretty Little Liars Pages: 286

Flawless Pages: 330

Perfect Pages: 298

July-Sept 2011 Challenge: Pretty Little Liars - End/Start

Flawless - Stuck in the Middle

Perfect - Stuck in the Middle

It's Monday, What are you Reading? (35)

Another Monday has come and this should be an interesting one in many ways - more to share on this on a later date!  I will be working hard at the office on our annual corporate retreat - Nashville bound!  I am hoping to get a little more reading done this week compared to last week.  It became quite the busy week!

A meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.






Currently Reading:
Missing in Mexico by Stuart Gustafson
Telling Lies by Cathi Stoler

Next off the TBR pile:
Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close

In My Mailbox (42)

A great week full of reviews, wins, and a small shopping trip.  I also had some free time to shot the vlog - sorry for Miss Charlotte's instance on being a part of the party.

A meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Barnes and Noble run:
Art of Social War by Jodi Wing
Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch


For Review:
All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
Just My Type by Simon Garfield
Unforseen Fears by H William Gruchow


Winnings:
Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens
The Devil Colony by James Rollins
The Bond by Wayne Pacelle
Little Princes by Conor Grennan
Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank



What came in your mailbox?

Review: Rally 'Round Green by Judy Christie

Goodreads: Lois and Chris are eager to settle into a calm married life, but that won't happen. While Green continues to recover from a horrendous tornado, the state of Louisiana announces plans to close Green's schools, citing poor academic performance and the area's shrinking population. Lois and Chris know the loss will crush the community and harm students forced to travel more than an hour to classes.

Despite warnings from her coach husband, Lois gets in the middle of the controversy, butting heads with a new teacher, who appears to be a spy for bureaucrats, and pushing the state Legislature with Mayor Eva and Molly, who walks to Baton Rouge in protest. The hotshot consultant sent in to monitor the school is none other than Mayor Eva's long-ago, almost-forgotten ex-husband, mixing up Eva's renewed friendship with Dub McCuller. The district's legal woes bring attorney Terrence to town, much to Dr. Kevin's delight. The highway continues to creep forward, raising more doubts about the future of Green, and Lois learns that to make lasting changes, she will have to refuse to conform but be transformed.

Kritters Thoughts: A cute little read about a small town that is in a fight to save the school that provides the entertainment and social center for the community. Coming from a very small town, three stop lights in all, I related closely to the ability for a school to be the heart of a community and without that school the community would fall apart.

An extremely large cast of characters which at times were very hard to keep straight. I almost made a cheat sheet to remind me who was married to whom, who was fighting with whom, and where each of them worked. I think this was the key aspect that made it hard for me to fall absolutely in love with the book. Everytime I set it down, it was even harder to pick up because I just wasn't sure where everyone stood in the context of the main character Lois.

A christian fiction that didn't beat me over the head with its bible verses and messages to urge the reader to "come to jesus." I enjoyed that this book was sweet and thoughtful, but not crazy christian fiction as some stories can become. A great read for the beach, but please start at the beginning of this series as it may help with the merry cast of characters.

As I was finishing this book, I found out it was the 4th book in a series, so I will have to go found the first three and read them now - such a bummer.

Rating:enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Pages: 256

Cover Challenge April-June: Me, Myself & I

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book via NetGalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Review: Repairing Rainbows by Lynda Fishman

Goodreads: At thirteen years old, Lynda's life comes to a disastrous halt when her mother and two younger sisters are killed in a plane crash. Her father, overcome with despair, simply continues to exist, in a state devoid of hope. After burying a wife and two young children at the age of 44, the overwhelming responsibility of raising a daughter along completely immbolizes him.

Teetering on that tender brink between childhood and adolescence, Lynda faces the responsibility of a father in a complete state of shock, a house to take care of and hundreds of decisions about how to proceed with their shattered lives.

Kritters Thoughts:  A heartbreaking story that from the beginning pulls you in to want to hear from the beginning the full tragedy, which allows you to completely enjoy the extreme hope.  I was swept in because she had the ability to easily switch from telling the current events to jumping into the past to share a tidbit which provided depth and back story that was both enjoyable and informative.


Fortunately, I have not experienced such a tragedy, so to hear a story where she can end peacefully with a family and fulfillment, it made me completely emotional.  I recently lost my grandmother, so to read this story of loss (extreme loss) I found it interesting to see each "character's" reaction to the experience.  I had a heart for this girl who was still trying to grow up, but was left without a stable adult to lead and guide her through both her adolescence and her grief.

This book is not for the faint of heart, it is a definite ride through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs.  As someone who is reading memoirs more frequently, I would put this at the top of your list to read and enjoy.

Rating:  definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Pages: 277

This book was provided for review by Tribute Books.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author in conjunction with Tribute Book tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.