Reading Rampage!

So I got a new Kindle for Christmas! (Wooohooo!!) And to say that I have been reading a bit since I have received it would be a complete understatement! Mom and Dad couldn't have given me a better gift :) Check out the funky purple giraffe case!

So I have ended up reading 5 books in 4 days and have 2 more on the go. I've got a few books that I was approved to read for Netgalley as well that I am excited over!

I really love this Kindle, it's the Kindle Paperwhite and it's so easy to download books. Why did I wait so long before getting one? My Kobo Glo was great too but I find myself more attached to this Kindle. No this isn't any paid advertisement or anything, I am just gushing (too much!) over this Kindle! haha

So my plans for 2016? Attack my reading challenges with a renewed passion, advance my blog to the next level, and create a separate blog for some of my crafting.  I am also addicted to yarn crafts and get torn between the 2 hobbies.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Years, and hope you will be visiting my little reading nook many times over the next year!

~Katie~

Review: The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger

I was given a copy of this book by Blogging For Books for an unbiased review. 


I normally enjoy books with different or unique formats.. like different characters telling their points of view for example. This book was hard for me to stay focused on at times though, with the legal jargon. Sometimes it was just hard to follow, but when I was able to really concentrate and get into it, I found it was a pretty good story.  It is quite different from many of the other lawyer books that I have read in the past. I would recommend this if you are looking for something `different`to read, and aren`t afraid to delve into the legal lingo, otherwise this may not be the book for you.  

It's been a while...

I pretty much disappeared from the map for a while. I have no real explanation, other than there were other things that had my attention during the past few months. I had a few projects on the go that were important for me to finish, and so my concentration went there.

But, I am back now :) And back in full force! I got some new books for Christmas and a new Kindle!! I'm so excited :) I've already started loading it up with books! My reading challenge has suffered this year, as has my blog.  But, next year, I will make up for it! You'll see :)   Time to get a few more books on my brand new Kindle and get some reading done on this wonderful Christmas Eve :) I wish you Happy Holidays, to you and yours!

Review: To Keep A Secret by Brenda Chapman

This is another novel by Brenda Chapman about PI Anna Sweet.

Anna's partner, Jada Price is missing and it's up to her and the new hire at the company, Nick Roma to find her.  When Jada is found (hiding out with her teenage brother, Henry) Anna is in the middle of a new mystery, the murder of teenager Mandy Blair and a secret internet dating site.   Anna needs to work pretty quickly. Henry's life depends on it.

Once again Brenda Chapman does a great job of developing characters in a relatively short amount of time.  We revisit some repeat characters like Anna and her father and sister, Jimmy who was first Anna's fiance and ended up married to her sister, and get to learn more about Jada who Anna teamed up with at the end of "My Sister's Keeper"  and the mysterious newly hired Nick.

I was able to figure out one part of the story relatively early but then there was an unexpected twist that made everything more exciting.  Chapman has a style of writing that just kept me interested and wanting to read the story faster to find out what was going to happen.  Another really great, quick read, 2 big thumbs up!

Review: Snow Way Out by Christine Husom

I really like this new series by Christine Husom.  Her characters are very believable and it's easy to get wrapped up in this great story. I ended up reading it all within a day because I just didn't want to put it down!

Main character Cami Brooks returns home to take over her adoptive parent's snow globe shop. It's an easy decision for Cami to come home and help her parents with her mother going through chemotherapy sessions, and a scandal which she was involved in involving a Senator in Washington (never mind that she was falsely accused!) Her friend Pinky who runs the coffee shop adjoining her store decide to put on a snow globe making class. Drama follows Cami around because after the class was completed, there was a ruckus between some of the students and teacher (you'll have to read to find out!) After everyone leaves and Cami stays behind in the shop to get a bit of work finished up before leaving, she comes across a snow globe that she'd never seen before.  After locking up, she walks home in the park (alone... Cami what were you thinking?) and stumbles across a dead body. The scene was exactly the same as the one in the snow globe she'd found!

There are lots of great twists to the story line and the characters are very quirky and likable.  I have to admit I was able to figure out a few things early on, like all the whispering between Pinky, Erin and Mark.  I can't wait for the next installment of this series and wonder how long it will take before Clint and Cami end up together.  I think this series could go a long way, it's got great potential!

Author Giveaway! Ends 8/5/15 at Midnight!

Would you like a chance to win an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the first book in a brand new cozy mystery series? Author Kay Finch is generously giving one away! All you need to do is click on the picture below to be taken to Finch's Facebook page. Share the post on Facebook and she will be drawing 1 random winner to be announced on Thursday Morning (8/6/15)

Good luck!! 

Review: Tear Drop by Joanne Clancy

Kindle Edition, 501 pages

Expected publication: August 27th 2015

I received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley in exchange for my impartial review of this book.

5 Stars! This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning.  Former detective Elizabeth Ireland was the lead detective in the case against serial killer Ross Campbell, AKA Tear Drop over 10 years ago, when he disappeared off the grid.  Fast forward to the present, when a letter which is delivered to high profile reporter Brendan Mahon, signifying that Campbell is back.  When the murders begin, Ireland assists with the case, but she knows the letter wasn't written by Campbell.  She can't say how she knows, she just does.  But can she convince the others that it isn't Campbell and find the real killer? She is right, isn't she, it couldn't possibly be Campbell...

The plot of this story is excellent, truly well thought out.  I was pulled into the story and really couldn't put it down.  There were twists and turns along the way that kept me guessing and I found myself really analyzing the story, looking for clues while I was trying to solve the mystery along with Ireland.  Full of suspense and surprises, this book will not disappoint.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about murder, mysteries, suspense, and thrillers.
This is the first time I've read anything by this author but I can assure you this will not be the last!

It's an Ipad Made of Trees...

I was roaming around the internet and stumbled across this image, which at first made me chuckle.  But then, it made me a little sad inside.  In this electronic age, how many people actually still read books? Yes I know there are many of us that read, but... who still picks up a book rather than an e-reader or a tablet? I for one, still love to pick up a good book. My e-reader is used mainly when I am on the go and don't have the space to pack a few books with me.  I love holding a book, turning the pages just, the whole experience of flipping pages back and forth rather than holding an e-reader or tablet and just turning the page with a swipe of my finger on the screen. It's just not the same. 

Review: If It Bleeds by Linda Richards

When reading the summary of the book on the back cover, I was immediately drawn in and thought  this sounds like it's going to be a pretty intense book.  But I should have realized, being part of the 'Rapid Reads' series, that there really wasn't enough time for all of the intensity that the story had the potential to be.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good plot line with some interesting characters that the main character, Nicole Charles, interacts with.  Some things did really stand out for me while reading it though, how for her gossip column she had to make sure to get enough 'boob shots' because you know, that's what the readers want.  Or the fact that when she submitted her story to the editor, Mike, about the murder that both she and crime reporter Brent Hartigan were covering, that she received no recognition for the pictures that were printed, that Hartigan literally took her opening to the story and claimed it for his own.  Mike, when confronted, backed Hartigan's decisions on the story.  Later in the story, Nicole comes upon a big break in gaining information... she breaks into the murdered artist's studio. Did the police not find out the deceased had a studio, would they have not found this information? Was Nicole not worried about being charged with breaking and entering?
There were a lot of little things like this that just didn't hold true for me, but overall it was still a decent story. Perhaps some of the seemingly useless information that was spoken about in the book will be referred to in future novellas about this character.

It took me less than 2 hours to read this novella, recommend for a quick read when you're just looking for a quick moving  mystery to occupy your mind.

Review: Totally Unrelated by Tom Ryan

Nice easy going story for those who like a quick read. This book would also be suitable for tweens and teens to read.

Neil is a teenager who plays in his family band, "The Family McClintock" even though he really doesn't like the type of music that they play.  Like in the title of the book, he feels very unrelated to his family; He doesn't look like the rest of his family, or feel that he is as talented as they are either.  Neil wants to do his own thing, and that's what his friend Bert convinces him to do.

The book shows some of the ups and downs that Neil experiences as a teenager... liking different things from his parents/family, wanting to shine all on his own, even a bit of romance.  There are lots of compromises that people have to make in a large family, and even more when there is a family business (band in this case) involved.

The descriptions of the Family McClintock  performances was really great, making me want to listen to some of my own favourite Celtic bands.  Being from Cape Breton and a lover of Celtic music, it really lit my imagination and I could picture the performances.  Well done!

Review: My Sister's Keeper by Brenda Chapman

The Book Blurb:
Anna Sweet, ex-cop turned waitress, is bar-hopping her way across the USA. But a middle-of-the-night phone call to Anna's hotel room in Kermit, Texas, is about to end her life on the road.  The brakes on her sister Cheri's car have failed, and she's lying banged up in the hospital in Ottawa.  Cheri warns that unless Anna comes right home, she'll be dead by Christmas.
Anna has more than enough reason to stay away from her home town.  Yet her sister's terror is a calling card she can't ignore.  Is Cheri's life really in danger? Or is this another bid for attention? A doubting Anna Sweet is about to find out...


Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book, and it really caught my attention from the beginning. It's a very quick read being under 100 pages, but the author does a good job with character development.  Cheri doesn't know if it's her estranged husband Jimmy who is trying to harm her or not. Jimmy is the source of tension between the 2 sisters, as he was first engaged to Anna and ends up having an affair and later marrying Cheri.  The cast of characters are introduced and Anna begins to narrow down the list of suspects.  But is Cheri actually making everything up? Everything stops when Jimmy and their son, Evan, are going to move back in with Cheri.
When the story does come to a conclusion, I think it was a great ending.  (I don't want to give it away, it was very believable and tied up all the loose ends, something that I like!)  Anna now has agreed to stay in Ottawa and join her old friend in starting up a PI agency.

Recommend this book, great quick read for the beach or anytime really.  2 thumbs up!

Review: Great-Aunt Sophia's Lessons For Bombshells by Lisa Cach

I found this book on the recommended "Chick Lit" summer reading shelf at my local library. The cover and the title completely caught my eye and I thought, this is going to be a funny romance book I can just tell, and I was not disappointed. 

Grace is writing her thesis in women's studies and truly believes the theory behind it, that outer beauty ultimately leads the woman to unhappiness and misery in her life. Grace is ready to prove it.

Great-Aunt Sophia has requested that Grace spend the summer with her to assist her in recovery/be her companion.  When she arrives, she meets two men, on opposite sides of the spectrum. Declan is sex personified. He just oozed sex appeal and confidence. Dr Andrew on the other hand was smart, and handsome, though incredibly socially awkward.    Grace is slightly overweight, and does not see herself in any way shape or form as a 'bombshell'  Little does she know that Great-Aunt Sophia has big plans for her!  She agrees to Sophia's 'bombshell lessons' all the while determined to use the experience to prove her thesis.  

This novel is a fun breezy summer romance read.  Watching Grace's transformation, and her squirming from the attentions of the manipulative Declan was very entertaining! Though there is no one more manipulative in this novel than Great-Aunt Sophia.  Lots of laugh out loud moments and some surprises along the way.  

Review: The House Witch by Katie Schickel

I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. I'm not sure what genre that I would classify this as, *maybe* as chick lit. It really captivated my attention and I had a hard time putting this book down.
Allison grew up in the foster system, and is now a stay-at-home mom with 3 children.  She feels so out of place in Monrovia and really just wants to fit in.  You see, the "Glamour Girls" are everything in Monrovia. They sell beauty products, soaps and the like, and have their hands in every single part of life in Monrovia.
Allison, who is actually a witch.. learns that her life and the lives of her children are in danger after her mother passes away. It seems that her mother, who was institutionalized when she was a young girl, was actually protecting her and her family all these years. But now that her mother has passed, they are vulnerable to the evil that has been looking for her all these years.

The Glamour Girls seem to have some power of their own, and when Allison is accepted, she later finds out that once you join the Glamour Girls.. there is no going back!

The only thing that disappointed me about this book, which honestly I completely enjoyed, was the way the ending came about so quickly. The book built up and built up to the eventual ending, but it was rushed, and I was left wondering, wow, that's it?  The (anti)climax of the book came and then within.. 4 pages or so, it's finished. I can only hope *fingers crossed* that the author turns this into a series, and answers some of the questions that were left remaining in my mind.

Absolutely wonderful first novel for this author, and I definitely recommend this to all who enjoy a little magic and mystery in their reading.

Review: Until You're Mine

Until You're Mind is a psychological thriller by author Samantha Hayes. It really is a great thriller with lots of twists and turns and just when you think you have it all figured out, another twist is thrown at you. It is disturbing at times, confusing a lot of times, and then all comes together once it all 'makes sense' if you know what I mean.  Not what I thought it was going to be when I first picked it up, but a good read nonetheless!

Review: The Clint Malarchuk Story

A friend of mine recommended this book, saying that it not only was a wonderful insight into this famous hockey player's professional life, but also a look into the world of mental illness.
This book is exactly that.

Clint Malarchuk is a brave man in my opinion, he opens up completely not only about the life he had in the NHL, but also the personal battles that started in his childhood. He speaks openly about his anxieties, his OCD, depression, eventual alcoholism... it's such a powerful book and I admire him greatly for telling his story.  Nothing was sugar coated, or made light of. It was the raw feelings and emotions, the turmoil as well as the successes.

I admire Malarchuk for speaking of his struggles with mental illness especially when there is such a stigma around it. I hope that this will help fight the stigma, show that anyone, even a famous successful NHL player can suffer from mental illness, and give others the courage to also tell their story.

You can never have too many books, only too few bookshelves!

Hello! I haven't disappeared :) On the contrary I have just been extremely busy this last little while, so much that I haven't updated my blog or my goodreads account. (bad me!)

There has been a lot going on and I'm happy to say that life in general has taken a turn for the better and I am finding myself in a much better place than I have been.

Over the next week or so I will get my goodreads account up to date, as well as some of the reviews of the books that I have been reading both here on the blog and on goodreads.

In the past few weeks, I've hit up the library book sale (okay I went there 3 times in the week and came out with... oh I don't know, 4 or 5 bags of books?) and the used book store here in town..... Hey you can  never have too many books! Don't judge! haha

Anyway, I've got a lot to add to my shelves both virtually on goodreads AND on my bookshelves, I am starting to run out of room :)

Not only that I've just scanned through NetGalley to check out some new books there to review... So I'm going to be a busy bee!

Do you have any books you plan on reading? Tell me in the comments!

meQuilibrium: 14 Days to Cooler, Calmer, and Happier

I chose this book as my first to review when I joined up with Blogging for Books.  This review is my own thoughts and feelings, and I am in no way obligated to write a positive review. It is the soul purpose of Blogging for Books to get honest reviews on books available.

There are so many books out there about stress and what to do about it. Many authors write about how to reduce your stress. This may work for a small percentage of people but let's face it, you will never get rid of all the stress in your life. It's just not going to happen. The authors of meQuilibrium take a different approach, one that will work for just about everyone. It's not about getting rid of your stress although lets face it, if you can get rid of some of it of course that will help immensely.  It's all about managing that stress. This book takes you on a journey where you learn to make changes in your life and your coping style to help alleviate the effects of the stress in your life, to get into a more calm and zen state and to being living your life without sweating the small stuff, so to speak. When you don't stress about everything, life gets more enjoyable.  I've been someone who has had a lot of stress and anxiety in my life and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is feeling the effects of stress. 

Hello my name is Katie and I'm a bookaholic

I think I have a problem. Well... no I don't think it's a problem, but it probably is a problem. Let me explain.

So yeah, you know I love books (understatement)  I've been sick for about the last week or so and just didn't want to get out of bed let alone read (I know can you believe it?!?)   Anyway... I've done some binge reading and finished 2 novels yesterday and logged into my library account to see what I could see. I searched for a book that I saw on my favourite cozy mysteries website and requested that.

Today I read up on some new books on Facebook. I'm in this fantastic group called THE Book Club (if you want an invite let me know! you won't be disappointed) So I logged into my library account and searched for some of the titles, and went through the list of the latest additions to my local library.

So here's the problem. When I clicked over to my account page I did a double take. I've got 13 books on loan currently (granted yes some have to be returned because I did finish them so.. ) but I've also got another 8 on request. Not to mention the shelves of books that I have here at home that I've yet to read.. or the freebies that I've downloaded to my e-reader.

And my nephew just walked into my room and handed me a book. Turns out he was just at the library and they told him that there was a book in for me and picked it up (love that kid! Thanks!!)

Needless to say, my plans for this weekend are.. read... read... and read some more! Update blog, update book reviews and read :)

Hello, my name is Katie, and I am a bookaholic

To Read... and Re-read

Do you have a favourite book that you like to read over and over again? I have friends that have often said that once they have read a book, they can't read it over again because they already know the end of the story.  But, is that a legitimate argument?

We watch movies over again don't we? Watch re-runs of some of our favourite shows, right? So, what is the difference in re-reading one of your favourite books? None! I say :)

Today I finished one of my favourite books. "This Matter Of Marriage" by Debbie Macomber.  This was the first book that I have ever read by her, and what drew me into her world of novels. I have loved each and every one of her books since that very first one. I like to revisit Hallie and Steve every once in a while since they have such a great story. Let me explain...

We are introduced to Hallie, a successful single woman who has decided that it's time and she wants a husband and family. She is used to making a business plan, setting her goals, and achieving them. Planning to have a husband and children should be the same right? Make a plan, and make it happen! WRONG! And boy does she learn the hard way.  Her best friend Donnalee convinces her to join a dating service with her and that's where the fun begins! Unless you're Hallie of course..

Hallie's neighbour, Steve, is a divorced dad with 2 children. He was not the one who initiated the divorce and it was easy to tell that he was still hung up on his ex wife. He tries desperately to keep his family together and win his ex back.


The characters in this book are believable. From the woman who deciding after establishing her career that it's time for a husband and family (in this case though, it was also prompted after she lost her father and was also looking to fill the void in her life) to the divorcee who is still in love with their ex and wants them back.


I won't give up too much more, you need to read the story for yourself.  I love these characters. It is a fun and funny book, a light romantic feel good book.  The *only* thing that really bothered me was how Hallie and Steve didn't clue in a bit sooner on how they are perfect for each other. Kisses between friends and the like. (Come on I didn't spoil anything. You know from the get-go these 2 are destined to fall for each other)  But the fun is reading how Hallie is going through her crazy dates set up by her dating service, crazy interactions with Steve, and Steve's 2 children trying almost right from the start to hint the two of them should be married.  Go read, right now!

Books, Books and wow... More Books!

So, I am in the middle of a few books now. I will get my goodreads account updated and that will also help update the books read on my blog.

I am excited to have started something called Blogging For Books. I will get 'review copies' of books, and provide well.. reviews! lol  Just because I receive a book doesn't mean I have to give it a fantastic rating. The whole point of it, is to get honest reviews of a book and so my thoughts and written reviews of these books will be influenced only by me.

The first book that I have chosen is called "meQuilibrium: 14 days to cooler, calmer and happier" written by

Jan Bruce, Andrew Shatte, Ph.D., Adam Perlman, M.D., M.P.H.; Foreword by Mark Hyman, M.D.

I have downloaded my review copy and will be reading it over the next few days. I've chosen this book as it sounds like it may be something beneficial to someone who suffers from social anxiety, anxiety disorder and depression. I guess, we shall see! 

On A Roll!

So, I've plowed right through my 2nd book of the year, "Dire Threads" by Janet Bolin. I completely enjoyed it, and unlike some of the other Cozy Mysteries that I have read in the past, I really wasn't able to come up with 'whodunnit' until it was actually revealed! Bravo Bolin!

This was the 1st book in the series, so I will now have to make it my mission to wander over to my library's website and request the next in the series.

I really need to get a proper tab set up to post reviews. I don't want to do them in regular posts in case someone actually reads my blog and is interested in one of the books/authors that I've been reading... since that would give everything away!

But, this blog remains mostly unread for now and that's okay! I am writing this for myself and if someone happens to stumble along and finds something they enjoy, that will make me happy :)

Time to go through my stacks of 'next reads' and select one, I'm in the mood to read and just might read all night long!

One Book Down.... 74 To Go...

Today I finished reading what turned out to be a frustrating read, Shopaholic To The Stars by Sophie Kinsella. Okay, frustrating because the ending left me wanting more. (But that's what authors are supposed to do, right?) I do love the whole Shopaholic franchise, Becky is such a funny character whose whims always keep her poor family and best friend Suze on their toes. And she was even more in her glory in this book.  Something that Kinsella did differently in this book (don't worry I won't give anything away) is weaved a bit of a mystery into the story that does in fact intrigue and make you do a 'wait a minute, what?' near the end of the story. Is, found myself going back over in my mind the other stories in the series to see if there were any clues at all to this interesting turn... and I could find none hmmm...
Anyway, this left me wanting more after the story abruptly ended (to me) I sat here thinking 'Wait, noooooo I get there's closure for the story but no you can't end there, what happens, where do they go? Noooo!' I think I actually shouted NO outloud haha

So, book 1 for my 2015 challenge is done and I'm already on to  book two which is "Dire Threads" by Janet Bolin. This is another of my favourite genres the Cozy Mystery.

I have a few books lined up already to go for my next few as well, a few by Beth Harbison (author of the 'Shoe Addict' books) and one that a friend recommended to me called "The Crazy Game: How I Survived The Crease And Beyond by Clint Malarchuk' I've also requested from my library the latest Stephen King (this will be the first novel I've read that he wrote since his accident long ago) and The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald.

So, I've got a variety of books ready on my list, let's see how quickly I can progress through. 74 to go... and according to my goodreads counter, I am right on track!

I must go, my books are calling me...

2015: A New Year, A New Reading Challenge

Hello again and Happy New Year!

Unfortunately, last year I did not in fact complete my reading challenge. I had some things going on in my life and my attention went to those things rather than reading and that's okay.  Priorities and all that stuff!

This year, I am determined to get my reading challenge done, and make regular weekly posts here about my favourite authors, books, and well, anything else about reading.  I write this blog for myself but it would be nice to get a few followers over the year :)

Currently I am reading Shopaholic To The Stars. I am a big fan of the Shopaholic series and was excited to be able to borrow this book from our local library. I will eventually purchase this book since this is a series that I do collect but for now, reading like this will be just fine :) I have a stack of books to get through from the library as well as 2 more that I requested that still have to be picked up.

I would like to expand my reading and find new genres to explore and possibly start to read on a regular basis. I don't know how successful that I will be in this endeavor however it is something I would like to try to do.

So, for anyone that is reading this blog, I hope that we can have a wonderful year of reading together!

Cheers!