Read It With A Buddy #4 - How to Say Goodbye in Robot

How to Say Goodbye in Robot
By Natalie Standiford
Publisher: Scholastic, 2009
276 pages, paperback
Date Finished: 18/1/2011 (Leanne), 31/1/2011 (Zakiya)
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Coming of Age

New to town, Bea is expecting her new best friend to be one of the girls she meets on the first day. But instead, the alphabet conspires to seat her next to Jonah, aka Ghost Boy, a quiet loner who hasn't made a new friend since third grade. Something about him, though, gets to Bea, and soon they form an unexpected friendship. It's not romance, exactly - but it's definitely love. Still, Bea can't quite dispel Jonah's gloom and doom - and as she finds out his family history, she understands why. Can Bea help Jonah? Or is he destined to vanish?
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "Goebbels [pronounced gerbils] materialized on the back patio, right before we moved to Baltimore, and started chewing through the wicker love seat."
~Last Line: "That's how I imagined it, anyway."

Leanne's Review: The novel How to Say Goodbye in Robot, was truely one of a kind. I read it last year, but I was not as good at reviwing or analyzing books back then. It was my favorite book because it made me cry, until I re-read it. Then I saw the lack of character substance at some points and plot holes. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone, but it bounced around a lot. Bea was a very understandable character, and you just HAD to love Jonah. Everyone wants a relationship like Jonah and Bea's, being able to be in love without having to use titles or show it every five seconds. This book isn't something we all go through, far from it, but it is relatable, which is something we all enjoy. The whole radio show aspect is fun and corky; I really enjoyed this book. Definitely will read more of Standiford's books, she is an amazing writer, who really captures a story.

Zakiya's Review: This novel was first recommended to me by Leanne. I'm so glad that she got me a copy for my birthday. It really was a great read!

Beatrice, our main character, is new to Baltimore, and her first friend at her new school is Anne Sweeney. Her first curiousity: Jonah Tate. It was, in my opinion, really fast at how she and Jonah started talking to each other. It was good, though. They were totally in love, and they were almost completely oblivious to their feelings. I mean, they were basically dating, but they never admitted to being together; it was sort of nauseating.

Jonah introduces Beatrice to a wonderful and very appealing late night radio show called Night Lights. I have to say, it's not your regular music station. The callers are all really great, and their personalities are well-represented. They make me wonder: Did Natalie Standiford "create" these characters off of people she knew? Or does she just have a super-good imagination? My inner thoughts are saying probably both :).

This novel was a contemporary romance, but it was sort of a hidden romance; like, it was there, but you had to be into the characters and their actions and feelings. No blood-and-gore action, although they do "fly" on the "magic carpet," which I'm sure was a lot of fun!

Overall, you need to read this spectacular novel. Sadly, it's a stand alone novel, but the ending was so great that you don't really need anymore books with Beatrice and Jonah (although it would be nice). You seriously need to read this book if you haven't already! :D



Quotes from the book:

"I turned a corner and came to a small church. There was a headstone near the path leading to the church's wooden doors. I stepped closer to read the headstone. It said 'For the Unicorn Child.'
That is so cool, I thought. What a funky town this was. I imagined a neighborhood Legend of the Unicorn Child, about a one-horned little boy who'd died tragically, hit by a car or shot by a mugger or maybe poisoned by lawn pesticides. The story of the Unicorn Child was so real to these people they'd erected a stone in his memory.
Then I read it again. The stone didn't say 'For the Unicorn Child.' It said 'For the Unborn Child.' "
" 'She don't want a boyfriend, she don't need to be pushed. She and Ghost Boy will fall in love when they're ready.'
'But they're meant for each other,' Myrna said.
'Sure, like crabcakes and crackers,' Larry said. 'I didn't say they wouldn't get it on sometime.' "

Guest Review - Leanne

I invited Leanne back to do another GR! Here's her review of Fire by Kristin Cashore!

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I think this was an amazing novel. It takes place before Graceling because Leck is a boy. Fire is an outstanding creature, who can control the minds of others. She is like a Graceling but diffrent in many ways. There are parts that make you want to scream and parts that make you want to cry, but that just adds to the depth of the book. My favorite characters, other than Fire, are Archer and Hanna. Cashore is a beautiful writer and this novel shows that. I could not put it down. I liked this better than Graceling for some reasons but they are very diffrent, so you can't really compare them. I will be reading this in the near future. It is something you have to read! I would rate it 5 kisses.

Guest Review - Leanne

Finally got another Guest Review coming to you! This week, my beautifully-winged classmate Leanne is here :D. She has a book blog over @ Tales of the Mockingjay.

Leanne, why don't you explain a little about yourself to our lovely audience!

I love to dance and read books. I am also some one who lives life to the fullest, so I intend to go to college. I don't know where yet. So, I like writing reviews and things, but my life's hectic. Well, and I read reallly fast;) By the way, my name's Leanne.

And now that we know about her, let's enjoy her review of A Match Made In High School.

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly :)
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I finished the book A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker. It is a pretty interesting book. I would probably say it is an average Young Adult (YA) novel. It has a lot of "dirty" jokes in it, which I personally find hilarious. But, this book would definitely be rated 13+. It is about a girl who has to take a marriage-ed class. She is paired up with an obnoxious jock who helps her through out the way, compliments her, torments her, and, ultimately, is a good friend, you might say. She has ups and downs with every other charachter in this story. This novel also is good because it has love, secrecy, heartbreak, rude people, good friends, and understandable concepts. There aren't many stories like this out there, but for Kristin Walker's first book, I'd say she did a pretty good job! I would recomend it to people who like YA books who don't mind cursing, dirty jokes, and the real, true way teenagers think. I would rate it 4 wings.

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous - A Guest Review

I'd like to welcome today's guest reviewer, Ashley Lamore. She is the author of My Written Thoughts as well as a part of our online goodreads group For The Love of Reading. WELCOME Ashley and I'm so glad that you could do this review for us!! *grins*

Title: Go Ask Alice
Author: Anonymous
Published: December 27th, 2005 by Simon Pulse
Pages: 185

Synopsis: This groundbreaking classic is more compelling than ever for today's readers. A sensation when it was first published and a perennial bestseller ever since, this real-life diary charts an anonymous teenage girl's struggle with the seductive--and often fatal--world of drugs.

Guest Review:

I've seen this book around Goodreads and couldn't help but read the book myself to see why everyone liked it so much. Even though it's a short book, it's very powerful . It is a personal account of a young girl's struggle with herself and drugs ( with names changed of course).

The main character has very low-self esteem and is always extremely criticizing herself. She never allows herself to enjoy certain situations or accomplishments. I can sort of relate ( not to the extent of the main character though). My mother even says I am so self critical. Here I made employee of the month for September and I'm beating myself up over a $5 shortage in my cash register. Anyways, I think everyone can sort of relate to the fact that we all struggle with self acceptance once or more in our lives. And I think that's why everyone likes this because it has a topic they can relate to.

Another great thing about this book, is that it's honest. In this diary is a true look at how a person addicted to drugs, struggles . Especially, when they are trying to make the effort to stop. Not only that, through this diary, we see how drugs can change a person from the different personalities when the main character is on and off drugs.

Overall this book was great and I definitely recommend it. My only complaint of this book is that because of the main character's negativity, it made the book a bit depressing and hard to read at times.

Overall Rating:

The Good Thief by Hanna Tinti - Guest Review

I'd like to welcome this week's guest reviewer. Elizabeth is one of the moderators from For the Love of Reading on Goodreads.com. She is a teacher and a brilliant reviewer. I hope you all enjoy this review as much as I have!
--Jen

Title: The Good Thief
Author: Hannah Tinti
Pages: 327
Published:327 Pages

Synopsis:Twelve year-old Ren is missing his left hand. How it was lost is a mystery that Ren has been trying to solve for his entire life, as well as who his parents are, and why he was abandoned as an infant at Saint Anthony’s Orphanage for boys. He longs for a family to call his own and is terrified of the day he will be sent alone into the world.

But then a young man named Benjamin Nab appears, claiming to be Ren’s long-lost brother, and his convincing tale of how Ren lost his hand and his parents persuades the monks at the orphanage to release the boy and to give Ren some hope. But is Benjamin really who he says he is? Journeying through a New England of whaling towns and meadowed farmlands, Ren is introduced to a vibrant world of hardscrabble adventure filled with outrageous scam artists, grave robbers, and petty thieves. If he stays, Ren becomes one of them. If he goes, he’s lost once again. As Ren begins to find clues to his hidden parentage he comes to suspect that Benjamin not only holds the key to his future, but to his past as well.(goodreads.com)

Review:

I became interested in reading The Good Thief by Hannah Tanti because I love the publication she is the founder of onestory. I received a postcard about her first book of fiction (she has a short story collection entitled Animal Crackers), but didn’t immediately seek it out.

I am sorry to have waited so long.

This book is riveting. It is set during what feels like the late 1800’s. Ren, our protagonist, is an orphan. Abandoned at a young age, Ren is raised by Catholic monks at Saint Anthony’s Orphanage for boys. Ren is nearing the age when he will be sold into the military and so whenever a potential parent comes to look at the boys, he makes himself more presentable.

On one fate-filled day, a man comes to the orphanage looking for his brother. His brother and Ren share a common characteristic: they are missing a part of their left arm. Benjamin breaks down in tears when he sees Ren and takes him home to live with him. It is only when they are well on their way down the road that Ren realizes Benjamin may not be who he says he is and may have questionable motives for taking Ren as his family.

Benjamin and Ren travel to a town called North Umbrage where Benjamin is living in a ramshackled house. Upon arrival, Ren is introduced to Tom, a retired teacher, who is apparently in cahoots with Benjamin. The two men are con artists and have taken Ren under their wings.

The story then begins to take on an almost surreal nature as we are introduced to various characters that the trio meets along the way. There is Mrs. Sands, the keeper of the inn in which they are staying, who speaks loudly because she has trouble hearing. Dolly, a hit man that is buried alive and only discovered upon disinterment by the trio.

Ren is a likable and worthy protagonist and his journey is one that readers of all types will enjoy. This story manages to appeal to both young adult readers and adults. It is one of those books that are you read it, you just want to keep turning the pages because the story is so compelling and engaging. Tinti utilizes setting to create unforgettable images and moves the reader into the minds of these characters.

An exceptional debut. Everyone should seek out this book.
--Elizabeth

Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid No.5) by Richelle Mead - A Guest Review

It's Tuesday, YEAH!! This week's guest reviewer is Jessica B! I actually met Jessica over on Goodreads and believe it or not she was one of my first friends on there. She loves PNR and UF as well as Historical Romance. Please put your hands together for one of my very favorite reviewers!!!
*Jen the Bibliophile claps hands maniacally*

Title: Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid No.5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Pages: 281 (paperback)
Published: March 30th, 2010
Rating:

Synopsis: Georgina Kincaid has formidable powers. Immortality, seduction, shape-shifting into any human form she desires, walking in heels that would cripple mere mortals—all child’s play to a succubus like her.

Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend’s wedding is a different story. Georgina isn’t sure which is worse—that Seth is marrying another woman, or that Georgina has to run all over Seattle trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Georgina’s roommate, Roman, is cluttering her apartment with sexual tension. Then there’s Simone, the new succubus in town, who’s intent on corrupting Seth.

And if that wasn't bad enough, she's started having dreams shadowy, dangerous but alluring dreams, dreams that don't want to let go. These dreams are created by the Oneroi, demons in the service of Nyx, a creature from Hell who's bent on revenge. These are dreams that can trap their chosen victim and drain their powers through nightmares. This mysterious force that’s visiting her thoughts, is trying to draw her into a dark, otherworldly realm. Sooner or later, Georgina knows she’ll be too weak to resist. And Georgina is powerless as she watches those in the real world try to find her, she comes to understand that her freedom her fate lies in the hands of the only one who can find her soul, who just happens to be the man who s about to marry someone else. She’ll discover who she can trust, who she can’t—and that Hell is far from the worst place to spend eternity…(from goodreads.com)

Jessica's Review:

Richelle Mead is the author of three very popular series including Vampire Academy, Dark Swan and Georgina Kincaid. The Georgina Kincaid series follows a succubus in Seattle who now goes by the name Georgina Kincaid and works in a bookstore. Her existence is slightly sad because she is a succubus who wishes she was human. The series follows her many escapades and romances. (If you could call them that)

** spoiler alert ** If you haven’t read all the books in the series proceed with caution.

The fifth installment of the Georgina Kincaid and a another fantastic read!

Georgina has been suffering without Seth and she begins to slip slowly into depression. She has moved away from Queen Anne in hopes of getting away from Seth but no matter what she can't seem to stay away from him.

When her depression gets the better of her she slips into the dream world after being coaxed over with false feelings of comfort. Once there she is imprisoned and struggles through the ...more The fifth installment of the Georgina Kincaid and another fantastic read!

Georgina has been really suffering after the events of the previous book. She tries to cut ties from the things that hurt her and she moves away from Queen Anne with her roommate in tow. Roman is back and it looks like he is here to stay. After desperately trying to avoid Seth, Georgina realizes there is no way that they are going to be able to stay away from each other.

Seth and Maddie are now engaged and Maddie has asked Georgina to be a Bridesmaid at her wedding. Georgina eventually agrees and begins to slip into a crippling depression. She experiences a dream which gives her false comfort and eventually she is trapped in the dream world by the Onerei where she experiences the worst mental torture you could imagine.

I loved how this book took us through Georgina's past and we got to see all that she had to endure. I felt we finally got to understand the real Georgina and maybe understand a little bit about why she is the way she is. I didn’t feel Seth was a worthy hero, it felt more like everyone else did everything and he was just kind of there. I wish Georgina could find a strong hero, one that might already be rooming with her at her new place...

The story was fast paced and heart breaking, two elements I really enjoy. When I was finished I felt a little sad that my experience with Georgina was over. It was like we had grown so close over the course of 5 books and now it was like she was leaving my life. I gave Succubus Shadows a solid 5 out of 5 stars and Richelle Mead has officially become my favourite author with three amazing series available.

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner - A Guest Review

Yeah!! It's Tuesday and we all know what day is Tuesday.... GUEST REVIEW DAY!! Woo HOO!!! Okay, I'd like to welcome Tiffany, today's guest blogger. I actually met Tiffany over on Goodreads, but she keeps a fabulous blog over at A Cozy Reader's Corner Reviews. Her favorite genre is chicklit and she really brings it in her reviews!!! Yeah!! So everyone put your hands together for Tiffany *claps loudly*!


Title: Fly Away Home
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Pages: 401
Published: July 13th, 2010

Synopsis: Sometimes all you can do is fly away home . . . When Sylvie Serfer met Richard Woodruff in law school, she had wild curls, wide hips, and lots of opinions. Decades later, Sylvie has remade herself as the ideal politician’s wife—her hair dyed and straightened, her hippie-chick wardrobe replaced by tailored knit suits. At fifty-seven, she ruefully acknowledges that her job is staying twenty pounds thinner than she was in her twenties and tending to her husband, the senator. Lizzie, the Woodruffs’ younger daughter, is at twenty-four a recovering addict, whose mantra HALT (Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?) helps her keep her life under control. Still, trouble always seems to find her. Her older sister, Diana, an emergency room physician, has everything Lizzie failed to achieve—a husband, a young son, the perfect home—and yet she’s trapped in a loveless marriage. With temptation waiting in one of the ER’s exam rooms, she finds herself craving more. After Richard’s extramarital affair makes headlines, the three women are drawn into the painful glare of the national spotlight. Once the press conference is over, each is forced to reconsider her life, who she is and who she is meant to be. Written with an irresistible blend of heartbreak and hilarity, Fly Away Home is an unforgettable story of a mother and two daughters who after a lifetime of distance finally learn to find refuge in one another.

Review:

Fly away home is the beautifully written story of Sylvie, a politicians wife, and her two daughters Diana and Lizzie. In the wake and aftermath of scandal these three women are forced to face the truth about themselves including who they are, who they want to be and what they want out of life. The women deal with past issues as well as present. Weiner does a wonderful job of taking the serious issues of commitment, self-esteem, identity and choices and mixing them with comical moments.

Meet the women of Fly Away Home:

Sylvie: Wife of Senator Richard Woodruff. Sylvie has spent her life in her husbands service, helping him, guiding him and focusing on him. After his affair is brought into the open, Sylvie must re-evaluate who she is and who she wants to be. She must make the biggest decision of all. Will she be able to trust and forgive?

Diana: The eldest daughter of Sylvie and Richard Woodruff. After watching her parents marriage, Diana has a very clear path for her life and how she wants it to be. While everything makes sense on paper, Diana forgets about the heart and love. When she is reminded her world is turned upside down and she must choose to love or not to love? Will she be happy?

Lizzie: (Elizabeth) The youngest daughter of the Woodruff’s and the family screw-up. Returning from rehab, Lizzie is determined to be better, to make something of herself, and to stay clean. It seems the world doesn’t want to make this easier for her, and her family isn’t in the best state to help. Will she be able to overcome of one the hardest parts of her life? Will she learn from the rehab and will she survive the shock and surprises she will encounter along the way?

The novel is divided into three sections. Each section skillfully sets up the next and smoothly transitions into it. Each section is divided into chapters, entitled by the woman who narrates the chapter. The first section focuses on past memories as well as current happenings. The second section dives deeper into the issues of the women, each leading to the point of no return. The third and final section brings the three women together. They face the past, present and future together and discover where home truly is.

Jennifer Weiner did a wonderful job with this novel. Fly away home quickly moved its way up the list of my favorite novels by Weiner. She encompasses so many relationships and focuses on them throughout the book. It is skillfully written and will make you laugh as well as feel the emotions of each character. You will find yourself relating to each character in your own way and rooting for them to find comfort and happiness. Fly Away Home is a heartbreaking, insightful novel, full of humor and interpersonal relationships. It will easily become a novel you will not want to put down, a novel that will carry you through many emotions, a novel you simply wont want to end.

--
Have a wonderful day!
Tiffany

A Guest Review and so Much More!

Have you ever gotten all set up to do something, including getting all the necessary information to do it, putting it into a proper format and then all you really needed to do was hit the finish button and you totally spaced and never did. And then you didn't discover that you forgot until 2 days later? This, ladies and gentleman, is my life story. You'd think I would be able to remember things since I am only 27, but my children have decided otherwise and are taking my memory away. Woe the bitter agony of old age...*wink*

So, what did Jen the Bibliophile forget to do? Well, I was all prepared to post my review yesterday and that definitely didn't happen, which sucks cause it was my day of the week. *frowns* Also, I was all prepared to post this lovely Guest Review by the wonderful Jencey this morn and also spaced. Where oh where has my mind gone to? I was also reading to post about the giveaway on my solo blog and that spaced my mind as well...drat!

So, without further ado. I would like to welcome the wonderful Jencey whose favorite genre is chicklit and not only is our good friend on Goodreads.com, but also keeps her own blog at Writer's Corner. On to the review!

Title: A Trip to the Beach
Author: Melinda & Robert Blanchard
Pages: 304 pages
Published: October 10th, 2000 by Three Rivers Press

Review: The book begins with the Blanchard’s on vacation on the island of Anguilla. They have been here many times before. Melinda and Bob have developed a love for this Caribbean Island over the years. They love it so much they open a restaurant called Blanchards. The first part of the book discusses what efforts it took to open the restaurant and their struggles with the Customs Department in Anguilla. The second part is about their first year running the restaurant. The staff of this restaurant is like family to those who work there. From all the celebrity guests who visit the restaurant to local politics. Then part three is the most compelling part of the book. The Blanchards go on vacation and category four hurricane hits the island of Anguilla. What happens to the restaurant? Will they be able to rebuild?
I liked this book. I thought it was an easy read and kept my interest. Also the book discusses that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. What are your dreams? What would you do to accomlish your dreams?

Guest Review - Karli

I have the pleasure of introducing a most wonderful person. She loves to read, talk about books, and well, we can add writing reviews to her list! Let's give Karli a grand welcome to this most wonderful group blog. *the room is so loud with clapping.* I'm not sure why she agreed to grace us with a good review but I'm so happy that she did.

---Twisted

Without further ado, Karli's Review!

The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry

A ship's reckoning is that account, by which it can be known at any time where the ship is, and on what course or courses she must steer to gain her port."

This is the quote that opens Part 1 ofBrunonia Barry's Map of True Places, which was taken from Nathaniel Bowditch's _The American Practical Navigator.

The difficulty with this as an ideal to aspire to as a human, is that most of us have no idea where our true port lies, and spend our lives trying to find which port is truly ours - which Zee, who we meet in _The Map of True Places_ is trying to learn.

Zee Finch is a practicing psychologist who has recently lost a patientto suicide. She is also the daughter of a woman who suffered from bi-polar disorder before taking her life. This dynamic shapes Zee, and upon visiting her father after the funeral of her patient she realizes he's been hiding the severity of the progression of Parkinson's Disease. Zee makes the decision to take a leave from her practice and become a full-time care giver for her father.

Zee doesn't truly know which port she is leaving, destined for or even which port she wishes to visit, but is instead just trying to do what is right, care for her father and understand the legacy her parents have left her.

Zee Finch is a beautifully written character - layered and flawed and as introspective as you'd expect a young therapist who witnessed her mother's suicide to be. She's also undeniably likable, and I found myself aching for her as she finds her way through her new life as her father's caretaker, while finding a way to heal herself.

It is a story of a woman who wants to save those around her, and who ultimately finds a way to be true to herself while she continues to balance the other roles in her life.

The setting of Salem was woven into the story with legends and architecture that allowed the city to be another character in the book. The storylines interweaved to create a book I'll keep thinking about for some time to come.

The writing in this book is simply fabulous. The syntax, the flow the characters - superb! I loved reading this one! There was a section toward the middle that felt like deja vu. I'd read it all earlier in the text and it really felt like bad editing, which is where it lost my 1/2 a kiss, but I highly recommend this utterly kissable book.

Karli

Guest Review - Jo

Another Tuesday, another Guest Reviewer! This week, help us give a warm welcome to Jo!! Jo is a kind, sweet British lady who, like all of us here, loves to read. She became addicted to reading a few years prior and also loves music, playing her guitar (secret rock star!!), and drawing. We're excited about having Jo here; now we will hear all about Big Ben (it's in London, but she went on a field trip just for us :) )! So let's all give a big round of applause to today's wonderful guest reviewer, Jo!!! Some cool pictures I found that can relate to our Guest Reivewer:

LEFT: Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire, England

RIGHT: Biritish rock band Arctic Monkeys aka JO!!

--Zakiya, the walking butterfly

____________________________________________

Enduring Love by Ian McEwan - 4 Kisses

The book began with a chapter dedicated to a ballooning accident, which was the catalyst of the story. It was written in a strange way that was similar to watching a dvd, where the narrator looked at the event from every angle, pausing, rewinding and fastforwarding, to cover every aspect. This chapter was a bit of a put off for me, but the rest of the book more than made up for it.

The story actually focuses on the main character getting stalked by a man who claims to love him after meeting him on the day of the accident. I found myself glued to the book, turning the pages to find out what he would do next and how it would all turn out. I felt the main characters frustration and annoyance, which i think is the sign of a well written book.

Overall, i really enjoyed reading the book, although i did have the odd issue with it that i can't state due to spoilers. I thought the writing was great and i enjoyed the intelligent thoughts and conversations that were peppered throughout. I am interested in reading more of his work and possible seeing the movie adaptation of this book.

Jo

Guest Review - Ronda

I'd like to welcome and also to introduce you to an outstanding member of the GoodReads community! *Rolls out velvet red carpet*

Me: Ronda, welcome to the For The L♥ve of Reading group blog. Thanks for agreeing so eagerly to be interviewed. And just look at that gown.
Ronda: Don't make me blush. Your gown is sensational as well!. Of course, I would agree. You are such a wonderful person. Besides, I love me some paranormal hotness! Give me an excuses to read more.
Me: Since you asked so nicely... Please read more! Then you need to spill and share all the juicy gossip.
Ronda: Abs are hot and well so is a guy who is linked to the lost paradise.
Me: Sounds absolutely scrumptious! Tell us more!

Mock interview by Elyssa!

*Warning: This book has adult content in it!*


Atlantis Rising By Alyssa Day

OMG! Excellent, Hot & Sexy! Action Pact with lots of Mythology - this was the best book ever - it made me laugh, made me cry, filled my heart full of joy, aroused me sexually and my wonderful husband payed for it - LOL!

The story wraps around Conlan, the high prince of Atlantis and the emphath Riley - who is blessed with a mind link that only Atlanteans have been able to access for thousands of years.

The characters in this story are awesome and very humorous and of course the badass warriors. The story is full of adventure in their pursuit of getting the Trident back that was stolen and killing all the evil vampires. They even team up with the shape-shifters with the help of Riley's sister Quinn.

The story ends great and Colan ends up the King of Atlantis with his new bride and Queen who by the way happens to be a decedent of Poseidon (Sea God); I don't want to ruin the surprise of which decedent she is so you will have to read the book to find out. Also Riley finds out that she is pregnant with Colan's child - What a happy ending. I absolutely loved it. I can't wait to read the next book - Atlantis Awakening.

Ronda

Guest Reveiw - Headache Slayer

Lets get our hands together and give a hand to our featured guest of the week, Headacheslayer!
*Ahhh!* and the crowd goes wild. I happened to randomly meet this wonderful person through the GoodReads book swap, which is one of the most wonderful places. (I highly recommend checking it out someday or at least put up some amazing books for me to request.) Ever since fate brought us together over the swap we have not stopped chatting back and forth. I even twisted her arm and made her join the For The L♥ve of Reading group against her will. Now that I invested in a taser... I now have a lovely brand new review from Headacheslayer. Enjoy her fantastic review for this Thriller.

---> Elyssa Hawk (world dominatrix group creator)

Title: Never Look Away: A Thriller
Author: Linwood Barclay
Published: March 30th, 2010
Pages: 421 pages
Genre: Adult Fiction, Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis: David Harwood, a reporter in Promise Falls, New York, is stressed out. The newspaper he works for is outsourcing jobs to India, he can't get a solid lead on the corrupt for-profit prison moving to town, and his wife, Jan, is struggling with a bout of depression. As a much-needed break, David and Jan decide to take their four-year-old son, Ethan, to a local amusement park for a day of ice cream, rollercoasters, and carefree fun. But revelry is quickly replaced by panic when, within an hour of arriving at the park, Ethan goes missing. Though he is soon found, panic escalates to full-blown terror when Jan suddenly disappears. Confused and worried, David finds himself desperately searching for any clue that could lead him to his wife — even if it means unraveling a tangle of lies and deception that become more complicated at every turn. (from Goodreads.com)

Review by: Headacheslayer
My rating: 5 of 5 Kisses

So excited to win this for First Reads! Sounds awesome!! Got my copy in the mail today (1/18) and it's a fancy ARC (advanced readers copy), since I collect books this is a nifty addiction to my library! :D Can't wait to start!! I haven't finished this book, and already it's on my "Favorite Books" shelf!

*****

'Thriller books are not normally my favorite genre. But wih Linwood Barclay's "Never Look Away", that has ALL changed, and I have a new favorite author. I just bought a few of his previous novels on swap here at GoodReads. As I mentioned above, I was not done with this book when I knew that not only was I in love with it, and it was going to be one of my favorite books this year, it was going down as one of my favorites, period. Barclay grabs you from page one and doesn't let go until the last one. There were twists I never saw coming, a few I did--but that didn't change my mind about this amazing page-turner (scheduled to be released Mid-March 2010).

To even try to summarize anything further than the description listed here on GoodReads might be to give away a gem that needs to be saved. RUN and get this book. I dearly hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. To Mr. Barclay, cheers, and much success! Headacheslayer

Guest Review - Angela

For today's guest reviewer, we have our friend Angela from our Goodreads.com group. She is fun and witty and of course like the rest of us, loves to read. Welcome Angela! Here is her review of Sex, Murder and a Double Latte.
-- Jen the Bibliophile

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I recently read Sex, Murder, and a Double Latte by, Kyra Davis. I really enjoyed this book, it was funny and kept me interested from the beginning to the end. The main character, Sophie Katz, is a mystery writer that finds herself in the middle of her own mystery. It was a very interesting set up this I really enjoyed. I was shocked by who the killer was, I never would have expected it. I liked the supporting characters, Including Sophie's "love interest" Anatoly and Sophie's best friend who owns an adult toy store which leads to a few giggles it and of itself! Overall I thought this was a very good start to a series and I personally will be continuing with it. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery with some humor mixed in. I would give it 3 and a half kisses!

Guest Reviewer No. 1 - Jencey

Today we have our first guest blogger to post her review of 2 novels. She is one of the members of our online goodreads group. Elyssa actually met Jencey on another sight and Jencey forwarded Elyssa over to Goodreads where this whole thing got started. Jencey and Elyssa are moderators for another group on the sight as well. Jencey, from the For the Love of Reading group, I’d like to say welcome and we are excited for your review. Thanks for all the time you put into this and thanks for sending Elyssa our way!

--Jen the bibliophile

Title: Mine Are Spectacular

Author: Janice Kaplan

Janice Kaplan the writer of The Botox Diaries has written another great book. This story is about three women and their friendship. Kate is a Dermatologist who is famous for her practice and her activities in the bedroom. Berni is the former Hollywood agent who is looking for new opportunities. Then there is Sarah who is engaged to be married about to inherit a new family. Sara has the courage to move forward after her ex-husband comes back into the picture and a possible television career. These women are all in their forties and experiencing new beginnings. The message of this book is that anything is possible no matter what they age. I really enjoyed this book. I would read another book by this author.

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Title: Hissy Fit

Author: Mary Kay Andrews

This book is a great read. I really enjoyed the book and found I could hardly put it down. Mary Kay Andrews wrote a great story. Here comes the story of Keeley Murdock and the shock she experiences at the rehearsal dinner the night before her wedding. The shock is enough to cause a huge hissy fit which Keeley takes out on her fiancée in front of most of the town. She gains a client the next day for her interior design business while she finds her business shunned by the rest of the town. The only business comes from a client she met after leaving the party that night and he gives her the task to have his home ready by Christmas.

Jencey