Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Wednesday Reads

Even when I attend a convention, I find time to read. Helps when my friend (and roomie) likes to, also. It’s a wonderful way to decompress, because even laid back conventions can still be stressful (at least to this writer). Anyway, here’s what I read during the week:

Jun 6: “Sixth Grave on the Edge” by Darynda Jones, the sixth book in the Charley Davidson series, a humorous & sexy paranormal. Blurb from book:  Most girls might think twice before getting engaged to someone like Reyes Farrow—but Charley Davidson is not most girls. She’s a paranormal private eye and grim-reaper-in-training who’s known to be a bit of a hell-raiser, especially after a few shots of caffeine. Her beloved Reyes may be the only begotten son of evil, but he’s dark and sultry and deeply sexy and everything Charley could hope for. Really. But when the FBI file on Reye’s childhood happens to land in her lap, she can’t help herself: She opens it… and then the real fun begins. First, Charley finds a naked corpse riding shotgun in her car. Then a man loses his soul in a card game. Throw in a Deaf boy who sees dead people, a woman running from mobsters, and a very suspicious Reyes, and things can’t get any worse for Charley. Unless, of course, the Twelve Beasts of Hell are unleashed… Love Charley. She made me laugh several times. Love Reyes. Especially the excerpt at the end in his POV (I wouldn’t mind more of that). But man, I don’t know how Charley can keep track of all her jobs. I got a little lost at times. Even so, I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads.

Jun 7: “The Road to Something Better (Jamett & Joseph Series #2) by Renee Vincent. I don’t know what genre this book falls under. Maybe contemporary romance. I guess the old classification would have been chick lit. I don’t necessarily care for that classification, though. Blurb from Goodreads: The road less traveled never had so many bumps. Jamie Sutherland never expects to connect with her sexy-as-sin neighbor, Joseph Scarbrough, especially after all the failed relationships she’s suffered. Not only does she find out he’s not quite “the player” she believed him to be, but that his heart bears scars much deeper than her own. Ready to take a chance on this unlikely match, she eagerly awaits their upcoming date and hopes that Joseph is the very companion she’s been waiting for all her life. Time and time again, the comical sporadic encounters resume in their loft apartment complex and Joseph eventually reveals that he is the building superintendent in a very unforgettable, Lucky-in-the-Diet-Coke-commercial fashion. While he's proficient in fixing Jamie’s clogged sink, he's not all that great at leaving his past behind. When Caroline, his yuppy ex-girlfriend, makes another surprise visit, Jamie's road to something better gets a little rocky. Will Joseph choose the familiar woman with whom he had a history, or the loyal friend who's given him a future? The story does NOT end with this book (as I suspected), but I am enjoying the story as these two get to know one another. I just kind of wish it were all in one book. Oh well, at least I’m getting credit for reading THREE (haha!). I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

Jun 8: “The Gift of Something Grand (Jamett & Joseph Series #3)” by Renee Vincent. This is the last book of the series, a contemporary romance. Blurb from Goodreads: When those three little words aren't enough. Jamie Sutherland finds herself falling in love with her irresistible next-door neighbor, Joseph Scarbrough. No surprise there. But when she wakes up in his bed, she's stunned that even in her sleep, she can't resist him. As their relationship heats up, Joseph gives Jamie a key to his apartment and he finally gives Caroline, his relentless ex-girlfriend, the boot. Jamie's excited to think he just might be the one. But how do you tell the man of your dreams you love him when he insists that he can't fall in love? I enjoyed reading this series. Made me all happy and giddy at the end. The best way to read this series is back-to-back-to-back. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

So… What do you like to do to decompress?

Happy reading!

Stacy

 

7 comments:

The Happy Whisk said...

I like to write bakes, helps me relax. I also like to hit the Barnes cafe' and read cookery books and magazines. So peaceful.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Ivy - What is it about B&N that you like? I've been in their store, but never felt the need to plant my butt and sit and read. It would be quieter (with less distractions) at home. Or is it their food you're drawn to? :)

The Happy Whisk said...

Not the food, no. Most of what they have is frozen and no where near as good at homemade.

I love sitting at the bar with Tim. He breaks out our non-online writing laptop and works and I read cookery magazines and books. We'll share a drink and just enjoy being there.

The staff is fantastic. They know our drinks, and we really like being there.

The only issue I have is where Borders would carry WAY more metric cooking/bake books, Barnes is slllloooowwy getting on board. Right now they carry my BBCGoodFood, which I love, but I'd like to see more cookery books from New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.

Did you ever do Borders, back in the day? We loved that place. We had our own table and the drinks were amazing. Again, we knew the girls, they made what we liked. But the bakes, still sucked.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Our B&N doesn't have a bar. It doesn't have much of a cafe, either (maybe a couple of seats). Even the one in Cincinnati (West Chester) isn't all that big. However, I saw a two-story one in Ventura, CA. Would have loved to explore that one. I bet it would have had a bar.

Our Borders was too far away to visit (20 miles). Heck, even our B&N is far (over 10 miles). I just never thought of a book store for anything other than buying books. Go figure!

I'm thinking maybe libraries should have cafes. They'd make some money then, wouldn't they? And you can sit and read the books and magazines without having to pay for them.

The Happy Whisk said...

I agree about the libraries. Always thought a nice cafe area would be great there. And maybe some local bakers, with real bakes, not frozen crap from the Cheesecake Factory.

20 miles is too far for you? We have to travel 30 to get to our Barnes. They have tables too but the bar is nice and high and faces the wall. Love it.

Though without the cafe, I wouldn't go as much. I like that sitting, reading, sharing a drink whilst Frankenberry does his writing.

I'm about to toss together another creation. I'm not sure if I'll go Chocolate Cranberry Cookie, or Peppermint Crunch. So many fun bakes.

Jemi Fraser said...

Reading works best for me to decompress too. Nothing quite like disappearing into a world full of adventure, love, fantasy or whatever mood we're in! :)

Stacy McKitrick said...

Ivy - Don't you be dissing the Cheesecake Factory. I LOVE their cheesecake. Of course, I get it from their restaurant, not B&N, so maybe that's the difference?

Jemi - I so agree! Of course, writing is a close second. Strange to think I could decompress while writing (isn't that supposed to be work?), but I could!