Wednesday Reads and a Trip!

In two days I leave for California. The family and I are going to visit my parents. And while I’m looking forward to seeing them again, I’m almost looking forward to the warmer weather more. Almost. Honest!

I hope to get some extra reading in (and won’t that make for a long blog!). I’m certainly starting to get caught up in my reading goals now. Here’s what I read during the week:

Feb 26: “Ignite Me” by Tahereh Mafi, young adult dystopian, the third and final book of the Shatter Me series. Blurb from book: Nothing will ever be the same. The fate of Omega Point is unknown. Everyone Juliette has ever cared about could be dead. The war could be over before it ever really began. Juliette is the only one standing in The Reestablishment’s way. She knows that if she’s going to survive, The Reestablishment cannot. But to take down The Reestablishment and the man who very nearly killed her, Juliette will need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together to bring down their enemy, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she new--about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam--was wrong. I suppose it’s a fitting end to the series. I definitely enjoyed the ride. I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads.

Mar 2: “The Promised One” by C.D. Hersh, a paranormal romantic suspense. I won this book in a giveaway from the authors. Blurb from book: In the wrong hands, the Turning Stone ring is a powerful weapon for evil. So, when homicide detective Alexi Jordan discovers her secret society mentor has been murdered and his magic ring stolen, she is forced to use her shape-shifting powers to catch the killer. By doing so, she risks the two most important things in her life--her badge and the man she loves. Rhys Temple always knew his fiery cop partner and would-be-girlfriend, Alexi Jordan, had a few secrets. He considers that part of her charm. But when she changes into a man, he doesn’t find that as charming. He’ll keep her secret to keep her safe, but he’s not certain he can keep up a relationship--professional or personal. Danny Shaw needs cash for the elaborate wedding his fiancée has planned, so he goes on a mugging spree. But when he kills a member of the secret society of Turning Stones, and steals a magic ring that gives him the power to shape shift, Shaw gets more than he bargained for. You’d think with the title this book would be religious, and if I hadn’t met the authors (a husband & wife team) and heard them talk about the story, I would have probably never taken another look at it. Sorry--titles can repel this reader and I’m not one to read religious books. But the story intrigued me. Unfortunately (for me) all sex is behind closed doors. Boo hoo! The story in this book ended, but other events are left open, since this is apparently the first of a series. I liked the story well enough, but I had a lot of nit-picky issues that other people might not even notice (or care), which was enough for me to knock off a star. I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads.

Mar 3: “After Dead” by Charlaine Harris. Blurb from book: Dead Ever After marked the end of the Sookie Stackhouse series--novels that garnered millions of fans and spawned the hit HBO television show True Blood. It also stoked a hunger that will never die…a hunger to know what happened next. With characters arranged alphabetically--from the Ancient Pythoness to Bethany Zanelli--bestselling author Charlaine Harris takes fans into the future of their favorite residents of Bon Temps and environs. You’ll learn how Michele and Jason’s marriage fared, what happened to Sookie’s cousin Hunter, and whether Tara and JB’s twins grew up to be solid citizens. This coda provides the answers to your lingering questions--including details of Sookie’s own happily-ever-after… I kind of expected more from this pricy hardcover. Heck, I couldn’t remember most of the characters listed. Oh well…I’m counting it toward a book read! I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads.

I’m looking forward to my vacation, but dreading it, too. Why? Because I hate to fly. Not the actual flying portion (I love being up high), but the hassle-of-the-airlines portion. That’s why I usually drive. Unfortunately, driving would just take too much time. What about you? Do you prefer to drive or fly?

Happy reading!

Stacy