REVIEW: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Yes, I gave in to the hype. And, I don't normally do that. In fact, I was NOT going to read this book (or the series) *because* it's been so hyped-up, and because I don't like reading about vampires. BUT, the ladies in my Raved Reads yahoo group convinced me that it's not so much about the vampires as it is about the love-story between Bella and Edward. So, I put the book on my Raved-About Reads Challenge list, and put a hold on the book at the library.

Then this past Sunday, at my husband's family reunion, I found out my niece has all 4 books in the series, and she offered to loan them to me. I said I'd borrow just book 1, because I figured it'd take me 2 weeks to read it.

Nope! Took me just ONE DAY!!! LOL. :P

Fantastic book, despite the vampire stuff! And, the gals were right... it IS more about the love story than it is about vampires! So, I'm hooked. I am now a 'fan' of the series, and I can't wait to read the other books ((in fact, I'm going over to my niece's house tonight to return book 1, and to get books 2 and 3)). LOL. :P

Go figure.

Recommended.

Rated: A-

REVIEW: Getting the Girl by Susan Juby

Sherman Mack is in Grade 9 at Harewood Technical school, and he has a crush on Dini Trioli -- a Grade 10. But Dini is in danger -- Sherman thinks -- of being "D-Listed" ("defiled")... this is where a kids' photo is posted on a washroom mirror, and then the whole school acts as if that person is invisible.

So, to make sure Dini doesn't get "defiled", Sherman Mack is on the case. He starts investigating Defilings, and the result is humorous!

This was a very cute book, and laugh-out-loud funny in some places! A realistic portrayal of high-school and the stuff that goes on there.

Recommended.

Rated: B+

REVIEW: The Gazebo by Emily Grayson

I found this book kind of by accident while searching for a different book on Amazon a couple of weeks ago. It sounded so good that I went to look and see if my library had it. They didn't, but they agreed to inter-library loan it for me. :)

The story revolves around Martin Rayfiel and Claire Swift. They meet in a gazebo in the centre of their hometown in 1952, and it's basically love at first sight. From that point on, they are practically inseparable.

Unfortunately, Martin comes from wealth, and Claire doesn't, so both of their families forbid them to continue seeing each other. Of course, that only pushes the two young lovers to want to be together more. So, they run off to Europe together, and make plans to marry.

But, life gets in the way before they can get married... and they end up separated for life. But, they promise to love each other always, and to meet each other on their anniversary at the Gazebo.

A sweet, sweet story that was so very well written... I couldn't believe it when I read in the back that this was the author's first book! She did an amazing job! She had me in tears by the end of the book! :-?

Highly recommended! This one was just put on my Top 10 list for this year. ;)

Rated: A+

REVIEW: The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff

I discovered this novel a couple of weeks ago, while browsing through Chapters bookstore. I wrote down the title, and then came home and checked to see if the library had it ~ they did. So, I told myself I'd take it out and read it at a later date.

Then, in the library last week, I had gone in to just drop off a book or two, and decided, "What the heck, I'll have a look through the shelves and see if anything catches my eye". Whatdoyaknow, this book was standing up on one of the shelves, facing out, and almost calling to me! I couldn't believe it was right there! I didn't even have to order it from a different branch! So, I figured it was fate, and I brought it home to read. LOL.

Two days ago, I picked it up -- couldn't decide on anything else to read -- and within 4 hours I was half-finished the book already! LOL. Yesterday I finished reading... it was just THAT good!

The story starts off with Marta Nederman - a jew - near death in a Nazi prison camp at the end of WWII. She thinks she's near death, anyway. Then she is rescued by an American soldier named Paul Mattison, and the attraction between them is instant.

The next thing you know, Marta wakes up in a recovery camp, and doesn't know how to find Paul. But, as luck would have it, he shows up a couple of days later, and they go for a walk along the lake.

The story continues, with Marta moving on, and a couple of chance reunions with Paul. But, then --just when she's to meet up with him again, she reads in the paper that his plane crashed in the English Channel. Marta grieves the loss of him for the next month or so, and then moves on, again...

Eventually, Marta ends up married to Englishman, Simon Gold. They are living in England, but work together in the Foreign Affairs office. Marta eventually ends up going back to Germany to do some "secret ops" stuff... and the plot thickens! ((I don't want to give anything away, so I'll stop here...))

This book was just fantastic! There is so much detail, and I really came to care for all of the characters! This is a story about first loves, reunions, war, and peace, and it could be classified as either a "romantic fiction" novel, or a "mystery/suspense" novel. :)

I really couldn't put this book down! Definitely one I highly recommend! :)

Rated: A+

REVIEW: The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl by Shauna Reid

I found out about this book a week or two ago, while surfing around online. Found the website, and found the book...then found that my library had a copy -- yay!

Shauna Reid started out at about 351 pounds... she went to a Weight Watchers weigh-in with her sister, and had a moment of decision: she couldn't live like she'd been doing any more. So, she made up her mind right then to change. She signed up for Weight Watchers, and she started her journey.

Shauna didn't stay with WW, though. Eventually she learned to make up her own plan, and she joined a gym. This is her story of how she lost half of her body weight, and learned to make peace with her body and her life. :)

Hilarious book, but full of inspiration. You can't help but be moved by Shauna's story (which was originally just her blog-posts on her website, and then got turned into a book -- there's more content in the book, though).

Recommended.

Rated: A+

REVIEW: Slightly Settled by Wendy Markham

Tracey Spadolini is still mourning the loss of her boyfriend of the past three years when she meets Jack (her boss's roommate) at the office Christmas party. Things with Jack heat up quickly! Tracey isn't sure how to proceed, so she asks her friends for advice, but she doesn't like what they suggest.

I thought this book was cute, despite a couple of annoying points. The first thing that bothered me was the frequent use of the characters' names in conversation ("You look fantastic, Tracey!"..."Thank you, Raphael!"..."Tracey, you really need to think about this"...."You know, Raphael, I am a big girl"...) It would go on and on. At one point, the author made a comment that the one character, Raphael, *always* speaks like this. So, Raphael's name-dropping is forgiveable. But, when the other characters did it repeately, it got a tad old...quickly!

The other thing that bothered me was the fact that the main character, Tracey, kept gushing about how fantastic she looked after losing a lot of weight. She would go on and on about being "svelte", and about trying to adjust to how great she looked now. While I shouldn't let this bother me, it did tick me off a bit, because I've been trying to shrink down for a while, now, and haven't yet been successful at it! LOL. So, yeah, maybe I was a tad envious of a character in a book. LOL. Mind you, when someone in real life does stuff like this, you walk away, right? (or, you really WANT to!) You wish they'd just stuff it, already! LOL

Anyway. Those two things are fairly minor. Overall, the book was good, and a nice "fluff" read. I finished it in a day.

Recommended.

Rated: B+

REVIEW: Her Only Desire by Gaelen Foley

The first book in Gaelen's new "Spice" Trilogy, this story revolves around Miss Georgiana Knight (cousin to Robert, Lucien, Damien, Alec, and Jack) and Lord Griffith. The tale takes place first in India, and then moves to London, England.

It's the usual plot (the two main characters are instantly smitten with each other, but must overcome their personal struggles in order to be together freely), but I loved it, as usual. I needed some fluff. And, Gaelen's books never cease to do the job. ;)

It was nice to have the old "Knight clan" featured in this book, even if just with a sprinkling of mentions. I was sad when their series ended. I'd read all 7 books featuring them, so they'd become dear to me. LOL.

Anyway. This book is definitely recommended (along with all of Ms. Foley's other books).

Rated: A-