Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

Title: Smokin' Seventeen

Author: Janet Evanovich

Why I Read It: I've read this entire series.

Where I Got It: Target in Chicago

Rating: 3/5 stars



Overview from Barnes and Noble:

Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum. 
 
Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list.

Short on time to find evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.

If you've ever read any of Janet's books, you'd know that they are hilarious. Janet has a way of making you literally laugh out loud through out her books. This book was no exception! 

I am just glad that I don't live the life of Stephanie. She has crazy people after her on a day to day basis. People are  trying to kill her, leaving dead bodies in the bonds office empty parking lot with her name on it. Her, as well as her on again, off again boyfriend and Trenton cop Morelli, are trying to figure out who the killer is and why they're doing the killing and leaving the bodies for Stephanie.

While this on going investigation continues, Stephanie has to capture her FTA's for the week. In case you're not aware of the bounty hunter lingo, FTA means Failure To Appear in court. She has to capture these people and take them down to the police station to book them until their next court date. 

This book is a fast paced mystery where there is never a dull moment in Stephanie's life, to say the least. 

For this particular book, I didn't like it quite as much as I did all of her other books. It was still a laugh out loud book, but I felt like it wasn't quite as funny as usual. I also felt like the bizarre things that happen to Stephanie in all of the other books in the series, weren't as good in this book. I found myself disappointed and bored in the book most of the time.

I do, however, suggest you read it if you've read all of the other books in the series. Maybe you will like it a little better than I did.

My Rating: 

Learning by Karen Kingsbury

Title: Learning

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Where I Got It: Karen sent it to me to review

Why I Read It: I've read all of her books and this is the second book in this series!

Rating: 4/5 stars





Overview from Barnes and Noble:

Bailey Flanigan is growing closer to her dream to be an actress and dancer in New York while Cody coaches a small high school football team ... on and off the field. But neither feels complete without the chance to share their dreams with one other.

Can distance truly make the heart grow fonder? Or will Cody learn to turn to others to share in his happiness? And when tragedy strikes? Who will be there to provide comfort in the face of loss?

As Cody's past catches up with him, he must learn to reach out for help or risk withdrawing permanently inside himself. Both Bailey and Cody find themselves learning significant life lessons in this poignant love story, featuring members from Karen Kingsbury's popular Baxter family.

This is the second book in the Bailey series. Her first book in the series is called Leaving. You can find that review HERE.

I love all of Karen's books. They're inspirational, motivational, and amazing. She has a talent to make her characters come alive so you feel like you actually KNOW these people. It's like you're apart of their family, and/or a friend of their family.

This particular book/series is about following your dreams no matter what. Bailey and Cody were lovers for many years prior, and life has torn them apart. They are both trying to live with out each other, neither of them knowing if they're able to. They've found comfort in other friends, Cheyenne and Brandon Paul. 

While their lives are taking them down different paths, they've got to figure out if their friendship will hold strong, and if they'll stay together or not.

Let me start off by saying what I did like about the book. 

This book teaches you that when life throws you a curve ball, no matter what happens, you can and will get out of that slump. With friends, family and God, your life will be continuing up hill as long as you let it. It also teaches you that when you lose the love of your life due to a break up, you WILL find love again. The book shows you that you just need to have an open heart, not rush into things, and when that person comes into your life, you'll know why they were there. 

I love this series (and all of Karen's books) because she has a way of making dreams a reality. No matter what your dreams or goals are in life, you can achieve them. In this book, Bailey had always wanted to be a Broadway performer, and she did just that. She never gave up, and she continued to fight until the time was right for her. 

I love books that have lessons in them. I love a book where you can get something out of it. A book that makes you FEEL. All of Karen's books will make you laugh, cry, feel sad, mad, angry, upset. You will find yourself routing for characters in her book. She has a way, especially in this book/series, where she makes every character in her book, special. However, it's not too overwhelming where you don't know what's going on with each character.

Now, as you've noticed, I love every  one of her books. However, for some reason, this book didn't seem AS good as her other ones, or the one before this book. Don't get me wrong, it was an amazing book. It just wasn't as good.

I felt like it didn't have enough "drama" in it. It was all a straight, happy story. Which is a good thing, but I would have enjoyed one or two more surprises. Also, the ending was kind of disappointing. Karen has one or two other books coming out in the series, and I felt like the way the book ended, it could have almost been the end of the series. 

But, with that said, I am excited to read the next book in the series, to see what happens with Bailey, Cody and Brandon Paul! 

Have any of you ever read this book, or any other Karen Kingsbury books? What do you think?

My Rating:

My Love Of Books

Hi everyone! After finding some new and awesome book blogs out there via the Book Blog Hop, I came across this persons blog and she had an entry up about her reading story. How much she loved books, the things she remembers growing up, etc. It inspired me to post my own reading story! After reading mine and leaving comments about your reading story, head on over to her BLOG HERE and read hers!



Growing up, I don't really remember my parents reading to me. And, I don't remember being TAUGHT how to read. I just remember that I had numerous books that were my favorite, and I would read them. Over and over and over again.

I lived in a very small town here in Michigan, with a population of about 500 or so. We had a very small Carnegie Library. It didn't have a whole lot of book choices, but that didn't seem to matter to me. I'd go in there and spend HOURS looking at the little kids books. I remember reading all of the Full House: Stephanie books, (my name IS Stephany! Haha), and getting the Little House on the Prairie books as well.

We had this small grocery store in a town about 10 minutes next to us, and when we'd go there, we'd always go down the little kid/toy aisle because they had sections of books that I loved! Do you all remember the golden books? They're the little books with the golden spine? I loved those books! We'd always buy one of those!

Some of my other favorite kids books were The Bernstein Bears! I was collecting all of those when I was younger. I now wonder what happened to them all? I also collected Little Critter books! When/if I ever have children of my own, I want to buy all of my childhood favorites for them!

I remember one of my all time favorite books as a little kid was a book about counting. It had a big as the main character too. I want to say the name of it was Little Pig's Counting Book. Although, I can't seem to find it on any of the book stores websites, or anything. I'd love to get my hands on that book. I do remember my Mom reading that to me, before I could read well myself.

It's so amazing to think about to when I was a little girl and all of the books I had, and the books I read. I remember when I was 6 years old, I finished my very first chapter book. I wish that I knew the name of it, so I could read it again!!! Haha. I woke up during the night to finish reading it. It was like 2am and I woke my Mom up and said, "I just finished reading my book!" She was happy and a little angry all at the same time. It was 2am after all! Haha.

At my school, we had a book fair every year. We could buy books before, and after school. We also were able to go down as a class during the week, once a week during the book fair to buy books. I remember seeing a book down there called "Somebody and the Three Blair's". This book was a MUST in my household, because it was our last name!

We also had this other thing at school, where we got to go into a room and pick out ONE FREE book during the year. I loved this time too!!

So, as you can see, I can remember as far back as a little thing reading books! I don't know how I learned to read, or why I loved books so much, but I did! And I still do!

That's my story on my love of books, and how I've read so many since I was a little girl!

What is your story on loving books?

Book Blogger Hop!

It's that time again already! It's time for the Book Blogger Hop!

If you're one of the loyal followers who do this meme every week with Jen at Crazy-for-books, you must know that there has been some small, but VERY important changes to the rules, due to a few people ruining it for everyone!


When writing your blog hop post, you MUST LINK BACK to the ORIGINAL post that Jen created for the Book Blogger Hop, not just her site. Also, when you're entering your link into the linky widget, you've got to enter the link that goes DIRECTLY to the post you wrote. Does that make sense? If you have any questions, you can go to her blog and read her entry on the rules!

Those of you who are knew to this meme, all you have to do is follow the rules mentioned above, and make sure you answer the question that Jen posts every week!

So, without further ado, make sure you go visit Jen's post about her Book Blogger Hop and start hopping!

This weeks question is:

What's the ONE GENRE that you wish that you could get into, but just can't?

MY ANSWER:

I would have to say the Paranormal/fantasy genre. I'm not sure that "Twilight" is considered paranormal, but that would be the only book/series I've EVER been able to get into. I've tried and tried to read other authors like Stephen King, and even more books by Stephenie Meyer, but I just can't seem to get into it for some reason!

Don't forget to follow, follow, follow and let me know what you answered!

Book Blogger Hop!

Hey Everyone! It's time for another Book Blogger Hop!! I seriously look forward to these EVERY week! not only because they're fun, but you get to see all of the AWESOME book blogs out there and meet new people!! 


In case you don't know what Book Blogger Hop is, it's a meme created and hosted by Crazy For Books. All you have to do is go to her blog, read the question she posted (a different every week!), enter you information into the linky widget, and start hopping to different blogs and leave them comments letting them know you've stopped by! It's that simple!



This weeks question is:


How/where do you get your books? Do you buy them, or go to the library? Is there a certain website you use, like paperbackswap?


My answer:


I do a variety of things when I get new and/or used books. I like to go on Goodreads.com and enter to win some books through their contests! I also like to buy them from Barnes and Noble, Walmart, Target, and other places like that. I'm also a reviewer for a few different publishing companies, so they send me some stuff sometimes. And also I go to the library! Unfortunately I can't get to the library nearly as often as I'd like, but I do go when I can!


What about you? Where/how do you get your books? Don't forget to leave me a comment telling me what you think! 


SIDE NOTE: Jen, at Crazy-for-books, is in the need of new questions for the Book Blogger Hop! She has a forum up for any and all ideas!! CLICK HERE to go to the forum to post your ideas!


Don't forget to go put in your link in the linky widget and start visiting other bloggers!!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors I'd Die To Meet!

It's Tuesday! Do you know what that means? It means it's Top Ten Tuesday time!!!

In case you're not aware of what Top Ten Tuesday is, it's a meme/feature created by the lovely bloggers over at The Broke and the Bookish! To participate, all you have to do is a post like mine listing your Top Ten Authors You'd Die To Meet, link back to The Broke and the Bookish, then add a link to the linky widget and you're all set! But, don't forget to visit other peoples blogs to see their lists too!

So, without further ado, here is my Top Ten Tuesday for this week!

TOP THEN AUTHORS I'D DIE TO MEET

1.) Karen Kingsbury: Of COURSE I'd die to meet her! She is probably my all time favorite Author ever. She is a Christian/Inspirational author. I've read every book shes written and she has never let me down. I have been able to relate to each and every book of hers in some way.

2.) Jodi Picoult: She was my all time favorite author until I discovered Karen. But, Jodi is definitely my next close favorite! She writes books on life its self, sometimes it may seem a little cliche-ish, but she does a good enough job and research to make sure that it seems more "real". 

3.) Janet Evanovich: If you want a laugh-out-loud funny book, this is the author you should choose! Her Stephanie Plum novels are HILARIOUS! I have yet to read one of her books that didn't make me laugh. 

4.) Nicholas Sparks: For some reason, not very many people on the blogosphere seem to like Nicholas Sparks. Yeah, his books are kind of the cheesy, movie-like stories, but I still love them. His writing itself is really good too.

5.) Jennifer Weiner: She is definitely in my top favorites. I've only read a few of her books, but she's a good author.

6.) Sarah Dessen: She is rapidly becoming a new favorite. I've read two or three of her books and she's a GREAT Young Adult author!

Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with a full list of 10 Authors that are my FAVORITE. I've read a lot of authors that I like a lot, but these are my most favorite authors!

Now, be sure to comment below with a link back to your blog, so I can come see your list! Also, don't forget to visit The Broke and the Bookish to enter your link, and link back to them!

Book Blogger Hop!!!

Hey hey hey!! I decided to start doing Book Blogger Hop again! It's been way too long since I participated last!!

In case you don't know what Book Blogger Hop is, it's a meme created and hosted by Crazy For Books. All you have to do is go to her blog, read the question she posted (a different every week!), enter you information into the linky widget, and start hopping to different blogs and leave them comments letting them know you've stopped by! It's that simple!

This week isn't really a question. This week we are going to promote at least one giveaway from someone you may, or may not be following.



I already posted one entry for this girls blog-anniversary giveaway, but I decided to promote her again!!!

You can enter Tynga's giveaway by going to her blog! All you have to do is repost word about her giveaway, and leave a comment letting her know what books you'd choose IF you were to win! So, head on over to Tynga's reviews to enter her giveaway!!!