Tuesday Teaser

Today's teaser is the first few sentences of my new book, A Dog's Journey.

As I sat in the sun on the wooden dock that jutted out into the pond, I knew this to be true: my name was Buddy, and I was a good dog. The fur on my legs was as black as the rest of me, but down at my paws it had, over time, become tinged with white.

(A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron, pg. 5)

I'm definitely in trouble. When a book starts with an old dog laying on a dock reflecting on his life, it can only mean one thing...

Review: City of Glass

There's nothing a sunny day with a breeze is better for than finishing a good book.

If I didn't know better, I'd have guessed that City of Glass was the final book in the Moral Instruments series. It had all of the action and intensity of a final book, plus, it would seem, the conclusiveness.

And who might this be?

As with the first two, City of Bones and City of Ashes, the battles were of epic proportions, the twists were plentiful (albeit a bit predictable), and the story genuinely juicy. 

Glass definitely surpasses Ashes in intrigue, as it became increasingly clear with each turned page that the second instalment may have suffered a bit more than I realized initially from the sophomore slump. This story clearly had bigger and better places to go -- and it got there with this third book.

Clary and Jace embark on further and deeper self-discovery, that deepens their relationship to each other and many other characters in the book. We learn much more about Simon and Jocelyn which are welcome and important subplots in the story.

Where will we go next with the fourth book, City of Fallen Angels? I haven't the slightest idea. I can only predict that we may see more of the faeries, more of Raphael and the vampires, and quite possibly we haven't seen the last of Valentine.

I won't get to find out for another two weeks as Fallen Angels is waiting patiently for me on a shelf 7 hours away.

Up Next: In the meantime, I'm likely to dive into a huge departure from the fantastical world of the Mortal Instruments -- A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron. A sequel to A Dog's Purpose which I read early in 2011 before I started this blog, Journey continues to tell the story of Buddy, as he is reborn to look after another human sorely in need of a dog's love. It's bound to be as gushy and emotional as the first and I'm looking forward to it immensely!

Tuesday Teaser

I am making it my goal to try not to fall off the face of the blogging-earth this summer (like I have this past week). No Friday Funny? What's with that!? But truth be told, between travelling, attending weddings, planning my own, and preparing to move into our new house (Yay! We bought a house!), it's going to be a pretty crazy summer.

However, I will not forget to make time to read. 

In fact, I'll probably use this gorgeous day (and my second official day of summer vacation) to dig in further into City of Glass.

Before Simon could ask him what he meant by that, Alec entered the room. He was frowning, just as he had been when he'd left. His gaze lingered momentarily on Simon, a look almost of confusion alight in his blue eyes.

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare, pg. 69

This book is full of loaded comments so early on... I can't wait to find out what the hell is happening. So many secrets. (I even found myself using Google to translate some Romanian that wasn't translated for me).

Review: Fifty Shades Freed

Well, I am finally finished the Fifty Shades phenomenon.

The last book, Fifty Shades Freed, took me considerably longer to get through than the first two for 2 key reasons: 1. End of the School Year Wrap-Up and 2. I was admittedly dragging my feet a little to prolong it. I have a tendency to do that when I really love a series. (I'm surprised I ever finished The Deathly Hallows and Breaking Dawn).

There isn't too much to say about the final book. It was fantastic. The story had evolved so that it was different from the first but still true to the style. It delivered answers to everything questioned in the beginning of the series -- satisfyingly so.

It took you to the horizon so you could see the future and left you not searching for more, but content with a real, solid resolution. Yes, satisfying is definitely the right word.

I'd like to make a few notes on the series itself.

With origins based in Twilight fan fiction (and the novel has been heavily criticised for this), I think to a Twilight fan (such as myself) it's easy to get caught up in the obvious resemblances: possessive relationships, somewhat naive young heroine who discovers herself through a man, Washington settings, separated parents, adoption, etc, etc. But for a reader with the foresight to look past these similarities, you're rewarded with a plot-line and story quite rich in intrigue, emotion, and excitement.

Recommendation:
This is a must-read for the following readers:
1. Those who can't bear to be left out of current trends/fads in literature -- whether you read to enjoy or to criticize, you can't miss this one if you want to be "in" on all of the Fifty Shades hullabaloo.
2. Fans of romantic fiction. It's undeniable that this is a love story not to be missed. And what's more is that it's not all "hearts and roses" -- It's got a darkness to it that makes it even more irresistible.
3. Mature Twilight fans. All of the elements of the Twilight story are there -- sans the supernatural. But be warned ... it's not considered erotic fiction for nothing.

Up Next:
I'm pressing on with the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. Book 3: City of Glass ... And I'm actually quite excited to revisit it. Fifty Shades was a welcome break, but it's time for more of the supernatural in my life.

Tuesday Teaser

Today will likely be a two post kind of day. Last night, I got within 75 pages of finishing Fifty Shades Freed when I realized I wasn't quite ready to be freed so I put the book down and went to sleep.

But now I can't wait to see how it ends. So I'm sure I'll free myself sometime today.

Without giving too much away...

Christian runs a hand through his hair. "Two women, eh?" Alarm flashes across his face, and his dark look vanishes.

Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James 

Tuesday Teaser

The weeks are flying by in a blur. Partly because of the end of the year wrap-up at work, and largely because of my addiction to the Fifty Shades series. Since I started reading them not two weeks ago, not a day has gone by that I haven't been found reading. (Yesterday being the only exception).

In fact, I've been reading so much, so quickly, that I didn't even get to do a Tuesday Teaser about Fifty Shades Darker! Today, we jump from Fifty Shades of Grey to Fifty Shades Freed. Sorry, Darker!

I stir, instinctively reaching for Christian only to feel his absence. Shit! I wake instantly and look anxiously around the cabin.

Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James (pg. unknown --- silly eReader bundle)

I hope you're enjoying your books half as much as I'm enjoying mine. And don't forget to post your teaser!

Review: Fifty Shades Darker

More often than not, in these literary mega-series, the second instalment is usually a bit disappointing. (Think, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, or Twilight's New Moon).

Fifty Shades Darker has managed to climb the mountain that is the sophomore slump and come out more than victorious.

I really can't divulge any major plot points because it would surely ruin the story for anyone crazy enough to have not started reading this series yet. (I'm not unaware of the irony behind the fact that I am also a bit behind on this Fifty Shades trend).

I couldn't resist this photo.

The excitement and intrigue continued page after page.

There's also something I find so stimulating about a story whose ending I can only begin to guess at as I near the last 30 or so pages.

Fifty Shades Darker is everything the title promises and then suddenly, the lights are out, and you're itching to tear open the 3rd (and final?) book: Fifty Shades Freed.

Since I'm not sure if I'm ready to be freed from this series quite yet, I'll suppress my urge to read more and wait until tomorrow.

PS - I am painfully aware of the vagueness of this post and I do apologize. But, I sincerely would hate to give anything away. The story is actually just that good. It's really something to see the insides of both Anastasia and Christian unravel as they discover themselves and each other. (There, I've already said too much)...

Friday Funnies #21

It's a miracle I haven't slipped into Fifty Shades of a Coma from all of the reading I've done in the past week. So, to celebrate my Fifty Shades of Addiction, I'd like to poke fun at this current literary fad.

Happy Weekend!

Review: Fifty Shades of Grey

Speaking of not being able to put a book down... Just used my lunch period to wrap up the first Fifty Shades novel.

Words escape me. Which probably isn't great for a blogger.

I think I'll reserve a full review for when I finish the series.

This first one ended so abruptly. I thought I was approaching the end of a chapter, and then the next thing I know, it's the last page of the book. Without warning! (#eReaderProblems)

This was no easy read. The plot centres on a very innocent and inexperienced young college graduate, Anastasia, getting ready to take the next steps into adulthood when she has a chance meeting with the mysterious and very gorgeous billionaire Christian Grey. The two can't stay away from each other and eventually embark on an incredibly exciting, confusing, and highly sexual journey into a relationship and world Anastasia never knew existed.

Throughout the novel she battles with her subconscious who is screaming for her to run for the hills from this man who finds thrills in the BDSM lifestyle. But she also craves to listen to her inner goddess who is exhilarated by all of the pleasures he is bestowing on her.

As a reader, I was very much another voice in Ana's head. Sometimes on the side of the subconscious, other times cheering her on alongside the inner goddess. Every bit as confused as our heroine.

Questions constantly filled my head about Christian Grey and his past, his work, his feelings, and thoughts.

So when this novel came to a close, I had to fight with myself to put the book down instead of diving into the next. (My lunch hour is only so long)...

Without giving away the ending, I found myself both prideful and wounded... very much anticipating the next instalment. And fortunately for me, I don't have to wait very long... Only a few more hours until I can go home for the day and reinvest myself in their ever interesting and tumultuous love story.

Tuesday Teaser

I am absolutely tearing through this book. It helps that the weather has been so gorgeous that usually the only thing I want to do when I get home is sit out back and read. But it also helps that the book is completely absorbing... in its own very weird and twisted way.

In fact, I was nervous about Tuesday Teaser this week -- and likely will be every week until I'm done the Fifty Shades trilogy. It seems every other page is full of content I'd be more than embarrassed to make immortal in cyber space. But I think today I've rested on a page that reveals the tameness of the relationship instead of the wild, animalistic part.

I notice the Twinnings label, and inside, my heart sings. See, he does care, my subconscious mouths at me. I sit and face him, drinking in his beauty. Will I ever get enough of this man?

(Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, pg. 340)

Better question: Will I ever get enough of this book? Seriously. I'm reading before work, during lunch, after work, before bed. I'm a complete bookworm for this "love story" unlike any I've ever read about a relationship unlike any I've ever heard of.

Review: The Last Boyfriend

My heart is warmed. Nora Roberts does it again.

Predictable? Sure. But it doesn't make it any less wonderful.

Roberts writes characters you care about, relate to, root for, and fall in love with, hoping that if they were real people, you might be lucky enough to be in their circle.

The Last Boyfriend did not disappoint with the second instalment in her latest trilogy about the lives of three friends and three brothers in a small Maryland town. This novel, about the feisty and not-ready-for-romance Avery MacTavish and the sensible Owen Montgomery, gets us more in touch with all of the characters and their adventures renovating and restoring several town buildings and landmarks. It also continues to develop an unexpected plot line about the ghost of a woman, waiting for her lost lover, in the Inn Boons Boro, recently restored by the Montgomery brothers.

The whole thing is actually quite exciting and of course, romantic, and I can't wait to see how the series ends (even though I'm pretty sure I can guess)... But I'll have to wait until November...

My Recommendation:
If you love Nora, read this series. It stands up with the rest of them. Simple as that. If you're interested in Nora's trilogies and series, I don't see why you couldn't start with this one!

In the meantime... I made myself a promise. I would finish the Moral Instruments series before moving on to something new. But I couldn't resist. I just purchased the eBook edition bundle pack of Fifty Shades of Grey. I absolutely can't stand not knowing what all of this fuss is about! It's not great timing with final projects, exams, and marking galore on my plate... But some things just can't wait another minute!

Tuesday Teaser

I nearly forgot about today's post thinking that today was Monday, not Tuesday. Long weekends have a tendency to play with my mind like that. But who's complaining? I'm now one day closer to Friday, and after a great and busy long weekend, I may not be rested, but I'm feeling pretty pleased to have gotten so much reading done over my holiday. There's no better way to survive cottage traffic than opening a good book (and of course, turning on sports talk radio to entertain my driver).

"Adjust. Yeah, I can adjust." His face darkened, his eyes glinted. "But I'm not the only one who's going to." He waited an hour, decided he'd calmed down, steadied up. He walked over to Vesta in the unrelenting rain, and into the warm, into the scents of sauce and spice.

(The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts, pg. 282)

By this time next week I'll be quoting a new book! What are you reading?

Tuesday Teaser

I can't believe it's Tuesday again. Nothing wrong with that though. Just means Monday is behind me, and I'm THAT much closer to a sweet long weekend.

Since last week, I've really gotten into the Roberts book. All of this spring sunshine and warm weather has been helping, since there's nothing I love more than reading in the sun. It also helps that reading Nora is one of my greatest pleasures. A great story in a simple, easy to digest format.

Her life was chaos, and she had no one to blame but herself. In Beckett's former office area, one she had transformed to her own, Avery sat surrounded by boxes, wrapping paper, tissue, ribbons, and bows. Insanity. She promised herself, every year, she'd do better.

                                                 (The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts, pg. 95)

Make an effort to get out and enjoy some sunshine reading this week and long weekend. You know I will.

Review: City of Ashes

I'm not sure if it's a sign of a good series or a bad one, that 400 pages later, I can't really remember everything that's happened in the book. The lines between each book blur and I finished the second novel eager to get into the third, but also a bit confused.

This is where writing a review becomes difficult. A lot happened. Can I tell you about it? Not really. I moved through the book as quickly as time will allow me right now. There were some exciting plot twists and emotionally charged scenes. And I will certainly read through the rest of the series. But not right now.

I'm going to take a one book break and switch to another series I started last November: The Inn Boons Boro Trilogy by Nora Roberts. This was not an easy decision, but given how my brain has mushed together the first couple Mortal Instruments novels I think a break is called for. Plus, there are so many more MI books (3 more so far since the latest was just released a few weeks ago!) I'd have never gotten to the Roberts book if I had to read through 1200 more pages of the Jace-Clary-Simon saga.

My book stack is rapidly growing now that I've recommitted myself to a reading lifestyle, and I find myself unable to wait to dig in to some more Nora. So, enjoy your books and I'll be sure to enjoy mine!

Friday Funnies #18

It's important to me (for some reason) to always know what's the hot new book on the shelf. Sometimes I'll go by my neighbourhood Chapters just to read the titles on the "What's Hot" shelves. Seriously. 

That said, it's been brought to my attention that there's a "new" book out there (it's actually almost a year old), that has film companies bidding for the rights and women everywhere taking to their eReaders for a little privacy. EL James' Fifty Shades of Grey. Adapted from Twilight fan fiction, this novel apparently tells an incredibly juicy and new kind of love story, that I, personally, can't wait to dig into. 

It's a steamy little piece of erotica that has certainly peaked my interest. But I promise you, it's not for the reasons in the video below. Like I said, I just like to stay on the cutting edge. Even if that edge is likely to make me blush every 20 pages or so.

PS. It is the absolute bane of my existence that SNL won't just allow their skits to be posted online. So, I'm sorry for the terrible quality.

Happy Friday!

Tuesday Teaser

The novel has been hard to put down lately. To the point where I even fell asleep on the couch with the book in my hands last night. And not because it was boring, but because it was past my bedtime. I won't embarrass myself by telling you what time that is. ...I hope you enjoy this little snippet as much as I'm enjoying the book!

His eyes came to rest on Isabelle and Alec. A faint shiver went through Alec, as if something had plucked at his nerves. Jace's father's words were perfectly ordinary, even polite, but there was something in his blank and predatory gaze that made Alec want to step in front of his sister and block her from Valentine's view.

(City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare, pg. 360)

Friday Funnies #17

Yesterday, while I was on the hunt for wedding readings, I got sidetracked from the traditional Catholic readings and, of course, started reading some great speeches and monologues about love and relationships from literature. Someone even suggested one from Harry Potter about how the strongest magic anyone can possess is a capacity to love. It was pretty beautiful. And it reminded me how much I really loved LOVE Harry Potter and the whole Hogwarts thing. He is the inspiration for today's funnies.  Though I think you've got to be a fan to really appreciate the humour.

Hope your Friday is just magical!

Tuesday Teaser

With a busy, busy day and a head cold that pretty much requires a snot bucket to hang from my neck or two rolled up tissues to live permanently in each nostril, I'm ready for the couch and my book. (And Glee, but this isn't a TV blog).

So, here's what I'll be reading while I'm curled up on the couch in about 45 seconds.

Isabelle with her whip and boots and knives would chop anyone who tried to pen her up in a tower into pieces, build a bridge out of the remains, and walk carelessly to freedom, her hair looking fabulous the entire time. This made Isabelle a hard person to like, though Clary was trying.

(City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare pg. 149)