Book Blogger Hop!!!

This week's question comes from Britta who blogs at I Like These Books:

 "What book-to-movie adaption have you most liked?  Which have you disliked?"

 I just can't think of what my favorite was.  I do remember that I strongly disliked The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans.  I hate when the movies take complete creative license with the material from the book - especially the ending and the Horse Whisperer ending was completely different.

And Remember,
Books Are Life,
Heather

Book Review - The Other Rembrandt

Title:  The Other Rembrandt
Author:  Alex Connor
Publisher:  Sterling
ISBN:  1403786948

Synopsis (from BN.com): 
History's biggest conspiracy is about to be revealed in this gripping, addictive thriller … but not if a ruthless killer can stop it.
Marshall Ziegler has never been interested in his father Owen's London gallery--until Owen is brutally slain. Marshall then discovers that Owen knew a dark secret at the heart of Rembrandt's life--a secret that could topple one of the world's most lucrative industries. But a sadistic murderer is doing whatever he must to hide the truth. Will Marshall stay alive long enough to reveal the greatest secret never told?

My thoughts:  Right off the bat, I am owning the fact that I did not finish this book.  I am not at all the type that starts a book and doesn't finish, but not the case with this book.  I won this book as my first ever First Reads from Goodreads, so I was excited to begin reading.  When reading the synopsis, I was leery as it was by a British author and set in London, both of which I am normally not fond of.  I was hopeful however as the story sort of had a Da Vinci Code, Mask of Atreus slant to it.  The clear difference however was that Da Vinci Code and Mask of Atreus were good reads and this book was just not.  


The book is set in the London art galleries.  A ruthless killer is killing those who know a shocking secret in the life of the great Rembrandt.  This secret promises to alter the art world forver. 

I found myself having absolutely no connection to any of the characters.  You know the basic premise of the shocking secret right away in the beginning of the book, so what is the point?   There were no twists and turns, no excitement, no nothing unfortunately. 

As I was reading I found myself focusing on how many pages I read rather than anything about the book itself.  I plodded . . . and plodded . . . and plodded through about 1/4 of the book and finally gave up.  I hate that I didn't finish, but just had to move on. 

I did not like this book at all and encourage those who think it is an exciting book in the genre of Da Vinci Code and those like it to think again.

My Rating:  : - )  Strongly disliked!!

And Remember,
Books Are Life,
Heather

Top Ten Tuesday! What books have you lied about?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists! Each week we will post a new Top Ten list  that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists.

This week's Top Ten

What are the top ten books you have lied about?

1.  The Harry Potter series = When this series came out and was all the rage, I was working

 at  Barnes and Noble as the Children's section supervisor.  Of course, I felt that I had to read

the series.  At times I was wondering why at my age I was reading these "children's" books.  I

haven't made it through the entire series yet, but I will someday!

2.  Origin of Species by Charles Darwin = This book was assigned reading during a class in

my freshman year of college.  I tried and tried and tried to get through the book, but the best I

did was fumble through.  Of course, when it came time to class discussion I pretended to sound

brilliant :)

3.  Working by Studs Terkel = Again, this was assigned reading during a class in grad

school.  I had an assignment to do a small class presentation/discussion on a chapter of the

book.  Ugh, not my kind of reading.  I do remember reading my assigned chapter during class

and alas I was ready for the discussion :)

4.  Some of my cozies = I do love my cozy mysteries, but I have to admit sometimes I feel

guilty reading this genre.  I will not feel guilty - they are fun!!!

5.  A Celine Dion biography = Yes, you heard me right, a biography about Celine Dion.  I will

completely own the fact that I love Celine Dion.  If I had a voice like hers, I would be a very happy

camper - and a little richer :)

Ok, I could only come up with 5, but it's a good start!

And Remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

Making updates to the blog!!

Well it's official!  I have my Master of Science degree in Counseling.  I graduated this past Saturday, May 21, 2011.  It was a fabulous celebration weekend indeed!

In finishing everything up for school i have been a little lax with my book blog.  Well, no more! 

I am going to be making some updates and additions to my blog in the next couple of days.  I truly love my series books, my mysteries, and my cozies.  To that end, I have added a number of tabs at the top of my blog including Cozy Series and Mystery Series.  I am going to be listing my favorite cozy and mystery authors and all of their books in the proper order.  There is nothing I hate more than going to the store and having no idea which books are first in a series!

I hope this helps some fellow book bloggers out there.  So, take a look around and feel free to share my blog with your friends that are mystery and cozy lovers!

And remember,
Books Are Life,
Heather

It's Monday - What Are You Reading?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.

I won this book as a First Read from Goodreads! 

Review coming soon!!

And remember,
Books Are Life,
Heather

Review - 9th Judgment by James Patterson

Title:  9th Judgment
Author:  James Patterson
Publisher:  Little, Brown & Co.
ISBN:  9780316036276

Synopsis (from BN.com): 
Detective Lindsay Boxer chases a Jewel thief, a murderous movie star, and a killer with a vendetta against women and children.
A young mother and her infant child are ruthlessly gunned down in the garage of a shopping mall. There are no witnesses, and detective Lindsay Boxer is left with only one shred of evidence: a cryptic message scrawled across the windshield in blood-red lipstick.
The same night, the wife of A–list actor Marcus Dowling is woken by a cat burglar who is about to steal millions of dollars worth of precious jewels. In just seconds there is a nearly empty safe, a lifeless body, and another mystery that throws San Francisco into hysteria.
Lindsay spends every waking hour working with her partner, Rich, and her desire for him threatens to tear apart both her engagement and the Women's Murder Club. Before Lindsay and her friends can piece together either case, one of the killers forces Lindsay to put her own life on the line—but is it enough to save the city? With unparalleled danger and explosive action, The 9th Judgment is James Patterson at his compelling, unstoppable best!

My Thoughts:  With the 9th Judgment, James Patterson brings us the 9th book in the Women's Murder Club Series.  I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and this installment is no exception.  Each book is a really quick read with Patterson's classic short chapters and police cases that keep your attention.  I also enjoy that this series features 4 strong, female characters:  Detective Lindsay Boxer (detective with the SFPD), Cindy (crime reporter for San Francisco Chronicle), Claire (Medical Examiner), and Yuri (attorney with the DA's office). 

As with many of Patterson's books, this one ends with a twist that leaves you waiting to dig into the next book in the series!  Tenth Anniversary here I come!

My Rating:  : -)  : - )  :-)  :-)  Like it!

And remember,
Books Are Life,
Heather

Book Review - Crossfire by James Patterson

Title:  Crossfire (Alex Cross #17)
Author:  James Patterson
Pages:  356
Publisher: Little Brown & Co
ISBN:  031603617x


Synopsis (from BN.com): 
Wedding bells ring
Detective Alex Cross and Bree's wedding plans are put on hold when Alex is called to the scene of the perfectly executed assassination of two of Washington D.C.'s most corrupt: a dirty congressmen and an underhanded lobbyist. Next, the elusive gunman begins picking off other crooked politicians, sparking a blaze of theories—is the marksman a hero or a vigilante?
A murderer returns
The case explodes, and the FBI assigns agent Max Siegel to the investigation. As Alex and Siegel battle over jurisdiction, the murders continue. It becomes clear that they are the work of a professional who has detailed knowledge of his victims' movements—information that only a Washington insider could possess.
Caught in a lethal cross fire
As Alex contends with the sniper, Siegel, and the wedding, he receives a call from his deadliest adversary, Kyle Craig. The Mastermind is in D.C. and will not relent until he has eliminated Cross and his family for good. With a supercharged blend of action, deception, and suspense, Cross Fire is James Patterson's most visceral and exciting Alex Cross novel ever.


My thoughts:  Crossfire is the 17th installment in the ever popular Alex Cross series.  I have read every single Alex Cross book and absolutely love them.  That being said, Crossfire did fall a little flat for me.  The cover of the book provides us the teaser of "Alex Cross gets married and Kyle Craig is back!" Anyone who has read the Cross books knows the story of Kyle Craig and I was one who was excited to see what new suspense and drama this series would take now that he was back.  In all honesty, the Kyle Craig plot literally left me saying "What?!  That was it!  How did we get there?"  I was left wanting more and not in a good way. 


I felt like the storylines in this book took huge leaps at times while not providing any excitement along the way.  I found it boring and quite predictable at times.  Crossfire didn't provide me the excitement and suspense that I have come to love in James Patterson's novels.  I hate to think that now that James Patterson has multiple series going including the Women's Murder Club series and a number of young adult series that he is letting the steam out of Alex Cross! 


Of course, being a fan of the Alex Cross series, I will read whatever book #18 holds. 


Overall, I expected more from Crossfire than what it delivered.


My rating:  : )  : )  : )  It was ok!


And remember,
Books Are Life,
Heather

Book Review - Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag

Title:  Secrets to the Grave
Author:  Tami Hoag
Pages:  464
Publisher:  Penguin Group
ISBN:  052595192x


Synopsis (from BN.com): 
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag returns with her second thriller in the Deeper than the Dead microseries, exploring the early days of forensic investigation, the characteristics of innocence-and the nature of evil.
Marissa Fordham had a past full of secrets, a present full of lies. Everyone knew of her, but no one knew her.
When Marissa is found brutally murdered, with her young daughter, Haley, resting her head on her mother's bloody breast, she sends the idyllic California town of Oak Knoll into a tailspin. Already on edge with the upcoming trial of the See- No-Evil killer, residents are shocked by reports of the crime scene, which might not have been discovered for days had it not been for a chilling 911 call: a small child's voice saying, "My daddy hurt my mommy."
Sheriff's detective Tony Mendez faces a puzzle with nothing but pieces that won't fit. To assist with his witness, Haley, he calls teacher-turned-child advocate Anne Leone. Anne's life is hectic enough-she's a newlywed and a part- time student in child psychology, and she's the star witness in the See-No-Evil trial. But one look at Haley, alone and terrified, and Anne's heart is stolen.
As Tony and Anne begin to peel back the layers of Marissa Fordham's life, they find a clue fragment here, another there. And just when it seems Marissa has taken her secrets to the grave, they uncover a fact that puts Anne and Haley directly in the sights of a killer: Marissa Fordham never existed.


My thoughts:  This is the second book in Tami Hoag's Deeper than the Dead series.  I loved the first book and was eager to read this one!  This book brings us back to Oak Knoll, California, home of the See-No-Evil killer.  It also brings us back to the great characters of FBI Special Agent Vince Leone and Anne Leone, his new wife, former school teacher, and now Child Advocate.  


As Vince Leone and his team investigate the murder of Melissa Fordham, the story takes us on many twists and turns!  Who was Melissa Fordham?  What is the story with her best friend?  Meanwhile Anne uses her child psychology skills to attempt to get whatever information she can about the murder from Marissa's traumatized young daughter, Haley, who witnessed the event!   What does she know?  What did she see?


I really enjoyed this book.  It offers a twisting, suspenseful ride that lovers of Tami Hoag's books will enjoy!  Since the book is set in the early 1980's, it is fascinating to step back in time with regard to police procedure.  Characters in the book are frequently mentioning how nice it would be to have DNA tests available or even the use of computers to do their work.  When you read this book you realize how far technology has brought us when it comes to solving crimes! 


I am looking forward to more books featuring the characters of Vince Leone and Anne.


Overall, a good, fast read!


My Rating:  : )  : )  : )  : )   Liked it!

And remember,
Books Are Life,
Heather

Book Blogger Hop!!

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs to read!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list below!!

The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun!  This is a weekly event!  And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added!  We get over 200 links every week!! 

This weeks question:  Are you going to Book Expo America (BEA) and/or the Book  Blogger Convention (BBC) this year?

My answer is Unfortunately, no!  I am new to this book blogger world and actually didn't even realize these events existed. 

Happy Friday,
Books Are Life,
Heather



I'm Back!!

I'm back in the book blog world after my computer crashed and needed a little time in the hospital to be fixed!  I got a nasty little virus that said my hard drive had crashed and made it look like my computer was wiped clean.  Luckily it looks like everything was recovered and I can get back to see what is up in the book world!

I am looking forward to writing a couple of reviews in the next couple of days of some recent reads and seeing what everyone else is up to.

And, double bonus - I went to my very LAST class of graduate school tonight so I am officially DONE!!  A little last minute paperwork, a walk across the stage, and I can try on my new initials in a couple of weeks. 

Happy Reading all,
And remember,
Books are Life
Heather