The Widow Waltz

The Widow Waltz
Sally Koslow

















Amazon Blurb -

Georgia Waltz has things many people only dream of: a plush Manhattan apartment overlooking Central Park, a Hamptons beach house, valuable jewels and art, two bright daughters, and a husband she adores, even after decades of marriage. It’s only when Ben suddenly drops dead from a massive coronary while training for the New York City Marathon that Georgia discovers her husband—a successful lawyer—has left them nearly penniless. Their wonderland was built on lies.
  
As the family attorney scours emptied bank accounts, Georgia must not only look for a way to support her family, she needs to face the revelation that Ben was not the perfect husband he appeared to be, just as her daughters—now ensconced back at home with secrets of their own—have to accept that they may not be returning to their lives in Paris and at Stanford subsidized by the Bank of Mom and Dad. As she uncovers hidden resilience, Georgia’s sudden midlife shift forces her to consider who she is and what she truly values. That Georgia may also find new love in the land of Spanx and stretch marks surprises everyone—most of all, her.
*****

What would you do if you found out your life was all smoke and mirrors?

Georgia Silver-Waltz is an attractive Manhattanite, married to an attractive successful attorney and the mother of two college aged daughters, she lives a wonderful life.  Socially successful doing the volunteer route, belonging to the health club, living in an upscale apartment.  Everything a woman would want right?  Till her husband drops dead suddenly while getting ready to run a marathon and she finds out he has left the three of them high and dry.

Georgia is in absolute shock, and it only gets worse as she starts digging to find out what took place and how she was so blind.  We travel with her on the road back to the real world, her sorrow and worries, getting out there, supporting herself and meeting new people.

The cast of characters rounds this book out wonderfully.  Her daughters Luey and Cola are quite a pair, at times I wanted to just smack the two of them!  Her brother Stephan and his partner Daniel add a great touch, between her brother's air of uppityness trying to keep Georgia from being too dramatic and Daniel's caring touch with her. Dealing with her mother's rare instances of clarity through the fog of dementia and wishing she could share what was happening in her life.

I enjoyed this book it flowed beautifully and recommend it highly if you love chick lit.

4 Cannolis

Marco's Redemption

2

Marco's Redemption 
Lynda Chance















Amazon Blurb -

Marco Donati is rich, ruthless--and more often than not--indiscriminate. Interested only in satisfying his sexual needs casually and frequently, he has no intention of changing a thing about his life. Natalie Lambert is alone, broke, and new to the city when a chance encounter leaves her under the power and control of Marco Donati. As the story unfolds, tensions mount and trust is tested between two people who can't manage to stay away from each other.
*****

Mama friggin mia, that is one hot and spicy meatball!!!  This Italian girl thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Poor Natalie has not a single clue what the hell she's getting into when she smashes into the back of Marco Donati's car.  He is NOT a happy camper and it only gets worse when he finds out she has no insurance.   What's the solution?  Well to become his housekeeper for a year of course :)  How else can she work off the $20,000.00 repair bill when she has no job?

This man is alpha TO THE MAX.  And what does that do to me, well it makes mama a very very happy girl ;)  I love me my alphas, my hubby is a hot alpha that makes my heart go pitter patter :) Marco is confident. He knows what he wants, when he wants it, how he wants it and will not take no for an answer.  Something that made my heart go yay yippy skppy, he's tall but doesn't like amazon women, he likes small gals, yay for us sweet shorties! lol!!

The moment he see's her, he's hooked though he won't allow himself to acknowledge this fact, he fights it tooth and nail actually.  Though, he is uber possessive of her, hates the idea of other men even looking at her, and wants her all to himself.  He won't even acknowledge publically that his cave man instincts is what draws him to petites, normally what he has on his arm are statuesque women.

And how does Natalie handle all this, ha, she's like a deer caught in the headlights.  This is WAY over head as far as experience goes.  Macro is out of her league both in stature physically and lifestyle.  Of course she can't keep herself from falling for this hotheaded thick stubborn spoiled man.  She has the patience of a saint though, keeping her cool when necessary, but putting her foot down and giving him the business when it's needed.  No mamby pamby Anastasia here, thank goodness!

And speaking of that, Marco is NOT not another Christian Grey. He's been burned so he's cautious as a man of his wealth would be, and he is spoiled. When you're that wealthy you are accustomed to getting what you want.  Natalie also see's a wonderful soft and gentle side to Marco with his clients who are an older couple and it touches her heart.  Many compare him to the infamous Christian Grey, he is nothing like him.  Christian Grey was a giant box of messed up, Marco is not that at all, and kudos and a tip of the hat to Ms. Chance when Natalie asks if he's kinky and Marco says " You read too much fiction."

I loved this book, I love this author and look forward to reading more of her, this was my first but not my last.  The only thing that kept it from a 5 rating was the quick wrap-up of the ending.  I would've like to see that fleshed out a bit more.  Other than that, exquisite!! 

4 1/2 Cannolis

Damaged

Damaged
H M Ward















Amazon Blurb -

Life sucks. And, as soon as Sidney picks up the pieces something always knocks her back onto her butt. It's never pretty, but this time is different. This time pretty isn't even the right word.

Peter is the personification of perfection. It's like he fell off his angel perch in purgatory, because let's face it--any guy that hot has got to be naughty. He was probably sent here to ruin her life.

Peter is beyond beautiful with his sexy blue eyes, dark hair, and toned body. Add in his charming wit and Peter is everything Sidney ever wanted in a man, but when things get hot and heavy Peter shows her the door. Sidney takes the walk of shame and leaves. It's the end of the worst blind date ever. Her life couldn't possibly reach higher levels of suckage, but it does.

The next morning everything comes crashing down. The insanely hot guy from last night, the one that saw her half naked, is teaching at the front of the class room.
*****

Well, I have just discovered another great author :) and I'm very happy about it!  This was a great book, it moved quick, I loved the characters, great story, trifecta! 

Sidney is just trying to live life without the horror of what was done to her haunting her.  Taking it day by day even after all these years, trying not to let it get the best of her.  When her best friend Millie convinces her to go on a blind date, Sidney thinks she died and went to heaven.  A gorgeous guy who she instantly is attracted to makes her think it's finally her lucky day.  Ordering a glass of wine and flirting in just the first couple of minutes, and then it all goes to pieces when Millie comes running shouting "there you are!"  Poor Sydney is stunned, she was at the wrong table just thinking the rest hadn't arrived yet.

It only goes downhill from there.  The  dip-wad who is her date makes her want to scream, she leaves the restaurant and finds Mr. Hotty outside with his car that won't start.  Peter is just too good to be true, she gives him a lift home, things get a bit hot and heavy, but before anything can happen he tells her he can't do this.  Poor Sydney is mortified and humiliated.  She wonders what she could have done.  Things go from bad to worse when the Professor she ta's for dies and low and behold, who is his replacement?  Why Peter of course.

You travel this very tough road with them and find out things aren't all that ok for Peter either.  There isn't any hot and heavy love scenes, but BOY the tension is so very thick you can cut it with a knife!!  My heart ached for both of them and I just got lost in this wonderful book.  The only drawback?  I have to wait to see what happens between them with #2 which comes out in June.

4 Cannolis

Dead Ever After

X

Dead Ever After
Charlaine Harris













Ok folks, there is a BOAT load of anger stirring around this last book of the series.  Many gals are feeling betrayed.  Spoilers WILL ensue in my review/discussion, so don't read further if you don't want to know anything.

Amazon Blurb -

Sookie Stackhouse  finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough…

*****

I found this book ok.  It certainly wasn't an out of the park homerun, but, it wasn't the absolute disaster many are making it out to be.  I loved how all her friends past and present gathered together to help her in the latest jam she finds herself.

Sookie is accused of murder.  Someone is setting her up big time, the question is who, and why are 

they doing it.  In the middle of that mess, her vampire boyfriend is not happy with her, nor she him.  Her friend and co-owner of Merlottes, Sam is behaving odd to say the least.  When this is all said and done will she have either one in her life anymore?  The only staple seems to be good ole' Bill.

********

STOP HERE TO NOT HAVE THE BOOK RUINED IF THAT MATTERS TO YOU!!!!

********

Now for the controversy and what ticked me and hundreds of others.  First let me say that I called it when I read the last book, I think most of us did.   I love Eric.  He is an unapologetic, egotistical, megalomaniacal, ruthless killer.  We all know that about him, and yet we all still love him.  CASE CLOSED!!!  It doesn't bother me, I don't care one bit about that.  Why you ask? Because through each book you learn that Eric does love Sookie.  Did he do what he had to to get her, yup, but HE LOVES HER.  When she was tortured and mutilated by the fairies and he held her hand and she asked him "why didn't you come?"  His answer was "You're killing me."  It was a tortured and wretched angst filled response to her because he loves her so.  Their relationship has been sown slowly through each book lovingly crafted, and for the author to calously toss it away like gum on the bottom of ones shoe sucked a big smelly pickle to say the least!

In my opinion Harris was not happy with the devotion that her fans of this series have given to Eric. Not even Bill has the same level of adoration.  She point blank said in an interview that it baffles her how he is loved because he is a BAD guy plain and simple.  That Sam was her answer all along I personally find disingenuous.  There was never the same level of attraction for Sookie with Sam than there was with any of her boyfriends, even Alcide had more zing with Sook.  It would have been an easier pill to swallow if she would have had Sookie just be by herself and live her life.

How insulting to have a relationship that has been nurtured through several books be cast away with barely an explanation.  Eric is almost non-existent in this story and man that just is so out of character for the whole series and the personality of the characters.  Where was the angst, the heartbreak, the anger over this by both of them!?!   I felt more hurt amd pain when Eric forced Bill to tell her he was using her while she lay in that New Orleans hospital bed.  Sookie's gut wrenching pain was soooo thick in that one scene that I cried, but not here, not with Eric.

Oh well I guess this is what happens to loyal fans with some authors.  Her paltry explanation at the begining of the book that she knows not all will be happy is just meaningless.  You can't please everyone, I think we as adults know and accept that, but please don't insult us, those who have bought every single solitary book, pre-ordering them, getting them signed and keeping them as a treasure to not give away to anyone.  We all were short changed here, those of us who have come to love our Blonde Viking and it hurts, it hurts bad. To those who think we're crazy and say get a life, a pox on you and  your ancestors. 

And now comes the next screwing over with True Blood on HBO, this has become a torturous adventure of disgust as I watch beloved characters get twisted into things they never were and even dumber storylines.  I need a drink....

3 Cannolis   Because it wasn't the worst I've ever read (that award goes to The Gathering) even though she has SUPREMELY pissed me off.

Dare You To

Dare You To
Katie McGarry
Netgalley arc














Amazon Blurb -

"I dare you…"

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does….

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock—with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams—and his life—for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all….
*****

Why do children who are abused, neglected or both still love and feel loyalty to the crappy parent? A child wants to be loved and nurtured so bad by their parent they'll stick around through anything....

Beth is a hard skater girl. Pierced nose, jet black hair, foul mouth. Her aunt has taken her in as a foster child for the cash and lives in the basement along with her best friend Isaiah and Noah. Life hasn't been good to her and she has shut off all feelings of hope behind her tough exterior.

Ryan is the town's superstar baseball pitcher. "The Golden Boy", perfect in every way. Gorgeous, affluent, prominent town family, beautiful home, but is it? Peel away the facade of his home life and what lies beneath is far from perfect.

Ryan and his best buds and teammates Chris and Logan are forever daring each other to do stupid things, on this night at the Taco Bell it's to get a girl's number and a date with her. Chris scores with no trouble, Ryan needs to get the next girl or he loses. In walks Beth, the farthest thing from his type. As he gets closer he see's she is pretty and what starts out as a dare becomes a journey of discovery for them both.

I more than enjoyed this book, I loved this book. Another YA has stolen my heart! There is nothing like a great story and this is it. I even had tears streaming down my face at some points. That's major aces for me. It was a tough subject, and it portrayed it wonderfully, nothing smarmy, phony, or overdone. Katie covered all the bases well, right down to the school's bitchy mean girl. Beth and Ryan are true lovely characters. Ryan is such a gentle sweet kid and Beth, well your heart breaks for her. You will fall in love with them both.

I highly recommend this book. Very light on the love scene side so even a 15 year old will be okay with it. There is a book for Beth's beat bud Isaiah coming out, Crash Into You, and I want to read that too!

5 cannolis

First Grave On The Right

First Grave On The Right
Darynda Jones











Amazon Blurb -

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.
This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.
*****
I enjoyed this book. It wasn't the best book I ever read, but it wasn't a drag. Charlie is a funny sassy character who "sees dead people". She is actually the grim reaper and helps souls cross over. Her dad is a retired New Mexico cop and her Uncle is a Detective and she helped her dad solve cases and now does the same for her Uncle. Her best friend Cookie is also her "secretary".

Charley has been having some really intense life like dreams involving a very hot man, and her dreams are slowly coming to reality and when she finds out who it is it just might be a deal breaker.

3 1/2 cannolis

Best and Worst Books Of 2012

I read 55 books this year! Not too shabby :) I had several favorites, but the best one for this year was On The Island by Tracy Garvis Graves. This was such a great book! From beginning to end I loved it. The worst book ever? The Gathering by Anne Enright. OMG this book was horrific! We spent book club talking about how bad it was! Two other great books was Girl Gone by Gillian Flynn and And When She Was Good by Laura Lipman. Both of these are just great reads. Campy fun? The Immortals series by Kresley Cole, love them, lots of fun too read and read four of them one after the other. If you're a fan of paranormal romance pick them up. Most hyped disappointment? The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It wasn't bad, but not the great read it was pumped up to be. I will give it this, I tend to hate over descriptive books, but this one made you "see" where they were. Nicest surprise goes to That Boy by Jillian Dodd, very cute story and easy quick read. I usually hate Young Adult, but I read a few this year that were decent books. After Twilight I vowed never again, but I'm glad I read these- Flat Out Love, Because Of Low, and Easy. Are you looking forward to anything special in 2013? With sadness I am anticipating Charlaine Harris' last in the Southern Vampire Series (True Blood) come May. I have no clue how she's going to wrap this up and I'm scared! My To Be Read pile is a mile long, I don't think it'll ever shrink :) There is no such thing as too many books, just too many books and too little time ;) Happy Reading....