That Just Happened!

So I just finished “Drop Dead, Gorgeous” by Mary Janice Davidson.  I must say I really love Davidson’s Vampire Betsy series, but this one didn’t measure up to those books.  There was also a pretty graphic sex scene, which I could of done without, to be honest.  It’s getting a little late and I don’t really want to read about someone getting down and dirty.  Perhaps if I read it a little earlier in the Read-A-Thon I would have been in a better humour.  Overall, I thought it was okay.  The story wasn’t spectacular either, and although you can read this book on it’s own, it is a little obvious it is part of a series.  Some of the parts seem really drawn out and there is nuggets of info about the characters that seem to need some more explaining.

My back is starting to get a little stiff from doing most of my reading lounging on the couch and I am getting a little peckish, but overall I am feeling pretty good and getting ready to start on my next book.

For those of you who are still reading/cheerleading, here is a little pick-me-up

Aren’t they just so cute?  How can you not smile at those faces?

That Just Happened!

I have been remiss about this review.  I had won this book in a giveaway hosted by Nely @ All About {n} and I never did post the review, although I had read it right after I got it.  I wouldn’t want anyone to think I’m not grateful and I apologize for the oversight.  That being said, here is my review.

Porter, Jane.  She’s Gone Country.   Hachette Book Group (2010).

Shey Darcy, a 39-year-old former top model for Vogue and Sports Illustrated led a charmed life in New York City with a handsome photographer husband until the day he announced he’d fallen in love with someone else. Left to pick up the pieces of her once happy world, Shey decides to move back home to Texas with her three teenage sons. Life on the family ranch, however, brings with it a whole new host of dramas starting with differences of opinion with her staunch Southern Baptist mother, her rugged but overprotective brothers, and daily battles with her three sons who are also struggling to find themselves.

Hachette Book Group

This was a pretty well written story.  Although it is not the typical book I would pick up I am glad I won this because I was pleasantly surprised.  The characters had more depth than I was expecting from what I consider a “romantic” novel.  They struggled through moving, divorce, reconnecting with old flames and typical family stuff and the ending wasn’t a given.  Of course, you hope that all will work out for the best, but I was really unsure through the book.  I liked that it wasn’t obvious and there was a little uncertainty. 

The main character Shey is the girl you want to hate, but can’t.  She’s beautiful and still has her model body after 2 kids and over 40 years, she’s nice and people like her, she has a great family, and she is humble as all get out.  Argh, I’d settle for having the model body just for now!  I liked reading about her modelling exploits as well her adventures in love and raising two boys on a ranch.  It always sounds so romantic with the horses, farm land, farm boys…but the reality is I am allergic to horses and I am not an outdoor girl.  I like being able to read about it inside and picture in my head that I’m outside and this book makes it easy to picture.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a feel-good read.  This is one to put on your TBR list.

Yeah, That Just Happened!

Reichs, Kathy.  Spider Bones.  Scribner (2010).

John Lowery was declared dead in 1968—the victim of a Huey crash in Vietnam, his body buried long ago in North Carolina. Four decades later, Temperance Brennan is called to the scene of a drowning in Hemmingford, Quebec. The victim appears to have died while in the midst of a bizarre sexual practice. The corpse is later identified as John Lowery. But how could Lowery have died twice, and how did an American soldier end up in Canada?

Tempe sets off for the answer, exhuming Lowery’s grave in North Carolina and taking the remains to Hawaii for reanalysis—to the headquarters of JPAC, the U.S. military’s Joint POW/ MIA Accounting Command, which strives to recover Americans who have died in past conflicts. In Hawaii, Tempe is joined by her colleague and ex-lover Detective Andrew Ryan (how “ex” is he?) and by her daughter, who is recovering from her own tragic loss. Soon another set of remains is located, with Lowery’s dog tags tangled among them. Three bodies—all identified as Lowery.

And then Tempe is contacted by Hadley Perry, Honolulu’s flamboyant medical examiner, who needs help identifying the remains of an adolescent boy found offshore. Was he the victim of a shark attack? Or something much more sinister?…

Simon and Schuster.ca

I first got introduced to this series by a wonderful woman named Helen.  To read more about her and this series go here.  This installment was pretty good.  I liked the interweaving cases, which I think is more representative of a forensic anthropologist’s job.  Maybe everything doesn’t always get tied up so neatly, but artistic licence is a give-in.  The other thing I appreciate about Reichs’ writing is her ability to describe food.  The main character is always getting a bite to eat in between case work and with her on-again, off-again beau, Ryan.  I always finish these book craving a Diet Coke, despite being off caffeine for years.  That sweet, bubbly, cold…but, I digress.

The one thing that was a bit confusing about this book in particular was the use of government agencies.  Man, do those guys love their acronyms.  MIA/BNF, CIL, JPAC, POW/MIA, agencies that combined, agencies that separated, agencies in other countries…you get the idea.  It was a little difficult at times to keep track, but I don’t think it impeded with the story in any way.

As always the temperature between Ryan and Tempe is on a slow simmer.  The Reader is always left wondering where there love is going to go.  Especially when there are always other people from the past floating in and out of their lives, messing up their relationship.  Hot stuff!

I would recommend this to anyone who likes crime/mystery.  You don’t have to read the series from the beginning, but if you do the first one is Déjà Dead. I would say this should be put on your TBR list.