Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Kat has turned over a new leaf. She is no longer stealing for personal gain. She now steals things and returns them to their rightful owners.

When Kat is approached by Constance Miller with the story of how the Cleopatra Emerald had been stolen from her family Kat had no interest in helping her. The Cleopatra Emerald had a history of bringing a curse on anyone that had possession of it. Besides, Uncle Eddie has forbidden anyone in the family from ever going after the Cleopatra. Many a thief has tried and failed because of the curse. Kat believes though that she can do it.

With the help of Hale and a few others in her crew Kat manages to do what was thought to be impossible, steal the Cleopatra. As soon as the job is done though the curse seems to befall Kat and her crew. Kat finds that she was just conned by one of the best cons in the business! Kat, Hale and the rest of the gang must find a way of getting the Cleopatra back before Uncle Eddie ever finds out that Kat stole it and that she messed up so badly. Will Kat be able to out-con one of the best in the business or will she end up disgraced and ostracized by Uncle Eddie?

I really enjoyed this book! There were so many twists and turns though that I got a bit confused. But it still kept me turning the pages with excitement! And, what is up with Kat and Hale? She likes him, yet she's afraid to let him close to her.

Bedbugs by Ben Winters

Alex and Susan find what they believe is the perfect apartment in Brooklyn Heights. The rent is perfect, there is plenty of room, and it even has a small “bonus room” for Susan to set up her painting studio. Their landlord Andrea is a bit eccentric, but sweet.

Soon after they move in Susan is bitten by what she assumes is a bedbug. They call in an exterminator who does a thorough sweep of the house. She turns up no bedbugs. Soon one bite turns into several. Susan is the only one being bitten though. Alex has no bites and their daughter Emma has no bites.

Susan spends her days researching bedbugs. The more she reads the more she is sure that their house is infested. But with her being the only one that has bites or that has seen an actual bug Alex begins to worry about her.  

Through her research Susan finds that she may be being attacked by something way more sinister than bedbugs. The drastic measure that she must take to rid herself of the menace attacking her may cost Susan her family. 

This reminded me a little bit of a Stephen King novel. Reality mixed with a bit of the supernatural. The suspense was intense enough to keep me turning the pages. Bedbugs made me squirm and to think about what the next “itch” really was.  I did have issues with some of the language.

Give Away! If you would like my copy of Bedbugs be the first to email me your request. 

Check out this creepy video:

i

Weddings and Wasabi by Camy Tang-KINDLE

Jenn just graduated from Culinary School. The family expects her to now run her Aunty’s Japanese restaurant. Everyone knows that this is why Jenn has gone to cooking school. Jenn doesn’t want to run the restaurant for her aunty though. She wants to open her own catering business. But in Jenn’s family what she wants and what is expected of her are two very different things.

When Jenn finally realizes that her family does not care what Jenn’s desires are she decides that she is going to take control of her life and branch out on her own. She decides to open her own catering business instead of going into Aunty’s business. This brings the wrath of her Aunty onto to her. With the support of her cousins Jenn plans her first catering job for her cousin Trish’s wedding. 

While heading to a wine-tasting vineyard Jenn and her cousin Trish are passed by Edward on his Harley. They get a flat tire and Edward turns around to help them out. His family owns another vineyard nearby. He and Jenn are immediately attracted to each other.  He too comes from a large family that can get very loud!  After meeting Edwards’s family she realizes that she has neglected to pray for her business, she has neglected going to church and she has neglected reading her Bible. She soon remedies those things just as her dreams seem to start falling apart.

As always Camy Tangs books crack me up! Filled with a crazy family, a water gun attack, an Aunty bent on revenge, and a goat, Weddings and Wasabi is one wild ride! I do have one complaint though, Weddings and Wasabi was not as long as the other books in the series. I think that Jenn's story could have been more detailed. It was over too soon!

Waterfall Wednesdays #2

Waterfall Wednesdays is being hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader today. Today we are answering questions on Chapters 7-11. Hope you can join us!

Discussion Questions:

1. Gabi's search for her sister is made increasingly difficult by the fight for territory between Castello Forelli and Castello Paratore. At this point, do you think the rivalry is warranted? Why or why not?

Well obviously they both feel that they own the land so I guess it is warranted.  I of course want Castello Forelli to win the land because they seem like the nicer of the two families! It does seem pointless though, the continuous bloodshed.

2. Gabi aids Fortino by having his sickroom cleaned out and using steam to loosen the phlegm inside his lungs so he could breathe better. Have you ever found yourself in a situation that required you to rely on home remedies to aid yourself or another? What are some of your favorite home remedies?

I cannot remember any home remedies that I ever used. I know that when my daughter was a baby and had colic several people jokingly said I should put some type of alcohol in her bottle to soothe her stomach. I was never brave enough or stupid enough to try it!

3.      Marcello and his men don't hide their surprise when they learn that Gabi is skilled with a sword. What did you think of this development? Has your initial impression of Gabi changed? Do you have any secret skills?

I love that Gabi has a means of protecting herself, but I think she has an unrealistic idea that she can fight just as well as a man that has more body weight and strength behind his swings than she does. As a woman in the 14^th century I too would want some kind of ability to be able to protect myself because of all of the war going on. As for me having any secret skills…NOPE.

4. "Our lips were so close, I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin." Gabi and Marcello's feelings for one another are beginning to stir. What do you think of Marcello as a romantic interest thus far? What do you think of his intended?

I love Marcello as a romantic interest for Gabi. I’m disappointed that he even has an intended. But it makes sense that he must form an alliance with another family. I prefer a more open and honest person(Gabi) than Lady Rossi who seems to be simpering yet conniving behind the scenes(hope I’m not giving away anything as I have read the whole book not just up to chapter 11).

5. Marcello and Luca take turns teaching Gabi the dances of Toscana. Would you have liked to attend a ball like the one Gabi was practicing for? Do you like to dance? Do you know any cool dance moves? Extra (not really) points if you YouTube yourself dancing and share the video. Come on, it will be fun! :)

I think that it would be fun to learn the intricate dance steps of another era. I was not allowed to dance when I was younger. I did sneak into a dance at school one time. A guy asked me to dance and that totally freaked me out! I said no and left right away! As far as do I like to dance? I don’t know really. I love to watch dancing, but for me to get up and actually dance would maybe bring attention to myself and that would be mortifying to me! LOL! But I have been known to “bust a move” now and then around the house!

Now head on over to Missie's and see what others have to say about Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo

Ellen and Mimi are fulfilling their mother's last wish by embarking on a walking tour of Hampshire, England. Their mother was a Jane Austen fan and her dying wish was for her daughters to walk the countryside that Jane herself had lived in.

Ellen and Mimi have never been close. Ellen is the sensible sister and Mimi has always been the flighty sister. Neither woman has been lucky in love. Ellen feels that she has always had to clean up Mimi's romantic disasters and Ellen herself lost the love of her life while she was in college.

 After arriving at their first hotel Ellen receives a package containing what appears to be the diary of Jane Austen's sister Cassandra. Shortly after that Daniel arrives on the scene. He is the only man that Ellen has ever loved. He is now divorced and his presence causes Ellen much stress.

Mimi in her usual fashion starts flirting with their tour guide Tom. She doesn't mean anything by it as he is way too old for her taste. She really falls for Ethan though and mistakenly tells him about Cassandra's diary. While the girls are studying the diary they soon find a sort of code in the words that Cassandra has written. It becomes obvious to them that Cassandra has left clues to a second hidden diary. One that could be worth much more than Cassandra's. When the diary disappears both girls have suspicions of who took it and for what reason.

What I enjoyed most about The Dashwood Sisters Tell All is the development of Ellen and Mimi's relationship. How it compared with Elinore and Marianne Dashwood's relationship in Sense and Sensibility and then to how it compared to even Jane and her sister Cassandra. I have really enjoyed reading Beth Pattillo's trips into Austen-land!

Gabby God's Little Angel by Sheila Walsh

Gabby is a guardian angel sent to guard Sophie, a little girl that needs lots of protection! Gabby was chosen for the job because she is precocious herself and seems to get into a lot of mishaps. Gabby's first day on the job proves challenging as Sophie takes a pony ride, and the pony gets scared and tries to buck Sophie off.

That evening Sophie tells her mom that she felt that someone was with her when she was on the pony. Her mom explains to her that God sends his angels to protect us.

This was such a cute story. The pictures were adorable. Looking forward to sharing it with my grandchildren.

Christian Fiction Book Club

The Christian Fiction Book Club will be meeting on September 24th over at Lydia's blog The Overweight Bookshelf. I just noticed that the book we are going to be discussing The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund is being offered for free for Amazon Kindle. If you are like me you have already bought and read it! But if you haven't yet, here is a great opportunity to get it for free! And if you do get it for free I will try to not be bitter about the fact that I paid almost $10 for my copy!