TOP SECRET TWENTY ONE Book Review

My library doesn't allow anyone to put a hold on a book until they physically own it, even if it's still in processing.  As long as it shows up in their system, then you can get on the list.  The day TOP SECRET TWENTY ONE by Janet Evanovich came out, and when I finally saw it on their site that afternoon I called and got on the list.

Luckily they got three copies as I was the third in line so I got it the next day.

TOP SECRET TWENTY ONE is the latest release in the series of Stephanie Plum.  Here's the description of the book, as found on Goodreads:

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Trenton, New Jersey’s favorite used-car dealer, Jimmy Poletti, was caught selling a lot more than used cars out of his dealerships. Now he’s out on bail and has missed his date in court, and bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is looking to bring him in. Leads are quickly turning into dead ends, and all too frequently into dead bodies. Even Joe Morelli, the city’s hottest cop, is struggling to find a clue to the suspected killer’s whereabouts. These are desperate times, and they call for desperate measures. So Stephanie is going to have to do something she really doesn’t want to do: protect former hospital security guard and general pain in her behind Randy Briggs. Briggs was picking up quick cash as Poletti’s bookkeeper and knows all his boss’s dirty secrets. Now Briggs is next on Poletti’s list of people to put six feet under.

To top things off, Ranger—resident security expert and Stephanie’s greatest temptation—has been the target of an assassination plot. He’s dodged the bullet this time, but if Ranger wants to survive the next attempt on his life, he’ll have to enlist Stephanie’s help and reveal a bit more of his mysterious past.

Death threats, highly trained assassins, highly untrained assassins, and Stark Street being overrun by a pack of feral Chihuahuas are all in a day’s work for Stephanie Plum. The real challenge is dealing with her Grandma Mazur’s wild bucket list. A boob job and getting revenge on Joe Morelli’s Grandma Bella can barely hold a candle to what’s number one on the list—but that’s top secret.

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I love this entire series.  Janet Evanovich has brought all of these characters to life for me. I swear I'd recognize them walking down the street and I'd probably greet them like the old friends they are.   

I also picked up another book that came out the same day,
THAT NIGHT by Chevy Stevens.  Click on it to read my review.

THAT NIGHT Book Review

I was able to pick up THAT NIGHT by Chevy Stevens at the library the day after it came out.  I was so excited to know that my name was at the top of the hold list that immediately after hanging up I actually cheered "Woohoo!!!  I'm first on the hold list for two books!"  My husband gave me a strange look and said "I've never been that excited over books."  Well, in my opinion, he's missing out!  The other book will be another post.

The story is about Toni and her boyfriend that are convicted of murdering her sister.  The thing is, they didn't do it, but because they'd been partiers and into a little trouble as teens the cops didn't really look too hard in any other direction.  Each chapter goes from current time, when they first get out of prison then back to when they were teens and leading up to the murder.  It's not at all confusing and is very well written and keeps you gripped from the first page. 

It's really opened my eyes into the world of prisons and parolees, and how hard it would be to prove yourself to be a good person when everyone around has given up on you. 

I really recommend this book as well as all three of her other ones.  I've been a fan from the moment her first book was published and eagerly anticipate the publication of each new one.

Chevy dedicated this book to the people that work with shelter animals.  The main character helps train service dogs while in prison and also volunteers her time at a shelter while on parole.  Chevy also seems to be a big animal lover and shares the antics of her dog, Oona, on her Facebook page.  The pictures above are from a "hint" on her page about how much she enjoys seeing our pets with her books.  So, I ran around the house and woke up all my napping babies and snapped their pictures.  I really appreciate that she takes the time to share herself with her readers and asks us to share ours with her.

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS Book Review

The movie for this book came out recently and saw several people commenting on Facebook on how great it was.  I mentioned that I would love to read the book and had it on hold at the library whenever it becomes available again.  My niece brought her copy over for me to borrow and I just finished it this morning.

If you don't already know, basically it's about some kids that have or had cancer and how they continue to live theirs lives despite it.  Or maybe, in spite of it.  Of course there is much more to it then that.  It is told from the view of Hazel and she because a real person to the reader almost immediately.  She talks about her parents and how she fears her sickness and probable death will effect them horribly.  She has a few friends, both cancer stricken and not, and you get to meet them, as well.

There is some gallows humor but it's totally realistic.  You know that people with a terminal illness are thinking these things but nobody else would ever dare say them out loud, but they can.

This author did brilliant work in making each of these characters come to life in the pages.  I worried over every unusual ache and pain they felt, and cried with the parents as there concern was evident, and laughed with their jokes about death and dying.

I can't wait to see the movie, but I do worry it won't be anywhere near as wonderful as the book.  However, I'll still take a box of tissues with me just in case it's even remotely close.

This Blog's New Direction

When I originally started this blog, I was only planning to use it to record recipes I come up with for use in an ebook eventually, and I'll still do that, as well.  However, as I'm decluttering and organizing things around here I started going through a mountain of papers and came across several with lists of books and websites that I want to explore, and projects I want to tackle, and thought this would be a good place to keep track of them.  So I will continue to have recipes, but I will also be including book reviews, website reviews, frugal and free activities, gardening hints and tips, pet care, and homeschooling.  I have no choice but to operate on a very tight budget, so everything I list will be as cheap as possible or even free, if I'm lucky. 

Thanks for joining me on this journey and if there are any ideas or tips you are looking for, let me know in the comments and I'll see what I can come up with.

I found this image on Pinterest, but couldn't find out who designed it.  If you know, please let me know so I can give proper credit.