Follow Friday - Books to be Unread

FEATURE AND FOLLOW FRIDAY IS A BLOG HOP PUT TOGETHER BY TWO HOSTS:PARAJUNKEE AND ALISON CAN READ AS A WAY TO HELP BLOGGERS BECOME AWARE OF OTHER BLOGS AND BLOGGERS. 

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO MAKE NEW BLOGGER FRIENDS.

Q: If you could "UNREAD" a book, which one would it be? Is it because you want to start over and experience it again for the first time? OR is it because it was THAT bad??

I have a pretty bad habit that if I don't like a book, I won't finish it. 

Life is too short to read a bad book! 

That said, there are a few books that I would go back and "unread" simply because I had to read them and HATED them.

I know a lot of people liked "Little Bee" By Chris Cleave, but I most definitely was not one of them. 

Here are a few of the comments I mentioned when I had to read it for book group:
    This book is honestly one of the most confusing, depressing, and just plain sad stories that I have read in a long, long time...if ever. The synopsis in no way resembles the book I just put down. The blurb makes you think it will be funny...or charming...or will leave you smiling.
    The story drags on with random references to something that happened on the beach. Throughout the story it is revealed that the Englishwoman had cheated on her husband for most of their marriage and the events of the beach are tortuously released. I felt most of the characters were unlikeable and I just didn't care what happened to them. The story just kept revealing sad things and there was absolutely no resolution. The story just ends, no conflict resolution....nothing.
     I must have missed the appeal of this one. Oprah chose this book as one of the best books from 2009. In no way would I have finished this book if this wasn't a book club book. I would give this book 1 Star out of 5...I simply didn't care for it!

Still to this day, I honestly cannot see the appeal of this one. Murder, rape, genocide, suicide, physical abuse and no happy ending...it was just a tad too much for me.

What book would you unread?

"About Last Night" By: Ruthie Knox Review

"About Last Night"

By: Ruthie Knox

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Cath Talarico knows a mistake when she makes it, and God knows she’s made her share. So many, in fact, that this Chicago girl knows London is her last, best shot at starting over. But bad habits are hard to break, and soon Cath finds herself back where she has vowed never to go . . . in the bed of a man who is all kinds of wrong: too rich, too classy, too uptight for a free-spirited troublemaker like her.

Nev Chamberlain feels trapped and miserable in his family’s banking empire. But beneath his pinstripes is an artist and bohemian struggling to break free and lose control. Mary Catherine—even her name turns him on—with her tattoos, her secrets, and her gamine, sex-starved body, unleashes all kinds of fantasies.

When blue blood mixes with bad blood, can a couple that is definitely wrong for each other ever be perfectly right? And with a little luck and a lot of love, can they make last night last a lifetime?

My Thoughts:

       I literally just finished this book and I’m actually jumping for joy because of this book. “About Last Night” is a novella done right, absolutely perfectly done right. Cath and Nev were perfect characters with just the right amount angst and romance to create a perfect story that I devoured on a Sunday morning.

     Cath is a Chicago native living in London working a museum. She has made some mistakes but is determined to keep her life on the right track. She rides the train to work every day and on one fateful day, she notices one of her fellow riders who she nicknames “City.”

     If you haven’t guessed by now, “City” is our hero whose real name is Neville. Nev rides the train to his job at the family bank every day. He absolutely hates his job and feels pressure from both his brother and his mother constantly about his job, his personal life, and pretty much everything else that they can influence him on.

    Cath is reserved and fairly lonely when she initially encounters Nev. She people watches on the train every day and knows who Nev is, but had never actually spoken to him. It isn’t until she awakens in his apartment that she suddenly realizes the way she’s living her life may not be ideal. She was repressing so much of her personality that when she does something irresponsible, she really does something irresponsible, hence waking up in an unknown man's apartment.

“People who talk to themselves at the train station are generally understood to be crazy. Especially in your country.”
“You could talk to me.”
“I hardly know you.”
“I'm superb,” he said. “You're going to like me.” Big, warm hands covered her bare thighs, and she shivered. “Though I should probably reiterate, I'm not at all nice.”

     The story of these two characters builds slowly but very realistically. Cath is scared of getting to know anyone and is absolutely terrified of someone getting to know her or her past. Neville has had a sheltered life and is entranced by this woman who has been through so much yet hasn’t let life get her down.

      I loved this romance, absolutely positively loved it. I loved Cath’s back story and really felt for her loss. I admired her for what she had done with her life and felt she was incredibly brave to grab life the way she had. Nev is sexy, honest, and perfect leading man material. I’m not going to ruin it, but the ending had me smiling like a crazy girl and sighing. Short, sweet, and utterly romantic, “About Last Night” is easily one of my favorite reads this year.

Book Details

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Date of Publication: June 11, 2012
# of Pages: 216
ISBN: 978-0345535160

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme where we let everyone know what books we are eagerly anticipating the release of. 

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

 

 

"Thief of Shadows"

By: Elizabeth Hoyt

A MASKED MAN . . . 

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he's the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she's asked to tutor the Home's dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can't help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life. 

Releases June 26, 2012

"Backstage Pass: Sinners on Tour" By: Olivia Cunning Review

"Backstage Pass: Sinners on Tour"

By: Olivia Cunning

Synopsis from Goodreads:

It’s been months since Brian Sinclair, lead guitarist for the famous rock band, Sinners, composed anything. Unable to write the music that once flowed so naturally, Brian is lost without his musical mojo. But when sexy psychology professor Myrna Evans comes on tour to study groupie mentality, Brian may have found the spark he needs to reignite his musical genius. When lust turns to love, will Brian be able to convince Myrna that what they have is more than just a fling, and that now that he’s found his heart’s muse, he doesn't want to live without her?

My Thoughts:

   “Backstage Pass” was a find on Goodreads a few weeks ago. It had some pretty great reviews, but I was a little skeptical. I’m more of a classic romance kind of girl, so I was a little wary of the synopsis. I shouldn’t have been worried, I was utterly swept away into the rock band world of the Sinners and the romance between Brian and Myrna.
Myrna (and lets get this out there, this is the only romance I know of with this for a heroine's name) is a professor who has used the Sinners music to teach in her classroom. One evening while at a professional conference, she looks up and suddenly sees the entire band at a table in the hotel restaurant. She walks up and suddenly is entranced by the lead guitarist, “Master Sinclair.”
Brian is used to women throwing themselves at him, but he sees something different in Myrna. As they start out in their relationship, Brian is insecure not believing Myrna actually sees him, instead being impressed with his rock star persona. Yet Myrna sees Brian for who he truly is, his interests in music, his friendships with his band mates...he's more than just a rock star in her eyes.
I loved this book! As I said, I was a little apprehensive but so many other people had enjoyed it and I decided I better try it. I thought the characters were excellently characterized and the romance was brilliantly done. The idea of Myrna being a professor and falling in love with a rock star was excellent and I enjoyed the similarities between the two while the differences made me smile. The rest of the band mates were hilarious, fun, and very much a family. My favorite scene would have to be when Myrna takes the Sinners to the grocery store and they act just like 5 year olds.
“Backstage Pass” is an amazing first book in the Sinners on Tour series. “Rock Hard” continues the series and is Sed, the lead singer's tale. Be warned, the novel is considered erotic, so if you aren't ready for some hot scenes you may want to pass. Otherwise, the romance is often funny, romantic, and just in general a wonderful story.

Book Details

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Date of Publication: October 1, 2010

# of Pages: 378

ISBN: 978-1402244421

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! -

What Are You Reading?

is hosted weekly on Mondays

by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

Post the books you read last week, books currently reading, and books you plan on finishing this week.

What I Read This Week...

 

"Bedding Lord Ned"

By: Sally MacKenzie

Determined to find a husband, Miss Eleanor "Ellie" Bowman attends a ball put on by the Duchess of Greycliffe, fondly referred to as the Duchess of Love. But she roundly dismisses the suitors the matchmaking hostess has invited on her behalf. For it's the duchess' dashing son, Ned, Lord Edward, who long ago captured Ellie's heart—and roused her desire. All it takes is a pair of conveniently misplaced silky red bloomers to set the handsome widower's gaze on this unusual girl who is clearly more than meets the eye.


After four years of mourning, Ned must find a wife. At first glance, the birthday ball his mother has thrown in his honor is decidedly lacking in suitable mistresses. But he senses something unexpectedly alluring beneath the veil of Ellie's plain exterior—and suddenly she's invading his dreams in a decidedly scandalous manner.

"About Last Night"
By: Ruthie Knox
Cath Talarico knows a mistake when she makes it, and God knows she’s made her share. So many, in fact, that this Chicago girl knows London is her last, best shot at starting over. But bad habits are hard to break, and soon Cath finds herself back where she has vowed never to go . . . in the bed of a man who is all kinds of wrong: too rich, too classy, too uptight for a free-spirited troublemaker like her.

Nev Chamberlain feels trapped and miserable in his family’s banking empire. But beneath his pinstripes is an artist and bohemian struggling to break free and lose control. Mary Catherine—even her name turns him on—with her tattoos, her secrets, and her gamine, sex-starved body, unleashes all kinds of fantasies.

When blue blood mixes with bad blood, can a couple that is definitely wrong for each other ever be perfectly right? And with a little luck and a lot of love, can they make last night last a lifetime?

What I'm Reading Now...

"Scandal Wears Satin"
By: Loretta Chase

A blue-eyed innocent on the outside and a shark on the inside, dressmaker Sophy Noirot could sell sand to Bedouins. Selling Maison Noirot's beautiful designs to aristocratic ladies is a little harder, especially since a recent family scandal has made an enemy of one of society's fashion leaders. Turning scandal to the shop's advantage requires every iota of Sophy's skills, leaving her little patience for a big, reckless rake like the Earl of Longmore. The gorgeous lummox can't keep more than one idea in his head at a time, and his idea is taking off all of Sophy's clothes.

But when Longmore's sister, Noirot's wealthiest, favorite customer, runs away, Sophy can't let him bumble after her on his own. In hot pursuit with the one man who tempts her beyond reason, she finds desire has never slipped on so smoothly . . .

"Gabriel's Inferno" By: Sylvain Reynard Review

"Gabriel's Inferno"

By: Sylvain Reynard

Synopsis from Goodreads:

     Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption.
     When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide.
     An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love and redemption, “Gabriel's Inferno” is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man's escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible...forgiveness and love.

My Thoughts:
    I don’t understand this book at all. I found this title on one of those “If You like 50 Shades of Grey,” lists, it has over 4,000 ratings on Goodreads, so i thought, hey, if all these people loved it as much as they do, surely I will like it too! This book was so off the mark for me, it’s insane.
       Julia Mitchell has went off to college in Toronto, Canada. She’s alone in the big city, having suffered a pretty bad break up with her previous boyfriend. Incidentally, her main teacher is Gabriel Emerson, her best friend from home’s brother. He doesn’t remember her from his younger days, but she remembers him with fondness bordering on hero worship.
     To start this out, I read the entire book. I regret it, but I read it thinking it was going to get better. AND IT NEVER DID! The characters were terrible, the plot was implausible, the dialogue is poorly written, and the romance was nonexistent.
     Julia is a terrrrrible heroine. She’s whiny, depressing, and if she was one of my friends I would have stopped talking to her a long, long time ago. She had a one time encounter with Gabriel when she was like 17 and he was drunk, and is absolutely crushed when he doesn’t remember her. This colors most of the novel, so be prepared for that to be repeated and repeated. She’s mad at him for not remember her, but she never once tells him who she is.
     Gabriel is a self-serving jerk who blames himself for everything, and seems to actually enjoy having a dark and tortured soul. He’s irresistibly drawn to Julia, though for the life for me, I don't see why. He just “can’t help himself” which had me banging my head against the wall more than once. They want to be together, then they don’t, then they do again - oh but wait, he’s her professor and it isn’t professional so they’ll just keep it secret - but wait, someone found them out. The book just goes on and on like that, can you actually hear me rolling my eyes?
     This book will be turned into a series and this book is only the first installment. According to the author, the second title is called “Gabriel’s Rapture” and will continue Julia and Gabriel’s adventures. I will never ever read the title, but for those people who enjoyed “Gabriel’s Inferno” they may be interested. I kept trying and trying to enjoy this one but it never did it for me. I was relieved to finish and then, a little embarrassed to realize I had spent my time on it. Run from this one folks, it’s pretty wild.

Book Details

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Date of Publication: April 18, 2011

ISBN: 978-1936305629

GIVEAWAY!!!

We have a giveaway going on TODAY! 

Stop by and gain a chance to win.

http://brunettelibrarian.blogspot.com/2012/06/giveaway-giveawayand-weenie-dog.html

"Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure" By: Sophie Barnes Review

"Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure"

By: Sophie Barnes

Synopsis from Good Reads:

It's going to be a wild ride . . .

     Lady Alexandra Summersby is not your average society miss. Not only is she more likely to climb a tree than she is to wear a dress, but she has also sworn off marriage. Alex loves taking chances, which is how she finds herself embroiled in a secret mission as she races across the country with the Earl of Trenton. But Alexandra is about to discover that the real danger lies not in duels, but in her completely unexpected reaction to Lord Trenton's company.

     Michael Ashford, Earl of Trenton, is a man of duty. Honorable, charming, and a hit with the ladies, he's never had trouble staying focused-until now. Lady Alexandra is like no other woman he's ever met, and suddenly the prospect of marriage seems far more appealing. Now, to convince Alexandra that a life together could be an adventure like no other . . 

My Thoughts:
    “Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure” is one of those books that you want to love, you strive to really, yet it falls just short of the mark for me. While at times interesting, Alexandra was just a little too bratty for my tastes and Michael just a little boring. The drama seemed forced and the characters didn’t react in realistic ways to one another. Not a favorite of mine, but for people who enjoy historical action romances, it may appeal to them. Maybe next time we'll connect Ms. Barnes!

Have you read "Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure?" What did you think?

Book Details

Publisher: Avon Impulse

Date of Publication: May 22, 2012

# of Pages: E-book

ISBN: B007US2YFO

I received this title through Edelweiss in exchange for a fair opinion and review of the book. No monetary or other compensation was given.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading??

Check out my giveaway this week at: 

http://brunettelibrarian.blogspot.com/2012/06/giveaway-giveawayand-weenie-dog.html

It's Monday! -

What Are You Reading?

is hosted weekly on Mondays

by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

Post the books you read last week, books currently reading, and books you plan on finishing this week.

What I Read This Week...

"Jacked Up"

By: Erin McCarthy

Eve Monroe is a stock-car PR pro who puts her career first—until an on-track wardrobe malfunction reveals more than the sexy smile of her race-car brother’s jack-man, Nolan Ford. The video’s become an internet sensation, and it’s Eve’s job to calm the sponsors and put a spin on the unexpected exposure. It may be purely a public relations job, but now that Eve’s seen what’s under Nolan’s crew suit, it’s gotten a little personal—and after a few dates she has Nolan pretty revved up. If only she’d learn to relax and enjoy it…

Nolan’s sure that the spontaneous birthday bash he’s throwing for Eve in Las Vegas should loosen her up. It does more than that. Somewhere between cocktails and a smoking-hot motel-room derby, Eve and Nolan wake up hitched, thanks to a post-sex-high detour to a Vegas chapel. A hangover marriage to a virtual stranger isn’t good for anyone’s image, so Eve plans to play the happy wife long enough to satisfy the press, and then quietly part ways. Now all she has to do is convince her new personal jack-man. But Nolan has plans of his own…

"New Species: Tiger"
By: Laurann Dohner
Zandy’s had too much to drink and is in the wrong place at the wrong time. She knows she’s going to die. When her eyes open again, a beautiful man-creature is holding her in his arms. He is just too tempting to resist—her fallen angel. She wraps herself around his body, determined to have him. Reality crashes in when he turns out to be flesh and blood. She’s just molested a New Species.

Tiger’s shock quickly turns to intense passion when the small human female kisses him. She’s trying to get his clothes off and wants to share sex with him but she’s lying across the hood of his Jeep and he’s engaged in a task force operation.

Tiger has made it clear that he will never take a mate. There’s only one small problem—they can’t keep their hands off each other. The taste and feel of her just leaves Tiger wanting more.

"The Duchess of Love"
By: Sally MacKenzie
The day was as hot as the pond was inviting. It’s not as if anyone in Little Huffington was going to happen upon a secluded vale on the Duke of Greycliffe’s lands. And Venus Collingswood didn’t want to get her shift all wet. It was the perfect setting in which to plan her lovely bookworm of a sister’s betrothal to the mysterious new duke arriving seven days hence. If only she had a suitable accomplice...

Andrew Valentine, Duke of Greycliffe, never thought arriving at his own household a week early would cause so much trouble. The housekeeper thinks he’s his own cousin. Actually, the chance to not be the duke for a while is a pleasant opportunity indeed. It might even help him interrogate the delectable little nymph he’s discovered swimming in his pond—if he can manage to get a word in edgewise...


What I'm Reading Now...

"Summer Nights"

By: Susan Mallery

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery's newest Fool's Gold story proves that wild hearts cannot be tamed... Horse whisperer Shane Stryker is done with passion. This time around, he's determined to meet someone who will be content with the quiet life of a rancher's wife. And the fiery, pint-size redhead who dazzles him at the local bar definitely does not fit the bill. Small-town librarian Annabelle Weiss has always seen herself as more of a sweetheart than a siren, so she can't understand why Shane keeps pushing her away. Shane has formed the totally wrong impression of her but only he can help her with a special event for the next Fool's Gold festival. And maybe while he's at it, she can convince him to teach her a few things about kissing on hot summer nights, too-some lessons, a girl shouldn't learn from reading a book! 



"Bedding Lord Ned"
By: Sally MacKenzie
Determined to find a husband, Miss Eleanor "Ellie" Bowman attends a ball put on by the Duchess of Greycliffe, fondly referred to as the Duchess of Love. But she roundly dismisses the suitors the matchmaking hostess has invited on her behalf. For it's the duchess' dashing son, Ned, Lord Edward, who long ago captured Ellie's heart—and roused her desire. All it takes is a pair of conveniently misplaced silky red bloomers to set the handsome widower's gaze on this unusual girl who is clearly more than meets the eye.

After four years of mourning, Ned must find a wife. At first glance, the birthday ball his mother has thrown in his honor is decidedly lacking in suitable mistresses. But he senses something unexpectedly alluring beneath the veil of Ellie's plain exterior—and suddenly she's invading his dreams in a decidedly scandalous manner.

Giveaway!! Giveaway!!...and a Weenie Dog

It's been a while since we've had a giveaway here at the Brunette Librarian and I have some pretty cool prizes to giveaway!

I know its not entirely book related but its still pretty cute. I'm giving away a Large "Hot 'n Juicy" Wendy's T-shirt and a $5 gift card to B&N or Amazon.

No big ways to enter - leave a blog comment on a review and your entered. 

Daisy Jane, my little weenie dog, is currently in a contest on Facebook. Get 5 extra entries for voting. You don't have to vote for her but it would be appreciated! 

You can vote and earn an entry each day!

http://apps.facebook.com/tailwagger/contests/227178/voteable_entries/51601009

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! The winner will be picked June 14th.