"Dad is Fat" By: Jim Gaffigan Review

Dad is Fat

By: Jim Gaffigan

Synopsis

In Dad is Fat, stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan, who’s best known for his legendary riffs on Hot Pockets, bacon, manatees, and McDonald's, expresses all the joys and horrors of life with five young children—everything from cousins ("celebrities for little kids") to toddlers’ communication skills (“they always sound like they have traveled by horseback for hours to deliver important news”), to the eating habits of four year olds (“there is no difference between a four year old eating a taco and throwing a taco on the floor”). Reminiscent of Bill Cosby’s Fatherhood, Dad is Fat is sharply observed, explosively funny, and a cry for help from a man who has realized he and his wife are outnumbered in their own home.

My Thoughts

     I am a huge fan of Jim Gaffigan and this book only reinforces why. A fun filled romp through fatherhood, Gaffigan talks about the ins and outs of being a father living in New York City. I loved the off handed humor but you can also feel the genuine love he has for his children throughout.

     Jim Gaffigan has five children at the publication of this book. He and his wife Jeannie live in a two bedroom apartment in New York, with no car, and FIVE kids. Yep. Its hard for me to get over it but I think it bears repeating.

    Gaffigan talks about the trials of being a parent that are pretty universal. Some of my favorite parts of the book dealt with how annoying other parents are, which I can totally see. I don’t have children myself, but I enjoyed the random stories about how crazy children act and behave in different situations. Trips to the park took on a whole new meaning!

      I think all-in-all I enjoyed the book best because I could feel the love for his family as he wrote. Nothing really stood out to me as astounding but I did laugh in different places. I probably wouldn’t have picked up this book if I hadn’t known Gaffigan, but it was a pleasant, quick read that was pretty cute. Great for fans of Gaffigan’s stand up comedy and of course, for parents.

Book Details

Publisher: Crown Archetype

Date of Publication: May 7, 2013

# of Pages: 288

ISBN: 9780385349062

Source: Library Checkout

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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Brunette Librarian's Blog!

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It's Monday!! 

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Book Journey

What I've Read This Week...

The Nature of Cruelty

By: L.H. Cosway

Her name is Lana. She wasn’t dealt the easiest cards in life. She wasn’t dealt the hardest. She has an illness, but she doesn’t let it rule her. The first time she laid eyes on her best friend’s twin brother she fell in love at first sight. It didn’t last very long. He was a hateful boy who made her miserable. The happiest day of her life was when he moved away to London six years ago.

His name is Robert. He breaks the ones who love him. He’s always liked to play games with Lana, see how far he could push her. He once thrived on her pain, but no more. Now she’s coming to London to live with his sister for the summer and this time he plans on being her friend instead of her tormentor. But Lana is scarred by his past bullying. She doesn’t trust him, nor does she have any reason to.

When the two find themselves living under the same roof, they call a truce. This summer will change both of their lives, as they put their history aside and learn one another from scratch. When fear takes over, we use cruelty as a mask. Robert and Lana’s story will see their masks slip away as the love they felt on the inside shows its true face.

The Wrong Billionaire's Bed

By: Jessica Clare

Audrey Petty's always been the responsible one. The good twin.  Successful, dependable, and trustworthy--that's Audrey. She'd be the perfect girlfriend for her childhood crush, billionaire Cade Archer...except that she's pretty sure she's not even on his radar. But when fate (and her chaotic twin) come together, Audrey finds out that she'll be spending the next month with Cade at his remote cabin retreat. It's a dream come true...

 

Until she meets her worst nightmare. 

Billionaire playboy Reese Durham is used to seducing women to get what he wants. But when stiff, too-proper Audrey bursts into the private mountain lodge and scares his companion out the door, it's time for a little revenge. It's clear that Audrey's in love with his buddy, Cade...and it's clear to Reese that blackmailing Audrey with this information can get her to agree to just about anything. Like furtive kisses in the dark, or a secret rendezvous in the woods. Audrey may think she knows what she wants, but Reese is determined to show her what she needs. And as Reese discovers the volatile minx behind the buttoned-up exterior, he starts to think maybe she's just what he needs, too

Undeniable

By: Madeline Sheehan

Eva Fox is the princess of the Silver Demons Motorcycle Club. Growing up with bikers in the club lifestyle is all that she knows. When she’s a young girl, Eva meets the reason for her existence. Deuce West is the sexy, biker bad-ass of the Hell’s Horsemen Motorcycle Club. Like Eva, he was born and raised in the club—but that’s where the similarities end. Their first meeting is innocent, but as Eva matures into a woman, their chance reunions evolve into a fit of lust and love. Fate continues to bring them together time and time again, but their twisted journey is filled with pain, betrayal, and bloodshed that could tear them apart. Eva sees in Deuce what he cannot see in himself—a man worthy of love—and Eva spends her lifetime proving to him that her undeniable love is the one thing he can’t live without. 

Unbeautifully

By: Madeline Sheehan

Danielle “Danny” West is the daughter of Deuce West, President of the Hell’s Horsemen Motorcycle Club. A sweet and beautiful girl, she loses her way, searching for things that are always out of her reach. Erik “Ripper” Jacobs is the Sergeant of Arms in the Hell’s Horsemen. Once a man who always had a smile on his face, his life takes a turn for the worst when a tragedy befalls him, leaving him scarred and broken. During a midsummer night, Danny and Ripper’s paths cross, forever changing their lives. Hastily, their lust turns to love until another tragedy forces them apart. On a journey that is marred with ugliness and chaos, Danny and Ripper must discover if their unforeseen connection can find the beauty in their world. 

Unattainable

By: Madeline Sheehan

Tegen Matthews is the daughter of Dorothy Kelley, a club whore in the Hell’s Horsemen. A plain little girl, Tegen falls into the gritty world of the motorcycle club. When she meets a sweet, caring boy, she embraces the warmth and affection he shows her. Cage West is the son of the president of the Hell’s Horsemen. Tall and blond with deep brown eyes, as he grows up Cage realizes the power of his dimpled smile and smooth drawl. With one chance encounter, Tegen becomes forever tied to Cage. Following is a wayward journey that is filled with regrets, mistakes, and heartache, pulling at the threads that hold them together. Cage and Tegen fight hard but love harder, and in the end, what matters is where the journey takes one girl and one boy, who have been twined with one another since the beginning. 

No idea what I'm going to read next...

how about you? 

What are you reading this week?

"Vader's Little Princess" By: Jeffrey Brown Review

Vader's Little Princess

By: Jeffrey Brown

Synopsis

In this irresistibly funny follow-up to the breakout bestseller Darth Vader and Son, Vader--Sith Lord and leader of the Galactic Empire--now faces the trials, joys, and mood swings of raising his daughter Leia as she grows from a sweet little girl into a rebellious teenager.

Smart and funny illustrations by artist Jeffrey Brown give classic Star Wars moments a twist by bringing these iconic family relations together under one roof. From tea parties to teaching Leia how to fly a TIE fighter, regulating the time she spends talking with friends via R2-D2's hologram, and making sure Leia doesn't leave the house wearing only a skirted metal bikini, Vader's parenting skills are put hilariously to the test.

My Thoughts

    First I have a few disclaimers -

1. I saw this book at Target and thought it looked cute

2. I have never seen Star Wars

3. Really, the only thing with Star Wars I have seen are Family Guy episodes

   For what this is, this book is extremely cute. Funny, with inside jokes and tongue in cheek comics, fans of Star Wars are bound to love this short but cute collection. Now for those who are kind of in a similar boat, there is enough humor and knowledge of the Star Wars Universe isn’t really necessary. One of my favorite scenes is when Leia is holding on for dear life on Darth Vader’s leg. Keep in mind though, the book is extremely short with less than 70 pages of content. Super cute, funny, and above all clever, Vader’s Little Princess is perfect for fans of the Star Wars franchise or for people who just enjoy a really cute and funny read.

Book Details

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Date of Publication: April 23, 2013

# of Pages: 64

ISBN: 9781452118697

Source: Library Check Out

"Beauty and the Billionaire" By: Jessica Clare Review

Beauty and the Billionaire

By: Jessica Clare

Synopsis

Real-estate tycoon Hunter Buchanan has a dark past that’s left him scarred and living as a recluse on his family’s palatial estate. Hunter is ready to give up on love—until he spots an enigmatic red-haired beauty and comes up with an elaborate scheme to meet her.

Gretchen Petty is in need of a paycheck—and a change. So when a job opportunity in an upstate New York mansion pops up she accepts. And while she can overlook the oddities of her new job, she can’t ignore her new boss’s delectable body—or his barely leashed temper.

Hunter’s afraid his plan might be unraveling before it’s truly begun, but Gretchen is about to show him that life can be full of surprises…

My Thoughts

    Having really enjoyed Stranded with a Billionaire, and loving the character of the severely scarred Hunter, I simply devoured Beauty and the Billionaire the day it was released. When you wake up at 2am and realize its finally on your Nook, you’ve gotta read it don’t you?

     Taking off really right as Stranded with a Billionaire ends, Hunter Buchanan is entranced by Gretchen. In a scene from the first novel, Hunter overhears Gretchen tell her friend that looks aren’t important in a man. Instantly intrigued, Hunter arranges for Gretchen, an author and a loner, to create a novel based around letters he has purchased.

     The story as the title suggests has a very Beauty and the Beast feel to it. Hunter has been horribly scarred when he was younger and now lives as a recluse. Needing and wanting companionship, he invites Gretchen to his house and is utterly and adorably awkward with her. Uncomfortable around her and even having trouble conversing, Hunter (while rich and successful in the business world) finds himself lost in a normal relationship.

     Gretchen meanwhile has her own issues to deal with. A stunted writing career, crazy sisters, and an empty checkbook creates a whirlwind of problems that she has little chance of escaping from unless some major things change. When the recluse in the mansion expects her to write a book about some letters he has, she finds it weird but goes along with the program. Trying to draw Hunter out of his shell and not allow him to live up to the beast persona proves to be almost more than she can deal with.

     Beauty and the Billionaire is entrancing and as I said before, I woke up in the middle of the night to read it in its entirety. I stayed up for three hours reading frantically because I couldn’t put it down and when I saw the clock read 5am, I decided I might as well stay up and finish. Wonderful characters, hot sex scenes, and a complex relationship round out Clare’s newest release. Can’t wait for The Wrong Billionaire’s Bed, coming in October 2013!

Billionaire Boys Club Series

1. Stranded with a Billionaire

2. Beauty and the Billionaire

3. The Wrong Billionaire's Bed

Book Details

Publisher: Berkley Intermix

# of Pages: 261

Date of Publication: July 16, 2013

Source: Personal Purchase

"The Story Guy" By: Mary Ann Rivers Review

The Story Guy

By: Mary Ann Rivers

Synopsis

I will meet you on Wednesdays at noon in Celebration Park. Kissing only.

Carrie West is happy with her life . . . isn’t she? But when she sees this provocative online ad, the thirtysomething librarian can’t help but be tempted. After all, the photo of the anonymous poster is far too attractive to ignore. And when Wednesday finally arrives, it brings a first kiss that’s hotter than any she’s ever imagined. Brian Newburgh is an attorney, but there’s more to his life . . . that he won't share with Carrie. Determined to have more than just Wednesdays, Carrie embarks on a quest to learn Brian’s story, certain that he will be worth the cost. But is she ready to gamble her heart on a man who just might be The One . . . even though she has no idea how their love story will end?

My Thoughts

      One of my favorite authors, Ruthie Knox, recommended this book when it came out during the beginning of July. On a sick day in late July, I finally decided I was ready to read The Story Guy and boy was I shocked at how much how I enjoyed it and how very different it was when compared to everything else I’ve read.

     Carrie is a 30-something librarian, who loves her job, but is looking for that special something. Not having any luck in the love department, she reads the classified ads online. Never responding, just reading, until the day when she sees that special one ad. Just kissing, only Wednesdays, nothing more, with no repercussions. She responds and meets Brian, a government worker hiding his true nature in these Wednesday outings.

     Each Wednesday Carrie and Brian meet, kiss, and learn a little more about one another. I don’t want to say anything more than that else it might ruin the story, but at points I found the story utterly beautiful. Unexpected moments of tenderness abound. You never know what a person is going through just by looking at them, and sometimes, its the people who seem the most confident who need a shoulder to lean on.

     A gorgeously written novella, The Story Guy was perfectly paced and had fully fleshed out characters. I fell a little in love with Brian myself during their Wednesday chats. A well written story by a new author everyone should try, featuring librarians (woot woot), a well placed ad and Wednesdays full of love. Well done!

Book Details

Publisher: Loveswept

Date of Publication: July 8, 2013

# of Pages: 120

ISBN: 978-0345548740

Source: Personal Purchase

Blog Tour - The Governess Club "Claire" and "Bonnie"

Welcome to my blog stop today for the Governess Club! 

I read both Bonnie and Claire a few months ago and adored both. Ellie Macdonald was a completely new to me author and I have found a new must read. Counting down the days until the next Governess book is released, I thought I would share with you my fan letter to Ellie as a Thank you for these two great historicals.

Dear Ellie,

Forgive me if I get all fangirl on you, but its been a while since I've found a new author.

Claire and Bonnie reminded me strongly of the great Christina Dodd and Eloisa James novels. I can't say anything higher than that...they are that good.

I enjoyed how both heroines seemed real. They weren't gorgeous, they had imperfections. So often its so easy to create a story about the "perfect" female, but you did a wonderful job of creating characters with realistic flaws. 

Claire's story reveals a hero, Jacob, who has a huge secret. Normally these secret identities annoy me, but it was done so sweetly and I had already fallen for Jacob that I adored this concept. Claire fell in love with Jacob not because of who "he" was, but because of his character.

Thank you for writing just sweet, cute romances. They had the right amount of romance with a fast pace that left me smiling with I finished. They felt well researched with the right amount of historical placement to utterly transport me to the time period.

I have genuinely enjoyed your first two books in the Governess Club and am excited to see what you have in store for the next books in the series. 

Thank you so very much, The Brunette Librarian

The Governess Club

CLAIRE & BONNIE

By: Ellie MacDonald

Avon Romance

Releasing Sept 3^rd & Sept 17^th, 2013

Four regency misses, making their ways as governesses, make a pact work together in order to leave London and support themselves in the country. Thus, the Governess Club was born. But little did they know that their heroes might have something else to say about the matter.

Claire Claire Bannister just wants to be a good governess so that she, and the other ladies of the Governess Club, can make enough money to leave their jobs and start their own school in the country. But when the new, sinfully handsome, and utterly distracting tutor arrives, Claire finds herself caught up in a whirlwind romance that could change the course of her future. Jacob Knightly has a secret. He’s actually the notorious Earl of Rimmel. He’s just posing as a tutor to escape his reputation in the city. He never expected to fall in love with the beautiful and kind governess. She is the first person to love him for himself and not his title. But when Jacob’s true identity is revealed, Claire realizes she has risked her reputation and her heart on a man she doesn’t truly know. Will Jacob be able to convince her that the Wild Earl has been tamed and that she is the true Countess of his heart? Excerpt: http://www.elliemacdonald.com/claire-teaser.html Buy Links for Claire Kindles: amazon.ca amazon.com amazon.co.uk Nook: barnesandnoble.com Bonnie Miss Bonnie Hodges, governess to the Darrow family, is desperately trying to hold it together. Tragedy has struck and she is the sole person left to be strong for the two little boys in her care. When the new guardian arrives, she hopes that things will get better. She wasn’t expecting her new employer to be the most frustrating, overbearing, and ... handsome man she’s ever seen.  Sir Stephen Montgomery is utterly distracted. He should be trying to figure out how his two best friends were killed in a suspicious accident and why the new young viscount seems destined to be the next victim. But he can’t concentrate on anything but his growing feelings for the beautiful, mysterious, and utterly captivating governess. Together they put their heads together to save the two young boys but will Stephen’s feelings for Bonnie get in the way of their search for a killer? Buy Links: Kindles: amazon.ca amazon.com amazon.co.uk Nook: barnesandnoble.com Follow the Bonnie Tour!

Author Info

Ellie Macdonald has held several jobs beginning with the letter t: taxi-driver, telemarketer and most recently, teacher. She is thankful her interests have shifted to writing instead of taxidermy or tornado chasing. Having travelled to five different continents, she has swum with elephants, scuba dived coral mazes, visited a leper colony and climbed waterfalls and windmills, but her favorite place remains Regency England. She currently lives in Ontario, Canada. The Governess Club series is her first published work.

Author Links

Ellie Macdonald Goodreads Page

Official Ellie Macdonald Website

Ellie on Facebook

Ellie on Twitter

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Two Digital Copies of Book One: CLAIRE)

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Check out the rest of the stops...

Sept 30th- Love Saves the World

Oct 1st- Queen of All She Reads

Oct 2nd- Racing to Read

Oct 3rd- Ramblings From This Chick

Oct 4th- Paws and Print

Oct 7th- Brunette Librarian

Oct 8th- Imagine a World

Oct 9th- I am, Indeed

Oct 10th- Book Suburbia

Oct 11th- Romancing the Readers

It's Monday! What are you Reading?

It's Monday!! 

What are you Reading?

Graciously hosted by...

 Book Journey

What I've read...

Empty Mansions

By: Bill Dedman & Paul Clark Newell, JR

When Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Bill Dedman noticed in 2009 a grand home for sale, unoccupied for nearly sixty years, he stumbled through a surprising portal into American history. Empty Mansions is a rich mystery of wealth and loss, connecting the Gilded Age opulence of the nineteenth century with a twenty-first-century battle over a $300 million inheritance. At its heart is a reclusive heiress named Huguette Clark, a woman so secretive that, at the time of her death at age 104, no new photograph of her had been seen in decades. Though she owned palatial homes in California, New York, and Connecticut, why had she lived for twenty years in a simple hospital room, despite being in excellent health? Why were her valuables being sold off? Was she in control of her fortune, or controlled by those managing her money?

Dedman has collaborated with Huguette Clark’s cousin, Paul Clark Newell, Jr., one of the few relatives to have frequent conversations with her. Dedman and Newell tell a fairy tale in reverse: the bright, talented daughter, born into a family of extreme wealth and privilege, who secrets herself away from the outside world.

Jagged

By: Kristin Ashley

An old flame rekindled . . .

Zara Cinders always knew Ham Reece was the one, but he wasn't interested in settling down. When she found someone who was, Ham walked out of her life. Three years later, Zara's lost her business, her marriage, and she's barely getting by in a tiny apartment on the wrong side of the tracks. As soon as Ham hears about Zara's plight, he's on her doorstep offering her a lifeline. Now, it will take every ounce of will power she possesses to resist all that he offers.

Ham was always a traveling man, never one to settle down in one town, with one woman, for more time than absolutely necessary. But Ham's faced his own demons, and he's learned a lot. About himself, and about the life he knows he's meant to live. So when he hears that Zara's having a rough time, he wants to be the one to help. In fact, he wants to do more than that for Zara. A lot more. But first, he must prove to Zara that he's a changed man

What are you reading this week???