Book: Wealth From Within

Lori Culwell
Self Help
Get Creative / 2009
Quality Paper back / 159 Pages

Experts agree: we are on the verge of a huge shift in consciousness, starting with the way we perceive and use energy in our lives. If you've been practicing the law of attraction faithfully and are still not seeing the object of your desires, you might be missing a key piece of the puzzle. When you make the connection and get "in the flow," you will be surprised at how quickly things start to fall into place. Shift your own consciousness now to be the start of the much-needed economic turnaround!

With a historical and practical perspective that will increase your understanding of energy itself, "Wealth from Within" bridges the gap between consciousness and visualization/manifestation. Straightforward and simple to understand and apply, this book will help you connect with your own energy supply to get back "in the flow."

I picked this book up because Review

What I liked the Most? The writing style

What I liked the Least? Some of the comments in the book - do this because this famous person said so.

Alicia Silverstone = vegan
Oprah = Spirit channel playlist
Tiger Woods = Daily Meditation

Review:Okay I'm confused - I'm a seeker and I am constantly looking for the next level in my life. And this book was supposed to be the missing piece of the "Secret" puzzle unlocking the door to how to make your life better/fuller/richer. But that's not what I got from reading this book. Now don't get me wrong - if you want a crash course in various meditation or visualization techniques so you can try the several ones provide to find the one that works for you and some people need that. For me - it was a little less than likeable, maybe it's because I am already past the simple techniques listed here.

Recommended to: Someone needing a crash course

Best Quote: "Maybe the people who say these things don't eat enough meat to be grounded." I was absolutely beside myself when I read this.

Challenges:

If you have access to the net updates will be posted at www.twitter.com/witchbaby825 - I'll post as frequently as I can.

Update

My mom had her presurgical testing & registration today - everything checked out fine ekg, chest xray, blood work, & she was able to tell the nosy lady what type of surgery she was going to have and the prognosis. So that was really good.

She is scheduled for her laparoscopic colectomy on Thursday 10-22-09 at 12:15p EST & she has to be at the hospital by 10:15a.

Thank you everyone for your kinda thoughts & words.

Quote of the Day

"The thing you fail to grasp is that people are not basically good. We are basically selfish. We shove and clamor and cry for adoration, and beat down everyone else to get it. Life is a competition of prattling peacocks enraptured in inane mating rituals. But for all our effacing and self-importance, we are all slaves to what we fear most. You have so very much to learn. Here. Let me teach you." ~The Scarecrow

Book: Dreamer

Phillip L Davidson
Christian Fiction
iUniverse / 2009
Quality Paperback / 416 Pages
Standalone (but this may change)

As war between Britain and Argentina looms over the barren Falkland Islands, a group of men, former Green Berets who left the service in disgrace and now live their lives in the 'darkness', are brought together by God to save one of his servants who is being held hostage in a prison at the end of the earth. For one man in the group, the mission is personal, for it is David's wife, Sunny, who is the hostage they are trying to save.

Taking the form of one of their dead comrades, God gives them the chance to stand in the light of men once more. But their path is compromised by God's loyal servant, Satan, who places death and betrayal before them. Dreamer takes place in Washington, D.C., Georgia, Mexico, Central America and Argentina. As they fight their way to Los Estados prison, the men encounter the CIA, Contras, the Narco-Terrorists M-19, and Captain Alvarez, who is the head of the Argentine Secret Police.

Dreamer is a tale of redemption, love, courage, belief in God and betrayal!

I picked this book up because Review

What I liked the Most? The concept

What I liked the Least? The opening of the story was extremely slow

Review: To start off - I loved the concept behind this story - Good vs Evil, God vs Satan, ghostly visions - all in the hands of former Green Berets, trying to rescue one woman. Kinda makes you sit up and go hmmmm, something new. But the writing bogged the concept down - too much time spent lavishly describing inner thoughts, detailing pointless conversations, and the constantly flipping the story line gets really annoying. To the point I had to keep forcing myself to go back to the book.

Now some may say I didn't like the book because it is Christian fiction but this is not your standard Christian fiction book. Yes there are bible verses quoted at beginning of certain chapters - but there are no sermons or fluffy preaching, the reader is left to decide what to take from each little tidbit about God, choices and free will - and that part truly interested me. I love the way Mr Davidson wove the underlining story in and around the action/drama.

Over all - I would definitely recommend this book to someone like my father - former Sargent Major United States Army / Vietnam Veteran / Stand up guy, but it was a little harsh for my own enjoyment.

Recommended to: Someone like my dad (unoffended by strong language, sexual references, and an extreme amount of violence)

Best Quote: "You have marshaled a volunteer force of undereducated mercenaries who are paid substandard wages. Did you know that American soldiers in Europe live off of food stamps and handouts?" So sad - but unfortunately entirely too true.

Challenges: 100+

Lucas' Canilla Cookies (Sugar Cookies)

Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
1.Heat oven to 350° F.
2.Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the egg and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla. Reduce mixer speed to low.
3.Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and add it slowly to the butter mixture, mixing until just incorporated (the dough will be stiff). Shape into a flat 1-inch-thick disk. Refrigerate, wrapped, for 30 minutes.
4.Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Cut into shapes and place on baking sheets. The scraps can be combined and rolled out again. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are a light golden brown.
5.Transfer to cooling station.

Book: Finger Lickin' Fifteen

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press / 2009
Hard Back / 308 Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #15

Unbuckle Your Belt And Pull Up A Chair. It's The Spiciest, Sauciest, Most Rib-Sticking Plum Yet.

Recipe for disaster:

Celebrity chef Stanley Chipotle comes to Trenton to participate in a barbecue cook-off and loses his head --literally.

Throw in some spice:

Bail bonds office worker Lula is witness to the crime, and the only one she’ll talk to is Trenton cop, Joe Morelli.

Pump up the heat:

Chipotle’s sponsor is offering a million dollar reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the capture of the killers.

Stir the pot:

Lula recruits bounty hunter Stephanie Plum to help her find the killers and collect the moolah.

Add a secret ingredient:

Stephanie Plum’s Grandma Mazur. Enough said.

Bring to a boil:

Stephanie Plum is working overtime tracking felons for the bonds office at night and snooping for security expert Carlos Manoso, A.K.A. Ranger, during the day. Can Stephanie hunt down two killers, a traitor, five skips, keep her grandmother out of the sauce, solve Ranger’s problems and not jump his bones?

Warning:

Habanero hot. So good you’ll want seconds.

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? New Character is a hoot

What I liked the Least? The whole love triangle is getting stale

Review: This book had some laugh out loud moments, but that does not begin to make up for the truly boring phoned in writing - formula is too kind a word to describe this book, which features the same old, same old and then some. Don't get me wrong - I love the running gags, bang cars & the buick, but please this was just sad. The lovable laughable characters are back and full of vinegar, it's just so one note, and so repetitive.

Recommended to: I really wouldn't

Best Quote: "I'm more impressed with the fart."

Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

Book:Fearless Fourteen

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press / 2008
Hard Back / 334 Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #14

Personal vendettas, hidden treasure, and a monkey named Carl will send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most explosive adventure yet.


The Crime: Armed robbery to the tune of nine million dollars
Dom Rizzi robbed a bank, stashed the money, and did the time. His family couldn’t be more proud. He always was the smart one.

The Cousin: Joe Morelli
Joe Morelli, Dom Rizzi, and Dom’s sister, Loretta, are cousins. Morelli is a cop, Rizzi robs banks, and Loretta is a single mother waiting tables at the firehouse. The all-American family.

The Complications: Murder, kidnapping, destruction of personal property, and acid reflux
Less than a week after Dom’s release from prison, Joe Morelli has shadowy figures breaking into his house and dying in his basement. He’s getting threatening messages, Loretta is kidnapped, and Dom is missing.

The Catastrophe: Moonman
Morelli hires Walter “Mooner” Dunphy, stoner and “inventor” turned crime fighter, to protect his house. Morelli can’t afford a lot on a cop’s salary, and Mooner will work for potatoes.

The Cupcake: Stephanie Plum
Stephanie and Morelli have a long-standing relationship that involves sex, affection, and driving each other nuts. She’s a bond enforcement agent with more luck than talent, and she’s involved in this bank-robbery-gone-bad disaster from day one.

The Crisis: A favor for Ranger
Security expert Carlos Manoso, street name Ranger, has a job for Stephanie that will involve night work. Morelli has his own ideas regarding Stephanie’s evening activities.

The Conclusion: Only the fearless should read Fourteen.
Thrills, chills, and incontinence may result.

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? Mooner is back - I love this laid back character.

What I liked the Least? Personally this story was a force - it didn't flow like the rest

Review:

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote: "Carls are always crazy. You never trust anyone named Carl or Steve."

Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

Book:Lean Mean Thirteen

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press / 2007
Hard Back / 310 Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #13

New secrets, old flames, and hidden agendas are about to send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most outrageous adventure yet!

MISTAKE #1
Dickie Orr. Stephanie was married to him for about fifteen minutes before she caught him cheating on her with her arch-nemesis Joyce Barnhardt. Another fifteen minutes after that Stephanie filed for divorce, hoping to never see either one of them again.

MISTAKE #2
Doing favors for super bounty hunter Carlos Manoso (a.k.a. Ranger). Ranger needs her to meet with Dickie and find out if he’s doing something shady. Turns out, he is. Turns out, he’s also back to doing Joyce Barnhardt. And it turns out Ranger’s favors always come with a price.

MISTAKE #3
Going completely nutso while doing the favor for Ranger, and trying to apply bodily injury to Dickie in front of the entire office.

Now Dickie has disappeared and Stephanie is the natural suspect in his disappearance. Is Dickie dead? Can he be found? And can she stay one step ahead in this new, dangerous game? Joe Morelli, the hottest cop in Trenton, NJ is also keeping Stephanie on her toes—and he may know more than lets on about her…It’s a cat-and-mouse game for Stephanie Plum, where the ultimate prize might be her life.

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? wow - I needed the laugh this book provided. It was pure fun. "Bang" Beavers & stolen engines.

What I liked the Least? Nothing

Review:Stephanie is still doing her bond enforcement thing, Morelli is doing his cop thing, Lula is Lula, and Ranger is - well just Ranger.

When Dickie (yes that is his name) goes missing Stephanie falls under suspicion for his possible murder - think about it, just that morning she was strangling him infront of Lula & Connie - wanting to clear her name, she starts to look into what her ex had been up to and uncovers a money-laundering scheme. Unfortunately for her she gets caught sticking her nose in where it doesn’t belong, and becomes a target for a crazy flamethrower wielding psycho.

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote: "Guess it wasn't a singing beaver after all" & "I don't know much about cars, but I think someone took my engine." These books need a warning label - do not read if laying in bed with someone who is sleeping or in a quiet place.

Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

Book: Twelve Sharp

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press / 2006
Hard Back / 320 Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #12

FIRST A STRANGER APPEARS
While chasing down the usual cast of miscreants and weirdos Stephanie discovers that a crazed woman is stalking her.

THEN THE STRANGER REVEALS HER SECRETS
The woman dresses in black, carries a 9mm Glock, and has a bad attitude and a mysterious connection to dark and dangerous Carlos Manoso ...street name, Ranger.

NEXT, SOMEBODY DIES
The action turns deadly serious, and Stephanie goes from hunting skips to hunting a murderer.

SOON, THE CHASE IS ON
Ranger needs Stephanie for more reasons than he can say. And now, the two are working together to find a killer, rescue a missing child, and stop a lunatic from raising the body count. When Stephanie Plum and Ranger get too close for comfort, vice cop Joe Morelli (her on-again, off-again boyfriend) steps in.

Will the ticking clock stop at the stroke of twelve, or will a stranger in the wind find a way to stop Stephanie Plum...forever?

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? A vulnerable Ranger whose confidence is somewhat battered with the abduction of his child.

What I liked the Least? The whole mini Ranger theme - really you should know no one could touch it.

Review:This series is a guilty pleasure - it's a no brainer - just a really likeable character in highly unlikely situations.

Turns out Ranger has become the victim of the ultimate Identity Theft. He's been accused of kidnapping his daughter.

Slight spoiler - Lula & Tank? Really! Wow.

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote: "Probably you should leave before Lula finds her gun"

Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

Book:Eleven On Top

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press / 2005
Mass Market / 320 Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #11

Stephanie Plum, Trenton's favorite bondswoman, is having a career crisis, which gives Janet Evanovich plenty of opportunities to showcase her series heroine in a variety of alternative vocations, from dry cleaner to factory worker. Most of them don't last a full working day, which is good for the reader, since it plunges Stephanie back into the always seedy, often dangerous, and always colorful world of fugitives who'd rather flee than face their day in court. She may be tired of having her life threatened, her cars torched or blown up, and her apartment broken into, but one thing she can say about her job is that it's never boring... and neither is she.

Despite her intentions of going straight at a job with a little more security and a bit less excitement, an old client won't let her--he keeps leaving her threatening notes, stalking and scaring her, and making sure she needs the protection of the two men in her life--Joe Morelli, the sexy cop who's been bedding her since high school, and Ranger, the even sexier tough guy who can take down the meanest fugitive around but has a tender spot in his heart for the plucky Ms. Plum.

All Evanovich fans' favorite characters people this sprightly caper novel, including Lula, the fast-food-chomping former hooker who's hot to take over Stephanie's job but really belongs in a WWE Takedown; Grandma Mazur, who'd rather go to a wake than a fancy-dress ball; Grandma Bella, the matriarch of the Corelli family whose evil eye frightens even the indomitable Stephanie; and Valerie, Stephanie's sister, who's about to embark on another trip to the altar.

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? The major twist in the series - I didn't see that coming.

What I liked the Least? She quit - even if it was for only a little bit.

Review:Stephanie actually takes the advice of too many people to count and quits her bounty hunter job in search of a real job. She's lucky - she gets the first job she applies for at the button factory, and the with a local dry cleaners, and also the with a fast-food chicken franchise "Cluck in a Bucket" - all with disastrously funny results.

The on going triangle between Stephanie, Morelli, and Ranger throbs with tension. This is particularly so since Stephanie ends up working for Ranger at Rangeman Security.

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote: "I don't have a lot of domestic instincts," Ranger said to me, his attention fixing on the unidentifiable glob in my hair, "but I have a real strong urge to take you home and hose you down."

Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

9-28 to 10-4

In reality - this type of post while it does contain what I've been reading/reviewing - I will be including updates on my mom / work situation / yadda yadda yadda - in other words if you don't want to know what's going on in my life, skip it. LOL.

Okay let's see this week has not been a fun filled extravaganza. Not that I expected it to be with Doctor's appointments and work crazyness - but let me fill you in.

Monday 9-28, instead of my simple 9 hour shift go home pass out that I was expecting I had an emotional 14 hour day filled more drama than a day time soap, call outs, sick out, lie abouts, on the job sleepers & slackers. (side note I may occasionally bend some of the rules - I'm at least not doing it right in front of the boss). Hey if any of my coworkers read this - guess where you fit in.

Read: Charmed to Death by Shirley Damsgaard

Tuesday 9-29, Long night at work mentally, I'm getting tired of working the nights. How odd does that sound coming from me. After I finally got off work, I took mom to Sanford for her "mental health" appointment. LOL. Inside joke, we went to see my Aunt Weez & she did my mom's hair (I got a haircut), then we got back in the van and headed to raleigh to the big farmer's market. Yummy fresh foods. Unfortunately I forgot the camera & my cell was dead. We ate lunch at the seafood place and it was good, but the awning showered us with some nasty water.

Read: Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

Wednesday 9-30, Doctor's appointment today. I'm not sure I want to know the results. But I will be brave for my mom and hold onto my hope that it is just something minor. Okay - back from the Doc & here it goes - yes Mom has cancer but it is treatable. We have a hard road infront of us, but it is the best news we could have gotten at this point. I am so releived. Surgery Consultation is scheduled for next Wednesday.

And then my phone broke. *sigh* The little springy thing inside just snapped. I give up. Okay really, can someone take the hex off now?

Thursday 10-1, Ya know - I'm a bit tired of good news/bad news. From now on - I refuse to hear bad news. I was gonna sleep in today, but that didn't happen. I'm not sure that my parents understand that I work nights, which means that I have to sleep during the day. Now I'm not saying it was all their fault - I mean my phone started lighting up like a Christmas tree from about 6am and didn't stop and the bad thing - I couldn't even answer it cause my phone is broken. *sigh*

My cousin Cindy's husband Charlie passed away this morning. He's been in & out of the hospital for as long as I can remember - lung cancer, brain tumor, intestinal tear. We send your spirit soaring free - free of pain & free of angish. Go Charlie, we'll tend to Cindy now.

And I had to take time out to handle some of the mundane life chores today - go set at the phone company waiting for my Xenon to get out of surgery. And since Domestic Witch's October Blog Party Starts today - I engaged in a very in depth house clean. I was really ready for this.

Bento: I posted one - yay for me. It's just with all the other wack mess - I often forget to eat healthy.

Friday 10-2, Outdoor decos (pictures when I remember the camera) were started today. Just basic fall decorations for now. Not sure if my mom wants to decorate for Halloween, but when/if she does I will be there to support her totatlly.

And YAY for me, I've been sooooo tired of eating out constantly that I cooked today. I made Crock Pot Chicken Paella. Tossed everything in the Crock Pot & then went to sleep.

Read: Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich

Saturday 10-3, Energy workshop & etiquette class - I cooked again this time it was Crock Pot Roast Beef. You have to try this, it is just melt away tender cooked like this.

Read: To the Nines by Janet Evanovich

Sunday 10-4, Well had a bit of a blow with DH today & I gave him his final deadline. Do something or I'm totally gone. You think that moving out for over two months would give him the clue that I'm serious, but I think he thinks it's a nonstop party. I'm tired of fighting all the BS with him. Charlie's wake is today but I begged off because I needed sleep. I'm really sorry.

Read: Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich & Espresso Shot by Cleo Coyle
Posted Reviews: Three to Get Deadly, Four to Score, & Defenders of the Scroll.

Crock Pot Chicken Paella

• 4 diced chicken thighs
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 diced medium onion 
• 1 diced bell pepper  
• 1 cup canned chicken broth (eyeball it mid way up the chicken is good
• 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp Paprika
• 1 cup white rice

Instructions
Place everything (but the rice) in a 4-quart or larger crockpot. Cover and cook on low setting for 5 hours.

Add rice; cook, covered, about 20ish minutes.

Yeilds about 4 servings at 6pts per serving & it is OMG yummy!!!

Book: Defenders of the Scroll

Shiraz
Young Adult
iUniverse / 2008
Hard Back / 248 Pages
Series

The snapping of a branch drew Alex’s attention back to the forest. A guttural growl followed as a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared in the trees, and then another set appeared. Slowly, a large canine head pulled free from the darkness with a second head close by it. Both snarled at Alex, and only when they came a few paces farther, did Alex see that both heads shared the same body—a body as big as his own. “Now I know I’m dreaming,” he muttered. The chink of metal sounded as the dog’s chain was pulled back. Someone was holding it, someone big. As his huge legs came into view, Alex thought it was an ogre. Twice his height, it was certainly big enough to be one. The hairy creature wore animal-skin clothes and had an ugly, caveman-like face with two big fangs protruding from its lower jaw. When Alex saw that it too had two heads, he corrected himself. “Ettin. Crap.” “I’ll need a sword,” he said, and then he willed one to appear in his hand. This was a dream after all. But no sword magically sprang forth. Things began to feel far too real for Alex. Dream or not, they needed to get out of there. “Dara?” he checked. She had moved herself right behind him. “Yes, sir?” “Run!”

I picked this book up because Review Request

What I liked the Most? I really enjoyed the characters and found them to be very likable.

What I liked the Least? The cover - it was not something I would have picked up.

Review:First I must say it too forever for me to pick up this book. The cover just didn't do anything for me & it really did look like a boring bland book of nothing. But boy was I wrong. The story line & the characters make this a book that you can't put down. Once I started I flew through the book racing to the end.

Now that is not to say this book was without issues - you just overlook a little bit of "hey reader are you stupid" comments and a lot of "let me remind yous", to concentrate on actually reading the story. Its all good.

Recommended to: Young Adult Fantasy Fans

Best Quote:"Witch? I wish! Can you imagine how powerful I'd be if magic ran through my blood?"

Challenges: 100+

Book: Ten Big Ones

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press /
Mass Market / Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #10

"I'm Stephanie Plum. My mother says that I'm famous and have to set a good example. She's right, but I'm from Jersey and truth is, I have a hard time getting a grip on the good example thing."

Swing off the Jersey Turnpike and you'll be in bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's neighborhood. You'll know it because all hell will be breaking loose. Not that she attracts trouble-it just seems to follow her. In Ten Big Ones it explodes at a deli, and when Stephanie pegs a robber as a member of a vicious Trenton gang, they peg her as dead. Vice cop Joe Morelli fears she's in way too deep-even with the help of crime-solving cross-dressing bus driver, Sweet Sally, and Stephanie's friend Lula riding shotgun as backup. With a notorious killer on her tail, Stephanie figures the best hideout is Ranger's secret lair...

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? Some of the wit

What I liked the Least? The style this book had

Review:While this book had some funny scenes and some sexual tension, it was a disappointing read. The characters were badly handled - Ranger and Joe were flat, and every one was fat & on a diet. Nothing moves or changes.

I got a very strong feeling that someone else had a large part in writing this book; it just didn't feel like Janet's work and it appeared the writer was unaware of several important interactions between the characters.

The book definitely has some good spots that make it worth reading, but if this had been the first in the series, I would not have bought the next one.

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote: "I can't get up! I've got seven humping dogs on me. Seven. Do Something!" I dang near peed my pants

Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

Book: To The Nines

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press / 2003
Mass Market / 320 Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #9

Stephanie Plum's got rent to pay, people shooting at her, and psychos wanting her dead every day of the week (much to the dismay of her mother, her family, the men in her life, the guy who slices meat at the deli . . . oh, the list goes on). An ordinary person would cave under the pressure.

But hey, she's from Jersey.

Stephanie Plum may not be the best bounty hunter in beautiful downtown Trenton, but she's pretty darn good at turning bad situations her way . . . and she always gets her man. In To the Nines, her cousin Vinnie (who's also her boss) has posted bail on Samuel Singh, an illegal immigrant. When the elusive Mr. Singh goes missing, Stephanie is on the case. But what she uncovers is far more sinister than anyone imagines and leads to a group of killers who give new meaning to the word hunter.

In a race against time that takes her from the Jersey Turnpike to the Vegas Strip, Stephanie Plum is on the chase of her life.

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? Tag your it/Laying waste to Rangeman body guards

What I liked the Least?NOTHING

Review: From the opening gambit to the last page - OMG this was hands down one of the funniest books I've read lately.

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote: "I'm a white girl from Trenton. I don't know these things. I need a rap cheat sheet." - I may not be from Trenton, but I still feel this way. LOL.

Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

Book:Hard Eight

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press / 2002
Mass Market / 320 Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #8

Fugitive Apprehension Agent Stephanie Plum has a big problem on her hands: Seven-year-old Annie Soder and her mother, Evelyn, have disappeared.

Evelyn's estranged husband, Steven, a shady owner of a seedy bar, is not at all happy. During the divorce proceedings, he and Evelyn signed a child custody bond, and Steven is demanding the money guaranteed by the bond to find Annie. The money was secured by a mortgage on Evelyn's grandmother's house, and the True Blue Bonds Bail Agency wants to take possession of the house.

Finding a kidnapped child is not an assignment for a bounty hunter. But Evelyn's grandmother lives next door to Stephanie's parents, and Stephanie's mother and grandmother are not about to see their neighbor lose her house because of abduction.

Even though Stephanie's plate is full with miscreants who missed their court dates, including old nemesis and violent drunk Andy Bender and an elusive little old lady accused of grand theft auto, she can't disappoint Grandma Mazur! So she follows the trail left by Annie and Evelyn-- and finds a lot more than she bargained for. Steven is somehow linked with a very scary Eddie Abruzzi. Trenton cop and on-again, off-again fiance Joe Morelli and Stephanie's mentor and tormentor, Ranger, warn Stephanie about Abruzzi, but it's Abruzzi's eyes and mannerisms that frighten Stephanie the most. Stephanie needs Ranger's savvy and expertise, and she's willing to accept his help to find Annie even though it might mean becoming too involved with Ranger.

Stephanie, Ranger, Lula (who's not going to miss riding with Ranger), and Evelyn's lawyer/laundromat manager set out to find Annie. The search turns out to be a race among Stephanie's posse, the True Blue Bonds' agent, a Rangerette known as Jeanne Ellen Burrows, and the Abruzzi crew. Not to mention the fact that there's a killer rabbit on the loose!

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? Ranger is SOOOOOOO hot

What I liked the Least? nothing

Review: Another comic adventure in the strange world of 'The Burg,' New Jersey's very own twilight zone. Stephanie quickly finds herself at odds with Eddie Abruzzi, who is a sociopathic crime lord when he isn't being a sociopathic war gamer. Eddie wants Stephanie out of a missing child investigation, and is perfectly willing to make her crazy before he finally kills her - she should have never mentioned bunnies. Really. And who can forget a lawyer whose name is not spelled c-l-o-w-n?

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote: "I'm not sure I feel comfortable about the way your grandma looks at me"


Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

Book:Seven Up

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press / 2002
Mass Market / 352 Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #7

Semi-retired mob guy, Eddie DeChooch, is caught trafficking contraband cigarettes through Trenton, New Jersey. When DeChooch fails to show for a court appearance, bond enforcement agent Stephanie Plum is assigned the task of finding him and dragging his decrepit ass back to jail. Not such an easy job, it turns out, since DeChooch has learned a lot of tricks over the years and isn't afraid to use his gun. He's already shot Loretta Ricci and left her for worm food in his shed. He wouldn't mind shooting Stephanie next.

Likeable losers (and former high school classmates) Walter "MoonMan" Dunphy and Dougie "The Dealer" Kruper have inadvertently become involved with DeChooch. They've gotten sucked into an operation which is much more than simple cigarette smuggling and holds risks far greater than anyone could have imagined.

When Dougie disappears, Steph goes into search mode. When Mooner disappears, she calls in the heavy artillery and asks master bounty hunter Ranger for help. Ranger's price for the job? One night with Stephanie, dusk to dawn. Not information she'd want to share with her some-time live in roommate, vice cop Joe Morelli.

A typical dilemma in the world of Plum.

And on the homefront, Stephanie's "perfect" sister Valerie has decided to move back to Trenton, bringing her two kids from hell. Grandma Mazur is asking questions about being a lesbian, and Bob, the bulimic dog, is eating everything in sight-including the furniture.

Mud wrestling, motorcycles, fast cars, fast food, and fast men. It's Seven Up. Absolutely Janet Evanovich at her very best.

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? How the ancient cast of characters keep elluding everybody. LOL. Too funny.

What I liked the Least? Eddie was kinda mean

Review: Stephanie is expected to pick up a seventy plus year old person mobster who never made his court appearance. She instead finds him to be extremely difficult to apprehend as he keeps evading her. During her search, Stephanie is shot at, propositioned, and threatened. She uses herself as bait to catch her mark, but instead Eddie kidnaps Grandma Mazur. He uses his victim to force Stephanie to accept his terms. Desperate, she turns to former mercenary Ranger to help her even as she wonders whether she really wants to pay the price he extracts from her for his services.

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote: "Is that a bulletproof vest? See, now that's so insulting. That's like saying I'm not smart enough to shoot you in the head."

Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

Book: Hot Six

Janet Evanovich
Fiction
St. Martin's Press / 2001
Mass Market / 352 Pages
Series: Stephanie Plum #6

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is faced with her most daunting task yet: bring in the mysterious former Special Forces agent Carlos Manoso (aka Ranger). He's the man who taught her everything about fugitive apprehension, and Stephanie knows she will be testing her skills against the master. But even if she does catch him, she's not so sure she could turn in her friend-even if he is wanted for murder...


And if this isn't enough to keep her up at night, Grandma Mazur is crimping her sex life by moving in with her and keeping her from getting any action from her cop boyfriend, Joe Morelli. Now, with her love life messing with her head, two threatening goons on her tail, and three corpses-so far-it's getting a little too hot for Stephanie whose search for Ranger is bringing her dangerously close to the wrong side of the law...

I picked this book up because Challenge/series

What I liked the Most? Grandma Mazur - she is still a rocking character

What I liked the Least? Morelli's jealousy - it's fake

Review: I was slightly disappointed, maybe it's just my hormones talking, but I would have liked it if Stephanie had had more "screen time" with Ranger. Joe is a nice guy (sweet, considerate and all that) but there's something about the mysteriousness of Ranger that appeals to me. So that may be the only reason this book didn't seem great to me. Sure, the whole deal with the Ramos family was interesting as were her other FTA's but it just wasn't as involved as the others. This book seemed to be lacking

Recommended to: Fans of the series

Best Quote:"If she wasn't your grandmother I'd shoot her."

Challenges: 100+, Stephanie Plum

Bento 81: Salad or sandwich

I've got some issue in my personal life & that has lead to a bunch of bad food choices. Tonight I grabbed everything to make salad - I'm pretty sure that this is not a resurgence of daily bentos. But soon I hope.

Get this Party Started.

Okay so day one is not the best sharing day, but it is a REALLY big deal for me. I just love airing out and cleaning the whole house to get it ready for my favorite month. Of course - I say every month is my favorite, I just adore what ever season I headed into and this is no joke.

So first up - major house cleaning.

• Drop the puppy off at the groomers.
  
• Open all the windows and doors.
  
• Print off cleaning checklists
  
  • Bathroom
    
  • Living Room
    
  • Kitchen
    
  • Bedroom
    or Use something like
  • this one from Martha Stewart or try this one from Casa Sugar.
  
  
• And then clean - and clean some more.
  
• Change Blog Colors (LOL - I'm not going all fancy with it, just switching to fally colors

I would much rather decorate a clean house - tomorrow starts some basic decorating, I can't wait.