Reread Challenge for November

Well - it's that time again - Reread Challenge Time hosted by Nath. It's a bit of deja view from last month!


Rapture in Death by JD Robb

Why this one: I'm still making my way through a reread of the In Death books. There are a couple of coworkers reading them and as they are much further behind than I am, it's kind of fun going back to the earlier ones

Blurb: They died with smiles on their faces. Three apparent suicides: a brilliant engineer, an infamous lawyer, and a controversial politician. Three strangers with nothing in common - and no obvious reasons for killing themselves. Police lieutenant Eve Dallas found the deaths suspicious. And her instincts paid off when autopsies revealed small burns on the brains of the victims. Was it a genetic abnormality or a high-tech method of murder? Eve's investigation turned to the provocative world of virtual reality games - where the same techniques used to create joy and desire could also prompt the mind to become the weapon of its own destruction . . .

My thoughts: It's been a while since I've read this one - number 4 is anyone doesn't know the order. It takes place almost right where Immortal in Death ends. Eve and Roarke are just finishing off their honeymoon off planet, when Eve is called to check out an apparent suicide of one of the staff. Everything appears as it ought to be but when Eve goes back to work, she is made aware of a number of suicides and puts two and two together and comes up with murder. What I enjoy so much about this one is the passion between Eve and Roarke. The last book so far in the series I only gave a warm rating too, but this one is hot, hot, hot as they are both still newlyweds. Add to that a musicologist who is working to help Mavis with her singing career and who likes to 'manipulate' things between Roarke and Eve and this is another good read. I did notice though that this one is a bit unusual in that Eve, who is usually so right on about the murderer is a bit off on who she thinks it is in this book and pushes things further then she usually does and ends up wrong - for a short time.

This is another one that is heavier than some on the relationship aspect and I wish more of them were like this. I originally gave this one a 5 out of 5 - but I was new to the series and I was giving 5's out like candy I love the whole series that much. This time 'round though I'm changing it to a 4.5 out of 5. Still a very good grade, but I downgraded it just a tad due to Eve's stubbornness.




Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb

Why this one: Ever since I first read it, it's always been my favourite

Blurb: A serial killer takes his dead victims' portraits and sends them to the media. Lieutenant Eve Dallas counts on her husband's help to crack the case, but he's just learned a devastating truth about his past.

My thoughts: I've always liked this one best as it's quite a role reversal compared to most of the other In Death books and it's one I taunt my coworkers with. Usually it's Eve who remembers the horrible things in her childhood, but in Portrait, Roarke learns something about his past that rocks his world. I won't say what so as to avoid spoilers for any readers who are just starting this series or who haven't made it this far. But Roarke is shaken - very shaken - and as those who know this series so well, other than worrying about Eve, Roarke is pretty much cool as a cucumber. And because his world is so rocked, and he doesn't know how to handle this new development, he does something else very un-Roarke like - he shuts Eve out. And thus Eve is shaken.

Later on in the story, once Roarke kind of comes to terms with the situation, we have another role reversal. It's Eve who helps Roarke. As we all know, Eve isn't exactly the 'nurturing' kind. She is faced with a dilemma - whether to continue working on the case or help Roarke when he needs her the most. After a head smack from Feeney, she does make the right choice.

This one is more of a relationship entry than many of the In Death books and I liked it. The first time I gave this one a 5 out of 5 and it still gets a 5 out of 5 and still remains one of my favourites!

Reread Challenge for October

Well, it’s that time again. What time? Nath’s Reread Challenge time. And mine is a bit different this time round. I did a lot of rereading for it *g*.

This is a quartet of reviews. I’ve read them in preparation for the next In Death book, due out Very Shortly. I thought I’d go back to the beginning, the middle and near the end for my Eve, Roarke and the gang fix.

Naked In Death – the book that started them all.

I think this was about the fourth or fifth time I’ve read this one. I read it every so often when a new In Death book comes out just so I can see how far Eve has come. I’m always struck by what a loner she was in Naked in Death. Except for Mavis and Feeney, she didn’t really have anyone in her life.

This book really is a catalyst book though for Eve. She begins to remember her horrific childhood and she meets and Very Reluctantly starts to fall for billionaire Roarke. I didn’t realize how alone she was when I first started reading this series, but going back once she has a whole network of family and friends, the first few are quite stark.

But at heart this is a mystery series and in this book, Eve has a high level case given to her right after closing a traumatic case involving the stabbing to death of a young child. This new case is the murder of a highly connected licensed companion – a prostitute. And mysterious billionaire Roarke is on her suspects. When unwanted sparks begin to fly between them, Eve is determined to rule him out before she becomes even more involved.

I’m not normally a mystery reader, but it is the relationships that originally appealed to me and keep me coming back for more.

Portrait in Death is the 16^th book in this series and is probably my favourite of the series so far. Someone has been killing innocent young people and once again it is up to Eve to solve the mystery. But what sets this one apart is we get to see more of Roarke’s background and even more – a shaken Roarke. He is usually so imperturbable, but in this one his world is rocked when he is confronted with the fact that his past isn’t what he thought it was. It turns out he has a mother who loved him and a whole family he was completely unaware of. He doesn’t know how to handle this and blocks Eve out for a while. I just love the dynamics in this book; how he pushes Eve away while needing her desperately at the same time. It’s unusual that the tables are turned.

Survivor in Death – This is the 20^th book in the series and in this one, Eve and Roarke are confronted with a child. When Nixie Swishers’ whole family are murdered and Nixie is the only witness, Eve takes the drastic step of bringing her to their home for protection while she works to solve the murders. It’s obvious in this book that though Eve has come a long way from the isolated person she was in Naked in Death, she is far from ready for a family that includes children. She doesn’t know how to deal with them yet and it’s kind of sad in this book to see Nixie needing her and Eve not know how to respond to that need. As she follows the clues and slowly starts to solve the case along with her team, she and Roarke realize that they aren’t ready for children – at least for a while.

Salvation in Death – this is book 32 in the series and concentrates more on the mystery. In this one Eve and team must solve the murder of Father Miguel Flores, a priest who dropped dead from poison during a funeral service.

What fascinates me about this one is how JD Robb slowly takes the reader from feeling a great deal of sympathy for the murdered priest through the story where things aren’t what they appear to be at first. This wasn’t my favourite in the series, but I certainly enjoyed enough that I’m still hooked!

I realize with this many books in a series, it can be somewhat intimidating to start reading them - but trust me, they are well worth it. And if anyone is thinking of reading them - just start, one book at a time. While I'm one who can read series out of order without it bothering me, if you are thinking of starting, I highly recommend start at least with the first three. The first three set up the relationship between Eve and Roarke and slowly introduce the cast of characters I've come to love. I know a lot of readers have dropped the In Death series along the way, claiming a certain sameness in all the books. But for me, this is the appeal. When I read a new one, it's like visiting friends and when I reread, it's like reminiscing old times.

Reread Challenge for August

I know I’m a day early but I have something special for the next couple of days and I didn’t want to not do the Reread Challenge that Nath runs.

Last month I missed Nath’s reread challenge for July – mind you I had a good reason – I was a busy little beaver heading off to the RWA convention in Washington, collecting books and meeting people. When I confessed this missed month though, I promised her two to make up for it. And I made it!! I have two for your pleasure. And considering we just had The Great Western Drive and it brought back to mind all the great Westerns I’ve read over the years, it should come as no surprise that both the Reread books for August are.....Westerns.

The Way Home by Megan Chance

Why this one: In one of the comment on Wendy’s blog, Victoria Jenssen requested a certain Megan Chance book. Although I hadn’t read that particular book, it did bring to mind The Way Home and I added it to the list of recommendations and as I did, the book screamed at me for a reread. I found it in the ‘library’ and that as they say, was that.

Steam Level: Who says a book has to be steamy to be wonderful? Though there is a love scene or two, they don’t go into great detail

Blurb: Eliza Beaudry was determined to get out in the big wide world – even if it meant trading a few kisses for her freedom. When she met traveling gambler Cole Wallace, she thought her fantasies had come true. But Cole’s daydreams didn’t include Eliza Beaudry. He was a man used to taking what he wanted, so he took what Eliza offered and neither of them thought about what might happen later.

Penniless and pregnant, Eliza found a saviour in Cole’s shy brother, Aaron, who fell for her instantly. He surely wasn’t the man of her dreams, but could her dreams change?

My thoughts: I did good in recommending this book. It really is wonderful. The hero and heroine are both warm and caring people and although Eliza starts off quite young and foolish and at the start of the book, you may wonder how the author can bring her past this foolish move she makes, please, keep reading because she does get into your heart. And while Aaron, the hero, is totally incapable of expressing his thoughts to Eliza, he deeply feels them nonetheless.

In brief, hopefully without giving away any spoilers, Eliza Beaudry is looking for a way to escape her dirt poor life and sees an opportunity is the suave gambler Cole Wallace. Well, Cole has his own plans that don’t include a white trash type like Eliza and when ‘caught’, convinces, bullies, blackmails his younger brother into doing ‘right’ by her. Eliza expects her life to improve, but Cole hasn’t told her the complete truth about Aaron, that he’s a recluse who avoids the agony of going to ‘town’ where he suffers humiliations. Instead Aaron lives mainly in his head and dreams to escape his own lonely existence. The story is of these two lonely souls trying to adjust and communicate and find happiness with each other – and what will happen when Cole comes back and realizes what he gave away.

This is truly a heart warming story and I’m oh so glad I read it again and was oh so glad I included it in my Western Recs. If you love your heroes Beta, then Aaron is the hero for you. And don’t give up too soon on Eliza; she will make you fall in love with her!

Grade: 4.75 out of 5

This is a .25 lower grade then the first time I read it, but still very much a keeper

And now for the second book

Heart of the Hawk by Justine Dare

Why this one: It was one I recommended for The Great Western Drive and when I came across it in my ‘library’, thought I’d see if it stood the test of time since it was a while ago that I read it.

Steam Level: Nice - not too hot and not too cold

Back Blurb: He was her downfall

Notorious gunslinger Joshua Hawk was to hang in Gambler’s Notch when the sun rose. He had but one regret. He had never found his grandfather’s book with his family’s history – and prophecy that the Hawk line would never die. Yet Josh didn’t die at daybreak because the young widow of the man he shot suddenly lied to set him free. He wanted to know why....

Or her destiny...

Kate Dixon looked into the cold eyes of the Hawk and felt him steal her breath away. He had freed her from her brutal husband only to swoop down and take possession of her heart. It seemed as if some force had brought them together to complete a fate ordained long ago. But, as swiftly as his passion aroused her, his reputation attracted dangerous men. To save her, the Hawk would have to leave her and move on...unless, to save him, Kate stood her ground and fought for the love of her life...

My Thoughts: While the back blurb sounds a bit over dramatic, it basically is the outline – though it ISN’T what I would consider a soul mate story – for those who don’t care for them *big grin*

This is part of a series that Ms. Dare started and not unlike the Futuristic series, the publisher – damn their hide – chose not to finish what she had started and she only wrote three books, a contemporary, a medieval and a Western; with a central theme running through all of them.

Joshua Hawk is tired of living. He is tired of being what he is, a hired gun, and is ready to hang. This makes him the last of the Hawk family. But a mysterious promise, which occurs in the medieval, insures that the name with live on.

It’s an interesting premise and actually starts with the contemporary, Wild Hawk, then continues with this one and then finally moves to the beginnings of the prophecy.

So, when Josh is ready to give it up; to hang for shooting an unarmed man, evidence comes to light that there really was a gun and Josh killed the man in self-defence. Although sceptical, it’s Katherine Dixon, the widow, who confirms the existence of the missing gun, thus saving Josh from a hanging.

Josh feels obligated to stay and help the young widow, even more so when he realizes what a monster her husband was. And at the same time, a mysterious book appears, a book that his confirmed the stories his grandfather has told him about for years. The book tells the history of the Hawk family and the inexplicably added story of his own life.

Although she never thinks to let another man into her life, she feels herself drawn to Josh. And for his part, Josh is drawn more and more to Kate. He doesn’t think he is good for though, a gunslinger who has spent his life killing.

So – does this one stand the test of time? Was it a good recommendation?

Yes! Absolutely! Once again – if I do say so myself, I done good. I loved this one just as much this time through as I did when I first read it in 1996. I originally gave this one a 5 out of 5, but now just a tad lower, not for either the hero or heroine, but an annoying secondary character who didn’t stick out as much as annoying the first time.

Grade: 4.75 out of 5

And still in the country

Though I came back for about an hour to check mail and feed the kitties.

I miss blog hopping and blogging! I only have very limited time out there - just enough to read comments (not respond) and check the emails that need responding to the most. But I'm back tomorrow night (and back to work on Thursday) and I know I have a lot to catch up on!!

One thing about being in the country though - with Very Limited internet and no cable - I've had time to read and I have TWO books to post about on Nath's ReRead Challenge. And guess what genre they are - heh heh.

And last - but not least - there is still the contest that runs until Saturday!!

And I look forward to adding all kinds of names to The Great Western Drive!!

Now - time to head back.

Reread Challenge for June

Ride the Fire by Pamela Clare

Why this one: AL did a recent review of it and it started calling to me. I hadn’t read it for a while so I figured it was about time for another reread. You are probably getting sick of me talking about this one – but truly, it’s worth it!

My thoughts: I’m not going to give an outline since I’ve done that before and so have others. Instead I’ll just try and encapsulate what makes this such a powerful read for me.

One of the reasons this book is so compelling is the time period and the setting. I live in SW Ontario and when I was young one of my best vacations was a trip to all the old forts around the area. I’ve always loved history and was captivated by the history surrounding those old forts. I still remember a reenactment they did during one visit. I think my parents got quite a chuckle out of my excitement.

So reading a book that took place during this time period; the French Indian War against the British, takes me back to my youth.

And I can’t not mention the too die for hero in this book either. Nicholas Kenleigh is one of my very favourites of all time. From the very first when he is described as having hair down to his waist I perked up. Now I know this description doesn’t do it for everyone – heh heh heh but it sure does for me. Nicholas is one of the best tortured heroes I’ve ever read; both literally and figuratively. Because of what he went through he is pretty dead inside when he first runs into Bethie, the heroine. The author does such a fantastic job of slowly bringing him back to life while falling in love with Bethie. It’s not too hard at all imagining someone like Daniel Day Lewis in his Hawkeye role in Last of the Mohicans as Nicholas – nope, not too hard at all.

Bethie is also a great heroine. Wendy, SuperLibrarian put it well in a recent review she did of this book – a book she read due in part to my constant nagging – and she liked it. I quote: What I appreciated was that while she was alone and scared, she wasn't cowering in a corner waiting for someone to attack her. Oh no! Girlfriend knows how to use a rifle, and matches wits quite well with Nicholas when he shows up wounded on her doorstep”

I like how she puts that *g*.

The love scenes are soooo good. Pamela writes such great ones in all her books. The vibes between her couples in all her books are different and she really does reflect that in the scenes of intimacy that she writes. A lot of times when reading the sex scenes in a book I skip over them because there is nothing really unique about them. But in Pamela Clare’s books, each one is different and well thought out. You can tell she doesn’t just add them a sex scene for a sex scenes sake (try saying that three times!) Rather she takes who they are and what they are to each other into consideration and Ride the Fire is no exception. As an author, I’m sure they aren’t easy to write sometimes and they don’t necessarily add anything to the story, but in Ride the Fire, this isn’t the case. Bethie has been traumatized in the past and Nicolas sees this and is very patient and very tender with her. The full consummation doesn’t take place until later in the book, but before that he slowly shows her how good it can be between a man and a woman.

If you haven’t read this book or if you have it in your TBR pile just sitting there, I urge you to find it, to move it up. It really is a wonderful reading experience. It has been for me each time I’ve read it and this last time was no exception.

Grade: Always has been and always will be – 5 out of 5 and a true keeper

ReRead Challenge for May

Nath's ReRead Challenge for May

I’ve been delighted this past little while to discover more readers discovering Jodi Thomas. I’ve been reading and enjoying her books for years now. I think I must have loaned out the book I was planning on reading or else it’s in the ‘pile’ so when I was going through the library’ (and may I take this opportunity to say I’m dying to see what Nath thinks of it) I came across my older Jodi Thomas books and pulled out my favourite one.

The Tender Texan by Jodi Thomas

Published: 1991

Why this one: It called out the loudest

Steam Level: it starts out cool, but builds to a very warm boil

Synopsis:

A Shocking Proposition
Bold and beautiful, Anna Meyer dared to walk into a campsite full of Texas cattlemen . . . and offer one hundred dollars to the man who'd help her forge a frontier homestead.

A Reckless Agreement

On the brink of manhood, Chance Wyatt agreed to settle down and build a home with the lovely stranger. The boy in him never considered the possibility of love. But the man in him could not deny the passion . . .

They vowed to live together for one year only. But as the challenges of the savage land drew them closer together, neither could resist an aching desire that enflamed their hearts, touched their souls . . . and broke all the rules

My Thoughts: I like this book. I mean I really, really like it. A lot. It’s a great representative of why I love the Western genre. I like it.

Chance Wyatt is a dream of a hero. He’s the strong and silent type that is there for the heroine at all times. And even more intriguing, he is younger than Anna – and one of those delicious virgin heroes. I love a good Alpha hero, but as times is nice to read about a great Beta hero and Chance is one of the best ones I’ve read.

Anna, on the other hand is one of the prickliest heroines I’ve read. Don’t get me wrong, I really loved her character, but because of her prickliness, an Alpha hero never would have worked for her. She needs someone calm and patient and gentle with her. It’s not that Chance doesn’t have his moments and stands up to her when he needs to, but at times she even tried my patience a bit. She is a young, pregnant widow who has been horribly abused by her late husband and is afraid to get close to a man again, though she needs one to help her carve out a home for herself in the west.

There is not a great deal of external conflict in this book, though there is some as they deal with the harshness of the land and the threat of attack by the Comanche who are unhappy with their land being overtaken, though they are never really attacked. Rather it’s the story of a damaged, lonely young woman slowly being healed by love by an equally lonely young man.

I think this is probably the third or fourth time I’ve read this book over the years and after reading it again, I know it won’t be the last time either. I really, really love this book. If you’ve enjoyed Jodi Thomas, I really urge you to look for this one, it will be well worth the time.

Chance gets a 5, Anna gets a 4 so the final grade: 4.5 out of 5

The Reread Challenge - March

Nath's ReRead Challenge – March

Last Summer by Theresa Weir

Considering my recent Author Spotlight, it should be no surprise that my March ReRead is a Theresa Weir book. I first read this one back in August 2005 and loved it. I gave it a 5 out of 5. So – how did it stand up almost four years after the first read?

Wonderfully well. Once again I was struck by what a wonderful, timeless writer Theresa Weir is. First written in 1993, sixteen years ago now, this one doesn’t as if that much time has passed at all. Once again, just like the first time I read this one, I ached for Johnny. The phrase ‘the tears of a clown’ really apply to him. He had a tragic childhood but covered it up with bravado and acting the clown. Now a successful actor, he travels back to his home town of Hope, Texas to be the ‘hometown boy makes good’ in their local parade even though he doesn’t really know why. He has some plan of revenge in mind.

Maggie Mayfield is the designated welcoming committee and she is not thrilled with that role. She is one of the few not bowled over by this charismatic yet self-destructive young man. She is the director of a group of children in a local acting group and much to her surprise Johnny Irish agrees to help her. She is alternately attracted and infuriated by him. For his part Johnny is very attracted to her, but truly believes he is not good enough for her and rather then let her see his vulnerabilities, he covers them up in joking around and bad behaviour. He leaves town, returns later, leaves and returns.

I love the poignancy of this story and when I found this one in the ‘library’ debated on whether I should read it again or not. I’d been on quite the Therese Weir reading binge and figured it was time to move on. But I’m glad to say I decided ‘what the heck’ and read it anyway. I loved it once again the second time around. I downgraded it just a tad this time, not because I didn’t love Johnny even more then the first time, but because I was a bit frustrated with Maggie and her dithering hot and cold on Johnny. I do really like her – don’t think I don’t – but I think since I loved Johnny so much, I hated the way she unintentionally hurt him.

Grade 4.5 our of 5

And I mentioned to Nath that I would have another ‘bonus’ book this time ‘round again. And yes – it’s another Theresa Weir book. This one was a new-to-me book though it was published back in 1995, this was the first time I’d read it

Long Night Moon by Theresa Weir

Why this one: I’ve obviously been on a glom of this author’s work

Level of Steam: Warm and Touching

Cover Blurb: To the world, Sara Ivy had it all: a handsome husband, a manicured estate, the kind of ethereal beauty that drew all eyes to her. So when hard-bitten reporter Nash Audubon crashed a party to get an interview, all he expected was another run-in with a bored socialite. Instead, he got the surprise of his life. For Sara Ivy possessed an innocence that had no place in the sophisticated world of Chicago high society. Tempted to learn her deepest secrets, he followed her into the night...and in one dangerous moment discovered the real Sara—sexy, brave, and heartbreakingly defiant. She was ready to end the charade of her marriage to a brutal man, and Nash would move heaven and earth to cherish and protect her—even if it cost him his life....

My Thoughts: I mentioned on the recent Author Spotlight that I was currently reading a book by her that I hadn’t read before – I was on a real Theresa Weir reading fest it seems. I mentioned on that post that this book was breaking my heart and it was. These are both seriously wounded people. Nash Audbon is without question a total and complete mess. After being released from jail for a crime he did commit – but the why will break your heart, he is next level up from a homeless person – in fact he was a homeless person before he was rescued by the owner of a trashy type news tabloid type paper. Nash still lives in his car but at least he cleans up in his office. He decided to get ‘the scoop’ on Sara Ivy, trophy type wife of a businessman and up and coming politician. He is not impressed with her haughty behaviour and he is even less impressed when he writes the article and is beaten up for it. He is determined that rather then let the bully boys get away with it, he will dig up even more dirt on her.

Now this makes him sound like not so loveable a hero – and maybe in some ways he isn’t. But he is a very absorbing hero and I can fully believe why he is so bitter and cynical.

And just as Nash and his tragic past break your heart, so does Sara and her present. She is not at all the haughty woman Nash thinks at first. Instead she is living a nightmare with no hope of escape. It takes Nash a while to figure things out, but once he does, nothing will stop him from rescuing her from her terrifying circumstances.

This is yet another real winner from Theresa Weir. Again I was in awe of how well she drew me into the story and really made me care about her characters. This is a wonderful story of two broken characters who find and heal each other and it was so Very Well Done!

Grade: 4.75 out of 5

The ReRead Challenge for February

I know, I know - I'm a day early. But I'm having a couple of friends over tomorrow night and if you could see my house you would understand that I will be spending quite some time cleaning. Plus I got Promises in Death in the mail today so I'll be diving into that too! And since my books were read and my review(s) were written and Nath said I could, I decided to jump the gun.

Open Season by Linda Howard

I didn’t really plan on this one being the reread book of the month but I was in the mood for something light and something that would make me smile and this one worked the first few times I read so I knew it would probably do it again.

And it did.

Daisy Minor is the small town librarian. She celebrating her 34^th birthday and she is not happy with her life. Her life is drab and unexciting and she hasn’t dated anyone for years. She still lives at home with her mother and aunt.

Then she has what she calls an epiphany and decides to change everything about her life. Open Season is about the changes she makes in her life and every time I read it, I find it delightful. Daisy is a librarian so that makes her a planner. As she also wants to meet a man and get married she comes up with the wackiest of plans. She gets herself a makeover; courtesy of Todd the (supposedly gay) Vintage furniture store owner. She moves out on her own and gets (not) a guard dog. So she has all her ducks lined up in a row but there is a fly in her ointment in the guise of Jack Russo, the chief of police. Jack is alternately annoyed, amused and finally turned on by Daisy and her small town prim and proper ways. He’s a hardened cop from the big city who worked on the SWAT team and is now ready for the slower pace of a small town.

Reading about these two fighting their attraction and fighting each other is delightful. NO ONE can do the kind of dialogue of an angry yet attracted guy better then Linda Howard whether it’s Sam from Mr. Perfect, Wyatt from To Die For/Drop Dead Gorgeous or Jack from Open Season.

There is one scene in particular when Daisy goes to the local drug store and picks up a certain item sure that the gossipy owner will let the town know what she is buying and thus letting everyone know she is ‘in the market’ and Jack shows up which is simply classic. Watching Daisy change from a ‘good girl’ to a ‘party girl’ is very amusing. Although pretty naive, she is not a TSTL heroine by any means.

And Jack is the standard yummy Linda Howard hero. She does have quite a way of writing them, that’s for sure.

There is also a mystery which Jack is trying to solve that involves Daisy.

I don’t know if our own SuperLibrarian has read this one or not. Being in ‘the biz’ I think she is tough on books with librarian heroines but I loved Daisy. I loved Jack. I loved Daisy and Jack together and I love this book. I think this is about the fourth time reading this book and it never fails to bring a smile to my face.

Grade: 4.5 out of 5

Next month I’m going to try and read something I haven’t read for years for the ReRead Challenge!

To Die For by Linda Howard

I was only planning on doing one reread this month. I lent To Die For, also by Linda Howard, to a girl at work and she loved it. When she brought it back, I threw it in my purse and the book and I had the following conversation over the next two days

To Die For: Read Me

Me: Look, I can’t read you. I’ve already finished my February Reread book and it was your cousin.

To Die For: Read Me

Me: I told you – I can’t. Look around. I have books in the bedroom to read, books in the second bedroom to read, books in the third bedroom to read. There are books in the kitchen, books in the living room, books in the ‘library; even books in the bathroom all saying the same thing.

I just don’t have time to read you. And if I’m not mistaken, I’ve probably already done a review for you.

To Die For: Read Me

Me: Stop it! I’ve read you already. In fact I think I’ve read you three times; the last time last August or something like that.

To Die For: Read Me

Me: Enough!!! Yes, I love you. I loved you the first time I read you. I loved you the second time. I know, I know – not everyone loves Blair Mallory as much as I do. She’s not everyone’s cup of tea. They think she’s a fluff bunny cheerleader who carries on too much, but I see her as a very savvy business woman who started her own business, a health club and she knows her own worth and expects and demands that Wyatt respect that. In fact she is one of my favourite funniest heroines.

And speaking of tea, I agree - you are a hawt one – that Wyatt is a sex machine who knows Blair’s weak spot.

And yes, yes I love Police Lieutenant Wyatt Bloodworth too – even though he had hurt Blair pretty good two years before when after the two of them had chemistry he stopped seeing her for no apparent reason and we don’t always forgive those kinds of heroes. But she made him pay for it. He’s a typical Howard hero – sexy as all get out, strong (he has to be to stay up with Blair’s machinations) and a great manly man. No pink tools for this macho man. And he is determined to find the person who is trying to get rid of Blair – permanently and that person will not be a happy camper let me tell you.

And true, this book is written in the first person and I normally don’t read first person books – at least I didn’t when I first read you. And the fact that it was first person didn’t bother me at all. And I will grant you that I can’t read this book without smiling and laughing in quite a number of places like when Blair and Wyatt first meet up at the murder scene and Blair pretends not to remember him, or the lists she’s constantly making of his faults. I love the fact that these are both very strong personalities and watching them battle for position is wonderfully funny.

But I just Don’t. Have. Time. End of story.

To Die For: Read Me

Me: You’re not going to give it a rest are you?

To Die For: Read Me, Read Me, Read Me, Read Me

Me: Alright (giving a heavy sigh) I’ll read you again. I hope you’re happy looking at all these other books – knowing I’m neglecting them.

Two Days Later

Me: There! Are you happy? I read you. I loved you. You made me laugh again. I loved Blair and Wyatt just as much as the first time and if you promise not to tell anyone, I’m glad you were insistent that I read you again. You get to keep that 5 out of 5 I gave you the first time I read you. And yes – I recommend you highly. Didn’t I just get you back from a coworker and she also loved you and we even talked about some of the real funny parts? So will you leave me alone now for at least a year now?

To Die For: I have a sequel

Me: Head – Meet desk.