What I Read Last Week

Posted June 14, 2010 by Tracy in Reviews | 18 Comments

Well it was a crazy week in Tracyland last week.  My boss had carpal tunnel surgery last Thursday and trying to get everything in order just in case she wasn’t A-ok by today was a little nutty – especially since I was going to be gone Friday.  We managed to get it all together which was a relief.
Then on Friday my oldest daughter graduated from 6th grade.  Holy cow.  Didn’t she just start kindergarten?  I mean, really? lol  I know as the years are going by it doesn’t seem like time is flying but seriously, it just doesn’t seem possible that she’s old enough!  Anyway, she looked beautiful and was definitely all smiles.  It was a good day.  Here’s a picture of her and her teacher who is just an incredible human being and a fabulous educator.
That same day brought major sadness with it when I was carrying a boatload of crap in from the car – as mom’s do – and my daughter bumped into me.  The only thing to fall and hit the concrete?  My Ezreader.  It looked fine until I tried to wake it up from sleep mode and then it looked like this:
FYI – that’s not how it’s supposed to look!  I called customer service at Astak and they said they thought the internal screen was broken and that I should email them a picture so they’d get a better idea if it could be repaired.  Since that was Friday I haven’t heard from them  – I wait impatiently for their reply!  I’m devastated.  Seriously.  I loved that thing and hope to heavens it can be repaired! **I just heard from Astak and they can repair the screen for $95.00!!!!  Doing the happy dance!**
Luckily I had my old ebookwise handy (that still has that big ole annoying splotch right in the middle of the screen) so I charged that puppy up (I mean, I was in the middle of a book I had to read NOW! lol) and tried to load my books on it.  That wasn’t working at all.  The librarian that converts the books to load to the reader would accept the books but when I would open the function on my ereader it showed that there was nothing in the librarian.  Now, I used by ebookwise regularly before I got my new ereader so I’m pretty handy with getting kinks worked out but this was just not happening.  I tried everything I knew and still nothing was happening.  So, I used the old tried and true uber-technical plan: fuck with the settings until it works.  And it worked!  I’ve not only loaded ebooks on to my reader but I’m pretty sure I also have hacked into some US military compound and am started WWIII. (can you tell my kids have been watching War Games? lol)
So despite the highs and lows of this past week it was a good one – and a good reading week as well:

Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas was my first read of the week and it was a good one.  This is book 4 in the Hathaway family series and I very much enjoyed Catherine and Leo’s banter and their relationship just hit that right spot in me.  I have to admit that at first I was confused as to why Cat had such issues with men.  It did seem quite out of proportion to what had happened – but it was explained satisfactorily near the end of the book so that put my mind at ease.  4.5 out of 5

Next up was Lion’s Heat by Lora Leigh.  This was book 21 in her Breed series.  I know. 21.  Seems like a crazy number but they’re still going strong.  This was Jonas’s story and another good one.  The heroine was bugging me quite a bit at first but she seemed to calm down after a bit and I was able to enjoy the story so much more. lol  I read this one for The Book Binge so will tell you when the review posts. 4.25 out of 5

Can’t Hurry Love by M. Jules Aedin was a book that I won over at Jenre’s blog and I’m so happy I read it.  It was an adorable novella about a promiscuous guy, Vincent, who works in the Easter Bunny dept in the Corporation of Mythical Beings.  He gets put on probation when he’s caught in the supply closet with a satyr and assigned to help out Charlie in the Cupid dept.  Only Charlie’s pretty much on strike for cupid activities and Vincent’s not quite sure what to do with him.  I really liked the story a lot.  Although there’s not a whole lot of romance between Charlie and Vincent I loved how it ended.  Worth the read.  4.5 out of 5

My Tracy’s TBR Challenge read for the week was a Harlequin Intrigue called Bodyguard/Husband by Mallory Kane.  This was the story of a woman who has the bad luck of having the men in her life either die or disappear. Unfortunately her uncle, the local police chief, believes that it’s someone who’s obsessed with her that is causing the deaths and disappearances and brings in the FBI to investigate.  In order to be close together they get married – for real.  They find the man, as well as love.  It was a cute story. 3.5 out of 5

For the rest of the week I went on an m/m binge.

I started Once Upon A Veterinarian by Drew Zachary but got about 75 pages into the 137 and just couldn’t read any more. It wasn’t a horrible story but I kept getting annoyed at the interruptions and the vets partner was extra annoying. Needless to say I didn’t end up finishing the book. DNF

Then I read Never Let Go by ML Rhodes.  The story of two men who had known each other for years but had each been hiding the fact that they’re gay as well as their feelings for each other. They have one wonderful night together but then one gets called away for work. He tells the other not to give up on him that he’ll contact him as soon as he can. Three years later he shows up on his doorstep. They have issues to work out to say the least. This was a good story but I wanted more. I felt that the homecoming and reunion went pretty smoothly considering the hurt feelings and betrayal. Yes, there were huge extenuating circumstances (which I won’t tell you about and ruin it for you) but I still felt that it went a tad to easily. Still a good book. 3.75 out of 5

Next up was Never Look Back by Josh Lanyon. This story follows Peter Killian who wakes up in the hospital with no memory of who he is or what’s happened to him. Unfortunately the cop sitting next to him is pretty sure he’s the prime suspect in a robbery. This was a great story. Of course I love Lanyon’s books because he has such a wonderful way of having the story unfold. I loved watching the layers get peeled away in this one. 4 out of 5

I’ve had Diving in Deep by KA Mitchell for a while – since I found out that it was related to Collision Course which I read last year. Well I finally read it and I really liked this one as well. This was Cameron and Noah’s story. Cameron has been Noah’s ideal man since Noah was 15 years old. They had one wonderful night together when Noah was 19 but then they didn’t see each other. Cameron is on the road for work a lot and though he’s into Noah he still doesn’t see him as anything but his best friend’s little brother. It was a really good story that I recommend. 4 out of 5

Of course when I finished Diving in Deep I immediately wanted to re-read Collision Course, so I did. I liked it even more the second time. I see by Goodreads that I originally read it in March of 2009 and gave it 3.75 out of 5. This time I would give it a 4.5 out of 5. It was just that good.

(And, big surprise, after reading Collision Course I had to immediately start on No Souvenirs the 3rd book in the series and I’m reading it now. I’m about halfway through and loving it as well.)
So that’s it for my reading week. I hope you had a great one as well!
Happy Reading!
My Book Binge reviews that posted this last week:


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18 responses to “What I Read Last Week

  1. Congrats on your daughter's graduation! She looks gorgeous in that photo. I'm not going to ask a really stupid question if I may please? In the US, do you graduate from each grade?

    WRT to your eReader, I'm so glad the screen can be fixed! And sometimes…sometimes you have to throw the instructions out the window and just play. Never works for me mind, but… *grin*

    Oh, and I do like the sound of the Josh Lanyon book! I've made a note…now I just need to be able to actually access my Fictionwise Bookshelf and then I'll be able to buy a book!

  2. Tam

    Wow, you were on an m/m jag.

    Loved all those books except the Vet book. I did finish it and the cop calls the vet on his behaviour, but letting his partner run roughshod over his life and putting her first was annoying. If it had been me, I likely would have broken up with the guy already. Hey, if you're more worried about hurting her feeling than mine, then see ya around buddy. LOL

    Otherwise I agree with you. 🙂

    Oh congrats to your daughter. The time does fly. She's gorgeous. My daughter had her last day of Grade 9 today. Ack. I can't believe it.

  3. I love that dress your oldest is wearing.

    And ::sob:: I would have died a thousand deaths seeing that poor broken screen if it were my eReader. Glad to hear that it can be fixed!

  4. What a beautiful daughter you have, just like mom!

    Being old-fashioned, I don't have to worry about that problem, yet, with the ereader. But one day I'll take a deep breath and take the plunge. I'm just not sure which way to go with the whole ereader thing: Kindle? Nook? Sony? No clue.

    Love the m/m choices 🙂 Have you read Zero At the Bone? Curious since I have it in my TBR pile.

    Have a great week Tracy!

  5. Congrats to your daughter!

    Your poor EZReader did NOT have an easy week last week!

    Hmm. I gave the Drew Zachary book 3 stars, but my reviewette was REALLY noncommittal.

    Oh, the KA Mitchell books are GOOD.

  6. Orannia – Thank you! She did look extra wonderful that day – which of course is always nice when there's a special occasion. lol
    In our area they have promotion/graduation from elementary school (6th grade), jr. high school (8th grade) and high school (12th grade). Although with budget cuts the jr. high didn't have a graduation ceremony this year.
    OMG the instructions were doing me no good so I'm so glad you agree that chucking them out the window was a good idea!
    I love Lanyon – I've never gone wrong with one of his books.

    Tam – I know! They were just flowing so I went with the flow. 🙂
    The vet book WAS annoying. I just couldn't read anymore.
    My niece just had her last day of 9th as well and it was just weird. When she was born she was only 1 lb. 10 oz's – how the heck could she be a sophomore? 🙂

    Wendy – Thanks! That was the second one we bought when she grew out of the first. I think I actually like this one better. Why don't they make them that cute in our size, I ask you? lol
    Well, I don't know if I died a thousand deaths but my mood was quite sober the rest of the day. 🙂 I'm definitely happier now! 🙂

    Stacy – Awww – you're so sweet! 🙂
    I'm thinking I'll need a bubble wrap cover for the ereader from now on. lol
    I have Zero in my TBR but haven't gotten to it yet. It's quite a long book and I'm working my way up to it. 🙂

    Chris – I know – the poor thing – and all in one week!
    I saw your reviewette after I DNF'd it the vet book. It started off well but went downhill for me fast!

  7. I think it bears asking what haven't you read this week, Tracy?? Dear God.

    Big congrats to your daughter. She looks great in that pic with her teacher.

  8. Big congrats to your daughter!! And Tracy, she's gorgeous.

    Looks like you did some really good reading this week. I've read pretty much all of the m/m books on your list and pretty much agree with your thoughts. I did finish Drew's story and even though it had it's problems I gave it a 3 overall.

  9. Aw congrats to your daughter – and what a pretty dress.

    I don't even want to think about dropping my Sony! It would be a disaster.

    Great set of books. I gave up on the Hathaway series after book two, but I was always curious about Leo. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

  10. Ugh! I can't believe your eReader is broken – again. I'm glad they can fix it, but what are you going to do in the meantime?? lol

    Congrats on oldest moving up! That's awesome.

  11. Thank you Tracy. So, elementary school (6th grade) = primary school here; jr. high school (8th grade) = intermediate; and high school (12th grade) = college. (And college = university here 🙂 I love terminology *grin*

  12. Looooved Diving in Deep. The Lanyon wasn't bad either. And I DNF the Veterinarian book either, for the same reasons. 🙁

    I have Cat and Leo's book on my always-growing TBR.

  13. Your daughter looks great in that dress, Tracy 😀 6th grade graduation, wow! It's just going to go as fast or even faster from now on!

    Phew, happy that they can repair your e-Reader. Out of curiosity, how much was it?

    Lots of man's love this week for you, Tracy! 😀

    Oh and you liked the LK more than me 🙂

  14. Kris – Should I really tell you how many books are still in my TBR? lol These were just ones I've been wanting to get to and of course I couldn't pass up the re-read of CC.
    It is a good picture, isn't it?

    Lily – Well, it seems that whoever actually managed to finish the vet book didn't rate it all that high so I'm definitely not sad that I didn't finish it. 🙂
    Thank you for the comp on my daughter – I think she's beautiful but it's always nice to have others agree with me! lol

    Jenre – I did about have a heart attack when I dropped it but then it looked so normal…until I woke it up! waaaahhhh! I'm shipping it off today to be repaired so hopefully it will be back soon.
    The Hathaways are just fun books for me, I think that's why I've stuck with them. The next book has a trope that I really don't care for but it still sounds good. 🙂 We'll see.

    Holly – I broke out the old ebookwise – even with the blob on it it's better than nothing! 🙂

    Orannia – actually high school= high school and then the kids go on to college or university after 12th grade. 🙂

    Jen – Diving in Deep was definitely a good one. I finished the series last night and I REALLY liked No Souvenirs as well.

    Nath – Bite your tongue! I don't want it to go any faster. lol
    The EZreader was (I think) 239.00 at the time but I see now that they're selling it for 195.00. 🙂
    The LK got very mixed reviews on Goodreads, I see. I'm a very forgiving reader most of the time so I think some of the things that bugged others just didn't get to me. 🙂

  15. Late to the party (having internet problems), but your little girls looks so grown up! Congratulations. 🙂

    I'm so sorry about your reader, I know how it feels not to have it available, it feels like you've lost a body part! 🙁 Hope you get it fixed soon.

    I'm so glad you liked Married by Morning, I did too. 🙂 I can't wait for Beatrix's story, for some reason I'm really curious about her.

    I remember reading Never Let Go by Rhodes and liking the writing, but having some of the same concerns. Nice read though. Oh and Never Look Back by Lanyon was the first book I read by him and the one that finally got me to read the Adrien English books! I liked the characters in that story and loved the way the story unfolded and sort of went backwards in time as Peter recovered his memory.

  16. Hilcia – Unfortunately I do feel like a body part is missing! I know I have my ebookwise but it's just not the same! And having to convert my books – yuk! lol
    I really like Lanyon's books. As I said, I don't think I've read one of his that I didn't like.

  17. Tracy!! OMG… your daughter is gorgeous!!!!!!!! Congrats to her!

    OMG… Okay… WTHeck.. your ereader! OMG… Tracy, I am so sorry but on the flip side, I am so glad that they will help you out without a huge bill.

    And those books! Girl, you have been one busy lil' mama!
    Hope you have a great week honey!

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