2/7/12

Teen Reading Challenge 2012

Every February through April, I get to participate in my job's teen reading challenge.  Oh, did I forget to mention I'm a librarian?  Heh.  

What is the TRC?  Basically I get paid to read teen books for two months.  I don't mind it since it exposes me to the ever growing world of teen lit and as an added benefit, I get to read all the teen novels I might not normally be able to read in public.  I get to tell people it's for work, even though it's really just for fun!  

So be prepared to see some teen book reviews for a little while!
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Book Review: ALL I WANT IS YOU by Sherrill Bodine

Book Summary:
SHE'S STEALING HIS HEART...
Vintage boutique owner Venus Smith is stunned to realize her newest acquisition comes with a larcenous legend. Stolen years ago, the antique mermaid brooch belongs to the Clayworth family. The right thing to do would be to return it, but that means facing Connor Clayworth O'Flynn, the sexy department store heir Venus has had an unrequited crush on since childhood-and the man who helped ruin her father. 

ONE KISS AT A TIME

Connor knows that Venus has never forgiven him for what happened between their families. But business isn't personal, even though Venus's father's betrayal still cuts him like a knife. So when Venus proposes a deal-she'll return his family's brooch if he helps clear her father's name-he reluctantly agrees. As action-packed days turn into flirtatious fall nights, it isn't long before old memories resurface . . . and new desires ignite. Can two young lovers leave the past behind? Or must they first admit that all they've ever really wanted . . . is each other?


Book Review:
Just a small note I must pass on before beginning the review: I loved Ms. Bodine's Grand Central publishing debut, TALK OF THE TOWN, but I must admit that I missed her previous novel, A BLACK TIE AFFAIR, which featured Venus' sister Athena as the heroine.  Please read both books before you start on ALL I WANT IS YOU.  Ms. Bodine ties in characters from both of those books in this one, and having read both of those books would give the reader a greater appreciation for the characters in this book and I suspect any future books in this series.


Sherrill Bodine hit's it out of the park on this one!  The heroine and hero are well-drawn characters with strong supporting characters to round out the story.  I was so happy to see that the first book I read by Sherrill was not a fluke!  


It is very obvious that Venus and Connor are meant to be together from the first page.  Venus is sympathetic because she's a very determined heroine out to right the wrong done to her father by the Clayworths.  She's so sure her father is innocent of the charges that got him drummed out of the famous Clayworth Department store.  Unfortunately, her hero, Connor Clayworth O'Flynn is just as convinced that her father is guilty of the charges that got him drummed out of the family business.


Connor and Venus team up to prove to the other that Alistair Smith is guilty/innocent.  The sparks fly and the reader is taken along joyfully for the ride.  


Ms. Bodine's storytelling ability is delightful.  She proves to the reader that she really knows Chicago society, and the whole story has a gossip-column like feel to it.  This is the perfect book to take along with you on a beach vacation, or if you just want something fun and quick to read.  Bravo, Ms. Bodine!


3 stars out of 4.
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2/4/12

In My Mailbox (One)


I love the idea of sharing what books just arrived in my mailbox or that I just bought with people who read my blog. So I'm happily borrowing this meme from a new-to-me blog Peace, Love, Books who borrowed it from The Story Siren blog.

I sincerely hope the blog owners don't mind my borrowing!

I finally got part of my Amazon order for the February 2012 books that I want to read.  In no particular order they are:

I can't wait to get started on these!  And yes, I still have more February books on their way!  More about those later...
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Pardon the dust

I'm consolidating my old Mysterious Romance Reviews blog to this new address.  I have too many blogs in too many different places, so I'm moving them to one place to make it easier for myself.  My old book blog is located here.
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