As the year 2010 comes to an end, so too does my journey through Richard Paul Evans' epic (in my opinion) novel, "Promise Me!" I'll not spoil the ending. Instead, I will simply say "It is finished." (Please indulge my sacrilegious use of this quote, but it was appropriate!) I can hardly wait until April of the coming year for the next installment in Evans' current series. "Miles to Go: Book 2 in The Walk series" is due out in April 2011! Until then, I will be content to try to appease my literary appetite by feasting on Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games: Book 1!"
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Ends with "Promise," & 2011 Begins With "Hunger!"
I plan to finish off 2010 with a bang by reading the last few chapters of Richard Paul Evans most recent novel, "Promise Me"! What does that mean for 2011? The first book I read in 2011 will be the sci-fi novel my cousin gave me for Christmas (Thanks, LaTisa!) "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins promises to be another page-turning journey!
In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. CollinsÆs characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like "Survivor" and "American Gladiator."
In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. CollinsÆs characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like "Survivor" and "American Gladiator."
2010 Ends With "Promise", 2011 Starts Off With "Hunger!"
I am hoping to finish off "Promise Me" by Richard Paul Evans before 2010 runs out! I will ring in 2011 with "Hunger Games" (Thanks, Tisa!)by Suzanne Collins.
Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.
As much as I am enjoying "Promise Me," I am equally as eager to appease my "Hunger!"
Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.
As much as I am enjoying "Promise Me," I am equally as eager to appease my "Hunger!"
Monday, December 27, 2010
Promise of Love?
I'm still working on "Promise Me" by Richard Paul Evans. It's getting real interesting!Beth's husband develops pancreatic cancer and dies. But not before confessing that he engaged in numerous extramarital affairs. After Matthew, whom Beth meets in the 7-11 on Christmas Day, makes the diagnosis that the doctors missed and informs Beth that her daughter Charlotte has celiac sprue (an allergic reaction to gluten), she begins to date him and inevitably falls in love with him. All goes well until she thinks he's taken off with her life savings! However, this misunderstanding will lead to the revelation of the truth of who Matthew really is and what part he will play in the lives of Beth and her daughter in the future.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Journey Is Off To A "Promise"-ing Start!
Even though I am only slightly more than halfway through with "Promise Me," by Richard Paul Evans, I can proclaim with absolute certainty that he has created another page-turner! After Beth's husband passes away from cancer, she is determined to make the following Christmas especially special for her daughter, Charlotte, who is still suffering from a mysterious ailment. In the spirit of this effort, she runs to the convenience store to get some buttermilk for breakfast. It is there that she encounters mystery man Matthew. After a few more run-ins, Matthew is introduced to Charlotte, and is able to diagnose the mystery ailment as celiac sprue, an allergic reaction to gluten. So, while I can't be sure, it looks like Charlotte will survive! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, November 26, 2010
A Promising Start
I have no car, so I rely on public transit to get around, which affords me time to read! I started on Richard Paul Evans' novel, "Promise Me," today, and made it to the end of Chapter 4! So far it appears that the main character's daughter is sick, and that her husband is unfaithful. However, it does appear that the main character, Beth, has a reliable friend in Roxanne, the woman who works with her at the dry cleaner's. I cannot say anyymore, except that I hope they figure out what's wrong with Beth's daughter, Charlotte and that she doesn't die!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
I Finally Got The "Message!".....Now, A New Journey Begins to a Novel Full of "Promise!"
After months of sporadic reading fits, I have FINALLY finished reading all 370 pages of Nicholas Sparks' "Message In A Bottle,". All I can say is "Wow!" and "Does anyone have a Kleenex?" I will say that the relationship between Garrett and Theresa progressed enough to warrant introductions between Garrett and Kevin (Theresa's son) and Theresa and Jeb (Garrett's father)! I will also say that the relationship between Garrett and Theresa faced hardships because of the physical distance between them, the truth of how and why they met, and because of Garrett's struggle to let go of the ghost of his beloved wife, Catherine. I'm afraid to say more, for fear of spoiling the story, so I'll just bring some finality to "Message In A Bottle" with a quote from the "Cleveland Plain Dealer" and say that this book "Glows with moments of tenderness...Delves deeply into the mysteries of eternal love." Now that I have gotten the "Message," I am eagerly awaiting the moment when I can begin reading bestselling author Richard Paul Evans' latest novel, "Promise Me," dubbed "a life-changing tale of loss, love, and Christmas miracles."
SUMMARY OF "PROMISE ME," BY RICHARD PAUL EVANS
Beth Cardall has a secret. For eighteen years, she has had no choice but to keep it to herself, but on Christmas Eve 2008, all that is about to change. For Beth, 1989 was a year marked by tragedy. Her life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job at the dry cleaners was increasingly at risk; and she had lost any ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas Day, as she rushed through a blizzard to the nearest 7-Eleven, Beth encountered Matthew, a strikingly handsome, mysterious stranger, who would single-handedly change the course of her life. Who is this man, and how does he seem to know so much about her? He pursues her relentlessly, and only after she’s fallen deeply in love with him does she learn his incredible secret, changing the world as she knows it, as well as her own destiny.
I am sure I am in for another page-turner from Mr. Evans, and I promise not to leave out a single detail of my journey through this book! (And not to make the journey a long one!!!)
SUMMARY OF "PROMISE ME," BY RICHARD PAUL EVANS
Beth Cardall has a secret. For eighteen years, she has had no choice but to keep it to herself, but on Christmas Eve 2008, all that is about to change. For Beth, 1989 was a year marked by tragedy. Her life was falling apart: her six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, was suffering from an unidentifiable illness; her marriage transformed from a seemingly happy and loving relationship to one full of betrayal and pain; her job at the dry cleaners was increasingly at risk; and she had lost any ability to trust, to hope, or to believe in herself. Then, on Christmas Day, as she rushed through a blizzard to the nearest 7-Eleven, Beth encountered Matthew, a strikingly handsome, mysterious stranger, who would single-handedly change the course of her life. Who is this man, and how does he seem to know so much about her? He pursues her relentlessly, and only after she’s fallen deeply in love with him does she learn his incredible secret, changing the world as she knows it, as well as her own destiny.
I am sure I am in for another page-turner from Mr. Evans, and I promise not to leave out a single detail of my journey through this book! (And not to make the journey a long one!!!)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Getting The Message
Man, have I been busy lately! First, preparing for my family's annual July 4 Barbecue usually takes a lot out of me! Then, there is the grueling task of job-hunting. (Do I really have to explain that?). I spent Thursday at the hairdresser, where I actually did manage to get into "Message In A Bottle" by Nicholas Sparks. I made it through Chapter 3. Yay! So far, so good. I like Theresa thus far. A good mother, who, like all mothers, needs a break every once in a while, which she gets when her pre-teen son Kevin goes to spend some of his summer break with his father. Taking the opportunity to vacation with friends in Cape Cod Bay, she discovers something that will change her life forever! It is the "Message In A Bottle!"
July 22, 1997
My Dearest Catherine,
I miss you, my darling, as I always do, but today is especially hard because the ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together. I can almost feel you beside me as I write this letter, and I can smell the scent of wildflowers that always reminds me of you. But at this moment, these things give me no pleasure. Your visits have been coming less often, and I feel sometimes as if the greatest part of who I am is slowly slipping away. I am trying, though. At night when I am alone, I call for you, and whenever my ache seems to be the greatest, you still seem to find a way to return to me. Last night, in my dreams, I saw you on the pier near Wrightsville Beach. The wind was blowing through your hair, and your eyes held the fading sunlight. I am struck as I see you leaning against the rail. You are beautiful, I think as I see you, a vision that I can never find in anyone else. I slowly begin to walk toward you, and when you finally turn to me, I notice that others have been watching you as well. "Do you know her?" they ask me in jealous whispers, and as you smile at me, I simply answer with the truth. "Better than my own heart." I stop when I reach you and take you in my arms. I long for this moment more than any other. It is what I live for, and when you return my embrace, I give myself over to this moment, at peace once again. I raise my hand and gently touch your cheek and you tilt your head and close your eyes. My hands are hard and your skin is soft, and I wonder for a moment if you'll pull back, but of course you don't. You never have, and it is at times like this that I know what my purpose is in life. I am here to love you, to hold you in my arms. to protect you. I am here to learn from you and to receive your love in return. I am here because there is no other place to be. But then, as always, the mist starts to form as we stand close to one another. It is a distant fog that rises from the horizon, and I find that I grow fearful as it approaches. It slowly creeps in, enveloping the world around us, forcing us in as if to prevent escape. Like a rolling cloud, it blankets everything, closing, until there is nothing left but the two of us. I feel my throat begin to close and my eyes well up with tears because I know it is time for you to go. The look you give me at that moment haunts me. I feel your sadness and my own loneliness, and the ache in my heart that had been silent for only a short time grows stronger as you release me. And then you spread your arms and step back into the fog because it is your place and not mine. I long to go with you, but your only response is to shake your head because we both know that is impossible. And I watch with breaking heart as you slowly fade away. I find myself straining to remember everything about this moment, everything about you. But soon, always too soon, your image vanishes and the fog rolls back to its faraway place and I am alone on the pier and I do not care what others think, as I bow my head and cry and cry and cry. Garrett
Needless to say, I had to reach for the Kleenex after reading this. What Theresa will do with the letter, I will not say. Nor will I say whether or not this is the only letter of its kind in existence. What I can say is that this book is a real page-turner, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
July 22, 1997
My Dearest Catherine,
I miss you, my darling, as I always do, but today is especially hard because the ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together. I can almost feel you beside me as I write this letter, and I can smell the scent of wildflowers that always reminds me of you. But at this moment, these things give me no pleasure. Your visits have been coming less often, and I feel sometimes as if the greatest part of who I am is slowly slipping away. I am trying, though. At night when I am alone, I call for you, and whenever my ache seems to be the greatest, you still seem to find a way to return to me. Last night, in my dreams, I saw you on the pier near Wrightsville Beach. The wind was blowing through your hair, and your eyes held the fading sunlight. I am struck as I see you leaning against the rail. You are beautiful, I think as I see you, a vision that I can never find in anyone else. I slowly begin to walk toward you, and when you finally turn to me, I notice that others have been watching you as well. "Do you know her?" they ask me in jealous whispers, and as you smile at me, I simply answer with the truth. "Better than my own heart." I stop when I reach you and take you in my arms. I long for this moment more than any other. It is what I live for, and when you return my embrace, I give myself over to this moment, at peace once again. I raise my hand and gently touch your cheek and you tilt your head and close your eyes. My hands are hard and your skin is soft, and I wonder for a moment if you'll pull back, but of course you don't. You never have, and it is at times like this that I know what my purpose is in life. I am here to love you, to hold you in my arms. to protect you. I am here to learn from you and to receive your love in return. I am here because there is no other place to be. But then, as always, the mist starts to form as we stand close to one another. It is a distant fog that rises from the horizon, and I find that I grow fearful as it approaches. It slowly creeps in, enveloping the world around us, forcing us in as if to prevent escape. Like a rolling cloud, it blankets everything, closing, until there is nothing left but the two of us. I feel my throat begin to close and my eyes well up with tears because I know it is time for you to go. The look you give me at that moment haunts me. I feel your sadness and my own loneliness, and the ache in my heart that had been silent for only a short time grows stronger as you release me. And then you spread your arms and step back into the fog because it is your place and not mine. I long to go with you, but your only response is to shake your head because we both know that is impossible. And I watch with breaking heart as you slowly fade away. I find myself straining to remember everything about this moment, everything about you. But soon, always too soon, your image vanishes and the fog rolls back to its faraway place and I am alone on the pier and I do not care what others think, as I bow my head and cry and cry and cry. Garrett
Needless to say, I had to reach for the Kleenex after reading this. What Theresa will do with the letter, I will not say. Nor will I say whether or not this is the only letter of its kind in existence. What I can say is that this book is a real page-turner, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
My Naughty Journey Has Ended
I love summer for so many reasons! One reason is because I look forward to my family's annual Fourth of July Barbecue. Another reason is I get to spend lots of time at the swimming pool. Mercifully, my uncle has his own pool right on his property and allows my family to use it whenever! Aside from the fun inside the pool, Dad's always grilling something. Yesterday, we had chicken, ribs, and watermelon. After all that food, I had to stay out of the pool for a while to let my food digest, which gave me the opportunity to finish the last chapters of J. Tremble's "Naughty Little Angel." All I can say is that this erotic page-turner ended with some unexpected twists (Though I will say that Angel & Antoine, father & daughter, were reunited!) and a lot of action! I found the summary on the back of the book didn't explain the plot as accuratelly as it could have. It doesn't matter anyway! "Naughty Little Angel" is definitely another notch J. Tremble can put in his literary belt!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to pick up "My Man, Her Son," Tremble's most recent journey into erotica! But first, I plan to spend some time at my Family Picnic on July 3 plunging into "Message In A Bottle" by Nicholas Sparks.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
My Naughty Journey Is Coming To An End
I have thoroughly enjoyed J. Tremble's "Naughty Little Angel." To date, I have finished 22 out of 27 chapters. I am sad to see the journey coming to a close. J. Tremble writes so that it feels like you are right in the middle of the action! I guess I'm gonna have to trot down to Border's or visit www.amazon.com to get his most recent book, "My Man, Her Son!" As for what I plan to read next, I'm considering starting on "Message In A Bottle," by Nicholas Sparks. I've already seen the movie! Kevin Costner & Robin Wright-Penn were awesome as Garret and Theresa!!!!!!!
When Theresa Osborne takes a much-needed summer holiday at Cape Cod, she finds a lot more than a break from the hustle and bustle. On an early-morning jog along Cape Cod Bay, she comes across a corked bottle with a scrolled-up message inside that reads, "My Dearest Catherine, I miss you, my darling, as I always do, but today is especially hard because the ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together..." It bobbles around in the same vein for several more paragraphs and ends with "...am alone on the pier and I do not care what others think as I bow my head and cry and cry and cry. Garret."
Garret may eat quiche, but no bother--before you can say "Look! I found two more letters!" Theresa is hot on his trail and determined to find this mysterious yet sensitive message-in-a-bottle man. She finds him at a sleepy North Carolina port, working on his beloved sailboat, The Happenstance. From there, a romance buds and blossoms into a colorful bouquet of emotional baggage. Theresa has problems with her past--or, more accurately, her past is a problem. She is so scarred from her "I'm a super churchgoing guy now that I've run out on my wife" ex-husband that she hasn't tried to date since her divorce some three or four years before. And who is Catherine? And what's Garret's bag, anyway? When Theresa finds out, she plunges to the depths of her soul and uncorks a whopper of a secret about herself, bringing Garret to terms with who he really is.
When Theresa Osborne takes a much-needed summer holiday at Cape Cod, she finds a lot more than a break from the hustle and bustle. On an early-morning jog along Cape Cod Bay, she comes across a corked bottle with a scrolled-up message inside that reads, "My Dearest Catherine, I miss you, my darling, as I always do, but today is especially hard because the ocean has been singing to me, and the song is that of our life together..." It bobbles around in the same vein for several more paragraphs and ends with "...am alone on the pier and I do not care what others think as I bow my head and cry and cry and cry. Garret."
Garret may eat quiche, but no bother--before you can say "Look! I found two more letters!" Theresa is hot on his trail and determined to find this mysterious yet sensitive message-in-a-bottle man. She finds him at a sleepy North Carolina port, working on his beloved sailboat, The Happenstance. From there, a romance buds and blossoms into a colorful bouquet of emotional baggage. Theresa has problems with her past--or, more accurately, her past is a problem. She is so scarred from her "I'm a super churchgoing guy now that I've run out on my wife" ex-husband that she hasn't tried to date since her divorce some three or four years before. And who is Catherine? And what's Garret's bag, anyway? When Theresa finds out, she plunges to the depths of her soul and uncorks a whopper of a secret about herself, bringing Garret to terms with who he really is.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Naughty is HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Summer's not the only thing heating up in my world! I read several chapters of J. Tremble's "Naughty Little Angel" while I was waiting for my turn with my hairdresser. All I can say is "Wow!" I've gotten some insight into Antoine, as well as Angel and her mother, Mariah. (FYI: Mariah is a selfish BITCH!) Also, several new characters have been introduced. Most of them are people Angel encounters, such as Antoine's friend Terrell, and Fredericka, who takes Angel under her wing after she runs away. Today, I started from Chapter 3, and I hope to start on Chapter 15 tomorrow. So, I got a lot of reading done today! Yay! I said it before, and I'll say it again: J. Tremble knows how to write a page-turner! PS: Does anybody have a towel???
Friday, June 11, 2010
Naughty Is Nice!!!!!!!
I was right! I managed to read a few chapters of J. Tremble's "Naughty Little Angel" while I was riding on the train. The summary on the back of the book pegged the main character, Antoine, pretty acccurately with the word "womanizer." Within the first two chapters, he seduced and slept with the receptionist at the rehab center where he was employed, and he also flirted with the waitress at a restaurant while he was dining with his daughter. Already, I can tell that J. Tremble is worthy of the title "King of Erotica!" (Especially since this is the third book I read that he wrote!) I can't wait to see where he takes this storyline!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Being Naughty Looks Nice....If I Could Get Into It!!!!
I started to read the first chapter of J. Tremble's Naughty Little Angel while I was in the doctor's office this morning. I signed in and sat down, but before I could get past the first page, the doctor called me back into her office. Damn! I probably won't try again until Friday when I'm on the train running errands. I should get a few chapters done during the ride!
Plot: Womanizer Antoine Moore believed that women were only good for one thing...lying on their backs. However, the professional bachelor's wild exotic journies are brought to a halt, when one of his former flings leaves their daughter, Angel, on his doorstep. Forced to raise her, he struggles to balance fatherhood and his passion for women. Antoine quickly realizes Angel's ability to attract the opposite sex, so he deviously uses her as bait. As Angel develops into a sexy young lady and begins to display Antoine's destructive behavior, she heads to the streets using the only thing she can...her body. When Angel's life spins out of control and her twisted perception of love continues, Antoine is determined to change his ways. Will his decision to finally transform from a boy to a man save his number one girl when a devastating secret from the past is revealed?
Sounds like a real page turner, doesn't it???????????? I can't wait to find out for myself!!!!
Plot: Womanizer Antoine Moore believed that women were only good for one thing...lying on their backs. However, the professional bachelor's wild exotic journies are brought to a halt, when one of his former flings leaves their daughter, Angel, on his doorstep. Forced to raise her, he struggles to balance fatherhood and his passion for women. Antoine quickly realizes Angel's ability to attract the opposite sex, so he deviously uses her as bait. As Angel develops into a sexy young lady and begins to display Antoine's destructive behavior, she heads to the streets using the only thing she can...her body. When Angel's life spins out of control and her twisted perception of love continues, Antoine is determined to change his ways. Will his decision to finally transform from a boy to a man save his number one girl when a devastating secret from the past is revealed?
Sounds like a real page turner, doesn't it???????????? I can't wait to find out for myself!!!!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Journey To The Past
My hubby has been after me for awhile to create a blog, but I had no idea what to write about--until now! I used to love reading when I was younger, but in the last 3-4 years, I got out of the habit. Then, last year, I started up again! I read 6 books in 2009:
1. Petals On The Wind by VC Andrews
2. If There Be Thorns by VC Andrews
3. Seeds of Yesterday by VC Andrews
4. Garden of Shadows by VC Andrews
5. The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans
6. Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright
My reading list for 2010 has consisted of, to date:
1. Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
2. Candles on Bay Street by K.C McKinnon
3. A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
1. Petals On The Wind by VC Andrews
2. If There Be Thorns by VC Andrews
3. Seeds of Yesterday by VC Andrews
4. Garden of Shadows by VC Andrews
5. The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans
6. Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright
My reading list for 2010 has consisted of, to date:
1. Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
2. Candles on Bay Street by K.C McKinnon
3. A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
AND
4. The Walk by Richard Paul Evans
My blog will detail the progress I'm making on the books I will read from this point on.
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