Showing posts with label sweet evil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sweet evil. Show all posts

Friday, June 21, 2013



So, it's no secret that I love audiobooks.  And I listen to quite a few each week.  But I have the hardest time sitting down to write the reviews for them.  The actual writing of the review isn't what's difficult, though.  It's just...as soon as I finish one, it's quiet and the voices in my head start up again, so I immediately start another audiobook to silence them.  I'm only half-kidding.  I am an over-thinker.  Way too analytical for my own good sometimes.  But that's beside the point.

The point is, I tend to rack up a ton of audio that needs reviewing and I thought I'd pick up on the current trend of mini-reviews for those times when I don't feel like -- or don't have the time for -- writing a full-blown review, dissecting every element of a novel or audiobook.  So, instead, I'm going to just break down a few audiobooks based on the narration and how the story culminated in general.  This will be my first attempt at that.  Let's see if I can avoid being as long-winded in my mini reviews as I was here in this introduction.  ;0)


Add to Goodreads
Title: Sweet Peril
Author: Wendy Higgins
Narrator: Erin Mallon
Series: The Sweet Trilogy, book #2
Publisher: HarperAudio
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?


For some reason, Sweet Peril just didn't hold the same magic for me that it's predecessor did.  I could blame it on the fact that Kaidan is absent for the first half of the book or so, but even when he did enter the picture, I still wasn't wowed.  I was never intrigued by the idea of a love triangle featuring Kopano as one of its points either.  And Anna was even more of a Mary Sue this time around.  I get it...she's speshul and everyone should love her and help her defeats the evil.  More battling less coddling, please.  Too many gums flapping and not enough action.

The audio was on par with the first book's.  Anna's still got that Southern accent.  Kaiden's accent is, well, less than satisfactory for a Brit but it's passable, I suppose.  The audiobook was fun, though.  I didn't hate this sequel...I just think maybe I was in a different frame of mind when I listened to it than I was with Sweet Evil.  Or I needed more Anna/Kai hawtness.  It could definitely be that.

Rating:   photo 3-1.png 1/2



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Title: Reboot
Author: Amy Tintera
Narrator: Khristine Hvam
Series: Reboot, book #1
Publisher: HarperAudio
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders.


I was hesitant to read this, so I didn't request it for review.  And then bookish friends whose opinions I really trust said it was a different kind of zombie book.  Okay, I'm intrigued.  I love zombie stories.  But they meant it when they said different.  I mean, toward the end, there are hints that my good ole "Braaaaaiiiiinssss!!!" screaming zombies are coming, but this book just didn't do it for me, as a standard sci-fi or as a zombie novel.

I like books where a character has to find, recall, or be taught humanity.  But in Wren's case, it felt like she wasn't human and then all of sudden she felt the feels.  I didn't see the progression...it was 0-to-feels in 90 seconds or less.  And then there was Callum.  I kind of adore the tough girl/nice guy pairings, but in this case, the nice guy was just too nice for his own good.  I didn't find him endearing; I found him annoying.  And the story wasn't anything new or exciting to me.  Maybe my friends don't read enough sci-fi, but despite the rebooting and being used as weapons, this story was pretty generic.

Even one of my very favorite narrators didn't make the book any better.  I've loved everything I've heard Khristine Hvam narrate, but the audiobook for Reboot was only meh.  I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it.  I guess I just prefer when Hvam gets to show off her ability to voice really different characters in the same setting, especially those with accents.  And she definitely didn't have the opportunity to do that here.

Rating:   photo 3-1.png



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Title: Tiger Lily
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Narrator: Cassandra Morris
Series: n/a
Publisher: Listening Library
Publication Date: May 14, 2013
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Peaches comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up.


Poor Tiger Lily.  This book was sad, y'all.  I was not expecting just how sad it was.  The original story is fun and fanciful, but this one is just a story about heartbreak.  And it vastly changed my opinion of both Wendy Darling and Tiger Lily...and maybe even Peter Pan and Tinkerbell.  Though, it did make me anxious for a re-read of the original tale.  I think I've watched the Disney version with my daughter too many times and it's warped my sensibilities.

The narrator for Tiger Lily had a childish lilt to her voice that was unappealing at first until I realized that Tink was the narrator and would therefore probably have a childish lilt of her own, being a tiny fairy and all.  But that same voice did not carry over to the other characters, which was a comfort.  Overall, the narration was pretty great.  It kept me grounded and reminded me that this was a retelling, an alternate point-of-view, for a beloved children's story and that I shouldn't be too broken up over it.

Rating:   photo 4-1.png


No new favorites in this group, unfortunately, but I enjoyed the experience nonetheless.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

For the Love of Swoon Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, February 13, 2013 with 6 comments


February 14 – February 20, 2013
Who needs a real Valentine when there are so many charming fictional swoonalicious dudes heroes to sweep you off your feet?

Losing It
Okay, so, my bestest reading buddy Em and I are currently in the middle of a read-along of Losing It by Cora Carmack, and let me tell you, this book brings the swoons!  You've got a hawt Brit who rides a motorcycle who can't keep his eyes (or his hands!) off the awkward protagonist, and it makes for all kinds of fun (and sometimes hilarious) moments.  This book started out as an indie and has recently been picked up by William Morrow Paperbacks for HarperCollins.  So, I'd like to offer up a paperback as part of this giveaway to celebrate it's awesomeness.




Sweet Evil (The Sweet Trilogy, #1)
However, Losing It is a little risqué for the younger set and is considered "new adult", so for those of you under 17, I'll be offering up a copy of Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins because I've already read it three times since its release, and I swooned every gosh dang time. I "sigh for Kai" and all that. =)  Plus, you need to read this before the hotly anticipated sequel Sweet Peril is released at the end of April.  Trust me, you still get plenty of swoons, just not so much with the sessy times, so you're parents can't get mad at me.  ;0)






Rules:
  • This giveaway is international.  As long as The Book Depository ships to your location, you are good to go, assuming the book is available.  (You can double-check that here.)
  • One entry per household.
  • All entries will be verified.  Any entry found to be falsified will result in disqualification of all entries for that participant.
  • Winner will be notified via email.  Winner will then have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected.  Please check your SPAM folders!
  • I am not responsible for lost packages.

And now on to the fun stuff!  You only have to follow my blog to enter, but all other entries/follows are appreciated!  :D
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now that you've entered here, be sure to check out the 100+ giveaway stops on this blog hop:



Thanks for entering & happy reading!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012



"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...



Add to Goodreads
Title:  Sweet Peril
Author:  Wendy Higgins
Series:  The Sweet Trilogy, book #2
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publication Date:  April 30, 2013

Anna Whitt, daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a claim. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?


Why I'm waiting:  So, I finally got around to reviewing Sweet Evil last night.  If you can tell, I enjoyed it...much more than I was expecting to.  I'm interested to see what transpires between Kaidan and Anna and Kopano.  Also, I imagine that the fun is about to get a kick-start -- or a kick in the pants -- now that Anna can't be Little Miss Goody Goody anymore.  That should be...fun, interesting, hot, [insert adjective here].  Just that sultry look Anna is sporting on the cover has me thinking that sweet, naive little Anna has gone the way of the dodo.  And I say good riddance.  :P  Let the good times roll...

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 with 6 comments
Add to Goodreads
Title:  Sweet Evil
Author:  Wendy Higgins
Series:  The Sweet Trilogy, book #1
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publication Date:  May 1, 2012
Source:  purchased
Purchase:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?


I was a non-believer in the beginning, and so I put off reading Sweet Evil for ages...until the Sweet Evil Read-Along was announced.  No more stalling.  And you know what?  I couldn't even stay on track with the read-along.  I had the whole thing read in two days.  So much for said "read-along".  =)  Sweet Evil was soooo fun, so sexy, so the book I needed right at that particular moment.  It pulled me out of a reading rut and I've been a little less tolerant of less-than-stellar books ever since.

So, since I did mini-reviews for each week's reading, I'm just going to combine all of those here and then add some final thoughts.  Sound good?  Great, because I'm afraid if I think about this book too much right now, I might just start reading it from the beginning again.  Seriously.  I really didn't think I'd be one of those swooning, arm-flailing fans of this book, but I can admit when I'm wrong.  Sometimes.

I like that although Anna's parents aren't in the picture, she still has a strong female parental presence in her life in the form of adoptive mom Patti.  It was also a pleasure to see that despite everything Anna's just learned about herself and her family, she doesn't go the overly dramatic route and throw a tantrum.  She digs for more answers, which leads her straight back to Kai.  *sigh*  I'm okay.  I'm okay.  It's also great that she has a perfectly platonic relationship with Jay, although I do wish she had listened to him and been smart enough not to fall prey to the likes of Scott.  (That d-bag better get his comeuppance!)  But at least it paved the way for Kai to save the day.  =D 
 
I ran the full gamut of emotions with this book:  anger at Kai's douchiness, surprise at his kindess, shock that Daddy Dearest isn't the evil demon I expected him to be, frustration at Anna's continued naïveté.  The further I delve into this world, the more I worry about what's going to happen to Anna and what the future might hold for her and Kai.  It's obvious Kaidan feels something for Anna, but the question is, will he allow himself to continue feeling it, or is he going to shut her out for her own protection? 

It was great meeting Kaidan's so-called "friends" and seeing how they interacted with Anna.  I liked each of them in their own way, but I'm worried about this Kope fellow.  He seems legit, but no son of a demon can be all good, can he?  At any rate, the training with Anna's father was fun, and it was good to see that Anna's making other new friends.  Seems she's really going to need them with everything she's going through.  That Kaidan can be a real pain in the arse, can't he?  I kind of do miss those road trip moments, though...sigh.

Anna finds out soooo much about her world in such a short time, and she still doesn't know the half of it.  And then Kai finally, finally admits that there's something between them, only to push Anna so far away that things may never be the same.  I'm just glad Anna has her father to help her through all of this.  Never in a million years did I imagine he was going to be the awesome man and father figure she's always wanted/needed, even if he has to lead her a bit astray to protect her. 

So.  Basically, this book has it all:  hot romance, good friends, strong role models, road trip fun, drama, more drama, and a battle between the forces of good and evil (i.e. the worst kind of drama).  Okay, I'll admit it, Kaidan is just as hawt as I'd been led to believe.  :0)  I do wish I'd read this book sooner, especially since it's been sitting on my shelf for months, but I kind of like the fact that while some were rediscovering their love for this book during the read-along, it was all so new and shiny to me.  I need the next book in my hands...like yesterday.  =D

Rating:  Photobucket 1/2

If you're curious about the Sweet Evil Read-Along or any of the themes for each week's reading, check out my posts below:

Week 1:  Road Trips
Week 2:  The Pear Incident
Week 3:  Truth or Dare
Week 4:  Halloween

And here are a few extras (courtesy of the author's website) to whet your appetite until next Spring when Sweet Peril is released:

Sweet Evil Soundtrack/Playlist
Sweet Evil - Chapter 1 (1st meeting) from Kai's POV
Sweet Evil - Chapter 26 (Halloween) from Kai's POV

And here's the trailer:



Monday, October 22, 2012


This week's read along is for chapters twenty-six through thirty-one and spans pages 341-447 of Sweet Evil.  And to coincide with the events of the book, this week's theme is Halloween.

I have always adored Halloween, but as I got older it kind of became an obsession.  Up until our daughter came into our lives, my husband and I tried to out-do ourselves each year, making our annual Halloween bash bigger and better every year.  But this year, we're passing on the torch and giving our $1000+ bulk of Halloween supplies and decorations to our good friend and letting him start the tradition over.  (I would love to host yet another Halloween party, but our new home is literally ten feet away from a big ole pond and since there will be drinking going on, I'd rather not run the risk of someone stumbling into the water.)

Rather than embarrassing myself by posting pics of previous costumes, I'll just show you pics of my daughter in her Halloween costumes over the years.  :)  (Apparently, I either didn't take any pics last year, or I haven't uploaded them yet -- which is more likely the case because I'm bad about that -- but she was a fairy last year.)


1st Halloween as a ladybug, hence the nickname Katiebug -- dayum, she was a chubbers!  :P


Year 2 as a kitty cat -- look at that cute lil pony!  I can barely remember when her hair was short!


 Daddy & gnomie-Katie

This year, we're going to someone else's Halloween party, like I said, and Katie is going to be a LaLaLoopsy doll, Daddy is going as an evil scarecrow (he's part of the haunted hayride), and Mommy is going to be a cowgirl.  I even got my cap gun and lasso ready for this event. :D  The party is on Saturday night, so I'll try to update this post with a family pic soon thereafter.  My lil family loves this holiday sooo much, not only because it's the precursor to all of the fun holiday events to come, but also because it gives you a chance to be someone you're not or that you'd like to be.  Kinda like my books.  ;0)


My thoughts on this week's read along:

Basically?  Big ole sad face.  Seriously.  Anna finds out soooo much about her world in such a short time, and she still doesn't know the half of it.  And then Kai finally, finally admits that there's something between them, only to push Anna so far away that things may never be the same.  I'm just glad Anna has her father to help her through all of this.  Never in a million years did I imagine he was going to be the awesome man and father figure she's always wanted/needed, even if he has to lead her a bit astray to protect her.  After finishing this book, how could it ever have not been an absolute that the series would continue?  Really, Harper?  You didn't see the promise in this book from the beginning?  'Cause I did.  In fact, I wish I had that next book in my hands NOW.  :D

Favorite quotes:

Instead of a zillion quotes, I'm going to post my favorite scene, which happens in the pivotal Halloween chapter:

  "Wait," Kaidan called from behind me.  I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, but kept walking.  Then I felt his hand around my wrist, spinning me in a half circle and pulling me to his chest.  His face was so close.  He reached down and cupped my face with one woolly hand, and wiped the top corner of my lip hard with his thumb.  I flinched back.
  "What are you doing?"
  "I..." He appeared to have no idea himself.  "I wanted to see your freckle."
  A vulnerable tenderness flashed across his face, more painful to see than the coldness.  It took every ounce of strength I had not to beg for one last kiss.  As fast as his expression had softened, it was back to stone again.
  "What do you want from me, Kai?"
  "For starters?" His voice lowered to sexy, dangerous depths.  "I want to introduce myself to every freckle on your body."
  A powerful shiver ripped through me.
  "So, just something physical, then?" I clarified.      "That's all you want?"
  "Tell me you hate me," he demanded.  I felt the air of his words against my face.
  "But I don't hate you.  I couldn't."
  "You could," he assured me, pulling me tighter. "And you should."

*sigh*  I understand Kai's hesitation and his willingness to sacrifice his own feelings for Anna's safety, but geeeeeez!  Quit stringing the girl along, am I right?!?  Oh, and if you desire to read this chapter from Kai's POV, you can do so here.

Now that the read along is officially dunzo, I'll be posting my review shortly.  I'll be honest, though, I'm still not ready for it to be over, so it may take a few days for me to gather my thoughts and coherently review this novel.  But you shall know all the thoughts soon enough.  :D

Monday, October 15, 2012


This week's read along is for chapters seventeen through twenty-five and spans pages 232-340 of Sweet Evil.  And to coincide with the events of the book (teehee), this week's theme is truth or dareI'll be honest, I'd rather not add any ammunition to any future truth or dare matches, so I usually opt for truth.  It's not that I'm not daring...I can let loose when I want to, but for the intent of this read along, it would probably be most beneficial for me to stick to what I do best, and that's telling it like it is.  =)

TRUTH.  So, here goes:

Truth #1:  Although I hadn't read Sweet Evil prior to this read along, I did finish the entire book before the first week's scheduled reading.  I had planned to read just the scheduled chapters, write up my read along post, and then wait in agony until time to do the next week's post.  But, c'mon!?!  After meeting Kaidan, can you really blame me?  I mean, I felt kind of bad, especially when Mindy, the read along host, would post things like, "I couldn't imagine it being my first time reading Sweet Evil. Having to wait each week for the chapters."  Needless to say, I felt a little guilty.  But not that guilty.  I am so weak...I couldn't help myself.  And I so cannot believe I'm admitting this to you guys.  :-P

Truth #2:  I have a special credit card for only bookish purposes.  My husband may or may not know that such a credit card exists.  ;0)  I use it for all of my giveaways, shipping, but most importantly, all of those books I buy that I don't have time to read.  I'm amassing a library, people.  Do you think your local librarian has read every book in the library?  Hmmm?  Thought so.

Truth #3:  I buy physical copies of books that I loved in galley or ARC form with the intent of re-reading them.  But I never do.  I just don't have the time.  Again, I'm starting my own library, so it's okay.  (My husband is on board with that whole dark library with a rolling ladder thing.  Promise.)  Plus, I kid myself that they're for posterity's sake.  Like I'd let my rugrat put her hands on them.  Pshaw.  Not any time soon, anyway.

Truth #4:  I've only lived in my house for a year, but in that time, I've replaced or added to my bookshelves three times, and I've completely reorganized all of my books -- alphabetically, as read/not-read, or otherwise -- at least five times.

Truth #5:  I almost always purchase my books online.  I don't like the judgey looks from the clerk at the register or from other patrons when they see that I primarily purchase YA titles.  Once in a blue moon, I'll come across a like-minded individual, but ever since my local Borders closed, there's much less chance of that happening.  So, I keep my bookish purchases under wraps for the most part.


My thoughts on this week's read along:

Um, so I got my wish.  Sorta.  More kissing ensued but then a big ole sad face.  :C  It was great meeting Kaidan's so-called "friends" and seeing how they interacted with Anna.  I liked each of them in their own way, but I'm worried about this Kope fellow.  He seems legit, but no son of a demon can be all good, can he?  At any rate, the training with Anna's father seems to be going well.  *wink, wink*  And I'm glad to see that Anna's making other new friends.  Seems she's really going to need them with everything she's going through.  That Kaidan can be a real pain in the arse, can't he?  I kind of do miss those road trip moments, though...sigh.

Favorite quotes:

"Now would be the time to stop me, luv.  You're about to be undressed, and trust me when I say it will be too late after that." -- p. 237

"Wow, you make me look like a bad girl; that's hard to do."  -- p. 294

"Oh, that's right, I nearly forgot," Kaidan said with smooth indifference.  "The prince and princess would never stoop so low.  Well, bottoms up to us peasants."  -- p. 296

"This little thing"--he made a triangle in the air, pointing between Kopano, Kaidan, and me--"isn't gonna fly.  Don't worry yourselves about Anna anymore.  You hear?"  They both gave single nods.  "Then get on out of here.  And keep your heads in the game."  -- p. 316


Now is normally the point at which I say something along the lines of, "I can't wait for next week's chapters," but you guys already know that's a farce.  So, just know that I can't wait for next week's discussion.  It's about Halloween!  =D

Monday, October 8, 2012


This week's read along is for chapters ten through sixteen and spans pages 122-231 of Sweet Evil.  And to coincide with the events of the book (teehee), this week's theme is citrus or pear food/drink recipesI'm an over-achiever, so I've got one of each for you.  Both feature pears because, well, every time I think about Kai eating that pear...*sigh*...oh, there I go again!  Sorry!  =D

First up, I have a recipe for Harvest Pear Crisp:

 


Cinnamon-spiced pears bake under a crunchy streusel topping in this easy pear crisp. Assemble the dessert ahead of time, and put it in the oven when guests arrive. Or bake it earlier in the day and serve it at room temperature. Serve with low-fat vanilla ice cream.





Ingredients:

6 cups Anjou or Bartlett pears, cored and cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 3     pounds)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup granulated sugar1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup regular oats
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts



Preparation:
 

Preheat oven to 375°.

Combine pears and lemon juice in a 2-quart baking dish; toss gently to coat. Combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; stir with a whisk. Add cornstarch mixture to pear mixture; toss well to coat.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt in a food processor; pulse 2 times or until combined. Add chilled butter; pulse 6 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add oats and walnuts; pulse 2 times. Sprinkle flour mixture evenly over pear mixture.

Bake at 375° for 40 minutes or until pears are tender and topping is golden brown. Cool 20 minutes on a wire rack; serve warm or at room temperature.


And then because this girl likes to drink -- and because I just love the name of this drink -- here's my pear cocktail recipe:






The Admiral Peary
[ actually, it's The Admiral Perry, but I like plays on words :0) ]




Ingredients:

• 2 oz Absolut pear vodka
• 1 oz Hiram Walker original cinnamon schnapps
• 1 oz dry vermouth
• 0.25 teaspoon white creme de cacao
• thin pear slice for garnish



Preparation:

1.Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with ice until chilled.
2.Strain into cocktail glass.
3.Garnish with a thin slice of pear.



My thoughts on this week's read along:

I have this feeling that I am going to run the full gamut of emotions with this book:  anger at Kai's douchiness, surprise at his kindess, shock that Daddy Dearest isn't the evil demon I expected him to be, frustration at Anna's continued naïveté.  The further I delve into this world, the more I worry about what's going to happen to Anna and what the future might hold for her and Kai.  It's obvious Kaidan feels something for Anna, but the question is, will he allow himself to continue feeling it, or is he going to shut her out for her own protection?  This road trip has been fun, but what's next?!?!?  My vote is for more KISSING!!!!!!!  =)

Favorite quotes:

"Oh, come on.  You haven't even thanked me yet."
"For what?"  I asked, still not looking.
"For saving you from snogging that plonker.  You didn't really fancy him, did you?"
My cheeks burned, and I was glad to be turned away from him.  I kept my mouth shut.
"So that's it, then?"  he asked.  I ignored him.  "I always wondered what it would feel like."
That made me curious enough to turn to him.
"What what would feel like?"  I asked.
"Rejection."  He seemed in the midst of a revelation. -- p. 138

"How's your orange juice, Ann?  Does it have a touch of lime?'
The glass paused at my lips as I processed his innuendo, and I took a second to make sure my embarrassment stayed hidden inside.  I let the drink swish over my tongue a moment before swallowing and answering.
"Actually it's a little sour," I said, and he laughed.
"That's a shame."  He picked up a green pear from his plate and bit into it, licking juice that dripped down his thumb.  My cheeks warmed as I set down my glass.
"Okay, now you're just being crude," I said.
He grinned with lazy satisfaction. -- p. 180 (aka "the pear incident")


"You came across the country--"
"Shhh!" I warned him as people looked over.  He lowered his voice to a shouted whisper.
"--with the son of the Duke of Lust?!  Son of a--"  -- p. 223

"And tell the Rowe boy to keep his paws off my little girl, 'cause I'll be out soon to take care of him if he doesn't."  -- p. 230

Hahaha...didn't Patti tell Kaidan almost the exact same thing in Week One?  As you can see, I pretty much quoted all of week two's reading...it's so hard to pick favorites when you love every bit of it to pieces!  :D  My full review will be up after the read along is over at the end of the month.  For now, just know that I love it, and if you haven't read it, you definitely, definitely need to.  :0)

Monday, October 1, 2012

This week's read along is for chapters one through nine and spans the first 121 pages of Sweet Evil.  And to coincide with the events of the book, this week's theme is road trips


I absolutely love road trips.  I've been on many...some better than others.  I love books that center around road trips and everything that happens on them.  And I love listening to books while I'm on a road trip, though my ability to do so may be severely limited, depending on my traveling companion(s).

Like I said, I've been on a lot of road trips.  Some with family, a lot with friends.  Most of my trips were regional, though, with the exception of those family trips back to Ohio when I was younger.  But in all my travelling, I've never taken the one trip I really wanted to:  a scenic drive down historic Route 66.  I am by no means a history buff...I'm thinking with my camera.  Can you imagine all of the photographic possibilities?!?  The hilarity that will ensue?  It would be EPIC.

But only if my travel buddy was none other than my lil sis.  Because I want to have road trip moments like this:
Road trippin' is supposed to be fun with lots of stops along the way, but I'll be completely honest, the road trips I take with my hubby and 4yo are nothing like that.  Everyone ends up cranky and sensitive and just plain old ready to get to our destination.  Sure, the intended destination is your objective, but getting there is just as fun.  Well, unless there are unexpected accidents or mishaps along the way.  Those suck, but you take them in stride.  (I could tell you loads of stories, but for the sake of brevity, I won't.  :P)

Anyway, I'd want to stop at all of the weird and wacky that Route 66 has to offer and take advantage of all of the photog opportunities, too, because there will be plenty on that beautiful, open road.  I want to see all of the big teepees and big balls of yarn, and anything else that struck my fancy along the way.  And I'd probably really make the effort to visit everything marked on this travel mat:



My thoughts on this week's read along:

Okay, I'll admit it, Kaidan is just as hawt as I'd been led to believe.  :0)  I do wish I'd read this book sooner, especially since it's been sitting on my shelf for months, but I kind of like the fact that while some are rediscovering their love for this book, it's still all so new and shiny to me. 

I like that although Anna's parents aren't in the picture, she still has a strong female parental presence in her life in the form of adoptive mom Patti.  It was also a pleasure to see that despite everything Anna's just learned about herself and her family, she doesn't go the overly dramatic route and throw a tantrum.  She digs for more answers, which leads her straight back to Kai.  *sigh*  I'm okay.  I'm okay.  It's also great that she has a perfectly platonic relationship with Jay, although I do wish she had listened to him and been smart enough not to fall prey to the likes of Scott.  (That d-bag better get his comeuppance!)  But at least it paved the way for Kai to save the day.  =D  And now that they're on this road trip together, I expect all kinds of fun times.

Favorite quotes:

“This guy was sexy like it was his job or something.”

“You.  You’re a walking contradiction.  Horns and a halo.  I don’t believe it.”

"That guy, the drummer? Get this. He's a killer musician, he gets tons of chicks, his dad's loaded, and as if that wasn't enough, he's got a friggin' English accent!"

"There's hardly any room for fear when you're so bloody turned-on."

"Mm-hm, that's part of what I'm worried about."  She pointed at his hands.  "Hands off, mister."

 
Teehee...I can't wait for next week!  8-)

 
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