Shirin Yim Bridges - Hatshepsut of Egypt

18. Hatshepsut of Egypt by Shirin Yim Bridges (2010)
The Thinking Girl's Treasury of Real Princesses Book 1
Length: 24 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
Started/Finished: 26 May 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to the lovely tour guides at Goose Bottom Books for sending me a copy of the book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 10 May 2011
Why do I have it? I do like true history geared towards children and Shirin Yim Bridges is a new author for me.


This is the first book in a series of six that tells the stories of real-life princesses who successfully ruled their countries in times when it was unheard of to do so. Hatshepsut was the first female pharaoh of Egypt and was the first pharaoh to be buried in the Valley of the Kings. Her father had raised her in the knowledge of government and after the death of her husband, she boldly proclaimed herself as pharaoh. She made Egypt extremely rich and many of her riches came to be found in the boy-king Tutankhamun's tomb although she was not buried with him. Covering what Hatshepsut wore, what she ate, and how she ruled, this is an excellent bit of insight into this interesting female ruler.

I started out not knowing about Hatshepsut at all. I am extremely interested in Egypt. I give this book an A!


A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often

Sonnet O'Dell - Skin Thief

17. Skin Thief by Sonnet O'Dell (2011)
Cassandra Farbanks Series Book 3
Length: 202 pages
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Started: 20 May 2011
Finished: 23 May 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Sonnet for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 2 March 2011
Why do I have it? I have always enjoyed paranormal romance and mystery and Sonnet O'Dell is a new author for me.

Cassandra Farbanks has started her own paranormal investigations firm after gaining some new, unusual powers through her last case. She uses these new powers in her latest case involving a murderous prisoner at the Birmingham Prison. Ivan Petrovich is a Russian Mobster in prison for the murder of his wife's assailants. Petrovich manages to obtain a magical pendant and uses it to switch bodies with a prison guard to escape when he learns his daughter has been murdered and his granddaughter kidnapped.

Cassandra must locate Petrovich and return him to prison before he has a chance to find his daughter's killers and take revenge on them all. What Cassandra never realizes is what havoc the Taish Pendant will wreak on her own life when it falls into familiar hands. I spent longer reading this book than I wanted to, but I loved the story anyway. I was riveted by the storyline and the characters and can't wait for the next book. I give this book an A!


A! - (90-95%)


May you read well and often

Laina Turner-Molaski - Stilettos and Scoundrels

16. Stilettos and Scoundrels by Laina Turner-Molaski (2010)
Presley Thurman Mysteries Book 1
Length: 326 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 10 May 2011
Finished: 18 May 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Bobbie at Nurture Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 6 May 2010
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and Laina Turner-Molaski is a new author for me.

Presley Thurman has recently been fired from her job - which has left her free to follow her dream of writing. Her friend offers her a job writing for his magazine. Her first assignment is to interview a well-known senator from her own hometown and when that senator is murdered, Presley sets out to find a killer first out of a need to keep her job and then out of curiosity. Presley is determined to solve the mystery until she meets Cooper Sands, head of the senator's security. Cooper was a one-time fling and his good looks are extremely distracting and he knows it. He's trying to relive old memories with Presley. The suspects are mounting up but can Presley keep on the task at hand?

I enjoyed this story; I found the characters likeable and well-drawn. I didn't really follow all the shopping metaphors, but the storyline moved along quickly and I give the story an A!

A! - (90-95%)


May you read well and often

Aparna Warrier - Inklings: Very Short Stories and Other Babies Born of Ink

15. Inklings: Very Short Stories and Other Babies Born of Ink by Aparna Warrier (2011)

Length: 13 pages

Genre: Short Story
Started/Finished: 3 May 2011
Where did it come from? Many thank to Aparna for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been in my TBR pile? Since 23 April 2011
Why do I have it? I haven't read many short stories so thought that I would try this one.

This is a collection of flash fiction short stories dealing with the humor, romance and relationships of real life. I have to say that I have never read flash fiction - which are really short stories that usually stand alone. I was very interested in this book and give it an A!



A! - (90-95%)



May you read well and often

Laurel Dewey - Redemption

14. Redemption by Laurel Dewey (2009)

Jane Perry Series Book 2

Length: 400 pages
Genre: Contemporary Mystery
Started: 17 April 2011
Finished: 27 April 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Tracee at Pump up Your Book for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 17 March 2011
Why do I have it? I like contemporary mysteries and Laurel Dewey is a new author for me.

Jane Perry has resigned from the police department and is trying to make a living as a private investigator. However, her past is rising to haunt her. Seeking comfort at an AA meeting, she meets a woman whose granddaughter was murdered many years ago. This woman discovers what Jane does for a living and asks Jane to drive with her from Colorado to California to find her granddaughter's killer whom she's convinced is still murdering people.

Jane is somewhat skeptical when she finds out that the lady is a New Age devotee but she's desperate for work. They head out on the road, gathering information about the killer, and themselves, along the way. Jane has had several incidents happen to her that border on the paranormal, but is a complete skeptic in that area. But as the road points to a fundamentalist church, belief and faith propel her towards her to a deadly confrontation.

I enjoyed this book because of the plot line of faith and paranormal events mixed with a murder mystery. I enjoy Laurel Dewey as a writer and look forward to her next book. I give this book and A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Roy C Booth and Brian Woods - Davi

13. Davi by Roy C. Booth and Brian Woods (2011)
Tales of Saruale Book 1
Length: 95 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Started: 7 April 2011
Finished: 11 April 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Brian for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 31 March 2011
Why do I have it? I like fantasy and Roy C. Booth and Brian Woods are new authors for me.

Dwarves and humans have been at war for generations. When blacksmith Davi is sent into the dwarven kingdom - on the heels of his house being burned - to open trade routes between his people with the dwarves, he doesn't expect to find the acceptance he craves among his enemies. I really enjoyed this fantasy novella and hope for more stories of Saruale soon. I give it an A+!

A+! - (96-100%)

May you read well and often

Kathryn Meyer Griffith - Always and Forever

12. Always and Forever by Kathryn Meyer Griffith (2011)
Length: 28 pages
Genre: Short Story
Started/Finished: 9 April 2011
Where did it come from? Many thanks to Kathryn Meyer Griffith for sending me a copy of this book to read.
How long has it been on my TBR pile? Since 23 February 2011
Why do I have it? I have liked Kathryn Meyer Griffith as an author ever since I read her book Witches in high school.

Emma Baker is taken out by a girlfriend to celebrate her first night as a newly-divorced woman. After 10 years of marriage, Jonathan, Emma's husband, had sprung on her the fact that he was in love with another woman and walked out on her and her son Christopher. Emma swore to herself that she would let no man turn her head at the bar; until she met the bouncer, Ben. Their attraction for each other was immediate but they agree to take it slow. Is this desire a flash that will burn out fast, or is it always and forever?

I thought this was an interesting departure for Kathryn Meyer Griffith as she is usually a romantic horror author. This was a contemporary romance with no horror elements at all. I give this short story an A!

A! - (90-95%)

May you read well and often