Mutts and Mistletoe by Natalie Cox

* * * *

Thirty-one-year-old Charlie isn't in the mood for Christmas cheer...

Her boyfriend has left her for his personal trainer, her mother has absconded with her latest husband for the holidays, and--adding insult to (literal) injury--her London apartment has just been destroyed by a gas leak. Single, mildly concussed and temporarily homeless, Charlie realizes there's only one place to go: Cozy Canine Cottages, where she'll spend the season looking after her cousin Jez's doggy day care center. And if she's not exactly a dog person, well, no one has to know...

But her plans for a quiet Christmas in a quaint country village are quickly dashed. Peggy the pregnant beagle and Malcolm the anxious Great Dane seem determined to keep her up all night. A strange man has been casing her cousin's house. And where is Cal, the unbearably patronizing but disturbingly handsome local vet, when she needs him?

As the days tick down to Christmas, Charlie's life has never felt so out of control--but with some help from her new four-legged friends, she just might learn a thing or two about living in the moment, embracing the unexpected and opening herself up to love...

Source: purchased

Mutts and Mistletoe had been sitting on my bookshelf for two years before I picked it up, determined to get more holiday reading in. 

Charlie is seriously a girl after my own heart. I love her dry humor even if she's a bit down on Christmas. There's no particular reason for it. She was recently dumped by her boyfriend but even that hasn't necessarily messed her up which surprises her. She's prepared for a low key Christmas but when her flat is destroyed by a gas leak, she has no choice but to stay with her cousin in the London countryside for the time being. It's a drastic change of scenery for this city girl, especially when she has to share her temporary digs with several dogs. Her cousin, Jez, runs a boarding kennel, and dogs are definitely not Charlie's thing. Jez calls in a major favor of Charlie who's roped in to help watch after the kennel while the former goes out of town for several days. Of course, Charlie thinks it'll be easy peasey but what's the fun in that? Nothing calamitous happens; it's all interesting locals and ridiculousness that keep things funny.

I enjoyed reading this so much! I laughed out loud, giggled and shook my head at all the weird stuff. Charlie takes things in stride and her time removed from her normal surroundings allows her to think. One of the things I loved most in this story is her relationship with her father. Her family dynamics are strange but her connection with her dad is so touching. He gets her and tells her exactly what she needs to hear in that moment. There's something about his perspective that opens her mind and he does it quoting Kant! I was so impressed with their conversations that I bookmarked those sections because they resonated with me. Plus, they were funny, too.

Charlie doesn't set out looking for romantic entanglements but the opportunities present themselves. Her initial rocky meeting with local vet, Cal turns cute and flirty even if there's an absurd misunderstanding. Then another possible love interest rolls in who strikes me as such a quintessentially quirky character that I delight in and that English writers do so well. Anyway, if Charlie thought she was in for a quiet time, she was mistaken!

I'm so happy I finally read Mutts and Mistletoe. It was the perfect read to add to my holiday cheer and I want everyone to add it to theirs! 

~ Bel

Jane Seymour, The Haunted Queen (Six Tudor Queens #3) by Alison Weir

* * * *

Acclaimed author and historian Alison Weir continues her epic Six Tudor Queens series with this third captivating novel, which brings to life Jane Seymour, King Henry VIII’s most cherished bride and mother of his only male heir.

Ever since she was a child, Jane has longed for a cloistered life as a nun. But her large noble family has other plans, and, as an adult, Jane is invited to the King’s court to serve as lady-in-waiting for Queen Katherine of Aragon. The devout Katherine shows kindness to all her ladies, almost like a second mother, which makes rumors of Henry’s lustful pursuit of Anne Boleyn—who is also lady-in-waiting to the queen—all the more shocking. For Jane, the betrayal triggers memories of a painful incident that shaped her beliefs about marriage.

But once Henry disavows Katherine and secures his new queen—altering the religious landscape of England—he turns his eye to another: Jane herself. Urged to return the King’s affection and earn favor for her family, Jane is drawn into a dangerous political game that pits her conscience against her desires. Can Jane be the one to give the King his long-sought-after son or will she meet a fate similar to the women who came before her?

Bringing new insight to this compelling story, Weir marries meticulous research with gripping historical fiction to re-create the dramas and intrigues of the most renown court in English history. At its center is a loving and compassionate woman who captures the heart of a king, and whose life will hang in the balance for it.

Source: advance copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review


One of my best friends and I have talked about how we don't understand why tv shows or movies would purposefully revamp actual historic events when they were dramatic enough in real life to begin with. I get it, not everything translates to the screen so artistic license is taken. So what does this conversation have to do with Jane Seymour, The Haunted Queen? Everything because reading this shows that there was no bigger soap opera in Europe than the court of Henry VIII. 

We are dropped into one of the most tumultuous times during Henry's reign. Still freshly divorced from Katherine of Aragon, his first wife and now turning sour on his second wife, Anne Boleyn, Henry's need to produce a legitimate male heir to ensure a peaceful succession to the throne is in overdrive. The political machine is hard at work trying to figure out how to make this happen. But first they need to do damage control caused by the divorce from the much beloved first or "true" queen, then they have to get Henry away from Anne which then paves the way for him to take a new wife, and that would be Jane Seymour.

As a knight's daughter, Jane's family isn't as rich or influential as the Boleyns but they have a presence. Being the lady-in-waiting to Katherine and then later to Anne puts her in Henry's orbit. Jane isn't as ambitious the way Anne was believed to be. In her book, Weir offers us an alternative: that as a child she had wanted to live a quiet life as a nun but later realized that that wasn't a life suited for her. Jane presents a more demure nature that befits a queen and more importantly, is acceptable to the royal court and to a country after Henry's divorce. After the scandal that has followed Anne, Henry is convinced that Jane is the answer. She starts believing it, too.

Here's the deal: reading about The Tudors - specifically Henry and his wives - stirs up all kinds of emotions. I go from sympathy to annoyance to outrage and then back to sympathy. and I preat that cycle. Keeping in mind the time period (that Henry needed to establish his legitimacy domestically and internationally) and what a woman's role was then, I have to remember that the women were essentially pawns in a greater game played by the ego-driven and politically ambitious men and families surrounding them. These women were encouraged to use their feminine ways to woo the king by any means necessary, but the dangerous flipside to that was that their femininity was also used against them when they proved to be a political liability and no longer useful (see: Anne Boleyn). Reading Jane Seymour made that more apparent because she isn't necessarily in the thick of things but merely an observer for most of the time she's at court. She witnesses Katherine's humiliation, Henry's estrangement from his two daughters, Anne's (and her family's) rise through the ranks and then seemingly overnight, the machine behind Anne's downfall. It was illuminating for me to see these events through her eyes and I have to say that I learned something and gained a better perspective on this factious time. As always after I've read one of Alison Weir's books, I come away with a better perspective for these events and some of the players involved. As I said before, this is pure soap opera that you can't even make up! I have a special affection for Jane now. I'd like to think that at her heart she was a genuine person who yearned to bring about peace and stability to the monarchy and to Henry's personal life. In some ways she did but at the end of the day, she was another in a line of women served up to the king.

~ Bel

The Darkling Bride by Laura Andersen

* * * *

Three generations of Irish nobles face their family secrets in this spellbinding novel from the award-winning author of the Boleyn King trilogy.

The Gallagher family has called Deeprath Castle home for seven hundred years. Nestled in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland, the estate is now slated to become a public trust, and book lover and scholar Carragh Ryan is hired to take inventory of its historic library. But after meeting Aidan, the current Viscount Gallagher, and his enigmatic family, Carragh knows that her task will be more challenging than she’d thought.

Two decades before, Aidan’s parents died violently at Deeprath. The case, which was never closed, has recently been taken up by a new detective determined to find the truth. The couple’s unusual deaths harken back a century, when twenty-three-year-old Lady Jenny Gallagher also died at Deeprath under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind an infant son and her husband, a renowned writer who never published again. These incidents only fueled fantastical theories about the Darkling Bride, a local legend of a sultry and dangerous woman from long ago whose wrath continues to haunt the castle.

The past catches up to the present, and odd clues in the house soon have Carragh wondering if there are unseen forces stalking the Gallagher family. As secrets emerge from the shadows and Carragh gets closer to answers—and to Aidan—could she be the Darkling Bride’s next victim?

Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

I originally thought that The Darkling Bride was going to be a ghost story, something out of my comfort zone but so tantalizing that I was willing to try. Turns out it's a little bit about a ghostly legend and mostly about bizarre family events that only add to the legend.

There are three timelines and several points of view working in tandem to bring this incredible story to life. I love a good mystery and so happens I love one that involves uncovering family secrets. Carragh takes on a temporary job to archive the Gallagher family's library before the castle is put in a trust. Aidan, the current Viscount, has no desire to hold on to the castle where his parents were murdered. What few memories he has are too painful and since not everyone in his family is in agreement with his plans, their discord grows as time wears on. Carragh gets to be an unwilling witness to the family's drama but doesn't allow that to distract her from doing the work she was hired to do. She's also doing a bit of her own research into one of the family's most famous ancestors and her perseverance leads her to information that could help resolve not only the mystery of Aidan's parents' deaths but another one from a couple of generations back. 

With so many characters and details involved Andersen has paced the story perfectly with concise chapters and just enough breadcrumbs to keep both the plotline and reader moving forward. The only problem I had was with real life constantly interrupting my reading bliss. The Darkling Bride fits a certain kind of mood and I was craving a mystery like this that would remove me to another setting and time period. I was mesmerized by the story and enjoyed the various characters even when they were at their most vulnerable. If I could make a wish, I'd love to see the detective, Sibéal in another story. Strong and skilled at her job, it would be fun to see her work another mystery but as I said, that's just my wishful thinking. 

~ Bel

Picture Source: Goodreads

Connect with Laura on Facebook and Twitter!

Paris For One & Other Stories Jojo Moyes

Nell is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She's never even been on a romantic weekend away--to anywhere--before. Traveling abroad isn't really her thing. But when Nell's boyfriend fails to show up for their mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone--including herself--wrong. Alone in Paris, Nell finds a version of herself she never knew existed: independent and intrepid. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life? Funny, charming, and irresistible, Paris for One is quintessential Jojo Moyes--as are the other stories that round out the collection.

Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Paris For One & Other Stories is a wonderful compilation of a novella and, well, a few short stories. I read these in the week leading up to Christmas and it was exactly what I needed to get me in a good mood through the busy holiday season.

Paris For One

"The thing about growing up in a small town -- everyone though they knew exactly what you were." 

~ Paris For One, p. 8

Nell likes routine and to have a plan in advance. She's not usually one for spontaneity but after the startling realization that she's viewed as predictable, she decides to shake things up by booking a weekend trip to Paris for her and her boyfriend. He doesn't show up the day they're supposed to leave he stands her up. Feeling deflated she considers returning to England but then changes her mind. On one of her outings she meets Fabien, a waiter and aspiring writer, who shows her around the city. Told with sweetness and humour, Paris For One shows Nell overcoming her discomfort and disappointment, turning what could have been a disaster of a weekend into a trip of her lifetime. I absolutely adored this story and pumped a fist in the air for Nell because she just plain rocks!

And Other Stories  ... 

I've never really been one for short stories but I seem to have read more of them lately. Reading these at Christmas was perfect for me as my attention span was spotty. More importantly is that I've begun to appreciate how an author has to build just enough of the backstory in order to let the reader comfortably dive in.

Between the Tweets

Bella is a digital manager at a publicity firm who's called upon to help a client facing a publicity crisis over an alleged affair. I was bowled over by this one because for a short story, it had room to develop and Moyes even threw in some twists.

Love in the Afternoon

In one of the more relatable stories included in this compilation, Sarah and Doug are a married couple with children who have simply lost the spark in their marriage. They go away for an overnight stay and between the stilted conversation and awkward attempts at intimacy, getting in sync again to bring back the romance will require some effort. 

A Bird in the Hand

Beth and her husband, Simon are invited to a dinner party where she runs into Ben, a guy she used to work with and as it turns out, she also had an affair with him. He's with someone else now but being seated together at dinner, he and Beth wind up hashing it out over the debacle of their affair. Though I find stories about cheating uncomfortable, I was intrigued by this one because there's a huge "what if" moment thanks to a surprising realization about the way their liaison ended.

Crocodile Shoes

Sam's done working out at the gym and when she's ready to leave she finds that someone else has mistakenly taken her gym bag. In it is a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes that are totally impractical for her but she has no choice but to wear them at work since she can't go home. The shoes have a kind of magical effect, influencing people's perception of her. Noticing how they're responding to her differently she uses that to her advantage during her several meetings throughout the day. It's a cute fantasy though not at the top of the list for me.

Hold Ups

This off-beat one takes place at a jewelers where a robbery is in progress and Alice is most definitely not behaving as most people do when there's a masked stranger pointing at weapon at them. Alice and the thief even seem to be flirting with each other. Bizarre but funny.

Last Year's Coat

Evie and her husband Greg have been pinching pennies since hours have been cut at work meaning they have to stick to a tight budget. While Evie diligently puts family before frivolous needs, she can't help but envy how easily her workmates seem to spend money. She has her eye on a coat that before she wouldn't have had any qualms about buying but under current circumstances, she can't justify the expense. The story that contrasts those who live within their means and those that in the long run add to their problems will squeeze at your heart.

Thirteen Days with John C

Miranda comes across a phone on the ground while walking home one night. Several text messages come through making it appear that the phone's owner and the sender of those texts are having an affair. Curiosity getting the better of her, she starts texting back, getting a bit of a thrill by pretending to be this other person. My least favourite of the short stories because it's disturbing to me ends up with a twist that I think is deserved. 

The Christmas List

We're all familiar with the hellish spectacle of shopping at Christmas time, right? And we all have some experience shopping for people who are difficult to find gifts for in the first place. Poor Chrissie has to finish her shopping for her mother-in-law who doesn't like her to begin with. Yet she keeps breaking her back hoping to find something to win her over. She hops into a cab and strikes up a lovely conversation with the driver who is full of the Christmas spirit. Not only does he go out of his way to help her get her, as they're talking he helps her put things in perspective and it comes down to this: would she rather be happy or miserable at Christmas, stuck with people who don't like her? You'll have to read it to find out what happens. 


I enjoyed reading all of these stories, each one with their own vibe. My favourite of the entire book is Paris For One. Of the short stories, I do wish there was a follow up for The Christmas List because I so want to know what Chrissie is up to. Paris For One & Other Stories is a great pick if you want a quick dose of good feels but are short on time.  

~ Bel

Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

****

From Berkley Publishing Group (Ace):

In the #1 New York Times bestselling Mercy Thompson novels, the coyote shapeshifter has found her voice in the werewolf pack. But when Mercy's bond with the pack—and her mate—is broken, she'll learn what it truly means to be alone...

 

Attacked and abducted in her home territory, Mercy finds herself in the clutches of the most powerful vampire in the world, taken as a weapon to use against alpha werewolf Adam and the ruler of the Tri-Cities vampires. In coyote form, Mercy escapes—only to find herself without money, without clothing, and alone in the heart of Europe... 

 

Unable to contact Adam and the rest of the pack, Mercy has allies to find and enemies to fight, and she needs to figure out which is which. Ancient powers stir, and Mercy must be her agile best to avoid causing a war between vampires and werewolves, and between werewolves and werewolves. And in the heart of the ancient city of Prague, old ghosts rise...

Source:  Advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review.  

I've seen these Patricia Briggs books pop-up in my recommended reading lists for years because I love books like the Chicagoland Vampire Series by Chloe Neill, but like you I have a never-ending TBR pile, plus books to review, a social life I attempt on occasion, family, friends, and a demanding career, so I saw them, but I didn't really see them, if you get my drift.  Then one day I was looking for something paranormal to read during some unexpected down time and I happened to walk by Moon Called in the library.  I was back to the library the next day to get the next four books in the series... and a few days after that to get the next four.  Needless to say, I fell in love with Mercy Thompson and her rag-tag crew of miscreants.  What took me so long to read these?!  I was definitely missing out.  And if you haven't read the Mercy Thompson series, you are missing out too.  

There's so much to love in the Mercy Thompson series.  Mercy is half Native American, married to an Alpha werewolf, friends with fae and vampires alike.  There's a lot of diversity in this series.  I like that the heroine is Native American, that one of her best friends is gay, that the werewolves come from all different backgrounds and ethnicities, as do the vampires.  Mostly I like that Mercy is a grown ass woman capable of being in love with an Alpha werewolf and telling him to go to hell when he becomes too over-protective or overbearing.  That while Mercy often has help in surviving her adventures, she's not helpless.  In fact, she's probably the most capable of all the badass supernaturals she deals with.  She's able to admit when she needs assistance and accept that assistance, but is never the damsel in distress in need of saving.  More often than not, she's the one saving all these super beings and the big strong men.  Mercy is a heroine we can look up to and admire (even while we envy her being surrounded by all these gorgeous super beings).  

Silence Fallen is book 10 of the series and finds Mercy and Adam separated by an ocean and new enemies.  While no one knows better than Adam that Mercy can handle herself, he is understandably worried to discover she's being held by the Lord of the Night.  While he launches a rescue mission, Mercy, being Mercy, escapes.  And that is just where the fun begins.  

You would think that a series would begin to feel repetitive or too over the top ten books in, but Silence Fallen was fresh and interesting.  A bumpy, yet fabulous ride for the reader as Mercy gets into her own unique brand of trouble and finds new and thoroughly entertaining ways of surviving.  And when you get to the end of Silence Fallen, email me or send a message on Facebook or twitter, because I love the symbolism of this ending so much (at least what it symbolizes to me) and need people to discuss it with since my fellow BiblioJunkies don't love paranormal and urban fantasy like I do and I can't spoil anything for you!

Of course, now I'm sad that I'm all caught up and the next book likely won't be out until next year.  Why do you torture me so?!  I guess I have to go back and re-read them all!

~ Shel

Daily Grind by Anna Zabo

****

A man discovers that love can show up when you least expect it—and in a much different form—in this piping-hot romance from the author of Due Diligence and Just Business.

Brian Keppler, owner of Ground N'At, the coffee shop beneath SR Anderson Consulting, doesn't have time for a relationship. His most recent girlfriend broke up with him because he'd become married to his shop, which is falling apart without his favorite barista, Justin.

As he struggles to stay afloat, the arrival of handsome British high-tech whiz Robert Ancroft becomes another complication. Rob quickly becomes a fixture at the shop with his sharp wit and easy charm, and Brian soon finds himself looking forward more and more to Rob's visits—to the point where his heart skips a beat when he walks in. 

But will Brian be able to come to terms with his previously unexplored sexual identity and find happiness now that he has a chance?

Source:  e-galley in exchange for an honest review.  

Daily Grind is a sweet, hot treat, just like your cappuccino! Daily Grind was my first Anna Zabo, so it can totally be read as a standalone, or you will be like me and have to go back and read Zabo's backlist.  :-)  If you've read Takeover, Due Diligence and/or Just Business, there's considerably less kink in Daily Grind, but it's still a smoking hot story.  I loved Brian and Rob!  Brian and Rob have great chemistry.  This is a gay for you romance by a couple of guys who have been burned by love in the past.  They are snarky and fun and watching them fall is thoroughly enjoyable!   

If you are a Zabo fan, then you will love getting Brian's story.  If you are new to Zabo, then feel free to start here or start with Takeover and work your way through.  You can't go wrong either way!  

~ Shel

Next to Never and The Next Flame by Penelope Douglas Cover Reveal

Hello dear friends!  Today we have a dual cover reveal for Penelope Douglas!  Next to Never is a digital novella releasing January 7, 2017 from Berkley and The Next Flame is the print edition of Next to Never and the previously published book Aflame.  The Next Flame releases May 2, 2017.  

About NEXT TO NEVER

Under the close watch of the men in her family, Quinn Caruthers has found it nearly impossible to spread her wings—or even date—without her three older brothers, Jared, Madoc, and Jaxon, jumping in to hover. And when a family friend—several years older—from her childhood still holds her heart, she knows they’re going to be a problem. Lucas Morrow is a man, and knowing her brothers, he may as well be forbidden.

But years ago, Lucas left town and shows no signs of returning. Quinn knows she shouldn’t wait for him anymore.

Until a package turns up on her doorstep with no return address and its contents reveal family secrets that threaten to turn her world upside down. She’s never asked about the path of her parents’ romantic history, but she soon learns their happy marriage had a very rocky and passionate start.

As she starts to see things around her with new eyes, Quinn will have to make tough choices about whether she’ll keep waiting…or finally go after what she really wants.

Without further adieu - I give you the covers!

Beautiful right?!  I'm really loving the cover for The Next Flame, but the colors on Next to Never are lovely.  

~Shel

Rookie Move by Sarina Bowen Release Week Blitz

Congratulations Sarina Bowen on the release of Rookie Move! 

We've all been waiting for this for months now. People if you like your romance hot and steamy and featuring a drop dead gorgeous hockey player, here it is. You will love Leo Trevi!

~ Order your copy here ~ 

Amazon     I     Barnes & Noble     I     iBooks     I     Kobo     I     Google

~ Enjoy this lovely excerpt! ~ 

“Come right this way,” Georgia heard her coworker and roommate Becca say, the clomp of her Dr. Martens echoing through the grand old passageway. “Nate is excited to meet you.” Becca was the owner’s assistant, and Georgia lingered half a second to wave her down and offer her a donut, too.

But Becca didn’t happen to look in Georgia’s direction as she led a tall man down the corridor. Something about his gait snagged Georgia’s subconscious. So she took a second look.

And that’s when her heart took off like a manic bunny rabbit. Because she knew that man. She knew the chiseled shape of his masculine jaw, and the length of his coal-black eyelashes.

Oh my God.

Omigod, omigod, omigod.

“How was your flight?” Becca asked him, oblivious to the fact that Georgia was spying.

“Not too bad. I got in late last night.”

The sound of his voice fluttered right inside Georgia’s chest. It was the same smoky sweet timbre that used to whisper into her ear while they made love.

She hadn’t let herself remember that sound in a long time.

Now it was giving her goosebumps. The good kind.

“Welcome to Brooklyn,” Becca said while Georgia trembled. “Are you familiar with the area?”

“Grew up about thirty miles from here,” he answered while chills broke out across her back.

Holding her breath, Georgia eased her office door further closed, until only a couple of inches remained. She could not be caught like this—freaked-out and speechless, hiding behind a door.

The movement caught Becca’s eye, though. Georgia saw her turn her head in her direction and then pick her out in the crack where the door was still open. Becca raised one eyebrow—the one with the barbell piercing in it.

All Georgia could do was close her eyes and pray that Becca wouldn’t call out a greeting.

There was a pause before Georgia heard Becca say, “Right this way, please.”Quietly, Georgia stepped into her office and shut the door. After flipping on the light, she let her briefcase and pocketbook slide right to the floor. Only the folder that Nate had given her was still in her shaking hands. She flipped it open, her eyes searching for the new player’s name on the page.

But she didn’t even need the paperwork to confirm what her racing heart had already figured out. The newest player for the Brooklyn Bruisers was none other than Leonardo “Leo” Trevi, a six-foot-two, left-handed forward. Also known as her high school boyfriend, the boy she’d loved with all her heart until the day that she’d dumped him. And now he was here?

“Thanks, universe,” she whispered into the stillness of her office.

And we're not done. Feast your eyes on Leo's trading.card. We wouldn't mind collecting these now, would we, ladies?

Never Let You Go by Monica Murphy

****1/2

Source:  Advance e-galley from Penguin Random House

The truth hurts, they say—and my pain cuts deep. While I was falling for Ethan, he was deceiving me the entire time. He held a huge secret, protected by his lies. When I discovered what he was hiding, the truth shook my world, threatening to ruin us forever. Ruin me. But I soon realized that what we share can't be destroyed.

The connection between us is too strong. It always has been. I can't deny him any longer. And I can't deny my truth: I'm in love with Ethan.

I don't want to let him go.

While we're trying our best to make this relationship work, other forces are fighting against us. My family, who wants to keep me safe. The media obsessed with my tragic past. The public that feeds off of it. Even Ethan's father—the man who nearly destroyed me all those years ago. He's doing his best to finish the job.

Despite my love for Ethan, the doubts creep in, clouding my mind. Is he worth the pain? Will our love survive, or will we have no choice but to end it—end us—once and for all?


Source:  e-galley from Penguin Random House.

Never Let You Go is the heart-wrenching conclusion to Ethan and Katie's story.  It's full of angst, love and mystery and IT WILL CRUSH YOUR SOUL!!  Seriously, I don't recommend reading it over your lunch hour like I did.  It made it impossible to function as an adult and had me all teary-eyed in the office, which is unacceptable.  There were tears, puffy eyes, red cheeks - it's a good thing I could lock myself in my office until I recovered enough to fake it through the rest of the day.  

But I digress...  there are no words to describe the emotional rollercoaster of this series.  I can't recommend it enough, and this is from the girl who generally avoids books with this much angst.  Once again, Monica Murphy has taken me out of my comfort zone and I love and hate her for it!

~ Shel