Marley & Me: John Grogan

“John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.

“Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound steamroller of a Labrador retriever, a dog like no other. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, flung drool on guests, stole women’s undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewelry. Obedience school did no good—Marley was expelled. Neither did tranquilizers the veterinarian prescribed for him with the admonishment, “Don’t hesitate to use these.”

“And yet Marley’s heart was pure. Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley shared the couple’s joy at their first pregnancy and their first heartbreak over the miscarriage. He was there when babies finally arrived and when screams of a seventeen-year-old stabbing victim pierced the night. Marley shut down a public beach and managed to land a role in a feature-length movie, always winning hearts as he made a mess of things. Through it all, he remained steadfast, a model of devotion, even when his family was at its wit’s end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms.

“Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans.”

When the movie “Marley & Me” came out, all I can remember thinking is “That looks really cute, but where there’s a dog, it’s gotta die.” I tend to cry in emotional movies and thought that a movie about a dog that you get to love right before it dies was just not for me. Then, I noticed the book at the library where I work. For months, I avoided it. Then, with nothing better to do, I finally picked it up.

I fell in love.

This book is so not what I usually read, but I enjoyed it all the same. The writing style kept me reading. I couldn’t put the book down. John Grogan has such a way of describing things that you can’t help but imagine what it would be like to live through them.

I cracked up and laughed aloud; I cried—actually sobbed. I felt so much for the Grogans and felt like I was there with them every step of the way in their crazy, wonderful lives with Marley the bad-mannered dog. It made me feel so much.

I think that it was made all the more touching because I, myself, have an elderly dog. I’ve had him since my sixth birthday and he’s nearly thirteen-and-a-half. That’s getting up there even for a Maltese. He’s going through a lot of what Marley went through at the end and it just kills me. He—like Marley was to the Grogans—is the love of my life. Though he may drive me nutty and I may yell at him sometimes, I care for him with all of my heart. Cappy (short for Cappuccino) may not be “the world’s worst dog” but he is something special.

This book really made me see things differently. It made me realize the finiteness of life and how I really do need to embrace it. Our pets are beautiful, living, breathing creatures and—though they may sometimes make our lives hell—they love us unconditionally in our own ways. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves animals—who has ever loved and lost—and even for someone who has yet to know the complete adoration of a pet. This may just change their mind. (Oh, and now I fully intend on seeing the movie that is based off of this fantastic book!)

Seduction: Amanda Quick (Jayne Ann Krentz)

“Townsfolk called him devil. For dark and enigmatic Julian, Earl of Ravenwood, was a man with a legendary temper and a first wife whose mysterious death would not be forgotten. Some said the beautiful Lady Ravenwood had drowned herself in the black, murky waters of Ravenwood Pond. Others whispered of foul play and the devil’s wrath.

“Now country-bred Sophy Dorring is about to become Ravenwood’s new bride. Drawn to his masculine strength and the glitter of desire that burned in his emerald eyes, the tawny-haired lass had her own reasons for agreeing to a marriage of convenience. One was vengeance, and in its pursuit she would entangle Julian in a blackmail plot, a duel ay dawn, and a dangerous masquerade. The other reason was dearer to her heart, but just as wild a quest: Sophy Dorring intended to teach the devil to love again.”

(Yay for book 130!) So, this is the first book by Amanda Quick (aka Jayne Ann Krentz) that I’ve read and reviewed. I have to admit that her writing lived up to my expectations of an author of her caliber.

Quick’s characters were fun and interesting. Her plot was simple, easy to follow, yet it kept me very interested. At first, I thought to myself, “Just another angst-filled, bitter, back-stabbed husband…” but I was quickly proved wrong. Julian was a wonderful male lead who showed characters that the book’s “hero” doesn’t always have to be perfect. (This vaguely reminded me of Elizabeth Hoyt, though not quite to the same extent.) I must say that I would definitely recommend Amanda Quick for someone willing to put the time into truly appreciating her writing.

The Dark-Hunters, Volume 1: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Claudia Campos

"Vampires getting you down?

"Call the baddest warriors in town: the Dark0Hunters. What are the Dark-Hunters? Man, have you been living under a rock not to know this one....

"They're mad, bad, and immortal. Ancient warriors with attitudes who fight rough, and play hard. They are the scary things that go bump in the night. And they love every minute of it.

"It's just another night on the prowl for vampires for Kyrian Thrace when he meets the most frightening thing imaginable. An accountant. But Amanda Devereaux is much more than she seems. Hunted by one of the deadliest of vampires, Amanda is the key to our survival. If she goes down, so does he, and--no offense--he doesn't want to die (hence the whole immortality thing0. And he doesn't want humanity dead either, which is a good thing for us since he and Amanda are all that stands between us and oblivion.

"Let's hope they win."

YES! I've been waiting for months for this book to come out and it finally showed up on my doorstep this morning! I would really love to know what kept getting the release date pushed back so many times. However, reading it, I think I might just know what took so long: This volume only has HALF of Kyrian's story! It literally cuts off half way through the first Dark-Hunter book! I couldn't believe it! Now it was more than likely intentional, but the only real reason I can come up with for there being so many delays in this book's publishing (and for the fact that there is only really half a story...) is that there was something wrong with the art. It's a pretty integral part of a manga after all..... I don't know if it is true, but it's a possibility.

Anyhow, I must give out some serious props because this manga was awesome. The art--for the most part--was impressive. As a car buff, I liked the look of Kyrian's Lambo (yeah...I know I'm a dork) and as someone who's not an expert on the art of manga, I will say that I was happy with it. A bit of the art looked awkard, but I LOVED being able to put "faces" to the characters. I thought that was really awesome.

Not to mention that I could totally tell that Sherrilyn Kenyon worked on the writing. There were some of the best lines from the book in there and that made it seem so much more like an actual Dark-Hunter novel than just a spoof (though I really would have liked to have seen the "I see Dead People" shirt comment with Talon...I just about wet my pants laughing at that one when I read it in Night Pleasures).

*Heaves a deep sigh* Now, I must wait for the next installment...who REALLY knows when that will be.....

The Raven Prince (Princes Trilogy, Book One): Elizabeth Hoyt

“THERE COMES A TIME IN A LADY’S LIFE

“Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits.

“WHEN SHE MUST DO THE UNTHINKABLE…

“The Earl of Swarthingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior.

“AND FIND EMPLOYMENT.

“When Anna becomes the earl’s secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his “manly” needs. Well! Anna sees red—and decides to assuage her “womanly” desires…with the earl as her unknowing lover.”

Elizabeth Hoyt was another author that I’ve had on my “to read” list and I’ve just been able to sit down with one of her books. Obviously, I read it pretty quickly! Her style is unique and fun and flirty. The characters were, IN ALL HONESTY, so distinctive! Her male lead was not the norm and it made the book that much more fantastic. (Just a note for you readers, BE CERTAIN YOU READ THE VERY LAST PAGES OF THE BOOK! They contain a little interview with “Edward” over the typical male lead. It was so funny and I loved it!) I also have to give Hoyt some serious props for having a fairytale to go along with her book. It was incredibly creative and really helped add to the escape that books provide.

I look forward to reading the next in this series!

Never Trust a Scoundrel: Gayle Callen

“A pact with the devil…

“Miss Grace Banbury was in shock. Her mother put her up as a prize in a high-stakes card game. And now, the gentleman who won is ready to claim her! But Grace has other plans. She just needs the dastardly rogue to go along with it…

“A notorious rake from a scandalous family, Daniel Throckmorten has no use for blushing virgins. Yet there’s no denying the attraction for the beauty standing before him, proposing an enticing wager: He will use all his charm and wit to seduce her into his bed…and she only has to resist. If she succeeds, she wins enough funds to secure her own future. If he wins…she’ll be his. Daniel has never been so tempted—and he has no intention of losing…”

I have been meaning to read Gayle Callen for a while now and I finally got a chance to. I was so excited and was not disappointed in the least! Her plot was really, really fun and unique. Her main male character was striking and very much worth remembering. Her female lead was feisty and powerful. The background itself of the story was really well-planned and I can really tell how much effort and thought went into it. I can honestly really appreciate the quality of Callen’s writing.

This book was so much fun to read and I really, honestly could NOT put it down. Of course, I will read more of her works in the very near future.

Sweet Release (Blakewell/Kenleigh Family Trilogy, Book One): Pamela Clare

“For five pounds in cash, the convict was hers. Though Cassie hated the slave trade, her Virginia plantation demanded labor, and she knew this fevered man would surely die is she left him. But as his wounds healed and his muscled chest bronzed from the sun, Cassie realized Cole Braden was far more dangerous that his papers had indicated—for he could steal her breath with a glance or lay siege to her senses with a touch.

“Abducted, beaten, and given a new name, Alec went from master of an English shipbuilding empire to fourteen years of indentured servitude in the American colonies. There, he was known as Cole Braden, a convicted ravisher and defiler of women. And while he longed to ravish the auburn-haired beauty who owned him, he knew his one hope of earning her love—and his freedom—was to prove his true identity. Only then could he turn the tables and attain his…Sweet Release.”

Once more, I was looking for a new author to read and discovered a real gem! I want to cut straight to the chase: Pamela Clare’s writing was absolutely fantastic. Her characters were stunning and her plot was completely unique. I was so pulled in by her story that I simply could not put it down.

Normally, I am undaunted by the size of a book, but this one seemed like it would take me forever. The writing—though terribly interesting—made me feel that this would be a long-winded book. However, the more I read, the more I enjoyed myself. So, as a note to readers, don’t be intimidated. You must read further to get the full effect of this fantastic author. She’s extremely talented and I am excited about reading more of her works in the very near future.