Showing posts with label book swap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book swap. Show all posts

Book Club: What I've Been Reading Lately

I challenged myself to read 50 book this year.  Last year I read 45 so I don't think it will be that big of a stretch to get 50 under my belt (I'm already on number 4!).

I recently purchased a Kindle and let me just say that it was the best decision I've made in awhile.  I take that baby everywhere.  Quinn and I used it at her doctor's appointment a couple weeks ago to watch Thomas the Tank Engine on Netflix and read a Minnie Mouse book (we had a couple of waits for the doctor and a flu test - don't worry, nugget only had a virus and was gone within a couple days).

I found a really great series called Heller (with a suggestion from my sister-in-law) and the first book is a free download and the rest of the books in the series are only $2.99.

 Heller

Twenty-five year old Tilly Chalmers can't believe her luck when she lands a dream job at Heller's Security & Surveillance, despite a disastrous interview and no real experience or skills. An unsuccessful actor and almost down to her last dollar, Tilly hasn't accomplished much in life and is desperate to succeed in her new job. She finds herself attached to its many benefits, not the least of which is her dangerously attractive new boss, Heller. She soon discovers though that he is a man with secrets, leaving her with many unanswered questions. Why won't he tell her anything about himself and why is he using a false name? Does his brutal streak prove that he is a cold-blooded killer, as thought by some people?

Moving into his combined office/residence, Tilly joins the strange group of people living there that Heller seems to have collected on his way: teen aged Goth, Niq; sensitive, scarred Daniel; colossal twins, Sid and Clive; and the shadowy Victor, who is never seen. Dwelling in close proximity to them all strengthens her growing bonds with Daniel and Niq, neither of who have ever had a positive female role model in their lives. It also tests her will power with Heller, particularly as he doesn't hide his growing personal interest in her. While she's mightily tempted, Tilly can't overlook his promiscuity or his increasingly possessive attitude.


Not sure what to think when she realises that she's the only female in a business that employs a lot of terrifyingly large and loyal men, Tilly struggles to be accepted as a Heller's team member. Her first assignment, acting as companion to the bored young wife of a visiting rich businessman, doesn't go to plan and Tilly receives a violent introduction to the rougher side of security work. Her second assignment with a polygamous family pushes her professionalism and self-preservation skills to the limit.


When her agent makes her an offer she shouldn't refuse, Tilly has to decide between her new life with Heller and his 'family' and something she thought she'd always wanted.
 via Goodreads
My rating: 5 STARS

******
 Heller's Revenge
 Tilly Chalmers’ sexy boss, Heller, has a talent for making enemies. Not a forgive-and-forget kind of man, he has a few scores to settle - including one with Tilly’s brother. Tilly is kept busy juggling that constant worry with managing three new assignments as a rookie security officer - crowd control at a lingerie parade, babysitting an immature, sex-starved IT billionaire, and an unusual and emotional job with a famous environmental activist. But as usual, Tilly’s assignments don’t go quite to plan. All this, as well as trying to keep her vow not to sleep with her beautiful and enigmatic boss, no matter how much of a temptation he proves
  via Goodreads

My rating: 4 STARS

*****

Tilly is a hot mess and her boss is even hotter.  The situations she gets into are almost unbelievable.  I love her spunky personality.  The thing that keeps me going back for more is Tilly and Heller's relationship.  It's simple and yet complicated at the same time.  The second book is a little cheesier that the first but still a good read.  The author is from Australia and I could definitely tell that throughout both books but not enough to discourage me from finishing and wanting to read the entire rest of the series.

If you want something easy that will keep you turning pages, this is it! 

P.S.  Follow me on Goodreads here.

Current Read: Heller's Girlfriend


Book Swap

I signed up for my a book swap a few weeks ago and was partnered up with Sarah

It such a foreign idea for me to send back and forth mails and get to know someone that well, I would probably never meet in person.  But it was really fun to get to know someones tastes in books. 

And it was easy because we both basically were interested in reading the same thing! 



From Sarah, I received the first three Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich: One For The Money, Two For the Dough and Three To Get Deadly.  Plus I got three book marks....one with each of the Hunger Games Trilogy on one side with the tag from the book on the other.  I don't have any bookmarks of any kind, well I guess if you wouldn't count a folded in half US Weekly subscription insert as one.

Any hoot, I quickly finished the book I was reading after I got this fantastic package and I'm already 100 pages into the first novel.  Can't wait to read and finish all three!

Thank you Sarah for being such a great partner!  You seriously made this swap the easiest and most fun thing!

Seven Things On A Friday

1.  Quinn.  I have the happiest, most fun, giggly baby.  Six months old is by far my favorite age yet.  I think she's already mastered selective hearing.  She's really sneaky too.



2.  Book Swap

I'm participating in my first ever book swap.  It was fun getting to know a bit about my partner and picking out the books she would love to read. 

I also found out there is a Half Price Books in CR and I'm really excited about it.  I want to read more James Patterson, Jackie Collins and Janet Evanovich and this bookstore offered a variety by each for over 50% the price you would pay at a Barnes and Noble.  They were all in really good condition too.  I have a feeling I'll be visiting more frequently and getting Quinn quite a few books of her own.


3. Revenge.


Have you been watching? If not, you really should. It's by far my favorite new show. I stayed up way too late on Wednesday to watch the latest episode from my DVR...but it was worth it. The last three weeks have been crazy to say the least. SPOILER....so turn away if you haven't seen any of the episodes.

First, we see Tyler see his rightful demise. That boy was crazy and an disturbing individual. Last week we found out that Charlotte is Emily, err Amanda's half-sister. This week we saw Daniel propose to Emily, Jack beat up and Victoria tell Daniel that David Clark raped her and that's how she wound up preg-o with Charlotte. When Emily found out this little lie, the cray cray sparked in her eye.

I can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings.


4.  Workouts.

Monday: 4 miles on treadmill.  Light 1/4 mile run at 6.5 mph for warm-up.  Then did 5x800 starting at 8.5 mph, working up 0.1 each time and walked 3 minutes in between each 800.  (6.5 mph = 9:14 mile, 8.5 mph = 7:04 mile and 8.9 = 6:45 mile).

Tuesday: Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown - Level 1.  Felt sore the next day in my back and shoulder blades.  Love when I feel sore!

Wednesday: Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown - Level 2.  I needed to really get my body loose and my muscles stretched out to help with running.

Thursday: off

Today:  6 miles.  1 mile warm up, 3 miles of alternating 800's at 7.5 mph and 400's at 6.5 mph and two miles of alternating 400's at 7.5 mph and 400's at 6.5 mph.

5.  Nails.  Sand Tropez by Essie.  I don't think I've ever painted my nails this light before but I really love it.

























6.  Horrible Bosses.  We watched this last night and it was super raunchy but very, very hilarious.  Husband thought I was going to pee my pants, multiple times. 



7.  This is how we spent our Saturday afternoon last weekend.  This is the sweetest view.