Must Read & Watch (Special addition)

Making all the parents proud some books, with a little TV and some DVD’s.  You know I love my books and now going to the gym I read threw a book in 2 or 3 days so little time for TV or DVD’s.

BOOKS MUST READ (WELL ONE MAYBE NOT)

This book has charm, now it did have some slow moments but you really fell in love with this single mom who is a mystery shopper who gets wrapped up in a murder and then must solve the murders to clear her name.

Dying In Style

Mystery shopper Josie Marcus's report about Danessa Celedine's exclusive store is less than stellar, and it may cost the fashion diva fifty million dollars. But Danessa's financial future becomes moot when she's found murdered, strangled with one of her own thousand dollar snakeskin belts—and Josie is accused of the crime.

I truly loved this book you fell in love with the main character who becomes haunted by her great aunt who passed away.  She finds out things about herself and becomes a new person with even a chance at new love.

Twenties Girl

Lara Lington has always had an overactive imagination, but suddenly that imagination seems to be in overdrive. Normal professional twenty-something young women don't get visited by ghosts. Or do they?
When the spirit of Lara's great-aunt Sadie--a feisty, demanding girl with firm ideas about fashion, love, and the right way to dance--mysteriously appears, she has one request: Lara must find a missing necklace that had been in Sadie's possession for more than seventy-five years, because Sadie cannot rest without it.
Lara and Sadie make a hilarious sparring duo, and at first it seems as though they have nothing in common. But as the mission to find Sadie's necklace leads to intrigue and a new romance for Lara, these very different "twenties" girls learn some surprising truths from and about each other. Written with all the irrepressible charm and humor that have made Sophie Kinsella's books beloved by millions,Twenties Girl is also a deeply moving testament to the transcendent bonds of friendship and family.

This book I thought I would love the lead is a curvy girl, perfect I thought but sadly the first 30+ pages just didn’t grab me. 

Wicked Craving

Savannah Reid may have a few extra curves on her full-figured body, but that hasn't stopped her from becoming one of California's most successful private investigators. Her latest case puts her hot on the trail of a shady weight loss therapist who's made a killing treating—and cheating—his overweight patients. The question is, did he kill his wife, too?

Pound for pound, this is shaping up to be one of Savannah's toughest cases ever. But she'd better find the killer soon. . .or else the bodies will just keep piling up.

DVD’S MUST WATCH

I’ve been so excited for this to come to DVD (since I NEVER go to the movies).  It didn’t disappoint I laughed so hard at the things that were so cliché but you just had to laugh.  And come on how could you NOT love a Gnome with Oz Osbourne’s voice coming out of him.  When Amazon has it on sale I will be buying it!

Gnomeo and Juliet

An edgy Shakespeare adaptation like no other, this animated musical transports the classic tale of forbidden romance between two star-crossed lovers from warring families to the unlikely yet hysterical world of garden gnomes. Featuring songs from legendary recording artist Elton John, this movie features the vocal talents of Emily Blunt, James McAvoy, Jason Statham, Patrick Stewart and Michael Caine.

A few of the movies haven’t held up to the book in my mind but this one was great and I can’t wait for part II.  I need to add it to my collection.  Cole even sat down and watched with me for movie night.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Pt I

The first installment of the two-part conclusion to the Harry Potter series finds the bespectacled wizard (Daniel Radcliffe) walking away from his last year at Hogwarts to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes, putting an end to Voldemort's bid for immortality. But with Harry's beloved Dumbledore dead and Voldemort's unscrupulous Death Eaters on the loose, the world is more dangerous than ever.

Another one that was a book that I grew up reading this series and spent many hours that helped my mind go into a great imagination world.  This movie was another great one to watch and to add my collection.

Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

With their dour, bookish cousin Eustace (Will Poulter) in tow, the youngest Pevensie offspring -- Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) -- take an unexpected trip back to Narnia and join noble King Caspian (Ben Barnes) for an epic high-seas adventure. Setting sail aboard the Dawn Treader, the young heroes head for the end of the world, determined to rescue seven once-powerful lords banished by Caspian's evil uncle.

This was a cute movie at times I was like ok come on move on, of course with the title of the movie you’ll know what the first half of the movie is going to be about, so after a bit that was the point I said let’s move on.  The middle and end was very funny!

No Strings Attached

Emotionally unencumbered and sexually satisfied, friends with benefits Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) have an open relationship that suits them just fine. That is, until those pesky little things called feelings enter the picture. Ivan Reitman directs and Kevin Kline and Cary Elwes co-star in this comedy that explores the perks and pitfalls of modern romance.

This movie had some moments in it that were kind of silly but there were also some great moments.  It is worth a rental.

The Dilemma

Oscar-winning director Ron Howard serves up a delicious comedy about two best friends and business partners -- Ronny (Vince Vaughn) and Nick (Kevin James) -- who are about to land a fantastic deal when Ronny learns something about Nick's wife, Geneva (Winona Ryder), that rocks his world. Ronny turns amateur sleuth to determine whether Geneva's cheating on Nick and learns that telling a friend the truth is even more difficult than concealing it.

TV MUST WATCH:

I love these heart warming shows about real people that touch your heart.  Now I’m not at the weight close to these people but I do NEED to loose a good amount of weight and I so want this guy to come to my house!

Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition is a unique undertaking that's unlike anything you've ever seen TV. The show documents the amazing makeover of eight courageous, obese individuals who set out to safely lose half of their body weight over the course of a year. The metamorphosis is truly amazing.

Trainer/transformation specialist Chris Powell (The 650-Pound Virgin) guides each of the eight participants through the process after moving into their homes. He's there to make sure the participants get the proper nourishment and exercise movement. Chris provides a fresh perspective to individuals whose lives have become unmanageable because of their weight.

In each of the eight one-hour episodes, participants undergo a transformation not only of their bodies, but of who they are as individuals. Each stand-alone episode of Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition chronicles one participant's journey.

TNT has a new show that has two lead actors I have always loved.  This show has some potential it is a little kooky in some moments but I do like the characters.

When they're not hanging out at their favorite hot dog stand pontificating on what they'd go through to enjoy a night with their favorite female celebrities, Jared Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Peter Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) are chasing down their latest clients...sometimes literally. With business cards in hand, they're ready to nab a client within seconds after a car accident, arrest for solicitation or any other incident where their legal services may be needed. Once in the courtroom, they show their flair for the dramatic and the shocking.

Ok don’t laugh at me but I just got into this show, yes it’s on season 8 … lol.  I never thought it would be something I would enjoy but I caught the first try out episode and loved it.  Well that and seeing the clip on Ellen of her dancing really made me wanting to watch it!  And I’m loving it, these people are so talented.

America's favorite summer series, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, has kept viewers amazed and inspired as talented dancers skilled in everything from Hip Hop, Krumping and Popping to Salsa, Quickstep and Jive compete to be named America's Favorite Dancer.

Hosted by Cat Deeley, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE traveled across the country to Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, New York, Los Angeles and Miami, in search of dancers who represent the best in America. Those who shine during auditions are given a ticket to Las Vegas for callbacks, where they work with top choreographers to learn and then be judged on multiple styles of dance.

So there you have it a lot of fun things to read and watch!

Must Read Books II (Well some I found, not all my style)

I downloaded a bunch of books, sadly a bunch of them didn’t grab me.  I have a rule of thumb I go by a book must grab me by 50 pages or I’m done.  I can’t read threw a whole book so the book may get better but I don’t have the patience to keep going so I’m sorry to say some of these books didn’t capture me.

I was so excited to find another knitting murder mystery series but sadly the first part of the book kind of dragged on didn’t get me right in.  I didn’t try any of the other books in the series, so it may have just been this one.

Death by Cashmere by Sally Goldenbaum

This brand-new mystery series spins a yarn about knitters and murder in a quaint seaside village.
Not long after Isabel "Izzy" Chambers opens up a knitting shop in the sleepy fishing town of Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, a diverse group of women begins congregating each week to form the Seaside Knitters.
Izzy raises some eyebrows when she rents the apartment above her shop to Angie Archer, whose reputation for loose behavior and a quick temper has made her unpopular with many locals. But could any of them have wanted her dead? Angie's body is discovered drowned in the harbor, her long red hair tangled like seaweed in a lobster trap.

This book was set in a tea shop, I felt to be a little bit of an older generation then for me.  I couldn’t identify and get into the characters.

Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs

Theodosia Browning is the owner of Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, South Carolina. Her business is growing in the historic tourist town and she is building a strong, knowledgeable staff: Drayton Conneley, tea sommelier, Haley Parker, Theo's clerk and baker, and Bethany Shepherd, Haley's roommate, who fills in on occasion. Theo also caters local events, most recently the Lamplighters Tour, tours of the historic homes of Charleston. During one of the stops, local developer Hughes Barron drops dead after a cup of Theo's special blended tea.

Since Vampires are the thing now to read I thought what the heck I’ll try this one!  The character was cute and cheecky but I just couldn’t get into it.  It just lacked something to draw me in.

Night of the Living Dandelion by Kate Collins

Flower shop owner Abby Knight does not believe rumors that Vlad Serban, friend and employee of Abby's fiancé Marco, is a vampire. But how to explain that Vlad is from Romania, has prominent canines, likes bizarre plants such as bloodwort and Dracula orchid, and dresses entirely in black?

When a local woman is found dead, her body drained of blood, the stakes become life and death. With Vlad the #1 suspect, Abby and Marco race to find the real killer, before Vlad's life really starts to suck.

This was another one I just couldn’t get into.  It had great characters I wanted to fall in love but I found my mind wandering the whole time I was reading it.  I bet it got better and I would love to find out what happened but I just couldn’t make it threw it.

The Backup Plan by Sherryl Woods

Every woman needs a backup plan...
And no one knows that better than foreign correspondent Dinah Davis, who's spent years wriggling out of international hot spots. Now she's come home to South Carolina's Low Country to hook up with the dependable man who long ago promised his devotion. But instead of finding the safety she's seeking, she winds up in the arms of his black sheep brother.

One of my favorite types of books of course is murder with food.  This book had some slow moments but the sister duo is a great team and it did keep you guessing until the end on who done it.

Pepperoni Pizza Can Be Murder by Chris Cavender

For once, it seems, no one is trying to pin a murder on Eleanor Swift, owner of the scrumptious pizzeria A Slice of Delight in the quiet little town of Timber Ridge, North Carolina. But someone has to answer for that body in her kitchen. . .and it looks like the final stop for Gregg Hatcher, her deliveryman, may be the state penitentiary

‘This book is one I truly enjoyed and kept wanting more and more of it.  The only thing that bugged me is that The story talked about 3 sisters and the gift left to them but only one sister was followed in this novel.  I bet there are more books to come but the way it was set up in the beginning of the book set it up as all three.  Great book, it has a Christian feel to it.

The Best Gift by Irene Hannon

After her beloved aunt Jo passed away, sassy redhead A. J. Williams inherited her aunt's bookstore...and the store's handsome manager, Blake Williams. Like oil and water, A.J. and Blake didn't mix. A.J.'s motto had always been Go with the Flow, and God Will Lead the Way, while Blake lived a practical, conservative life. But they had to find a middle ground when they were forced to work together to solve a problem that could affect both their lives. Could their budding friendship--and a bit of divine guidance--lead to the love of a lifetime? Because with Aunt Jo's legacy, anything was possible

So there you have it a few misses but two good ones that I enjoyed reading!  Have a great week!