Crappy day = Book haul = Cops at the library!

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Today was one of those days that starts off great. Super productive at work, got a lot accomplished and then BAM! it all goes out the window. But then again, it's Monday. I should have known better. So I checked out a little early and headed to return some books to the library. I figured since I was already there, I might as well wander the shelves and get myself back into a happy mood.

Perused the shelves, picked up a few first books in a couple new series, and after about 20 minutes headed to the check out with way more books than I planned on checking, as usual.

As I am at the counter chatting with one of the sweet, older librarians, two people start making a commotion at the other end of the counter. Yelling words at each other or at least I think they were real words. One librarian tried to calm them down and after threatening that they needed to leave or he was going to call the cops, the guy decided to yell back and him and then pick up a chair and through it at the column in the middle of the room.  By this point, the cops were being called as the guy continued to yell and hit things. Now here is what I don't understand. Why is this ever acceptable? What made you think yelling at someone, in a library no less, was a good decision? Then throw a chair? Because that always seems like a smart idea. I don't get it. People continually baffle me. Every day I have less hope and less faith in humanity. Good has lost and hatred as won the war. And people wonder why I prefer to stay at home and read all the time! Needless to say, the cops came and he was arrested.

Ugh. So that was fun. All I wanted was a little quiet time surrounded by what I love best in this world... books. Sorry for the rant! On a positive, I'm excited to start these books! If you have read any of my previous posts, you know how much I love the In Death series by J. D. Robb. I can only read a few of them at a time but it was been a little while since I finished the last one. They're great, quick read, mystery/sci-fi books! I've also been on a waitlist for The 5th Wave for some time and then I found it on the shelf today so that was an exciting find! The Accident Season has been on my TBR list since before it came out. Has anyone read it yet?

I know I have been slacking these past few months with review posts. I put one up for you today and have two more in the works. Finding time to write has been difficult! And I know I got off track with the monthly themes. It's proving to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. I'm one of those people who just sees the cover and starts a book, not thinking about genre or type of book it is. Yes, I basically just said I judge a book by its cover. It's true. I do. I can't help it. So how is your reading for the year going? Are you sticking to your goals? Reading anything great lately? Feel free to share any thoughts, comments, or recommendations! I love hearing your thoughts!

Happy reading fools :) 

"Patriot" (Alex Hawke #9) - Ted Bell

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Since I sucked at reading in February, I'm continuing the month's theme, Unfinished Series, part way into March. I have a few books carrying over from February, as well as, a few ARC's but then I will be able to get to my never-ending stack of books I have bought or received in giveaways but haven't been able to read yet for March's theme! I am a huge fan of the Alex Hawke series by Ted Bell. Today's review is the most current book in the series, Patriot. Each book continues the story of Lord Alexander Hawke, so it's a good idea to start at the beginning with Warrior, the first book in the series!

On a beautiful day off the coast of Maine, an esteemed former CIA director and expert sailor is found dead on his sailboat, his head bashed in after what seems like a horrific accident.  Half a world away in Paris, another senior CIA officer dies of a heart attack while making love in a posh hotel room. When counterspy Alex Hawke hears the news, and other recent CIA deaths under suspicious are discovered, he suspects these are more than coincidences. Hawke believes the deaths can be tied to one source: Spider Payne, a rogue intelligence officer whose exploits got him fired by the CIA. Now the former star agent seems to have evolved into a serial killer -- and it looks like MI6 officer Alex Hawke is directly in his line of fire. 

But Spider isn't the only ex-intelligence operative with a grudge. Texan colonel Beau Beauregard founded an international mercenary fighting force that gave him both worldwide prestige and sizeable fortune. Now he's lost it all as the worldwide press, and soon clients like the U.S., Russia, and China, blame him for amassing an army of hired renegade killers rather than soldiers. Beau sets his sights on enemy spies who've betrayed him. And he won't stop until they've all be eliminated. 

In an increasingly corrupt and dangerous Russia, Vladimir Putin is determined to forge his country into a formidable superpower once more. His dream is to redraw the map of Europe to his liking, and he'll stop at nothing to realize his global fantasies -- including shooting down a Russian Aeroflot airliner full of men, women, and children. Meanwhile, Putin's Kremlin scientists are developing a radical new weapon that could forever alter modern warfare. NATO knows Putin will not hesitate to use it. But they feel powerless while they've locked in a tense standoff as Russian Army forces are arrayed on Eastern Europe's borders. Only one man can bring the world back from this apocalyptic brink: Alex Hawke. Can he evade stalking assassins while finding a way to neutralize Russia's threat? In the murky world of counterterrorism and high-stakes intrigue, the odds against him -- and any hope of success -- have never been higher. 

Another round of applause for Ted Bell. If you're looking for a great thriller series, with each book keeping you hanging on until the end, then this series is for you! Alex Hawke is a great character. There is a multitude of levels to his character that continues to build throughout each book. I can't get enough of him. This book was no different. The story goes back and forth between Hawke, Beauregard, and other characters, a common consistency with these books. I like the alternating points-of-view. One thing that was sometimes difficult to follow in this book was the amount of locations throughout the book. While this is a common trend for Bell in the series, I felt this book had more than usual. I enjoyed the expansion of Hawke's relationship with Putin in this book. It's something that has been present in the past few books but not as prevalent as it was in this one. It was an interesting perspective into the Kremlin and interworkings of the old KGB. Bell is an amazing writer. He continues to impress me with each book from his character dynamics to the use of vocabulary he writes and the way he sets up every scene and relationship. I just wish he could write them faster!!

As always, feel free to share any thoughts, comments, or suggestions. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading fools :)

Hell School: Fresh Meat TOUR!

Hello fellow bibliophiles! I know I promised you reviews in my last post but we had an unexpected change at work and let's just say things have gone from busy to unimaginable. Working in the non-profit realm can be rough! SO I still have a backlog of reviews to type and post from you but before I can get to those, check out this post as part of the blog tour for Hell School: Fresh Meat by Heidi Angell, the first book in a YA stalker series. Check out a blurb for the book and author information below as well as a character introduction for Samantha Havre!


Blurb:
"High school is hard, especially when you're a freshman in a new town, surrounded by people you don't understand and who don't understand you. Sam was overwhelmed just trying to fit in. Then she is singled out with the first letter.

While some girls envy the "romantics" of this unknown admirer, Sam can tell something isn't right. Sam wanted to just blend in, but someone's eye is fixated on her. As the letters and bad poetry continue, so does the nagging in Sam's stomach telling her this is not normal.

When things escalate from strange to creep, Sam's world becomes a nightmare. Twisted admiration is stalking her around every corner in the high school from hell..."

Sounds spooky and intriguing and twisted. My kind of book! Check out the character introduction from author Heidi Angell for Sam below!

Character Introduction - Samantha Havre
Name: Samantha Havre
Age: 14
Nickname: Sam, Buttercup
A Little About: Sam is a beauty who doesn't know she is beautiful. Her personality is very tomboy meets bookworm. She is a Mormon and raised in a conservative home. Her parents got divorced and her mom moved the family from the only home Sam had ever known in Montana to live with her older sister Kelly in South Carolina while her mom tried to put their life back together.
Sam's hobbies: Reading any book she can get her hands on. Singing, she has an inner desire to be a musician. Acting, she wants to do it. She is scared, but she wants to do it. Dancing.
Sam's goal: Survive the move, survive high school, and survive her stalker.
Who I imagine playing Sam: Marissa Quinn. She encapsulates the pretty girl, and has a great range. I could totally see her being an "every girl" that was shy and awkward, despite her amazing looks!

About the Author
Heidi Angell is a bibliophile, lexicomaniac and wordsmith! She is the author of The Hunter Series, The Clear Angel Chronicles, and The Hell School Series. She also Created Royal Prince Vince, and Creative Exercises to Inspire. When she is not reading or writing, she can be found spending quality time with her lovely family camping, hiking, swimming, or watching movies. Learn more about her and her books at HeidiAngell.com!

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Check back soon for an updated post featuring a review of the book! A complete list of other stops along the tour featuring book reviews, chapter excerpts, author interviews, and more can be found on Heidi Angell's website! Make sure to check it out! As always, feel free to share any thoughts, comments or suggestions!

Happy reading fools :)