CAB's European Adventure

Monday, March 19, 2012

March 19, 2012 – Willpower

As in I don't have any...

How’s a girl supposed to stay away from chocolate when this is what she encounters every time she goes to the little grocery store in town?

Look at all those bunnies... taunting me

Seriously did they really have to fill the escalator with chocolate eggs?

Chocolate Bunnies, chocolate eggs…. Everywhere and let me tell you they are definitely calling my name… begging to have their heads bitten off. You really have no idea. Even no name brand chocolate “CoOp Brand” is smooth and deliciously good. Fortunately I managed to stay strong over the weekend. This 12 step program is killing me.

Step 1: Admit I have a problem

Step 2: Stay away from said problem

Step 3: … I have no idea what steps 3 – 12 are because I keep having to repeat steps 1 and 2

Sunday, March 18, 2012

March 18, 2012 – Book Review – Possessing Morgan by Erica Lawson

Possessing Morgan by Erica Lawson

Publisher: Blue Feather Books

Romance/Crime

Product Description from Amazon

“New York City, in the height of summer. Crime seems to have taken a holiday, and Detective Morgan O'Callaghan is bored, bored, bored. Paperwork is mating and multiplying on her desk, and even a jaywalker is starting to look good. Anything to get her out from behind her desk!

Enter Andrea Worthington, Charleston socialite and all-around rich girl, right down to the wealthy fiancé. She's also the new Assistant District Attorney assigned to Morgan's precinct.

Their first meeting is like two freight trains crashing head on. Then a high profile, career make-or-break murder case throws them together again. The investigation has barely begun when Andrea becomes the target of a nearly fatal hit-and-run. But was it really aimed at her? Can she and Morgan find the common ground they need to solve the case and stop the attacks, or are the gaps just too wide to bridge?”

Review

3 out of 5 stars

Entertaining and engaging but not one that requires a lot of effort. Andrea Worthington, comes from a wealthy family and has moved from Charlotte NC to NYC to be the new ADA, in part because of the job, but also to escape her overbearing mother and family expectations. Andrea and Detective Morgan O’Callaghan are thrown together during the investigation of a high profile murder that isn’t quite as straightforward as it might seem. Things get complicated as Morgan and Andrea’s relationship grows and then is further complicated by an attempt on Andrea’s life.

This is definitely a good beach book. I’m sure I could find things about this book that I didn’t like, but the reality is it was an enjoyable easy read and for what I was looking for this weekend. That was enough.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

March 17, 2012 – Book Review – Deception By Erin O’Reilly

Deception By Erin O’Reilly

Publisher: Affinity E-Books Press NZ Ltd
Romance/Crime/Mystery

Book Description From Amazon

“Lane Cuthbert knew exactly where she wanted to go and what she had to do to get there. Her goal was to challenge the network legal gurus for their positions but first, she needed a juicy scandal or murder. What she found was a beautiful woman with a secret in need of a lawyer. When the sheriff charges beautiful and wealthy Bryce Clayton with the murder of her nemesis Preston Garrett, Lane sees her chance at fame. The only problem is, Bryce won’t say where she was at the time of the murder. Although Lane is able to discredit many of the district attorney’s witnesses, she still has a problem – the alleged murder weapon belongs to Bryce. Through twists and turns, the trial reveals secrets that people wished to keep private. Can Lane convince the jury of her client’s innocence or will Bryce pay the ultimate price for her silence? Deception is the pretext that allows secrets to flourish and allows murderers to conceal the truth. A shocking revelation is approaching with a vengeance, and all that stands in its way will be eradicated. Both women are on a collision course to a passion they cannot fight, to a love they cannot ignore, to an ending that will change everything.”

Review

3.5 out of 5 Stars

This was really an interesting book, in part because the neither of the main characters are completely likeable. Bryce whose been accused of murder is portrayed as a highly intelligent woman with a temper who gets what she wants. However, the reader also gets glimpses of a confused and socially awkward individual. It creates an interesting juxtaposition. On the other hand, Lane is the defense attorney who has mapped out her entire life and everything she does is a step toward her goal of being famous. She comes across as being manipulative and self-serving with occasional bouts of compassion. As the story progresses I started to like aspects of the characters while still disliking other areas, which I would say can be pretty true in real life.

What I think I enjoyed most about this story was the murder mystery. There were several times where I was sure I knew who was responsible and the story definitely ended in an unexpected way that still leaves me guessing. Usually this type of ending would frustrate me, but I suspect what will really happen is I will end up going back to re-read the story to see what clues I may have missed.

Friday, March 16, 2012

March 16, 2012 – Stuff

Ok you know it’s a tough morning when I have opted to do laundry as a means of preventing myself from walking into town to buy chocolate. Maybe that’s just sad and not really tough.

I’m also desperately trying not to think about pink slime and ground beef. I like burgers, I really do and I’m making meatloaf tonight but I am so very close to never buying ground beef again unless I get the butcher to grind it in front of me. Yes, that thought also puts me one step closer to dropping beef from my diet. The issue is what the heck do I feed L? Our options are a wee bit limited as they are. Oh and in case someone was to suggest tofu… I have yet to see anything that even remotely resembles tofu in the grocery store and L hates it.

Weekend Plans:

We talked briefly about going to the black forest but at this point we’d have to bring the boy and that seems more like work than fun to me.

I also need to finish my taxes, or finish them to the point where we can pass them to the accountant and I can request an extension. I hate tax season.

If I am lucky I will get to sit on the balcony in the sun and read for a little bit, something to look forward too. That and maybe I’ll manage to get off my lazy butt and go for a crawl. I’d say a jog but it’s been so long I suspect it will be more a walk. We shall see.

Happy Friday

March 16, 2012 – Book Review – Solitaire by Kelley Eskridge

Solitaire by Kelley Eskridge
SciFi/Intrigue

Product Description from Amazon

“Ren "Jackal" Segura is a Hope -- a special child, a powerful symbol of a new world government destined for greatness. But two months before she is to assume the role she has been preparing for her entire life, Jackal discovers that everything she believes, everything she is, is a lie. Convicted of a terrible crime, she agrees to participate in a "rehabilitation" experiment: While her body lies comatose for eight months, a computer will convince her mind that she is spending eight long years in solitary confinement. But Jackal's history as a Hope has given her strengths and skills other prisoners lack -- powers she will need to endure the tormenting loneliness, to discover the truth about her betrayal, and to rediscover her life, her love, and her soul in a strange place of shattered hopes and new beginnings called Solitaire.”

Review

3 out of 5 stars

This is definitely not a beach book. It requires concentration and thought when reading so if you are looking for something fluffy and easy, this probably isn’t it. However, if you are looking for something different and more psychological this could be the book for you. My best guestimate is that the first 2/3 of this book introduces the reader to the main character “Jackal” and what we see is a young, angry, woman who is under a lot of pressure to be perfect. After an accident kills 400+ people she is labeled a mass murder and sentenced to prison. In exchange for a shorter sentence she enters an experimental program where she is in a virtual reality of solitary confinement for 8 years. It’s after she gets released from “prison” that the story really gets interesting, Jackal is dealing with the after effects of both the solitary confinement and the “aftershocks” of the experiment.

As the reader there was more than one moment where I wondered what was actually real, did Jackal get out of prison or is everything she is experiencing a hallucination. Maybe she did, maybe she didn't.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

March 15, 2012 – Book Review – The Fifth Stage by Margaret Helms

The Fifth Stage by Margaret Helms
Publisher: Blue Feathers Books

Product Description from Amazon

“Claire Blevins is approaching her fortieth birthday, and is on her own for the first time in her adult life. She muddles through her daily routines, her only respite coming in the form of a harmless crush on Rebecca Greenway.

Claire believes that the sexy restaurant manager is safely unavailable. But when Rebecca shows signs of interest, Claire's past unravels, revealing an immeasurable love and a dark secret.”

Review

3.5 out of 5 Stars

I honestly can’t tell you what made me put this book in my reading queue, it might have been a sale item and I decided what the heck I’ll give it a try. I’m also not sure that the product description does this book justice. The story is more complex than the blurb would imply although that is often the case.

In present day, Claire is almost 40 years old and living a shadow of a life because of the emotional scar left by her “ex”. The story moves back and forth between current day and Claire’s past, telling her story and how she’s become the person she is today as well as the person she could be if she is willing to take the emotional risk.

If I am honest during the first 5 – 10 chapters I found the movement between the past and current story lines confusing. As the reader I understood the premise that the past was leading to what happened but for me I felt that the flow from one to the other was sometimes difficult to follow. As the past and the present converged I obviously found those transitions less confusing and it made the book more engaging. That being said, this was an interesting and heartfelt story of love, loss, and yes love.

I would certainly read something else by Margaret Helms which is a pretty good endorsement.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

March 14, 2012 – Babies and other Random Stuff

Babies

My neighbor Meri came home over the weekend after giving birth to her new baby girl. It’s been 16 years since I’ve been around a new born. I forgot how little their hands are, and baby E has the longest little fingers. I haven’t seen her toes yet but Meri said they are long too.

Of course long baby fingers and toes reminds me of the first house I owned and our wonderful neighbors (Hi Rosie!) and their first daughter, also E. OMG she had the longest toes and when you would touch her feet she would grip your fingers with her toes. E is also the 1^st and only diaper I have ever changed. I suspect it was traumatic for both of us. I can’t remember who I called on the phone, I think it was either one of Rosie’s sisters or her Mom, but I needed someone to talk me through how the heck to change a diaper without getting her wiggly feet into the mess. I was not entirely successful… hence the only changing a diaper once thing.

Other:

A different topic: Thanks Sis for the pronunciation of Gotye’s name. I have to admit that it was going down the same path as the cartoon character “Sluggo”

Oh and I have been meaning to take a picture of this "cow" that I see every morning. When I see it all I can think is "This is the perfect cow for my sister's friend K." A while back K had a rogue cow that would come through her yard and leave presents. This one is present fee, although I don't really understand why these people have it in their yard.

Politics:

I realize I am late to the party and I’ve tried to ignore all these idiot news items but it seems every time I turn around I am reading about another State Representative who makes me (a) glad my real life is in Connecticut and (b) seriously needs to be slapped. I was horrified by Rush Limbaugh’s recent comments related to Sandra Fluke. I’d say I am always horrified by him but generally he stays completely off my radar, which reminds me that there are a bunch of US congressmen who need a slap. Seriously, you are going to hold a Congressional Committee on Women’s Reproductive Rights and not invite any women???? These men want to restrict women’s access to birth control because of religious and moral beliefs but they don’t have any issues with unrestricted access to Viagra. Hello, maybe if you restricted access to Viagra there might be less of a need for birth control. Yes I know that is a ridiculous statement but these guys are really ticking me off.

Then there is the Virginia bill where they wanted to force women to have transvaginal ultrasounds before allowing them to have an abortion, even in cases of rape. Oh but hey, the women wouldn’t have to LOOK at the ultrasound they just have to HAVE an invasive procedure because… “What? Without it they wouldn’t have thought about the consequences of an abortion???” Look I’m not pro-abortion but I if someone makes the incredibly difficult decision I don’t we should be making that decision more traumatic than it already is.

Then today I read the story Georgia State Rep Terry England who compared a woman giving birth to a stillborn baby to that of delivering a stillborn calf. IMHO that guy is a walking advertisement for birth control.