I'm back!!!!

Dear Everyone,

Ashley here. As you all may be aware by now, this blog has undergone some changes in the past 2+ years, but in reality, they're a result of changes in my personal life. I've enjoyed very much reading books and reviewing them, and making friendships with authors out there that trust me enough to let me review their books. I informed you all a while back (over 2 years ago..) that I became engaged, and not long after that I stopped updating as much. My personal life ended up taking me away from this blog, and I'm still a little sad about that. Planning a wedding is a lot of work! Phew!

Then, I became bogged down in life and all that entails. When I knew that I wouldn't be able to update as much, I added my best friend Jessica (blondy) as a co-author to this blog. I'm so glad I did! If it weren't for her, this blog would have crashed and died a long time ago!

This past year my husband and I found out we would be having our first child, and the following 9 months were filled with doctor's appointment, baby books, nursery decorating, and so on. That whole time Jessica was here, faithfully keeping this blog afloat. Thanks, girl! I really appreciate it!

Now that life has settled down a bit (as much as it can when you have a 4 month old), I would like to start reviewing again. I started this whole blog because I love to read, I love to write, and I love making contacts with other people. This blog has brought me the opportunity to do that, and quite frankly, I missed it. The whole time I was absent, I never forgot about Book and Cranny. It's kind of my baby...which now makes me even more sad that I abandoned my baby! What kind of mother am I?!?

So, dear readers, I'm back and I'm ready to be a good mother again. Except now, there are two parents! Jessica will remain a co-author with me. Where my reading interests end, hers usually begins. Maybe this will make for a more rounded group of opinions. Hope all you faithful readers continue to come back, and we'll try our best to bring you some great reviews.

Thanks so much!

Love,

Ashley

I love being stalked by my husband's exes! :)

Ever since I've started Book and Cranny AND my other personal site (which, to all my loyal fans/stalkers is now blocked), I've ran Google Analytics on my blogs. If you're unfamiliar with how Analytics works, it works by telling a website owner (in this case, me) every little detail about every visitor visiting my blogs. It's used as a tool to webmasters that allow them to better advertise their site. I can tell where a vistor is viewing my blog from down to the exact city they're in, how many times they view my page, for how long, and exactly how they found my site (what keywords, search engine, etc.).

I've never really used it for any purpose other than what it was intended for, but lately I went on to my Google Analytics page and viewed the statistics for both my personal and my Book and Cranny site to see what kind of traffic I've been getting. I was very surprised by what I saw! Apparently my husband's exes are avid readers of both of my blogs!! How special am I?? This is a screen shot of my best friend Google Analytics:

This is only the statistics for my personal blog, but there are views on this blog as well. You see how Google Analytics is a big 'ole tattletail? Poor unsuspecting site stalkers just don't know how bad ole Analytics is telling on them. Bless their hearts! Now I'm blushing from the flattery. :)

THANKSGIVING - JANET EVANOVICH

I’m going to make this short, but unfortunately not sweet which is really hard for me since Janet Evanovich is one of my favorite authors. So writing negative things about her are hard.

When Megan Murphy discovered a floppy-eared rabbit gnawing on the hem of her skirt, she meant to give its careless owner a piece of her mind, but Dr. Patrick Hunter was too attractive to stay mad at for long. Soon the two are making Thanksgiving dinner for their families.


Thanksgiving is one of the single author romance novels Evanovich wrote previous to her critically acclaimed Stephanie Plum series. I have read three other of the single author romance novels and have enjoyed each a lot. They are easy stories of love and attraction of opposites that you can get lost in but aren’t the cheesy burning loins of Harlequin romance novels. Thanksgiving is not an awful book by no means I just did not get the character relationships. Like all romance novels two people have to fall in love and this book is no different but these characters I just didn’t get the ooey gooey lovie dovie feeling. Plus the ending of the book is lacking. You never find out what happened to the baby in the book that they get to watch. Does he go back to live with his parents, but is it a happy life. Do Megan and Patrick have kids? Why is the rabbit which brought to them together never mentioned again after the first few chapters? So many questions that when I finished I literally said out loud “WHAT?” I felt as though I had just wasted the last few hours reading this book. So this book isn’t worth reading because it can actually make you think down on an author that is otherwise really fantastic.

In the frigid clime of Tumba, Sweden, a gruesome triple homicide attracts the interest of Detective Inspector Joona Linna, who demands to investigate the murders. The killer is still at large, and there’s only one surviving witness—the boy whose family was killed before his eyes. Whoever committed the crimes wanted this boy to die: he’s suffered more than one hundred knife wounds and lapsed into a state of shock. Desperate for information, Linna sees only one option: hypnotism. He enlists Dr. Erik Maria Bark to mesmerize the boy, hoping to discover the killer through his eyes.

It’s the sort of work that Bark has sworn he would never do again—ethically dubious and psychically scarring. When he breaks his promise and hypnotizes the victim, a long and terrifying chain of events begins to unfurl.

An international sensation, The Hypnotist is set to appear in thirty-seven countries, and it has landed at the top of bestseller lists wherever it’s been published—in France, Holland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Denmark. Now it’s America’s turn. Combining the addictive power of the Stieg Larsson trilogy with the storytelling drive of The Silence of the Lambs, this adrenaline-drenched thriller is spellbinding from its very first page.

THIS IS THE DEBUT BOOK BY THE HUSBAND AND WIFE WRITING DUO KNOWN AS LARS KEPLER.



THIS BOOK, AS YOU READ ABOVE, HAS BEEN COMPARED TO LEGENDARY WORKS SUCH AS THE “THE GIRL WHO” TRILOGY BY STEIG LARSSON AND SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. TO ME THIS BOOK IS SO FAR BEYOND THE STIEG LARSSON SERIES THAT THE ONLY THING THE AUTHORS HAVE IN COMMON IS THAT THEY ARE ALL FROM SWEDEN AND WRITE BOOKS IN THE MYSTERY/THRILLER GENRE. THE BOOK AND THE FIRST STORY LINE OF THE TRIPLE HOMICIDE AND THE LONE MALE SURVIVOR WILL REMIND YOU OF THE TWISTEDNESS OF “THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS” AND THE TWISTEDNESS OF THE KILLER/KIDNAPPER.

THE PLOT OF THE STORY TWIST AND TURNS SO MUCH THAT IT KEEPS YOU GUESSING TO WHO THE REAL KILLER/KIDNAPPER WILL BE. THIS BOOK HAS SO MANY STORY LINES THAT ARE INTERWOVEN IN THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS SO BEAUTIFULLY THAT IT AMAZES HOW ONE ACTION DOMINOS AL THE OTHERS TO CREATE THIS ELABORATE TALE OF LOVE, MURDER, AND HYPNOSIS.

IF I HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME CONS TO THE NOVEL THEY WOULD BE SMALL SUCH AS THE BOOK IS VERY LONG. IT IS OVER 500 PAGES LONG, BUT EACH PAGE IS NEEDED. THERE ARE SO MANY DETAILS TO EVERY ACTION AND SCENE THAT THE DUO COULD HAVE MADE A WHOLE SERIES OFF THIS SINGLE NOVEL. THE SECOND WOULD BE SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY STORY LINES AND THE CHAPTERS CHANGE POINT OF VIEWS THAT THEY CAN BECOME A TAD BIT CONFUSING IN THE BEGINNING. THOSE ARE THE ONLY BAD THINGS I COULD POSSIBLE SAY ABOUT THIS BOOK. I ENJOYES THIS BOOK FROM THE FIRST ATTENTION GRABBING PREFACE PAGE TO THE VERY LAST PAGE THAT I HOPE AND PRAY THIS IS NOT THE LAST WE HEAR FROM THE DUO.

IS TINY DANCER REALLY ELTON'S LITTLE JOHN?

"Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n' Roll, and . . . Ham Sandwiches? If you are a music fan, you may be aware of some of music's most enduring mysteries. Where did Pearl Jam get their name? Are the White Stripes related by blood or by marriage? Did Mama Cass really die from choking on a ham sandwich? Gavin Edwards has heard just about every strange question, racy rumor, and legend of the music world. As the writer of Rolling Stone's "Rolling Stone Knows" column, Edwards proved himself as a one-man encyclopedia of music trivia. Now he shares all of his knowledge with you. Look inside to find the answers to these questions and more: What's the connection between The Beach Boys and Charles Manson? How did Dr. Dre and Eminem meet? Did Mick Jagger and David Bowie really sleep together? What's the deal with Led Zeppelin and the shark? What's the feud between The Smashing Pumpkins and Pavement all about? Was Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" really written about his most private body part? Is Tiny Dancer Really Elton's Little John might not tell you who shot Tupac or why Celine Dion is still allowed to make records, but with thorough research and answers straight from the mouths of the performers themselves, Edwards will help you become a music geek extraordinaire."

I RECENTLY FINISHED THIS BOOK AND LLLOOOVVVEEDD IT! IT IS WRITTEN BY GAVIN EDWARDS WHO HAS WRITTEN THREE OTHER BOOKS ON MISHEARD LYRICS AS WELL AS HAS WRITTEN FOR MAJOR PUBLICATIONS SUCH AS "DETAILS", "SPIN", AND THE ALWAYS FANTASTIC "ROLLING STONE".

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ BOOKS SUCH AS "WHY DO MEN HAVE NIPPLES" (and if you haven't read the book you should go get it NOW its awesome) THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN IN THE SAME STYLE OF QUESTION AND ANSWER. BUT DO NOT GET ANY IDEAS THESE ARE NOT YOUR EVERYDAY MUSIC QUESTIONS LIKE CHORDS AND LYRICS. OH NO NO THESE QUESTIONS ARE ABOUT THINGS LIKE CERTAIN BANDS GETTING MOLD OF THEIR PENISES OR PLEASURING A GROUPIE WITH A FISH.

SO IF YOU ARE A TRUE MUSIC FAN OR HELL IF YOU HAVE EVER EVEN HEARD MUSIC THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR YOU TO READ. THE AUTHOR KNOWS HIS STUFF AND HE KNOWS WHEN TO BE FUNNY OR A SMART ASS AND ALSO WHEN TO BE COMPLETELY SERIOUS. THIS BOOK LETS YOU INTO THE LIVES AND INTO THE INSPIRATIONS OF OUR FAVORITE CURRENT AND CLASSIC MUSICIANS.

FORGIVE YOURSELF BY ALLIE SAGER

Evocative and filled with a rare compassion, Forgive Yourself by new author Allie Sager blends supernatural dreamscapes with affairs of the heart and unforgivable betrayal. Smart and telling, the author enlists a stunning and heartfelt prose to weave one woman's reluctant love story. On the surface to the outside world, Sammy Logan might appear to be a woman who has it all, but the fact is she is married to a man who has never truly forgiven her for a past she had no control over. Haunted each day by the vivid secret, she turns to Conner Simpson, a man she has always loved--the man without question who makes her feel complete. Caught on the brink, confused, but certainly not alone, Sammy must first forgive herself, make peace with the dark demons of her past and her mystic ancestral visions before she can truly be free.

This is a book in which I have mixed emotions about. I did enjoy greatly reading this book, but while doing so I had many eye roll moments.

One eye roll reason and this is a “SPOILER ALERT” Do not Read any further if you do not want any of the book told to you…..

The main character Samantha “Sammy” Logan has a grandmother that contacts her and many other characters in the book from beyond the grave. But this does give the book a “Lovely Bones” type feel with the grandmother leading them all to the truths which is the title to….. FORGIVE THEMSELVES.

The second is some of the things Conner says to Sammy, but that maybe the point the author may want you to see how cheesy he is.

But on that note the sex scenes in the book between Connor and Sammy are “Harlequin Romance eat your freaking heart out” moments. That are very descriptive so if your soft hearted then this book is not up your alley, but for us other people it is worth the browse or two….. “wink, wink”!

Now to the serious stuff. This book is not very long, its only 195 pgs and is an easy read. Once in awhile the story line can get confusing such as when in Sammy’s and Conner’s final intimate moment in the hotel room and the interaction of drugs and others being there. But it all works out. Then when it comes to the more graphic subjects discussed in the this work like rape and abuse the author knows when to hold back. Which to me is the sign of a great artist in the works of literature. So this is a great book from a great new author!

"H: A NOVEL" BY BARBARA DINERMAN

After being infected with herpes, Joan Halprin, a single woman in her mid-thirties, feels untouchable. She spent her youth enjoying worldly experiences in New York and other cities, but now it’s time to start a serious career as a copywriter for a Fort Lauderdale advertising agency. Despite feeling like a pariah in her personal life, Joan is anxious to prove herself professionally.
Fort Lauderdale in the 1980s is experiencing a real estate boom. Joan’s parents have moved from Boston to a retirement community in the area, and her brother and his thrifty wife have settled nearby. But even with the presence of her family, Joan feels isolated with her “H” problem, despite knowing that one in four women, and one in five men, are similarly afflicted.
Her irascible, rotund new boss certainly isn’t helping her regain her self-esteem. But with her irrepressible humor, Joan concocts an extraordinary solution to most of what ails her. Will this creative project work?
“H”: A Novel is an amusing and original tale of office politics, sex, and one woman’s search for her true identity.

THIS IS A FUN AND HIGHLY ENTERTAINING NOVEL. THE MAIN CHARACTER, JOAN, IS WITTY, SMART, AND REAL. SHE IS ACTUALLY A CHARACTER YOU COULD SEE BEING SOMEONE YOU WOULD MEET IN AN EVERYDAY SITUATION. THE WAY SHE REACTS TO SITUATIONS IS THAT OF WHICH MOST PEOPLE WOULD.
I ALSO LIKE THAT EVEN THOUGH THE TITLE OF THE BOO IS "H" THE HERPES IS JUST A MINOR CHARACTER THAT IS KNOWN THROUGH OUT BUT JUST ADDS TO THE STORY AND DOES NOT OVER TAKE IT. I ALSO REALLY ENJOYED THE CHARACTERS OF THIS NOVEL EACH IS UNIQUE AND FUN, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE BEENING MEAN. I DO LIKE THE LITTLE TWIST AT THE END. TO ME IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS THE AUTHOR'S FIRST NOVEL, AND I CAN'T WAIT TIL SHE PRODUCES MORE WORKS LIKE THIS ONE!
I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO MANY. ITS A VERY EASY READ. IT IS ONLY 118 PAGES SO ITS ALSO A FAST READ. IT RETAILS AT $10.95 AND YOU CAN GET IT VIA THE WEBSITE ABOVE AS WELL AS AMAZON.