Review of Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: Feb 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 440 pages
Genre: Dystopia
Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: ARC from the publisher through NetGalley

Goodreads Summary: Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Review:  Delirium’s concept, a world where the government fights to eliminate all feelings of love, is really fascinating.  I love how Lauren Oliver writes. This is her second book (the first was Before I Fall) and her writing has remained both beautiful and magnetic evoking such emotional reactions.

Believing love to be the root of all bad things, this dystopian society has perfected a medical procedure that renders the patient incapable of feeling love for anything. There is no romantic love, but also no affections toward family, children, friends, hobbies, nothing but indifference. Additionally, the government has sanitized, corrupted and rewritten all literature, including the Bible, to further their agenda. Children are indoctrinated to fear love as a deadly disease to be avoided at all costs.

Both Lena and Alex are well developed and likable characters. In the beginning of the book, Lena has low self esteem, never feeling good enough and anxiously awaiting her 18th birthday so she can be “cured,” which is how they refer to people who have had the procedure. Lena’s character matures a lot throughout the book as she realizes the truth about her society. Even though she does feel an immediate attraction to Alex, their relationship develops steadily throughout the book and you get to experience them falling in love.  I was very happy there was no love at first sight and no love triangle!

The end is action packed and a huge cliffhanger that leaves so many possibilities. Overall, Delirium is an awesome dystopian story that will remain with you long after you are done reading it. 

Content: Language (including f-bombs) and violence.

 

Blog Hop & Follow My Blog Friday - 1/28/11

This week's question from the Book Blogger Hop: "What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011?  Why are you anticipating that book?"

I really can’t name just one. I am excited about sequels to some of last year’s books like Birthmarked by Caragh O’Brien, Paranormalcy by Kirsten White and Firelight by Sophie Jordan! These were my favorites and left me wanting more! It’s killing me that the sequel to another one of my favorites, Nevermore by Kelly Creagh, is not coming out until 2012!

This week's question from Follow My Book Blog Friday: What was your favorite subject in School?

Art and English mainly, but I liked any subject that had nothing to do with math or science.

Library Thursday – I LOVE my library!

Library Thursday is a weekly blog hop hosted by Lazy Girl Reads to:
1. Encourage people to support their libraries when they can
2. Meet new bloggy friends and grow your following

I am especially stoked this week as I finally got Across the Universe by Beth Revis! Yeah for the Broward County Library – South Regional Branch! My small haul is below:

Across the Universe – Beth Revis

Anna and the French Kiss – Stephanie Perkins

Sapphique – Catherine Fisher

What did you get from your library?

Waiting on Wednesday – 1/26/11

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. This week’s choice is:

Title: Abandon
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publish Date: April 26, 2011
Pages: 352
Genre: YA, Paranormal

Summary: She knows what it's like to die. Now Death wants her back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce knows what happens to us when we die.  That's how she met John Hayden, the mysterious stranger who's made returning to normal life—or at least life as Pierce knew it before the accident—next to impossible.

Though she thought she escaped him—starting a new school in a whole new place—it turns out she was wrong. He finds her.

What does John want from her? Pierce thinks she knows... just like she knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven. But she can't stay away from him, either, especially since he's always there when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she might find herself back in the place she fears the most.  And when Pierce discovers the shocking truth, that’s exactly where John sweeps her: The Underworld.

Can you believe I have never read a book by Meg Cabot? Her website describes Abandon as a myth of Persephone, darkly re-imagined. I like retellings of Greek myths and the cover is gorgeous so I am excited about this one. Last year I read Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman, also about Persephone, and liked it. What do you guys think?

Phantom Universe by Laura Kreitzer

Release Date: Feb 15, 2011
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing
Pages: 225 pages (E-proof)
Genre: Romance, Time-travel, Dystopia
Rating: 3 stars
Source: Uncorrected e-proof received from the publisher

Goodreads Summary: Sold into slavery to pirates at the young age of four, Summer learns to survive the rough seas of subterfuge and thieves through silence. When the boat she’s lived on most of her life is destroyed, Summer finds herself washed up on the shore of a new world, a phantom universe full of the bizarre and extraordinary. She meets Gage, the one boy who understands the girl with no speech. But when their lives are put on the line, will Summer finally call out? Or will all be lost in the fathomless depth of silence?

Review: This book is a pleasant mix of sci-fi, romance and time travel to a dystopian society. Summer is kidnapped and sold to the captain of a pirate ship when she is four years old. These are modern pirates who hijack freighters and steal their cargo, so no eye patches and peg legs here. After her ship is destroyed, she barely survives and inexplicably finds herself in the future.

The story alternates between the present where Summer is 16 years old, and in flashbacks of her kidnapping and slavery. A lot of time is spent on Summer’s life as a slave on the ship, which I understand because her past experiences shape her current behavior. Usually when a girl has to get saved a lot or passes out a lot in a book, I get very annoyed, but with Summer, I understood why she was like that. I would have liked to know more about the world of the future, outlander camps, the time travel and especially the Secret Clock Society.

The book is not all about the romance, which is a good thing, but it does play a large part in the story. I am also happy that there is no love triangle here, no going back and forth between two guys. The secondary characters and very likable and I hope we find out more about them in upcoming books.

There are issues with flow and some typos, but I expected that from an uncorrected e-proof. I am not a fan of the cover of the book mainly because Summer is a 16 year old girl and the woman pictured on the front looks quite a bit older than that.

This is the first book in a series and I am curious to know what will happen to Summer and her friends.

Content: A scene where a young character is almost raped (but was thankfully saved) and few minor swear words. Some violence.

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Release Date: June 8th 2010 by

Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pages: 452 pages
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: 3 stars
Source: Library

Goodreads Summary: Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

Review: This book had an interesting a premise: a teenaged human girl who was raised by wolves after her parents’ death. We meet Bryn who is rebellious and pushes back on the authority in her life, namely Callum, the pack leader but he is also a bit of a foster father to her as well.

Bryn discovers that the pack is hiding a newly turned wolf from her and that only makes her more determined to see him and find out what’s going on. Bryn ends up breaking too many rules and has to pay for it through pack punishment.  

The story is interesting; I guess my issue lies with Bryn’s age and the situations she gets into. After she gets into major trouble with the pack, Callum (her somewhat foster dad) orders her beaten until she passes out and it is horrible! He has an adult female do it, but c’mon, she is only 15! I had a really hard time getting past her age, this beating, her responsibility and the book’s resolution.

Secondary characters in the story are actually great. Lake, Devon and Allie and likable and well rounded. I was disappointed, however in Chase who was Bryn’s love interest. He remained two-dimensional; his character was never fleshed out so you don’t really get to know who he is. He and Bryn communicated telepathically most of the time in short two and three word sentences that got very annoying.

There is a sequel to Raised by Wolves coming out this year and hopefully issues like Chase’s character will be more developed.

Content: Violence.

Follow My Blog Friday 1/21/11

This week’s question from Follow My Book Blog Friday, hosted at Parajunkee's View is: Who do you cheer for?

The Florida Gators! My husband is a University of Florida alum and even though I am not, he told me years ago that I was a Gator by marriage and of course our two boys are Gators by birth. Saturdays in the fall can be really sad in our house if the Gators lose, and they just came off a less than stellar season L. We are praying next season is better!

I also cheer for the Miami Heat. They are our hometown team, we love basketball, we have season tickets and it’s more fun to go to games for a winning team than a losing one…

Waiting on Wednesday – 1/19/11

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. This week’s choice is:

Title: Ripple
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Publish Date: July 21, 2011
Pages: 300
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Summary: Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn’t, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love—again. Because the last time she fell in love with a boy, he ended up dead.

Then Lexi meets Cole. Against her better judgment, she finds herself opening up again, falling in love when she knows she shouldn’t. But when she’s offered the chance to finally live a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free of her curse is giving him up.

I did not realize that my earlier WoW pick was NOT a YA novel. Sorry about that guys! Ripple is a siren story with a beautiful cover. I have not read a lot of siren books so I am looking forward to this one.

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Release Date: Oct. 19, 2010
Publisher: Philomel
Pages: 452 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Library

Goodreads Summary: Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Review: I have to start by saying that the cover of this book is so gorgeous I could not stay away and was not disappointed. From the summary, I figured this was another werewolf story, but it is so much more than that. Be aware, there are witches, warlocks and other scary creatures in the book and I know some people are sensitive to those elements.

Calla is getting ready to enter into an arranged marriage with Ren. She does not have a choice here as this, and everything else in her life, is dictated by the keepers (witches and warlocks who control the wolves/guardians). The action in the book starts right away with Calla saving a human boy named Shay, and the love triangle ensures.

This book has a wonderfully complicated plot with lots of layers and things being a lot more than they seem. Calla has her boy dilemma, but she also finds out about her history, that of her fellow guardians and has tough choices to make. It is very original and I am looking forward to the sequel.

Content: A few make out scenes where Calla contemplates doing a bit more but they do not.

Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston

Release Date: Dec 21, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 368 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: Library

Goodreads Summary: "I don't love Sonny Flannery." That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.

But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.

Review: Tempestuous is the third book in the Wondrous Strange trilogy, the first being Wondrous Strange and the second being Dark Light. My review will be for the entire series. This trilogy is exciting and action packed and Tempestuous wraps everything up nicely. It’s the whole package: Magic, suspense, romance betrayals, mysteries, plot twists, surprises and a big fairy war thrown in.

Kelley and Sonny are likable characters and even though they make mistakes and some frustrating decisions, but you still root for them. When I read the first book, however, I thought that Kelley accepted her heritage rather quickly to be believable.  The secondary characters are great too. I particularly liked Maddox, Fennrys and Puck.

The books are really quick and entertaining reads, I highly recommend them. 

Content: Clean with the exception of one semi-crude reference and mild language in Dark Light.Summary contains spoilers to the series so highlight to read:

The Jumbee by Pamela Keyes

Release Date: Oct. 14, 2010

Publisher: Dial
Pages: 400 pages
Genre: Thriller, Romance

Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads Summary: When Esti Legard starts theater school on Cariba, she's determined to step out of the shadow of her late father, a famous Shakespearean actor. But on an island rife with superstition, Esti cannot escape the darkness. In the black of the theater, an alluring phantom voice known only as Alan becomes her brilliant drama tutor, while in the light of day Esti struggles to resist her magnetic attraction to Rafe, the local bad boy. Toppled sets, frightening rumors of jumbee ghosts, and brewing tropical storms culminate in a tantalizingly spooky finale where romance sizzles and truths are unmasked.

Review: If you know the basic plot of the Phantom of the Opera, then you know the plot to this book as well, but instead of singing, we have acting, specifically Shakespeare, and instead of Paris, the story is set on the fictional island of Cariba.

Esti Legard, the daughter of a late, great Shakespearian actor, is morning his death and trying to step out of his shadow at the same time. Her father’s friend talks them moving to Cariba for Esti’s senior year of high school and she is more than glad to get away for a fresh start.

Esti’s mom loses herself in wine, so Esti deals with her grief and insecurities by herself, that is until she hears the disembodied voice of her phantom/jumbee, aka Alan. He gives her acting tips and quotes Shakespeare and makes her feel great. Problem is, he won’t let her see him, and when they actually meet face to face, he wears a mask and gloves that he refuses to remove.

Being the phantom/jumbee is the story, we expect Alan to be crazy and he is that. He is also controlling, manipulative and violent (though not violent to Esti unless you consider kidnapping violent).

The other person in the book’s love triangle is Rafe, Esti’s childhood friend who comes home to Cariba for a visit. Rafe is the local gigolo who is best known for sleeping with half the girls on the island getting into fights. He sets out to make Esti his next conquest, but changes his mind in a jealous effort to prove to her that he is more honorable than Alan. He tells Esti that girls are predictable, needy and good for only one thing, except for her, of course. He has never met a girl like her before.

The thing is, Esti is exactly that: predictable and needy. She needs Alan voice in order to get through her everything and practically goes mad when she thinks he is breaking off their relationship. She needs Rafe to sleep with her so she can feel better about the break-up with Alan, and she keeps vacillating between them both. She predictably keeps going after Alan, and it takes a really long time before it occurs to her that always wearing the mask and gloves is creepy. She also did quite a bit of passing out and going into hysterics.

The Caribbean setting was beautifully described and the island lore interesting. Readers who like the original story of the phantom may find this more updated and modern version a good read. I did not find this book romantic but more of a lesson in unhealthy relationships.

Content: Some sexual situations between Rafe and Esti but nothing explicit.

Blog Hop & Follow My Blog Friday

This week's question from the Book Blogger Hop: "Why do you read the genre that you do?  What draws you to it?”

Reading is pure escapism for me and YA, particularly paranormal romance and dystopia, provide just that.   

This week's question from Follow My Book Blog Friday:

What makes up your non-human family? Goldfish! My boys, ages one and three, absolutely adore them! The three year old named all seven fish Nemo.

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

Release Date: Oct. 12, 2010
Pages: 352 pages
Genre: Fantasy

Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary: In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .

Review: Secondhand Charm is a simple, sweet and clean fairytale like story that I really enjoyed. Evie is smart and wants to go to college to become a doctor like her father, a goal that drives her throughout the book. She does get this chance of lifetime and it’s on this trip to start school that the adventure begins, and it’s quite an adventure. The girls in this book are smart, and really, the main characters that drive the story and get things going are women. 

The paranormal element in this story is unique, which is another thing I liked. There is not much romance for most of the book, but you know it will happen as the characters are just too perfect for each other. This is a cute story that I think readers of all ages would enjoy.

Content: Clean.

Challenges!

Borrowed Book Challenge

I am participating in my first challenges and am really excited! Shelleyrae at Book’d Out is hosting the Borrowed Book Challenge. To participate, you have to read a book that you have BORROWED each month. Books (including eBooks & Audiobooks) can be borrowed from the library, a friend or family member but must be borrowed, read and returned to the owner within any one month.

Since many of the books I read are from the library, this should be fairly easy for me! My goal is Library Lust and I am well on my way to 48 books!

2011 Debut Author Challenge

The other challenge is the 2011 Debut Author Challenge (DAC) hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. The objective of the DAC is to read at least twelve novels from debut Young Adult or Middle Grade Authors. There are some great looking books from debut authors this year, so I am looking forward to this challenge! I will be making my lists soon….

Tyger Tyger by Kersten Hamilton

Release Date: Nov. 15, 2010
Pages: 322 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Paranormal
Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads Summary: Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.

Review: If you like Irish mythology, this may be the book for you. Ms. Hamilton weaves Irish myth and ancient stories into tale that has a fairy tale quality to it. The goblins in the book are so well described that they creeped me out a bit!

The main characters are really great. Teagan is smart and resourceful. This girl is working hard to get into the college of her dreams and does not want to get distracted by anything, especially boys.  Finn is the perfect bad boy: gorgeous, cocky, an incredible fighter, fearless and of course really loyal to Teagan. Aiden’s voice is great as a precocious four year old.

Why only three stars? Even though the mythology is cool, there are a lot of explanations and stories to keep track of, and they are necessary for you to appreciate the story. Because I never really got into the plot, I would put this book down for days at a time and sometimes forget what was going on when I picked it back up.

Some of the secondary characters fall flat, especially Teagan’s friend Abby, who was annoying and confusing. After warning Teagan about her dreams of goblins, she refused to believe they exist when they actually do attack.   

I also thought there was unnecessary use of bad language, and I was annoyed that some of the cursing was done by an angel. Additionally, I was let down by the big confrontation close to the end of the book, I was expecting more to happen. I know some people loved this book, but unfortunately, it just was not for me.

  

Content: Language, violence.

Blog Hop & Follow My Blog Friday

For the first time, I am participating in the Book Bloggers Hop, hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books & Follow My Book Blog Friday, hosted at Parajunkee's View.  If you're a new follower, please leave a link to your blog in the comments so that I can visit your blog.

This week's question from the Book Blogger Hop:

What book influenced or changed your life? How did it influence/change you?

The book that has had the greatest influence on my life is the Bible. There is nothing else that gives me new and reaching insight into things that are paramount to my life every time I turn to it. It is a constant resource, comfort and guide to me.  

Another set of books that were very influential to me were the Magic Faraway Tree books by Enid Blyton. I started reading them when I was about seven or eight years old and just fell in love with books through them. I have loved reading ever since.


This week's question from Follow My Book Blog Friday:
What books have you discovered lately from someone's book blog?

Enna Isilee at Squeaky Books reviewed Across the Universe by Beth Revis and I am waiting on my copy right now. She also hosted a guess the cover contest for some 2011 releases that were really cool. I am really excited about Divergent by Veronica Roth and Drought by Pam Bachorz (I love dystopia).

NC

The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles #1) by Rick Riordan

Release Date: May 4, 2010
Pages: 516 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Summary: Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them —Set— has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe - a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.
 

Review: Kudos to Rick Riordan for writing books with diverse main characters and doing it well. Carter and Sadie are biracial, their father is African American and their mother is Caucasian. Carter looks like his dad while Sadie looks like her mom and though the book does not belabor the point, it does mention how differently their lives are and how people treat them because of their appearance.

If you have read Riordan’s The Lightening Thief, you know the formula this book follows: children who are not aware of their true heritage, a parent gets kidnapped and the kids must save the day. Not to say this book is predictable, it’s an exciting and fun read. The Egyptian mythology is very cool and I like how Riordan takes the time to explain that the Egyptian deities are not God, but created beings with magical abilities.

The book will probably appeal to younger teen readers as Sadie and Cater are 12 and 14 years old. There really is no romance to speak of with is appropriate because of their age, but they do develop crushes. The end leaves the door open to sequels, and I look forward to what the siblings will get into next.  

Content: Clean

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Release Date: Sep. 7, 2010
Pages: 323 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads Summary: Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Review: I’m not a big fan of dragons so I was skeptical when I started reading this book but am so glad I did. I understand that Sophie Jordan is an adult romance writer and I think she has made the transition to YA wonderfully. The dragon mythology is unlike anything I have ever read about. The romance between Jacinda and Will is hot without being inappropriate for a teenaged audience. Will was actually one of my favorite fictional guys of 2010!

I want the sequel. Now. I really need to know what happens next.

Content: Will and Jacinda make out quite a bit and he does sneak into her bedroom through the window, but that’s about it.

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year with their friends and family. Even though I am new to blogging, I am very happy that I started. it’s something I have wanted to do for awhile. I am looking forward to an awesome year of reading and blogging and I am so happy you are along for the ride!

NC