The Joy From Net Galley

Hello! Hello! Fellows "bookworms".

Good news. I have stumble across a great website http://www.netgalley.com/

NetGalley is an inexpensive and green way for publishers to share their digital galleys securely.

At Net Galley, reviewers, media, bloggers, journalists, librarians, booksellers and educators can all use NetGalley for FREE to read and request galleys they want to review.

I have joined and the selection of books are vast! Many publishers there. Am dizzy with the selection of books there already.

Do check out this website if you have the time.

For your information, I did not received any $$$ to spread the news. In fact, when I signed up, they did not even required me to blog about this website. Just thought of share some joy of reading to all who is interested in reading

An Amish Love By Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller & Kelly Long

"An Amish Love" consist of 3 novellas in a book. "A Marriage of The Heart" by Kelly Long, "What The Heart Sees" by Kathleen Fuller and "Healing Hearts" by Beth Wiseman.

In "A Marriage of The Heart", Abigail Kauffman was desperate to get away from her strict father. The opportunity come in the form of Joseph Lambert, a man who is pleasing to her eyes. Joseph just return to the community of their small town of Paradise PA.

Unfortunately the plan did not go like what she had hope for. She married Joseph but they still live under her Dad's rule.

Although, being forced to marry Abby, Joseph did not really hold much resentment. In fact they slowly come to love each other.

Then there is a "hiccup" where Joseph's past came back to haunt them.

In the end, Abby got to know the reason why her Dad was so strict with her.

"What The Heart Sees" tell the tale of Ellie Chupp who lost her sight in an accident.  Not only that, her boy friend also left her for obvious reason. She had resigned to be alone till the day she die that is till Christopher Miller literally "Bumped" into her leaving a big bump on her forehead.

Chris have come back to the community after 5 years of the accident which took the life of her beloved, Caroline. Chris was shunned when he went to the police to report Isaiah. After 5 years, he thought he can forgive Isaiah

To his shock, his sister Sarah is to be married to Isaiah. Once again Chris was put into a dilemma. Can he forgive Isaiah who is going to be his brother?

This brought Ellie and Chris closer together. But Ellie have a secret of her own.

There is a twist at the end of there story

In "Healing Hearts",  Naaman Lapp walks out on his wife, Levina for one whole year. No reason given except the he is going to visit his cousins in Ohio. Levina thought it would be a short trip but as days past, her heart tells her otherwise.

Then out of the blue, Naaman shows up after one year of absence. Naaman told her that he is home to stay. But can Levina believe him?

And to make it more complicated, a Sheriff from Ohio had show up in the community looking for Naaman. Why is the Sheriff looking for Naaman? What did he do while he was staying with his cousin in Ohio?

In this story, there is also a twist in the end.

I have read books about Amish community before. Thus, this did not come much of a cultural shock for me.

Generally, I like this book. The love there is so innocent and sweet. The way the stories were written also very captivating. Especially the twist at the end of the tale. Something like Jeffrey Archer books.

And most of all, the fonts are of standard size. Not those tiny size. I really dislike reading books with tiny fonts.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson, the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

At the back flap of this book I saw "The Amish Gathering". I hope I can get my hands on this book.





More Than Half The Sky

Another gems stolen from The BIG BAD WOLF. It's a compilation of creative writing by 30 Singaporean women which consist of dramas, short stories and poetry.

It highlights the life of the women in Singapore. Their relationship in work, with their husband, with their kids, with their parents and the society. Very thought provoking

As with these type of book, I find that some stories would hold my interest while some would just fall flat.

I like "The Matchmaker", a drama that highlight more and more Singapore woman stayed single and the reason why.

I don't like "Bandong"  as the story was too confusing and consist of too many four letters word though the words are there to make the story a more realistic feel.

Overall, this book is quite good.

Summer Harbor by Susan Wilson

Ever since she was a kid, Kiley Wilson, have loved the summer coz during summer they will go to the family summer house at Hawke's Cove.

She had two best friend there, Mack(the rich boy) and Grainger(the poor boy). But to the three of them nothing  matters as they are the best of friends.

As they grow up bit by bit, both boys seems to be attracted to Kiley.

Then something happened during one summer. And Kiley never been back there again.

That is until recently when her son, Will, was caught smoking dope. And her parents planned to sell off the summer house to finance Will's education.

Kiley was reluctant to go there to check out the things there but her parents were unable to go also due to health problem

Kiley had to go and bring along Will to get him away from the friends influence.

Kiley had to face up to her past and Will was curious of the identity of his father for Kiley had never told him nor her parent about Will's father.

This is overall not a bad real. Enough suspense to keep me wondering. A nice books to curl up during a rainy day and a day when you need romance

The Sight Of The Stars By Belva Plain

The story is began in the early 1900.

Adam was just a kid born out of wedlock. His father loved his mother but when his mother got pregnant, the church refused to marry them. In the end his mother died and his father left to take care of him

His father loves him a lot and subsequently remarried to Rachel. A humble and gentle woman. Adam have two step brothers, Jonathan (the gentle one) and Leo( the bookish, ugly and snobbish one)

Adam father owns a small store and Adam helped him. But Adam is an intelligent and bright fellow. He i not make for the small town.

One day an investment banker told him that he should go out to the world and seek his fortune. Adam was reluctant to leave his father and yet he wanted to go out and see the world

He had his father's permission to do so

In 1907 he went out and seek his fortune . He came to a town where he met with the beautiful and intelligent Emma Rothirch. He stayed and worked for Emma's aunt.

To him, Emma is like an unreachable star. She is a gentle lady while he is just a poor man.

But with his hard work and bright brain, he soon made a small fortune. The aunt finally relented and let him marry Emma.

But soon because of a moment of weakness he nearly lost everything that was important to him.

An enchanting love story and of a man who have made it from zero to hero and then back to earth again.

The Conspiracy Club By Jonathan Kellerman

Dr Jeremy Carrier, a young psychologist, was dating a nurse, Jocelyn Banks when she was brutally murdered. As usual, the police would make the boyfriend as their suspect first. There is no difference in this case.

As a result from that, he had become a blacksheep in the hospital where he worked.

Then more women turns up murdered and the police paid a a few more visit.

Jeremy started to wonder and wanted to investigate himself. And out of the blue he started to received notes/ hints in his mail. These hints are very suspicious. It could be a clue or it could be a trap

Then there is another doctor, Arthur who was formerly attached to the hospital who also aroused his curiousity.

Jeremy does not know who is the friend and who is his enermy

I don't really like this book because the pace was kind of slow and not that much of suspense unlike his others novel.

The Wedding By Nicholas Sparks

I have been reading Nicholas Sparks novel non-stop for the past few days. Chen Chzan lend me a stack of them. This is the last book(I think).

The Wedding is a sequel to The Notebook. Here, Noah is old and Allie had pass away. Noah is staying in a Home.

The Wedding continue with Noah's daughter, Jane.

Wilson Lewis is an attorney and had been married to Jane for nearly 3 years. They fell in love when they were young. But somehow they have grown apart.

It is not that they no longer love each other but well...at first works comes in the way. Wilson was always busy with work. Making ends meet.

Then comes the children. Jane was busy with them.

Later the children grew up. House were empty. Just the two of them. Don't know what to talk about. So the distance grew.

Till one night Jane let out a sob. Wilson was curious. Then Jane wished him "Happy anniversary" and then Wilson saw the gifts for him on the table. It was their 29th anniversary and Wilson had totally forgotten about it.

He felt horrible. The next day he went and order flowers for Jane.
All seems to be normal till Jane said she wanna visit their son. Wilson offer to go with her but she told him she wanted time alone. She doesn't know when she will be coming back.

Only then did Wilson knew how much he had hurt her. Wilson does not know how to get her to forgive him/ He visited Noah often and one time he mentioned this to Noah. Then Noah told him a story which gives him an idea.

Wilson started to court Jane all over again. Spending more time with her.

Then something happen less than a month before their 30th anniversary. Their daughter Anna suddenly announce that she had fell in love and want to get married in just a few weeks.

Jane was shocked as she had wanted Anna to have a beautiful wedding but Anna wanted a simple wedding. Just register with the Registrar and nothing else.

Wilson managed to persuade Anna for a compromise. Hence, Jane got to help Anna to arrange for a reception., wedding photograph, wedding gowns and all that.

All went well till the day of the wedding.

I think this is the 1st story that Sparks write which is without a hit of bitterness in the ending. A beautiful book

A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks

Landon Carter is a 57 years old man who recounted back the year where his life changed. It was 1958 and he was 17 years old boy

His family was not rich but life was not bad. His father was a Congressman. His grandfather was not a good man. He was a bootlegger and was sort of a loan shark.

Landon was not entirely a bad boy but neither was a good one also. He and his friend used to tease the town's Baptist Minister, Hegbert.

Meantime, Hegbert also seems to dislike the Carters much.

Hence it was very surprising that Landon fell in love with Hegbert pious daughter Jamie.

Jamie is an angel. A good girl. The two of them have nothing in common except Drama class. As they got to know each other, Landon start to like Jamie while being teased by his friends. Landon gradually sees the side of Jamie which makes him fall in love with her.

Unfortunately, this love was not meant to be unless there is a miracle.

As always with Sparks's books, the is always a hint of sadness in the end.

  

The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks

 My friend, Chen Chzan, went and dig out her collection of Nicholas Sparks books when she got to know that I like his writings.

The Guardian is a bit out of the norm for Nicholas Sparks usual style which is mostly about love. This book have is a book about love and a hint of thriller.

Julie Barenson's husband, Jim, died when she was just 25 years old. They were so in love. Knowing that Julie will be lonely after his death, Jim had arranged for a puppy to be delivered to her after his death together with a letter stating that he will be her watching over her even though in death.

Strangely enough the dog which she named "Singer" have an almost human like attitude and seems to understand her every word.

For a long time, Julie mourn  for Jim.

During this period, Jim's best friend Mike fell in love with Julie but he dare not voice out.

Then Julie started to date again. There were some disastrous dates till she met the mysterious Richard who seems to be every woman dream man. Richard courted Julie in the earnest .

Mike also came out of his shell and started to express his feelings to her and Singer like Mike. Julie was not sure whether to choose Mike or Richard for she didn't want to jeopardise her friendship with Mike should their romance does not work out.

But then Julie noticed something about Richard which makes her feel uncomfortable. When she tries to break off with Richard, strange things started to happen. There is more to Richard than what's meets the eyes.

Mike tried to protect her but even Mike also got in trouble with the law because of that.

Things started rolling and till the end of  the book

I love this book very much. It have just the right hint of romance and the suspense. Am a bit sad also as Sparks seems to love to put a bit of sadness at the end of his books

The Rescue By Nicholas Sparks

It was a dark and stormy night. Denise is a single mother and she was travelling alone with her 4 year old son, Kyle. Kyle is not your normal boy. He have speech problem and can't really communicate much with the people around him. Denise love Kyle very much. He is her life.

Denise car went in to a spin when she tried to avoid a deer. She woke up in the dark. A man face was at the window. He was Taylor McAden, a volunteer fireman. Taylor is not your ordinary man. He was a contractor but also a dare devil. Whenever there is a risky mission, he is the 1st one that volunteer for it

Denise was horrified when she discovered that Kyle was no longer in the car. There were a search an rescue team.

Taylor managed to find and rescue Kyle.

Taylor and Denise was mutually attracted to each other. But then, Taylor have a problem. Whenever a relationship grows closer, he would break off with the woman. His previous girlfriends said there is one part of him where they can't seems to reach. He want to rescue people but deep down inside he hide a dark secret and needed rescuing.

I like this book very much especially the character, Denise. Though she was young and made a mistake in her life, she did not give up. In fact she started to build a life of her own with her son even though the son have some problem. She gave up a lot for him

I hate Taylor's character. I really don't know what the heck he wanted. He wanted to "rescue" people but then in the end he is the one who hurt the people he rescue. His previous girlfriends all were having problems of their own when he rode in like a knight in shining armour to rescue them. But when they wanted more, he back out.

The way he giving them hope like that and the dashing them is just  despicable. If yes, say lah yes..if no, then say lah no.

The way that he hurt Denise and Kyle by backing away like that is just too wicked even though he had his own devil to deal with.

I guess this book aptly portray what people like to do nowadays.

The Claire Tham Collection

When I spotted this book at The Big Bad Wolf Sale, I was like 15..16...whether to buy or not. It's a case of judging a book by it's cover. The cover looks dirty and "worn". I tried to find a "good" copy. But every copy looks the same. Moreover, I had two boxes  full of books in my trolley.

In the end I was won over by the author's name. Those who know me know what I meant.

By the way, I discovered when I came home that the cover has been purposely printed that way. It's not dirty nor worn out.

There are 3 Collections of short stories in this book.

First being  "Fascist Rock : Stories of Rebellions". There are 8 stories in this part.True to the title, it contains stories of rebellious youth.  Stories based in Singapore, Britain and etc.

I find most of the characters in this part at first were mostly portray and brats but deep in their soul they were searching for the meaning of life. Some are pretty must abstract.

The Second collection "Saving The Rain Forest and Other Stories" have a more matured story line. There are 7 stories here.

Stories are about the desire for individualism and the social norm. What happen when these two doesn't go along with each other.

The being "The Gunpowder Trail and Other Stories". 6 good stories here.

Here, it show what happen when an individual takes a step further for self gain and to continue with self destruction.

A girl who watches silently when her father is being kidnapped; a traffic policeman who accept bribe; a banker who escape town and etc.

This is a case of do not judge a book by it cover. A good book to read when you are emotionally stable. Be forewarned, it is not a book for one who is easily depressed because some parts are very depressing.

Book Blogger Hop: December 3-6, 2010

This is my 2nd round joining the Book Blogger Hop. This week question is "What very popular and hyped book in the blogosphere did you NOT enjoy and how did you feel about posting your review?"

I can't say that The Associates by John Grisham is very popular and hyped, but it's popular. I did not enjoy reading this book as there was not much depth in this book. Just barely brush the surface.

I felt like a traitor for posting a negative review of this book because I have been a fan of his since the first book that I read(The Firm) . I was swept off my feet when I read the 2nd book "Run Away Jury".

Skipping Christmas By John Grisham

Christmas is just around the corner, so I thought of reading something "Christmassy".

Luther and Nora Kranks thought of skipping Christmas this year since their daughter Blair had gone to Peru to help out with the poor children there under the Peace Corp.

Luther convinced Nora to "skip" Christmas this year and join a Caribbean 10 days cruise.

They are not going to put up any Christmas decoration, buy any gifts nor hold Christmas Party.

However, this does not goes well with their neighbour who are into Christmas spirit. The neighbours were horrified and had used various method to convince the Krank to join in the Christmas fun. The more they push, the more Luther got angry. It's their life and if they want to skip Christmas this year, then nobody should stop them and that nobody CAN stop them

That is till when they received a sudden call from Blair. The fun begin.

There was a movie based on this book. I preferred the movie to the book coz I love Tim Allen in that show. He was pretty funny.

BookXcess Christmas Promotions & Charity Drive

It's that time of the year again. Lotsa joy and sharing everywhere.

Looks like my favourite local book store have also join in the spirit of giving and sharing.

Bookxcess have all along been sharing good books with bookworms at a low and affordable price. This round the price got even lower.

Not only that! They are also having Charity Drive for Children homes. They do this annually

I just have to pop by their store, pick a book and pay. Select a child name and write a simple message for the child. Then Bookxcess will send the book to the child. On top of that, they will give one more book to the child.

Hope this weekend I will have the time to drop in and do some charity and scout for more books

Real Time Stories & A Reminiscence By Amit Chaudhuri

There are 16 short stories in this 184 pages book.

Stories are mostly of the modern Indian subcontinent. A wide range.

Among the stories, I like the most is A Man From Khurda District. It's about a man trying to help someone and end-up getting into trouble for himself and his family.

I don't really like the stories in this book. Too many of it with not clear ending and clear story line. More like hanging threads of thoughts. For example"Confession of a Sacrifice". The lady said she was aware that she is being prepared for a sacrifice in the future. But there is no mention of what sort of sacrifice that she is being pushed to. It was left hanging there.

I like story where there is a beginning, middle and preferably and ending. If no ending, at least a hint of it. Instead of just hanging there

1star out of 5.

Inspector Singh Investigates : The Singapore School of Villainy by Shamini Flint

Marathon marathon...finished the one about Bali last night, immediately start with this one about Singapore.

This round, Inspector Singh is in his home turf. A senior partner, Mark Thompson, in a big law firm was murdered in his office at night. The murder seems to be much closer to home since his wife's nephew was one of the suspects.

Not an easy case to solve as there are many suspects and all of them have motives to want Mark Thompson demise.

Could it be his current wife, Marie who is in need of $$? or could it be his vengeful ex-wife? Could it be Quentin who was the one last stout supporter of Mark? Could it be Ai Leen who was prim and proper but behind the scene she was sleeping her way up the cooperate ladder? or could it be Inspector Singh's wife's nephew who seems to have something to hide.?

I find this book very fast paced from the first page. Enjoyed it very much. One thing I don't understand was why in this book Inspector Singh was allowed to continued with the investigation when his relative was one of the suspect.

Overall I give it 3 stars out of 5.

I wonder when will the 4th book be out and where would Inspector Singh go next.?

Inspector Singh Investigates : A Bali Conspiracy Most Foul By Shamini Flint

Can you imagine my delight in finding this book from The Big Bad Wolf Sale recently?

I have read the 1st book "Inspector Singh Investigates : A Most Particular Malaysian Murder"  and found it absolutely wonderful. A friend who read the same book commented that it was bias. But for me, that's the good thing of fiction. You are allowed to be bias.

Anyway, back to this book. Once again this bubbly Inspector Singh was sent out from his country to help with investigation. He was sent to Bali to help with anti-terrorism efforts. Gosh! His speciality is in murder not anti-terrorism. His bosses really seems to have one on him.

But then a body was found...not body..but a piece of skull was found in the bomb site. There was a bullet hole in the skull. The man was murdered before the bomb exploded.

The Police there were too busy with investigation on the bombing. Hence he was "given" this case to investigate. He was also given a partner,Bronwyn, an Australian lady police who had nearly caused a scandal with her statement to the press.

Inspector Singh found out the identity of the victim. He was Richard Crouch. He and his wife, Sarah just moved to Bali to save their rocky marriage.

First glance, nothing much. But then as usual odd things emerged. Wife with boyfriends on the side, friend who is in need of money, his unusual outing with his Indonesia friends and their odd behaviour.

I find that this story very fast paced and exciting. Shamini must have travelled widely around Bali as she know the little quirks of the local Bali people.

However, the ending was a bit loose at some part. Could have been better.

Overall is a good read

Am looking forward to read the 3rd book tonight

Book Blogger Hop-November 26-29

I got to know about this Book Blogger Hop thru booksloveme.



It seems to be a weekly even. This week the event is hosted by Crazy For Books. So hop over to her blog to get more details about how to participate

This week question is "What is your favorite book cover?"

My answer is "Really Woolly Bible Stories" . The cover gave me a warm feeling.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

A big THANK YOU to Chen Chzan for this early Christmas gift. She knew that I have been eyeing this book since it was first publish. Yup, am a die hard fan of Jodi Picoult book since reading her "My Sister's Keeper".

House Rules is about the family of a boy, Jacob, who have Asperger's syndrome. Asperger's syndrome makes it impossible for him to read social cues and expression himself well to others.

To him, a smirk is same as a smile. He can't differential between the two. If someone tell him to take a seat, he would go and pick up the chair. He takes everything literally.

His father left the family because he can't stand the attention that Jacob received from his mother. Hence, Emma(Jacob's mother) is left alone to raise up Jacob and his younger brother, Theo single handedly.

Emma have set up some House Rules for the family to follow. Among them is "Take care of your brother; he's the only one you have got"

Nevertheless Jacob is not a retard. In fact he is brilliant. He is very focus about forensic analysis. He had a Police Radio Scanner and he kept appearing in crime scene and "helped" the police to solve a crime.

This seems to be harmless until a girl was murdered. This girl was Jacob's tutor.

Suddenly hell break loose when Jacob was suspected for the murder. Even Emma and Theo thought Jacob murdered the girl. But the Emma subsequently able to accept that no matter Jacob did it or not, she would still love him.

In his trial he tried to tell the truth but nobody really listened to him. Things that he said in the Police Station and in Court sound so wrong. He can't get his message across. All evidences point to him.

This is really a good read. Jodi kept the suspense till the end of the story. Don't worry. This is not like My Sister's Keeper where you need a box of tissue. This one is more like gentle suspense story.

The Highly Effective Detective By Richard Yancey

I bought this book from The Big Bad Wolf Sale last year. A relatively new author to me. But since the price was only RM8, I think it was worth while to take a chance on this.

The story is about Teddy Ruzak who is not the brightest man in the world. He have been living with his mother and work as a security guard since he was kicked out of the Police Accademy.

He have dreamt of being a detective since he was just a kid. After the death of his other, he inherited a huge sum of money. He decided to pursuit his dream of opening a detective agency.

He hired his favourite waitress from the local diner as his Girl Friday.

His first case? It can be said as "wild goose chase". He was hired to find the "murderer" of a bunch of gosling.

But this wild goose chase turns deadly when he stumbled upon a murder case.

He managed to solve the case in the end but the life of his Girl Friday was threaten if he tells the truth. It was a real fix for him.

The plot of the book is good and it's fun to read.

Thank you to BookXcess for bringing this book to BBWS

Book Giveaway!!!

Hey! everyone. Check out the blog by booksloveme

It's their 4th Anniversary and they are having a  Book Giveaway for FOUR lucky winners.

Do try your luck

And Happy 4th Anniversary to  booksloveme !

Big Bad Wolf Fire Sale 2010

I went to the Big Bad Wolf Fire Sale this afternoon. Books were going for RM5.Magazine was RM3 each. Buy 5 magazine free 1 magazine. 

Vast difference between books during the preview and 1st day. Most of the popular titles are gone. Grabbed by people. Nothing much left in the kids section nor the magazine section

Nevertheless, there are some really good books left for fiction and non-fiction.

At RM5 per book, it is worthwhile to try out new authors. Now it's time for me to hibernate with my hoard of books

Following The Wrong God Home By Catherine Lim

Yin Ling is beautiful and has the soul of a poet. She is also engaged to a wealthy man and politically ambitious man, Vincent Chee.

She came from a poor family and Vincent had helped her family a lot especially paying for her mother's cancer treatment. He even tried to tolerant her eccentric old servant, Ah Heng Cheh who is obsessed with the mysterious status of a God which she brought to Singapore from China.. In fact, Yin Ling loves Vincent most when he help out her loved ones.

However, Vincent measured out his love in portion. There is always "I love you but......".

He takes her love for poetry lightly.

Then Yin Ling met Ben Gallagher, an outspoken American Professor. Her poetry brings them together and also because of Ah Heng Cheh.

Vincent came to know about the love blossoming between Yin Ling and Ben. He forgive her. Yin Ling felt obligated to let go of her love to Ben because she felt indebted to Vincent.

They got married and had a baby. Yin Ling loves her son the most. But she can't let go of her love to Ben. When she got to know that Ben have been writing to her and that her mother had intercepted the letters, her hope revived. At one part, she was delighted that Ben still love her but at another part she was reluctant to keep contact with Ben. She loves her son very much

Some things happened and Vincent found out about Ben.They had a confrontation. Vincent is again willing to forgive Yin Ling but.......he can't forgive Ben.

What should I say about this book? At one point, I pitied Yin Ling for marrying someone which she said she love and giving up her true love. A really tormented soul. It's all because of her sense of duty. But at another part, I disliked her for destroying so many life.

2nd Round at Big Bad Wolf Sale 2010

Okay...I am officially CRAZY!! Crazy in love with The Big Bad Wolf.

Went to the sale again today...hmm or rather yesterday.

Arrived there around 4.30p.m. No need to queue up to go in but there is still a crowd inside.

Staffs were busy replenishing the books and the customers are grabbing them like hotcakes.

Anyway, I managed to grab 5 books which I missed yesterday. Irene alerted me on that. Bumped into her at the Preview yesterday.

Am comtemplating whether to go for a 3rd round or not.

Big Bad Wolf Sale 2010

My hoard from BBWS Preview. Average RM8. The cheapest is RM2 and the most expensive is RM30

Forget Me Not by Isabel Wolff

Bought this book from Bookxcess not long ago for RM9-90.

The story is about Anna. At the sudden death of her mother, she realises that life is too short. She need to be doing something which she loves. She gave up her job at the share market to become a Garden Designer.

That very night when she gave up her work to start a "new Life" she had no idea that the new life comes with a baby .

That night she met a handsome man, Xan(Short for Alexander) and they got drunk and a new life was made.

Xan is not one who is into being tied down. At first theirs were the open kind of relationship. That is until Anna discovered that she is pregnant. Xan have news also. He was going to break up with Anna coz he was given an opportunity to go for an overseas posting. When he knew about the pregnancy, he wanted her to have an abortion. Even said that the baby might not been his.

During her pregnancy, she went for the pre-natal class alone. There, she met some interesting ladies. Most have a husband and partner. Only she and another lady, Jenny who is a single mother also. They got on well together.

When Anna gave birth, Xan was not around. Through the stages of the baby(Milly) growing up, Anna continued to e-mail Xan to up date him on Milly progress. Xan have to admit that the baby is his as she has his features.

After birth Anna had to start working again and she met some one new, Patrick. Romance blossom. But the Xan came back and seems to have taken intense dislike to Patrick. Hence start another round of dilemma. Patrick seems to be a "perfect" man but somehow, she still have some feelings towards Xan

Not a bad read. Not your typical Chit-lit also. However, there is room for improvement. Wish she had elaborate more on the part of her father and about Anna's brother, Mark. The explanation at the end was quite abrupt. There was not really anything much that build up to the grand finish.

The Catherine Lim Collection

Found this in the storeroom when sorting out the books the other other day.  I bought this book from the BIG BAD WOLF SALE last year. Have read this almost immediately. Very really good book.

There are 4 books in this collection.

1) The Serpent Tooth

It's something like Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club. Each family have skeletons in the closets and this sometime best left untouched.

There is a lot of flash back from past and present.

Best to be read slowly to enjoy the flavour

2) They Do Return...But Gently Lead Them Back

This consist of 15 short stories mainly about ghosts and  superstitions

I have heard some of the superstition before like the one about knocking noise from a coffin means someone will be dying soon; the one about boy being dress like a girl to deceive bad spirit/God; and about dead spirit lingering on earth.

3) O Singapore! : Stories in Celebration

8 tales about Singaporean and their "kiasuness".

Look out for the story titled "Write, Right, Rite" ; or "how Catherine Lim Tries To Offer Only The Best On The Alter Of Good Singapore Writing". Very entertaining

4) The Woman's Book of Superlatives

Stories about the sufferings of women in the hands of men. Sad.

Overall, am glad that I managed to lay my hands on this book. RM8. Not bad ya.

I wonder why Catherine Lim's books have a certain kind of "sadness" in them

Wanted : One Special Kiss by Judi McCoy

Lila is the over-shadowed twin and had "escaped" from her planet to seek her freedom on Earth. She is also determined to complete the mission that her mother Planet sent her to Earth to for.

This mission is connected with Paul Anderson. Paul is a small town doctor whose wife ran away with another man. She left him with their twin toddlers. Paul was really desperate for help when Lila show up on his doorsteps.

She seems to be perfect in every way. He was real attracted to her. Lila too was attracted to him

But is in danger too. There is a group of people trying to capture her.

I like those book very much. Something different from your usual romance story. Lila was a wonderful and refreshing.

The Associate By John Grisham

This book have been gathering dust in the store room for quite some time. Finally managed to dug it out.

The story is similar to The Firm. This round, Kyle McAvoy, a brilliant law student who is going to graduate soon. All big firms wants him.

That is when something which he did in the past came back to haunt him. He was involved in wild parties in his University days. And someone had recorded a video of him and his mates doing something which would destroy his future should the video be revealed.

He was then blackmailed. Surprisingly, instead of money, the blackmailers wants him to join one of the largest law firm in New York that would pay him USD 200K a year instead of the measly USD32K which he was thinking about.

Their "request" is that he was to pass them documents on a Billion dollars lawsuit that the firm had undertaken.

Kyle had to do what they wanted. He join that firm but he tried his best to avoid from being assigned to the said case. At the same time he also tried to extricate himself from this mess.

I found this book unsatisfying. Most of the things was mentioned briefly. Like how he didn't tell his dad about being blackmail. Also briefly about his girlfriend and his colleague who were working half dead. To me the story was loosely woven. I really miss the way he wrote in The Firm, The Pelican Brief and Runaway Jury.

Sorry to say that I deem this book worth 1 star out of 5.

A Voyage By Dhow - Norman Lewis

Bought this book some time ago from TIMES Warehouse Sale at RM10 for 3 book.

From the synopsis it seems interesting. It's about travel by Norman Lewis. He had travel far and to places where not many would go. Here it detailed 7 places where he had went to.

With each place there is a story.  Some are life threatening.

I should have enjoy this book but sad to say I did not. Story too long winded. If only there is some photographs.

This book is just not for me. Maybe others  will think differently.

How the Hangman Lost His Heart by K.M Grant

Won this book from one for BookXcess Blog Bonanza quite sometime ago.

This is a historical comedy book where the heroine, Alice de Granville, is the niece of a "traitor". Her Uncle Frank was beheaded and she went for the execution. She went to take his Uncle Frank's body back but the King had proclaimed that all traitors head have to be put on a spike and to be display for the public.

Alice was convinced that her Uncle Frank body should be "reunited" with his head. She went and stole the head.

Hence begin a series of hilarious and thrilling escapes.

A light hearted book. Easy to read. Suitable for teens.