Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Book Review: Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

About the book:

AN IMAGINARY FRIEND--Jane Margaux is a lonely little girl. Her mother, a powerful Broadway producer, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany's. Jane has only one friend: a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael. He's perfect. But only she can see him. Michael can't stay forever, though. On Jane's ninth birthday he leaves, promising her that she'll soon forget him.

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE--Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And despite her own success as a playwright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets someone–a handsome, comforting, funny man. He's perfect. His name is Michael...

AND AN UNFORGETTABLE TWIST--This is a heartrending story that surpasses all expectations of why these people have been brought together. With the breathtaking momentum and gripping emotional twists that have made James Patterson a bestselling author all over the world, SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY'S takes an altogether fresh look at the timeless and transforming power of love.

My thoughts:

As a rule, I don't read secular fiction; Christian fiction is my genre of choice. However, I thought I would branch out and try some secular fiction for a change. Knowing that James Patterson is a very well-known author was a factor that influenced my decision to read this book. Unfortunately, I did not like this book at all. At first, I thought it would be a variation of City of Angels. It gave all the signs that I would be in absolute tears by the end, which wouldn't have bothered me at all (sometimes, you need to read a book like that from time to time). But the tears never came because the wrong person died, in my opinion. I won't spoil it for you, but honestly, don't waste your time with this book. Rent City of Angels instead.

2 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  No

Monday, March 23, 2009

Mailbox Monday


This is my first opportunity to participate in Mailbox Monday, and I think it's a pretty good idea considering I seem to get quite a lot of books through the mail! :o)

Here's what I received last week (all Christian fiction) courtesy of BookMooch and PaperBackSwap:

The Solitary Envoy by T. Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn
The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson
Showdown by Ted Dekker
Echoes by Kristen Heitzmann
Blue Mist on the Danube by Doris Elaine Fell
Legend of the Celtic Stone by Michael Phillips
The Tail of the Dragon by Robert Wise
A Sacred Place by Bonnie Leon (I think this one's gonna be right up my alley!)
Kansas Home by Tracey Bateman
Wildflowers by Robin Jones Gunn

Come back next week to see what's already arrived in this week's mail! :o)

Friday, March 20, 2009

Friday Fill-in!

ffi

1. Why do we have to__work on Fridays___?

2. __Reading during lunch and right before going to bed___ are now habits.

3. I have __a cramp in my left arm (ouch!)___.

4. I had never heard the phrase "__putting on the dog___" (until I read it on someone else's fill-in) and it __just makes me laugh for some reason___. :o)

5. __I'll root for my Memphis Tigers during their basketball game tomorrow___ the way I always do.

6. How was I to know __ordering used books from Paperback Swap and Bookmooch would be so addicting___!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __eating dinner at Texas de Brazil with my hubby and his parents___, tomorrow my plans include __celebrating my hubby's birthday___ and Sunday, I want to __relax (it's been a rough week)___!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Wednesday Whatnots have Moved!

Just a quick note to tell you that the Whatnots have moved to another blog! I realized after three weeks that they needed their own place to hang out. So, if you're wanting to look at jewelry stuff, check out Southern Sassy Treasures. Everything will have the same format as before....it just won't have to compete with all my book ramblings. :o)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Wednesday Whatnots

It's time for another Wednesday Whatnot! :o)

I want to apologize for how today's pictures look. I have had a hard time figuring out a good setting on my camera (I've got a really nice Kodak....it just has too many settings) so that the pictures look right. Guess I'll just keep tinkering with it.... If you have a suggestion, let me know as I am not a camera-savvy person.




This is a brand new set that I made a couple of weeks ago, and when I finished it, I was a little bit in awe. Unfortunately, this picture does not do it justice.

The focal point of this piece is a beautiful rhinestone pendant that looks very much like a flower. It has a pale green, almost clear stone on the outside, then turquoise stones in the middle. The strand of the necklace consists of pearls (2 different sizes), crackled beads, and hollowed-out silver filigree beads.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Booking Through Thursday: The Best Book That You Haven't Read

Here's this week's Booking Through Thursday question:

We’ve all seen the lists, we’ve all thought, “I should really read that someday,” but for all of us, there are still books on “The List” that we haven’t actually gotten around to reading. Even though we know they’re fabulous. Even though we know that we’ll like them. Or that we’ll learn from them. Or just that they’re supposed to be worthy. We just … haven’t gotten around to them yet.

What’s the best book that YOU haven’t read yet?

I actually have more of these than I ought to! Yikes!

First on the list would be both of Julie Lessman's books. I have read tons of reviews/comments about both of her novels and that they are fabulous, but I haven't started them yet. Both of them are just sitting on my bookshelf, staring me down. It is my plan to have both of them read by this coming summer.

Second would be Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen. A friend of mine has read this book as well as The Apothecary's Daughter (which I think is the sequel), and she has raved about how good they are.

I'd also have to include Speak Through the Wind and With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman. I read Ten Thousand Charms about 6 months ago, and I could not put it down! If the next 2 are a great as book 1, then I know I will enjoy them for sure. :o)

In addition to those, I have several Deb Raney books (about 6 or 7), Terri Blackstock books (her entire newest series), and Angela Hunt books (try 12-15 that still haven't been read) that are waiting for me to read them. Where will I ever find the time!?!?!?!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Wednesday Whatnots

Here's this week's Wednesday Whatnots! Hope you enjoy! :o)



I made this design a long time ago, and I'm somewhat surprised that I still have it. It's one of my favorites. It's a mix of turquoise glass beads and clear glass beads with silver clasps.



I love it when I can remake something that used to be something completely different. These beads used to belong to a strand of Christmas tree garland. (I apologize that the flash was so bright on this pic....I realize it's difficult to make out the colors!) This set features beads that have a pearlized finish and are ivory and blue. On the bracelet, the blue beads have a gold finished bead cap on each side to give it some bling. :o) The earrings are on a gold-plated fishwire and have an ivory bead on top, then are connected to a blue bead with the gold bead caps on either side.

Hope you enjoyed both of those! Come back next week and see something that I think is truly stunning. :o)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

What's On Your Nightstand--February


It's time for this month's "What's On Your Nightstand?" post! I got most of last month's nightstand books read, but a couple are being carried over to this month.

Here's what I did manage to read last month:

Vengeance by Donna Dawson
Her Captain's Heart by Lyn Cote
Indigo Waters by Lisa Samson
The Trophy Wives Club by Kristin Billerbeck
In the Shadow of the Sun King by Golden Keyes Parsons
A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall

So without further ado, here's what I'm planning to read for March:

A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher
Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell
The Art of Compassion by Various Authors
The Deuteronomy Project by William Couser
When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall
When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall
The Scribe by Francine Rivers

I'd say that's enough to keep me busy, don't you think?! :o)