Express Male by Elizabeth Bevarly

OPUS #2

I have no idea where this book came from. Does anyone else ever have that problem? I'm an avid reader so I regularly buy gently used from my favorite second hand store. I also pick up books from the library overstock sale. Plus, people know I'm a reader so I'm always being handed books that people think I will enjoy. I have no idea which category brought me this one.

Here's what I do know: it's a romance (not my favorite genre), It had a really pink cover (my least favorite color), and it claimed to be the second in a series. Three strikes before I even opened it.

Imagine my surprise when I actually enjoyed it. Sure the language was a little cliche at times, but overall the story was fun. If I'm going to read a romance story, I like there to be some action or story line involved and this delivered that.

I'm going to land on two smiles and a blush for this one. If you like romance and don't shy away from adult scenes, you'll enjoy this one.

The Secret of Skull Mountain by Franklin Dixon

Hardy Boys #27

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I grew up in a reader's household and taught elementary school for 15 years and yet this is the first time in my life I have ever read a Hardy Boys Mystery. I've read Nancy Drew, and I've had many people tell me they're similar. But this is the first one I've read. Ever.

Let me explain why I chose to read it now. My son is in middle school now. He's recently (FINALLY) decided he rather enjoys reading. I fully credit that to the fun he's having updating his goodreads app (which I finally let him get). He has also decided he enjoys reading mystery books. So I grabbed an old Hardy Boys book from the bookshelf in my classroom. My thought was that if I enjoyed it I could tell him all about it and open him up to the full collection of Hardy Boys books.

I have to say, I was a little underwhelmed. The story, even knowing I was reading for children, was not really hard to figure out. More importantly, I'm not sure the mystery was one I cared enough about to want solved. I was a little bored and glad it was a short book. I have another one on the shelf so I'll try again, but this was not my favorite. I may have to give Nancy Drew another read instead.

Oh well.
2 smiles.

Origin by Dan Brown

Robert Langdon #5

I have been a Dan Brown fan since the DaVinci Code, like so many other people. I suppose that stems from my insane curiousity about religion and Science. In addition, I find it fascinating that Dan Brown focuses on art and places that are real. I often read Dan Brown with Google nearby. I can regularly be found searching for the places or art that are described. Usually my searches are followed up with "wow, that description was perfect".

This book brought a twist or two that I actually saw coming, but I still thoroughly enjoyed.

4 smiles