Sweet Evil Read-Along: Week 4 - Halloween

I am cutting it a little bit close, but week number four in the Sweet Evil Read-Along isn't quite over yet. This awesome event is being hosted by the amazing Mindy of Magical Urban Fantasy Reads and this week we were reading chapters twenty-six all the way through to thirty-one.

Our topic for the fourth and final week is:

HALLOWEEN!!!

I'm originally from Germany and we didn't have/celebrate Halloween when I was growing up. I still remember watching kids dress up and go trick-or-treating in movies, and being a teeny tiny bit jealous of them. The only thing I can remember, is a Halloween party at my school when I was 13 or 14 or something like that.

Nowadays, it has become more popular, especially in the bigger cities, but the little town I grew up in still doesn't seem to be big on it. My mom told me she had three kids coming to her door last year which made her incredibly happy.

Well, but since I'm not living in Germany anymore and am now the proud mommy of a four-year-old boy, I do get to experience the whole thing with and through him. He was one the first time we went trick-or-treating and it was so cute because he had just started walking. We only went to three houses but he had so much fun. The last two years we went with his cousins which made it even better for him. I remember when he was two and we started going up the stairs of the first house, he got so nervous and shy - and yes, a little bit scared, funny enough though, not of the decorations, just of the people. Well, but as soon as he found out that he got candy at the doors, he couldn't get from house to house fast enough.

Needless to say, he's already super excited for Halloween this year, though he hasn't quite made up his mind about a costume yet. Last year, he went as Curious George and right now, he wants to go as Spider-Man, but we shall see. A lot can happen in four days... ;)

Mini Review

Again, I love this book and the characters so much. If anything, I would have only one slightly negative comment. I felt, at times, it was too much about Anna and Kaidan and their relationship issues, where I would have rather had more Nephillim stuff going on. There was some action at the end and I am really, really hoping there will be more of that in book two, SWEET PERIL.

My rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

This might be an odd rating. I had initially intended to give it a 4.5 because of what I just said above, but I am missing those characters too much already and just couldn't do it.

*****

Thank you so much to Mindy for hosting this awesome event! I loved every minute of it!

Sweet Evil Read-Along: Week 3 - Truth or Dare

We are now into the third week of the Sweet Evil Read-Along which is being hosted by the always amazing Mindy of Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.

Like the last two weeks, there is also a topic for week three, and it is:

Truth or Dare

Where I grew up, we called it "Wahrheit oder Pflicht" which translate to "Truth or Obligation." I thought I remembered playing it once with my older brother and his friends, but as I was writing down the story, I realized it was only, what you would call, "Ding Dong Ditch" or "Ring and Run." My memory really isn't what it used to be.

So, now I have decided to tell you a few of my truths, since I can't really dare myself. They are just random.

1. I have moved seven times within the last seven years. At one point, I moved three times within ten months. During those seven moves, I changed countries twice and continents once.

*****

2. This next one is kind of embarrassing and I can't believe, I'm actually going to share it with you. I might be the slightest bit obsessed - though that's probably too strong of a word to use - with the number six. When I set my alarm clock, the time has to work out so I can divide it by six. Even sometimes when I'm eating or drinking, I make sure I chew or take a sip a certain number of times. Yes, yes, I do realize that does make me sound extremely weird. I've been doing it for years, and just can't seem to shake this odd habit of mine.

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3. Yes, I need to take a break now because I'm exhausted and my brain doesn't seem to be functioning properly which results in me not being able to remember anything else. *sigh*

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4. I bought two pears the other day and it was all Kaidan and Anna's fault! Seriously, I walked into the grocery store and when I saw the pears, I immediately had to think of the two of them. How could I not grab a couple?

 *****

5. I wish I could read faster. I envy all the people who read a book in four or less hours. Years and years ago I thought I was a pretty fast reader, but now I seem to take at least triple the time I needed before to finish a book...

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6. Do you want to read a sad truth? It took me not one, not two, not three, no FOUR days to get to my number six. Yes, I have been sitting on this post for the past four days and the really sad part is, I don't have a whole lot to show for it, but well. *sigh*

*****

I think I will stop at number six, though. It's not because it's six, but because week three is nearing its end. Of course, I will not leave before giving you a

Mini Review

(more like Mini Thoughts)

For this week we were supposed to read chapters seventeen through twenty-five and I have to say one of my favorite parts of these chapters was the introduction of several new characters, but one in particular. No, I am not talking about Kopane, though he is...WOW... Intense!

No, I am talking about the always refreshing Ginger! I just love how very protective of and loyal to her sister, Marna, she is. Her comments are witty, smart, and yes, snarky. You can definitely tell she is masking hurt and betrayal behind those comments, and I love her all the more for it. She is one of my favorites, for sure, and I am hoping to read much, much more about her.

As a matter of fact, I picked one of Ginger's quotes to share with you this week:

"Ooh! We can have a slumber party with Anna, Gin!" Marna cut me off.

"Oooh, yes, goody," Ginger said in a deadpan tone. "The two of you can tell stories while I gag and puke."

I really, really enjoyed these chapters - so much so that I have finished the book already. Since I don't want to give anything away, in case you haven't read ahead yet, I won't say anymore right now.

Happy Reading!!!

Sweet Evil Read-Along: Week 2 - Citrus or Pear Recipe

We are in week two of the amazing Sweet Evil Read-Along which is being hosted by the wonderful Mindy of

 Magical Urban Fantasy Reads.

This week's topic is:

Citrus or Pear Recipe

Now, I have to admit I don't know any citrus or pear recipes myself. I'm actually not a citrus fan whatsoever, and my favorite way of eating a pear, is fresh from the tree when it's still green and pretty hard. That's how I like my pears.

Since I don't have a recipe of my own, I went and hunted one down that I think I will have to try very soon. Credit for it goes to Kraftcanada.com.

Apple-Pear Crumble Pie

Prep time:   20 min

Total time:  1 hr 5 min

Makes:        10 servings, 1 piece (100 g) each

What You Need

24 cup Nilla Vanilla Wafers, finely crushed (about 2/3 cup)

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

125 g (1/2 of 250-g pkg.) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened

1 frozen deep-dish pie shell (1/2 of 350-g pkg.), thawed

2 large baking apples, peeled, sliced

1 large fresh pear, peeled, sliced

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1-1/4 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping

Make It

HEAT oven to 375ºF.
MIX wafer crumbs, brown sugar and butter until well blended.
SPREAD cream cheese carefully onto bottom of pie shell; sprinkle with half the crumb mixture. Combine fruit in large bowl. Add granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon; toss to coat. Spoon over crumb layer in pie shell; sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.
BAKE 45 min. or until fruit is tender and pie shell is lightly browned. Cool completely. Serve topped with Cool Whip.

 

Head over here to see the whole recipe with a picture. YUMMY!!! Now, I don't know about you, but my mouth is all watery.

*****

Last week I got a little bit hasty with my Sweet Evil post, because I forgot to include a mini review of the first nine chapters. Don't worry, I will be talking about them today.

Mini Review

Oh dear, you have no idea how happy I am I signed up for this read-along. Who knows how much longer I would have deprived myself of getting to know these amazing characters in this incredible world.

I love Anna. She is so sweet, innocent, and just absolutely pure. Then you have Kaidan, who is the complete opposite of everything that makes Anna who she is. I do not usually say this about any fictional character, but boy, he is hot and sexy and oh so dangerous.

I adore both Patti and Jay. Patti is such an amazing, caring person, and Jay just seems like a great, great friend to have.

On a side not, I am utterly terrified of Kaidan's dad. There, I said it.

So far, I am enjoying every second of this story. I felt a connection to Anna right from the start and the way the author Wendy Higgins writes, you live every little scene through Anna. Every time she fights with her own emotions, you can feel the tugging and pulling in your own body. It's fantastic.

I have always found stories about angels and demons to be very fascinating and intriguing, so this is the perfect kind of book for me. I cannot wait to read what happens next.

*****

 

I picked a favorite line to share with you guys, and I chose this particular one because it almost had me falling off the couch laughing so hard.

Anna and Kaidan:

"Kaidan...do you think you could try to be a gentleman, at least while we're traveling together, and maybe wear shorts to bed?"

"Ahh...I see." He sat back. "The sight of my arse gave you quite a fright, did it?"

Oh, have I mentioned how much I love Kaidan's British accent?!?! Because I do!!!

 

I'm back!!! + SWEET EVIL READ-ALONG

No, your eyes aren't betraying you. Yes, yes, it's really me who has come out of hiding. Finally! I almost feel like I've been hibernating the last few weeks, only I am not relaxed whatsoever.

I cannot believe it has been 46 days - yes, 6 weeks and 4 days!!! - since my last post. Honestly, it doesn't seem that long to me, but time has a thing of flying by way faster than you want it to at times.

So, anyway, I won't bore anyone with any details, but life is looking much better at the moment, and I'm really, really happy to get back into blogging. You might notice I've changed my blog a little bit. I thought I might go a little lighter for a while, just to see how I - and you - like it. I'll probably be tweaking it here and there, and was thinking of adding some pages as well. We shall see...

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There couldn't be a better time for me to come back than now, because on October 1st, the awesome  

SWEET EVIL READ-ALONG is starting.

The lovely Mindy of Magical Urban Fantasy Reads is hosting this epic event. Make sure to stalk her blog for all the details and then some.

Also along for the wicked ride are four incredible co-hosts:

Fiktshun

Two Chicks On Books

Tater's Tall Tails

Ravenous Reader

There is still time to sign up! Simply click on the picture above and sign up through the linky list.

I cannot wait to start reading this book. I have had it sitting on my shelf for quite some time now and just never managed to pick it up. Well, now there are no more excuses. This is my very first read-along challenge and I am ecstatic to be taking part in it. I'm so excited!!!

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So, this is it for today. Thank you so much for sticking around and believing in me!

Keep an eye out on the blog, because next week none other than the amazing Drew Armstrong from Scott Tracey's  

Witch Eyes series will be stopping by the blog for an interview! You all know, you won't want to miss that! ;)

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Happy reading, everybody!!! It feels so good to be back!!!