Sundays in Bed with…Red Rain by R.L. Stine

On July 21, 2013July 21, 2013 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies3 Comments

Welcome to my Sundays in Bed with, a weekly meme hosted by Midnight Book Girl! This is a fun opportunity to spotlight the book I’m reading on the glorious day of the week.

This morning I’m reading: Red Rain by R.L. Stine

I have a soft spot in my heart for the mastermind behind the Fear Street series, which gave me delicious nightmares back in junior high when Nancy Drew Super Chiller mysteries were the only other “scary” titles in the young adult section. So despite the overwhelming number of one-star reviews, I decided to give this one a try. I mean, come on, how could I refuse a new title by my childhood idol?

As for the negative reviewers, I can totally understand their issues with the bland characters, stunted dialogue and horror movie clichés. Yes, the main characters are one-dimensional. And yes, the freaky twin thing has been done to death in movies like The Shining and Village of the Damned. But you know what, R.L.’s trademark cliffhangers at the end of each chapter keep me glued to the pages until the wee hours of the night.

Reading this book is a lot like watching a campy horror flick. Going into it, my expectations for character development are pretty low, but I still have a lot of fun with the thrill ride. Aside from some awkward sex scenes, this is pretty much a young adult book. So if you’re expecting a horror story on par with the likes of Stephen King and Dean Koontz, you’ll most likely be disappointed. This book isn’t scare per se, but it’s definitely entertaining!

Sundays in Bed With… (No. 2)

On July 15, 2012July 15, 2012 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies8 Comments

Don’t you just love Sundays? No crummy office coffee, no frustrating commute, no mentally taxing writing assignments, just me and my cat and a goooood book! This weekend is a bit different because – GASP! – I’m reading nonfiction. That’s right, no vampires or sassy sleuths for me this morning because I’m learning the ropes on how to write a best-selling whodunit!

Because I write for a living, I have no creative energy left at the end of the night. So I figure my best bet is to take a stab (pun intended!) at mystery writing on the weekends. That’s why I picked up “The Weekend Novelist Writes a Mystery,” by Robert J. Ray and Jack Remick. Hopefully this time next year, you’ll hear me on NPR talking about my ridiculosuly popular thriller! That’s not too far fetched…right?

I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll throw you a little teaser. It’s going to have a bit of ghost hunting…

A spooky monster…

Somer paranormal boy drama…

And some sassy sleuthing…

This fun little meme is brought to you by by Midnight Book Girl . Hop on over to her blog to see what my fellow book bloggers are reading this weekend. What are you in bed with on this glorious day of rest? Post a comment and tell me all about it. I just love, love, love getting comments!

Sundays in Bed with…(#1)

On June 17, 2012 By Bubble Bubble Books and TroubleIn Cozies8 Comments

There’s nothing I’d rather do on a Sunday than laze around in bed with a good book and a pudgy cat. While everyone’s off running errands, working out and being productive, I’m unashamedly still in my PJs sipping coffee and immersing myself in a new story. When I came across the Midnight Book Girl’s cool meme, I couldn’t resist joining my fellow book bloggers – my soul sisters – in their blissful Sunday morning reading adventures!

This morning I’m completely wrapped up in Beth Hoffman’s debut novel, Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt. One hundred pages zipped by in a flurry and now I’m in need of another box of Kleenex! I haven’t been this moved by a book since I read The Help.

The story revolves around Cee Cee Honeycutt, a lonely little girl who really got the shaft in the parent department. The first riveting chapters take you through Cee Cee’s plight as the daughter of a bat-shit crazy mother and absentee, alcoholic father. Shunned by the neighborhood kids, she longs for a best girlfriend more than anything in the world. To shut out her grim reality, she devours books – especially Nancy Drew mysteries.

When tragedy strikes, Cee Cee’s great aunt Tootie swoops in and whisks her off to Savannah, Georgia. Like little orphan Annie, Cee Cee instantly goes from an abusive, loveless existance to a wondrous world of prosperity, hope and friendship.

A huge lump formed in my throat when I read this exchange between Aunt Tootie and Cee Cee.

“Your mind must be swimming right now, but I want you to know that I’ve got a big ole house with plenty of room, and I’d love to have you.”

Those six simple words echoed around me and filled the room with light: I’d sure love to have you…I’d sure love to have you…

My shoulders began to shake, and to my disbelief, hot tears spilled from my eyes and ran down my cheeks. Aunt Tootie wrapped me in her arms and pulled me close.

Wow! I can tell you right now that this book is going to be one of my faves!

So what are you reading this morning?