I'm Back...I promise.

Well as you might have noticed I haven't been on blogspot for a LOOOONNNNGGGGG time. I'm sorry. Things in my life got hectic and difficult to say the least, however thankfully things are better now. I am starting over I suppose you could say, with new goals and a stronger motivation. :)

I dont have as much time for reading as I would like however I am working on it haha.

Thank you guys for your advice and support in my last couple of postings. They really helped. Everything worked out wonderfully...I'll share more in my next posting, likely either later on tonight or tomorrow.

2 Boys, 1 Me, Lots of Confusion

Alright, I need some advice.

In my life, family and friends mean everything to me...they are what makes each and every day worthwhile. There are three people who know me inside and out, one is my sister, one is a girl friend of mine, and the third is a guy friend. We've known each other for years but over the last year we've become ridiculously close. Nothing ever happened between us because he was in a relationship with one of my closest friends, however about two months ago she ended things (rather badly) with him. I was there to pick up the pieces I suppose you could say, and we became even closer than before. He is the first person I speak to in the mornings and always the last person I talk to before I sleep. He means the world to me and probably knows me better than anyone. I have noticed some feelings for him, but I had these before he and my friend got together and so I just ignored them. However last night we stayed up all night (an 11 hour phone conversation) and he admitted to having feelings for me.

I have been having problems with the guy I'm seeing recently...I'm never sure where I stand with him, we haven't seen each other in about 9 weeks, and I can't help but feel as though I am simply a "for now" girl - someone to spend his time with when he has nothing better to do. Anyways, things have been shaky between us and I have been planning on talking to him about it for awhile now however things kept getting in the way.

Now I have two guys and I am afraid of making the wrong decision. On the one hand, I have this seemingly good guy who I have been dating and who (though i dont really know where i stand with him) I know I care for. On the other hand I have one of the most important people to me in my life, who I feel strongly for but who is my friend's exboyfriend, and who (though I know would never do anything to hurt me), I fear may be jumping into this too soon.

I think I already know my answer, I mean I enjoy being with this new guy but I do not see it being very serious, whereas with my friend, I know that whatever we have it will be long-lasting (whether it is just maintaining the friendship or taking the next step)...however I guess what I really need to know is...am I betraying my friend by becoming involved with her ex?

Please help...

Quick Update!

Hi ya!!

I just popped in to say hello and give y'all an update. I just finished "Ransom My Heart" By: Mia Thermopalis (a.k.a. Meg Cabot) and will likely be posting a review on that in the next day or so. I will also be posting a review of Barton's "Dying For You" (fingers crossed) tonight, or if I don't find time then tomorrow night.

Like always, if there are any new and upcoming authors or novels/books (or even just some of the good old ones you think I may not have read as of yet) please feel free to give me a shout out and let me know some of your faves! ;)

On a different note, I have a question to pose to anyone and everyone who reads this: I have been dating a very sweet, funny 22 year old for a few months now and (though we haven't seen each other recently due to unavoidable circumstances) I am really crazy about him. However, lately I've been unsure as to how he feels about me. He is always very sweet and says he's crazy about me, but at the same time I can't help but feel that I'm just here for him because something better hasn't come along. Maybe I'm just being a silly ninny, but either way I need to know where we stand with each other...which is why I'm going to ask him how he sees our "relationship" next time we are together. He has never actually called me his girlfriend and (though I have considered him to be my boyfriend for awhile) I have never broached the subject. So my question is this: How should I go about finding out if we are a couple or simply dating or even just friends with benefits?

...Any and all suggestions and advice would be soooo wonderful and much appreciated!

Thanks and have a splendid day! =D
Cherie

*Lisa Kleypas ~ Sugar Daddy*

SHE’S FROM THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS
Liberty Jones has dreams and determination that will take her far away from Welcome, Texas—if she can keep her wild heart from ruling her mind. Hardy Cates sees Liberty as completely off-limits. His own ambitions are bigger than Welcome, and Liberty is a complication he doesn’t need. But something magical and potent draws them to each other, in a dangerous attraction that is stronger than both of them.

HE’S THE ONE MAN SHE CAN’T HAVE
When Hardy leaves town to pursue his plans, Liberty finds herself alone with a young sister to raise. Soon Liberty is under the spell of a billionaire tycoon—a Sugar Daddy, one might say. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty begins to discover secrets about her own family’s past.

WILL THEY FIND THEIR HEARTS' DESIRES - OR WILL HEARTBREAK TEAR THEM APART?

Two men. One woman. A choice that can make her or break her. A woman you'll root for every step of the way. A love story you'll never forget.

- Taken from the back cover of Lisa Kleypas' "Sugar Daddy" novel

~~~

~*~My Review~*~

Lisa Kleypas has to be one of the most phenomenal authors I have ever had the pleasure of coming across. I can say with all honesty that I have truly loved every novel I have ever read by her - to the point that reading each book once through is simply not enough. Kleypas has the unique and wonderful ability to bring life into her stories in a way that astounds her readers, leaving them breathless and longing for more, while at the same time feeling a sense of complete satisfaction and fulfillment. I think what amazed me the most was Kleypas' adaptability as an author.

Before "Sugar Daddy" the only books I had read by Kleypas were all Historical Romances, thus I was a bit hesitant to read one of her few contemporary novels. However one day I found the book in one of my favorite used bookstores and my curiousity got the better of me. I found the summary on the back interesting, so I chose to read the first chapter and THAT is what got me hooked! I loved that Kleypas began the book while our heroin was still young. Unlike most books where you are introduced to the lead female character right before she encounters her soon-to-be-true-love, Sugar Daddy allows readers to follow Liberty through her life. You meet her as a young girl, and follow her along her long, difficult, and wonderful journey through life, so that you not only understand her life, but you yourself feel as though you are a part of it...you become Liberty Jones. And don't be fooled by the fact that this story starts off with our lead female character at a young age, nothing about this book is slow or drawn out and there is plenty of romance within this story from the very start.

As I mentioned before, one of the things that stood out to me the most was Kleypas' ability to adapt to this different genre of romance storytelling. It was as if she transformed her writing and author's voice to fit that of her main character. I'm afraid I'm probably not doing a very good job of describing it, so I will simply say: it is an amazing story and she was the perfect author to write it!

I am not going to describe the storyline any further than I already have because, one: it would be near to impossible to truly explain how complex and wonderful it is. And two: this is the type of story you need to experience...

If you give it a shot I know you will love this story - and please do not let the title discourage you in any way! It is ony of my all-time favorite stories and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!! :)

~~~

~*~Excerpts~*~

" ...'What do you want from me?'

'I want you to admit just once what you feel for me. I want to know if you'll miss me even a little. If you'll remember me. If you're sorry for anything.'

I felt his fingers clench my hair, tugging until my head tilted back. 'Christ,' he whispered. 'You want to make this as hard as possible, don't you? I can't stay, and I can't take you with me. And you want to know if I'm sorry for anything.' I felt the hot strikes of his breath on my cheek. His arms wrapped around me, stifling all movement. His heart pounded against my flattened breasts. 'I'd sell my soul to have you. In my whole life, you'll always be what I wanted most. But I've got nothing to give you. And I won't stay here and turn into my father. I would take everything out on you - I would hurt you.'..."

~

"...'You need a wife,' I told him one morning as I came to take his breakfast tray.

'I had a wife,' he said. 'Two good ones, as a matter of fact. Trying for another would be like asking fate for a kick in the ass. Besides, I do well enough with my lady friends.'

I could see the sense in that. There was no practical reason for Churchill to get married. It wasn't like he had a problem finding female companionship. He got calls and notes from a variety of women, one of them an attractive widow named Vivian who sometimes stayed overnight. ...

'Why don't you get a husband?' Churchill countered. 'You shouldn't wait too long or you'll get set in your ways.'

'So far I haven't found one worth marrying,' I said, making Churchill laugh.

'Take one of my boys,' he said. 'Healthy young animals. All prime husband material.'

I rolled my eyes. 'I wouldn't have one of your sons on a silver platter.'

'Why not?'

'Joe's too young. Jack is a ladies' man and isn't nearly ready for that kind of responsibility, and Gage...well, personality issues aside, he only dates women whose body fat is in the single digits.'

A new voice entered the conversation. 'That's not actually a requirement.'

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Gage walking into the room..."

Free 3 Day Weekend!!

First, I would like to apologize to the few people who actually read my blog for being so sporadic with my posts as of late. I've been seriously neglecting my blog - which is terrible since I love blogging about my favorite reads - and I'm sorry about that. My life has been a bit crazy for these last few months and the truly depressing part is that I now can only read on the weekends because my weekdays are almost always too packed to fit it in. Thankfully though, I was able to get some reading done over christmas break and am currently in the process of reading a new book and rereading a couple of old ones! =)

Here is the list of books I've read recently and will be posting on this weekend:

* Dying For You (By: Beverley Barton)
* Sugar Daddy (By: Lisa Kleypas)
* Stranger In My Arms (By: Lisa Kleypas)
* The Duke's Indiscretion (By: Adele Ashworth)
* Highlander In Her Dreams (By: Allie Mackay)
* Before The Scandal (By: Suzanna Enoch)

The books I am reading currently are all ones that I have reviewed before with the exception of a new one I bought the other day called "Ransom My Heart" (By: Mia Thermopolis - a.k.a. Meg Cabot)...so far it's amazing, and I'm only on chapter 2!!! ;)

Alrighty, well I'm going to start on some of the reviews now but before I do, I'd like to invite anyone and everyone to give me some books ideas. I'm looking for some new reads and am not having much luck outside of the same series I have already found. Anything romance will be good, I'm always in the mood for historical and/or paranormal romance, and lately I've been into contemporary romance as well ( any books similar to Kleypas' Sugar Daddy or Barton's Dying For You would be most welcome!)

Thanks,
Cherie :)

Blogging When I SHOULD Be Studying For My Last Final :(

I really shouldn't be on here when I have my last final on tomorrow (Saturday) but I just CAN"t study anymore!! :( I think my brain is on overload lol. I'm soooo soooo sorry it's been over a month since my last post, however things have been insane here! To brief it up so I don't bore you with the horrifically long details: Thanksgiving break, money troubles (which I may be close to finally resolving now), troubles with a class, Finals, Term Papers, still dating that boy (though we have yet to have "the talk" about what "we" are so that's been bothering me for awhile), getting a job babysitting (which looks like I wont be able to continue next quarter), and finally, planning for winter break (which I will be officially starting Sunday!!).

I can't stay on long tonight so no new reviews at the moment, however I will be home next week and plan on catching up on my neglected reading asap! Ohhh I DID actually find some time to read a new book! It's called "Dying For You" by Beverly Barton!! I will likely be posting on this book early on next week so keep an eye out =)

Well, I guess that's all there is to say really...I suppose I should go finish my laundry and hit the books again *and by "Hit the Books" I mean that both metaphorically and figuratively! I am coming very closer to doing some damage to those poor textbooks if this madness doesn't end soon! (keep your fingers crossed for my sanity)* ;)

Smile,
Cherie

Bye Bye Midterms...Hello My Life (aka books heehee)!!

Finally!!! Midterms are behind me! I now actually have some me-time! Okay so here's an update on how my life is going:

*Things with the boy (the one I mentioned before who I wasn't sure if I wanted friendship or more with) are going great! He's such a genuinely sweet person and I feel very comfortable with him =). However I'm a bit nervous because I've never had a real boyfriend before and am therefore a bit unexperienced when it comes to dating, kissing and just about everything else that goes with the boy-territory. *haha, tips and advice are greatly welcome here* ;)

*My phone has joined my alarm clock, computer, and printer in the game of "torture-cherie-by-refusing-to-work"...apparently this is yet another game I can not win at! So I now have to wait for a replacement phone to be sent, though it likely wont be for another 2 or 3 days :(

*I didn't do too well on my midterms, so even though they're behind me, I'm worried about my classes...

*I want to lose some weight around my tummy-hips area but dont know any good excercises that will help me to slim down without gaining muscle weight...

*I finally have some time this weekend to read! So that's how I'm spending my day today...trying to catch people online who I cant currently talk to on the phone and catching up on my poorly-neglected reading!

Something I just realized: I don't think I ever wrote reviews on Sherrilyn Kenyon's dark-hunter series. I'm currently working on Seize The Night (which is I believe the 7th book in the series) so I'm thinking I will either start posting on the first 6 tonight and post on the 7th when I finish it sometime this week or I may wait post on another book I've read in the not-too-too-distant past and wait to post on kenyon's series until I finish the 7th book later on this week...lol check back for what I decide ;)

Okay, well I suppose that about sums up my life at the moment...I'll post a review or so later on tonight...for now, I'm hitting the paperback books and not coming up for air until I need food (which will likely be soon if the tummy-grumbling is any indication haha)

Talk to you all soon ;)
Cherie

Midterms are Killing Me!! *or it could be this cough that wont let me sleep at night!!*

Midterms have literally taken over my life! Ridiculous I know, but it's true! I've been so busy there are actually some days when I dont get to read...AT ALL!! Not even a sentence!! :( I cannot wait until I can take a breather again! I actually shouldn't even be on here right now...I have a midterm tommorow that I'm not ready for but I just CAN'T bring myself to study more!!!

And to top it off, I was sick all of last week and even though I'm feeling much better, there's this cough that remains and deems it appropriate to resurface with a vengeance at night as I attempt to fall asleep. For the last week I've only gotten 2-4 hours of sleep each night! Any suggestions for what I could take to knock me out but only for like 5 hours??

Anyways, obviously since I don't have time to read I can't review, however I'm going halloween costume shopping tommorow after my test and then I should be able to catch up on some reading and post a review or two...

Speaking of All Hallows Eve - what are all of you doing to celebrate the night? Are you (or your children) dressing up?? I'm going to this halloween party in the afternoon at a retirement home where Eva (the 89 year old woman I volunteer to spend time with) lives and then later on I'm going back to the boy's house I mentioned and we're having a horror movie marathon - complete with popcorn! I'm thinking about dressing up as an evil Lil Red Riding Hood, though still have to find a dress!

Hope to hear from y'all...! And in the off-chance that I am not able to come back on before Friday...Happy Halloween!!!

Cherie =)

I'm Sick :(

I woke up this morning (the morning of my first midterm) sick! Luckily, I was able to fight it off for awhile, but it has now come back with a vengeance. Now not only is my throat sore, but my cough is worse and I am losing my voice - not that I can use it anyway with my throat hurting so badly, I wont even open my mouth unnecessarily for fear of it being painful! And to top it off, all I want to do is snuggle up with a book for about an hour then drift to sleep, but can I? Oh no...I have to do some last minute readings and write-ups for a class I dislike (which I didn't do over the weekend thanks to the midterm studying!) Well, now that I've had my little rant, I suppose it's back to the books :(

Ta Ta For Now...

North and South-Love Story

I found this video on YouTube.com and loved it! WhoLetYouGo (the creater of the video) did an excellent job of matching the clips to the song...I love North 7 South and recommend both the novel and BBC movie to everyone!!