Phantom Evil by Heather Graham

Title: Phantom Evil
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: MIRA Books
Pub Date: 03/29/2011
ISBN: 9780778329534
Author: Heather Graham


Back of the Book: -
A secret government unit is formed under the oversight of Adam Harrison, famed paranormal investigator. The six members he's gathered know a little of the otherworldly—each has honed a psychic talent of their own.

Jackson Crow, part English, part Cheyenne, heads the group. Haunted by his experience with an ancestral ghost who saved his life as a child, and the recent murders of two previous teammates, Jackson can't tell if Adam's demoted him or given him an extraordinary opportunity. Despite his link to the realm of spirits, he's well aware that the living commit the most heinous crimes, with spiritualist charlatans existing merely to fool and seduce the unwary.

To counterbalance Jackson's careful skepticism, Adam Harrison has paired him with Angela Hawkins, a young woman who learned the painful lesson of loss at an early age. A police officer utilizing her paranormal intuition in Virginia, she already has her hands full. But Adam's call to New Orleans is strong.

The case: In a historic mansion in New Orleans' French Quarter, a senator's wife falls to her death from a balcony. Most think she jumped, distraught over the loss of her young son. Some say she was pushed. And yet others believe she was beckoned by the ghostly spirits that inhabit the house—once the site of a serial killer's grisly work.

Whether supernatural or all too human, crimes of passion, greed and desire will cast the pair into danger of losing their lives…and their immortal souls.




The first 1/3 of the book is very slow, for the six members of the team to get together. It picks up after that, and made me can't stop flipping through the pages; anxiously want to know actually what had happened to Senator's wife. There are some part that made me feel creepy - not from the ghost, but from the evil spirit inside the mansion. The story is well plotted. The romance between Jackson and Angela is well blended into the story. The investigation actually revealed more than just about the death of senator's wife. It was not the ghost but the human were the evil one here. I like the ending.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

Title: A Long, Long Sleep

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Pub Date: 8th September 2011

ISBN: 9780763652609

Author: Anna Sheehan

Book Description: -

Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for sixty-two years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically-induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten sub-basement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long dead, and Rose—hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire—is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes—or be left without any future at all.

It took me quite a while to finish reading it, as the starting of the story was in quite a slow pace. It get excited and more interesting after Rose was being attacked and then later she learn that her first love actually still alive. Besides telling what was happening after she woke up, there were also many flash back memories of her past, especially those moments with Xavier, her first love, and also her only friend at that time. Rose was an obedient child to her parents. She loved them very much. However after she learn how her parents had tried to control her, and routinely used stasis as a punishment, she finally speak up and learn to control her own life. The whole story is beautifully written with good ending. 

I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. 

Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher Candlewick Press via Net Gallery. I was not compensated in any ways for writing this review.

A Bug Collection DVD Box Set

This is the 2nd DVD that I requested from BookSneeze and I'm so looking forward to it. However to my dismay, I still have not received it after 2 months. So I just borrow from a friend who has it so I can submit the review while waiting for my copy to arrive..

There are 3 DVDs in this A Bug Collection DVD Box Set by Max Lucado. Each DVD has 1 episode on them which last 30 minutes. They are: -

1. Milo the Mantis Who Wouldn't Pray
2. Buzby and the Grumble Bees
3. Hailey and Bailey's Silly Fight

"Milo, the Mantis Who Wouldn't Pray" is about prayer and asking help from God. "Buzby and the Grumble Bees" is about misbehaving and how it affects the people around us. "Hailey and Bailey's Silly Fight" is about getting along and make up after fight.

The stories are fun and good moral for the kids. The animation is captivating and lively. The duration of 30 minutes for each DVD is just right to keep the attention of the kids. We enjoy it very much. I hope to receive my own copy soon.

I rate this 3 out of 5 stars.

Note: I receiced this DVD free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz

Title: The Inheritance of Beauty
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub Date: 02/08/2011
ISBN:  9781595545046
Author:  Nicole Seitz

At the age of 92 and 90, George and Maggie Jacobs are spending the rest of their days at Harmony House nursing home in South Caroline. Since the last time Maggie attacked by the stroke, she hardly talk to anyone. George and Maggie have known each other from birth and have been growing up together, with Maggie's brother, Ash, in Levy. George has been fall in love with Maggie since he was very young and at the age of 92, he still loves his wife very much.

One day, a mysterious package arrives, followed by a new resident at the nursing home forcing George to remember a past that he does not want to remember - 80 years ago, something had happen and it has changed all their life.

The story of The Inheritance of Beauty is not straightforward. It is narrated mostly by George and Maggie, jumping between present and flash back of their memory. And later part through the letters written by Ash. Despite this is not the first time I'm reading story written in this style, but at the beginning I have some difficulty following the storyline. Until reaching about half of the book, I begin able to grab the essence and started to enjoy reading the story.  

The Inheritance of Beauty is full of mystery and suspense, enough to hold my interest until the end where the truth is revealed. It is also a story about love, friendship and truth. The power of love, the power of the friendship, made George able to face the past and speak the truth. It is a beautiful story.


Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher Thomas Nelson via Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My 2011 CNY

Time flies. CNY for year 2011 finally is over. Ever since I get married, I stop enjoying CNY for many reasons. Not because of the extra expenses although it double my monthly expenses. But more on me don't enjoy it as much as I used to.

When I was young, during CNY everyone sure goes back to visit my paternal grandparents, who were residing with my youngest uncle during that time. I get to meet up with all my cousins. Despite we all have met up in the youngest uncle house, later my parents would still take us to go visit each uncle family one by one. And also it was only during CNY I get to eat those cookies, prawn crackers and not to forget soft drinks like coke. Other time, we don't get to eat and drink this kind of food. I miss those house to house visiting actually, miss meeting up with family members that we don't get to see very often.

However not everyone like to do visiting. There are some people, during CNY is staying at home waiting for people to come visit only. But then how many people will come visit you on first 2 days of CNY, except relatives? And how about if most of your relatives are at different town?

The only thing I'm glad is, both me and hubby are local and we don't have to travel far during CNY. No need to worry about stuck at the traffic jam in the highway, planning what time should leave, packing and unpacking, and not to forget lots of laundry after coming home.

This year CNY I'm determine to make myself enjoy the celebration. Every year CNY Day 1, after having lunch with the MIL and BIL family, I and hb will take the kids to my relatives' house. Ever since my paternal grandparents passed away few years back, all my uncles will gather at my aunt's house after lunch. And then, they will proceed to visit my grand uncle and lastly stop at my elder uncle's house. For the past 3 years, we were running late and we missed the stop at my aunt's house. This year we manage to get there before everyone leave to visit my grand uncle. I only get to meet all my uncles and aunty once a year during CNY. I really don't want to miss the opportunity to meet up with them. Some of my uncles leave quite far away so it always the best I get to meet all of them in one place. And what more, the kids get to meet up with their grand uncles and grand aunty. It is also a chance for me to meet up with my cousins and catch up with them.

This year, surprisingly MIL did not do any cooking at all. For the 3 days (CNY Eve Reunion dinner, CNY Day 1 lunch and dinner and CNY Day 2 lunch) we either dined out or packed from outside.

This year, I have many new records as compared to previous years CNY. I have done most visiting this year. 9 out of the 15days were spent visiting. Until the kids asks us almost everyday "mommy, today got kai kai?" We went to places that we have never been and solely rely on the Google maps since we don't have GPS. We get to meet up with most friends, even some that I don't get to meet for few years back. We even travel 1 hour just to go meet up and lou sang with some friends. Until the kids keep on asking us "mommy are we there yet? Why so long one?" LOL! I also gave most angpow away this year, until I don't have enough small notes and have to change with my mom. While in the past, I always have half the small notes left.

Lou sang is a MUST for me for CNY. I love yee sang and it is only available during CNY.

Overall, despite some "rushing hours" as we went to do the visiting after dinner during working days, it was quite a relaxing CNY to me.