Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb

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Let me tell you what I like about this book in no particular order and maybe...maybe I could convince you to reminisce the moments with rapture in death.

HUMOR

I like Peabody so much she cracks me up in this novel. Peabody who is now officially transferred to the homicide division has few funny shares of her own. I remember the part when she came in aboard Roarke’s jet pressed and polished but then quickly spoils her effect with her jaw hanging open as she swiveled her head right and left in an attempt to see everything at once. The picture is so vibrant I feel watching her up close and personal. Then there’s that part when Peabody sees double after the bomb exploded. I think it was the way Peabody said it that makes me laugh. Also when Feeney finds the disc which he seals the work log for your eyes only because it contains explicit speculations about Eve in a sexual manner, do you remember what Peabody said after that? She asked if there was anything on the disc that mentions about her. Creepy but cute isn’t she?

INTELLIGENCE

I enjoy the heated dialogue between Dr. Mira who favors psychology and Reeanna for physiology. Here the topic on human brain’s complicated organ presents two different beliefs. According to the conversation, physiology sees us coded in the womb that we are, what we are born. The genetic code is stamped on us in the moment of conception. It can be altered to a certain extent but the basis of what we are cannot be changed. Psychology on the other hand take into account the environment, free will, the basic human drive to better oneself. That a child raised in privilege despite its background at birth would reflect that upbringing, that education. That the emotional nest and the basic human drive to better oneself cannot be discounted.

Robb’s touch on futuristic technology never ceases to amaze me. Here she promotes – technology can create beauty and youth, but passion and greed can destroy them. The discussions went technically deep once the topic on the anatomy of the brain was compared to a computer. The plot starts when three apparent suicides occur: a brilliant engineer, an infamous lawyer, and a controversial politician with three strangers nothing in common – and no obvious reasons for killing themselves. Autopsies revealed small burns on the brains of the victims which lead to Lieutenant Dallas’ investigation between genetic abnormality and a high-tech method of murder.

THRILL

Who wouldn’t be so thrilled when in just few chapters’ in a background view telling us that the game had just begun, without revealing the source of the voice? It was enough for me to continue reading.

ROMANCE

Same with Robb’s other novels I couldn’t continue to deny the spice of romance – intimately and passionately phrased with emotions. I wonder what inspires her to come up with such creative imaginations and craftsmanship. There should definitely a PG advisory marked from beginning to end on J.D. Robb's novels.

In contrary, after reading this 4^th book in the series I find certain patterns in the plot where the ending is quickly put together while the motivation behind killing because "it can be done easily" is too light for my taste. Nevertheless, I find the novel entertaining and worthy of my time, enough to finish reading in two nights. Robb’s descriptions of each character, the details and her word selections are mostly the keys to awaken my senses - sufficient to drive me into the “I can’t put it down” type of mood.

If I haven’t convinced you yet to pick up Robb’s “In Death” series, I suggest you visit Lori’s review of this book. It also got 4 1/2 stars in Amazon's website - that might help you consider giving yourself a chance to enjoy a trilling adventure with Robb and with Christine's challenge.

Library Loot - January 27 - February 2

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This is my second participation of the library loot hosted by Marg of Reading Adventures Blog and co-hosted by Eve of Striped Armchair who is currently taking a blogging break, which I also originally found through Christine's post on her blog. Library loot as I have been introduced is a weekly event encouraging bloggers to share the books they've checked out from the library. For me this "Loot" thing was an encouragement at first then it became a sudden transformation of greediness and exhaustion. Who wouldn't be so amazed when your library is like a glittering treasure - all waiting for you to grab them all in one?

So you go into the mystery section, finds one book you think you were looking for, you move on behind you and bam! another book you think you might like to read. Then you stay away from mystery section walk toward the rest of the overflowing fiction aisles and your head starts screaming with all the selections right in front of your very own eyes. When you think you had enough of load with both hands, you say "Let me have a quick look at YA section before I check out". And you know what happens next? Viola! YA novels starts grabbing your sleeves and pulling you apart. Finally, exhausted you check out all the loads and you get this weird look by the counter like you can hear her buzzing "greedy" or "selfish" or "gee yow must have been a book-deprived little gurl". Then you go back to your car and remembers you have the entire list of book to borrow and none of those are in your bag. Such a bummer isn't it?

Okey, I didn't really get too much books but it felt like it.

The fact that I still have two untouched books I borrowed about two weeks ago by J.D. Robb (Ceremony in Death and Vengeance in Death), I was inconsiderate enough by adding few more into my limited reading time. So what did I get?

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I may not participate on the next library loot and will definitely not show up at my library until I finish all these. Let see how I survive within the next few days. SIGH...

Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb (with bonus Quiz)

Published in Paperback: July 1, 1996


The "Immortal in Death" is a story about ambitious individuals who would do everything to get what they want even if it means breaking the law, ending someone else’s life, or even sacrificing their own lives. Then there is also our very own Lieutenant Eve Dallas who would do everything to stop them and bring them to justice.

J.D. Robb provides a gripping plot with emphasis on friendship intertwined between characters. As a very close friend to Mavis, Eve must find a way to prove her friend’s innocence. Here I find the importance of keeping trust and honesty between friends (Eve + Mavis) as well as between lovers (Eve + Roarke). Establishing a new friendship between Eve and Peabody is also an integral part of the story as Eve provides Peabody the chance to learn from her expertise in solving a murder case. Fixing a broken friendship is also a goal for Commander Whitney while Mavis fights her unconditional love for Leonardo.

What I love about this book aside from the Eve+Roarke romance is how I get to know more about Eve’s past when her horrible childhood memories are revealed. Flipping through the pages I can see in her eyes the sadness and pain her life is going through – so sad it squeezes my heart and leaves me with tears. Robb not only a master storyteller but also has the magic touch for painting believable sentiments, emotional tragedy and then grabs your full attention on a slam dunk at the end.

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Here's a bonus quiz for all "In Death" followers - a good refresher on this book. What's the price for getting a perfect score? Your pride ;-)

Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb (Quiz) »

Romance Challenge

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It is not so bad to embrace the romantic part in our lives once in a while. We need that little tingling...that spoken words to help us remember love is all around us. Hence, I have decided to join the Romance Challenge hosted by Alaine from "The Royal Reviews" blog and this is my entry.

There were four levels to choose from and my heart leaped for Obsessed (- read 20 Romance Fiction novels in a year). Why not just go all the way and hit a home run right? At least that is what I hear from my heart ignoring the blabbering sound in my head to be practical and think of my already hectic schedule and overrated work load. I can be stubborn like that you know?


So here's my list where I can update regularly of what I have read and TBR as well:
1. Vision in White by Norah Roberts - [completed]
2. Some Kind of Wonderful by Debbie Macomber - [completed]
3. Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter - [completed]
4. Finding the Dream by Norah Roberts - [TBR]
5. Cindy and the Prince by Debbie Macomber - [TBR]
6. Windfall by Norah Roberts - [TBR]
7. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks - [TBR]
8. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James - [completed]
9. The Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James - [completed]
10. Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgins - [completed]
11. The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgins - [completed]
12. Too Hot to Handle by Robin Kye - [TBR]
13. True Love and other Disasters by Rachel Gibson - [TBR]
14. Something about You by Julie James - [completed]
15. Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl - [completed]
16. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward - [completed]

Speaking of blog and others

A friend of mine once asked me an appalling question. In his rise and fall curious tone of voice he probed “Why do you waste time on blogging, reading someone else’s views, and then comments to their posts?” With a bursting knowledge that he is into his daily status with Facebook I find him the worst tease ever, so I smirked and said “Same thing with you and your Facebook!” , before I turned my back away.

I must have been direct to the point but it was not entirely far-reaching. There was more to that line – words remained unspoken because I felt unobligated to explain and because I was not in the mood for mockery. Well, that ends now. Let me share my thoughts on this topic…

Blogging is a sort of diversion from the real world where I find very relaxing – it takes away that piercing pain of exhaustion (good pain though) I feel after a long day of work and a momentary break to the gym. Blogging provokes my sense of curiosity in cyber world, lingering thoughts I wanted to share but couldn’t express vocally, or the fact that book blogging provides me time to write and share my thoughts about a certain book I read. Reading novels is like eating my favorite Godiva chocolate – because it tastes so good it gives me that feeling of satisfaction. (I hear Bubba from Forest Gump saying “…like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”, although he was obviously talking about life!). It stimulates your mind and emotions you would want to go on and on, from cover to cover, one book to another. Very addicting I must say.

I am new to book blogging and yet I already discovered a gem of thought provoking topics discussed by a wide range of bloggers (check on the comments and you'’ll know what I mean), book lovers who endlessly share their thoughts and recommendations so I would learn from them and discover great new authors loved and cherished by many. It was also like climbing into a ladder – I first found a reading challenge from “The Happily Ever After” blog through comments posted on Maggie’s journal (if my memory serves me well). Several bloggers took the challenge and the next thing I knew I was following the blogs of “A Striped Armchair”, “Books Lists Life”, “Tessa Gratton's Ever Flame”, and the rest is history. I discovered more bloggers (links you can find on my sidebar for more details) – amusing and insightful stories shared voluntarily, full of joy. Of dedication. Of courage to come forward and speak with their minds.

So why do you really blog or write journals? Share your thoughts and let me learn from you.

Just Breathe by Pearl Jam

Last October I went to a Pearl Jam’s concert in Philadelphia for their last Spectrum performance. Thought I’d share a very touching song in light of what is happening in the world today and what my radio is currently playing. This particular live concert was performed at Austin City Limits.

Just Breathe by Pearl Jam

Lyrics by: Metrolyrics

Yes, I understand that every life must end, uh-huh
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, uh-huh
Oh I'm a lucky man, to count on both hands the ones I love
Some folks just have one, yeah, others, they've got none

Stay with me...
Let's just breathe...

Practiced all my sins, never gonna let me win, uh-huh
Under everything, just another human being, uh-huh
I don't wanna hurt, there's so much in this world to make me believe

Stay with me
You're all I see...

Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see
No one knows this more than me

As I come clean...
I wonder everyday, as I look upon your face, uh-huh
Everything you gave
And nothing you would save, oh no

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave...

Did I say that I need you?
Oh, did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see
No one knows this more than me
And I come clean, ah...

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me til I die
Meet you on the other side...

Glory in Death by J.D. Robb

So I have already established my fascination in Robb’s style of writing on my previous post – the way she grabs my full attention and the balance of suspense she used to keep my head spinning with excitement. On this post, I would like to establish why the need to continue on such fascination, reading the “Glory in Death”.

“The dead were her business. She lived with them, worked with them, studied them. She dreamed of them. And because that didn’t seem to be enough, in some deep, secret chamber of her heart, she mourned for them.”

The opening paragraph is sufficient enough to locate a relaxing place to sit on and prepare to stretch the time as I travel through the world of mystery. I could not help but compare this to the first book of the series – “Naked in Death”. The fundamental of both stories is about the search for justice but “Naked” is about a scandalous murder where victims are killed naked in bed using a gun while “Glory” involves ambition with successful and well-known victims murdered in brutal manner using a knife. In this novel I find familiar characters I have grown to love from the previous novel as well as new names I find crucial to the story.

“Glory in Death” is a continuation of the “Naked in Death” but is focused on different crime investigation using futuristic police procedural and the equipment used during the investigation. The exposure of programmed droids serving as a bartender, security guard, camera operator, and domestic helper made me think of Star Wars and the logo of Android Wireless Development by Google. In my mind I picture robots everywhere, here and there serving while making me feel like a princess. And then turns me into a dependent mogul to the machines at large.

But let me tell you this – reading the book is like an addiction – the more I fight it the worst I become. I think of my now favorite couple – Roarke and Eve fighting against their feelings only they fell on each other’s arm once again. This is the first time I hear Eve surrender emotional feelings to Roarke. Feel it when she utters the words of the heart – “Don’t go away”, “I need you. I can’t help it. I don’t want to.” Eve drew in a shuddering breath. “I love you.” And let it out. “God.”

Intimacy is what this is all about and it is very touching right?

Wait until you get to the end when J.D. Robb mesmerized me to start on reading the first chapter of the 3rd book in the series – “Immortal in Death”, when Roarke finally told Eve (not asked but told) the very important words in the middle of Central Park…

“I want you to marry me.”

STOP. Close your eyes and revisit the magic of the moment.

Isn’t it amazing? C’mon read with me on the next book. If you have read it, then reread it again and together we will fly through the adventures Robb has brought in to our lives.

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

WARNING: This post is not a standard review but a mere reflection after reading in which may sometime appear both objective and subjective.

The day I finished reading J.D. Robb’s “Naked in Death” is the day I hated her. I hated her so much I learned to like her beyond doubt. I hate her because she got me into this mess of becoming hooked on her own world of mystery. That she managed to maneuver my feelings of wanting and begging for more actions each chapter. That somehow out of the blue she gave me this dark evil sensations I became excited, thrilled, wobbly (because of not enough sleep), and then with a quick thump brought me back to reality and transformed me into this new emotional and “lovey-dovey” romantically upbeat person again. She knows exactly how and where to push the buttons inside my head. My heart races as I flip through the pages. (I must have heard that line a thousand times but I feel obliged to say it out loud. It makes me feel better. Really.).

When Eve, Lieutenant Dallas (the main character) gets all helpless and starts seeking for Roarke – the suspect of several murders (while fighting hard her feelings for him), was not at all a surprise for me as I knew the moment I heard his name the two of them together would click. The intertwined story between them and the fast-paced murder investigation involving several high ranking officials brought me to the edge. I felt Eve’s emotions everywhere as if we are one in spirit while I progress further deep into the core of the story.

So I hated her for that because she made me worship her detective story better than the rest of her romance novels. A strong likeness toward Robb’s ingenious work of art was building up inside me while keeping my calmness overrides the urge of the moment. The plot on each chapter is well developed I have to continue on reading almost without taking a break. The story was set in the future using futuristic technology equipments, advanced police investigative techniques, execution of the law in a whole new different society with aggressive politics and ambitions of tomorrow. Robb stirred the story with different suspects – makes you moan for justice and takes the pleasure of twisting your head, making you think and think hard it’s all over only to find out the juices are still coming in, more suspects – more suspicions. All alive and kicking once again.

There is one observation only I would probably agree: Robb’s (Roberts) picture at the back of the cover makes me think of Eve – that hair, the outfit, that playful gaze in her flashy coat. Did she create Eve’s character after her? I would never know that unless I get inside her head.

Some memorable lines I picked below:

“She woke at three, shuddering, clammy, fighting for the breath to scream. Whimpers sounded in her throat as she croaked out an order for lights. Dreams were always more frightening in the dark.”

“Her hand shook as she raised the glass again. “There was so much blood. She was so small, but there was so much blood. On the floor, on the wall, all over him. I could see it was still dripping off the knife. Her face was turned toward me. Her little face, with big blue eyes. Like a doll’s.”

“Those jittery eyes shot to Eve, and she knew, in that instant, what it was to be picked up bodily and thrown to the wolves.”

Summary:

Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In more than ten years on the force, she’s seen it all – and knows that her survival depends on her instincts. And she’s going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire – and a suspect in Eve’s murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it’s up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about – except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.

Library Loot 2010-01

This is my first contribution post to the Library Loot hosted by Marg of Reading Adventures Blog and co-hosted by Eve of Striped Armchair I recently found through Christine's post on her blog. Library Loot according to Marg and Eve and the rest of the participating bloggers is a weekly event that encourages bloggers to share the books they've checked out from the library. Literally it's the right time and place where you can brag about anything and everything you've got. Kidding...

There’s always a first for everything right? Well today is my first time going to my local library and borrowing books I would usually buy from Barnes and Noble. Yup, I am a huge B&N junkie who happens to enjoy the luxury of reading brand new books in different form and shape- I can still smell that fresh paper product that newly ironed book cover all gleefully dancing in front of me while sitting right between fiction aisles with one hand grasping a cup of Starbucks’ white chocolate mocha. So today with a doubt I would accomplish anything, I tip toed into the library and heard a welcoming voice of a middle aged woman prepared to embrace my presence. The place was utterly quite I felt out of place. After a brief but friendly introduction I was guided towards the novel section where my eyes grow bigger in amusement. Have I known the grace of God is just around the corner I would have not wasted my time driving to B&N in all these years. That realization forced me to lean on the wall before my dizziness goes downhill. Okey okey, I might have overreacted a bit but I think getting all the next five books in the “In Death” series after the “Naked in Death” is a full proof of a panic mood attack. And they are all free!

You should see my face now getting all excited and embarrassed (red) at the same time…

In Death Series Reading Challenge (My Book List)

To keep a running list of all the "In Death" books I have read where I can update easily, I am dedicating this page with an intention of updating the list as I read the series.

JANUARY

1.NAKEND IN DEATH
2. GLORY IN DEATH
3. IMMORTAL IN DEATH
4. RAPTURE IN DEATH

 FEBRUARY
5. CEREMONY IN DEATH
6. VENGEANCE IN DEATH

MARCH
7. HOLIDAY IN DEATH

APRIL
8. CONSPIRACY IN DEATH
9. LOYALTY IN DEATH
10. NEXT...

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I came across a blog the other day of Christine posting a reading challenge of the "In Death" series by J.D. Robb, a pen name used by Nora Roberts . The challenge is to read one "In Death" series book per month starting January 2010 and ending when you're caught up with the series. Raising an eyebrow, I told myself I would never be able to keep up sooner than others and that would mean several years for me in order to read all 35 books. That's right, up to this date there are 35 books I have to read and blog at the same time (as an option ofcourse). Is Christine making the impossible possible? Strange that last night while going through my book collections I discovered a copy of "Naked in Death" in paperback right behind my Perl textbook. It spoke to me in hypnotizing voice I could hardly resist not to listen - read it! read it! I can't remember when I first bought the novel but I assure you I haven't read it yet. So much for coincidence eh - I decided to take on Christine's challenge and created my own blog in a heart beat. I brushed the thought of pity in my zero experience on book blogging and a weakness in English as a second language. Yes I am still determined to embark on a journey that not only will satisfy my curiosity but will also keep me from doing nothing if I don't count my engineering job to nothingness.

In the beginning

English is not my first language and there were times when I ran out of words to say or I forgot the English translation of the word lurking inside my head. Then I was told to read often and learn from others while having fun so this blog is my attempt in doing exactly what I was told. Maybe one day I'll be one of them. Maybe...