Book Review(s) and bedroom sneak peak!

You get TWO book reviews today AND a bedroom re-vamp sneak peek - because I have been a lazy non-blogger!! :)

Let's do the predictable, yet satisfying, brain-candy book first:

Eat, Prey, Love by Kerrelyn Sparks -

Carlos Panterra is looking for a mate, a woman who will love and care for the young orphans he's recently taken under his wing (or paw, as the case may be). When the shape shifter spies the beautiful Caitlyn, it's like sunshine amidst the darkness. At last, he's found the perfect woman, except . . .

Caitlyn Whelan is mortal. Worse, her father is the head of a CIA agency bent on hunting the undead. Still, Caitlyn knows that Carlos is the man for her, shape shifter or not. So she jumps at the chance when her sister offers her a job to work with him, determined to show Carlos their attraction is more than just animal magnetism. But danger lurks in the night, and their unleashed, untamed passion might just get them both killed . . .

Oh- this was pretty much everything I expected it to be. Cheesy. Predictable. A tad raunchy. Basically Danielle Steel meets Twilight. I was a little disappointed in the writing, not because it was predictable, but more because it just wasn't that good. My paranormal romances of choice are pretty much anything by Laurrell K. Hamilton and that girl can write. I didn't really appreciate it as much until I read Sparks. It is basically the same "world" and Sparks could have made it better. But- hey- this is brain candy. 4/5 for entertainment value and easy reading.

Now- the better book:

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Surprised to find himself reborn as a golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey wonders if he will ever find his purpose, in this beautifully crafted work that teaches that love never dies and that every creature on Earth is born with a purpose.

Any dog-lover will probably enjoy this book. I thought it was completely touching and moving, showing the world through a dog's eyes. I probably would have liked it more if the darn dog hadn't died so many times. He/she was reincarnated as different dogs 3 times I think. He/She was able to use everything he learned in the prior life in his next life because somehow he could remember it. (I am not going to question the theology of it- it worked for the book) The main character was engaging and endearing and full of love. His relationship with Ethan, a young boy, is so sweet. I did get pretty nervous every time the dog wandered off though (he conveniently learned how to unlatch a gate in his first life). There was humor and heartache in this book. It was so true to life and a question probably every person asks "What is my purpose in life?" It took this poor dog 4 lives to figure it out and fulfill it... but nonetheless, I still loved this book. I cried so many times reading it though! Every time the dog had to die I was heartbroken! I felt his confusion the first time, his heartache the 2nd, her tiredness the 3rd... I also mourned with the owners! How sad is it when your dog dies?! I just kept relating it back to my Sophie and Izzie (who I am probably unhealthily attached too) and how heartbroken I would be if.... I can't even type it. :) Anyway 4.5/5 for this book. Probably would have given it a 5/5 if the poor pup could have fulfilled it all in one life instead of four and then I wouldn't have cried so much! :)

So- in honor of my pups and for your itty-bitty sneak peak at the new bedroom (and I mean itty-bitty!):