Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my little blog!

As the title suggests, this is a blog about books and we will definitely be talking books! My reading runs the gamut of all different genres and I'll be using this blog to give short reviews and hopefully have some great discussions on books read or books to read.  As time goes on I'll be adding more features such as reading lists, contests and maybe a reading group.

I guess I should give you a reason as to the "shopgirl" reference, but some of you may have already figured that out.  I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan and one of the many movies made which reflect some of her work is You've Got Mail, which is in reference to my all-time favorite book by Austen, Pride and Predjudice.  This was Meg Ryan's name in the chat room where she meets Tom Hanks, aka Mr. Darcy. And just to let you know, we will be discussing Jane Austen at random times. 

Since it is summer, if you are like me, you have more time to sit and read.  My son and husband's schedule is more relaxed with school being out, and the back porch calls my name (along with a book's name).  So to start off the blog, I'm going to let you know what's in my book bag.

First up is The Collector by Nora Roberts.  Roberts has always been a favorite of mine and her books are always good summer reads.   I'm not too far into this one, but as always, I'm hooked within the first chapter.  

When professional house-sitter Lila Emerson witnesses a murder/suicide from her current apartment-sitting job, life as she knows it takes a dramatic turn. Suddenly, the woman with no permanent ties finds herself almost wishing for one…

Artist Ashton Archer knows his brother isn’t capable of violence—against himself or others. He recruits Lila, the only eyewitness, to help him uncover what happened. Chalking up their intense attraction to the heat of the moment, Lila agrees to help Ash try to find out who murdered his brother and why. From the penthouses of Manhattan to grand Italian villas, their investigation draws them into a rarefied circle where priceless antiques are bought, sold, gambled away and stolen; where what you possess is who you are; and where what you desire becomes a deadly obsession…

Next is The Search.  Haven't started this one yet, but it sounds like a great read.  You can always count on Nora Roberts for some great suspense.


To most people, Fiona Bristow seems to have an idyllic life—a quaint house on an island off Seattle’s coast, a thriving dog-training school and a challenging volunteer job performing Canine Search and Rescue. Not to mention her three intensely loyal Labs. But Fiona got to this point by surviving a nightmare.
Several years ago, Fiona was the only survivor of the Red Scarf Killer, who shot and killed Fiona’s cop fiancé and his K-9 partner.
On Orcas Island, Fiona has found the peace and solitude necessary to rebuild her life. But all that changes on the day Simon Doyle barrels up her drive, desperate for her help. He’s an intensely private wood artist and the reluctant owner of an out-of-control puppy named Jaws.
As Fiona embarks on training Jaws, and Simon begins to appreciate both dog and trainer, the past tears back into Fiona’s life. A copycat killer has emerged out of the shadows, a man whose bloodlust has been channeled by a master with one motive: to reclaim the woman who slipped out of his hands . . .

The Witness.  I checked this one out at my local library before and couldn't quite get into it.  Giving it another shot.  I'm sure this time around my thinking on the story will be totally different, as is the case many times when I try start a book several times.

Daughter of a cold, controlling mother and an anonymous donor, studious, obedient Elizabeth Fitch finally let loose one night, drinking too much at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent to lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive.

Twelve years later, the woman now known as Abigail Lowery lives alone on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance security systems designer, her own protection is supplemented by a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. Unfortunately, that seems to be the quickest way to get attention in a tiny southern town.

The mystery of Abigail Lowery and her sharp mind, secretive nature and unromantic viewpoint intrigues local police chief Brooks Gleason, on both a personal and professional level. And while he suspects that Abigail needs protection from something, Gleason is accustomed to two-bit troublemakers, not the powerful and dangerous men who are about to have him in their sights.

And Abigail Lowery, who has built a life based on security and self-control, is at risk of losing both.


So that's what is in my book bag for a week or two.  What's in yours? 


Happy Reading!!

Shopgirl