Monday, 28 January 2013

ARC January 1st Book Review

For the first month of the Artful Readers Club I chose (or rather Hubby randomly chose) "Wicked Appetite" by Janet Evanovich.

What is it about?
A woman called Lizzy who lives in Salem and has a talent for baking - particularly cupcakes.
She meets Wulf and Diesel, cousins who are both looking for the SALIGIA. These are stones of power, each of which represents one of the seven deadly sins.
Wulf wants them as when they are combined hell on earth is supposedly unleashed... Diesel is trying to stop him, and enlists Lizzy's help.

What did I think?
I've read, and enjoyed, a few of Janet Evanovich's books from the Stephanie Plum bounty hunter series and the seven deadly sins plot of this book appealed to me.
I liked the characters, Diesel sounds very lovely! ;) However, the plot was very linear - no major twists and turns and no suspense. But... it was a very easy read (finished in one day) and quite enjoyable in a "turn your brain off" type of way.
I guess it passed the test as I read the second book in the series "Wicked Business" straight after...

My artwork...
I decided in the end to do a journal page. I bought an old hardback children's book recently at a charity shop to alter and this was my first page in it.
The main image I was left with after reading this book was "cupcakes"! So... that's what I went with.
I tried to do the background in "witchy" colours as the book is set in Salem and I bordered the page with the names of the deadly sins in latin. The quote is a quote from the book and the image is from The Octopode Factory. I decided after taking the photo that I'll add "ARC January" on there somewhere to remind me in the future why I did the page. 


My book for February is "77 Shadow Street" by Dean Koontz. I reckon that'll be a dark journal page!

20 comments:

  1. Waaaaaaw. Gorgeous page. The background is fabulous. Definitely witchy. I love that text peeking through and the quote "I am not an umentionanable". Really looking forward to what you do with Dean Koontz :-)

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  2. Love the colors, textures, and of course the 'cupcake'...and the extra touch of putting in the Latin deadly sins as a border. I may read some Evanovich's books...interesting stories. FAB!

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  3. Oh, cupcakes... Any book mentioning cupcakes is a good read in my opinion! :)
    Your page looks fun, I think you had a good time reading this one! ♥

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  4. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Janet Evanovich. I finished Wicked Business the second book in the series, and feel happy because it is way better than the first.

    I love your choice of colors for your art piece (bright and delicious, so Janet!)

    Now I want cupcakes. Hm, I'll make muffins for breakfast. My Jacob will be thanking you ;-)

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  5. Fantastic page and interesting book review, now read any of her books so might have to check her out and well done you for finishing it within a day - that's fantastic!

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  6. I agree, gorgeous page you created. Love the eyes on the character. Thanks for the review. I've read a few of her books, but not this one. Michelle Vanstrom

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  7. Sounds interesting enough of a book if it can be a quick read. It's too bad there weren't enough things to push it over the top. Love the journal page. Looks really cool!

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  8. Lovely journal page. Cupcakes are always a winner in my book! Interesting book review and I am impressed with your speed reading.

    Janet xx

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  9. Gorgeous page, so many layers and I love all tjhe text around the edge. Cupcakes are prefect too for the cupcake queen.

    Book sounds like an easy read, shame there wasn't a bit more to the plot.

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  10. Love those Octopode images...just creepy enough lol, and the font you used is amazing. Great review of the book too, just enough to peek my interest, without giving the whole story away :D XXX

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  11. Hi Maz! What a beautiful illustration! My eyes seem to never mind a 'distressed look' on paper...especially juxtaposed with fun, cartoony art! And, since I am a baker...it's a win, win all around for me. Your review is nice...my sister reads Janet's books, but my love for mostly non-fiction or graphic novels has kept me away from her..although...I think she authored a graphic novel a few years back....

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  12. I have enjoyed the Janet Evanovich books I have read as a light read and this sounds like it bubbles along in a similar manner. Great page you have created in response!

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  13. Occasionaly a quick and enjoyable read is a perfect way to loose yourself for a day and to read the second book too can only be good. Your page is fabulous, the colours are perfect witchy colours and would work well for Halloween and spooks too. The octopode stamps are great fun and this one really does yell cupcakes at you. Brilliant.

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  14. witchy cupcakes? where do I sign up? :)

    love the colours of your journal page

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  15. Enjoyed the review, even if it is not my type of reading these days, as it would have been in the past. Love the artwork and all the text on it. Yes, witchy colours all right. Been to Salem and got the DVD of the play(title escapes me just now). Also we live quite close to Sabden on The Pendle, actual scene of the notorious 'witches' and their trials in Lancaster, so well up with witches!
    Thank you for nice comment on my blog.

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  16. Ooh, another Janet Evanovich fan....I love Diesel ...although Ranger would have to be my favourite...sigh.
    Great review and artwork.
    Hugs xx

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  17. Great page, love the background. So much to look at, keep seeing more.
    Jen x

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  18. Love the depth of color in your artwork. So many layers!

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  19. Wow honey ... As per usual fantastic work. Love your little cupcake girl! Quite fancy this book ... Sounds like a good one to read!
    C x

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  20. Thanks for sharing your review. Even though it didn't have the twists and turns you would expect in a book like this, you seem to have had a good time with it. Your journal page is a lot of fun. The colors and elements are wonderful.

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