Waiting on Wednesday - Feb. 10

at Breaking The Spine

Mrs. Somebody Somebody

by Tracy Winn

Goodreads synopsis:

On the banks of the Merrimack River at the close of World War II, a young mill worker dreams of marrying rich and finally becoming Mrs. Somebody Somebody. But that dream is complicated--not only for her but for all of Lowell, which is changing rapidly as the

twentieth century progresses, and which Winn chronicles perfectly in a series of lives brushing up against one another. She writes from the perspective of mill owners and union organizers, hard-working immigrants and overindulged children, and weaves them together to create a brilliant portrait of a place.

In the tradition of Richard Russo and Elizabeth Strout, Winn captures the heart of industrial America, making it come alive with her absolutely stunning prose.

Pub. date: June 8th 2010 by Random House Trade Paperbacks

Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Brava, Valentine begins on a day filled with happiness in Tuscany. The sparkling snow that falls reflects the spirit of the Roncalli/Angelini family. Their beloved matriarch Teodora is marrying Dominic Vechiarelli. The octogenarians kept their relationship a secret for many years but finally decided to marry. Adriana Trigiani had me laughing at the family antics as they prepare for the wedding. Dominic's son is at the wedding. Gianluca Vechiarelli made quite an impression on Valentine on her last trip to Italy (Very Valentine). She definitely feels something for him when she sees him at the church but things don't go as she would hope. From the reception on, surprises seem to come at her full force. Life is changing.

Teodora will live with her new husband in Italy while Valentine takes the reins at the Angelini Shoe Company back in Greenwich Village. There are challenges to be faced: a new business partner; a long-time employee who hints at retiring; the need for a business loan to launch a new shoe line; a possible new branch on the family tree to check out; and a long-distance romance. Valentine is full of energy and up to the challenges at work but something is missing in her life. Gianluca (17 years her senior) is very interested in her as she is in him yet how can they make it work? He is in Italy and she is across the Atlantic. He sends romantic letters that get her attention but can she possibly be the woman he seems to idolize?

Trigiani takes the reader to Italy, New York, and Buenos Aires. I loved the descriptions of the different locations. It was also fun to read about Valentine's friend and new roomie Gabriel as he redecorated the living space above the shoe company. The rooftop garden never looked so good! I also enjoyed the descriptions of shoe design and manufacturing.

This is a very romantic book - I loved it. I can't wait for the next book in this wonderful series.

Brava, Adriana Trigiani.

Review copy from HarperCollins

Mailbox Monday - Feb. 8

at The Printed Page

Review copy from Random House:

(for virtual book tour in March)

Goodreads:

In her latest enchanting novel, New York Times bestelling author Sarah Addison Allen invites you to a quirky little Southern town with more magic than a full Carolina moon. Here two very different women discover how to find their place in the world…no matter how out of place they feel...

Sunday Summary - Feb. 7

Murphy and Bailey

My daughters visited this weekend and brought their dog Murphy. He and Bailey (our dog) get along well but rarely sit still for a photo. This is a bit unfocused but it was taken on a phone. Murphy is 13 and Bailey is 11.

Books Reviewed:

Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch

All That You Are by Stef Ann Holm

Waiting on Wednesday:

Romancing Miss Bronte by Juliet Gael

Friday Find:

Love In Mid Air by Kim Wright

Show Me 5 Saturday - All That You Are

a meme by That's A Novel Idea

now hosted by Jenners at Find Your Next Book Here

1. Book title: All That You Are by Stef Ann Holm

2. Words that describe the book: Contemporary Romance

3. Settings or characters: Alaska, Boise, The Blue Note jazz club/bar

4. Things I liked/disliked about the book: I liked the descriptions of the various locations; I liked the main characters; I wished for more character depth - there were a lot of details about construction and code violations but I wanted to know more about the characters (who spent a lot of time trying to avoid each other); I wished for more story - it seemed to wrap up too quickly.

5. Stars or less: 2.5/5 . This is the last book in a series. I enjoyed the two previous books.

Single mom Danalee Jackson owns the Blue Note—an Alaskan bar offering nightly jazz and a cocktail of regulars who have an opinion about everything. Between dealing with her son's dad, a failing float-plane business and her bar's code violations, Dana has no time for romance.

Mark Moretti is burned-out after finishing his father's legacy project, the multimillion-dollar Grove Marketplace in downtown Boise. He's ready for a break from the family construction business—maybe for good. And a summerlong fishing trip looks like just the ticket.

When a canceled flight leaves Mark stranded in Ketchikan, he finds himself at the Blue Note. One look at the exotically beautiful Dana and he decides to stay in town. But her fierce independence not only could jeopardize Mark's help with renovations—it could also bring their mutual attraction to a screeching halt. (Goodreads synopsis)

Friday Finds - Feb. 5

More Friday Finds at Should Be Reading

Found at Breaking The Spine

Publishers Weekly

Wright hits it out of the park in her debut, an engaging account of a woman contemplating divorce. Despite finally getting her husband, Phil, to attend counseling sessions with her, Elyse Bearden realizes her marriage is dead in the water. Though Phil’s a doting father and a decent man, he’s also the occasional jerk who snickers at his wife in lingerie and is generally indifferent to her. Elyse already knows she’s going to leave her husband when she meets Gerry Kincaid and soon begins an affair that allows her to escape from the crushing banality of her suburban life. Serving as Elyse’s foil is her beautiful best friend, Kelly, now married to an older, wealthy man. While the idea of housewives complaining about their husbands over lunch may strike some as a conventional hen-lit trope, Wright conveys friendships and the blasé everyday with authenticity and telling detail, while passages depicting Elyse’s inner life are rife with the same wit and insight that infuse the dialogue. Though this story is one that readers may have seen many times before, Wright delivers fresh perspective and sympathetic characters few writers can match. (Mar.)

Pub. date: March 29, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday - Feb. 3

at Breaking The Spine

* * * * *

Pub. date: April 27, 2010

Ballantine Books

432 pages

Goodreads synopsis:

In this astonishing novel, a brilliant mélange of fact and fiction, Juliet Gael skillfully and stylishly captures the passions, hopes, dreams, and sorrows of literature’s most famous sisters—and imagines how love dramatically and most unexpectedly found Charlotte Brontë.

During the two years that she studied in Brussels, Charlotte had a taste of life’s splendors—travel, literature, and art. Now, back home in the Yorkshire moors, duty-bound to a blind father and an alcoholic brother, an ambitious Charlotte refuses to sink into hopelessness. With her sisters, Emily and Anne, Charlotte conceives a plan to earn money and pursue a dream: The Brontës will publish. In childhood the Brontë children created fantastical imaginary worlds; now the sisters craft novels quite unlike anything written before. Transforming her loneliness and personal sorrow into a triumph of literary art, Charlotte pens her 1847 masterpiece, Jane Eyre.

Charlotte’s novel becomes an overwhelming literary success, catapulting the shy and awkward young woman into the spotlight of London’s fashionable literary scene—and into the arms of her new publisher, George Smith, an irresistibly handsome young man whose interest in his fiercely intelligent and spirited new author seems to go beyond professional duty. But just as life begins to hold new promise, unspeakable tragedy descends on the Brontë household, throwing London and George into the background and leaving Charlotte to fear that the only romance she will ever find is at the tip of her pen.

But another man waits in the Brontës’ Haworth parsonage—the quiet but determined curate Arthur Nicholls. After secretly pining for Charlotte since he first came to work for her father, Arthur suddenly reveals his heart to her.

Romancing Miss Brontë is a fascinating portrayal of an extraordinary woman whose life and work articulated our deepest human longing: to love and be loved in return.

Time Of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch

Jillian Westfield has been living a perfect life - at least according to the magazine articles that have been advising her. She has put so much pressure on herself to be the ideal wife and mother that she breaks under the stress of it all. In a kind of freaky accident-by-massage she finds herself living seven years earlier. Her same life, seven years earlier. The do-over of all do-overs! She's back living with her boyfriend Jackson and on the fast track at work. She's reliving familiar situations and sees how she could have reacted differently the first time. The question is: Should she do things differently? If she does, it could change her life, that of her husband (not Jack, by the way), her daughter, friends and relatives.

Jillian needs to come to terms with a few things from her past. In doing so, will she make decisions that could change her future? Or, will she take what she discovers and return to her real life?

I enjoyed how things played out in this entertaining book. There's a lot of truth in it. Allison Winn Scotch's novel is charming and fresh. I found myself cheering Jillian on as she figured things out. Time Of My Life would be a great book club selection.

What are you reading? - Feb. 1

at J. Kaye's Book Blog

This week:

Last week:

Mailbox Monday - Feb. 1

at The Printed Page

From Harper (for review)

From Amazon:

From Hachette (for review)

Sunday Summary - Jan. 31

Books reviewed:

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr

Waiting on Wednesday:

Friday Finds:

It was another good week with books. I really enjoyed Saving CeeCee Honeycutt - what a wonderful novel! I also liked the latest book in Robyn Carr's Virgin River series: Angel's Peak. I can't believe this is the last day of January. Here's my list of books read this month:

Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander Challenge)

Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong

East Hope by Katharine Davis (2010 RFMSP)

Sinful Surrender by Beverley Kendall

Sundays at Tiffany's by J. Patterson & G. Charbonnet (2010 RFMSP)

Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr (2010 RFMSP)

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Show Me 5 Saturday - Angel's Peak

Pick a book you've read or reviewed during the current week. Each Saturday post the answers to the numbered questions found below. The number indicates the number of answers to provide.

* * * * * * *

1 Book you read and/or reviewed this week:

* Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr

2 Words that describe the book:

* Romance; series

3 Settings where it took place or characters you met:

* Virgin River, CA

* Phoenix, AZ

* The Riordan family

4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:

* Liked the three main story lines

* Liked that characters from past books had more than cameo appearances

* Like the way Robyn Carr tells a story filled with compassion, humor and love

* Like that everything wasn't wrapped up at the end of the book

5 Stars or less for your rating:

4 stars

(Goodreads synopsis)

Four years ago, Air Force sweethearts Franci Duncan and Sean Riordan reached an impasse. She wanted marriage and a family, he didn’t. But a chance meeting proves that the bitter breakup hasn’t cooled their sizzling chemistry.

Sean has settled down in spite of himself—he’s not the cocky young fighter pilot he was when Franci left, and he wants them to try again. After all, they have a history...but that’s not all they share.

Franci’s secret reason for walking away when Sean refused to commit is now three and a half: a redheaded cherub named Rosie who shares her daddy’s emerald green eyes. Sean is stunned—and furious with Franci for the deception.

News travels fast in Virgin River, and soon the whole town is taking sides. Rebuilding their trust could take a small miracle—and the kind of love that can move mountains.

You can find links to more Show Me Five reviews at Find Your Next Book Here

Friday Finds - Jan. 29

Click here for more Friday Finds

Found at Peeking Between The Pages

Found at Pudgy Penguin Perusals

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Goodreads synopsis:

Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille-the tiara-toting, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town-a woman trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. But when Camille is hit by a truck and killed, CeeCee is left to fend for herself. To the rescue comes her previously unknown great-aunt, Tootie Caldwell.

In her vintage Packard convertible, Tootie whisks CeeCee away to Savannah's perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity, a world that seems to be run entirely by women. From the exotic Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in her backyard bathtub and uses garden slugs as her secret weapons, to Tootie's all-knowing housekeeper, Oletta Jones, to Violene Hobbs, who entertains a local police officer in her canary-yellow peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire summer.

* * * * * * *

CeeCee Honeycutt has been taking care of her mentally ill mother for most of her twelve years. Her father is absent much of the time so it's been up to CeeCee to tend to her mother. After Camille's death, CeeCee's great aunt Tootie arrives to take her home to Savannah. That's the start of a new chapter in CeeCee's Life Book.

All I knew for sure was this: I had been plunked into a strange, perfumed world that, as far as I could tell, seemed to be run entirely by women.

CeeCee's new life is filled with caring and eccentric women. Each one seems to have a special lesson to impart. Little by little, like the fragile orchid, CeeCee begins to bloom in their warm and gentle care.

If there's one thing I'd like most for you, it's that you'll find your calling in life. That's where true happiness and purpose lies. Whether it's taking care of abandoned animals, saving old houses from the wreckin' ball, or reading to the blind, you've got to find your fire, sugar. You'll never be fulfilled if you don't.

Beth Hoffman's charming debut novel is filled with wit, wisdom, and love. The characters will stay with me for a long time. I recommend Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, it's a wonderful book.

Waiting on Wednesday - Jan. 27

at Breaking the Spine

Pub. date: March 2, 2010

Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur

Publishers Weekly

In this stellar first in a new series, Martin (Murder Melts in Your Mouth and six other Blackbird Sisters mysteries) introduces Roxy Abruzzo, ultra-sexy Pittsburgh sleuth and owner of Bada Bling Architectural Salvage, as well as Roxy's lovable assistant, Nooch Santonucci, and pit bull, Rooney. A tough girl like Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, if with an edgier vibe, Roxy has an uncle who's a local Mafia don, but she answers to no one but herself and maybe Sage, her 16-year-old daughter from a teen liaison with chef Patrick Flynn. Roxy gets into trouble after the fatal shooting of wealthy philanderer Julius Hyde and the torching of the country estate of Hyde's 92-year-old mother, who worries about her missing ancient Greek garden statue. Did her irascible daughter-in-law take it, or another family member? Nope, Roxy did. Roxy's efforts to salvage the statue lead to a wild cat-and-mouse game with a killer that will leave Martin's fans clamoring for more.

What are you reading? - Jan. 25

at J. Kaye's Book Blog

Last week:

This week:

Mailbox Monday - Jan. 25

at The Printed Page

From Pudgy Penguin Perusals (thanks, Kaye!)

From Amazon (Kindle edition)

Sunday Summary - Jan. 24

My backyard

Reviewed books:

Sundays at Tiffany's

East Hope

Waiting on Wednesday book: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner. I think the cover is gorgeous and look forward to reading the book (in May).

Winners of the Countess of Scandal giveaway are posted here.

Have a great week!

Giveaway Winners - Countess of Scandal

Thanks to Hachette Book Group

for providing 5 copies for the giveaway.

Congratulations!

xxsquigglesxx

stacybuckeye

fredamans

Belinda M.

Carina

All winners have been notified via email

Show Me 5 Saturday - East Hope

Pick a book you've read or reviewed during the current week. Each Saturday post the answers to the numbered questions found below. The number indicates the number of answers to provide.

Since That's A Novel Idea blog (originator of this meme) seems to be on vacation, you can find links to more Show Me Five reviews at Find Your Next Book Here.

* * * * * * *

1 Book you read and/or reviewed this week:

East Hope by Katharine Davis

2 Words that describe the book:

Contemporary Fiction

3 Settings where it took place or characters you met:

Pennsylvania; Chevy Chase, Maryland; East Hope, Maine

4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it:

Liked the author's spare writing;

Liked the Maine setting;

Wished some characters had more depth;

Liked it enough that I wish for a sequel.

5 Stars or less for your rating:

3.5 stars This is a book I'll hang on to and read again down the road.

Memories of her life floated back - that comfortable existence, a time of ease when her life had been so calm, so worry-free, like a story that read, "Once upon a time there lived a woman whose life was quite perfect." (p.268, East Hope)

(synopsis)

Several months after her husband’s sudden death, and troubled by one night’s indiscretion, Caroline Waverly seeks refuge in the house she’s inherited in East Hope, Maine. There she finds the courage to face the consequences of her choices—her precarious finances, her alienated college-age son, and the man she left behind.

Will Harmon also puts his old life behind him, arriving in East Hope to run the local used bookshop. As he questions his desires and struggles with his failing marriage, Will yearns for the wisdom to do what is right.

Then Caroline walks into Will’s bookstore, and they establish a tentative friendship—with the promise of something more. As they seek to rescue what is most important in their lives, they cling to a distant hope—for understanding, for family, and for love.

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

Goodreads synopsis

As a little girl, Jane has no one. Her mother, the powerful head of a Broadway theater company, has no time for her. She does have one friend-a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael-but only she can see him.

Years later, Jane is in her thirties and just as alone as ever. Then she meets Michael again-as handsome, smart and perfect as she remembers him to be. But not even Michael knows the reason they've really been reunited.

SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY'S is a love story with an irresistible twist, a novel about the child inside all of us-and the boundary-crossing power of love.

* * * * * * *

My thoughts: It's an interesting premise that left me wishing for a little more and a lot less: a little more character depth and story and a lot less over-the-top characters (Jane's mother and boyfriend). I really wanted to like this book but it just didn't grab me.

Waiting on Wednesday - Jan. 20

at Breaking the Spine

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (May 25, 2010)
• 
  
• From the author's website:
• The most infamous queen of the Renaissance reveals her secrets in an epic tale of persecution, intrigue, and betrayal.
  
  
  
  At the age of fourteen, Catherine de Medici, last legitimate descendant of the Medici blood, finds herself betrothed to the King Francois I's son, Henri. Sent from her native Florence to France, humiliated and overshadowed by her husband's life-long devotion to his mistress, when tragedy strikes her family Catherine rises from obscurity to become one of 16th century Europe's most powerful women.
  
  
  
  Patroness of Nostradamus and a seer in her own right, accused of witchcraft and murder by her foes, Catherine fights to save France and her children from savage religious conflict, unaware that her own fate looms before her -- a fate that will demand the sacrifice of her ideals, her reputation, and passion of her own embattled heart.
  
  
  
  From the splendors of the Loire palaces to the blood-soaked battles of the Wars of Religion and haunted halls of the Louvre, this is the story of Catherine's dramatic life, told by the queen herself.

Giveaway Winner

The winner of my advance reader copy of

The Secret of Everything

is

~ Benita ~

What are you reading? - Jan. 18

at J. Kaye's Book Blog

Last week:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong

This week:

East Hope by Katharine Davis

Mailbox Monday - Jan. 18

at The Printed Page

From Borders True Romance blog giveaway win:

From Amazon:

Sunday Summary - Jan. 17

In the woods near my childhood home

Books reviewed:

Outlander

Spinning Forward

Giveaways:

Countess of Scandal (ends Saturday)

The Secret of Everything (ends tomorrow)

* * * * * * *

The people of Haiti have been on my mind all week. My heart goes out to all who've been touched by this disaster. My thoughts are with all the survivors, volunteers and relief workers. If you can, donate to a legitimate relief organization.

I found two simple ways to donate to the Red Cross:

Text the word "Haiti" to 90999. A $10 donation will be made and then charged to the next cell phone bill.

While checking out at Costco yesterday we were asked if we wanted to add a donation (to the Red Cross) to our total. Costco sends 100% of donation to the RC.

A Quick Giveaway - The Secret of Everything

I'm giving away my copy of

The Secret of Everything

by Barbara O'Neal

It's an uncorrected proof so the cover doesn't look like the one shown above.

I don't recall seeing errors but there could be some. Nothing glaring.

You can read my review here.

So, if you're interested in winning my copy,

and live in the US,

leave your email in a comment

and I'll have random.org choose a winner.

Giveaway ends Monday, Jan. 18 at 8pm (eastern)

Contest is closed

Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong

(Synopsis)

A New Englander born and bred, the last place Sydney Webster expects to find herself starting over is on an island off the coast of Florida. Yet here she is in Cedar Key, trying to pull herself together after her husband's untimely death—and the even more untimely revelation of his gambling addiction. Bereft of her comfortable suburban life, Syd takes shelter at a college pal’s bed and breakfast, where amidst the bougainvillea blossoms and the island's gentle rhythms, a plan begins to form…

Syd never considered the possibility of turning her passion for spinning and knitting into something more than a hobby, but when the unique composition of her wool draws attention, a door is opened—the first among many. Yet even as she ventures out of her comfort zone, Syd finds herself stepping into the embrace of a community rich with love, laughter, friendship...and secrets. And as long-hidden truths are revealed, Syd faces a choice: spin a safety net—or spin decidedly forward and never look back...

* * * * * * *

Sydney was living a comfortable life until her husband died in a car accident. Soon after, a knock on the door signals the end of that life and sets her on a new path. She visits her college friend (who just happens to own a B&B) in Florida. Ali ends up being not only a great friend but also a guide of sorts - to Sydney finding her true self. Not an easy task.

There are also surprises in store for Sydney. She discovers information that brings new layers to her life. One piece of information is an unbelievable coincidence. She meets wonderful people who offer her acceptance and help. I really liked these characters although I wanted to know more about each of them. Since this is the first in the Cedar Key series I'm sure I'll learn much more in the books to follow.

I enjoyed Spinning Forward - maybe because I'm about the same age as Sydney and could identify with a few of the things she was forced to face (not so much the major issues but other things women of the same age group might deal with). Because of that, I think this would be a good selection for book groups. Lots to discuss. A Reading Group Guide can be found at the end of the book.

Review copy from Kensington (via LibraryThing Early Reviewers)

Giveaway - Countess of Scandal

COUNTESS OF SCANDAL By Laurel McKee

As children, Eliza Blacknall and William Denton ran wild over the fields of southern Ireland and swore they would be friends forever. Then fate took Will away to England, while Eliza stayed behind to become a proper Irish countess.

Years later, Will finally makes his way home-as an English soldier sent to crush the Irish uprising. When he spies the lovely Eliza, he is captivated by the passionate woman she has become. But Eliza's passions have led her to join the Irish rebel cause, and Will and Eliza now find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous conflict.

When Ireland explodes in bloody rebellion, Will's regiment is ordered to the front lines, and he is forced to choose between his duty to the English king and his love for Eliza and their Irish homeland.

Listen to an excerpt.

Five Fun Facts.

Author website.

* * * * * * *

Giveaway Closed

Giveaway

5 copies of

Countess of Scandal

~ thanks to Hachette ~

* Open to residents of US and Canada

* No P.O. boxes

* Your email must be in your comment (required)

Giveaway ends January 23 at 8pm (eastern)

Winners will be announced Jan. 24

Giveaway Closed

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

From the Trade Paperback edition:

Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another...

In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon—when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an "outlander"—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life ...and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

* * * * * * *

I've heard about Outlander for a few years and finally got around to reading it. The Outlander Challenge was the nudge I needed.

Time travel novels are not what I tend to read but I enjoyed the adventures of Claire and Jamie. They are perfectly matched. The chemistry between the two is wonderful.

I don't want to ruin any enjoyment for first-time readers so I'm not going to write about specifics. Well, I will say that if you're going to unexpectedly travel through time some medical knowledge really comes in handy!

Diana Gabaldon wrote a humorous, romantic, sensual, violent, heart-breaking, breath-taking novel and I'm looking forward to reading Dragonfly in Amber - the next book in the series.

What are you reading? - Jan. 11

at J. Kaye's Book Blog

Last Week:

Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr

This Week:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong

Mailbox Monday - Jan. 11

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. Mailbox Monday is hosted at The Printed Page. Click the covers for book info.

From Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting:

From Kensington Books/ LibraryThing Early Reviewers:

Sunday Summary - Jan. 10

The road to my hometown

Our kids always knew we were a half-hour from Grandma and Grandpa's house when they saw this tree.

I managed to read and review one book this week: Robyn Carr's Forbidden Falls (review). Outlander is taking most of my reading time - and I'm enjoying the adventure!

Waiting On Wednesday

Friday Find

Last week I asked readers:

When you leave a comment that may prompt a response, do you check the "email follow up comments" box ?

The answer was almost a unanimous NO. I'll continue to reply in the comments box so if you leave a question, don't forget to come back.

Robby at Once Upon a Book Blog gave me the Honest Scrap award. Thanks Robby! Here's a link to the list I made a few weeks ago for the same award.

I was inspired the past few days by all the Bloggiesta activities. Even though I didn't join in the fun I've made another goal for 2010: go back to my 2008 and 2009 book lists (sidebar) and link to the reviews. Not sure why I didn't do it from the start but better late than never, right?

Show Me 5 Saturday - Forbidden Falls

That's A Novel Idea hosts a MEME called Show Me Five Saturday. This meme will give each blogger an opportunity to give a brief description of a book they have read or reviewed during the week. It will work like this: Each Saturday you will post the answer to these questions. The number indicates the number of answers you will provide.

1 Book you read and/or reviewed this week: Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr

2 Words that describe the book: Romance, series

3 Settings or characters you met: Takes place in Virgin River, CA. Main characters are Ellie Baldwin and Noah Kincaid.

4 Things you liked and/or disliked about it: I liked the three main storylines. I enjoyed the heck out of the Ellie character. The main plot seemed a bit over the top but Robyn Carr did what she always does: she wrote an entertaining novel with endearing characters - and I couldn't put it down until I finished. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

5 Stars or less for your rating: 4 stars

Click on the cover for more info

Friday Finds - Jan. 8

Goodreads synopsis:

Coming-of-age can happen at any age. Joy Harkness had built a university career and a safe life in New York, protected and insulated from the intrusions and involvements of other people. When offered a position at Amherst College, she impulsively leaves the city, and along with generations of material belongings, she packs her equally heavy emotional baggage.

A tumbledown Victorian house proves an unlikely choice for a woman whose family heirlooms have been boxed away for years. Nevertheless, this white elephant becomes the home that changes Joy forever. As the restoration begins to take shape, so does her outlook on life, and the choices she makes over paint chips, wallpaper samples, and floorboards are reflected in her connection to the co-workers who become friends and friendships that deepen.

A brilliant, quirky, town fixture of a handyman guides the renovation of the house and sparks Joy’s interest to encourage his personal and professional growth. Amid the half-wanted attention of the campus’s single, middle-aged men, known as “the Coyotes,”and the legitimate dramas of her close-knit community, Joy learns that the key to the affection of family and friends is being worthy of it, and most important, that second chances are waiting to be discovered within us all.

* * * * * * *

I found this at Diane's blog a couple of weeks ago. Diane finds wonderful books that usually end up on my wish list. I'm looking forward to this book!

click here for more Friday Finds

Waiting on Wednesday - Jan. 6

at Breaking the Spine

• Magnolia Wednesdays by Wendy Wax
• Paperback: 448 pages
• March 2, 2010

At forty-one, Vivian Armstrong Gray spent most of her life fighting to make it in investigative journalism, only to have it crumble after a bullet lodges in her backside during an expose. As if the humiliation of being the butt of everyone's jokes isn't enough, Vivi learns that she's pregnant, jobless, and very hormonal. Maybe that explains why she actually says "yes" to a dreadful job covering suburban living back home in Georgia, a column she can only bear to write incognito.

Leaving her tiny apartment in New York, she reluctantly heads south to experience the suburban soccer-mom existence through her widowed sister's eyes. Surrounded by minivans and bake sales, she has lots of material for the column. Her sister's ballroom dance studio becomes her undercover spot where she learns about the local life while posing as an extra dance partner. But Vivi's little stint starts throwing her for a loop as friendships develop, and a real relationship with her sister blossoms. As she digs up her long-buried roots, she starts to wonder if life inside the picket fence is so bad after all...

What are you reading? - Jan. 4

at J. Kaye's Book Blog

Last Week:

Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

This Week:

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Mailbox Monday - Jan. 4

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. Mailbox Monday is hosted at The Printed Page. Click the covers for book info.

Amazon Kindle editions:

Sunday Summary - Jan. 3

In my backyard

Last week was a review week and a yearly wrap-up.

Books reviewed:

Truly, Madly by Heather Webber

The Secret of Everything by Barbara O'Neal

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

2009 Challenges wrap-up is here.

2009 Favorite Books post is here. All in all, a wonderful year of books.

My main goal for 2010 is to read mostly from my own bookshelves. You can see my first tbr list here. I think I have enough to read for a few years but I'll aim for - say 60% from my own shelves. What are some of your reading goals for the new year?

I have one more question:

When you leave a comment that may prompt a response, do you check the "email follow up comments" box ?

I ask this because not all comments on my posts link back to the person who wrote the comment. For some strange reason many of the comments left at my blog link to one particular blogger (a wonderful blogger, at that) when I know it wasn't she who left the comment. So, if there's a way for me to fix this I'd appreciate any help! Otherwise, I'll continue to answer comment questions, etc. in the comment box of the particular post instead of a direct email.

To Be Read list

I've been meaning to compile a list of books to read in the year ahead. Some have been on my TBR shelf for a few weeks and some a few years. I'll read other books as well, I just wanted to list these specific titles as a reminder. So here goes:

In the Woods by Tana French

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch

Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews

The Italian Lover by Robert Hellenga

Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

I'll add more titles as I cross these off the list.

Click on covers for info