Check this great Book Blog out!!

Wednesday Book Blog Finds

I thought I would start a weekly post highlighting a BLOG that I have found that I enjoy reading!! Today I will start with a great book blog that I have been following these last few months called:

CYM LOWELL

He is not only a book review blogger, but an international thriller author!! Also, the last few months he has been running Book Review Parties and Giveaways that have been really fun!!

So, click on over to CYM LOWELL, and take a look around and enjoy his BLOG......TODAY!!


Have a great day!!! :-)

Happy Holidays!!!

Hi everyone!!

Once again, work has taken my time away from putting up my book reviews!!! BUT...I am REALLY hoping this next week to get a number of them up....so...Please stick with me!!! I have alot of good books I want to share with everyone!! Some really good ones that you can use those book gift cards you might be getting as Christmas presents!!! AND...I am even going to run a couple of contests!!!

So, make sure and keep checking back for some new reviews!!!

Take care everyone!!!

Allison :-)

Win a Kindle this Holiday Season!!

Just thought I would share with all my blogger friends and readers!!

I just entered a contest to win a free Kindle from Noobie (worth $259!) and I wanted you to have a chance to win one too!

All you need to do to enter is to click the link below or copy and paste it into your favorite Internet browser:

http://www.noobie.com/kindle-giveaway?ref=1853449983

Be sure to read the email you get from Noobie after you register. You'll get your own unique link that you can use to earn even more entries in the drawing!

GOOD LUCK!!! and Happy Reading!!

Review - "Dust" by Susan Berliner

Book Description:

While unloading groceries in her Rock Haven condo, Karen McKay notices a strange swirl of red, green, and blue dust. The swirl follows her inside, lifts a porcelain ballerina from her wall unit, twirls it in the air, and throws it to the floor, shattering it into pieces.

The following evening, Karen hears her neighbor's dog barking loudly. Upon investigation, she finds her neighbor, Marion, at the bottom of the stairs—dead. At the top of the stairs, a colorful whirlpool of dust circles ominously.

Now the feisty librarian must consider the unthinkable: Could the dust be responsible for her neighbor's death and, if so, would it kill again? Karen turns to her ex-husband, Jerry, for help and together they bravely confront the mysterious dust. But will their daring actions cost them their lives?

Review:

"Dust" is the first novel for writer Susan Berliner of Yorktown Heights, NY.

The story is simply written and has strong characters in Karen and Jerry. The creation of the 'dust' as the antagonist piqued my curiosity. The numerous 'accidents' that the 'dust' creates are inventive at first, but after the fifth one, it seemed a bit monotonous. The interactions between Karen and her ex-husband Jerry added some good humor to the story that I liked. For being a suspense type of book, I didn't feel any real climatic ending that scared or surprised me...it just kind of ended.

Overall, I think as a first novel the outline of the story was good. I just think a bit more intrigue/suspense was needed to really keep me interested in the story.

Give the book a read...see what you think!!

Support first time novelists!!!!

Rating: 3/5

This book is part of the Pump Up the Book Virtual Tour for "Dust"

Thank you to Tracee at Pump Up The Book Promotions and Susan Berliner the author for sending me a review copy of this book to use for the review.

I'm in...are you?? Shelf Discover Challenge...

Need something to do the next 6 months??? hahaha..well, I just found my first book challenge and you can join too..Booking Mama's blog has all the details...but here is some of the information:

The challenge is based on Lizzie Skurnick's new book Shelf Discovery: The Teen Classics We Never Stopped Reading.

Details:

The Shelf Discovery Challenge will run for six months (November 1, 2009 - April 30, 2010). To join me in this challenge, all you need to do is grab a copy of SHELF DISCOVERY and pick out what six books you want to read (of course, you can read more than six!) Then, after you read a book, just write a "book report" to share your thoughts with others!

Sign Up:

Grab the challenge button at the top of this page and write a post detailing what six Shelf Discovery books you are going to read within the next six months (you always have the option to change your original list -- I'm flexible like that!) Once you have posted your Shelf Discovery challenge post, go to Booking Mama and click on Mr. Linky. Please leave your name and link directly to your introductory post (not just to your blog’s home page.) If you don’t have a blog, no worries -- you can just leave a comment on this post telling me you want to participate.

Ok, since I don't have the book, I am choosing my books from other bloggers choices and I will probably run to the bookstore to sneak a peek at a book..so my choices may change!!

Here are my 6 books:

1. Are You There God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume
2. An Old Fashioned Girl, by Louisa May Alcott
3. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
4. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott Dell
5. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
6. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

Extra if have time:
7. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle


Good luck everyone!!!!

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Review - The Treasures of Venice

Description on back of book:

He's a charming Irish Rogue who never met a lock he couldn't pick...

Keirnan Fitzgerald is desperate to locate the missing Jewels of the Madonna. With danger at every corner and time running out, he must use whatever means possible to uncover the stolen jewels in time to save his sister's life....

She's simply in Venice to relax and heal her broken heart...

Samantha Lewis is shocked when a dashing stranger approaches her in a Venecian cafe' pretending to know her. She's ready for something new and exciting in her life, so she throws caution to the wind and accompanies the Irish charmer into his dangerous world of intrigue, theft and betrayal...

As the centuries-old story behind the Jewels' disappearance is revealed, Samantha must decide
whether the man she's so compellingly drawn to is her soul mate from a previous life, or if they are merely pawns in a relentless quest for a priceless treasure....

Review:

By the 'chance' meeting of an American girl and an Irish boy, they work together against the ticking clock of finding the "Jewels of the Madonna" to save someone's life...and maybe their own too!

Loucinda McGary, author of "The Wild Sight" that I reviewed previously, has done it once again in writing an emotional romance that thrives on the thrills of mystery and intrigue. She blends together some of my favorite themes of story writing and makes it come together to make me feel like I am physically there watching the story transpire!

Of course, my favorite is the Irish man character, Kiernan. Ms. McGary describes him in such heartfelt details, you can feel your heart pumping at this man's charisma. Also, I love how the author flips between two time periods in the story without it getting confusing: 15th century Venice with Serifino and Nino and modern Venice with Samantha and Kiernan. You're kept wondering until the end of the book whether these couples have an interlocking relationship through time!

The mysterious dark Venice streets and paranormal aspects of the story keep you turning the pages of this adventure. The descriptions of Venice, old and modern are so well used by the author that I would love the chance to see the city myself someday!!

Even though this is noted as a 'romance book,' I would not shy away from reading it if you're not in to romance. It has just the right balance of mystery, suspense, and paranormal, with a little romance thrown in between the characters (which is more like 'opposites attract' than 'sultry lust' romance).

I would 'highly' recommend this book to read, along with 'The Wild Sight.'


Rated 5/5

Thank you to Danielle at Sourcebook.com for the complementary copy to use for this review!






Glad to be a part of:

Book Review - "Love at First Flight"

Love at First Flight

Book Description:

What if the guy in the airplane seat next to you turned out to be the love of your life?

Juliana isn't looking for Love...When she meets Michael, sitting next to her on the plane, Juliana's been dating Jeremy for ten years. But he's hedging about marriage, and Michael promises to give her everything she's ever wanted in a relationship.

Michael's supposed to be getting married....But he's drawn to Juliana in a way he never was to his beautiful but manipulative fiancee...

When they get off the plane, Michael and Juliana can't tear themselves apart. But with desperate exes who won't let go, love at first sight is tested beyond endurance....


Review:

If you've ever wondered if you could meet and fall for someone you just met at the mall, airport or business meeting...take a few hours to read Marie Force's latest novel "Love at First Flight." I loved reading this story of two very different people meeting under unusual circumstances and overcoming obstacles.

The build-up of the characters Juliana and Michael is so well written and believable, that the story seemed to fly off the pages. The author is really good at mixing romance, suspense and humor to keep you involved throughout the whole book. You really don't know whether the two will stay together of not with the twists in the story!!

The book makes you think at the end about relationships and what truly is a 'normal' relationship? I guess that is what we all have to figure out!!!

I would definitely recommend this book!! Don't get the wrong impression of this book with the bare chest on the cover...it is a lot more than just a 'chick' book...there is much more to learn!!!


Rating: 4 out of 5

Thank you to Danielle at Sourcebooks, Inc. for the reviewer copy of the books. She is the BEST!!

Released June 2009



This review is part of :


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Book Review - Dirkel Smat And the Flying Statue

Book information:
The Explorer's Club is back! Join the gang in another exciting adventure, this time on the back of a flying Pegasus! Join Dirkle Smat and the Explorer’s Club for an unforgettable adventure with The Flying Statue in this chapter book for early readers, ages 6 to 8. Second in the Dirkle Smat series.

Review:

I found this book a fun adventure that young kids would love! Six boys, with very interesting names all belong to the Explorer's Club. Dirkle, his little brother Quid Smat, along with Toonie Oobles, Fiddy Bublob, Lumleyline, and Bean Lumley!! I liked how each kid shows a special quality that makes them unique to the group. Short chapters and simple plot makes this an easy and fast read for a bedtime story for parents. I've always loved having a club as a kid and this would be a good entry in to helping a young kid maybe start one themselves. At the end of the book, there are forms to help start their own club! Imagination and teamwork come together to make an amazing story that kids will enjoy!!

Book 1: Dirkle Smat Inside Mount Flatbottom

Book 3: Dirkle Smat and the Viking Shield

Website: Dirkle Smat



Rating: 4 out of 5


Thank you to the author Lynne D. Garthwaite and Bostick Communications for sending me this book to review!

Winner Annoucement of Gift Card!!!

BBAW 2009 #2 Giveaway Winner!!!

Diane
Bibliophile By the Sea

You have won the $10 Amazon Gift Card!!

An email has been sent to you to verify information.

THANK YOU
to everyone that entered, read my blog and are now FOLLOWERS!!!

Love's First Light - Winner Annoucement!!

BBAW book giveaway winner of "Loves First Light"
is.....
mymbecky

I will be sending you an email that you must reply to within 48hrs to accept the book. If you do not, another winner will be chosen!

Thank you to all that entered this giveaway for BBAW week!!!!

Gift Card giveaway - Last Day of BBAW!!!!

Last day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week!!!

In honor of the last day of this wonderful event, I am going to have another Giveaway!!
This time....for the first time...it's a
$10.00 Gift Card Giveaway!!

+1 entry - Leave a comment telling me what you enjoyed most about your experience with BBAW this week

+2 entries - If you already follow me or click to follow me now!

+3 entries - If you tweet this contest and include me so I can see you tweeted it. (I'm under allisonsattic on Twitter)

+5 entries - If you put up a blog entry about this contest to refer them here. Please include link in comments so I can find it.

Contest Rules:

1. Please leave me your email address so I have some way of contacting you, if you win.

2. Entrants will have to be able to use U.S. based Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com to exchange gift card. You may choose either Amazon or BN gift card.

3. You have until Friday Sept. 25th at 10:00pm CT. to enter.

4. Winner will be announced that weekend some time.



Good luck to you all!!!......and....Happy Reading!!!

BBAW Day 5: Setting Goals

Day 5: Setting Goals
Last Day

Write in 50 words or less…what do you like best about your blog right now and where would you like your blog to be a year from now?

I really enjoy my blog, but I know there is so much more I could be doing, after looking at so many blogs this week!!

I do like that I have not stuck with one genre. I love changing from one to the other, when I get tired of one type of book. I think people like reading all kinds of books and reading my blog reflects that.

Where would I like my blog to be a year from now?? Definitely have more reviews!! I read a lot, but I seem to get backed up on reviews. I think I am going to try and not make my reviews as long or as wordy. Short and simple I think for now and then see how that goes. I saw on someone's blog today about asking a question at the end of you blog entry to get more comments. I think that is something I will work on to to get more traffic.

I've really enjoyed BBAW week and wish it was more than once a year!!! I love connecting with all the other book bloggers and readers this week. Nice to meet old and new bloggers!!!

Keep in touch everyone...see you on Twitter or Facebook (allisonsattic)...and all the other events created for book bloggers!!

BBAW Day 4: Favorite Books

Day 4: Favorite Books

Today's question is: What book did you discover only because you read about it on a book blog and then you realized you couldn’t live without it! And then you read it and you loved it so hard! Tell us about it and about the blogger (or bloggers!) that introduced the book to you!

While thinking about my answer to this question, I realized one of my favorite books (which came out in the last few years)that I recommend to everyone....I haven't even done a review on!! I know I must have seen it mentioned on a blog, but I don't remember which one. So, I will just say thanks to all my fellow book bloggers out there for all your reviews and suggestions. You have made my TBR pile so big it will take a long time to get through them all!!!

The book that is my favorite is: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield...




I know this one has been around a while..but if you haven't read it..you should!!

Have a great day everyone!!

Miranda's Big Mistake

Synopsis:

Miranda's track record with men is horrible. Her most recent catastrophe is Greg. He seems perfect-- gorgeous, witty, exciting. And he and Miranda are in love...until Miranda discovers he left his wife when he found out she was pregnant.

With the help of her friends, Miranda plans the sweetest and more public revenge a heartbroken girl can get. But will Miranda learn from her mistake, or move on to the next perfect man and ignore the love of her life waiting in the wings...


Review:

I never thought of myself as someone that liked chick-lit, but the books by Jill Mansell may have now turned me around! I first reviewed "An Offer You Can't Refuse" last May and absolutely loved it. Now comes this one and I enjoyed it even more!! Ms.Mansell's books are easy reading books, that pull you in to the lives of the characters and don't let go until you finish the story!

"Miranda's Big Mistake" is about a girl who does not have good luck on her side with her relationships with men. Miranda decides to get Greg back good this time because she is fed up with how men leave her heartbroken. While she decided how to get even, we get to know her quirky friends and their relationship issues. The book was like a train ride with good views from both sides of the windows. The author make me laugh, cry and want the 'revenge' Miranda wanted in getting back at Greg...and boy does she get him back!!! The secondary characters really helped bring the story along and made the ending even better with many story lines to rap up.

I would recommend this to anyone that might have a chick-lit phobia, because Jill Mansell's books will turn you in to a chick -lit reader!!

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to Danielle from Sourcebooks for this book and I do apologize for the delay!





***
Make sure and check out Cym Lowell's "Book Review Blog Party"

Book Giveaway for BBAW week!

Love's First Light

Ok everyone!! Here is a great book giveaway that you can enter during BBAW week!! I am giving away an ARC of "Love's First Light" by Jamie Carie. I haven't read it yet, but can't wait to because it's gotten really good reviews!!

Contest rules:

1. Just leave a comment saying you want to be entered.

2. This is for U.S. or Canada mailing only.

3. Please leave your email address if you don't sign in with you blog..so I can locate you to let you know you win.

4. You have until Friday Sept. 18 at 11:59pm CT. to enter!!

5. Winner will be announced on Saturday Sept. 19th.

Make sure to check out all giveaways going on this week for 2009 BBAW!!

Please check out the rest of my blog if you have time...I love books!!


Good luck to everyone!!!

BBAW Day 3: Reading Meme

Day 3: Reading Meme

Here are some questions and answers suggested for this Meme:

1. What are you currently reading? - Elena, Woman of Courage by Linda Weaver Clarke

2. How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? - I use ONLY bookmarks!! One's that are flat and a tassel on the end usually.

3. Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more that one at a time? - I use to only read one at a time because I was afraid I would get the characters mixed up between the books! Now, I do read more than one, but they have to be a different genres of books for me so the stories don't blur together on me!!

4. Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? - I would have to say the ones I enjoy the most are the series books. You invest your time in a character and want to see how their lives progress through time. This is especially fun when the books are based on historical events that happen through the story lines.

5. How do you organize your books? - When I am able to organize them, I tend to go alphabetically by authors last names. Right now though, I have so many books, most are just wherever I have space!!

This was a fun meme!!!

BBAW Day 2: Blogger Interviews

Day 2: Blogger Interviews

Sorry! I am a little late getting day 2 stuff out, but I didn't get a chance to do today's subject. You can, however, click on over to the 2009 BBAW website and find the Mister Linky entry to catch all the bloggers that did interviews with other bloggers!! There are some real interesting interviews and a lot of them!!!

BBAW Day One: Favorite Blogs

As the awards are given out for the shortlist of book bloggers, we celebrate all book bloggers large and small that take the time to share their knowledge and love of books with readers. Here is a list of a few bloggers that are favorites of mine that did/didn't make the shortlist:

A Bookworm's World

As Usual, I Need More Bookshelves

Bookish Ruth

Bookshipper

Melissa's Bookshelf

These are only a few of many that I try to read. I would love to read everyone's blog everyday, but there are so many out there!!! Each seems to be unique and different, which makes me come back to them.

Keep up the good work everyone!! And keep reading!!!

Book Bloggers Appreciation Week

2009 Book Bloggers Appreciaton Week has begun!!!!!

Welcome to a fun week of book bloggers getting together and celebrating our love of books.
A big THANK YOU goes out to Amy at My Friend Amy and everyone else that helped that pulled this all together!!!

Each day this week, bloggers will be talking about different topics on their blogs.
Mon. Sept. 14th - Favorite blogs not nominated
Tues. Sept. 15th - Blogger interviews
Wed. Sept 16th - Reading Meme
Thu. Sept. 17th - Blog about a book you found on another blog
Friday Sept, 18th - Blog about your goals for you book blog.

Part of the fun of this week, are the awards that are given out from a poll taken for different categories. Click HERE to keep track of the winners as they are announced all week!

Another fun part of the week, are the GIVEAWAYS!!!!
Click the giveaway button to find all the blogs that are having giveaways this week. As you go to them, take the time to look over the blog and see if it might be a new one to start following!!

So....everyone have fun this week! Find new books to read...Find new blogs to follow!!!

Coming Soon - 2009 Book Blogger Appreciation Week

September 14-18, 2009

"Celebrate Books"

It is that time of year again for the Book Blogger Appreciation Week!!! Come back to my blog and all the other blogs that will be a part of this week long event celebrating books!! The week will be full of giveaways, reviews, interviews and memes!!!

For more information..head over to the main blog for the event at:
http://bookbloggerappreciationweek.com

Sorry for the long break.....

I'm back!!! Sorry for the long pause in posting book reviews. Life has thrown me some twists again and reviewing took a back seat. I've been reading, but just didn't have the energy to write reviews. So.....I hope all my loyal blog readers are still out there!!!

I am starting up the reviews again!

I hope everyone is doing well ! With fall in the air...days getting shorter...snuggling up under a blanket and reading a good book is still the best!!!

Watch for my reviews...and I should have a contest up soon too!!!

Take care everyone!!

Allison

Early Birds Blog tour presents: The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrans

Thanks for stopping by on the last day of "The Castaway" Early Bird Blog Tour!!! I don't have my review ready yet, but hope to have it up soon!!! I love Elin Hilderbrand books!!!

Book Description:
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed.

Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.

Author Bio:

Elin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket, which has been the setting for her five previous novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa.

Make sure to visit the author's website for more information other books she has written:
http://elinhilderbrand.net/

If you're wanting another fun summer book to read, grab Elin's "A Summer Affair"...see my review for it here!

Here is a list of other bloggers doing reviews for "The Castaways" today!!

http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset
http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/
http://imbookingit.wordpress.com/
http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/
http://www.morbid-romantic.net/
http://nisefunpages.blogspot.com/
http://tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com/
http://allisonsatticblog.blogspot.com/
http://wrightysreads.blogspot.com/
http://frugalplus.com/
http://www.mgpblog.com/

Thanks to Miriam for the book and blog tour!!

Book Review: "What Would Jane Austen Do?" by Laurie Brown

Book description:

She goes back in time to save a man's life...
Eleanor travels to England for a Jane Austen festival and is swept back in time to the glittering Regency era to help a pair of ghostly sisters prevent a deathly duel...

But she may have the wrong villain...
Lord Shermont, renowned rake and womanizer, has a Napoleonic spy to capture and a dastadly crime to untangle. The last thing he needs is a scandal too...

Thankfully, Jane Austen's sage advise prevents a fatal mistake...
With Jane Austen's guidance, Eleanor untangles the international intrigue going on before her eyes. But, which of the dueling gentlemen is the spy and which is the man of her dreams?


This book really surprised me in how much I ended up loving this story. I am not a big "Regency" period reader, but I do enjoy Jane Austen and thought I would give it a try. The story is full of ghosts, mystery, time travel and history, which keeps you involved with the characters until the very end! I won't give away some of the twists, but the character of Eleanor was refreshing to read. She was educated and had a passion that woman wish and hope we have in how we lead our lives. Eleanor is put in to a situation where she has to figure out what she needs to do to fix the past for the ghost/real sisters, but fate seems to guide her in a direction she may not be ready to accept. "Jane Austen" comes in to the story when Eleanor has a situation where she doesn't know what to do. So, she thinks about the books Austen wrote to draw on an answer! A variety of secondary characters are filled by the 'handsome' gentleman, the snooty older ladies, and family members that will have you laughing and intrigued by their lives.

Have you ever thought about if you were able to go back to a time period that you enjoy and had a life there...would you return back to your own time? The writing style of the story gives such vivid details of the Regency time period and customs that you feel like your living there with Eleanor. Just when I thought I had the ending figured out, it turned out better! I would tell anyone that enjoys a good book to take a look at this one. The book is like a looking glass to a time period through the eyes of someone who treasures the history of our world's past.

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to Danielle at Sourcebooks for the review copy!!



**
Part of:

Book Review: Boneman's Daughters

Book description:

They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who's abducted six young women. He's the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die.

Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.

Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan's estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.

But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.



I really had high hopes to reading "Boneman's Daughter," since I love psychological thrillers!! The excitement fizzled by the end of the book. The first half of the story moved really slow for me. It may have been the 'military' driven aspect of Ryan's kidnapping, but it didn't really keep my interest, but I forged on. When the police began to believe Ryan was the suspect of his daughters kidnapping, it got more interesting and you begin to wonder if he really is the Boneman. The ending was flat and anti-climatic with nothing more then good guy wins over bad buy. I was just glad to be done and able to go on to another book!!!

Rating: 2.75/5

Thank you to Miriam at Hachette books for this reviewers copy!

Book Review: An Offer You Can't Refuse

An Offer You Can't Refuse
By Jill Mansell

Book Description from the back of the book:

Young Lola, under duress, accepts a huge bribe to break up with her boyfriend. The worst part is, the bribe is from his mother. Ten years later, when they meet again, her feelings for him are as strong as ever---but how is she going to win him back without telling him why she broke his heart in the first place?


Need a book to put on your summer reading list? This light-hearted, British chick-lit should be near the top of your list. "An Offer You Can't Refuse" was a mixture of laugh-out-loud fun and pull out a hankie emotions that come together for a story that you will not want to stop until you get to the end.

Lola is an endearing character that you might not like at first, after she takes the bribe, but she slowly starts to grow on you. Ten years after the bribe, Lola is a bookstore manager and saves a woman from a mugging. Her life gets turned upside down when the woman is the one that gave her the bribe 10 yrs earlier!! She has to deal with her old emotions with Dougie and finding out a family secret.

The secondary characters of Gabe (neighbor) and Sally (Doug's sister and Gabe's roomate) have an 'opposites' attract relationship that is just hilarious to read. Of course, there is Dougie, the boyfriend that Lola dumped for the money. We really don't learn alot about him, but he is caught in the middle not knowing what truly happened and having a broken heart. When the truth comes out in the end, will they be able to start over again? Does love always endure? You will have to read it to find out!!!

I couldn't put this book down! I love that the author made Lola a manager of a bookstore. She gets to meet a number of 'interesting' customers that are oblivious to what they are looking for in the store, but expect her to know what they need! It's an easy to read book that will have you looking forward to another book written by Jill Mansell.

Rating: 3.5/5

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Danielle for this reviewers copy!

Great Giveaway at Melissa's Bookshelf!

Head over to Melissa's Bookshelf "HERE" who is having a 100th follower contest!! Wish I had that many!! Enter her contest for a $20.00 Amazon gift card...but hurry..it ends tonite!!!


Congrats Melissa!!!

Awards!!

One Lovely Blog Award

Melissa over at Melissa's Bookshelf gave me the One Lovely Blog Award this week. Thank you so much! Here's more info about what this award means...

This award which is given to new blogs and blogging friends.

The rules to follow are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Well, I don't know that I'll be awarding "new" blogs here, but I will pass this on to 15 fabulous, lovely blogs that I've found recently:


At Home with Books
Shhh I'm Reading...
A Bookworm's World
As Usual, I Need More Bookshelves
Age 30+...A Lifetime of Books
The Sleepy Reader
The Movieholic & Bibliophile's Blog
A Sea Of Books
Unmainstream Mom Reads
Cafe of Dreams
Drey's Library
A Circle of Books
Jenn's Bookshelf
Sophisticated Dorkiness
Julie's Jewels

Click on over to their blogs and enjoy!!!

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Book Review: Defending Angels

Author Mary Stanton has created an amazing new paranormal/cozy mystery series called “A Beaufort & Company Mystery.” “Defending Angels” is the first book of the series that mixes cozy, mystery and paranormal, which will pull you in to the story from the first chapter and won’t let you go until the last page is read.

Lawyer Brianna Winston-Beaufort comes to Savannah to take over her late uncle’s practice. After finding an office to rent at a low price in a cemetery, she slowly begins to realize her practice isn’t going to be normal. Brianna gets her first phone call from a prospective client, but soon realizes he died ‘before’ she got his call! Strange things begin to happen to her as she begins her investigation in to the ‘murder’ of her client. Brianna’s family history is different then what she thought it was. Organizations, angels, demons and a freaky painting all come in to play for Brianna as she works to solve the murder of the ‘dead’ client.

“Defending Angels” was a truly charming book that had me hooked from the beginning. Mary Stanton’s writing and unique characters are what kept my attention throughout this book. I was initially worried about the ‘southern’ locale which I was afraid I wouldn’t like, but it really gave the story the historical background that was the backbone to the book. With so many ‘cozy mystery’ being published, this one really seemed to have all the pieces of a book that can stand up among the best. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series!!

Thank you to RebeccaReads for this review copy!!

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: The Family Bones

The Family Bones
By Kimberly Raiser

See the video for the book HERE

Description:

Will they stay? Will they survive? The Weavers have inherited family property in Astral, Pennsylvania, a town so small that Mrs. Weaver can find no mention of it on the Internet, save for a tiny spot on Google Earth. Hoping for a simpler, small-town existence for their young family, Steven and Tara eagerly head to Astral to see what they hope will be their dream house. As they explore their potential new home, the Weavers begin to discover secret passageways, secret rooms, and long buried family truths; some difficult truths are revealed and no longer kept in the far reaches of the closet. There are reasons for everything, and sometimes the explanations are so simple. But sometimes, simple can also be horrifying.

Review:

Filled with twist and turns, this debut novel by Kimberly Raiser is an "under the covers with a flashlight" story that will have you up all night to finish.

I really enjoyed this book!! The story and characters develop well in a relatively short book (174 pages.) The level of suspense changes through out the book to make you think you know where the story is headed, but then surprises you when it goes to a level of mystery you didn’t expect. It reminded me of the old TV shows “Outer Limits’ or “Twilight Zone” where you’re taken to a situation and allowed to observe what happens. Ms. Raiser mixes family, abduction, tunnels, paranormal and old family history to create a story that will make you continue to think about it even after you finish reading. The story isn’t overly scary or violent for a ‘thriller’ book, so kids of all ages would enjoy this book.

This "paranormal mystery thriller" will take hold of you from the first page and keeps you mesmerized until the very last page.

4/5 stars

Thank you to Delvling Press and Kimberly Raiser for sending me this book!!

Early Bird Blog Tour: "Galway Bay"

Galway Bay
By Mary Pat Kelly

Description from Hatchette Books:

Here at last is one Irish family's epic journey, capturing the tragedy and triumph of the Irish-American experience. In a rousing tale that echoes the myths and legends of Ireland herself, young Honora Keeley and Michael Kelly wed and start a family, inhabiting a hidden Ireland where fishermen and tenant farmers find solace in their ancient faith, songs, stories, and communal celebrations. Selling both their catch--and their crops--to survive, these people subsist on the potato crop--their only staple food. But when blight destroys the potatoes three times in four years, a callous government and uncaring landlords turn a natural disaster into The Great Starvation that will kill one million. Honora and Michael vow their children will live. The family joins two million other Irish refugees in one of the greatest rescues in human history: the Irish Emigration to America. Danger and hardship await them there. Honora and her unconventional sister Maire watch their seven sons as they transform Chicago from a frontier town to the "City of the Century", fight the Civil War, and enlist in the cause of Ireland's freedom. The Kelly clan is victorious. This heroic story sheds brilliant light on the ancestors of today's 44 million Irish Americans.

View a letter from the author, Mary Pat Kelly.... here

Listen to the interview of the author on Blog Talk Radio... here


Some of the participants in Early Bird Blog tour:

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/
http://wendisbookcorner.blogspot.com

Review:
I haven't finished the book yet, but I guess that will teach me to read two huge books in a row. When I have it finished, I promise a book review on it. I've heard only good things about the book, so please..pick up a copy and give it a read. Stop by the other blogs and read their reviews!! The history the book covers and how so many families were affected by the famine is eye opening.

Thank you to Miriam, Hatchette Books and Early Bird Blog Tours!!

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Book Review: Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One

Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One (Mr & Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy)

Synopsis:
It's Darcy and Elizabeth's wedding day, and the journey is just beginning as Jane Austen's beloved Pride and Prejudice characters embark on the greatest adventure of all: marriage and a life together filled with surprising passions, tender self-discovery, and the simple joys of every day.
As their love story unfolds in this most romantic of Jane Austen sequels, Darcy and Elizabeth reveal to each other how their relationship blossomed. From misunderstanding to perfect understanding, and harmony, theirs is a marriage filled with romance, sensuality and the beauty of a deep, abiding love.


Review:
Sharon Lathan has created an amazing book about consuming love between 2 people that anyone would love to have with that speical someone. The majority of the story actually happens in their bedchambers. The banter between Darcy and Elizabeth behind closed doors is intimate and erotic, which amazed me knowing how 'stiff' they are when out in public (due of course to the 'proper' rules they must follow.) I enjoyed these parts, but talking about how wonderful each of them were was overdone and I found myself skimming through some passages to find more of the story. 'Two Shall Become One" kept my attention with the writings descriptive details of the surroundings that Elizabeth and Darcy would be in. I felt as though I was there with them, peeking in through a window. The ending seemed a bit rushed with a number of things happening, but overall the book was enjoyable.
I can't compare this to the Jane Austen book, unfortunetly, because I have not read it (hopefully, one of these days I will.) I have watched the movie version of "Pride and Prejudice" (which I loved) and I will say the book was a good version of a sequel to it. I wouldn't recommend this for everyone (because of the amount of intimacy might be too much for some), but I enjoyed it enough to say that it will bring smiles and laughs to your day as you read through the life of Darcy and Elizabeth.

3.5/5 stars

Book Review: The Edge of Light

The Edge of Light (At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 1)

Synopsis:

It is the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie's life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but resolves to take care of herself and her children.

When Samuel's unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It is a dangerous journey, and along the way she must face the loss of another family member. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, restore her family, and fend off some overeager suitors.

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Review:
Ann Shorey's debut novel will grip and tug at your emotions from beginnning to end. The story is true to the time period, where many women found themselves widows with children and having no where to go. Molly has a choice to marry someone she may not really love, but can give her security or follow her heart and forgive a doctor that brought her heartache. The struggle she has managing children, work and her own social life is reflective of how women today have to find that balance in their lives too. It just amazes me how much 'life' hasn't changed that much in all these years.
The writing is strong and easy to read, which makes reading the book go very fast! I was done way too soon! This is the first book in the series "At Home in Beldon Grove" that Ann Shorey will be writing. I can' wait to read the next one. If you are looking for a book that shows how determination and strong-will can pull you through almost anything, this is the book you show read!

Thank you to Ann Shorey for the book and the opportunity to read and review her new book!! I love historical fiction!

Rating: 4/5

Book Review: "No Place for a Lady"

No Place for a Lady (Heart of the West Series, Book 1)

After the death of her father, Crystal finds herself heading to Colorado in June 1892 to visit her aunt's cattle ranch. Being raised a proper southern belle, the wild country is a whole new life that she is willing to learn to live in to help her forget her troubles. The cowhands enjoy having a pretty lady around, but one in particular isn't sure if Crystal will survive living on a ranch. Luke has his doubts tested when tragedy hits the ranch and everyone must pull together to get the cattle to market, including Crystal. Greedy neighbors, mixed emotions, romance and figuring out where she belongs, all come to a climax in Crystal's decision to stay or head back to Georgia.

"No Place for a Lady" is a romantic and thrilling story about the will of a woman to move forward to a new life and new place to call home. The interplay of the characters Crystal and Luke seem so real and emotional that you find yourself wanting to be able to tell the characters how each feels about the other! The author Maggie Brendan's story is a roller coaster of a ride. Just when you think everything is going to work out, she brings in another twist. It's not over done with too many storylines, but it all comes together in what I thought was a surprising ending.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. What could be better? The story had many of my favorite themes. Colorado, the west, strong woman, wholesome values and of course romance!! For a first book, Maggie Brendan has a remarkable book that many readers will just love. So, go buy a copy...sit back..relax..and enjoy a book that will make you smile as you read!

4.5/5 stars

Book Carnival Giveaway - Winner!!!

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

1933wel

Congratulations!!

I will be sending the winner an email to get your information.. I want to thank everyone for stopping by my blog and entering the contest. I hope you all stop by again for more giveaways and to read my book reviews!!

Thanks!!

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Book Giveaway Carnival ...has begun!!

( This is a sticky post that will stay on top. NEWER posts are down below!!)

Let the contests begin!!! Jump on over to Bookroomreviews and get all of Tracy's details about the carnival of blogs giving away book related items in contests. All you have to do is click on the links to go to each of the blogs. Take the time to check out other blogs...you will be amazed at how awesome they are!!!There is over 100 contests already listed!! BUT FIRST!! Enter MY contest!!





Teen brothers Hayden and Ewan Barlow are forced to adjust to a depressing new life when tragedy strikes their home. Then a secret viking runestone opens the door to a world in peril, and they discover a crisis larger than their own pain.

In the Hidden Lands of Karac Tor, names are stolen from the young and darkness spreads. Haydn and Ewan become targets of war, forcing them to make a reluctant choice: join the battle of risk losing each other and their home forever....

This is the first book of the series "Legends of Karac Tor". A young adult, fantasy that has gotten many good reviews.


Contest:

The contest is for an author SIGNED copy of the book "The Book of Names" !!!

1. Just leave a comment saying you want to be entered.

2. This is for U.S. or Canada mailing only.

3. Please leave your email address if you don't sign in with you blog..so I can locate you to let you know you win.

4. You have until Sunday March 8th at 11:59pm CT. to enter!!

5. Winner will be announced on Monday March 9th.

GOOD LUCK!!!

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Book Review: Asking for Murder

One of the best genres written these days are murder mysteries. Roberta Isleib, author of “Asking for Murder,” writes a gripping story of who-dun-it that makes you ponder all the twists and turns of the mystery. This book is the third book of the “An Advice Column Mystery” series that Isleib has written, but the first of hers for me to read. She writes in what I call simple talk. No big words, no complex thoughts or hard to understand plots that could make the story drag. I look forward to reading more of her books.

The series main character is Dr. Rebecca Butterman who finds her friend Annabelle, a fellow therapist, badly beaten and near death. Rebecca wants to help find answers to who wanted to cause her friend harm, but no one wants her nosing around. From strange patients to an estranged sister, the suspect list begins to grow. A clue to solving the crime may lie in the sand play therapy that Annabelle uses in her sessions with clients. It is up to Dr. Butterman to get in to the sand and see what suspects she can find to help her friend before it’s too late!

I love these women, amateur-sleuth type books that make you want to get in to the book and be a sleuth too! The plot is very simple and easy to follow, but it leaves you wondering ‘who’ the actual attacker is until the very end. Rebecca is a strong and intelligent woman who doesn’t quite have her life ‘all together.” I think that is why we love her so much, she is one of us. The few advice columns that are put in throughout the book, really don’t add to the story, but do give you a bit of insight into Rebecca’s state of mind as she responds to the questions.

If the first two books of the series are like this one, I can’t wait to read them. Having not read the other books, I had no problem jumping in to the storyline without knowing the characters background. So, if you’re looking for a cozy mystery to cuddle up with after a hard day, I would recommend “Asking for Murder.”

4/5 stars

Book received from and reviewed for RebeccaReads...
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