2014 Audio Book Challenge

  The 2014 Audio Book Challenge is hosted by Teresa’s Reading Corner, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. I love listening to audio books and have been doing this challenge for the past few  years. I’m joining at the Married level, which means I need to listen to more than 25  audio books in 2014. I’ll keep track of them here.   ***As of 7/31/14, I…

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2014 Finish the Series Reading Challenge

The 2014 Finish the Series Reading Challenge is hosted by Socrates’ Book Reviews, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. I love reading series and have quite a few that I really need to catch up on. I’m joining at the Level 3, which means I need to complete three or more series (and hopefully I’ll be able to do more!). I’m going for 4, one…

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2014 Nonfiction Reading Challenge

The 2014 Nonfiction Reading Challenge is hosted by The Introverted Reader, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. I have quite a few nonfiction book sitting on my bookshelves just waiting to be read and hope this reading challenge will be the perfect push to get me to read them!  I’m joining at the Dilettante level, which means I need to read 5 nonfiction books in…

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2014 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

The 2014 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge is hosted by Historical Tapestry, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. I’ve participated in this challenge for the past few years and really enjoy it.  I’m joining at the Ancient History level, which means I need to read at least 25 historical fiction books in 2014. I’ll keep track of them here. Honeymoon in Paris by Jojo Moyes (e-book)…

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2014 E-book Reading Challenge

  The 2014 E-Book Challenge is hosted by Workaday Reads and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. I’ve done this challenge for the past couple years and love seeing just how much I end up reading on the iPad at the end of the year. I’m joining at the DVD level, which means I need to read at least 25 e-books in 2014. I’ll keep track…

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2014 Chunkster Reading Challenge

  The 2014 Chunkster Reading Challenge is hosted by Vasilly, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. The goal of this reading challenge is to read books with 450 pages or more. There is no set levels for this challenge – the goal is to challenge yourself to read those chunksters. I’m going to set a goal for myself to read at least 5. ***As of…

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2014 Quick Fix Reading Challenge

The 2014 Quick Fix Reading Challenge is hosted by Jessie’s Book Place, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. The goal of this reading challenge is to read books with less than 300 pages.  I am going to join this challenge at the Paperclip level, where I hope to read 15 of the shorter books.  ***As of 3/30/14, I completed this challenge. I’m going to keep…

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2014 First Reads Reading Challenge

  The 2014 First Reads Reading Challenge is hosted by b00k r3vi3ws, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. The goal of this reading challenge is to read new-to-you authors.  I’m joining at the Lover level, which means that I need to read between 26-50 books from new-to-me authors. I’ll keep track of them here. I’ll also link my reviews to the list.  ***As of 8/31/14,…

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2014 Netgalley Reading Challenge

  The 2014 Netgalley Reading Challenge is hosted by Ariel Avalon, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. This goal of this challenge is to not only read all those books we’ve requested from Netgalley but to then review them so as to get our feedback ratio up to the recommended 80%. I’m joining at the Hard level, which means I need to read and review…

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2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge

  The 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge is hosted by Rachel @ Fiktshun and Reanna @ Phantasmic Reads, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. This is a reading challenge where we are challenged to read all those review books that have piled up on our shelves that we just haven’t gotten to yet. I am going to join this challenge at the Aprrentice level, where…

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2014 Mount TBR Reading Challenge

The 2014 Mount TBR Reading Challenge is hosted by My Reader’s Block, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. I participated in a similar challenge last year, but didn’t quite make my goal. I’m hoping to be successful this time around as at last count, I have about 200 books on my shelves that I have not read yet. I’m joining at the Mt. Vancouver level,…

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2014 I Love Library Books Reading Challenge

  The 2014 I Love Library Books Reading Challenge is hosted by Book Dragon’s Lair, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. I love my local library and love doing this challenge. This is my fifth year participating in the library challenge! I’m joining at the Just Insert IV level, which means I need to borrow at least 50 books from the library in 2014. I’ll…

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2014 You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge

  The 2014 You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge is hosted by Book Dragon’s Lair, and it goes from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. This is a reading challenge where we are challenged to read, read, read!!! I am going to join this challenge at Level 2, where I hope to read 150 books. While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax Halfway There by Susan…

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2014 Goals for Reading/Blogging/Life in General

I did this last year, and it helped me set myself up for the upcoming year. I think this will be a fixed feature on January 1 of each year I blog. One of my resolutions for 2014 is to be more organized – in life and in blogging. I need to get back to using my blogger planner. Between the holidays and the new puppy, that kind of fell…

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Year in Review: 2013

2013 has been a great year. I’ve been blogging for almost four years now and am always humbled when I read your comments and see that I have new followers. Thank you to all who visit my blog. This year has been a year of many new things for me and my blog. I’ve joined a few online book clubs (She Reads and Book Lovers Unite) and made many new…

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The First Book of the Year 2014

Each year, Sheila over at Book Journey makes a big deal over what the first book she’ll read will be for the new year and this year she’s asked us to join her.  For my first book of the year, I decided to go with a book I’ve been wanting to read for a while – and one that’s been sitting on my shelf for some time as well. And…

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Month in Review: December 2013

Here are my reading stats for December! Books read:  13 Books I read (reviewed ones have * and link to review; books not yet reviewed will be linked up once review is posted.) The Diva Frosts a Cupcake*  — Krista Davis The Wrong Girl* — Hank Phillippi Ryan Takedown Twenty*– Janet Evanovich (audio) The Silent Girl* — Tess Gerritsen ( audio) All Summer Long* — Susan Mallery (e-book) A Fool’s…

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Review: Big Sky Secrets by Linda Lael Miller

Title: Big Sky Secrets   Author: Linda Lael Miller  Series: Swoon Worthy Cowboy Series, #6   Published: December 2013, Harlequin HQN Format: ARC e-copy, 384 pages   Source: Netgalley    Self-made tycoon Landry Sutton heads to Hangman Bend’s Ranch to sell his land to his brother Zane. Though he’s got cowboy in his blood, Landry plans to return to city life before the dust even settles on his boots. Of…

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Review: Touch & Go by Lisa Gardner (audio)

Title: Touch & Go    Author: Lisa Gardner    Narrator: Elisabeth Rodgers   Published: February 2013, Brilliance Audio Length: 14 hours, 29 minutes   Source: Personal copy  #1 New York Times bestseller Lisa Gardner, author of Catch Me and Love You More, returns with a heart-thumping thriller about what lurks behind the facade of a perfect family. This is my family:  Vanished without a trace… Justin and Libby Denbe have the kind of life…

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The Sunday Post #5 (12.29.13)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.    I’ve decided to try a new weekly meme – a place where I can do both a weekly wrap up and share what…

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Bout of Books 9.0 Sign-Up!

Another Bout of Books is coming and I am declaring my intention to join. As it is happening the first full week of January, I hope it will give me a good reading burst for the new year. Not familiar with what Bout of Books is? Check out the blurb from the Bout of Books gals… The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender…

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Review: A Seaside Christmas by Sherryl Woods

Title: A Seaside Christmas    Author: Sherryl Woods  Series: Chesapeake Shores, #10   Published: September 2013, Harlequin MIRA    Format: ARC e-copy, 288 pages   Source: Netgalley   #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods takes you back to Chesapeake Shores for another heartwarming holiday season As the only child of a single mom, Jenny Collins wanted nothing more than to be part of a large, rambunctious family like…

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The Sunday Post #4 (12.22.13)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.   I’ve decided to try a new weekly meme – a place where I can do both a weekly wrap up and share what…

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Review: A Fool’s Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery

Title: A Fool’s Gold Christmas   Author: Susan Mallery  Series: Fool’s Gold, #9.5  Published: October 2013, Harlequin HQN   Format: ARC e-copy, 336 pages   Source: Netgalley   A classic heartwarming tale for the holidays from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery The cheer in Fool’s Gold, California, is bringing out the humbug in dancer Evie Stryker. An injury has forced her to return home to her estranged family.…

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Review: All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

Title: All Summer Long   Author: Susan Mallery  Series: Fool’s Gold, #9  Published: July 2012, Harlequin HQN  Format: e-book, 384 pages  Source: Personal copy   Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he’ll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool’s Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his…

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Review: Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich (audio)

Title: Takedown Twenty    Author: Janet Evanovich    Series: Stephanie Plum, #20    Narrator: Lorelei King   Published: November 2013, Books on Tape   Length: 6 hours, 12 minutes   Source: Personal copy  New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum knows better than to mess with family. But when powerful mobster Salvatore “Uncle Sunny” Sunucchi goes on the lam in Trenton, it’s up to Stephanie to find him. Uncle Sunny is…

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Review: Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen (audio)

Title: Ice Cold    Author: Tess Gerritsen    Series: Rizzoli & Isles, #8   Narrator: Tanya Eby    Published: June 2010, Brilliance Audio   Length: 10  hours   Source: Library  A spur-of-the-moment ski trip becomes a bone-chilling nightmare when a wrong turn leaves Boston medical examiner Maura Isles marooned—far from home and help—in the snowbound Wyoming mountains. Seeking shelter from the cold, she and her traveling companions stumble upon Kingdom…

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Sunday Post #3 (12.15.13)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.  I’ve decided to try a new weekly meme – a place where I can do both a weekly wrap up and share what books…

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Book Spotlight: A Bordeaux Dynasty by Francoise Bourdin

Title: A Bordeaux Dynasty  Author: Francoise Bourdin  Published: November 2013, Publishers Square Format: e-book, 423 pages  Source: Netgalley  The Laverzac family gathers twice a year around its patriarch, Aurélien, on its magnificent vineyard in Bordeaux. But this particular summer, a storm of family tension starts to simmer—one that will be far more devastating than anything that could beat down on the grapes. With the vineyard’s future at stake, Aurélien, who…

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Review: It Must Be Your Love by Bella Andre

Title: It Must Be Your Love  Author: Bella Andre  Series: The Sullivans, #11, (Seattle Sullivans, # 2) Published: November 2013, Bella Andre Format: ARC e-book, 400 pages  Source: Author  Successful Seattle Realtor Mia Sullivan is nobody’s fool…apart from that one week five years ago when she gave away her heart to a sexy musician who gave her nothing in return but a few sinfully perfect days—and nights—in his bed. Though…

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Review: Summer Days by Susan Mallery

Title: Summer Days  Author: Susan Mallery  Series: Fool’s Gold, #7  Published: May 2012, HQN Books Format: e-book, 378 pages  Source: Personal copy  New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery returns with a new Fool’s Gold trilogy featuring three rugged cowboys who will find love in the unlikeliest of places…. Locked in an unexpected land dispute, Rafe Stryker is trapped in the one place he vowed never to return to-the Castle…

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Review: Close Your Eyes by Iris Johanse/Roy Johansen (audio)

Title: Close Your Eyes    Author: Iris Johansen/Roy Johansen    Series: Kendra Michaels, #1    Narrator: Elisabeth Rodgers   Published: July 2012, Brilliance Audio   Length: 10 hours, 41 minutes    Source: Purchased via Audible A music therapist who thrives on helping others, Kendra Michaels cherishes the ordinary life she has achieved after stem cell surgery restored her sight. The skills she perfected during those sightless years – the ability…

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Sunday Post #2 (12.8.13)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.  I’ve decided to try a new weekly meme – a place where I can do both a weekly wrap up and share what books…

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Let’s Discuss…Reading Challenges

It’s that time of year again….time when I realize that I’ve probably bitten off more than I can chew when I comes to the reading challenges I’ve signed up to participate in for the year…but guess what? I’m probably going to do the same thing again for the upcoming year. Why, you ask? Well, let’s see… Why I like reading challenges: I can be a competitive person and find reading…

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Review: The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen (audio)

Title: The Keepsake     Author: Tess Gerritsen    Series: Rizzoli & Isles, #7    Narrator: Deirdre Lovejoy   Published:  September 2008, Random House Audio  Length: 11 hours   Source: Library  For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten in the dusty basement of Boston’s Crispin Museum. Dubbed “Madam X,” the recently rediscovered mummy is, to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact. But medical examiner Maura Isles discovers…

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Review & Giveaway: The Wrong Girl by Hank Phillippi Ryan (CLOSED)

***Congratulations to Suko, winner of the giveaway!!! Thanks to all who entered!  Title: The Wrong Girl  Author: Hank Phillippi Ryan  Series: Jane Ryland/Jake Brogan #2  Published: September 2013, Forge Books  Format: Hardcover, 368 pages  Source: Personal copy  Award-winning and Boston Globe bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan presents a spine-chilling, heart-wrenching suspense novel that explores a terrifying scenario striking at the heart of every family. Does a respected adoption agency have…

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Review & Giveaway: The Diva Frosts a Cupcake by Krista Davis (CLOSED)

***Congratulations to Marie, winner of the giveaway!!! Thanks to all who entered! Title: The Diva Frosts a Cupcake  Author: Krista Davis  Series: Domestic Diva Mystery, #7 Published: June 2013, Berkley Format: Paperback, 289 pages  Source: Personal copy  Revenge is sweet… Sophie Winston and her BFF, Nina Reid Norwood, share a sweet spot for animals. So Sophie is delighted to help when Nina cooks up Cupcakes and Pupcakes—a fundraising event for…

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Cozy Mystery Week: Laura Childs’ Cozy Mystery Series Plus a Giveaway!!! (CLOSED)

 ***Congratulations to Traveler, winner of the giveaway!!! Thanks to all who entered! Jenn over at Jenn’s Bookshelves is hosting Cozy Mystery Week this week where she’ll be celebrating cozy mystery series all week long. I’ve decided to join in, featuring some of my favorite cozies this week along with some giveaways, too. To start the week off, I thought I would begin with the author that got me hooked on…

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Month in Review: November 2013

It’s December…and I love the holidays!!! Between my birthday and Christmas this month tends to fly by, so I’m hoping I still get some quality reading time in. I’m already starting to think about what I want to do in 2014 – blogging-wise as well as reading-wise. I still need to look into what reading challenges I’m going to participate in – in fact, I’ll be posting a general discussion…

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Sunday Post #1 (12.1.13)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.  I’ve decided to try a new weekly meme – a place where I can do both a weekly wrap up and share what books…

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Review: Almost Summer: A Fool’s Gold Novella by Susan Mallery

Title: Almost Summer: A Fool’s Gold Novella Author: Susan Mallery  Series: Fool’s Gold, #6.2  Published: May 2012, HQN Books Format: E-book, 45 pages   Source: Personal copy   Ever since she was young, Paige McLean has longed to see the world. Still, she never imagined the world would land on her doorstep in the form of a charming British surgeon who needs a place to stay when his plans fall…

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Review: The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan (audio)

Title: The Engagements     Author: J. Courtney Sullivan    Narrator: Kimberly Farr   Published: June 2013, Random House Audio   Length: 17 hours   Source: Library  From the New York Times best-selling author of Maine and Commencement comes a big, sprawling novel about marriage–about those who marry in a white heat of passion, those who marry for partnership and comfort, and those who live together, love each other, and…

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Review & Giveaway: Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs (CLOSED)

***Congratulations to Kelly Blackwell & Britney Adams, winners of the giveaway!!! Thanks to all who entered!     Title: Candlelight Christmas  Author: Susan Wiggs   Series: Lakeshore Chronicles, #10 Published: October 2013, Harlequin MIRA Format: ARC e-copy, 336 pages  Source: Netgalley via publicist  #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUSAN WIGGS INVITES YOU TO AN UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS IN THE CATSKILLS A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan…

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Book Excerpt: Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUSAN WIGGS INVITES YOU TO AN UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS IN THE CATSKILLS A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O’Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie. The entire O’Donnell clan arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a postcard-pretty town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the…

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Giveaway: A Madaris Bride for Christmas by Brenda Jackson (CLOSED)

 ***Congratulations to Melanie Backus & Mandi Childress, winners of the giveaway!!! Thanks to all who entered!  Yesterday I posted an excerpt of Brenda Jackson’s latest book, A Madaris Bride for Christmas. You can read the excerpt here. Today, I’m pleased to announce that thanks to the publicist, I have two copies of the book to offer my readers. Title:  A Madaris Bride for Christmas   Author: Brenda Jackson  Series: Madaris…

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Book Spotlight & Excerpt: A Madaris Bride for Christmas by Brenda Jackson

Title:  A Madaris Bride for Christmas   Author: Brenda Jackson  Series: Madaris Family & Friends, #19 Published: October 2013, Harlequin Kimani Arabesque Format: E-book, 320 pages  Source: Netgalley  IN HER 100TH BOOK, NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR blends heated sensuality and drama into a dazzling new novel featuring one of her most unforgettable Madaris heroes yet… One by one, Madaris men have surrendered to the matchmaking schemes…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (11.25.13)

It’s Monday What Are you Reading , hosted by Sheila, is the perfect way for me to begin my week and allows me to focus on what needs to be read and to see what I have or have not accomplished the previous week. I also enjoy discovering new books by visiting other participants blogs.   While I’m looking forward to having Thanksgiving here at my house this year, I’m…

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Stacking the Shelves (70) 11.24.13

Tynga of Tynga’s Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week.        Here’s what I got: Purchased: The Way You Look Tonight (e-book) by Bella Andre   This is book 9 in the overall Sullivan series, but the first book in the Seattle Sullivan series. I have really come to love Bella’s books – they’re quick, fun reads with a little steam thrown in! Takedown…

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Dare to Love by Carly Phillips

Title: Dare to Love  Author: Carly Phillips  Series: Dare to Love, #1 Published: November 2013, Carly Phillips Format: ARC e-copy, 204 pages   Source: Publicist New York Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips turns up the heat in her newest sexy contemporary romance series, and introduces you to the Dare family… siblings shaped by a father’s secrets and betrayal. Since finding out his father had another family on the side, Ian…

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani (CLOSED)

***Congratulations to Suko, winner of the giveaway!!! Thanks to all who entered!   Title: The Supreme Macaroni Company  Author: Adriana Trigiani  Series: Valentine, #3 Published: November 2013, Harper Format: ARC Paperback, 352 pages  Source: TLC Books Tours  For over a hundred years, the Angelini Shoe Company in Greenwich Village has relied on the leather produced by Vechiarelli & Son in Tuscany. This historic business partnership provides the twist of fate for…

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