Last August I participated in the Bout of Books read-a-thon for the first time and loved it. So, I thought I would do it again. Here is some info about the read-a-thon from the founders: “The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 7th and runs through…
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Tynga of Tynga’s Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Here’s what I got: For Review: Children of Liberty by Paullina Simons This looks to be a good historical fiction book. From what I understand, it’s actually a prequel to Paullina Simons’ The Bronze Horsemen series, which I have not read. From Library: Perfect Fit by Carly Phillips This…
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Dreams of Joy by Lisa See Random House May 2011 Format: Hardcover, 354 pages First line: The wail of a police siren in the distance tears through my body. From the inside cover: In her beloved New York Times bestsellers Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, and, most recently, Shanghai Girls, Lisa See has brilliantly illuminated the potent bonds of mother love, romantic love, and love of…
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Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author. I’m reading The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak: The spies you learn about are either those who get exposed or…
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A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson Read by Joshilyn Jackson Hachette Audio January 2012 Length: 12.5 hours From the back of the audio case: When a long-hidden grave is unearthed in the backyard, headstrong young Mosey Slocumb is determined to investigate. What she learns could cost her family everything… Every fifteen years, trouble comes after the three Slocumb women. Now, as the youngest turns fifteen, she’s desperate to…
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The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman Pocket Books October 2011 Format: Paperback, 340 pages First line: My dream flutters away as I open my eyes. From the back cover: Ann Pearlman’s irresistible debut novel provides the perfect ingredients for a fun and touching read about a group of women who gather each year to share a journey of friendship, hope, heartbreak—and recipes. Every year at Christmastime, Marnie and her…
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Hi, my name is Kristin and I am a reading challenge addict! This year I have signed up for 12 year-long reading challenges and I also usually end up participating in 2 shorter reading challenges throughout the year (Spring Reading Thing and Fall Into Reading). This is the first time I am joining the Reading Challenge Addict Challenge and I’m looking forward to the support and encouragement of those who…
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The Audio Book Challenge is hosted by Teresa’s Reading Corner, and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. I love listening to audio books and now that I have figured out how to get them on my iPod, I can listen at the gym, too! I’m joining at the Married level, which means I need to listen to more than 25 audio books in 2013. I’ll…
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The Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge is hosted by Socrates’ Book Reviews and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. I love reading cozy mysteries and think this will be a fun challenge to join! I’m joining at the Super Sleuth level, which means I need to read at least 13 cozy mysteries in 2013. I’ll keep track of them here along with links to…
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The Finish the Series Reading Challenge is hosted by Socrates’ Book Reviews, and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. 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’ll keep track of them…
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The2012 E-Book Challengeis hosted by Workaday Reads and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. I have a Nook and just got an iPad, so between the two, I’m hoping to get to all the e-books I’ve gotten over the past year. I’m joining at the DVD level, which means I need to read at least 25 e-books in 2013. I’ll keep track of them here. ***As…
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The Historical Fiction Reading Challenge is hosted by Historical Tapestry, and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. I participated in this challenge last year and ended up reading 13 historical fiction books so I am going to push myself to read a few more this year. I’m joining at the Ancient History level, which means I need to read at least 25 historical fiction books…
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The Classics Reading Challenge is hosted by Thoughts at One in the Morning, and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. I’ve been meaning to read some of the classics, mainly the Jane Austen books I have sitting on my shelf for a while, so I’m thrilled to do this challenge. There is no set levels for this challenge – the goal is to read at least…
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The 2013 First Reads Reading Challenge is hosted by b00k r3vi3ws, and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. 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 11-20 books from new-to-me authors. I’ll keep track of them here. I’ll also link my reviews to the list. ***As of April 2nd,…
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The 2013 Tea & Books Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Garden, and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. The goal of this reading challenge is to read books with more than 650 pages. I’m joining at the Chamomile Lover level, which means I need to read at least 2 books that have more than 650 pages. I’ll keep track of them here along…
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The 2013 Off the Shelf is hosted by Bookish Ardour, and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. I participated in this 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 Making a Dint level, which means…
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The 2013 Library Books Reading Challenge is hosted by Book Dragon’s Lair, and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. I love my local library and love doing this challenge. This is my fourth year participating in a 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 2013. I’ll keep track…
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The 2013 Read-A-Latte Reading Challenge is hosted by Kimberly’s Bookshelf, and it goes from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. This is a reading challenge where we are challenged to read… -a- latte! I am going to join this challenge at the Cappuccino level, where I hope to read 100 books. ***For this challenge, I am only including physical books/e-books that I’ve read…I am not including audio. ***As…
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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 2013 is to be more organized – in life and in blogging. After Bloggiesta this past September, I came up with a blogger planner – a calendar/to-do list specifically for blogging. It was…
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2012 has been a great year. I’ve been blogging for almost three years now and am always humbled when I read your comments and see that I have new followers. I have been introduced to so many great authors and books as a result of blogging. Thank you to all who visit my blog. My top reads of 2012 are (in no particular order): By the King’s Design by Christine…
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Here are my reading stats for December! Books read: 15 Books I read (reviewed ones have * and link to review; books not yet reviewed will be linked up once review is posted.) Fated* — Carly Phillips (e-book novella) Baltimore Blues*– Laura Lippman (e-book) Hot Six*– Janet Evanovich (audio) Rococo* — Adriana Trigiani Vets in Love* –Cathy Woodman Hidden Summit* — Robyn Carr Buzz Off* –Hannah Reed The Christmas Cookie…
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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. It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the first of the new year. The past…
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Tynga of Tynga’s Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Here’s what I got: For Review: Lady of Ashes by Christine Trent I am so excited to read this…Christine Trent is one of my favorite authors. I have loved all her books and this one is the first in a new historical mystery series…look for my review to be…
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Buzz Off by Hannah Reed Berkley September 2010 Format: Paperback, 336 pages First line: If I hadn’t been drinking champagne at noon on Friday, I would have been over at the honey house with Manny Chapman, my beekeeping mentor and owner of Queen Bee Honey, and possibly, just possibly, I might have saved him from what must have been a very painful death. From the back cover: When beekeeper Story…
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Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr Mira December 2011 Format: Paperback, 347 pages First line: Brie Valenzuela finished her large latte and looked into the empty cup. From the back cover: Sometimes romance is hiding in plain sight… When Connor Danson becomes an unwitting witness to a violent crime, he is forced to leave Sacramento and keep a low profile until the trial is over. He arrives in the tiny mountain…
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Rococo by Adriana Trigiani Ballantine Books April 2006 Format: Paperback, 320 pages First line: I want you to imagine my house. From the back cover: Bartolomeo di Crespi is the acclaimed interior decorator – not to mention the most eligible bachelor – in Our Lady of Fatima (OLOF), New Jersey. From the dazzling shores of the Garden State to the legendary fabric houses of New York City, from the prickly…
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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. It was a busy week with last minute Christmas errands and holiday baking. For the…
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Tynga of Tynga’s Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Here’s what I got: For Review: The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb This just peaked my curiosity…haven’t read anything by Wendy Webb before, so I hope I like it! Purchased: The Kommandant’s Girl by Pam Jenoff I’m doing a tour…
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Another challenge has come to a close. As you can see from my list, I finished reading all the books I had listed – this is the first time I was able to get to all the books on my list!!!! I was also able to read an additional 10 books during this time that were not on my original list. That puts my total number of books read from…
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Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman Harper Collins Publisher October 2009 Format: e-book, 384 pages First line: On the last night of August, Tess Monaghan went to the drugstore and bought a composition book-one with a black and-white marble cover. Synopsis from B&N: In a city where someone is murdered almost every day, attorney Michael Abramowitz’s death should be just another statistic. But the slain lawyer’s notoriety—and his taste for illicit…
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Vets in Love by Cathy Woodman Arrow December 2012 Format: Paperback, 400 pages First line: It’s just before nine on Monday morning, and the rush has already begun. From the back cover: Love is in the air in Talyton St. George, Devon’s most romantic town. Glamorous GP Nicci (aka the galloping doctor) and Matt, the very handsome equine vet, have caught each other’s eye. On paper it looks like a…
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CONGRATULATIONS to Kirsten winner of The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak Random.org selected the winners. Thanks to all who entered the giveaway and thanks for sharing your favorite historical fiction novel – I have lots of titles I will be adding to my tbr list!
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It’s Monday What Are you Reading , hosted by Sheila, isthe 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. Well, it ended up being a rather productive week – due partly to the fact that…
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Fated by Carly Phillips Penguin Group December 2012 Format: Netgalley ARC e-book First line: Kate Andrews loved a man in uniform. Synopsis from Goodreads: New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips presents a never-before-published novella set in a quaint upstate New York town—where Serendipity’s finest show exactly what they’re made of… Kate Andews is the original rebound girl. But she has had enough and has vowed to never be someone’s…
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The Quilter’s Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini Plume April 2000 Format: Paperback, 272 pages First line: Sarah leaned against the brick wall and tried to look comfortable, hoping no one walking by would notice her or wonder why she was standing around in a suit on such a hot day. From the back cover: When Sarah McClure and her husband, Matt, move to Waterford, Pennsylvania, she hopes to make a…
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Hot Six by Janet Evanovich Read by CJ Critt Recorded Books 2001 Length: 9.5 hours From the back of the audio case: Stephanie Plum, America’s favorite bounty hunter, returns to the streets of Trenton, New Jersey for another rousing adventure. With high-spirited sidekicks like the bizarre Grandma Mazur and ex-hooker Lula, its easy to see why Stephanie’s fan base grows every day. While trying to make an honest buck apprehending…
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Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author. I’m reading Dreams of Joy by Lisa See: The wail of a police siren in the distance tears through my…
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Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr MIRA February 2011 Format: e-book, 400 pages First line: “I need to see you,” Phillip said. Synopsis from B&N: Rising sous-chef Kelly Matlock’s sudden collapse at work is a wake-up call. Disillusioned and burned out, she’s retreated to her sister Jillian’s house in Virgin River to rest and reevaluate. Puttering in Jill’s garden and cooking with her heirloom vegetables is wonderful, but Virgin River is…
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It’s Monday What Are you Reading , hosted by Sheila, isthe 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. I can’t believe there are only 21 days left in 2012…I have quite a bit of…
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This blog hop is hosted by Amy at Passages to the Past This is the first time I am participating in a blog hop and I’m quite excited. I love reading historical fiction and have definitely found my niche – I adore anything Tudor related, but I’ve also become quite enamored with Russian historical fiction, particularly anything to do with Catherine the Great, so my giveaway is for a paperback…
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Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts Read by Rebecca Lowman Brilliance Audio Length: 15 hours, 10 minutes Synopsis from Goodreads: There’s little else as thrilling as firefighting – at least to Rowan Tripp. The Missoula smoke jumpers are in Rowan’s blood: her father is a legend. She’s been fighting fires since her eighteenth birthday. At this point, returning to the wilds of Montana for the season feels like coming home –…
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Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author. I’m reading Rococo by Adriana Trigiani: I want you to imagine my house. It’s a classic English country cottage, nestled…
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Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson Little, Brown and Company November 2012 Format: Hardcover, 400 pages First line: The rear door to St. Anthony’s Church had been left open. From the inside cover: Detective Alex Cross is ripped away from his family on Christmas Eve – but that’s nothing compared to what awaits him on Christmas Day. SILENT NIGHT It’s a snowy Christmas Eve, and Detective Alex Cross is…
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Postcards from the Dead by Laura Childs Berkley October 2012 Format: Hardcover, 336 pages First line: A dazzling night filled with gigantic floats, silver beads, dizzying lights, fire-twirling flambeaus, and a crowd that was fueled by too much Dixie Beer and Southern Comfort. From the inside cover: New Orleans is in the throes of another fantastic Mardi Gras celebration when the party gets crashed by a murderer. Now a scrapbooking…
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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. After a busy couple of weeks, my husband and I headed up to our cabin…
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Here are my reading stats for November! Books read: 11 Books I read (reviewed ones have * and link to review; books not yet reviewed will be linked up once review is posted.) Sleep No More* — Iris Johansen The Hot Flash Club Strikes Again*– Nancy Thayer (audio) The Perfect Hope*– Nora Roberts The Lincoln Conspiracy* — Timothy O’Brien Stake & Eggs* — Laura Childs High Five* — Janet Evanovich…
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Tynga of Tynga’s Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. Here’s what I got: For Review: Vets in Love by Cathy Woodman This looks like a cute, fun story – perfect for the holidays! Purchased: The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak I’ve had my eye on this book for a while and can’t…
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High Five by Janet Evanovich Read by CJ Critt Recorded Books 1999 Length: 9.75 hours From the back of the audio case: Find out why Stephanie Plum’s racy, in-your-face New Jersey adventures are attracting a growing number of fans. Join America’s favorite bounty hunter as she scrambles to make an honest living, keep her family happy, and find true love. Desperate for money, Stephanie is trying to apprehend a surly…
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Stake & Eggs by Laura Childs Berkley November 2012 Format: ARC Paperback, 304 pages First line: Ice pellets blasted the windows of the Cackleberry Club. From the back cover: New York Times bestselling author Laura Childs presents the best way to start your day—with a hearty breakfast and a side of hard-boiled murder. Suzanne, Toni, and Petra found a second life after losing their husbands—opening their own successful business, the…
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It’s Monday What Are you Reading , hosted by Sheila, isthe 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. So I ended up taking an unplanned break from blogging last week. Between getting ready for…
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