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 So Pretty It Hurts by Kate White: An old geezer of a reporter I used to work with…
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From the back of the audio case: Ordinarily, a coming-of-age novel is about a young person on the brink of adulthood. Nancy Thayer has written a coming-of-age novel about four women on the brink of menopause – the “Hot Flash Club.” These women have skills, smarts, and secrets, but they’re all feeling over the hill and generally in a bad way. By chance, however, they meet, and not only do…
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First line: A few months after I hunted a vicious killer named the Tiger halfway around the world, I began to think seriously about a book I had been wanting to write for years. From the inside cover: The irresistible story – passed down through the generations – of a courageous fight for freedom by one of Alex Cross’s ancestors. SEPARATED BY TIME From his grandmother, Alex Cross has heard…
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Here are my reading stats for April! 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.) Raising Wild Ginger by Tara Woolpy Paradise Valley* by Robyn Carr The Sumerton Women* by DL Bogdan The Girl Who Chased the Moon* by Sarah Addison Allen The Undomestic Goddess* by Sophie Kinsella Alex Cross’s Trial* by…
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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 received the nicest card in the mail this week – a thank you from an…
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First line: It took a moment for Emily to realize the car had come to a stop. From the back cover: Emily Benedict has come to Mullaby, North Carolina, hoping to solve at least some of the riddles surrounding her mother’s life. But the moment Emily enters the house where her mother grew up and meets the grandfather she never knew, she realizes that mysteries aren’t solved in Mullaby, they’re…
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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 Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery: “I’m going off to war tomorrow. I might not make it back.” This…
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From the back of the audio case: Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She’s made a mistake so huge, it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership. Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered…
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Please join me in welcoming Elizabeth Loupas, author of the new book, The Flower Reader to Always With a Book! If you missed my review, you can read it here. Today Elizabeth talks about the how she was able to write like Nostradamus. WRITING LIKE NOSTRADAMUS by Elizabeth Loupas It’s hard to write about European courts in the sixteenth century without at least some reference to Michel de Nostredame—Nostradamus. His…
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First line: I hated the queen, hated her down to the deepest marrow of my bones. From the back cover: With her dying breath, the queen regent of Scotland entrusts a silver casket to half-Scots, half-French seventeen-year-old Rinette Leslie of Granmuir, who possesses the ancient gift of using flowers to divine the future. Inside the casket, and meant only for young Mary, Queen of Scots, are the darkest secrets of…
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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 Thanks to all who shared advice on how to get audio books from library to ipod…
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The Audio Book Challenge is hosted by Teresa’s Reading Corner, and it goes from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.I participated in this challenge last year and ended up surpassing my first goal (listen to 6 audio books) and second goal (20 or more) – I ended the year having listened to 23 audio books. I’m joining at the Lover level, which means I need to listen to at…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. From the Library: What Doesn’t Kill You by Iris Johansen This is Iris Johansen’s newest book, part of what FictFact is calling the Catherine Ling series. As soon as it was in the library system, I reserved it. It came in this past week…
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First line: Walt Booth was feeling lonely. Synopsis from B&N: Marine corporal Rick Sudder is home early from Iraq—his tour ended abruptly on the battlefield. The carefree boy is gone, replaced by a man who believes his future is as bleak as his mirror image. But can the passion and commitment of a young woman who has never given up on him mend his broken body and shattered heart? As…
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Jen fromDevourer of Bookshas announced the dates for 2012 Audiobook Week – June 25 – 29. This is a fun week that celebrates audiobooks. There will be discussion posts, reviews, and giveaways!!! Will you be participating?
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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 Flower Reader by Elizabeth Loupas: I hated the queen, hated her down to the deepest marrow of…
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First line: They tell me I will die here. From the inside cover: You’re about to experience the ultimate guilty pleasure. Four best friends on a decadent vacation – thrown in prison for murder. NO HUSBANDS ALLOWED Only minutes after Abbie Elliot and her three best friends step off of a private helicopter, they enter the most luxurious, sumptuous, sensually pampering hotel they have ever been to. Their lavish presidential…
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From the back of the audio case: Ellie and Dan are living proof that opposites attract. She’s impulsive; he follows all the rules. He loves sports’ she’s allergic to any form of exercise. Ellie doesn’t have a mother. Dan does – a very involved mother. At first, Ellie is thrilled to be accepted into the loving Cooper clan and have Dan’s mom, Linda, as her “adopted” mother. But then Ellie…
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First line: She hid in her mother’s wardrobe. Synopsis: Orphaned at age eight, Lady Cecily Burkhart becomes the ward of Harold Pierce, Earl of Sumerton. Lord Hal and his wife, Lady Grace, welcome sweet-natured Cecily as one of their own. With Brey, their young son, Cecily develops an easy friendship. But their daughter, Mirabella, is consumed by her religious vocation – and by her devotion to Father Alec Cahill, the…
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Book Blogger Confession is a new blog meme hosted by Tiger of All Consuming Books and Karen of For What It’s Worth. The meme will run on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month to discuss some of the frustrations that are unique to book bloggers. You can read the introductory post here. Here’s this week’s question: Review/Guest post requests: Do you have a review request policy? Has it changed…
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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 It was a quiet week this past week, and I got some good reading time in,…
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CONGRATULATIONS to Renee G Margaret Lindsey Marjorie & Paula winners of Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay Random.org selected the winners. Thanks to all who entered the giveaway!
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. For Review: The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain I’m participating in a blog tour of this new release next month and I can’t wait to start reading it! From the Library: The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani I had this one reserve at the…
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First line: The Mississippi riverboat cake tilted on the table in front of me, its fondant paddle wheel askew, gashes of lemony yellow cake gaping in its once-smooth white surface. From the back cover: There aren’t many things pastry chef Rita Lucero hates more than losing. But two years after her marriage to fellow baker Philippe Renier fell apart, she’s still trying to get him to sign the divorce papers.…
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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 Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani: The scalloped hem of Caterina Lazzari’s blue velvet coat grazed the fresh-fallen…
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First line: Darlings, love is in the air! From the back cover: She’s stealing his heart… Vintage boutique owner Venus Smith is stunned to realize her newest acquisition comes with a larcenous legend. Stolen years ago, the antique mermaid brooch belongs to the Clayworth family. The right thing to do would be to return it, but that means facing Connor Clayworth O’Flynn, the sexy department store heir Venus has…
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First line: Shelby was within ten miles of her Uncle Walt’s ranch when she had to pull over to the side of the highway 36, the busiest stretch between Virgin River and Fortuna, behind an old pickup truck that looked vaguely familiar. Synopsis from B&N: Shelby McIntyre has big plans—plans that include finding Mr. Right. Her dream man will have a clean-shaven jaw, creases in his pants and hopefully and…
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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 after a productive Bloggiesta weekend getting ahead on reviews, I seem to once again be…
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LAST DAY TO ENTER: Russian Winterby Daphne Kalotay – 5 copies available; open internationally. Ends April 8th.
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This month’s selections are: Big Stone Gap By: Adriana Trigiani Format: Paperback My review The Summer We Came to Life By: Deborah Cloyed Format: Paperback My review It’s A Waverly Life By: Maria Murnane Format: Paperback My review It Had To Be You By: Susan Elizabeth Philips Format: Paperback How to enter: This contest is open to entries from the U.S. only. The deadline for entry is midnight,…
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Here are the March giveaway winners: Pleating for Mercy By: Melissa Bourbon Winner: Mary (Bookfan) Knit the Season By: Kate Jacobs Winner: Margie A Creed in Stone Creek By: Linda Lael Miller Winner: Susan Tuesday Tells It Slant By: Holly Christine Winner: Rachel W. Thanks to all who entered and don’t forget to stop by later today to see a new set of books up for grabs!
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First line: Cooper Sullivan’s life, as he’d known it, was over. From the inside cover: A summer at his grandparents’ South Dakota ranch is not eleven-year-old Cooper Sullivan’s idea of a good time. But things are a bit more bearable now that he’s discovered the neighbor girl, Lil Chance, and her homemade batting cage. Even horseback riding isn’t as awful as Coop thought it would be. Each year, with Coop’s…
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First line: Paul Haggerty was finally back in Grants Pass after almost six months in Virgin River and there was an ache in his chest he just couldn’t ease. Synopsis from B&N: In the space of a few months Vanessa buried her husband, Matt, and gave birth to their son—breaking her heart while filling it with a whole new kind of love. But the one man she longs to share…
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First line: “Who are you?” From the back cover: One of today’s most admired and controversial political figures, Ayaan Hirsi Ali burst into international headlines following the murder of Theo van Gogh by an Islamist who threatened that she would be next. She made headlines again when she was stripped of her citizenship and resigned from the Dutch Parliament. Infidel shows the coming of age of this distinguished political superstar…
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Book Blogger Confession is a new blog meme hosted by Tiger of All Consuming Books and Karen of For What It’s Worth. The meme will run on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month to discuss some of the frustrations that are unique to book bloggers. You can read the introductory post here. Here’s this week’s question: Spoilers in reviews: Do you read them, do you include them? How to…
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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. This past weekend I participated in Bloggiesta and I got a lot done. Check out my…
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I’m so bummed that Bloggiesta has come to an end. I got so much done!!! First I want to say a big THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Suey at It’s All About Books and Danielle at There’s a Book for hosting this. I first participated in a Bloggiesta about six months after starting my blog and found it to be so helpful! I did one more after that…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. Purchased: Guilty Wives by James Patterson A new James Patterson stand-alone…of course I had to buy it. Just finished it last night – review will be posted in a few days. What’s in your mailbox?
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Here are my reading stats for March! Books read: 12 Books I read (reviewed ones have * and link to review; books not yet reviewed will be linked up once review is posted.) Glitter Baby* by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Agony of the Leaves* by Laura Childs Infidel* by Ayaan Hirsi Ali The Sister Queens* by Sophie Perinot Second Chance Pass* by Robyn Carr Black Hills* by Nora Roberts Temptation Ridge*…
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Day 2 of Bloggiesta, being hosted by Suey at It’s All About Books and Danielle at There’s a Book, has come to a close for me – I’ve been sitting at my computer all day and am starting to go cross-eyed, plus I have only about 50 pages left of the book I’m reading (Guilty Wives by James Patterson) and I really want to finish it! I got a lot…
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First line: The Glitter Baby was back. From the back cover: Fleur Savagar is the most beautiful woman in the world…to everyone but herself. With her oversized hands and paddle-boat feet, her streaky blond hair and funny green eyes, she lives a life filled with secrets that began before she was born. That was when her bewitching mother left home to find James Dean and met Errol Flynn instead. Now…
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From the back of the audio case: From the beloved New York Times bestselling author Luanne Rice comes a heartwarming yet heart-wrenching portrait of three far-flung sisters who come home to Martha’s Vineyard one last time to say goodbye to the family beach house. Memories of their grandmother, mother, and their Irish father, who sailed away the year Dar, the oldest, turned twelve, rise up and expose the fine cracks…
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Day 1 of Bloggiesta, being hosted by Suey at It’s All About Books and Danielle at There’s a Book is done and now we are on to Day 2. I got a quite a bit done on Day 1, despite not being home all day. I had gone down to my sister’s to help her out for a few days, but luckily was able to spend most of yesterday on…
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Back in February, I read and reviewed the bookCatch Me by Lisa Gardner (click on the title to read my review). It was the 6th book in her Detective D.D. Warren series. This book featured the character, Charline Rosalind Carter Grant (aka Charlie), who worked as a 9-1-1 operator. Lisa Gardner originally created a scene highlighting the multi-tasking involved in this position, but in the grand scheme of things, it…
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This weekend I will be participating in my thirdBloggiesta! This is a great weekend blogging marathon being hosted by Suey at It’s All About Books The premise of the bloggiesta, for those that haven’t participated before, is to spend the entire weekend working, updating, improving your blog. From minor things such as writing up posts, to reaching out for guests posts and reorganizing all of your tags and categories. So…
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First line: M, the sun is out and so should we be. From the back cover: Like most sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor were rivals. They were also queens. Raised at the court of their father, Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are separated by royal marriages – but never truly parted. Patient, perfect, reticent, and used to being first, Marguerite becomes Queen of France. Her husband, Louis IX,…
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First line: Nash Barron might be cynical about life and more recently about love, but even he normally enjoyed a good wedding. From the back cover: Nash Barron might be cynical about life and more recently about love, but even he normally enjoyed a good wedding. Still, the only good thing about his brother’s wedding is seeing Kelly Moss again. Nash can’t help but admire her confidence and beauty, but…
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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. It’s been a slow week, trying to catch up from being away on vacation. How is…
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First line: The afternoon was so cold, so relentlessly gray, few pedestrians passed the long island of trees dividing Commonwealth Avenue, and even little dogs, shunted along impatiently, wore thermal coats and offered expressions. From the back cover: When Nina Revskaya, once a great star of the Bolshoi Ballet, decides to auction her jewellery collection, she believes she has finally drawn a curtain on her past. Instead she is overwhelmed…
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In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. Every week I’ll post what books I’ve received either by mailbox/library/store. ***This is for the past 2 weeks. For Review: A Conflict of Interest by Adam Mitzner This came while I was on vacation – sounds like a good thriller! Purchased: Kiki Lowenstein & the Lucky Charm (e-book) by Joanna…
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