Summer Reading Challenge Finish Line

This is the first challenge to come to a close that I am participating in and I think I did pretty well. As you can see from my list, I read 24 out of the 25 books I had listed, plus I read 8 additional books for a total read from June 21 to September 21 of 32 books!!! Here’s my original list: Sand in My Eyes by Christine Lemmon…

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Teaser Tuesdays (9.21.10)

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT…

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In My Mailbox (22) 9.19.10

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 (1) What I Thought I Knew by Alice Eve Cohen Library (1) Ann of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery Purchased (1) – Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks (going to get this autographed Monday night!!!) From Paperback Swap – (0) Won (6) – all…

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Review: Return to Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux

First line: Amy closed her suitcase and looked around the bedroom she shared with her husband, Stephen. From the back cover: Magic most definitely resides in the Maine summerhouse where the mysterious Madame Zoya has granted the innermost wishes of its visitors. Now, three women have come to this special place with one thing in common: a painful past they would each like to rewrite. Amy, who hides a heartbreaking…

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Review: The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux

First line: Leslie Headrick looked out her kitchen window at the old summerhouse in the back. From the back cover: Three best friends, all with the same birthday, are about to turn forty. Celebrating this turning point at a summerhouse in Maine, Leslie Headrick, Madison Appleby, and Ellie Abbott are taking stock of their lives , their loves, and their choices. But none of them expects the gift that awaits…

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WWW Wednesdays (9.15.10)

A Week in Books   WWW Wednesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? What are you currently reading?  Return to Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux What did you recently finish reading?   Stay by Allie Larkin What do you think…

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A-Z Wednesday: F (9.15.10)

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!! A-Z Wednesday is hosted by Vicki at Reading At The Beach. To join in, visit her blog for the guidelines and leave your link in a comment. THIS WEEK’S LETTER IS: “F” My book is: The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler Synopsis from Amazon: Fowler, a captivating and good-hearted satirist, exuberantly pays homage to and matches wits with Jane Austen in her most…

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Virtual Book Tour and Review: Stay by Allie Larkin

First line: Six years ago, Peter and I were having one of our weekly dinners at this little Italian restaurant just off campus. From the inside cover: Savannah “Van” Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she literally fell head over heels in front of him on the first day of college. Now, six years later, instead of standing across from him at the alter, Van is…

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Teaser Tuesdays (9.14.10)

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT…

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Musing Mondays (9.13.10)

This week’s musing asks:  Where do you get/buy most of your books?   PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Musing Mondays post, or share your opinion in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks.  **MUSING MONDAYS is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading   I tend to go in spurts where I buy a lot of books, from either Barnes…

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Review: The Wife’s Tale by Lori Lansens

First line: Alone in the evenings, when the light had drained from the slate roof of her small rural home, and when her husband was working late, Mary Gooch would perform a striptease for the stars at the open bedroom window: shifting out of rumpled bottoms, slipping off blousy tops, liberating breasts, peeling panties, her creamy flesh spilling forth until she was completely, exquisitely nude. From the inside cover: On…

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In My Mailbox (21) 9.12.10

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 (0) Library (1) Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapri Purchased (3) – 1022 Evergreen Place by Debbie Macomber Love Me If You Dare by Carly Phillips Secrets of a Shoe Addict by Beth Harbison From Paperback Swap – (0)…

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Review: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress: A Memoir of Going Home by Rhoda Janzen

First line: The year I turned forty-three was the year I realized I should have never taken my Mennonite genes for granted. From the back cover: Not long after Rhoda Janzen turned forty, her world turned upside down. It was bad enough that her husband of fifteen years left her for Bob, a guy he met on Gay.com, but that same week a car accident left her seriously injured. Needing…

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Book Blogger Hop 9.10.10

It’s that time again…. time for the weekly Book Blogger Hop!  Brought to you by Jennifer at Crazy For Books, this is a fun way to get to know other book bloggers. This week’s question:  Post a link to your favorite post or book review that you have written in the last three months. What a great idea!!! In looking over the book reviews that I have done in the…

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WWW Wednesdays (9.8.10)

A Week in Books   WWW Wednesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? What are you currently reading?  A Wife’s Tale by Lori Lansens What did you recently finish reading?   Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda…

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A-Z Wednesday: E (9.8.10)

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!! A-Z Wednesday is hosted by Vicki at Reading At The Beach. To join in, visit her blog for the guidelines and leave your link in a comment. THIS WEEK’S LETTER IS: “E” My book is: A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand Synopsis from Amazon: After the extreme heat of her Nantucket studio causes her to go into early labor with her youngest son, renowned glass artist…

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Teaser Tuesdays (9.7.10)

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT…

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Wind Warrior Blog Tour Giveaway

Wind Warrior Blog Tour Giveaway Sept 1 ~ Sept. 30 Cynthia Roberts, author of her debut historical romance, Wind Warrior has something pretty darn dynamic for all of Always With a Book visitors, friends and subscribers … one of the largest blog tour promotional giveaways ever attempted. Breaking into the world of romance fiction is a challenge unto itself but more so, when you’re a newly published author. Always With…

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In My Mailbox (20) 9.5.10

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 (1) In Zoey’s Head by Sandy Ward Bell Library (0) Purchased – from Library Book Sale (15) – The Spinster Sisters by Stacey Ballis Rocco by Adriana Trigiani Sea Glass by Anita Shreve Little Bitty Lies by Mary Kay Andrews Deep Dish…

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Review: The House on Olive Street by Robyn Carr

First line: Elly sensed something was wrong immediately, but since she was not a woman who lived by her instincts, she did nothing. From the back cover: The loss of their close friend draws four women together. And a summer spent sorting through personal effects offers the perfect challenge – and the perfect escape. Sable – her bestselling novels have made her a star, but the woman who has everything,…

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James Patterson Reading Challenge II

The James Patterson Reading Challenge II Hosted by: Socrates’ Book Reviews Timeline: 01 Sep 2010 – 31 Aug 2011 Level 1: Read 2 Patterson books Level 2: Read 5 Patterson books Level 3: Read 10+ Patterson books Rules: Choose a level of participation above You do not have to list out books ahead of time Overlapping with other challenges is allowed Any Patterson book is acceptable Books read prior to…

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Book Blogger Hop 9.3.10

It’s that time again…. time for the weekly Book Blogger Hop!  Brought to you by Jennifer at Crazy For Books, this is a fun way to get to know other book bloggers. This week’s question: Do you judge a book by its cover? It all depends…there are times when I do judge a book by its cover, particularly when I am browsing books in either the bookstore or even the…

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Month in Review: August

Here are my reading stats for August! Books read:  11 Books I read (reviewed ones have * and link to review) This One is Mine* by Maria Semple Buying Time* by Pamela Samuels Young Summer Blowout* by Claire Cook Fragile* by Lisa Unger Georgia’s Kitchen* by Jenny Nelson Fireworks over Tocca* by Jeffrey Stepakoff Live to Tell* by Lisa Gardner She’s Gone Country* by Jane Porter With Friends Like These*…

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Teaser Tuesdays (8.31.10)

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT…

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Review: The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell

First line: Doctor Ravell had already missed the funeral. From the inside cover: It is 1903. Doctor Ravell is a young Harvard-educated obstetrician whose reputation for helping couples conceive has made him a rising star. He is flattered when a family of illustrious Boston physicians turns to him to treat one of their own members – a lovely opera singer named Erika von Kessler, who has struggled for years to…

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In My Mailbox (19) 8.29.10

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 (2) Body Heat by Brenda Novak Stay by Allie Larkin  Library (0) Purchased (0) –  Received from a family member (3) Days of Gold by Jude Deveraux One Season of Sunshine by Julia London Black Hills by Nora Roberts   From Paperback…

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Review: Body Heat by Brenda Novak

First line: Benita Sanchez was almost as afraid of running into a rattlesnake as she was U.S. Customs and Border Protection. From the back cover: Twelve people have been shot at point-blank range and left to rot in the desert sun. It’s Sophia St. Claire’s job to do something about it. She’s Bordertown, Arizona’s new chief of police – and she’s out of her depth. Help arrives in the form…

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Booking Through Thursday: Giving Up

Today’s Booking Through Thursday question asks:    If you’re not enjoying a book, will you stop mid-way? Or do you push through to the end? What makes you decide to stop?   I can’t remember the last book I started reading and stopped. I try very hard to finish all the books I start. Most times, I am glad I did, as a slow start usually gives way to a…

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Virtual Book Tour and Review: With Friends Like These by Sally Koslow

First line: Before husbands, before babies, before life claimed other loyalties, it started with a wish. From the inside cover: When Quincy, Jules, Talia, and Chloe become New York City roommates in the early nineties, they become fast friends despite their drastically different personalities. Now, nearly twenty years later, their lives have diverged as much as they possibly can within one city: Quincy is mourning a miscarriage and lusting for…

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Author Interview: Jenny Nelson (and Giveaway!)

I am pleased to welcome Jenny Nelson, who wrote Georgia’s Kitchen to Always With a Book.  You can read my review of her book and enter a giveaway for the book here.  About the author:  Jenny Nelson grew up in Larchmont, NY and graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Colorado at Denver. A former web editor and producer, she worked for companies such as iVillage,…

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WWW Wednesdays (8.25.10)

A Week in Books   WWW Wednesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? What are you currently reading?  Body Heat by Brenda Novak What did you recently finish reading?   With Friends Like These by Sally Koslow    …

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Book Tour, Giveaway and Review: She’s Gone Country by Jane Porter

First line: “Shey Lynne, you’ve been here three months now and not once have you taken those boys to church.” From the back cover: Shey Darcy, a thirty-nine-year-old former top model for Vogue and Sports Illustrated, led a charmed life in New York City with a handsome photographer husband, until the day he announced he’d fallen in love with someone else. Left to pick up the pieces of her once…

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In My Mailbox (18) 8.22.10

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 (0) Library (0) Purchased (1) –  The Postcard Killers by James Patterson   From Paperback Swap – (1) Multiple Choice by Claire Cook Won (0) What’s in your mailbox?

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Book Blogger Hop 8.20.10

It’s that time again…. time for the weekly Book Blogger Hop!  Brought to you by Jennifer at Crazy For Books, this is a fun way to get to know other book bloggers. This week’s question: How many blogs do you follow? According to Google Reader, I follow just over 100 blogs. While I can’t possibly get to every blog every day, I do try to visit a bunch each day…

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Virtual Book Tour and Review: Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner

First line: I don’t remember that night much anymore. From the back cover: The lives of three women collide on a suburban night: Veteran Boston police detective D.D. Warren is called to the scene of the murder of a family whose sole survivor lies clinging to life … Nurse Danielle Burton works in a locked-down pediatric psych ward, haunted by a tragedy she’s desperate to conceal … Victoria Oliver will…

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Author Interview: Lisa Unger (and Giveaway!)

I am pleased to welcome Lisa Unger, who wrote Fragile to Always With a Book.  You can read my review of her book and enter a giveaway for the book here.  About the author:  Lisa Unger is an award winning New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. Her novels have been published in over 26 countries around the world. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut (1970) but…

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Book Tour, Giveaway & Review: Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson

First line: Georgia turned onto a tree-lined street of brick town houses and brownstones, stopping when she reached a gunmetal-gray low-rise that shared none of its neighbors’ quiet charm. From the back cover: At thirty-three, talented chef Georgia Gray has everything a woman could want – the top job at one of Manhattan’s best restaurants; a posse of smart and savvy gal pals who never let her down; and a…

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Teaser Tuesdays (8.17.10)

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT…

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Review: Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff

First line: The two boys rode their mountain bikes along the soft uncovered lake bed between the Bartam’s Field subdivision and the old Holly Hills property. From the inside cover: Lily was married for just days before her husband was sent abroad to fight in WWII. Now, he and the other soldiers are returning, and the small town of Toccoa, Georgia plans a big celebration. But a handsome and kind…

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In My Mailbox (17) 8.15.10

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 (0) Library Book Sales (10) Night Fall by Nelson DeMille Up Country by Nelson DeMille The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen Table to Five by Susan Wiggs Summer Sisters by Judy Blume Honeymoon by James Patterson The Big Bad Wolf by James Patterson…

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Virtual Book Tour and Guest Post: Pamela Samuels Young

Please join me in welcoming Pamela Samuels Young, author of  Buying Time to Always With a Book! If you missed my review, you can read it here. Today Pamela guest blogs about how to write a page-turner. Crafting the Page-Turner Don’t you just love reading a page-turner? As a mystery writer, I constantly strive to write books that readers have a hard time putting down.  After much trial and error,…

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Book Blogger Hop 8.13.10

It’s that time again…. time for the weekly Book Blogger Hop!  Brought to you by Jennifer at Crazy For Books, this is a fun way to get to know other book bloggers. This week’s question: How many books do you have on your ‘to be read’ shelf? This is quite a timely question as just the other day, I actually counted all the books sitting on my shelf waiting to…

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Book Tour, Giveaway and Review: Fragile by Lisa Unger (GIVEAWAY CLOSED)

First line: When Jones Cooper was younger, he didn’t believe in mistakes.     From the inside cover: Everybody knows everybody in The Hollows, a quaint,charming town outside of New York City. It’s a place where neighbors keep an eye on one another’s kids, where people say hello in the grocery story, and where high school cliques and antics are never quite forgotten. As a child, Maggie found living under…

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WWW Wednesdays (8.11.10)

A Week in Books   WWW Wednesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading. To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next? What are you currently reading?  Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson What did you recently finish reading?   Fragile by Lisa Unger     What do you…

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Virtual Book Tour and Review: Buying Time by Pamela Samuels Young

Back in March, only a month into book-blogging, I was contacted by Tracee at Pump Up Your Book to read and review Pamela Samuels Young’s new book, Buying Time. To say I was thrilled is an understatement…I couldn’t believe someone sought out my blog and wanted my opinion of a book. Well, it’s now August, and I have been contacted by quite a few publishers/publicists and even some authors to…

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Teaser Tuesdays (8.10.10)

MizB of Should Be Reading hosts Teaser Tuesday. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read Open to a random page Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT…

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Review: Summer Blowout by Claire Cook

First line: Lipstick is my drug of choice. From the back cover: A good makeup artist never panics. Bella Shaughnessy knows that. She’s the resident makeup maven in her family of Boston Irish hair salon owners, and she has an artful solution to just about every problem. But Bella feels bruised beyond reach of even the best concealer when her half-sister runs off with her husband. What can she do…

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Musing Mondays (8.9.10)

This week Miz B over at Should Be Reading is shaking things up. The idea is you answer the question of the last commenter…and then leave a question for the next person to answer. It’s sort of like a round-robin type of thing. The question I am answering from the previous commenter is: Do you read every day?   Yes, for the most part, I do read every day. It…

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In My Mailbox (16) 8.8.10

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 (1) The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell Library (0) Purchased (0) From Paperback Swap – (0) Won (0) Still the One by Robin Wells (from Just One More Paragraph) What’s in your mailbox?

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Giveaway Reminders

Don’t forget to enter the following giveaways: Sand In My Eyes by Christine Lemmon ends July 21st  ENDED Tuesday Tells It Slant by Holly Christine ends July 23rd  ENDED White Heat by Brenda Novak ends August 4th  ENDED The Somebody Who by Katie Gates ends August 6th  This One Is Mine by Maria Semple ends August 19th

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