It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (4.30.12)

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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Review: The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

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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Book Beginnings Friday: Barefoot Season

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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Review: The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella (audio book)

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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Guest Post: Elizabeth Loupas

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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Blog Tour and Review: The Flower Reader by Elizabeth Loupas

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? (4.23.12)

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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2012 Audio Book Challenge – Better late than never!!!

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 (91) 4.22.12

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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Review: Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr (e-book)

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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Save the Date: Audio Book Week

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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Book Beginnings on Friday: The Flower Reader

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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Review: Guilty Wives by James Patterson

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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Review: The Other Woman by Jane Green (audio book)

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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Blog Tour and Review: The Sumerton Women by D.L. Bogdan

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 Confessions #8 (4.16.12)

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? (4.16.12)

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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Giveaway Winners: Russian Winter

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 (90) 4.15.12

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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Review: A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady

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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Book Beginnings on Friday: The Shoemaker’s Wife

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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Review: All I Want Is You by Sherrill Bodine

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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Review: Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr (e-book)

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? (4.912)

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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Giveaway Reminder – LAST DAY TO ENTER!!!

LAST DAY TO ENTER:  Russian Winterby Daphne Kalotay – 5 copies available; open internationally. Ends April 8th.

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Monthly Giveaway: April (CLOSED)

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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March Giveaway Winners

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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Review: Black Hills by Nora Roberts

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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Review: Second Chance Pass by Robyn Carr (e-book)

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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Review: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

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 Confessions #7 (4.2.12)

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? (4.2.12)

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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Bloggiesta Wrap Up

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 (89) 4.1.12

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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Month in Review: March 2012

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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Bloggiesta Update #2

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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