Review & Giveaway: The House Girl by Tara Conklin (CLOSED)

The House Girl by Tara Conklin William Morrow February 2013 Format: ARC Paperback, 336 pages First line: Mister hit Josephine with the palm of his hand across her left cheek and it was then she knew she would run. From the back cover: Two remarkable women, separated by more than a century, whose lives unexpectedly intertwine… 2004: Lina Sparrow, the daughter of an artist, is an ambitious young lawyer working…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (2.25.13)

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.   Well, it’s finally here…this coming weekend I will be participating in my first MS…

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Stacking the Shelves (35) 2.24.13

Tynga of Tynga’s Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week.  Here’s what I got:    For Review: The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau  I’m participating in a book tour for this and am looking forward to reading it.   Purchased:   Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson   Another new Alex Cross book – so excited to not have to wait a year from the last…

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Review: Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini Dutton Adult January 2013 Format: Hardcover, 352 pages First line: On Election Day, Elizabeth Keckley hurried home from a midafternoon dress fitting to the redbrick boardinghouse on Twelfth Street where she rented two small rooms in the back. From the inside cover: In a life that spanned nearly a century and witnessed some of the most momentous events in American history, Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley…

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Review: The Truth About Love & Lightning by Susan McBride

The Truth About Love & Lightning by Susan McBride William Morrow Paperbacks February 2012 Format: Paperback, 320 pages First line: Annika Brink could not tell a lie. From the back cover: Susan McBride, author of Little Black Dress and The Cougar Club, gives us her most unforgettable novel to date with this deliciously emotional story of family, forgiveness, love, and magic. As far as Gretchen Brink is concerned, the tornado…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (2.18.13)

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.   With all the snow and cold weather we’ve had lately, it was such a…

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Stacking the Shelves (34) 2.17.13

Tynga of Tynga’s Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week.  Here’s what I got:    Purchased: From Nothing Hill with Love…Actually (e-b00k) byAli McNamara I saw this on someone else’s blog and thought it looked cute!   Whole Latte Life (e-book) by Joanne DeMaio   This has been on my tbr list for a while and it was on sale on amazon this week so…

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Review: To the Nines by Janet Evanovich (audio)

To the Nines by Janet Evanovich Read by CJ Critt Recorded Books, LLC 2003 Length: 10 hours From the back of the audio case: Stephanie Plum’s got rent to pay, people shooting at her, and psychos wanting her dead every day of the week (much to the dismay of her mother, her family, the men in her life, the guy who slices meat at the deli…oh, the list goes on).…

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Review: Bella Summer Takes a Chance by Michele Gorman

Bella Summer Takes a Chance by Michele Gorman Notting Hill Press February 2013 Format: ARC e-copy, 283 pages First line: “Are you in love with me?” I ask again as the appetising comfort of our usual Friday night takeaway turned sour in my mouth. Book description: Bella’s career and relationship are her life’s foundationwear: not glamorous and perhaps a bit binding, but supportive enough… until she realizes that they are…

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Book Spotlight: Beautiful Bastard (and giveaway, too!) [GIVEAWAY CLOSED]

Now available in print: Originally only available online as The Office by tby789 – and garnering over 2 million reads on fanfiction sites – BEAUTIFUL BASTARD (Gallery Books; On-sale: February 12, 2013; Trade Paperback; $15.00) has been extensively updated for its first appearance in print. Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible.…

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Blog Tour, Review, Scavenger Hunt & Giveaway: The Ambassador’s Daughter by Pam Jenoff [GIVEAWAY CLOSED]

The Ambassador’s Daughter by Pam Jenoff Harlequin MIRA January 2013 Format: ARC Paperback, 336 pages First line: The sun has dropped low beneath the crumbling arches of Lehrter Bahnhof as I make my way across the station. From the back cover: Paris, 1919.The world’s leaders have gathered to rebuild from the ashes of the Great War. But for one woman, the City of Light harbors dark secrets and dangerous liaisons,…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (2.11.13)

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.   We were in the path of Nemo this past weekend and ended up with…

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Stacking the Shelves (33) 2.10.13

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: Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown     This is the first in Duffy Brown’s Consignment Shop Mystery series and I am looking forward to reading this.  Beautiful Bastard by Christine Lauren   This looks like an interesting read…I guess we will see!       Purchased: The Good Daughter…

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February Monthly Giveaway (CLOSED)

Here are this month’s giveaway selections: Vets in Love By: Cathy Woodman Format: Paperback My review   Fools Rush In By: Kristan Higgins Format: Paperback My review A Stitch in Crime By: Betty Hechtman Format: Paperback My review Hidden Summit By: Robyn Carr Format: Paperback My review     How to enter:  This contest is open to entries from the U.S. only. The deadline for entry is midnight, February 25th.…

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Book Beginnings Friday: The Ambassador’s Daughter

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 Ambassador’s Daughter by Pam Jenoff: The sun has dropped low beneath the crumbling arches of Lehrter Bahnhof…

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Review: Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich (audio)

Visions of Sugar Plums by Janet Evanovich Read by Lorelei King Audio Renaissance 2002 Length: 3 hours From the back of the audio case: It’s five days before Christmas and things are not looking merry for fugitive apprehension agent Stephanie Plum. She hasn’t got a tree. She hasn’t bought any presents. There’s not a twinkle light to be seen anywhere in her apartment. And there’s a strange man named Diesel…

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Review: The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb

The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb Hyperion Books February 2013 Format: ARC paperback, 352 pages First line: People were gathering at Alban House for the family’s annual summer solstice party – a happy occasion. From the back cover: Grace Alban has spent more than twenty years avoiding her childhood home, the stately mansion situated on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. Alban House is enchanting, certainly; it is…

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Review: I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre

I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre Oak Press LLC February 2012 Format: e-book, 261 pages First line: Sophie Sullivan surveyed the final wedding preparations with satisfaction. Book description: Sophie Sullivan, a librarian in San Francisco, was five years old when she fell head over heels in love with Jake McCann. Twenty years later, she’s convinced the notorious bad boy still sees her as the “nice” Sullivan twin.…

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Review: Can’t Help Falling In Love by Bella Andre

Can’t Help Falling In Love by Bella Andre Bella Andre December 2011 Format: e-book, 200 pages First line: Gabe Sullivan was helping an elderly couple down the stairs of an old San Francisco apartment building and out onto the sidewalk when the air was rocked with an explosion of flames and smoke out a second-story window. Book description: Gabe Sullivan risks his life every day as a firefighter in San…

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January Giveaway Winners

Here are the January winners: Love Anthony By: Lisa Genova Winner: Margie   Better Than Chocolate By: Sheila Roberts Winner: Mary The Diva Digs Up the Dirt By: Krista Davis Winner: Paula First Lady By: Susan Elizabeth Phillips   Winner: Renee Grandinetti     Thanks to all who entered and don’t forget to stop by later this week to see a new set of books up for grabs!

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (2.4.13)

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.   Yeah for the mini-Bloggiesta this past weekend!!! I got a ton done, but because it…

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Mini-Bloggiesta: Wrap Up

This weekend I participated in the first mini-Bloggiesta! I got a ton done and felt that it was very low-key and relaxed. I didn’t even keep track of how much time I spent on my to-do list as I usually do, but still managed to get it all done!  I want to say a big THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Suey at It’s All About Books and Danielle…

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Stacking the Shelves (32) 2.3.13

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 Best Man by Kristan Higgins     This is Kristan Higgins’ newest book and I just love her stories. I was lucky to get an early copy of this one and can’t wait to start reading it!     Purchased: Henry VIII Wives: History in an Hour by…

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Mini-Bloggiesta…My To-Do List

This weekend I will be participating in the first mini-Bloggiesta!  This is a great weekend blogging marathon being hosted by Suey at It’s All About Books and Danielle at There’s a Book.   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…

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Month in Review: January 2013

The first month of the new year has flown by!!! Besides reading, I am in the homestretch for my training for the 3-day, 50 mile walk I am doing the first weekend in March for MS. After a minor set-back in December (spraining my ankle), I am back on track with the trainings, even getting a long walk in outside this week. I’ve also been doing a fair amount of…

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Book Beginnings Friday: Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker

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 Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini: On Election Day, Elizabeth Keckley hurried home from a midafternoon dress fitting…

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Review: Summer House by Nancy Thayer (audio)

Summer House by Nancy Thayer Read by Emily Durante Tantor Media 2011 Length: 11 hours, 34 minutes Description:  From Nancy Thayer, the New York Times bestselling author of Moon Shell Beach, comes a luminous novel that brings together three generations of strong-willed women on the island of Nantucket, each wrestling with life-changing decisions. After years of wandering from whim to whim, thirty-year-old Charlotte Wheelwright seems to have at last found…

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