Always With a Book

Review & Giveaway: Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell (CLOSED)

Review & Giveaway: Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell (CLOSED)

***Congratulations to Meghan, winner of the giveaway!!! Thanks to all who entered! Title: Before I Met You Author: Lisa Jewell  Published: October 2013 Atria Books (first published July 2012) Format: ARC e-copy, 448 pages Source: Netgalley Jazz Age London, a passionate and forbidden interracial romance, and the unbreakable bond between a bright young woman and her eccentric grandmother come together brilliantly in this gem of a novel, perfect for fans of…

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Book Spotlight/Press Release: Sweet Expectations by Mary Ellen Taylor

Book Spotlight/Press Release: Sweet Expectations by Mary Ellen Taylor

Mary Ellen Taylor’s SWEET EXPECTATIONS takes readers back to the Union Street Bakery where Daisy McCrae is confronted by both a seventy-year-old mystery demanding to be heard and an unexpected, life-changing turn of events. SWEET EXPECATIONS, A Union Street Bakery Novel, is a Berkley Trade Paperback Original “When Daisy McCrae’s already semi-scrambled life abruptly turns even more upside down, it leads to deeper soul-searching, exploration of family ties, and a…

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Review: With Open Eyes by Iris Johansen/Roy Johansen (e-book)

Review: With Open Eyes by Iris Johansen/Roy Johansen (e-book)

Title: With Open Eyes  Author: Iris Johansen/Roy Johansen  Series: Kendra Michaels, #.5 Published: June 2012, St. Martin’s Press Format: e-book, 32 pages  Source: Personal copy  An original short story from The New York Times bestselling duo, Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen. Blind for the first twenty years of her life, Kendra Michaels learned at an early age to become hyper-aware of her surroundings, perfecting the art of picking up the most…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (11.4.13)

It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (11.4.13)

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. How is it November already??? I’ve been seeing postings for 2014 reading challenges slowly popping…

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Stacking the Shelves (67) 11.3.13

Stacking the Shelves (67) 11.3.13

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: Dare to Love (e-book) by Carly Phillips This is the first book in Carly Phillip’s newest series and I cannot wait to start reading it. It’s also the first book that she’s self-publishing…for more info on that…head over here. Purchased: My Own Miraculous (e-book) by Joshilyn Jackson…

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Month in Review: October 2013

Month in Review: October 2013

Wow…I can’t believe there are only 2 months left in 2013…I really need to get my butt in gear if I am going to get any more of my reading challenges done. As you can see below, I’ve only completed 4 of the 12 I’ve signed up for so far and I already know I’m probably not going to be finish the Off the Shelf Challenge. But, if I’m going…

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Review & Giveaway: The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins (CLOSED)

Review & Giveaway: The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins (CLOSED)

Title: The Perfect Match  Author: Kristan Higgins  Series: Blue Heron, #2 Published: October 2013, Harlequin Format: ARC e-book, 384 pages Source: Netgalley via Little Bird Publicity  What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise? Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now–a mere three weeks later–Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust…

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Review: Silencing Eve by Iris Johansen (print/audio)

Review: Silencing Eve by Iris Johansen (print/audio)

Title: Silencing Eve  Author: Iris Johansen  Series: Eve Duncan, #20 Narrator: Elisabeth Rodgers Published: 2013, St. Marten’s Press/Brillance Audio Format: Book, 416 pages/ Audio – 12 hrs, 34 min  Source: Book – library/ Audio – purchased  #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen is back with the shocking conclusion to the latest Eve Duncan trilogy. This is the finale that fans have been waiting for.  In Taking Even, the game began.  In Hunting Eve, the…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (10.28.13)

It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (10.28.13)

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. As you can see from all the books I’m currently reading – I’m all over…

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Stacking the Shelves (66) 10.27.13

Stacking the Shelves (66) 10.27.13

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 Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy I can never get enough of the Boleyns so of course I jumped at the opportunity to be part of this tour…only problem is that it’s not until February 2014. Some Kind of Wonderful (e-book) by Beth Ciotta This novella is…

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Review: Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evnanovich (audio)

Review: Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evnanovich (audio)

Title: Notorious Nineteen Author: Janet Evanovich Series: Stephanie Plum, #19 Narrator: Lorelei King Published: 2012, Random House Audio Length: 6 hours, 4 minutes Source: Library Stephanie Plum finally lands an assignment that could put her checkbook back in the black. Geoffrey Cubbin, facing trial for embezzling millions from Trenton’s premier assisted-living facility, has mysteriously vanished from the hospital after an emergency appendectomy. Unfortunately, Cubbin has disappeared without a trace, a…

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Review: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann

Review: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann

Title: Astor Place Vintage Author: Stephanie Lehmann   Published: June 2013, Touchstone Format: Paperback, 396 pages Source: Library Amanda Rosembloom, proprietor of Astor Place Vintage, thinks she’s on just another call to appraise and possibly purchase clothing from a wealthy, elderly woman. But after discovering a journal sewn into a fur muff, Amanda gets much more than she anticipated. The pages of the journal reveal the life of Olive Westcott,…

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Review: Only Mine by Susan Mallery

Review: Only Mine by Susan Mallery

Title: Only Mine  Author:  Susan Mallery Series: Fool’s Gold, #4 Published: July 2011, HQN Format: Paperback, 379 pages Source: Library You can’t win if you don’t play… Her town’s lack of men may make headlines, but it isn’t news to Dakota Hendrix. The beautiful blonde has bigger problems to deal with, such as overseeing the romance reality competition filming in Fool’s Gold. Screening eligible bachelors is a difficult enough task,…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (10.21.13)

It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (10.21.13)

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. Another week of little to no reading…again due to the puppy, but also because my…

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Stacking the Shelves (65) 10.20.13

Stacking the Shelves (65) 10.20.13

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 Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris (e-book) by Jenny Colgan I saw this while perusing Netgalley and couldn’t resist requesting it. It was originally published this year, but is coming out in paperback in February 2014, so look for my review then! The Supreme Macaroni Company by…

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Review & Excerpt: Christmas At The Beach by Wendy Wax

Review & Excerpt: Christmas At The Beach by Wendy Wax

Title: Christmas At The Beach  Author: Wendy Wax   Series: Beach #2.5 Published: October 2013 Penguin Group (USA) Format: ARC e-book, 52 pages Source: Netgalley  Wendy Wax entranced audiences with Ten Beach Road and Ocean Beach. Now, the ladies of Bella Flora are back in an all-new holiday novella. When Madeline Singer, Avery Lawford, and Nicole Grant first gained ownership of Ten Beach Road, they didn’t realize that remodeling the house…

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Big News from Carly Phillips Plus a Cover Reveal!!!

Big News from Carly Phillips Plus a Cover Reveal!!!

News from Carly:  Dear Readers, I know I’ve been teasing everyone for a while now about some exciting news that I have in the works. And I now have the official go-ahead to tell the world what’s coming next for me!   Are you ready? I’m so ready to share. I’ve been DYING to shout from the rooftops and have had a hard time keeping the news to myself. But here…

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It’s Monday….What Are You Reading? (10.14.13)

It’s Monday….What Are You Reading? (10.14.13)

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, my reading definitely took a hit this week but for a good reason –…

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Stacking the Shelves (64) 10.13.13

Stacking the Shelves (64) 10.13.13

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: Christmas At The Beach (e-book) by Wendy Wax I first started reading Wendy Wax when I was sent a review copy of Ten Beach Road and then again in Ocean Beach. Well, the women are back in this novella, which sets the scene for the next full…

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Blog Tour, Review, Author Q&A & Giveaway: Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster (CLOSED)

Blog Tour, Review, Author Q&A & Giveaway: Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster (CLOSED)

Title: Getting Rowdy Author: Lori Foster Series: Love Undercover, #3 Published: September 2013 HQN Format: Paperback, 448 pages Source: Publisher via Meryl Moss Media Relations/BookTrib An alpha hero’s attraction to the one woman he can’t have could draw him into a killer’s snare in the sizzling new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster. Charismatic bar owner Rowdy Yates isn’t the kind of man women say no to.…

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Review: Let Me Be The One by Bella Andre

Review: Let Me Be The One by Bella Andre

Title: Let Me Be The One  Author: Bella Andre Series: Sullivans, #6 Published: August 2012 Oak Press Format: e-book, 227 pages Source: Novel Publicity When Vicki Bennett saved Ryan Sullivan’s life as a teenager, it was the beginning of a close friendship that never wavered despite her failed marriage to someone else and Ryan’s well-earned reputation as a ladies man. So when she suddenly needs a pretend boyfriend to protect…

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Review: Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn

Review: Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn

Title: Hush Little Baby Author: Suzanne Redfearn Published: October 2013, Grand Central Publishing Format: ARC Paperback, 368 pages Source: Author  Jillian Kane appears to have it all – a successful career, a gorgeous home, a loving husband, and two wonderful children. The reality behind closed doors is something else entirely. For nine years, she has hid the bruises and the truth of her abusive marriage in order to protect Addie…

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Review: The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Review: The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Title: The Girl You Left Behind Author: Jojo Moyes Published: August 2013 Pamela Dorman Books Format: Hardcover, 384 pages Source: Publisher/She Reads What happened to the girl you left behind? In 1916 French artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his wife Sophie to fight at the Front. When her town falls into German hands, his portrait of Sophie stirs the heart of the local Kommandant and causes her to risk everything –…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (10.7.13)

It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (10.7.13)

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.   Books Completed last week: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann (library book, book lovers…

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Stacking the Shelves (63) 10.6.13

Stacking the Shelves (63) 10.6.13

Tynga of Tynga’s Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week.        Here’s what I got: From the Library:   Silencing Eve  by Iris Johansen This is the final installment of this year’s trilogy featuring Eve Duncan and I cannot wait to start reading this…the previous book ended with quite the cliffhanger!!! The Engagements (audio) by J. Courtney Sullivan I recently listened to Maine by…

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Review: Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich (audio)

Review: Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich (audio)

Title: Explosive Eighteen  Author: Janet Evanovich Series: Stephanie Plum, #18 Narrator: Lorelei King Published: November 2011 Random House Audio Length: 6 hours 13 minutes Source: Library Before Stephanie can even step foot off Flight 127 from Hawaii to Newark, she’s knee deep in trouble. Her dream vacation turned into a nightmare, she’s flying back to New Jersey solo. Worse still, her seatmate never returned to the plane after the L.A.…

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Review: The Good Wife by Jane Porter

Review: The Good Wife by Jane Porter

Title: The Good Wife  Author: Jane Porter Series: Brennan Sisters, #3 Published: September 2013 Berkley Trade Format: Paperback, 432 pages Source: Personal copy Is it possible to love someone too much? Always considered the beauty of the family, the youngest Brennan sister, Sarah, remains deeply in love with her husband of ten years. Boone Walker, a professional baseball player, travels almost year-round while Sarah stays home and cares for their…

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Review & Giveaway: Gilt Trip by Laura Childs (CLOSED)

Review & Giveaway: Gilt Trip by Laura Childs (CLOSED)

Title: Gilt Trip Author: Laura Childs Series: Scrapbooking Mystery series, #11 Published: October 2013 Berkley Hardcover Format: ARC Paperback, 320 pages Source: Author Louisiana businessman Jerry Earl Leland served only a fraction of his five-year sentence for white-collar crime, thanks to some political connections and a few greased palms. But he won’t have long to enjoy his freedom… After Jerry Earl’s early release, his wife, Margo—a much-married Garden District doyenne—throws…

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Month in Review: September 2013

Month in Review: September 2013

September has come and gone and my reading has picked up!!! I’m getting a bit anxious that I might not complete all the reading challenges I signed up for, so I will be strategically picking books to read that will go towards those challenges. I still have 3 months and am not giving up yet! I also signed up this month to walk for at least 30 minutes a day…

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Review: The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

Review: The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

Title: The School of Essential Ingredients  Author: Erica Bauermeister Published: January 2010 Berkley Trade Format: Paperback, 261 pages Source: Personal copy Once a month, eight students gather in Lillian’s restaurant for a cooking class. Among them is Claire, a young woman coming to terms with her new identity as a mother; Tom, a lawyer whose life has been overturned by loss; Antonia, an Italian kitchen designer adapting to life in…

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Review: The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Review: The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Title: The Husband’s Secret  Author: Liane Moriarty  Published: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam Format: Hardcover, 416 pages Source: Publisher/She Reads At the heart of The Husband’s Secret is a letter that’s not meant to be read My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died… Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (9.30.13)

It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (9.30.13)

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. This past week was relatively quiet and I was able to get a lot of…

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Stacking the Shelves (62) 9.29.13

Stacking the Shelves (62) 9.29.13

Tynga of Tynga’s Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week.        Here’s what I got: From the Library: Only Mine by Susan Mallery Only Yours by Susan Mallery Only His by Susan Mallery The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen  What did you get?

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Review: Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan (audio)

Review: Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan (audio)

Title: Maine  Author: J. Courtney Sullivan Narrator: Ann Marie Lee Published: June 2011 Random House Audio Length: 17 hours 15 minutes Source: Library For the Kellehers, Maine is a place where children run in packs, showers are taken outdoors, and old Irish songs are sung around a piano. At the cottage, built by Kelleher hands, cocktail hour follows morning mass, nosy grandchildren snoop in drawers, and decades-old grudges simmer beneath…

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Review: Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Bella Andre

Review: Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Bella Andre

Title: Kissing Under the Mistletoe  Author: Bella Andre Series: The Sullivan’s, #10 Published: September 2013 Harlequin MIRA Format: ARC e-copy, 400 pages Source: Netgalley For Mary Sullivan Christmas is, and always has been, about family. And this year is no different. As she awaits the arrival of her eight children and their partners at the cottage in Lake Tahoe, she hangs the ornaments that they made for her over the years.…

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Blog Tour and Review: The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini

Blog Tour and Review: The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini

Title: The Spymistress Author: Jennifer Chiaverini Published: October 2013, Dutton Adult Format: ARC Paperback, 368 pages Source: Publisher New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini is back with another enthralling historical novel set during the Civil War era, this time inspired by the life of a true Union woman as true as steel” who risked everything by caring for Union prisoners of war — and stealing Confederate secrets. Born to…

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Review: Sleigh Belles by Beth Albright

Review: Sleigh Belles by Beth Albright

Title: Sleigh Belles  Author: Beth Albright  Series: Sassy Belles, #3   Published: September 2013 Harlequin MIRA  Format: ARC, e-copy, 336 pages  Source: Netgalley Join the Sassy Belles this holiday season—it’s Christmas, Southern-style! With her hair perfectly coiffed, nails freshly manicured and a heavy trail of perfume wafting behind her, local news reporter Dallas Dubois is sure she’s about to kick her career—and maybe her love life—into high gear. The director…

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Review: The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Review: The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Title: The Other Woman  Author: Hank Phillippi Ryan Series: Jane Ryland/Jake Brogan, #1 Published: September 2012 Forge Books Format: Hardcover, 416 pages Source: Publicist Jane Ryland was a rising star in television news…until she refused to reveal a source and lost everything. Now a disgraced newspaper reporter, Jane isn’t content to work on her assigned puff pieces, and finds herself tracking down a candidate’s secret mistress just days before a…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (9.23.13)

It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (9.23.13)

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. What a week!!! I went to two author events, getting to meet both Hank Phillippi…

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Bloggiesta…Finish Line

Bloggiesta…Finish Line

Another Bloggiesta has come to an end! This event couldn’t be more timely as I been neglecting my blog lately due to life getting in the way. Now if only I can figure out a way to stay caught up on some of the more mundane housekeeping things on a regular basis, some of these tasks won’t need to keep showing up on my to-do list! I ended up completing…

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Stacking the Shelves (61) 9.22.13

Stacking the Shelves (61) 9.22.13

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 Husband’s Secret by Liana Moriarty Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn  Royal Inheritance by Kate Emerson  The Perfect Match (e-book) by Kristan Higgins Purchased: The Wrong Girl by Hank Phillippi Ryan  W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton  These Few Precious Days: The Final Year of…

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Author Meet & Greet: Sue Grafton

Author Meet & Greet: Sue Grafton

Last night, I went to another author event – this time with Sue Grafton, who is the author of the Kinsey Millhone series, or as they are probably better known – the alphabet series! She is currently on tour with the release of her newest book, W is for Wasted.  I have to admit that I’ve only read the first 5 books in the series – A through E, so…

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Review: Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack

Review: Banana Split by Josi S. Kilpack

Title: Banana Split Author: Josi S. Kilpack Series: A Culinary Mystery, #7 Published: February 2012, Shadow Mountain Format: Paperback, 372 pages Source: Personal copy Welcome to Paradise! We hope you enjoy your stay her in Hawai’i. If you’ve never visited the islands before, treat yourself to a delicious slice of grilled pineapple, take a walk along the beach or sample the tasty cuisine offered at one of our famous luaus.…

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Bloggiesta…My To-Do List and Updates

Bloggiesta…My To-Do List and Updates

This weekend I will be participating in Bloggiesta! This event couldn’t be more timely as I been neglecting my blog lately due to life getting in the way.  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,…

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Review: The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen

Review: The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen

The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen Series: Rizzoli  & Isles, #6 Ballantine Books August 2007 Format: Paperback, 429 pages Source: Personal copy PECCAVI The Latin word is scrawled in blood at the scene of a young woman’s brutal murder: I HAVE SINNED. It’s a chilling Christmas greeting for Boston medical examiner Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli, who swiftly link the victim to the sinister Mephisto Club, a cult of…

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Author Meet & Greet: Hank Phillippi Ryan

Author Meet & Greet: Hank Phillippi Ryan

Last night, I had the privilege of meeting Hank Phillippi Ryan, author of the best-selling books The Other Woman and The Wrong Girl, among others. She is currently on tour promoting her newest release, The Wrong Girl, and lucky for me, one of the stops wasn’t too far from my house. Unlike last weeks author event, this was much more intimate – there were only 7 of us there, plus…

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Review: The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers

Review: The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers

The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers Atria Books February 2013 Format: Hardcover, 323 pages Source: Library Happiness at someone else’s expense came at a price. Tia had imagined judgment from the first kiss that she and Nathan shared. All year, she’d waited to be punished for being in love, and in truth, she believed that whatever consequences came her way would be deserved. Five years ago, Tia fell…

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Review: A Fitting End by Melissa Bourbon

Review: A Fitting End by Melissa Bourbon

A Fitting End by Melissa Bourbon Series: A Magical Dressmaking Mystery, #2 Signet February 2012 Format: Paperback, 320 pages Source: Personal copy Former Manhattan fashion designer Harlow Jane Cassidy has a gift for creating beautiful dresses. But when Harlow becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation, she’ll need more than her sewing skills to unravel the mystery… Business is booming at Harlow’s custom-dressmaking boutique, Buttons & Bows, even with…

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It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (9.16.13)

It’s Monday…What Are You Reading? (9.16.13)

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. I had a great week last week – got to meet Jojo Moyes and got…

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Stacking the Shelves (60) 9.15.13

Stacking the Shelves (60) 9.15.13

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:   Gilt Trip by Laura Childs This is the newest in Laura Childs’ Scrapbooking Mystery series and I’m so excited I got an early copy!!!   Purchased:   Me Before You by Jojo Moyes I actually had the pleasure of meeting Jojo Moyes this week and picked…

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