First line: I decided to listen to my family and get back out there. From the back cover: Voluptuous, sensuous, alluring and fun. Barely 40 DWF seeks special man to share starlit nights. Must love dogs. Life after divorce for Sarah Hurlihy consists of juggling her job as a preschool teacher and the demands of her interfering family. Then her bossy big sister decides to place a personal ad for…
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First line: Two days before my sixteenth birthday, I woke up so early that my maid was still asleep on the floor at the foot of my bed. From the back cover: In seventeenth-century China, in an elaborate villa on the shores of Hangzhou’s West Lake, Peony lives a sheltered life. One night, during a theatrical performance in her family’s garden, Peony catches sight of an elegant, handsome man and…
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Here are my reading stats for November! Books read: 11 Books I read (reviewed ones have * and link to review; books not yet reviewed will be linked up once review is posted.) The Secret History of the Pink Carnation* by Lauren Willig Until There Was You* by Kristan Higgins Left Neglected* by Lisa Genova Peony in Love* by Lisa See It’s a Waverly Life* by Maria Murnane Bring Me…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Wednesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. This week’s question: In what ways do you encourage others to read or support their reading habits? How do you share your love of reading with others? I have always felt that the best gift to give anyone, especially young children, is to encourage them to read. I love picking…
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The winners of November’s giveaway are: Already Home By: Susan Mallery Winner: Jane Haunting Jasmine By: Anjali Banerjee Winner: Bev @ The Wormhole The Diva Haunts the House By: Krista Davis Winner: Tanya Patrice Murder Past Due By: Miranda James Winner: Paula Thanks to all who entered and don’t forget to stop by next month to see a new set of books up for grabs!
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I am pleased to welcome author Adrienne McDonnell to Always With a Book. Her book, The Doctor and the Diva, is now available in paperback with a gorgeous new cover. Be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of this – two copies are available! What is THE DOCTOR AND THE DIVA about? The story begins in 1903, in Boston. A young, Harvard-educated obstetrician who is a rising star…
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I realized I forgot to announce who had won some previous giveaways, so here they are: CONGRATULATIONS to Mamabunny winner of A Lawman’s Christmas by Linda Lael Miller ************************************************************* CONGRATULATIONS to Jane winner of Paris Noire by Francine Thomas Howard ************************************************************************************** CONGRATULATIONS to Mamabunny winner of Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins Random.org selected the winners. Thanks to all who entered the giveaway!
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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. Where did the week go? I had such grand aspirations for reading, catching up on…
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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: Still Alice (audio version) by Lisa Genova I recently listened to Left Neglected by Lisa Genova and loved it. I have heard that this one is also good. What’s in your mailbox?
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Wednesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. This week’s question: What else do you do while you are reading? Eat? Drink? Household tasks? Or do you usually put aside absolutely everything to focus solely on the book at hand? When reading, there isn’t much else I am doing, except maybe having something to eat or drink. I love…
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First line: Rich Timm drove into Virgin River a mere ten hours after leaving San Diego. From the back cover: This year, Becca Timm knows the number one item on her Christmas wish list: getting over Denny Cutler. Three years ago Denny broke her heart before heading off to war. It’s time she got over her silly college relationship and moved on. So she takes matters into her own hands…
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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. Books Completed last week: Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook (mine) Kill Alex Cross by James…
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First line: Time was quickly running out. From the back cover: New decade. New job. New shenanigans. After rebounding from a broken engagement and relinquishing her job in sports PR, the irrepressible Waverly Bryson has a new man, a new career, and a new lease on life. Her part-time gig as an advice columnist has proven to be as entertaining as it is affirming, and her fledgling greeting-card line, Honey…
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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: Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson This is the latest Alex Cross book and I was at the store the day it was released! The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman I saw…
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From the back of the audio case: Sarah Nickerson is like any other career-driven supermom in Welmont, the affluent Boston suburb where she leads a hectic but charmed life with her husband Bob, faithful nanny, and three children. Between recruiting the best and brightest minds as the Vice President of Human Resources at Berkley Consulting; shuttling the kids to soccer, day care, and piano lessons; and making it home in…
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First line: The Tube had broken down. From the back cover: Nothing goes right for Eloise. The one day she wears her new suede boots, it rains cats and dogs. When the subway stops short, she’s always the one thrown into some stranger’s lap. Plus, she’s has more than her share of misfortune in the way of love. In fact, after she realizes romantic heroes are a thing of the…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Wednesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. This week’s question: Where do you love to read? Do you have a favorite chair, a favorite room, a favorite place…somewhere that inspires you to put everything else aside and pick up a book? I have to say that I can read just about anywhere…the car, at doctor’s appointments, in…
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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 ended up being quite a lazy week last week, so I got quite a lot…
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From the back of the audio case: For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows – her twins, Mia and Zach, are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close-knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with…
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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: True Colors (audio book) by Kristin Hannah This has been on my tbr list for a while and it was finally available at the library in audio. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison…
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First line: Carmela Bertrand stepped into the dark interior of St. Tristan’s Church and uttered one word. From the inside cover: The last thing Carmela Bertrand and her friend Ava expected to bear witness to in St. Tristan’s Church was a crime. But now a beloved member of their scrapbooking circle is lying lifeless next to a smashed statue of St. Sebastian – and a mysterious hooded figure has absconded…
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First line: I make landfalls for a living. From the back cover: In the course of twenty years of delivering sailboats to far-flung quaysides, John Kretschmer has had innumerable adventures, both humorous and terrifying. In Flirting with Mermaids, he recounts the most memorable of them. He crosses the Western Carribean with a crew of eccentric Swedes researching ancient Mayan mariners, lands in Aden at the outbreak of civil war, and…
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First line: Every woman has a fantasy about running into the man who broke her heart. From the back cover: Posey Osterhagen can’t complain. She owns a successful architectural salvaging company, she’s surrounds by her lovable, if off-center, family and she has a boyfriend – sort of. Still, something’s missing. Something tall, brooding and criminally good-looking…something like Liam Murphy. When Posey was sixteen, the bad boy of Bellsford, New Hampshire,…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Wednesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. I wasn’t able to get to this last week, so I am including my answers to both questions plus the bonus question that Katrina included this week. Last week’s question: When it comes to fiction, are you more of a “plot person” or a “character person”? If you had to choose,…
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First line: Only twenty-four days until Christmas, and this Christmas is going to be one you won’t forget. From the inside cover: Gaby Summerhill is ready to walk down the aisle… The tree is decorated, the cookies are baked, and the packages are wrapped, but the biggest cause for celebration this Christmas is Gaby Summerhill’s wedding. Since her husband died three years ago, Gaby’s four children have drifted apart, consumed…
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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 was a crazy week for me as I started another tutor training session for my…
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First line: “I still can’t believe this is happening.” From the back cover: Waverly Bryson is a successful businesswoman in her late 20s who almost has it all: a dream job in sports PR, two best friends, and a bar where everybody knows her name. What she doesn’t have is a ring on her finger. And after being ditched at the altar, she’s in no hurry to get one. Besides,…
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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: Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr I recently just started reading Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series and while I am not exactly up to this one yet (I’ve only read the first 2 books in the series) I couldn’t…
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This month’s selections are: Already Home By: Susan Mallery Format: Paperback (advanced copy) My review Haunting Jasmine By: Anjali Banerjee Format: Paperback My review The Diva Haunts the House By: Krista Davie Format: Paperback My review Murder Past Due By: Miranda James Format: Paperback How to enter: This contest is open to entries from the U.S. only. The deadline for entry is midnight, November 25th. I will draw the winners…
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First line: If I hadn’t asked my New York cronies to mention my grand opening in their national fashion magazines, I might be able to breathe as if I weren’t wearing Scarlett O’Hara’s corset. From the back cover: With all the stress of opening her new vintage clothing store (housed in the renovated old town morgue), Madeira Cutler feels like a bag of bones – until she discovers the real…
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Here are my reading stats for October! Books read: 15 Books I read (reviewed ones have * and link to review; books not yet reviewed will be linked up once review is posted.) The Diva Haunts the House* by Krista Davis Pumpkin Roll* by Josi S. Kilpack Navy Baby* by Debbie Macomber An O’Brien Family Christmas* by Sherryl Woods The Neighbor* by Lisa Gardner The American Heiress* by Daisy Goodwin…
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The winners of October’s giveaway are: Stilettos & Scoundrels By: Laina Turner Molaski Winner: Rachael Everything Lovely, Effortless, Safe by: Jenny Hollowell Winner: Mamabunny Summer in the South By: Cathy Holton Winner: Jane Thanks to all who entered and don’t forget to stop by next month to see a new set of books up for grabs!
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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, this weekend was certainly one for the record books – a snow storm in…
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First line: Ethan Barron sped down Main Street in his hometown of Serendipity, New York, with one thought only. From the back cover: Faith Harrington was the classic girl of privilege – until her father was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and then her marriage crashed and burned. Now Faith is back in her hometown, hoping for a fresh start. But her father’s betrayal has rocked Serendipity – and…
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From the back of the audio case: A young mother, blond and pretty, disappears without a trace from her South Boston home, leaving behind her four-year-old daughter as the only witness and her handsome, secretive husband as the prime suspect. But Detective Sergeant D.D. Warren senses something off about the picture of wholesome normality the couple worked so hard to create. On the surface, Jason and Sandra Jones were like…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Wednesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. Today’s question: Do you skim? Or are you faithful to read every word? I have to admit that I am one of those readers that reads every word on the page the majority of the time – a fact that at times drives my husband nuts because he tends to…
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First line: She’d lost the job of a lifetime because of a man! From the inside cover: Dating Matthew O’Brien – a playboy and a younger man – cost Laila her career and her parents’ respect. A high price, even for love – and when Laila decides it was just a fling, she breaks it off, despite Matthew’s objections. But the O’Brien family has other ideas, and they conspire to…
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First line: The visiting hour was almost over, so the hummingbird man encountered only the occasional carriage as he pushed his cart along the narrow strip of road between the mansions of Newport and the Atlantic Ocean. Synopsis: Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts’, suddenly finds herself…
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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. Last week, they were still working on my house, so I had lots of quality reading…
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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: The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson I already read this and loved it – as is typical of James Patterson’s books, I read this in one afternoon! Flirting With Mermaids by John Kretschmer This is the book selection for this month’s book club…
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First line: On her knees in the bathroom floor, Hannah Raymond viewed parts of the toilet that were never meant to be seen at such short range. From the back cover: It was a night she’d never forget…two strangers coming together in one breathless moment of intense need and heart-stopping desire. But now sheltered Hannah Raymond is expecting the child of rugged naval seaman Riley Murdock – a man she…
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First line: Outside, somewhere, the next gun blast thudded through the air, rattling the mahogany-framed photograph of Papa. From the back cover: Paris, 1944: The city steams in the summer heat, bristling with anticipation of its impending liberation. It marks the beginning of the end of a devastating war…and the beginning of a year like no other for Marie-Therese Brillard and her children, Colette and Christophe. They first came to…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Wednesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. Today’s question: How large is your personal/family collection of books? And where do you keep them? With both my husband and I avid readers, the answer to this is a lot! And by a lot I mean we probably have close to 750 books. He enjoys old books and my…
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First line: If the spark-throwing screech of iron-on-iron hadn’t wrenched Clay McKettrick out of his uneasy sleep, the train’s lurching stop – which nearly pitched him onto the facing seat – would surely have done the trick. From the inside cover: The sudden death of the town marshal leaves Blue River, Texas, without a lawman…and twenty-five-year-old Dara Rose Nolan without a husband. As winter approaches and her meager seamstress income…
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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 week I’ve had construction going on in my house, so the pup and…
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First line: Dear Sophie, My neighborhood goes all out for Halloween. From the back cover: This Halloween, a murderer is up to mischief. Domestic diva Sophie Winston is getting into the holiday spirit, and her decorations for a community haunted house are so good, it’s scary. Not to be outdone, rival domestic diva Natasha is throwing a spooktacular Halloween party at her house. But when Sophie arrives, she discovers one…
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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 Library: Serendipity by Carly Phillips This is the first in Carly Phillips’ newest series. What’s in your mailbox?
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First line: “Mom!” From the inside cover: Welcome to Christmas Town! The people of Cedar Cove know how to celebrate Christmas. Like Grace and Olivia and everyone else, Beth Morehouse expects this Christmas to be one of her best. Her small Christmas-tree farm is prospering, her daughters and her dogs are happy and well, and her new relationship with local vet Ted Reynolds is showing plenty of romantic promise. But…someone…
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FIR is hosted by Katrina atCallapidderdays. Every Wednesday this fall, Katrina will be posting a question about reading. Today’s question: On what devices, if any, do you read books? Or are you strictly a “physical book” reader? Up until last Christmas, I was strictly a “physical book” reader. Then, my awesome hubby got me the NookColor and I have to say I really enjoy it. I still…
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First line: “So, what’s the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath?” From the back cover: HALLOWEEN SALE AT THE WICK’D WHICH Experiencing paranormal activity in your home? Worried about ghosts, ghouls or goblins? Hearing voices? Slamming doors? Feeling a cold mist? Maybe it’s time for a quarterly cleansing…Hurry in now! Sadie Hoffmiller believes in her abilities as a cook and as a detective. She believes in the beauty of…
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