The Christmas Secret

LibraryThing book review...

The Christmas Secret

by Donna VanLiere

Christine Eisley is a single mother with two young children just trying to get by. She has a jerk of a ex-husband who doesn't pay child support, but feels the need to report her for child neglect. Christine loses her waitress job after being late one time too many. She finds a new job at Betty's Bakery and she also finds some wonderful new friends. She also meets a handsome stranger...

The Christmas Secret is a sweet story filled with likeable characters, some fun twists, and lots of heart. Sometimes, though, it is a bit too sweet and not so believable. Poor Christine, I mean she had so many bad things happen to her!!! It got to be a bit much. This is a fun, easy read, though, and great to enjoy at this time of the year.

After

LibraryThing book review...
After
By Amy Efaw

Devon is a fifteen-year-old soccer star who makes good grades and has a bright future. That is, until she puts her newborn baby in trash bag and throws her away in a trash can outside her apartment. After tries to explain what led Devon to this tragic outcome. We follow along as Devon is arrested, goes to trial, and spends time locked up. We also learn about her mother, who had Devon when she was sixteen, and how Devon strives to be nothing like her.

I liked this book because it was very real. It lets us see into why a teenaged girl would do such a thing. Devon is hard to like at times, but it is understandable considering all that she has been through. The ending is good, just rather abrupt. I still wanted to learn more about what happens to Devon after her trial.

U is for Undertow

LibraryThing book review...

U is for Undertow

by Sue Grafton

Michael Sutton comes to Kinsey Millhone for help about something he saw when he was six years old. He is haunted about what he thinks he saw and wants help finding out exactly what is was. Kinsey agrees to one day of investigation and it leads to much more than that. Michael believes he saw two men burying something...was it a little girl who had been recently kidnapped? Kinsey believes Michael and doesn't let go...

Ahhh, I savored each and every page of this book. I love Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone series! I was so excited to get this one in my hand and it didn't disappoint. Kinsey is probably one of my all-time favorite detectives, she is just so normal, so fun, and so believable. Already looking forward to V...

13 1/2

LibraryThing book review...

13 1/2

by Nevada Barr

This book is about two brothers, one of whom kills their entire family and is known as "butcher boy". Marshall is incarcerated at age eleven and when he gets out his brother, Danny, has their family home waiting for him. Marshall becomes a architect, falls in love, and marries Polly. Polly also has her own secrets. Danny becomes a pharmacist who provides Marshall with drugs for his migraines. This is just the beginning...

I must say it....this is one of those books you wish you would have never read. I usually really like books by Nevada Barr, but this one is disappointing. The plot was pretty obvious fairly early in the book and it wasn't surprising or original. This book was really hard for me to finish and the characters are unbelievable and/or unlikeable. I actually liked the ending, however, but by that time I really didn't care!!!

Summer on Blossom Street

LibraryThing book review...
Summer on Blossom Street
by Debbie Macomber

Summer on Blossom Street is the fifth book in the Blossom Street Series by Debbie Macomber. Lydia Goetz, who owns A Good Yarn, starts a knitting class called "Knit to Quit" for those who are trying to quit something. It could be smoking, a man, or stress. We meet several new characters and get caught up with some series regulars. Phoebe is trying to get over a cheating ex-fiance and Hutch is trying to lesson the business related stress in his life. We also see how Anne Marie is handling the appearance of her adopted daughter's birth father showing up in their lives. This book is about friends and family helping each other out during difficult times.

I always enjoy reading Debbie Macomber's books. She just has a lovely, comfortable style that just brings you right into the story. Her characters are real and I always love finding out what they are up to. Blossom Street is wonderful-it is like one big family that you want to know all about! Yes, this book will leave you with a smile in your heart.

Friday Fill-ins #147

1. The crickets sing, a lovely sound.

2. Be happy, wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the crazy people (& kids) I work with!

4. I won a million dollars; this was a dream.

5. But as for me I want to take a nap!

6. New Mexico is where I come from...

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some couch time, tomorrow my plans include a little work and a lot of relaxing and Sunday, I want to sleep in really late!

I have been so bad...

I started back to work in August. I am a librarian at junior high school. I guess I just got out of the groove of working on my blog. It is just so easy in the summer when I have lots and lots of time. I am going to try really hard to get back into it, though, because I do love my blog.

I have read several books during my "off" time, though. One of my favorites was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. It was just so interesting. It is about black housekeepers and the white women they work for. It has received 4.62 stars on LibraryThing and I totally agree!

I also finished Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich. I just think these books are lots of fun! I love Stephanie, Ranger, and Morelli...and, of course, Lulu! When I need something light, not so serious, this series is the one.

I also finished Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert. I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie, so I just love Melissa Gilbert. This memoir is very interesting. She talks about all her men, her struggles with alcohol, and about how her need to please caused her lots of problems throughout her life. I like her even more after reading her book.

Well, that is just a few of the books I have finished lately. I promise to be a better blogger! Happy Fall to all!!!

Thanks, Mom:)

Friday Fill-ins #140

1. I feel happy.

2. Dinner with friends is always fun.

3. Right now, I can hear these things: Zoe chewing on a bone, a car driving by, & the ceiling fan.

4. I have terrific friends and I'm glad I do!

5. The last time I went on vacation was SO long ago!

6. Can't wait for this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling on the couch, tomorrow my plans include scrapbooking and Sunday, I want to see a movie with Amy!

The Spire

LibraryThing book review...

The Spire

by Richard North Patterson

Mark Darrow returns to his alma mater, Caldwell College, to help out old friend and mentor, Lionel Farr. The school is trying to recover from the embezzlement of $900,000 by the the current president. When Darrow was a student at Caldwell he discovered the body of Angela Hall, murdered, at the base of the spire. His best friend, Steve Tillman, is serving a life sentence for the murder. Darrow has never believed that Steve was capable of murder. Not only is Mark trying to learn his new job, he is also trying to investigate a murder that is sixteen years old, and is having a relationship with Taylor Farr, the daughter of Lionel Farr.

I really enjoyed this book by Richard North Patterson. It is intriguing, well-written, and suspenseful. I really didn't figure the whole thing out until I got to the end, so it surprised me. The back and forth between the present and the past is very well done, not confusing at all. I also liked the love story, it really added to the story for me.

Friday Fill-ins #139

1. He was a very special young man~I miss him every day.

2. Crisp Fall days are what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend is someone I admire greatly.

4. Home ownership sometimes really bites to be honest with you.

5. Appearances can be somewhat deceiving.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was my friend Debbie:)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling on the couch, tomorrow my plans include throwing out some junk (after watching Hoarders on A&E!) and Sunday, I want to see a movie with Vicky (The Time Traveler's Wife)!

Under This Unbroken Sky

LibraryThing book review

Under This Unbroken Sky

by Shandi Mitchell

Under This Unbroken Sky is the story of two families who are trying to survive as farmers. Theodore and Maria have five children; his sister Anna is married to Stefan and they have two children. Theodore arrives home after spending two years in jail for stealing his own grain. He is determined to make a good life for his family and works hard. Fate seems to have a different plan and anything that could go wrong does go wrong for these two families.

This is one sad, depressing, and dark book. It is an riveting story, but I got worn out with all the bad stuff that kept happening. AND kept happening! It just never ends, these poor people. It is a serious, dramatic, and bleak story. If you like that kind of thing, this is the book for you...not for me, however.

I Can See You

LibraryThing book review...
I Can See You
by Karen Rose

Eve Wilson has survived two traumatic, life-changing incidents that have left her with many scars, inside and out. She is currently a graduate student working on a study about learning confidence through playing virtual games. She also works at a popular cop bar, Sal's. Women are being murdered and Eve connects it to her study. Noah Webster, a detective with the Hat Squad, is on the case and is madly in love with Eve.

I found this book to be very engaging in the beginning, but it did start to drag towards the end. I really enjoyed the characters of Eve Wilson and Noah Webster. Both have lots of baggage and are reluctant to get involved. I enjoyed it, but I probably won't be running out to find more books by Karen Rose.

Friday Fill-ins #137

1. When will the weather get cooler?

2. The Proposal was the last good movie I saw. (hilarious!!!)

3. Everything has its beauty but animals are my favorite.

4. Nothing (BIG lunch!) is what I had for dinner.

5. I'd like your legs, Vicky:)

6. Home is where I want to be right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading my favorite magazines, tomorrow my plans include a little bit of housework and Sunday, I want to do a lot of nothing!

The Possibility of Everything

LibraryThing book review...
The Possibility of Everything
by Hope Edelman

Hope Edelman and her husband, Uzi, are struggling with their three-year-old daughter, Maya. She has recently made friends with Dodo, an invisible playmate. He often makes her misbehave and her parents are quite concerned. (especially Mom) The family goes on vacation to Belize and while there they take Maya to see a shaman. They are hoping for some help with their daughter.

I received this book for the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing. I probably would not have finished this book if I hadn't gotten it from LibraryThing. The author goes into tons of details about things that having nothing to do with the story of her daughter. I thought all the fuss about Maya's imaginary friend was just too much; she just sounded like a spoiled brat to me. I think Hope is just one mother who needs to learn to chill.

The Time Traveler's Wife

LibraryThing book review...
The Time Traveler's Wife
By Audrey Niffenegger

Clare meets Henry as a girl in a meadow near her home. (and naked, I might add!) Henry is a time traveler and they meet throughout her childhood. Clare grows up and "meets" Henry as an adult. They have been in love for a long time and decide to get married. Obviously, they live a very unusual life with Henry disappearing at any time.

This a lovely story and a beautiful love story. I did find the time skipping around somewhat confusing, but I tried to just let it go. The story is very sad and somewhat depressing. I really felt both Henry's and Clare's pain with the situation. I can't wait to see the movie...will be sure to bring tissues!

Friday Fill-ins #135

1. It's time for school to begin again.

2. Couch; it's not a bad place for taking a nap!

3. I must be on a bad luck streak-everything keeps going wrong with my house!

4. Chocolate is the best thing I have ever known.

5. My humor is simply irresistible:)

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was with Amy & Alli at their house. (Alli is 4 & a hoot!)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading, tomorrow my plans include plumbers installing a new gas line and Sunday, I want to relax!

Best Friends Forever

LibraryThing book review...

Best Friends Forever

by Jennifer Weiner

As a girl, Addie is overweight and friendless...until Valerie moves in next door. Valerie is everything Addie is not; skinny, confident, and indifferent to what others think of her. They soon become great friends. In high school, Val becomes popular and they grow apart. An incident at a party during their senior year irrevocably breaks their friendship and they don't see each other until fifteen years later after a high school reunion.

I enjoyed the character of Addie and felt for her. I found her to be quite believable. I also enjoyed Val who was the complete opposite from Addie. I just didn't find the story that interesting. I also felt the big search for Dan, Val, and Addie very strange considering there was never a dead body. What law enforcement member begins a murder investigation without a body, only with a belt and a little blood? Not my favorite Jennifer Weiner book.

Friday Fill-ins #134

1. Another problem with my house is not the end of the world.

2. Sitting here, listening to the sound of rain falling, I LOVE it!!!

3. Food shared with good friends tastes so good!

4. Sometimes, putting others first is hard, but always worth it.

5. Alaska is breathtaking, really.

6. Well, maybe there is a chance for happiness...

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chilling, tomorrow my plans include some housework and Sunday, I want to read all day long!

Monique and the Mango Rains

LibraryThing book review...
Monique and the Mango Rains
By Kris Holloway

Kris Holloway travels to Mali, West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. She is assigned to work in Nampossela (a remote village) assisting Monique Dembele, the area's midwife. Kris works with Monique as she births babies, and as she attempts to educate Mali's women about nutrition, pregnancy, and general healthcare. They do all this without electricity, running water, or doctors. Kris spends two years in Mali and during this time not only do they become friends, they become family.

I found this book very interesting and quite informative. It really makes you appreciate all the things we take for granted in the United States, like running water and electricity. It also opens your eyes to the hardships that women, especially, face in countries such as Africa. I loved learning about Monique, her work and her people. The only thing I would have liked is more information about Kris Holloway and John Bidwell, not much was mentioned about their own personal lives. This is a book to cherish always.

Swimsuit

LibraryThing book review...
Swimsuit
by James Patterson

Swimsuit is the terrifying story of Henri Benoit, a serial killer. He isn't just any old serial killer either...he makes his living filming his murders for his wealthy clients. Ben Hawkins, a reporter for the L.A Times, gets tangled in Henri's web and has to figure a way out. Henri forces Ben to write his story and Ben really has no other choice but to do so, or does he?

The things I like about this book...it is a quick read. Each chapter ends in a way that makes you want to read the next chapter and the next...I liked the idea of the story, and I thought Henri was chilling. It is pretty violent and graphic, but I didn't think it was too much. I pretty much enjoyed the whole thing until I came to the end. It left things, well, I will just shut up now...

Friday Fill-ins #133

1. Pasta and parmesan cheese make a quick and easy dinner.

2. Plea of Insanity by Jillian Hoffman is the book I'm reading right now.

3. July brings back memories of a summer vacation in Alaska with my brother & his family:)
4. The ending was obvious.

5. They say if you tell your dreams they won't come true...not sure if I believe that!

6. My parents would say to think it over.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on some reading, tomorrow my plans include a little housecleaning and Sunday, I want to read some more!

Sunnyside Blues

LibraryThing book review...
Sunnyside Blues
bu Mary Carter

Andes is looking for a place to live and she think she has found it in a houseboat that is for rent. She meets the boat's owner, Jay and his son, Chase. They really don't hit it off at first and it looks like she might have to look for another place to live. Some unusual things happen...Jay gets arrested and Andes somehow gets stuck with Chase. Andes and Chase end up in Sunnyside, Queens and then things get really complicated...

Some parts of this book I really loved and other parts I found totally unbelievable. I really enjoyed Andes-her story and her struggles. I had a hard time believing ANYBODY would agree to take care of Chase for any length of time. He is just a mess, but I guess that is why Andes felt for him. I didn't love the ending, didn't hate it either, but it was a bit disappointing.

Monday Crazy Questions...

1. Do you have a tattoo...?? if so What and where is it?? If not do you have a secret desire to have one? No, I don't have a tattoo. I kind have a secret desire to have one, but I can't imagine shedding my clothes to actually have it done. Probably won't happen...

2. You have been offered a free botox treatment...where do you have them put it? Somewhere on my face, for sure!

3. Do you have a good luck charm? what is it?Do you think it works? No, no good luck charms.
4. When was the last time that you said something to someone that you REALLY wished you hadn't said? It was probably at work, probably a certain teacher I can't stand, I probably shouldn't have said anything...

5. The bath water is running, the phone is ringing, the dog is barking and there is someone at the door.....what do you do? I would ignore all & get in the bathtub!
6. Your best friend from high school just popped in from out of town. do you offer them a place to stay or suggest a hotel? Oh, she could stay here, for sure:)
7. Have you ever seen a ghost? No, don't really believe in ghosts.
8. Someone is driving in front of you rather erratically and slowing you way down...now you see that they are talking on a cell phone and checking themselves out in the mirror. The other lane is blocked off so you can not go around them. What do you do?? I would probably cuss a little...

Dog on It

LibraryThing book review...
Dog on It
by Spencer Quinn

Bernie is a private investigator and Chet is his loyal sidekick. Chet is also his partner in solving crimes. Bernie is hired to investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl, Madison. Madison's father is a real estate developer who smells like cat and Chet takes an instant dislike to him. Her father states that she is a runaway, but clues tell the team otherwise.

Two great detectives working as a team! I really liked this book so much. I love Chet as a PI helping his partner, Bernie, solve crimes. The charactors are engaging, the mystery is intriguing, and the look at the world from a dog's point of view is a nice change. I hope there will be more from this fun team...

Friday Fill-ins #132

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!

And...here we go!

1. The last thing I ate was a fajita, chips, and queso from Rosa's.

2. A lovely new water heater is something I recently bought:(

3. When it rains, it is a great time to curl up and read a good book!
4. Quincy was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are awesome.

6. My dogs give me lots of love and extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having one plumbing problem fixed, tomorrow my plans include sleeping in and Sunday, I want to get some serious reading done!

Handbags and Homicide

Bookreporter.com review...
Handbags and Homicide
by Dorothy Howell

Haley and Marcie love purses. They are best friends who share the obssession of purse shopping. Haley took a second job at Holt's Department Store to help pay off her credit cards. During the day, she works at the law firm of Pike Warner in accounts payable. Haley doesn't like working at Holt's and spends lots of time chilling in the stockroom...where she finds Richard, the assistant store manager, dead. She then gets put on administrative leave at Pike Warner for irrugularities in her work. Haley has two mysteries to solve...Who murdered Richard? Who framed her for embezzlement at Pike Warner?

Haley is truly a ditzy blond-it is hard to take her seriously. This was a fun read, a good story, and I did laugh a few times throughout the story. However, I did get tired of Haley and her drama. She is just a bit too much for me. She is self-absorbed, thoughtless, and inconsiderate. I did like the book, I just wish it was a bit more believable.

The Neighbor

LibraryThing book review...
The Neighbor
by Lisa Gardner

Jason Jones comes home to find his young wife missing and his 4-year-old daughter alone in their home. He immediately becomes the prime suspect along with a convicted sex offender living close by, a student his wife worked with, and his wife's father. There is lots going on with Jason Jones and his wife, Sandra. Both seem to have many secrets and this adds to the mystery.

This is one creepy story. It starts out creepy and stays creepy! It is a fascinating read with quite a few surprises along the way. I was, however, disappointed by the ending. It just didn't seem plausible and didn't work with the rest of a great story.

We have winners!!!

We have our winners for the James Patterson Swimsuit giveaway! They are...

CherylS22

Secret Life of a WAHM

A Reader

Congratulations! I will forward your information to Anna @ Hachette. Please e-mail me your addresses. Thanks:)

Loitering with Intent

LibraryThing book review...
Loitering with Intent
by Stuart Woods

Stone Barrington has just gotten dumped by his girl at his favorite restaurant in New York, Elaine's. So, he is quite happy to get an assignment that takes him out of New York for a bit and into the sunshine of Key West. It seems like a pretty easy job. All he has to do is get Evan Keating to sign a document that will allow his father to sell the family business. Dino and Stone head to Key West, find Evan eventually, but he refuses to sign. It then gets even more complicated...

Ahhh, Stone Barrington, I just love him! I must admit, however, that this series is getting a bit repetitive. I enjoy Stone and his adventures, but it would be nice to read more substance, more details, more of everything. It would also be nice to see Stone have more compassion...his girlfriend gets killed and it seems to be no big deal to him-have a heart! Maybe next time...

The Humane Award~thanks!!!

THANK YOU TO Karen @ Bookin' with Bingo & Cathy @ One Eyed Stuffed Bunny and... who passed this award on to me!

Eleni @ /-LA FEMME READERS-/ made this award & here is what she said about this special award:

"I made the Humane Award in order to honor certain bloggers that I feel are kindhearted individuals. They regularly take part in my blog and always leave the sweetest comments. If it wasn't for them, my site would just be an ordinary book review blog. Their blogs are also amazing and are tastefully done on a daily basis. I thank them and look forward to our growing friendships through the blog world."

As a Recipient of this new award, it is my honor to nominate, as instructed, 10 bloggers who I think represent these attributes Bloggers who I have nominated:( Whoever has been nominated must now nominate 10 bloggers they feel deserves the Humane Award. )

Dar @ Peeking Between the Pages
Teddy Rose @ So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
Diane @ Bibliophile By the Sea
Jenni @ Falling Off The Shelf
Kaye @ Pudgy Penguin Perusals
Wendy @ Wendy's Minding Spot
Wendy @ Musings of a Bookish Kitty
Marie @ The Boston Bibliophile
Kelly @ The Novel Bookworm

Caspette @ The Narrative Causality

Congratulations to you all and thanks for being so sweet! I love all of your blogs and enjoy checking them out for new books, contests, and reviews.

The Diary

LibraryThing book review...

The Diary

by Eileen Goudge

Sisters Emily and Sarah discover the diary of their mother while cleaning out their mother's attic. Their mother, Elizabeth, has had a stroke and is in a nursing home close to death. The sisters begin reading the diary and are surprised to find that their mother had fallen in love with another man, her true love, not their father. Both are shocked and begin to question all that they have known about their parents...and about themselves.

This is a sweet, sweet story from one of my very favorite authors. It is a quick read, but one that will melt your heart. I do think we all forget that our own parents were once young and madly in love-this story reminds us. The Diary tells two stories; the past through Elizabeth's diary and the present through sisters Emily and Sarah. I only wish this book had told us more, I wanted more details and I wanted more about Elizabeth and her husband. The ending is a lovely surprise, an unexpected gift.

Swimsuit audiobook giveaway!!!

I love James Patterson books, so I just HAD to do this audiobook giveaway~compliments of Anna @ Hachette:)

Swimsuit (Unabridged)By James Patterson, read by Christian Rummel

A heart-pounding story of fear and desire, SWIMSUIT transports listeners to a chilling new territory where the collision of beauty and murder transforms paradise into a hell of unspeakable horrors.

The rules are simple...
Just comment below for one entry...
Become a follower for one more entry...
Post giveaway on your blog for one more entry!

Please only US and Canadian addresses. No P. O. Boxes.
Giveaway ends Saturday, July the 4th.
Available in CD and Digital Download formats.
Listen to an excerpt.
Visit James Patterson’s website at http://www.jamespatterson.com/

Friday Fill-ins #130

1. She had a great idea

2. Hannah & Zoe, my dogs, are by my side, always.

3. I know this: summer is going way too fast!!!
4. All is still.

5. These words apply to me: creative, calm, fun.

6. Today the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading my trashy magazines, tomorrow my plans include cleaning my scrapbook room and Sunday, I want to read & cuddle all day long!

LibraryThing book review...
Anybody Any Minute by Julie Mars

Ellen Henry tells her boss off, gets fired, and buys an old, beat-down cottage on the way to visit her sister in Montreal. (with a credit card line of credit, no less) She leaves her husband, Tommy, for the summer so she can spend time finding herself. She makes friends with two local fellas, adopts a mutt, and ends up caring for her sister's 2-year old son, Olivier. Tommy admits to having met someone special, his yoga teacher and Ellen finds herself deep in a marital crisis. Ellen always gets herself involved in everybody's problems, but this time she has quite a few of her own to figure out.

Anybody Any Minute is a charming, fun, and light-hearted story. It has several colorful characters who make the story very interesting. I really enjoyed Ellen most of the time, although sometimes I really had to wonder what she was thinking! I think, at times, we would all like to run away from our "real" lives...Ellen does and we all get to experience it through her.

WINNERS!!!

We have 2 winners of Hedge Fund Wives by Tatiana Boncompagni!!! They are...

1st place-holdenj

2nd place-CherylS22

Congratulations!!! Please e-mail me your addresses and I will get your books in the mail. Enjoy:)

Shanghai Girls

LibraryThing book review...

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Shanghai Girls is the story of two sisters, May and Pearl, who are living a pretty good life in Shanghai. Pearl is the older sister, educated, tall, and born in the Year of the Dragon. May is shorter, beautiful, and born in the Year of the Sheep. They really want for nothing. Their father gambles away the family money and forces the sisters to marry brothers living in the United States. The Japanese invasion of Shanghai makes leaving their home very complicated. They find themselves in several horrible situations and most do not end well.

Shanghai Girls is a compelling read and I was interested in their story throughout. The relationship between Pearl and May is fascinating and we come to know these sisters very well. The story is pretty sad and it is sad throughout the book. The history, I found, fascinating. The ending, however, I did not care for-it is not bad, just left open...very frustrating!

Of Bees and Mist

LibraryThing book review...
Of Bees and Mist
by Erick Setiawan

Meridia grows up in a family where her mother and father both treat her horribly. Her parents seem to forget that Meridia even exists. She then meets Daniel and hopes that her life will change for the better. She moves in with Daniel's family and soon things are worse than they were with her own parents. Daniel's mother is wonderful at first, then her true colors start showing and Meridia is stuck between her husband and her mother-in-law. It is a war and both women are determined to win...

I am probably the only person on the planet who didn't just love this book! I read it for the Barnes & Noble First Look program and I thought it was just plain strange. There are lots of unusual things happening in this story from mysterious mists, to swarms of bees, and all kinds of other strange things. I got frustrated with the never ending obstacles facing Miridia-she goes from one battle to the next. She never seems to catch a break and it gets old after a while. The characters were vibrant and very real, but the story just didn't do it for me.

Friday Fill-ins #129

1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting a diaster.
2. Show me a good loser and I will show you another person, not me!
3. Eating too much of anything is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time.

4. Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy being moms and dads.

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine work and play.

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without cheese or meat in it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to resting after helping Mel move classrooms, tomorrow my plans include finishing up some painting and Sunday, I want to read all day long!

Book Giveaway!!!

Hedge Fund Wives by Tatiana Boncompagni

I have 2 copies of Hedge Fund Wives to give away, complements of TJ Dietderich, marketing associate. 1st place will get a brand new copy of the book & 2nd place will get a gently used copy of the book-the copy I read!!!

...to enter, just leave a comment. For an extra entry, become a follower. The giveaway will end on June 24th.

p.s. my review is right below...

LibraryThing book review...
Hedge Fund Wives
by Tatiana Boncompagni

Marcy and her husband, John have moved from Chicago to the big city of New York. John is a hedge fund manager and they are in the big time (like RICH!) now. The only problem is that Marcy just doesn't fit in. She is bored, wants to go back to work, and can't stand most of the other hedge fund wives. Problems arise when John becomes distant and Marcy isn't sure why.

I read Gilding Lily (Boncompagni's 1st novel) and really enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy Hedge Fund Wives as much. It was good, just not as good as I thought it would be. Marcy is an enjoyable and likeable character, but I found little things irritating. I mean she gets a $15 million divorce settlement and she can't afford gourmet cheese??? Really? The book just didn't do it for me, not completely, anyways. It may do it for you, though!

Friday Fill-ins #128

1. I grew up thinking my parents knew everything, until I was a teenager, of course!

2. LibraryThing was the last website I was at before coming here.

3. Why don't you help me paint this room?

4. Reading helps me relax.

5. Thanks for the water heater, Mom and Dad:)

6. I find people who talk too much very off-putting.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to painting, tomorrow my plans include painting and Sunday, I want to finish painting!

Teaser Tuesdays

TEASER TUESDAYS : Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB over at Should Be Reading ~ I always look forward to reading everyone's teasers!

My 2 “Teaser” Sentences for today:

Up in her room, eyes swollen from crying, Meredia let the curtain fall from her fingers. How long would it take until his name was erased from her lips, his face reduced to a shimmer of a dream?

~ p. 158, “Of Bees and Mist" by Erick Setiawan

The Forgotten Garden

LibraryThing book review...
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

A little girl is left alone on a dock with only a small, white suitcase. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife, but she never tells her name and becomes "Nell." Nell passes on and leaves a cottage in Cornwall to her granddaughter, Cassandra. Cassandra makes the journey to England to solve the mystery of Nell's origins.

This is one complicated story that can't be summed up in just a few sentences. I couldn't wait to read "The Forgotten Garden" because I loved Kate Morton's first book, "The House at Riverton." This story, however, just didn't do it for me. It was really long and the last half of the book dragged for me. The switches in time and place were somewhat confusing. There are many characters and I found it hard to keep track of all of them. Nell and Cassandra were my favorites, though, great characters.

Friday Fill-ins #127

1. I can't wait to get home.

2. My favorite thing for dinner lately has been pasta.

3. My 2 little girls love to go... bark! bark! bark!

4. A nice long walk is good for my soul and my dogs also love it.

5. We could all use some good news.

6. When all is said and done, I love my job.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to officially beginning my summer, tomorrow my plans include sleeping in really late and Sunday, I want to putter in my yard!

Thanks!!!

Wendy @ Wendy's Minding Spot was sweet and generous to pass this sexy angel to me! Thanks Wendy~YES!! I'm going to send this Angel on My Blog Award to a few friends who have been angels to me:

Caspette @ The Narrative Causality

Bookin' with "Bingo"

Dar @ Peeking Between the Pages

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 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 participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teasers:

"Eliza was right: the name 'Rose' was well suited to a fairy-tale princess, and certainly Rose Mountrachet enjoyed the uncommon privilege and beauty befitting the part. Sadly, though, for little Rose, the first eleven years of life had been anything but a fairy story."

~p. 236, "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton

We have a winner!!!

The winner of Patterns in the Sand by Sally Goldenbaum is....

traveler

Please e-mail me with your address & I will send the book to you. Congratulations!!!

Friday Fill-ins #126

1. It's cold and wet here in West Texas.

2. I absolutely hate tomatoes.

3. My favorite health and beauty product is Vaseline.

4. I usually do not look forward to a nice long ride, unless I get to read!

5. Well, first of all you are wrong and you need to go away.

6. My family; those were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was weird.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to celebrating the end of the school year, tomorrow my plans include enjoying my backyard and Sunday, I want to read and relax!

Words Unspoken

LibraryThing book review...
Words Unspoken by Elizabeth Musser

Lissa Randall is trying to learn how to live after losing her mom to a terrible car accident that she feels responsible for. She struggles with guilt ,and she hasn't driven since the accident. She feels a disconnect with her father and feels he blames her for the accident. Lissa is trying get her act together, she is tired of being stuck and is ready to move on...she just doesn't know how. Through Lissa, we meet several other people connected to her story and we also learn about their lives and how they help Lissa through her pain.

I also received this book through the Early Reviewers program at Library Thing. I had no idea it was a Christian fiction book when I requested it, I just thought the book sounded good. I didn't love all the religious passages, but they didn't bother me. The story is very complicated and there are lots of characters that just don't seem to fit together. In the end, however, it all comes together to make a good story, and one that I did enjoy.

Book Giveaway!!!

I am VERY excited to announce that Sally Goldenbaum, author of the Seaside Knitters Mystery series, is giving away a signed hardback edition of Patterns in the Sand! The contest begins today and ends on Sunday, May the 31st.

The rules are very easy...

Just comment below for one entry...
Become a follower for one more entry...
Post giveaway on your blog for one more entry!
Please only US and Canadian addresses.

Don't forget to read my review below, good luck, and thanks!!!

Patterns in the Sand

LibraryThing book review...
Patterns in the Sand
by Sally Goldenbaum

Willow Adams is a fiber artist who sneaks into the village of Sea Harbor, Massachusetts late one night. She breaks into the Seaside Knitters Studio and falls asleep with the store cat, Purl, in front of the display window. A nearby store owner spots her and calls the police. Izzy Chambers, owner of the studio, refuses to press charges. Willow explains that she came to Sea Harbor and to Izzy's studio to discuss her fiber art. What she doesn't tell them, however, is that she is really there to find her long lost father. In the meantime, local artist Aiden Peabody is murdered. The Seaside Knitters Club is on the case and is determined to solve the mystery.

Patterns in the Sand is the second book in the series by Sally Goldenbaum, A Seaside Knitters Mystery. I loved everything about this book...the eccentric characters, the beautiful Massachusetts setting, and the focus on all kinds of art. I found it to be the perfect cozy mystery and those are my absolute favorite. The characters all feel like friends, and I can't wait to see them again!