tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56111674787501506092024-03-18T01:42:57.988-04:00Bettering Me UpSlytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.comBlogger354125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-47186081423455097182015-01-24T17:41:00.000-05:002015-01-24T17:42:25.176-05:00American Gangsters: The Life and Legacy of Al Capone, by Charles River Editors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://amzn.to/15zA31c" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1GPmV94" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18893802-american-gangsters" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
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<ul>
<li><i><span id="freeText8575485297648530083">Explains the legends
and separates fact from fiction regarding Capone's most famous hits,
including the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.</span> </i></li>
<li><i>Includes pictures of Capone and important people, places, and events in his life.<span id="freeText8575485297648530083"> </span></i></li>
<li><i><span id="freeText8575485297648530083">Includes a Table of Contents</span></i></li>
</ul>
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2.5 stars, upped to three because it was free on Amazon and I didn't hate it.<br />
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The authors of this book, the Charles River Editors, could have done a much better job with...um, editing: timelines went backward and forward; punctuation was missing or in the wrong place; the word "somehow" was used every time someone survived an assassination attempt; and so on.<br />
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I also expected more "fact vs. fiction" as promised in the synopsis--at least more than a few paragraphs at the end.Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-60671937235281127742014-06-23T04:00:00.000-04:002014-06-23T04:00:06.207-04:00(Book Excerpt and GIVEAWAY!) Honest Love, by CM Hutton<div class="tr_bq">
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<b>Title</b>: Honest Love<br />
<b>Author</b>: CM Hutton<br />
<b>Genre</b>: Contemporary Romance<br />
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<blockquote>
<i>Starting over was never easy for anyone.</i><br />
<i>I’d heard the stories over and over.</i><br />
<i>But after the hell my ex-husband had put me through over the last year, over the last twenty years…well, I was ready to move on, repair what was left of my shattered heart and find someone to share my life with—someone who would put me first.</i><br />
<i>I deserved it. I’d done my time being in her shadow, being a cheap understudy, always second. For. All. Those. Years.</i><br />
<i>Never again.</i><br />
<i>Our move to San Diego provided a fresh start, a new place away from all the hurt and memories. Life as a single mom to three teenagers had its' challenges, but we were adjusting and my kids were doing well.</i><br />
<i>It was time to focus on my happiness, for once. I had a huge capacity to love and I wanted to share my love with a man that respected it, accepted it and gave it in return.</i><br />
<i>It was just a matter of time before he found me and showed me what true, honest love was all about.</i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Claire</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Every now and then,
during his session, I</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">d notice an odd glance or two from
him, but ignored it. I didn</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t want his negative shit adding to my
own. This was my job. I was his physical therapist, not his friend or
counselor, and this job was what would keep me going while I learned to wrap my
head around my new life. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Derek didn</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t
say much. He grunted a few times when I pushed him harder, but other than that,
nothing.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">It wasn</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t
until we were just about done and I was giving him our customary mini
relaxation massage, that I took the opportunity to really take a good look at
him. Derek removed his shirt as he laid face down on the massage table in my
therapy room and an involuntary gasp escaped from me. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Wasn</span></i><i><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span></i><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t expecting that.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Most patients didn</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t
remove their clothing as these massages were only meant to relieve the tension
built up in the body as a result of the stress from working an injury. He</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">d apparently heard me because a small,
stupid grin turned up on one corner of his mouth. I ignored him.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">He was tall and
lean, not too bulky, and his skin was tan and smooth</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">…</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">defined.
I noticed a few tattoos on his ribs. I</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">d never been much on body ink, but it
was sexy on Derek and I couldn</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t stop staring at it as I slowly
rubbed the tension from his neck and shoulders.
</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Yeah, you could say
I was attracted to him. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">___________________________________________</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Derek</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Claire seemed nice.
Actually she seemed like she probably wouldn</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t
take any crap from me. And I didn</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t think she knew who I was</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">…</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">always
a good thing. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">She was good at her
job. I had a feeling I</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">d be back on the truck soon. My life
as a firefighter was about all I had to keep my mind occupied. Football used to
do that for me. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Nothing but tainted
memories now.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I shook my head,
brushed off my thoughts and focused more on my new therapist. I</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">d
asked her a few questions, which she answered willingly. I was curious about
Claire, but my pissy mood made my questions come out way too harsh and nasty.</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">I just hoped I
could stop staring at her. She was shorter than me. Maybe 5</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">5</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">”</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">with
beautiful blonde hair and amazing brown eyes. Not who I would typically pay
attention to, but what the hell did I know? The only girl I</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">d
ever loved was Claire</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s complete opposite with dark brown
hair, blue eyes and really tall. She</span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">’</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">d
also ripped my heart out and practically ate the damn thing right in front of
me. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Maybe Claire was
just what I needed. </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="BodyA">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">But first, I had to
find out more about her past and what lead her to San Diego.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">CM Hutton is a wife, a mom of three, a friend, an aunt, a sister, a daughter, and a teacher. She lives near Austin, Texas with her family and loves to read and travel.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Her first novel, <i>Paradise Taken</i>, is a highly emotional book based on true events. Its sequel, <i>Saving Us</i>, was released in February 2014.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"></span> </blockquote>
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<br />Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-68552901906380067612014-06-17T05:00:00.000-04:002014-06-17T05:00:04.015-04:00(Book Highlight) Full Moon, by Jordan Deen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Title</b>: Full Moon<br />
<b>Author</b>: Jordan Deen<br />
<div multilinks-noscroll="true">
<b>Series</b>: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/49304-the-crescent" multilinks-noscroll="true">The Crescent #3</a></div>
<b>Genre</b>: Young Adult, Paranormal<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You know her story. You know her painful initiation into the werewolf world and you’ve seen her struggle to find the truth.<br />
<br />
Now, Lacey Quinn is ready for the war to be over. Are you?<br />
<br />
Lacey has been used, lied to and cheated out of the only thing she ever wanted: independence. Struggling with her newfound knowledge of being pack leader, Alex coming back into her life and the kidnapping of Lily’s mate—Matt—Lacey is faced with one of the biggest decisions of her life: fight or flight. While she knows running from the war will risk many lives, but staying means she would never have the life she wants and quite possibly never know a world without werewolves, witches and war.<br />
<br />
Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t always the first or most obvious choice. Lacey Quinn is about to challenge what everyone thinks is the right thing to do. Unfortunately for her, most will not agree with her decision or the painful outcome.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, love means death.</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><i>Just please stop…,</i> I said one last time as the ribbons encircled my wrists and my ankles and started pulling in opposite directions. There would be no end to the suffering until there was an end to me. The only way to stop the pain was to let myself go. To let it overtake me and to be one with the pain. I released the tension in each of my muscles and loosened my balled up fists. If I was going to die now, it would be on my own terms. As soon as the realization had registered in my mind, the onyx prisoner twisted onto itself and around me to squeeze my stomach and my ribs. It was determined to kill me and to make me suffer while it was doing it. I couldn’t fight back. I wouldn’t fight back. It was futile. I remained limp and it seemed to only further anger my captor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The next thing I knew, I was upside down and the ground was racing quickly towards my face. The shackles around my wrist were released and I was again screaming for my freedom. My arms flailed and hopes for developing an ability to fly rushed through my mind. If only I could fly… then my head hit the ground.</span></div>
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jordan Deen is an Award-Winning Young Adult and New Adult Author from East St. Louis, Illinois. Her debut novel, THE CRESCENT was a 2010 Reader's Favorite Award Winner. Her second novel, HALF MOON released in 2011. BREAKING LAUREN is her third novel and was a finalist in the Texas Literary Awards. The sequel, LOSING LAUREN was released on 12/5/2013.<br />
<br />
She can usually be found curled up in her favorite chair with a book or her laptop. She is the proud mother of one crazy little boy and an even crazier teacup Yorkie.<br />
<br />
Jordan is Indie published, as well as traditionally published with Black Rose Writing.<br />
'Life is about the journey...'</blockquote>
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<br />Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-55395563483348582972014-06-01T17:53:00.004-04:002014-06-01T18:03:32.403-04:00Watching and Fearing, Part IWomen are taught -- at a very young age -- to recognize the signs of interest from the opposite sex.<br />
<br />
Before we even enter elementary school, we're told to ignore the boys who pull our hair and tease us:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i>They like you, and that's just how boys show it</i>."</blockquote>
(Never mind the fact that they are in our personal space and bothering us.)<br />
<br />
When we get older, however, we're taught to fear an unknown "them" whose only intentions are to harm us: we shouldn't walk the 500-foot path through the trees separating the house from the school; we're not supposed to look at men or boys for too long because they might think it's an invitation; we need to dress to a certain standard so as not to draw unwanted attention to ourselves. And on and on it goes.<br />
<br />
So we learn. We watch. We see the lingering stares from the corners of our eyes and do our best to ignore them. We practice walking with our shoulders back and our heads up in order to feign confidence and strength. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i>Walk with a purpose and you won't get attacked; as long as you don't look vulnerable, you're safe.</i>"</blockquote>
(Never mind the fact that carrying our keys in between our fingers to defend ourselves probably won't make much of a difference.)<br />
<br />
On one hand, we're learning how to protect ourselves and and to avoid being noticed. On the other, we're learning from our peers, from celebrities and the media, and sometimes our own parents that we need to be skinny, cute, and fashionable in order to <a href="http://amzn.to/RUHb0R" target="_blank">get a boyfriend</a>. We need to be skinny, cute, and fashionable in order to be <a href="http://amzn.to/1nUTS8D" target="_blank">popular</a>. We need to be skinny, cute, and fashionable in order to be <i>relevant</i>.<br />
<br />
It's an interesting <a href="http://amzn.to/1hO2dW4" target="_blank">dichotomy</a>.<br />
<br />
We watch. We see the boys staring at us; watch their heads turn. We hear he wolf whistles; the cat calls. We see the lewd gestures; the mimicking of sexual acts. This is our success. Skinny, cute, fashionable. This is us being relevant. Even if it makes us feel dirty inside.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Boys will be boys."</i></blockquote>
(But we don't respond. Because we're not stupid: we don't want to be attacked.)<br />
<br />
As adults, we realize the bullshit of what we learned growing up. But it's too late. 20-something years later, and it's all we know: if we're not skinny, if we're not cute, if we're not fashionable...what are we?<br />
<br />
<b>Irrelevant. </b><br />
<br />
It is so ingrained into our entire beings that it defines us. <br />
<br />
A few days ago, I realized that this is my biggest fear: becoming irrelevant. Whether it's at work, at home, or within the community, the mere thought of not being needed or valued scares the ever-loving shit out of me. It makes me feel weak, undesirable, and unintelligent. It strikes at the core of who I am and fucks with my psyche. If I am irrelevant, why am I here?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>I have more to say on this subject, but an overwhelming sense of sadness is preventing me from continuing right now.</i>Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-47649599078458270012013-11-05T07:00:00.000-05:002013-11-05T07:00:01.203-05:00(Blog Tour) Attempting Elizabeth, by Jessica Gray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dRL4-xlHbW_FNzkcvtH-hGeS1E8qmgekQsCik0bu8ljd_3LWlEznhZ09F40HQPYH_HhBE9X-NNit8EAs0Z0QhyphenhypheneB2Hpcqzp8W9ambBE2Ln2KkXwqsvpLLH_0xaUhpcLNIctfCTqtF-E5/s1600/three+half+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dRL4-xlHbW_FNzkcvtH-hGeS1E8qmgekQsCik0bu8ljd_3LWlEznhZ09F40HQPYH_HhBE9X-NNit8EAs0Z0QhyphenhypheneB2Hpcqzp8W9ambBE2Ln2KkXwqsvpLLH_0xaUhpcLNIctfCTqtF-E5/s200/three+half+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/1an9XJh" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1hHzQLh" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1an9K8Q" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText2564427936355051076">Kelsey Edmundson is a
geek and proud of it. She makes no secret of her love for TV, movies,
and--most especially--books. After a bad breakup, she retreats into her
favorite novel, </span></i><span id="freeText2564427936355051076">Pride and Prejudice</span><i><span id="freeText2564427936355051076">, wishing she had some of the wit and
spirit of Elizabeth Bennett.<br /><br />One night at a party, Kelsey meets
handsome Australian bartender Mark Barnes. From then on, she always
seems to run into him when she least expects it. No matter how Kelsey
tries, she always seems to say the wrong thing.<br /><br />After a
particularly gaffe-filled evening around Mark, Kelsey is in desperate
need of inspiration from Jane Austen. She falls asleep reading Darcy’s
letter to Lizzy and awakens to find herself in an unfamiliar place that
looks and sounds suspiciously like her favorite book. Has she somehow
been transported into </span></i><span id="freeText2564427936355051076">Pride and Prejudice</span><i><span id="freeText2564427936355051076">, or is it just a dream?<br /><br />As
Kelsey tries to discover what’s happening to her, she must also
discover her own heart. Is Mark Barnes destined to be her Mr. Darcy? In
the end, she must decide whether attempting to become Elizabeth is worth
the risk or if being Kelsey Edmundson is enough.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">Welcome to my stop on the <a href="http://bit.ly/17BZgIx" target="_blank"><i>Attempting Elizabeth</i> blog tour</a>!</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">Confession #1: I have never read <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>. I've started it a half-dozen times, but I've never really understood the hype. </span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">Confession #2: I love--LOVE--Australian accents.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">Confession #3: I'm a sucker for time travel/historical fiction romance.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">Jessica Gray's <i>Attempting Elizabeth</i> is a quick, fun read that meets two of my guilty pleasures; I didn't care that it referenced a book that I hadn't read.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">Kelsey is a girl after my own heart: she is a total nerd who prefers to stay home and read a good book than to hit the bars until all hours of the night. She's endearingly awkward around Mark, and I couldn't get enough of their accidental run-ins; I would have loved to read more of these conversations.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">I've often wondered what it would be like to enter the world of one my favorite books. I would totally be friends with <i>Eleanor & Park</i>. I know I'd end up a tribute in <i>The Hunger Games</i>. And be placed in Hufflepuff at Hogwarts. </span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">So I loved reading about Kelsey's experience within <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>, her own favorite book.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">How cool would it be to wake up with your favorite characters? (So cool!) How crazy would you think yourself? (So crazy!) Is it surprising that Kelsey thinks that she's gone insane? (So not surprising!)</span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">The transitions between the real world and the book world were done well; even though the audience didn't have all of the information about <i>how</i> it was happening, it made sense within the story itself.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076">If you're looking to snuggle up with a book, give this one a shot.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2564427936355051076"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYIkgwkOeMjtdrMvsxZjGu_-rGxXkcrBHwOSfpg-F8g5XQyXxVW8ghkHQlGETOGuul6Ec7X8HQWGSjCQglYB3-LLl7JW_Gnm-hUfcQVNl5VUPmNqbn0Svskm4lXYTQaX84zL8ox2ssQNV/s1600/5626115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYIkgwkOeMjtdrMvsxZjGu_-rGxXkcrBHwOSfpg-F8g5XQyXxVW8ghkHQlGETOGuul6Ec7X8HQWGSjCQglYB3-LLl7JW_Gnm-hUfcQVNl5VUPmNqbn0Svskm4lXYTQaX84zL8ox2ssQNV/s200/5626115.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><span id="freeText2564427936355051076">About the Author</span></b><br />
<br />
Jessica Grey is an author,
fairytale believer, baseball lover, and recovering Star Wars fangirl. A
life-long Californian, she now lives in Montana with her husband and two
children, where she spends her time writing, perfecting the fine art of
preschooler-wrangling, and drinking way too much caffeine.<br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383579045532_11477">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1383579045532_11477" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://authorjessicagrey.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicagrey" target="_blank"> Facebook</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5626115.Jessica_Grey" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_JessicaGrey" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div>
Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-37854847809358672372013-10-20T00:25:00.001-04:002013-10-20T00:25:27.684-04:00Just One Year (Just One Day #2), by Gayle Forman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywSDQr0-5Lkb4QjNXElX3ZJIPf3ipYW5LapYAB57POTcPp7J_J4MokE7Du679aUCHcqQiTBBhRXBOPpPW0zU-H79W_FXrJMyBdoE5dZSex-MYduTs8LN9PwJS2vfcInLlJF3nXIWtSL4G/s1600/just+one+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywSDQr0-5Lkb4QjNXElX3ZJIPf3ipYW5LapYAB57POTcPp7J_J4MokE7Du679aUCHcqQiTBBhRXBOPpPW0zU-H79W_FXrJMyBdoE5dZSex-MYduTs8LN9PwJS2vfcInLlJF3nXIWtSL4G/s320/just+one+year.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s1600/three+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s200/three+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BPDR130/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BPDR130&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-one-year-gayle-forman/1114771143?ean=9780525425922" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12842134-just-one-year" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText16963440545586414132">Equal parts romance, coming-of-age-tale,
mystery and travel romp (with settings that span from England’s
Stratford upon Avon to Paris to Amsterdam to India’s Bollywood) </span></i><span id="freeText16963440545586414132">Just One Day</span><i><span id="freeText16963440545586414132"> and </span></i><span id="freeText16963440545586414132">Just One Year</span><i><span id="freeText16963440545586414132"> show how in looking for someone else, you just
might wind up finding yourself.</span><span id="freeTextContainer6743817256282309916"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeTextContainer6743817256282309916">After spending an amazing day and night together in Paris, </span></i><span id="freeTextContainer6743817256282309916">Just One Year</span><i><span id="freeTextContainer6743817256282309916"><em> </em>is Willem's story, picking up where </span></i><span id="freeTextContainer6743817256282309916">Just One Day</span><i><span id="freeTextContainer6743817256282309916"><em> </em>ended.
His story of their year of quiet longing and near-misses is a perfect
counterpoint to Allyson's own as Willem undergoes a transformative
journey, questioning his path, finding love, and ultimately, redefining
himself.</span></i> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have been waiting for <i>Just One Year</i> from the moment that I finished <i>Just One Day</i>. The latter completely blew me away and I couldn't wait for Willem's POV of their time apart and their reconnection.<br />
<br />
So imagine my surprise at the disillusionment I felt throughout the novel. Do you see the description above? Where it says "<i>picking up where </i>Just One Day<i> ended</i>"? Guess what I was expecting. FOR THIS BOOK TO PICK UP WHERE THE PREVIOUS ONE LEFT OFF.<br />
<br />
Guess what I got? NOT THAT.<br />
<br />
Allyson's story in JOD was empowering and full of self-discovery. Willem's story in JOY was all wallowing in self-pity and shacking up with other girls while he was <i>oh-so-in-love</i> with "Lulu." And I just didn't buy it.<br />
<br />
Maybe I would have felt differently if there had been more interaction between the two protagonists. But I kept anticipating their reunion (<i>picking up where the last one left off</i>!!!) and felt nothing but anxiety and disappointment with each chapter.<br />
<br />
WTF, Gayle Forman? Your previous works have left me bleary-eyed from too much crying, but were always worth the heartfail. This? Bleary-eyed from near-boredom. Had I known that I wouldn't get a whole book--or at least part of a book--with Willem and Allyson together, I'm not sure I would have read it. And I'm really glad that I borrowed this from the library instead of purchasing it; I would have rated it lower if I had spent any money on this sequel. As it is, three stars is being generous.Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-46930548356852869962013-10-15T03:00:00.000-04:002013-10-15T03:00:09.524-04:00(Blog Tour & Giveaway) Play With Me, by Piper Shelly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s1600/three+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s200/three+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/19C40y9" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/1bt6QTh" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/GYrVvu" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText6990101297726699677">Ryan Hunter's parties are legend. And tonight she's going to be there.<br /><br />Liza
Matthews anticipates the return of her best friend and only love since
kindergarten from soccer camp. But when Tony finally shows up, his mind
is more focused on another girl. And worse, she's a soccer player.
Fighting for the attention Liza craves, she's just a hairbreadth away
from making a very stupid decision. But when extraordinary times call
for extraordinary measures, she's prepared to play ball to get her man.<br /><br />The
tryouts are hell, the first match ends bloody, and the morning after
the selection party she wakes up in the worst place possible—in the arms
of the captain of the soccer team. The hottest guy in school. Ryan
Hunter.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677">Welcome to my stop on the <i>Play With Me</i> blog tour, hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Click <a href="http://bit.ly/1cPZywt" target="_blank">here</a> to check out other participating blogs. </span><br />
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677">Coming in at just under 200 pages, this was a quick, light read; I finished the book in just a couple of hours. I wish it had been longer! Piper Shelly could have added another hundred pages to really flesh out the characters and give them more background. Everything seemed to happen at warp speed and there was lack of motivation in a few spots. I would have given <i>Play With Me</i> four stars had it delved deeper into the various relationships and provided more than a glimpse into the characters' lives.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677">I have not read the sequel, so maybe it's addressed later on. </span><br />
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677">I <b>am </b>concerned about the slut-shaming and fat-shaming that occurs throughout the book. The last thing that young women need is to read about female characters who are disparaging members of their own sex. It's already so pervasive in the media that it reinforces negative stereotypes when it's part of a YA novel.</span><br />
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677">To women everywhere: it is unfair to label another woman a "bimbo" simply because she is attractive and likes the same guy that you do.</span><br />
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677">That being said, this was a quick, fun way to spend an evening.</span><br />
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText6990101297726699677"><br /></span>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251226/" id="rc-d04251226" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-45244677643109903402013-09-17T03:30:00.000-04:002013-09-17T03:30:06.655-04:00Tumble & Fall, by Alexandra Coutts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_CB8QDshxrEQBvA0EpwSkI8AngZObkT3Luu6PCuhg717bD1Kkt0IWGAcMyWx8T0mszEHPA8YktO4uMiBLidWRCP_QtYPvij7gJmwcTfT4m2VOWMRI9vbUTPa1O7Ep1KgdyAfbN3oq50H/s1600/tumble-and-fall.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_CB8QDshxrEQBvA0EpwSkI8AngZObkT3Luu6PCuhg717bD1Kkt0IWGAcMyWx8T0mszEHPA8YktO4uMiBLidWRCP_QtYPvij7gJmwcTfT4m2VOWMRI9vbUTPa1O7Ep1KgdyAfbN3oq50H/s320/tumble-and-fall.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByRk9GK9soLtlx98QdXskfZCVngrDVQW2x2wtXyDnqh6O3AFVbUvGKO2DGL57um1oxssBIUNe6SRoEUVX1tvOceCjzdPbKQx6ogHUcxRGFGQUp_2Zwjxuxc_ewdXgQFOJLor8Erx_-K-/s1600/one+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByRk9GK9soLtlx98QdXskfZCVngrDVQW2x2wtXyDnqh6O3AFVbUvGKO2DGL57um1oxssBIUNe6SRoEUVX1tvOceCjzdPbKQx6ogHUcxRGFGQUp_2Zwjxuxc_ewdXgQFOJLor8Erx_-K-/s200/one+star.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQMQGFY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BQMQGFY&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tumble-fall-alexandra-coutts/1114317929?ean=9780374378615&itm=1&usri=9780374378615" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17332270-tumble-fall" target="_blank">Goodreads </a><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText12354299995624209407"><em>
<strong>A novel about the end of days full of surprising beginnings</strong>
</em><br /><br />The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An
asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time;
catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the
question is, what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark
backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love,
friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.<br /><br />Alexandra Coutts's Tumble & Fall is a powerful story of courage, love, and hope at the end of the world.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="freeText12354299995624209407">Let's just look at the cover for a moment, shall we? It's gorgeous! I love the font, the cover models, and the bokeh lights.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText12354299995624209407">Sadly, that's the best part of the book. Awesome premise. Poor execution. What kind of father hires a prostitute for his son? Disgusting.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText12354299995624209407">I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. </span>Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-31100147012435228912013-09-14T23:13:00.000-04:002013-09-14T23:13:49.993-04:00Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8nyDnWvPds9dRW8cXoOhqHQxNEgpfTA5FDF8PLaWsxBlGt3H5irEkLAudTHa8mgA_6Y-oXhNFLIqlGS5fVxvj99ytFU9oRET_YA4QoXZJC-TJv0I-WlUG3mkz_Xn_W6ZiMvEcjcPvrql/s1600/fangirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8nyDnWvPds9dRW8cXoOhqHQxNEgpfTA5FDF8PLaWsxBlGt3H5irEkLAudTHa8mgA_6Y-oXhNFLIqlGS5fVxvj99ytFU9oRET_YA4QoXZJC-TJv0I-WlUG3mkz_Xn_W6ZiMvEcjcPvrql/s320/fangirl.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hm8zt_cbyIdvTBKwf_wIVNG3fS1suQotvPMMFvlbbkPov1Fe9geSzO88N3L95zPkjE6cUMKU8INsd5Qngp8gaYhsELWD7174xo-_dGE_ggmnvHnikQfBLykjG8hBI2ESHuwYJZg4XvJc/s1600/five+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hm8zt_cbyIdvTBKwf_wIVNG3fS1suQotvPMMFvlbbkPov1Fe9geSzO88N3L95zPkjE6cUMKU8INsd5Qngp8gaYhsELWD7174xo-_dGE_ggmnvHnikQfBLykjG8hBI2ESHuwYJZg4XvJc/s200/five+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BMKH5NW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BMKH5NW&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fangirl-rainbow-rowell/1114258557?ean=9781250030962&itm=1&usri=9781250030962" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17450549-fangirl" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText7295102473687181950">In Rainbow Rowell's </span></i><span id="freeText7295102473687181950">Fangirl</span><i><span id="freeText7295102473687181950">,
Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan,
but for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She
and her twin sister Wren ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series
when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother
leaving.<br /><br />Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums,
writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for
every movie premiere.<br /><br />Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from the fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.</span></i><br />
<i><span id="freeText7295102473687181950"><br />Now
that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to
be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort
zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around
boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fanfiction is the end
of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk
about words . . . And she can’t I stop worrying about her dad, who’s
loving and fragile and has never really been alone.<br /><br />For Cath, the
question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her
hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? And does she even want
to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I couldn't do it. I couldn't rush through this book, even though I wanted to devour it the moment I received it (many, many, MANY thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press). <i><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/05/eleanor-and-park-by-rainbow-rowell.html" target="_blank">Eleanor</a> <a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/05/eleanor-park-redux.html" target="_blank">&</a> <a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/eleanor-park-third-times-charm.html" target="_blank">Park</a></i> is one of my favorite books, and I knew that I was going to love <i>Fangirl</i> just as much.<br />
<br />
And I was right.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkSxJlDeTE_r8nL7aKtQeP6hZJ-IJj31Lfo1F2qpFn1cLe-NU1b99g_AFXUwD7JeJrKqcRuTGAo5qR9WNoPY1n-EPvLeQq8uq8NlK9wXeoSPrKxfHnnE8YQk9Jq-NCUttJFX95JRTopRk/s1600/EmmaStone+fangirl.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkSxJlDeTE_r8nL7aKtQeP6hZJ-IJj31Lfo1F2qpFn1cLe-NU1b99g_AFXUwD7JeJrKqcRuTGAo5qR9WNoPY1n-EPvLeQq8uq8NlK9wXeoSPrKxfHnnE8YQk9Jq-NCUttJFX95JRTopRk/s320/EmmaStone+fangirl.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Rainbow Rowell writes the most amazing characters! They are so real and perfectly flawed. Cath isn't the prettiest freshman and Levi isn't the hottest guy on campus, but they are beautiful together.<br />
<br />
I am going to purchase both the ebook and hardback copies for my shelves. And probably the audiobook version. Okay, definitely the audiobook version. <br />
<br />
Maybe I'll start my own little shrine to Rainbow Rowell in my home library.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrI5nEPEtBTxhPDFJCEtPNSrYAfJRy5xgla3yopNEYUgolMWJ6c-8cVAkQ53xE-WEixXIhVSc9DdF74gj_n2YYxm7_lH2zj06LQpMD91bmZ4QFBPHX55evssWqhz9sMjpYh6W6hXbpXJ2/s1600/obsessive+fangirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrI5nEPEtBTxhPDFJCEtPNSrYAfJRy5xgla3yopNEYUgolMWJ6c-8cVAkQ53xE-WEixXIhVSc9DdF74gj_n2YYxm7_lH2zj06LQpMD91bmZ4QFBPHX55evssWqhz9sMjpYh6W6hXbpXJ2/s320/obsessive+fangirl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.<br />
Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-63400842594115449272013-09-13T06:30:00.000-04:002013-09-13T06:30:04.069-04:00(Blog Tour Teasers): Jenny's Blue Velvet, by Angela Carlie<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIX0cJq5PUQLORvtnqC7s3f92-xkyQ8SDi_RZWmd4lyfXp074MX-HI14ZYWoAXA8B21Mujgp5s5je0YGsdj2rsCaVtdsEjoDUDEhiyk-HmCLBcs7mlBbPN0g441I9pL1LFVMmucyfTC_b/s1600/JennysBlueVelvetTourBanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIX0cJq5PUQLORvtnqC7s3f92-xkyQ8SDi_RZWmd4lyfXp074MX-HI14ZYWoAXA8B21Mujgp5s5je0YGsdj2rsCaVtdsEjoDUDEhiyk-HmCLBcs7mlBbPN0g441I9pL1LFVMmucyfTC_b/s640/JennysBlueVelvetTourBanner.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXU-pgdl9APK5L7osA2-ZTzcwpLsUy5cBrBE7MQHwD0m33-HUiOyR-lPexFuIUiV0iSFFd-iyEtFrGlLbH-zriFfLalX8S3Hudm9o-nN5EiOSi4vN3_wlytP1tAuLd-eLLev21wPA9CKu/s1600/jennys+blue+velvet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXU-pgdl9APK5L7osA2-ZTzcwpLsUy5cBrBE7MQHwD0m33-HUiOyR-lPexFuIUiV0iSFFd-iyEtFrGlLbH-zriFfLalX8S3Hudm9o-nN5EiOSi4vN3_wlytP1tAuLd-eLLev21wPA9CKu/s320/jennys+blue+velvet.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EN0MLCS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00EN0MLCS&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jennys-blue-velvet-angela-carlie/1116465994?ean=2940045208611" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17970605-jenny-s-blue-velvet?from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText17692060915857548798"><i>Jenny's stuck.</i><br /><br /><i>She's
tried just about every occupation she can think of and will be digging
out of student debt for a very long time, but has nothing to show for
it. Her everyday routine feels like a prison. And her marriage? Well,
let's just say it's been a little one-sided lately and the money she
threw down on the toys from Lover's Erotic Store was well worth it and
then some.<br /><br />Jenny decides her next big step is to become a romance
writer. Romance books are flying off the virtual shelves, after all.
This will be her big break, her escape from the prison, and a way to
freedom. Self-publishing is all the rage these days. She'll be a best
seller in no time.<br /><br />When Jenny makes friends with a woman named
Cassandra from the gym, she instantly decides that her new friend will
make a perfect main character in her upcoming book. After the first
chapter, real life begins to resemble the fiction she's writing. Her
friendship blossoms, sex with her husband turns into a daily feast, and
her job gets more interesting with each chapter written.<br /><br />Out of
the blue, a person who is a close friend with her husband and who is
dating Cassandra disappears. As the mystery behind the missing person
unfolds, Jenny wonders if she might be responsible for his possible
death. And if she is, what will be the consequence? What has this
writing business gotten her into?<br /><br />Jenny's Blue Velvet is a dark, humorous, romantic thriller for adults only.</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="freeText17692060915857548798">Welcome to my stop on the <a href="http://xpressobooktours.com/2013/06/21/tour-jennys-blue-velvet-by-angela-carlie/" target="_blank">Jenny's Blue Velvet blog tour</a>, hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. </span><br />
<br />Ready for some fun Teasers?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I’m going to write a romance novel. I’ve never really read one, but they seem to be selling like bonbons to housewives on a hot summer day. My romance novel is going to be a bestseller. Once I figure out what it’s going to be about.</i></blockquote>
It does seem like <i>everyone </i>is writing a romance novel these days, doesn't it? <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Leo brushed blond strands from her face. His breathing felt warm on her cheek. She could lose herself in those soft blue eyes for an eternity. They held this moment for several heartbeats, just them, alone, staring at each other as though they only now discovered how wonderful it felt to be so close. If they were to move, the world would melt around them.</i> </blockquote>
*sigh*<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>My life should be filled with blooming flowers, singing birds, and the music of the crashing waves on the shore. I’m meant to be in a place surrounded by these things. Hawaii, to be precise. Not in a vacuum that’s sucking my soul away.</i></blockquote>
Agreed! Let's hop on a plane and go.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>There’s something to say for people who have patience. What that may be, I don’t know because I don’t have it.</i></blockquote>
Oh, shit. Is she talking about me?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJkNfz3-eDMOZP5EQmfk5gh1-uZ-_B6VTx8RWzia73FFwSmiOm5YpzO4yLfb372PJ24WyWdMJhbpQrSr-ZckjBgZ_n-YZ_NOEQYhdTsPu1vdwwZQm7c5R4dnYDQNhMG9nFafhn5mM9Yrl/s1600/4699787.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJkNfz3-eDMOZP5EQmfk5gh1-uZ-_B6VTx8RWzia73FFwSmiOm5YpzO4yLfb372PJ24WyWdMJhbpQrSr-ZckjBgZ_n-YZ_NOEQYhdTsPu1vdwwZQm7c5R4dnYDQNhMG9nFafhn5mM9Yrl/s200/4699787.jpg" width="166" /></a>ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />
<br />I’ve lived in the state of Washington my entire life. Sure, it rains a lot, but that’s what makes it so beautiful here. I’d like to say it’s the most beautiful place on the planet, but I have yet to travel the world. Someday I’ll know for sure.<br /><br />I write fiction involving young people. Mainstream publishing would label my writing as YA or middle grade. Since I’m an indie author, I can skip over the labels and tell you that each one of my stories is unique, can be read and enjoyed by all ages, and almost always has a young person as the protagonist. Authors write what they know and I don’t know old yet. I may someday write about older people, but that’s so far in the future that I can’t see it yet.<br /><br />
<br />Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-8764306352510452962013-09-11T03:00:00.000-04:002013-09-11T03:00:09.674-04:00Waiting on Wednesday #17: Breathless: An American Girl in Paris, by Nancy K. Miller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXejYS9XLUQAieUgmONROWt4llEG1tlGdwowy-49aehmk3MFFuVvZi5zIdiSV6n5axu6R-aKM9DiOrQeMx3uDbW6g4mkIaTOKoyqqGKbUYNzGWBBZaAOXorCC5ywRepPwmJmIClFrN2ok/s1600/NewWoW.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXejYS9XLUQAieUgmONROWt4llEG1tlGdwowy-49aehmk3MFFuVvZi5zIdiSV6n5axu6R-aKM9DiOrQeMx3uDbW6g4mkIaTOKoyqqGKbUYNzGWBBZaAOXorCC5ywRepPwmJmIClFrN2ok/s1600/NewWoW.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br />
<i>Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a> that highlights soon-to-be-published books. This week's selection is...</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOmj0n8DF49WqffBycDMg2Ke5-p3CAE1RqcBI8Kwd08e0iz1496uYgJ5KJAAYJBfmLCjU48npi3kVRRc9Tl3sdDXih_9CGpOT0ap8yvoB5_lZpOmADgUnfdk0qm48e6S0WV3iBQQLqXFF/s1600/breathlessparis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOmj0n8DF49WqffBycDMg2Ke5-p3CAE1RqcBI8Kwd08e0iz1496uYgJ5KJAAYJBfmLCjU48npi3kVRRc9Tl3sdDXih_9CGpOT0ap8yvoB5_lZpOmADgUnfdk0qm48e6S0WV3iBQQLqXFF/s320/breathlessparis.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<i>Breathless: An American Girl in Paris</i>, by Nancy K. Miller <br />
Publication date: November 5, 2013<br />
Publisher: Seal Press<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580054889/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580054889&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breathless-nancy-k-miller/1114979945?ean=9781580054881&itm=1&usri=9781580054881" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17707953-breathless" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><i><span id="freeText16963440545586414132"> </span></i><span id="freeText5601891208367107721"> </span><br />
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<i><span id="freeText17884897265375997184">In the early 1960s,
most middle-class American women in their twenties were preparing for
marriage, children, and life in the suburbs.<br /></span></i><span id="freeText17884897265375997184">Breathless
</span><i><span id="freeText17884897265375997184">is the story of a girl who represents those who rebelled against
conventional expectations. Paris was a magnet for those eager to resist
domesticity, and Nancy K. Miller was enamored of everything French.
After graduating from Barnard College in 1961, Miller set out for a year
in Paris, with a plan to take classes at the Sorbonne and live out a
great romantic life inspired by the movies.<br /><br />After a string of
sexual misadventures, she gave up her short-lived freedom and married an
American expatriate who promised her a lifetime of three-star meals and
five-star hotels. But her husband turned out to be a con man whose
promises were lies, and she had to leave Paris behind. In an era of
Vietnam anti-war protests, student unrest, and sexual liberation, Miller
returned to New York to become a new woman: autonomous and creative at a
time when women were only expected to look pretty and smile. <br /><br />This
stunning memoir chronicles a young woman’s coming-of-age tale, and
offers a glimpse into the intimate lives of girls before feminism.</span></i><br />
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<br />
<br />
I want! I want! I want! <br />
<br />
I love everything that this book represents: Paris; the French; la Sorbonne; and a strong woman defying social conventions.<br />
<br />
<b>What are <i>you</i> waiting on?</b></div>
Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-50436515938431622972013-09-09T22:37:00.000-04:002013-09-09T22:37:05.058-04:00Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon: Goals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjny9e7GBmP3PrfSouGJOt07TxMLYvxfhPFg6PwFQzyHC1RIwy-jG_6fyBtq4vwxYPMmu6qarLIZwK4vD6CpP2SB_9tMWTHg2GjkV850X6yodYD0Nc9VWsUcr_89Kv9T0V-WsJ7CCFGQRjb/s1600/TackleTBR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjny9e7GBmP3PrfSouGJOt07TxMLYvxfhPFg6PwFQzyHC1RIwy-jG_6fyBtq4vwxYPMmu6qarLIZwK4vD6CpP2SB_9tMWTHg2GjkV850X6yodYD0Nc9VWsUcr_89Kv9T0V-WsJ7CCFGQRjb/s1600/TackleTBR.png" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I am participating in the <b>Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon</b>, hosted by</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://burgandyice.blogspot.com/2013/09/tackletbr-join-read-thon-for-great.html" target="_blank">Colorimetry</a> and <a href="http://tressaswishfulendings.blogspot.com/2013/08/tackle-your-tbr-read-thon-sign-up.html" target="_blank">Tressa's Wishful Endings</a>.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Does your TBR pile keep growing? Join the Read-a-thon fun! The event began on September 8th and runs until September 21st. You don't have to be a blogger to sign up!<br />
Just use your Goodreads,
Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr profile instead. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sign up <b><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://tressaswishfulendings.blogspot.com/2013/08/tackle-your-tbr-read-thon-sign-up.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></b> until September 16th!</div>
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My goals:</div>
<ol>
<li>Read eight books</li>
<li>Finish the Nest Book Club's 2013 Summer Book Challenge (SuBC)</li>
<li>Finish at least three ARCs and submit reviews to their respective publishers</li>
<li>Limit the number of books I add to my TBR! </li>
</ol>
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Now the hard part: What am I going to read? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8nyDnWvPds9dRW8cXoOhqHQxNEgpfTA5FDF8PLaWsxBlGt3H5irEkLAudTHa8mgA_6Y-oXhNFLIqlGS5fVxvj99ytFU9oRET_YA4QoXZJC-TJv0I-WlUG3mkz_Xn_W6ZiMvEcjcPvrql/s1600/fangirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8nyDnWvPds9dRW8cXoOhqHQxNEgpfTA5FDF8PLaWsxBlGt3H5irEkLAudTHa8mgA_6Y-oXhNFLIqlGS5fVxvj99ytFU9oRET_YA4QoXZJC-TJv0I-WlUG3mkz_Xn_W6ZiMvEcjcPvrql/s200/fangirl.jpg" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxqeTEcqdZi1qj2X3ORzLbwSR4ncb8gGfXjKf5J8H3-Zod6ZFepZe9xm6vgSh6dikW47WW5cT8rbWRKPLloHO90sRxeN6tinpqxUvbTulb6MTqem0upRwYKQS3psSnCANPbJxLoqU5IK-/s1600/flush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxqeTEcqdZi1qj2X3ORzLbwSR4ncb8gGfXjKf5J8H3-Zod6ZFepZe9xm6vgSh6dikW47WW5cT8rbWRKPLloHO90sRxeN6tinpqxUvbTulb6MTqem0upRwYKQS3psSnCANPbJxLoqU5IK-/s200/flush.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggToC7UohF2kfyx5kdprkFFGND4kumMaPTdMtKGBLwrllDK8R0FOHSuzdbJi3ziF0960UUBAa1Y4CY-DdcwgMs7NEkFpspg4G5MjX3kP3ONIIjP5cYgpDDA5BhYqxw_B2Ti7KJ4lCBUnef/s1600/smoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggToC7UohF2kfyx5kdprkFFGND4kumMaPTdMtKGBLwrllDK8R0FOHSuzdbJi3ziF0960UUBAa1Y4CY-DdcwgMs7NEkFpspg4G5MjX3kP3ONIIjP5cYgpDDA5BhYqxw_B2Ti7KJ4lCBUnef/s200/smoke.jpg" width="142" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK4mhiq1GtHIFzAC8ZfjnLpOO4n3ff_UPrMnmPXLnlMqvkSCk63Ir1USvVTG8yQRpdRMtUD-1Vo57KcA8Dem6JabhQ5z-K-LSBd32ERjg_dhp6MQ4kzuZMtjdd0J1rWsd8ec-2bjyUuU6/s1600/Imprisoned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzK4mhiq1GtHIFzAC8ZfjnLpOO4n3ff_UPrMnmPXLnlMqvkSCk63Ir1USvVTG8yQRpdRMtUD-1Vo57KcA8Dem6JabhQ5z-K-LSBd32ERjg_dhp6MQ4kzuZMtjdd0J1rWsd8ec-2bjyUuU6/s200/Imprisoned.jpg" width="162" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lTHguabsIeWI81wunFxF04tl9bBThPaz2OsW9zAcDjXNN7y3R7mPXyPRBHkZjYiZvDk7n36BJ1jtVgn11TPOR7o64zl9t4ePYQx0UTcOiBEJVMX636a4puKGmZj9HPglwP9ETFtQh1_k/s1600/the+edge+of+normal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lTHguabsIeWI81wunFxF04tl9bBThPaz2OsW9zAcDjXNN7y3R7mPXyPRBHkZjYiZvDk7n36BJ1jtVgn11TPOR7o64zl9t4ePYQx0UTcOiBEJVMX636a4puKGmZj9HPglwP9ETFtQh1_k/s200/the+edge+of+normal.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoptEODqwDqJNlXkhyphenhyphenZOuc02KxUosZAgta8dpOEbwk0dz0IRsdoCQ6OWes6owHaCFyra_KpmYUzhYGrLGEZFSQlwT5_vPf2VrEHs7qIuUJdw89nBJu_cs6yDCk0IJhXL2ST4rQyyfwXKj/s1600/crossing+the+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoptEODqwDqJNlXkhyphenhyphenZOuc02KxUosZAgta8dpOEbwk0dz0IRsdoCQ6OWes6owHaCFyra_KpmYUzhYGrLGEZFSQlwT5_vPf2VrEHs7qIuUJdw89nBJu_cs6yDCk0IJhXL2ST4rQyyfwXKj/s200/crossing+the+line.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiduQnN4e1Y9BHkPktcdtJirO8UqPe0ASuG7SNwwhtCkoy6Vy9yaQEs_hlv3U1tC84hfZUJ6dKFmNAAoKQehd1rxiO2PxI42hQmkcPw_RWR-WRqAnEGTuvYTeHsnJf5aWCfTFtcQG6pHnE/s1600/lean+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiduQnN4e1Y9BHkPktcdtJirO8UqPe0ASuG7SNwwhtCkoy6Vy9yaQEs_hlv3U1tC84hfZUJ6dKFmNAAoKQehd1rxiO2PxI42hQmkcPw_RWR-WRqAnEGTuvYTeHsnJf5aWCfTFtcQG6pHnE/s200/lean+in.jpg" width="121" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDCaqoBpz3Zxk4gBXiEPiy1VXtCAQGPv9Cwim6KClwi5zhnBO5vWlXmIcSJrqQtzOmhF9uIkJb514C2W1tunmhyphenhyphenx4ibX_uZ-TMjshN7ivtukNuRzMlulPt9D5SYjbSd6fTAr7XxmFxk8J/s1600/life+in+outer+space.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDCaqoBpz3Zxk4gBXiEPiy1VXtCAQGPv9Cwim6KClwi5zhnBO5vWlXmIcSJrqQtzOmhF9uIkJb514C2W1tunmhyphenhyphenx4ibX_uZ-TMjshN7ivtukNuRzMlulPt9D5SYjbSd6fTAr7XxmFxk8J/s200/life+in+outer+space.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFSzKI0MXPlS8eow5uPQK55BsUJKVOPCsDuGgkKshVHNgQ3CHrWSwgb2DCPU_L3om9IZ5m0C8LGmKUAb4gHHN-ThpBJLii0yX0h2Xj91zsjnZliCeUOCUieV1L4weGYXc745gaZoujm1y/s1600/ostrich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFSzKI0MXPlS8eow5uPQK55BsUJKVOPCsDuGgkKshVHNgQ3CHrWSwgb2DCPU_L3om9IZ5m0C8LGmKUAb4gHHN-ThpBJLii0yX0h2Xj91zsjnZliCeUOCUieV1L4weGYXc745gaZoujm1y/s200/ostrich.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jjCkudlu2VkST6NHGz0bMWJzRYOCjIDhAgZFL46ugdVhX755d-UXLA9mQfqBa5wvTAwF87B1PITFl8VDBRAgaIZuNMqVH6WW43A_qZBUvH74I7Wi0A7Ql_87btDkv_itN3qxp-g4EH8Q/s1600/the+returned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jjCkudlu2VkST6NHGz0bMWJzRYOCjIDhAgZFL46ugdVhX755d-UXLA9mQfqBa5wvTAwF87B1PITFl8VDBRAgaIZuNMqVH6WW43A_qZBUvH74I7Wi0A7Ql_87btDkv_itN3qxp-g4EH8Q/s200/the+returned.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Currently Reading: <i>Fangirl</i>, by Rainbow Rowell and <i>Flush</i>, by Carl Hiassen</span></span><br />
<br />Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-62596597173513284672013-09-09T06:00:00.000-04:002013-09-09T06:00:00.152-04:00Munchkin Monday #9: Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3kBF7tOoFkFcdvsDOW_3FdpJPtoZT6ReES-3vPBImQh9nS2AHOt9Uttg7dlIiRo_XCIAiDVyHkSRqc_XGRGKIoQKEmVrQMiYpl6xotN2LI9jyPPAVI8Ut9TcTZvoH8xCfasRUuSNFVz4/s1600/Munchkin+Monday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3kBF7tOoFkFcdvsDOW_3FdpJPtoZT6ReES-3vPBImQh9nS2AHOt9Uttg7dlIiRo_XCIAiDVyHkSRqc_XGRGKIoQKEmVrQMiYpl6xotN2LI9jyPPAVI8Ut9TcTZvoH8xCfasRUuSNFVz4/s320/Munchkin+Monday.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText3228957695098113815">A quick look at the new books I have read with Boy Child and Girl Child</span></span></b><i><span id="freeText3228957695098113815"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span id="freeText729639779119228255"><strong>Farmer Brown</strong> has a problem.<br /><br />His cows like to type.<br /><br />All day long he hears<br /><br />Click, clack, <strong>MOO.</strong><br /><br />Click, clack, <strong>MOO.</strong><br /><br />Clickety, clack, <strong>MOO.</strong><br /><br />But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes....</span></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0689832133/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0689832133&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/click-clack-moo-doreen-cronin/1100404904?ean=9780689832130&itm=1&usri=9780689832130" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/766955.Click_Clack_Moo" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </div>
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We love this book! It's cute and fun and silly and the kids crack up whenever we read it.<br />
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It's one book in our collection that I don't mind reading over and over and over.<br />
And over.<br />
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Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-65052210067056212742013-09-08T22:00:00.000-04:002013-09-08T22:40:22.457-04:00Stacking the Shelves #13<br />
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<img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5-rFoGI1FnW8Tp_JPBMKGPvBNSHvslOJN2RkZh11jzAC18RNoPvmUimgo2HGRRq3Dtk2mWi8ONWDckKAMnboe3maSrYAoS1tcJrcx0lmUuQOk7a7K8SQl6SbzcnwP3Mikw-RSf_4F6iL/s320/stacking-the-shelves.png" width="320" /></div>
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<i>Stacking the Shelves is a book meme hosted by <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2012/05/staking-shelves-official-launch.html" target="_blank">Tynga's Reviews</a> that allows book bloggers to share the books they have recently received.</i></div>
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Want to participate? It's easy!</div>
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<ul>
<li>Create your own <i>Stacking The Shelves</i> post. You can use Tynga's official graphic or your own, but please link back to <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2012/05/staking-shelves-official-launch.html" target="_blank">Tynga’s Reviews</a> so more people can join the fun!</li>
<li>You can set your post any way you want: simple book list, covers, pictures, vlog. The sky's the limit! </li>
<li>Tynga's Reviews posts <i>Stacking The Shelves</i> on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you. </li>
<li>Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday and add your link so others can visit you!</li>
<li>Visit other participants' links to find out what they added to their shelves!</li>
</ul>
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This week, I received:</div>
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This is what happens when I have no home internet access for nearly a week. Only two new books!<br />
<br />
From the Publisher:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/17Oafrh" target="_blank"><i><i>Burial Rights</i></i></a>, by Hannah Kent</li>
</ul>
Library:<i> </i><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/1avi7Ws" target="_blank"><i>Flush</i></a>, by Carl Hiassen</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<b>What did you add to your shelves this week?</b></div>
Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-55715763943840904872013-09-06T22:11:00.001-04:002013-09-08T21:52:52.074-04:00Prozac Nation, by Elizabeth Wurtzel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEClfiqaw_QhKW_BH6Psu5uGX-Zv0L8wa4UYlSH52I44d2kCKLlCMwXVOC9gcAFKNngwntNtsvf-tNmgd5fb0B-hLCkSxAbTxehFIDsnJrvDwLQ9Ngn9axDzvawjWFzaHg_OPl7RIn2OkY/s1600/prozac+nation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEClfiqaw_QhKW_BH6Psu5uGX-Zv0L8wa4UYlSH52I44d2kCKLlCMwXVOC9gcAFKNngwntNtsvf-tNmgd5fb0B-hLCkSxAbTxehFIDsnJrvDwLQ9Ngn9axDzvawjWFzaHg_OPl7RIn2OkY/s320/prozac+nation.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s1600/three+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s200/three+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0704380080/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0704380080&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prozac-nation-elizabeth-wurtzel/1112062086?ean=9781573225120" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/829083.Prozac_Nation" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText8976817048315988580">"Full of promise" is how
anyone would have described Elizabeth Wurtzel at age ten, a bright-eyed
little girl who painted, wrote stories, and excelled in every way. </span><span id="freeText8976817048315988580"></span><span id="freeText8976817048315988580">By
twelve, she was cutting her legs in the girls' bathroom and listening to
scratchy recordings of the Velvet Underground. </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText8976817048315988580">College was marked by a
series of breakdowns, suicide attempts, and hospitalizations before she
was finally given Prozac in combination with other psychoactive drugs,
all of which have worked sporadically as Elizabeth's mood swings rise
and fall like the lines of a sad ballad.</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText8976817048315988580">This memoir, both harrowing and
hilarious, gives voice to the high incidence of depression--especially
among America's youth.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText8976817048315988580">Prozac Nation</span><i><span id="freeText8976817048315988580"> is a collective cry for help, a
generational status report on today's young people, who have come of age
fully entrenched in the culture of divorce, economic instability, and
AIDS. </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText8976817048315988580">"This private world of loony bins and weird people which I always
felt I occupied and hid in," writes Elizabeth, "had suddenly turned
inside out so that it seemed like this was one big Prozac Nation, one
big mess of malaise. Perhaps the next time half a million people gather
for a protest march on the White House green it will not be for abortion
rights or gay liberation, but because we're all so bummed out." </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText8976817048315988580">Writing
with a vengeance (Nirvana, Joni Mitchell, and Dorothy Parker all rolled
into one), Elizabeth Wurtzel will not go gentle into that good night.
She wants off medication, she wants a family, and most definitely, a
life worth living.</span></i><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>My Thoughts Prior to Reading <i>Prozac Nation</i></b><br />
I don't understand why this book gets such low reviews. I bet those reviewers have never suffered from Depression and think it's all made-up.<br />
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<br />
<b>My Thoughts as I Started to Read</b><br />
Oh, wow. She GETS me. I wish I had read this book twenty years ago.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDETKwU_3PpL4KxLqznZEMlDiztAvbXb58Cjbc-ZtQ3uvivRDPQtZFZP7KrNliYMedoypMzbT6cyYckAfBevj-MQKHk6Mv0BDuVEJa4KqMucE9Jw1jz0HI6xvygXRNk7iFg-v3dxfFn2/s1600/whats+wrong+with+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDETKwU_3PpL4KxLqznZEMlDiztAvbXb58Cjbc-ZtQ3uvivRDPQtZFZP7KrNliYMedoypMzbT6cyYckAfBevj-MQKHk6Mv0BDuVEJa4KqMucE9Jw1jz0HI6xvygXRNk7iFg-v3dxfFn2/s1600/whats+wrong+with+me.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>My Thoughts Halfway Through</b><br />
The title is Prozac Nation. Where's all of the talk about Prozac itself?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzsfKOlKLli_oq2hlGv7fugH1GpaPOTrj2cqYRoQJb2DsAmsvajEmhdtJw_O_Z_YNxf8-b6owLg25AGs4bMiIyUL4x8_yH2QgXmv5p7MIPvQEXhjOtQIbO7EeU_L4u1JS22pg4Q1HXoG5/s1600/really.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzsfKOlKLli_oq2hlGv7fugH1GpaPOTrj2cqYRoQJb2DsAmsvajEmhdtJw_O_Z_YNxf8-b6owLg25AGs4bMiIyUL4x8_yH2QgXmv5p7MIPvQEXhjOtQIbO7EeU_L4u1JS22pg4Q1HXoG5/s1600/really.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>My Thoughts as I Neared the End</b><br />
Oh, for the love of all that's holy. This woman is so full of herself. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpW0SwmsYyMtVEhtm2-kM1L5-8emckHtoEqGG1MA1ORV_xsiJZYLIhN5uYDPSDm7pNXj1HlRuSwUjkDWngEaacJVmB1kqge3AhsPp3OXjJi0mnVZX_DPTQvJ44L38VnarZM9bbyHe-dx5/s1600/snob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpW0SwmsYyMtVEhtm2-kM1L5-8emckHtoEqGG1MA1ORV_xsiJZYLIhN5uYDPSDm7pNXj1HlRuSwUjkDWngEaacJVmB1kqge3AhsPp3OXjJi0mnVZX_DPTQvJ44L38VnarZM9bbyHe-dx5/s320/snob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>My Thoughts after Finishing <i>Prozac Nation</i></b><br />
Elizabeth Wurtzel is so annoying! No wonder there are so many neutral and negative reviews. I can't believe I ever had this at the top of my TBR.<br />
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<br />Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-67566294038766620362013-09-04T03:00:00.000-04:002013-09-04T03:00:16.077-04:00(Book Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway!) Silver Heart, by Victoria Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4ZblTLviGmWpXvo17xRNNKJFz0M2LV4TgMIz0ccIfF9yepJMDnCTSM4i2KjMA1LS8vIab64OxMxmy54XW45THBNoZuYWer7xdhdIY4wHL-if0Nf8oU1LfbiTJVL00ecPz1tay_w65SSh/s1600/SilverHeartBlitzBanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4ZblTLviGmWpXvo17xRNNKJFz0M2LV4TgMIz0ccIfF9yepJMDnCTSM4i2KjMA1LS8vIab64OxMxmy54XW45THBNoZuYWer7xdhdIY4wHL-if0Nf8oU1LfbiTJVL00ecPz1tay_w65SSh/s640/SilverHeartBlitzBanner.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/15wtH1J" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18158427-silver-heart?ac=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText6926697476496086577"><b><i>There comes a moment
in everyone’s life when they must decide which road leads to personal
happiness. For Dylan Silver, this is that moment…</i></b><br /><br /><i>For the
past twenty-two-years, Dylan has been living in her parents' carefully
crafted world, always putting her own dreams on hold to play the role of
a dutiful daughter.<br /><br />So when her best friend coaxes her into a
winter getaway to a mountain cabin, she sees it as a chance to forget
about the responsibilities waiting for her at home. At least for a
little while.<br /><br />But then her past catches up to her—in the form of sexy snowboarder, Sawyer Carter.<br /><br />Six
years ago, Dylan bid goodbye to the only boy she ever truly loved. Now
he's standing right in front of her, bringing up bittersweet memories
and igniting suppressed desires as he dares her to be the person she has
always wanted to be.<br /><br />Dylan and Sawyer’s unexpected meeting is a
second chance, but will a girl who doesn't believe in fate and taking
risks be able to overcome her fears of losing control and finally
embrace the life she desperately wants?<br /><br />Only one thing is certain: after a week in Whistler, Dylan's world will never be the same.</i><br />*<i>Please
note that this novel contains mature subject matter, including strong
language and sexual situations that may not be suitable for all readers.
Reader/buyer discretion is advised.</i>*</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>EXCERPT</b><br /> <br />“I wish I could just crawl into your brain and erase away the past,” I told him, trying to smile through the pain in my heart. <br /><br />My words seemed to shock him. He placed his fingers under my chin, gently lifting it so that our eyes could meet. “Don’t ever say that again. I wouldn’t let anyone to take away my past—no matter how bad some parts of it had been.” He pulled my face closer to his, resting his head against mine. “Because that would mean getting rid of you, Silver.” <br /><br />We stayed frozen in place for a while, our foreheads touching lightly. Sawyer closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, breathing me in. Overwhelmed by his proximity and his icy scent, my head began to spin. <br /><br />“But if we didn’t know each other you wouldn’t have to worry about having the worst snowboarding student in all of Whistler,” I finally said, breaking the tension. <br /><br />His head rocked against mine as he chuckled. “Shut up. You were great today.” Then he pulled away and reached for the sushi container. “And you’ll be even better once we get some food in you.” <br /><br />“Food?” I blurted out, unable to hide my disappointment. It washed over me like a bucket of ice cold water. I had been hoping for a different type of comfort. One which was less food-related and more Sawyer-based. My body was still tingling with the memory of what his skilled hands had done to me the night before. As the images flooded my mind, my breathing quickened and my nipples hardened, mounting under the fabric of the kimono. <br /><br />I crossed my arms over my chest and took a deep breath. “Let’s take the sushi to the living room and find a good thriller to watch,” I suggested in an attempt to calm the excitement coursing through me. Guns and explosions would keep my thoughts in check. If my body was going to tingle, it may as well be from the thrill of a chase scene. Not Sawyer’s panty-dropping gaze. “I saw a couple of new releases in the DVD collection. I imagine action flicks are still your poison, right?” <br /><br />“They are.” The right side of his lip quirked up in a slow, crooked half-grin. “Though I’m surprised you’re not championing The Notebook.” <br /><br />“I only made you watch that with me because Maddie was away the summer it came out,” I said defensively. <br /><br />He chuckled. “The first time. But what about all those other times I had to sit through it?” <br /><br />“Cut me some slack. I was a thirteen-year-old girl.” In like with a guy I wasn’t even supposed to be hanging out with. Subconsciously, I may have related to the star-crossed lovers portrayed in the film. <br /><br />“And I was a fifteen-year-old guy,” he retorted. “You should’ve known that blood and guts were much more important for my development than kisses and love stories.” <br /><br />“Well it’s a good thing that I’m going to find a movie with enough blood and guts to make up for all those times I made you watch a chick flick,” I shot back. <br /><br />He shook his head in feigned displeasure. “It’s too late now.” <br /><br />“Oh? Why is that?” <br /><br />“Because now...” His hands slid to the side of my stool and dragged me closer to him so that his mouth was an inch away from mine. “…I happen to enjoy kissing.” <br /><br />My eyes dropped to his lips. “Is that so? You like kissing girls?” <br /><br />“I like kissing a girl.” <br /><br />“Lucky girl.” <br /><br />“Very lucky girl,” he replied as his eyes darkened. “Especially since I want to do a lot more than just kiss her.” His tongue snaked over his bottom lip in a predatory manner, causing my own lips to part in response. <br /><br />Though he wasn’t actually touching me, I could feel the heat emanating from his body. It drew me in like a moth to a flame. I wanted to dive into his fire, surrender myself to whatever pleasures he was promising. <br /><br />But then he doused that blaze by saying, “I’ll wash the cherries, you get the sushi, and let’s get started on that movie.” <br /><br />What? No, no, no! I wanted to get back to the kissing talk. <br /><br />“I’m not that hungry.” I ran my fingers through my hair in an attempt to regain my composure. <br /><br />“Why do you look so disappointed?” <br /><br />“It’s just that…” <br /><br />Why was I feeling let down? And so freaking turned on? <br /><br />“Were you expecting me to say something else instead?” His fingers drifted to the side of my neck, as his thumb grazed over my bottom lip, tugging at the soft, plump flesh. <br /><br />“Something along the lines of: ‘I’ll rip your clothes off, you kiss me with that pretty little mouth, and let’s fuck right here on top of this counter.’?” His grip tightened and he drew my mouth closer to his. “Is that what you want, Silver?” <br /><br />A lustful ache spread between my thighs, ripping through my entire body. Excitement rocked the depths of my stomach, tearing into my chest, slipping past my lips in form of a small, pleading moan. <br /><br />“Is that a yes?” His breath teased my lips with each word. <br /><br />Afraid that I would be unable to form a coherent sentence, I simply nodded. It was an eager, hungry nod, and my heart hammered against my ribcage in anticipation of his next move. <br /><br />And that’s when he pulled away. He detached his hand from my face and took a step back, replacing the heat of his body with an empty coldness. <br /><br />“First, I’m going to make you sit through two long hours of an action flick,” he said, smirking devilishly. “As payback for The Notebook.” </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>GIVEAWAYS</b><br />
Grand prize giveaway. Open internationally. Prizes include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Silver Heart Necklace</li>
<li>$30.00 Gift Card to Amazon/B&N/Kobo/Chapters/iTunes (winner’s choice)</li>
<li>Snow-Themed Essie Nail Polish (Color: Set in Stones)</li>
<li>5 Sawyer’s Live-Ride Tattoos</li>
<li>5 Silver Heart Bookmarks</li>
</ul>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251201/" id="rc-d04251201" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-63744739996423341632013-09-03T19:00:00.000-04:002013-09-03T19:00:03.579-04:00The Freedom Maze, by Delia Sherman<div class="separator" multilinks-noscroll="true" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1TNpl9WZwcPQPOFQUXyfLUq-v5E4ay03S7HY1MeYD1q1wpE3YNjtQ0rPGenyLIPWODr3600mbpCoEK-D-FWMHYrdNgvA_-5_MRKqtY8ScWxYUZhxB_Diq7XuwRiFfkDVgqFtGb_-0AIT/s1600/the+freedom+maze.jpg" imageanchor="1" multilinks-noscroll="true" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1TNpl9WZwcPQPOFQUXyfLUq-v5E4ay03S7HY1MeYD1q1wpE3YNjtQ0rPGenyLIPWODr3600mbpCoEK-D-FWMHYrdNgvA_-5_MRKqtY8ScWxYUZhxB_Diq7XuwRiFfkDVgqFtGb_-0AIT/s320/the+freedom+maze.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEM-84i-2A1MEEZ9Y-cGpW0wwwwOnCVSz7xOaVvlBetDF2uE-jBycAB6OOCAh7Kx5938jJNoPXUYOYkcXYC7J_Y3aOBcPGMk3wa9hVjfvhqOtn36cWC4_5NHZ9GgXlNSuFVdZ9YdC0EH5/s1600/four+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEM-84i-2A1MEEZ9Y-cGpW0wwwwOnCVSz7xOaVvlBetDF2uE-jBycAB6OOCAh7Kx5938jJNoPXUYOYkcXYC7J_Y3aOBcPGMk3wa9hVjfvhqOtn36cWC4_5NHZ9GgXlNSuFVdZ9YdC0EH5/s200/four+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/17xLeVn" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/17CyeM5" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13573054-the-freedom-maze" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText2607299812743493396">Set against the
burgeoning Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, and then just before the
outbreak of the Civil War, </span></i><span id="freeText2607299812743493396">The Freedom Maze</span><i><span id="freeText2607299812743493396"> explores both political and
personal liberation, and how the two intertwine. <br /><br /> In 1960,
thirteen-year-old Sophie isn’t happy about spending the summer at her
grandmother’s old house in the Bayou. But the house has a maze Sophie
can’t resist exploring once she finds it has a secretive and mischievous inhabitant.</span></i><br />
<i><span id="freeText2607299812743493396"><br /> When Sophie, bored and lonely, makes an
impulsive wish, she slips back one hundred years into the past, to the
year 1860. She hopes for a fantasy book adventure with herself as the
heroine. Instead, she gets a real adventure in the race-haunted world of
her family’s Louisiana sugar plantation in 1860, where she is mistaken
for a slave. </span></i><br />
<i><span id="freeText2607299812743493396"><br /> President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation
is still two years in the future. The Thirteen Amendment—abolishing and
prohibiting slavery—will not be not passed until April 1864. <br /><br /> Muddy and bedraggled, Sophie obviously isn’t a young lady of good breeding. She must therefore be a slave. And she is.</span></i><br />
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<br />
<span id="freeText2607299812743493396">This book feels a lot like <i><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2012/03/kindred-by-octavia-e-butler.html" target="_blank">Kindred</a> </i>for the Young Adult crowd: time travel; modern girl/woman turned slave; and two historical fiction books in one.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2607299812743493396"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2607299812743493396">And it's SO good!</span><br />
<span id="freeText2607299812743493396"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2607299812743493396">I've been trying to get my mother to read <i>Kindred </i>for over a year, but she has no interest in reading sad stories anymore, so she's sticking to Romance. I think I could get her to read this one, though. It's not as graphic as Octavia E. Butler's writing, and there's more of a happy ending.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2607299812743493396"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2607299812743493396">There are d</span><span id="freeText2607299812743493396">efinitely some creepy moments; you can't take a subject like slavery and make it all rainbows and unicorns.</span><br />
<span id="freeText2607299812743493396"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText2607299812743493396">This is the first book I've read by Delia Sherman; I will be sure to read more.</span>Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-27770818477421372412013-09-02T03:30:00.000-04:002013-09-02T03:30:06.314-04:00Munchkin Monday #8: The Night Before Kindergarten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3kBF7tOoFkFcdvsDOW_3FdpJPtoZT6ReES-3vPBImQh9nS2AHOt9Uttg7dlIiRo_XCIAiDVyHkSRqc_XGRGKIoQKEmVrQMiYpl6xotN2LI9jyPPAVI8Ut9TcTZvoH8xCfasRUuSNFVz4/s1600/Munchkin+Monday.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3kBF7tOoFkFcdvsDOW_3FdpJPtoZT6ReES-3vPBImQh9nS2AHOt9Uttg7dlIiRo_XCIAiDVyHkSRqc_XGRGKIoQKEmVrQMiYpl6xotN2LI9jyPPAVI8Ut9TcTZvoH8xCfasRUuSNFVz4/s320/Munchkin+Monday.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span id="freeText3228957695098113815">A quick look at the new books I have read with Boy Child and Girl Child</span></span></b><i><span id="freeText3228957695098113815"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></b></span></i></div>
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<i><span id="freeText16731524682912786787"><strong>'Twas the night before kindergarten,<br />and as they prepared,</strong><br /><strong>kids were excited,</strong><br /><strong>and a little bit scared.</strong><br /><br />It's
the first day of school!</span></i><br />
<i><span id="freeText16731524682912786787">Join the kids as they prepare for
kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the
hardest part of all—saying goodbye to Mom and Dad.</span></i><br />
<i><span id="freeText16731524682912786787">But maybe it won't be
so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is!</span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span id="freeText16731524682912786787">Colorful illustrations illuminate this uplifting takeoff on the classic
Clement C. Moore Christmas poem.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0448425009/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0448425009&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-before-kindergarten-natasha-wing/1100478382?ean=9780448425009&itm=1&usri=9780448425009" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/831386.The_Night_Before_Kindergarten" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Boy Child starts Kindergarten tomorrow.<br />
<br />
I am not prepared.<br />
I am not sure how I'll react on Tuesday.<br />
(That's a lie. I know I will be a blubbering mess.)<br />
<br />
This book is perfectly suited for parents and kids. The parents are the nervous ones. The kids are excited!<br />
<br />
We've been reading this book for two weeks and both kids demand it at least once a day.<br />
<br />
Highly recommended for new Kindergarteners and their emotional parents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1Rjks1L2fM8uPW23J5keOhyphenhyphenpi9_sVi3tpqmnZ1vhhTQKgsjCL_lllQyyUnGU2lZhK4ep29oRklTmyNYmkaWNTi8LTiGCEF9GEar9mP_65Pwvb624mXXZyIuoiknsWCEo5sjQ81EtZY9J/s1600/night+before+kindergarten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1Rjks1L2fM8uPW23J5keOhyphenhyphenpi9_sVi3tpqmnZ1vhhTQKgsjCL_lllQyyUnGU2lZhK4ep29oRklTmyNYmkaWNTi8LTiGCEF9GEar9mP_65Pwvb624mXXZyIuoiknsWCEo5sjQ81EtZY9J/s1600/night+before+kindergarten.jpg" /></a></div>
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Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-1491357391490822922013-09-01T12:00:00.000-04:002013-09-01T12:00:07.405-04:00ARC August: Update #5 and Total<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHX1jfUczixCRSRel2h16NKrhZ5rZn0NuECepMkfrnTkO2idhsA4S3UY34QPNAd6zxgMXVL4vaqfSes81hpGD55Ep4onfNmj-VvkAzPqduIp-ekKDiEFtcq6NDycci7T02UoC6YbnySb5/s1600/ARC-August-Button.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHX1jfUczixCRSRel2h16NKrhZ5rZn0NuECepMkfrnTkO2idhsA4S3UY34QPNAd6zxgMXVL4vaqfSes81hpGD55Ep4onfNmj-VvkAzPqduIp-ekKDiEFtcq6NDycci7T02UoC6YbnySb5/s1600/ARC-August-Button.png" /></a></div>
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ARC August is a meme hosted by Octavia of <a href="http://www.readsleeprepeat.org/tag/arc-august/" target="_blank">Read. Sleep. Repeat</a>.
The goal is simple: read and review as many of your ARCs as you can! I
love this challenge; I usually feel overwhelmed by the number of books I
need to review, and this is helping me put them in order. (I love
order.)<br />
<br />
My goals, prioritized:<br />
<ol>
<li>Read <strike>10</strike> 15 ARCs</li>
<li>That will be published in August</li>
<li>Or September</li>
<li>And also coincide with tasks from the Nest Book Club's Summer Book Challenge</li>
</ol>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I finished or flounced six ARCs this week: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-gfMhARlrG5OBsa4ItWLidrLF85QbdloVpahBkTTKYD-0IimlZEvKb2O2rMB0D9Fp3GlmYIfkoc2MzqRRGI4sMzin6cAsH61VWdU3AW3W6RvGk1EqRBsXSlmjZQv5vITEWdPtWcXdZmg/s1600/eloise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-gfMhARlrG5OBsa4ItWLidrLF85QbdloVpahBkTTKYD-0IimlZEvKb2O2rMB0D9Fp3GlmYIfkoc2MzqRRGI4sMzin6cAsH61VWdU3AW3W6RvGk1EqRBsXSlmjZQv5vITEWdPtWcXdZmg/s200/eloise.jpg" width="130" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuS_xvb_qpcLisISGh95CFPuGYI5R5tigK1yHcr1Pf3jWQzifUS7x83KZ0e9CDG27zJpaz_w5l2Ci5zM8Dd84su6AH0q8iv0wFqvaSjqnASeeUoHB8KJAdfi8-O870LE5b7LuRCTGX-mt/s1600/twigs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuS_xvb_qpcLisISGh95CFPuGYI5R5tigK1yHcr1Pf3jWQzifUS7x83KZ0e9CDG27zJpaz_w5l2Ci5zM8Dd84su6AH0q8iv0wFqvaSjqnASeeUoHB8KJAdfi8-O870LE5b7LuRCTGX-mt/s200/twigs.png" width="130" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_CB8QDshxrEQBvA0EpwSkI8AngZObkT3Luu6PCuhg717bD1Kkt0IWGAcMyWx8T0mszEHPA8YktO4uMiBLidWRCP_QtYPvij7gJmwcTfT4m2VOWMRI9vbUTPa1O7Ep1KgdyAfbN3oq50H/s1600/tumble-and-fall.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_CB8QDshxrEQBvA0EpwSkI8AngZObkT3Luu6PCuhg717bD1Kkt0IWGAcMyWx8T0mszEHPA8YktO4uMiBLidWRCP_QtYPvij7gJmwcTfT4m2VOWMRI9vbUTPa1O7Ep1KgdyAfbN3oq50H/s200/tumble-and-fall.png" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo0pZJi1AyT6IkrANCwWzn_Q47o7R_-KXoY0whKzjOFAhrYXFHh0fgt5LAaJ2X4IpXvRmcT251QLQK5HaV99hSDzgtrSWDVaqER-gh6iU6_k-dkalxNpU27w0o7oGMrWCogC5td3Jk-Ol/s1600/thesilentswan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo0pZJi1AyT6IkrANCwWzn_Q47o7R_-KXoY0whKzjOFAhrYXFHh0fgt5LAaJ2X4IpXvRmcT251QLQK5HaV99hSDzgtrSWDVaqER-gh6iU6_k-dkalxNpU27w0o7oGMrWCogC5td3Jk-Ol/s200/thesilentswan.jpg" width="128" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcNumDTfi4fx6seh6_YHOhmf0TQUrLvq8wvBL6Th6h8jG3_t2wKNMaq4yyDpVcDmtw1F391HwkjfvMlgoYmuVgU4DAyxsFkFvAaocu0ITpARbDLB9wlSZ0jKLlYIXyQCo3cK93R-3Dztj/s1600/ten+tiny+breaths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcNumDTfi4fx6seh6_YHOhmf0TQUrLvq8wvBL6Th6h8jG3_t2wKNMaq4yyDpVcDmtw1F391HwkjfvMlgoYmuVgU4DAyxsFkFvAaocu0ITpARbDLB9wlSZ0jKLlYIXyQCo3cK93R-3Dztj/s200/ten+tiny+breaths.jpg" width="128" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNQNzVnvqyF5sCf_ESu7l1EMlgO0PGrD1K3ZF-n0QVKriAh_qGQCHEI7jcvDsLH7f6u8lMz6POwXLwmG5MYEMlmGX4QcWXFkhGpzP596GUMUxcQ1ILxlBJExHVse6o_QesyhOrbOSNIbX/s1600/screwed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNQNzVnvqyF5sCf_ESu7l1EMlgO0PGrD1K3ZF-n0QVKriAh_qGQCHEI7jcvDsLH7f6u8lMz6POwXLwmG5MYEMlmGX4QcWXFkhGpzP596GUMUxcQ1ILxlBJExHVse6o_QesyhOrbOSNIbX/s200/screwed.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Four books were/will be published in August & September. Two qualify for the Summer Book Challenge.</div>
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Total number of books read for ARC August:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQjysOBhxzYCs3goCcXQhTRP-XvYiMmBppKftbo1xn2KIW5Z5HkljYE-B42wpc_sbkgYDWhMTTcF5xiU57Da2_hD8Q2XujGMP2f-BbTtG5JGhBbLekaedpMqLDlVyMGbEFezXFTMBSkc-/s1600/eighteen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQjysOBhxzYCs3goCcXQhTRP-XvYiMmBppKftbo1xn2KIW5Z5HkljYE-B42wpc_sbkgYDWhMTTcF5xiU57Da2_hD8Q2XujGMP2f-BbTtG5JGhBbLekaedpMqLDlVyMGbEFezXFTMBSkc-/s1600/eighteen.png" /></a></div>
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Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-19714820478307250372013-09-01T03:30:00.000-04:002013-09-01T03:30:04.171-04:00August RecapARC August worked well for me. I usually only get through 18 books a month, but the extra time I spent on eGalleys pushed me up to 25 finished books.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What did <i>you</i> read last month?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hm8zt_cbyIdvTBKwf_wIVNG3fS1suQotvPMMFvlbbkPov1Fe9geSzO88N3L95zPkjE6cUMKU8INsd5Qngp8gaYhsELWD7174xo-_dGE_ggmnvHnikQfBLykjG8hBI2ESHuwYJZg4XvJc/s1600/five+stars.jpg" multilinks-noscroll="true" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hm8zt_cbyIdvTBKwf_wIVNG3fS1suQotvPMMFvlbbkPov1Fe9geSzO88N3L95zPkjE6cUMKU8INsd5Qngp8gaYhsELWD7174xo-_dGE_ggmnvHnikQfBLykjG8hBI2ESHuwYJZg4XvJc/s320/five+stars.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Five stars</b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/eleanor-park-third-times-charm.html" target="_blank"><i>Eleanor & Park</i></a>, by Rainbow Rowell<i></i><br />
<a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-girl-you-left-behind-by-jojo-moyes.html" target="_blank"><i>The Girl You Left Behind</i></a>, by Jojo Moyes<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/munchkin-monday-7-love-mouserella.html" target="_blank"><i>Love, Mouserella</i></a>, by David Ezra Stein<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-power-of-habit-by-charles-duhigg.html" target="_blank"><i>The Power of Habit</i></a>, by Charles Duhigg<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/war-brothers-graphic-novel-by-sharon-e.html" target="_blank"><i>War Brothers: The Graphic Novel</i></a>, by Sharon E. McKay<br />
<i> </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEM-84i-2A1MEEZ9Y-cGpW0wwwwOnCVSz7xOaVvlBetDF2uE-jBycAB6OOCAh7Kx5938jJNoPXUYOYkcXYC7J_Y3aOBcPGMk3wa9hVjfvhqOtn36cWC4_5NHZ9GgXlNSuFVdZ9YdC0EH5/s1600/four+stars.jpg" multilinks-noscroll="true" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEM-84i-2A1MEEZ9Y-cGpW0wwwwOnCVSz7xOaVvlBetDF2uE-jBycAB6OOCAh7Kx5938jJNoPXUYOYkcXYC7J_Y3aOBcPGMk3wa9hVjfvhqOtn36cWC4_5NHZ9GgXlNSuFVdZ9YdC0EH5/s320/four+stars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Four Stars</b><i> </i><br />
<a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/aesops-fables-by-aesop.html" target="_blank"><i>Aesop's Fables</i></a>, by Aesop<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-crooked-maid-by-dan-vyleta.html" target="_blank"><i>The Crooked Maid</i></a>, by Dan Vyleta<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/munchkin-monday-4-peek-boo-monsters.html" target="_blank"><i>Peek-a-Boo Monsters</i></a>, by Charles Reasoner<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/promises-made-under-fire-by-charlie.html" target="_blank"><i>Promises Made Under Fire</i></a>, by Charlie Cochrane<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/seraphina-seraphina-1-by-rachel-hartman.html" target="_blank"><i>Seraphina</i></a>, by Rachel Hartman<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-shadowy-horses-by-susanna-kearsley.html" target="_blank"><i>The Shadowy Horses</i></a>, by Susanna Kearsley<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/book-tour-giveaway-silent-swan-by-lex.html" target="_blank"><i>The Silent Swan</i></a>, by Lex Keating<br /><i><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/munchkin-monday-5-song-for-papa-crow.html" target="_blank">Song for Papa Crow</a></i>, by Marit Menzen<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-by-l-frank.html" target="_blank"><i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz</i></a>, by L. Frank Baum<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s1600/three+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s320/three+stars.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Three Stars</b></div>
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<a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-chocolate-war-chocolate-war-1-by.html" target="_blank"><i>The Chocolate War</i></a>, by Robert Cormier<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/crush-candy-corpse.html" target="_blank"><i>Crush. Candy. Corpse.</i></a>, by Sylvia McNicholl<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/doctor-who-series-1-winters-dawn.html" target="_blank"><i>Doctor Who Series 1</i></a>, by Tony Lee<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/fire-and-forget-short-stories-from-long.html" target="_blank"><i>Fire and Forget</i></a>, by Colum McCann<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/good-as-gone-by-douglas-corleone.html" target="_blank"><i>Good As Gone</i></a>, by Douglas Corleone<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/munchkin-monday-6-hugs-from-pearl-by.html" target="_blank"><i>Hugs From Pearl</i></a>, by Paul Schmid<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/if-you-could-be-mine-by-sarah-farizan.html" target="_blank"><i>If You Could Be Mine</i></a>, by Sarah Farizan<br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/ten-tiny-breaths-ten-tiny-breaths-1-by.html" target="_blank"><i>Ten Tiny Breaths</i></a>, by K.A. Tucker<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAmc6fUTUS379E07IPkdkqbujr1E2eEVPkdnR6mAlbnudsePbJTh62mTqVklAr18VorbXwD0VBFYv3U1NrG1tofAi75TCXa2iXTIndHkWBJsj3OzvSPtx8PNGxoeJGjuRPDp6-oUNod1e/s1314/two+stars.jpg" multilinks-noscroll="true" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAmc6fUTUS379E07IPkdkqbujr1E2eEVPkdnR6mAlbnudsePbJTh62mTqVklAr18VorbXwD0VBFYv3U1NrG1tofAi75TCXa2iXTIndHkWBJsj3OzvSPtx8PNGxoeJGjuRPDp6-oUNod1e/s320/two+stars.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Two Stars</b></div>
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<a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/dont-get-too-comfortable-by-david-rakoff.html" target="_blank"><i>Don't Get Too Comfortable</i></a>, by David Rakoff <br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/gated-by-amy-christine-parker.html" target="_blank"><i>Gated</i></a>, by Amy Christine Parker</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByRk9GK9soLtlx98QdXskfZCVngrDVQW2x2wtXyDnqh6O3AFVbUvGKO2DGL57um1oxssBIUNe6SRoEUVX1tvOceCjzdPbKQx6ogHUcxRGFGQUp_2Zwjxuxc_ewdXgQFOJLor8Erx_-K-/s1600/one+star.jpg" multilinks-noscroll="true" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByRk9GK9soLtlx98QdXskfZCVngrDVQW2x2wtXyDnqh6O3AFVbUvGKO2DGL57um1oxssBIUNe6SRoEUVX1tvOceCjzdPbKQx6ogHUcxRGFGQUp_2Zwjxuxc_ewdXgQFOJLor8Erx_-K-/s320/one+star.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>One Star</b></div>
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<a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/screwed-by-laurie-plissner.html" target="_blank"><i>Screwed</i></a>, by Laurie Plissner<i> </i></div>
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<b>Did Not Finish</b><br />
<a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/eloise-by-judy-finnigan.html" target="_blank"><i>Eloise</i></a>, by Judy Finnigan <br /><a href="http://betteringmeup.blogspot.com/2013/08/twigs-by-alison-ashley-formento.html" target="_blank"><i>Twigs</i></a>, by Alison Ashley Formento<br />
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<b>Fun Stats</b><br />
Number of books attempted: 27<br />
Number of books read: 25<br />
Number of pages: 2,875<br />
Number of kids' books: 4 <br />
Number of audiobooks: 8<br />
Number of ARCs: 17<br />
Number for summer book challenge: 17 <br />
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Longest book: <i>The Silent Swan</i> (422 pages)<br />
Shortest book: <i>Promises Made Under Fire</i> (52 pages)<br />
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Favorite book that's not <i>Eleanor & Park</i>:<br />
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<br />Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-1460453210412458772013-08-31T23:53:00.000-04:002013-08-31T23:53:39.778-04:00Stacking the Shelves #12<br />
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<img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5-rFoGI1FnW8Tp_JPBMKGPvBNSHvslOJN2RkZh11jzAC18RNoPvmUimgo2HGRRq3Dtk2mWi8ONWDckKAMnboe3maSrYAoS1tcJrcx0lmUuQOk7a7K8SQl6SbzcnwP3Mikw-RSf_4F6iL/s320/stacking-the-shelves.png" width="320" /></div>
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<i>Stacking the Shelves is a book meme hosted by <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2012/05/staking-shelves-official-launch.html" target="_blank">Tynga's Reviews</a> that allows book bloggers to share the books they have recently received.</i></div>
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Want to participate? It's easy!</div>
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<li>Create your own <i>Stacking The Shelves</i> post. You can use Tynga's official graphic or your own, but please link back to <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/2012/05/staking-shelves-official-launch.html" target="_blank">Tynga’s Reviews</a> so more people can join the fun!</li>
<li>You can set your post any way you want: simple book list, covers, pictures, vlog. The sky's the limit! </li>
<li>Tynga's Reviews posts <i>Stacking The Shelves</i> on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you. </li>
<li>Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday and add your link so others can visit you!</li>
<li>Visit other participants' links to find out what they added to their shelves!</li>
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This week, I received:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUbobgfCDn61-q3CyQwn9Xkd_PBg14MT0_M2-CG-3Z1_QEtIeLZ3i7GY1gS3QW93cLh30o6tI36vzYW9ll4j_jO9j-PVKMW6kcnKfHioBEZaE0tFN3Xo_mLbVUjEobCOWwEHjgq2DfH_A/s1600/the+good+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUbobgfCDn61-q3CyQwn9Xkd_PBg14MT0_M2-CG-3Z1_QEtIeLZ3i7GY1gS3QW93cLh30o6tI36vzYW9ll4j_jO9j-PVKMW6kcnKfHioBEZaE0tFN3Xo_mLbVUjEobCOWwEHjgq2DfH_A/s200/the+good+boy.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBLVlh_jALMfGCzP6qToCKgKmsYr25YwI8pWEev6buojeaVzPa1ZBB_adhHjHyMCUvLMrs6EOPFccpv7pDaEAusypuzhDUfIbQ-SxEAbNEeAWIYpn2K9f7xoZFNKjHhGzlO-KRITCeNaw/s1600/the+boy+on+the+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZBLVlh_jALMfGCzP6qToCKgKmsYr25YwI8pWEev6buojeaVzPa1ZBB_adhHjHyMCUvLMrs6EOPFccpv7pDaEAusypuzhDUfIbQ-SxEAbNEeAWIYpn2K9f7xoZFNKjHhGzlO-KRITCeNaw/s200/the+boy+on+the+bridge.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6g4QIZn6x1_HMM3IfloFdrHF7MwzEroTuUpRKGWfYnio-fJqHEeM4gqUJpcFe9cPdAbt0Y2186uUNvPPhmr3-aBQNltmnfm0U7WVAcUXlk5Oug7PefbcE9tOt0ysAXaOQ0KMbpwJ9vUii/s1600/curious+george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6g4QIZn6x1_HMM3IfloFdrHF7MwzEroTuUpRKGWfYnio-fJqHEeM4gqUJpcFe9cPdAbt0Y2186uUNvPPhmr3-aBQNltmnfm0U7WVAcUXlk5Oug7PefbcE9tOt0ysAXaOQ0KMbpwJ9vUii/s200/curious+george.jpg" width="163" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSWBzuzKFaaUyNupYjk8BwT70WD4txnt0s-DBu5e0abZJCyg1RxOfRN04dkzsxZvzA6H-hkbg3QiHe4Zq8zw-_eKw-2ZFBS4-XO14OtNYc1NYxH138E_mMqxkOzbj8e7uGq1EXQL-dU1a/s1600/the+freedom+maze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSWBzuzKFaaUyNupYjk8BwT70WD4txnt0s-DBu5e0abZJCyg1RxOfRN04dkzsxZvzA6H-hkbg3QiHe4Zq8zw-_eKw-2ZFBS4-XO14OtNYc1NYxH138E_mMqxkOzbj8e7uGq1EXQL-dU1a/s200/the+freedom+maze.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZzaaQGigHawxnhE_ZLIBruId4yGFlrwzBdLTXrG37oEvcuVc5VrfaU-ym0Hf5csOEpwQ_4dFOO-DEX_jKExfIoWDyLmjLFn7_IIGPU4bfMtmq4KlxVYqZCKMSe97xTJNvLPd_YkmeakL/s1600/vain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZzaaQGigHawxnhE_ZLIBruId4yGFlrwzBdLTXrG37oEvcuVc5VrfaU-ym0Hf5csOEpwQ_4dFOO-DEX_jKExfIoWDyLmjLFn7_IIGPU4bfMtmq4KlxVYqZCKMSe97xTJNvLPd_YkmeakL/s200/vain.jpg" width="124" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoDJSlacqdV21e0l3u0l8xrjt1dwl87KF0djlLQPRTdvdloifrc1M9JtY0ncPCOI-jlSMESXYYU_0G1xt5yTqWOxk2L4rIWzuGxTSNjEut9brQjZn6Hjy8_vYFvaPj5_ScoCusHGGhb4a/s1600/dangerous+curves+ahead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoDJSlacqdV21e0l3u0l8xrjt1dwl87KF0djlLQPRTdvdloifrc1M9JtY0ncPCOI-jlSMESXYYU_0G1xt5yTqWOxk2L4rIWzuGxTSNjEut9brQjZn6Hjy8_vYFvaPj5_ScoCusHGGhb4a/s200/dangerous+curves+ahead.jpg" width="121" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoZdrD5FNlNKx1F_D6HrTFd_FutRc87g76LJokybWhqPwDDCXnL2L55Jnn4qiFOIHmwV2GmktITxZAHYND_67SdPPORKyqGh-E3u0nGTwBm4Q66OITtBHjInzPsU9HS0UlZSOlKeam33z/s1600/the+nazi+hunters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoZdrD5FNlNKx1F_D6HrTFd_FutRc87g76LJokybWhqPwDDCXnL2L55Jnn4qiFOIHmwV2GmktITxZAHYND_67SdPPORKyqGh-E3u0nGTwBm4Q66OITtBHjInzPsU9HS0UlZSOlKeam33z/s200/the+nazi+hunters.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAFy-ICX-Ga6Rbuoyf93kTupL2AuCpcpvec-eAs7jnMaePWMRn1Jb7_O4LvPYukWMX1OAnmKhLudjRcKB9YIa9OiHHcnsMsOLY_e60pi_ohui8527BRg1BdmpzipTATa7qvnJnlVjR8mp/s1600/google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAFy-ICX-Ga6Rbuoyf93kTupL2AuCpcpvec-eAs7jnMaePWMRn1Jb7_O4LvPYukWMX1OAnmKhLudjRcKB9YIa9OiHHcnsMsOLY_e60pi_ohui8527BRg1BdmpzipTATa7qvnJnlVjR8mp/s200/google.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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From the Publisher:<br />
<ul>
<li><i><a href="http://amzn.to/18u79tB" target="_blank"><i>Curious George</i></a>, by H.A. Rey </i></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/15pz0QG" target="_blank"><i>The Good Boy</i></a>, by Theresa Schwegel</li>
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Library:<i> </i><br />
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<li><a href="http://amzn.to/1dDeoYr" target="_blank"><i>The Freedom Maze</i></a>, by Delia Sherman</li>
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NetGalley:<br />
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<li><a href="http://amzn.to/16ZUfWg" target="_blank"><i>The Boy on the Bridge</i></a>, by Natalie Standiford</li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/1dDecsb" target="_blank"><i>Dangerous Curves Ahead</i></a>, by Sugar Jamison</li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/14OxVPL" target="_blank"><i>The Nazi Hunters</i></a>, by Neal Bascomb</li>
</ul>
Purchased:</div>
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<li><a href="http://amzn.to/198UPRD" target="_blank"><i>Are You Smart Enough to Work for Google?</i></a>, by William Poundstone<i> </i></li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/15pymT7" target="_blank"><i>Vain</i></a>, by Fisher Amelie<i></i> </li>
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<b>What did you add to your shelves this week?</b></div>
Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-17023380065498650182013-08-31T03:00:00.000-04:002013-08-31T03:00:08.508-04:00Ten Tiny Breaths (Ten Tiny Breaths #1), by K.A. Tucker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LC96pkT2l7qHxTv95jpYPc9o5lQ4gSdo66vxpLJwPTJR9HbkHR6jiJiDyP_2mLgQWHiSuARwFefyz7PIRTSDUju6l7obMV3VnR6M7lyopUGmQdFmj2Fwj1o_PKPXZGCpozY9sxE7wNNX/s1600/ten+tiny+breaths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LC96pkT2l7qHxTv95jpYPc9o5lQ4gSdo66vxpLJwPTJR9HbkHR6jiJiDyP_2mLgQWHiSuARwFefyz7PIRTSDUju6l7obMV3VnR6M7lyopUGmQdFmj2Fwj1o_PKPXZGCpozY9sxE7wNNX/s320/ten+tiny+breaths.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s1600/three+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oGh7nfydncgFrrAT3sCXQa9OjmR3CXWSH-P1dEb48TBXtUzkKgouNese4MJ5K3SPaAiiK34m7Yb6oLrAtOTuNJjPHvUoMWAXmVkIhRyW6uF2IRdPXbDkpS5dX35QGU4_NkJjNpzKIwO4/s200/three+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B3VOU74/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B3VOU74&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ten-tiny-breaths-ka-tucker/1114043444?ean=9781476740324" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15990969-ten-tiny-breaths?ac=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
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<i><span id="freeText15615611018642449956">Kacey Cleary’s whole
life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s
working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little
sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her
born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop
herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the
girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it
together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the
hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.<br /><br />But when Uncle Raymond slides
into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed
with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and
Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a
grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name
perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried.
She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in
apartment 1D.<br /><br />Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer
that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart,
reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe
she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not
beyond repair.<br /><br />But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken.
Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgivable past of his own; one that,
when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send
her back into suffocating darkness.</span></i><br />
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This was a good book and a good start to a new series. I don't normally read series until they're complete, but I loved this cover and the description, so I plunged in. And I liked it. Unfortunately, I don't like it enough to continue with the next book.<br />
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There isn't a whole lot to distinguish <i>Ten Tiny Breaths</i> from other New Adult books: stereotypical characters; tragic pasts; and insta-love.<br />
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The writing is good and it's a quick read, but it's very cookie-cutter.<br />
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I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-33483060622538875322013-08-30T22:37:00.000-04:002013-08-30T22:37:07.915-04:00Twigs, by Alison Ashley Formento<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuS_xvb_qpcLisISGh95CFPuGYI5R5tigK1yHcr1Pf3jWQzifUS7x83KZ0e9CDG27zJpaz_w5l2Ci5zM8Dd84su6AH0q8iv0wFqvaSjqnASeeUoHB8KJAdfi8-O870LE5b7LuRCTGX-mt/s1600/twigs.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuS_xvb_qpcLisISGh95CFPuGYI5R5tigK1yHcr1Pf3jWQzifUS7x83KZ0e9CDG27zJpaz_w5l2Ci5zM8Dd84su6AH0q8iv0wFqvaSjqnASeeUoHB8KJAdfi8-O870LE5b7LuRCTGX-mt/s320/twigs.png" width="208" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByRk9GK9soLtlx98QdXskfZCVngrDVQW2x2wtXyDnqh6O3AFVbUvGKO2DGL57um1oxssBIUNe6SRoEUVX1tvOceCjzdPbKQx6ogHUcxRGFGQUp_2Zwjxuxc_ewdXgQFOJLor8Erx_-K-/s1600/one+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByRk9GK9soLtlx98QdXskfZCVngrDVQW2x2wtXyDnqh6O3AFVbUvGKO2DGL57um1oxssBIUNe6SRoEUVX1tvOceCjzdPbKQx6ogHUcxRGFGQUp_2Zwjxuxc_ewdXgQFOJLor8Erx_-K-/s200/one+star.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1440565651/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1440565651&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twigs-alison-ashley-formento/1114814064?ean=9781440565656&itm=1&usri=9781440565656" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17638282-twigs" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
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<i><span id="freeText9271009466366531180">One pint-sized girl. Ten super-sized crises. And it’s high noon.<br /><br />They
call her “Twigs,” because she’ll never hit five feet tall. Although she
was born early, and a stiff breeze could knock her over, Twigs has a
mighty spirit. She needs it, as life throws a whole bucket of rotten
luck at her: Dad’s an absentee drunk; Mom’s obsessed with her new deaf
boyfriend (and Twigs can’t tell what they’re saying to each other).
Little sister Marlee is trying to date her way through the entire high
school; Twigs’ true love may be a long-distance loser after a single
week away at college, and suddenly, older brother Matt is missing in
Iraq. It all comes together when a couple of thugs in a drugstore aisle
lash out, and Twigs must fight to save the life of the father who denied
her.</span></i><br />
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I seem to be in a NetGalley funk this past week. I've read some real gems and some real...not gems. And by "read," I mean "no way could I finish this book."<br />
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I really wanted to like this book, but there was SO. MUCH. GOING. ON. that it was hard to keep track of everything. Really, how much melodrama does one person attract?<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/630132366" target="_blank">This is the review</a> that most resembles what I would write if I wanted to spend more time on this book.<br />
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I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-59764680933350990592013-08-30T03:00:00.000-04:002013-08-30T03:00:10.336-04:00The Shadowy Horses, by Susanna Kearsley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpafHItxtDeNlrezWd4_XY2m6OZ52vH3yYjQ8GQ2NKygEiqAMPwqrzqfIGK8iYUTqlXqWxB_3jFPiyayAy7ueuaupP3l80wKqYeYfJHz5QxwFHEaR9jIRHmZMLjFk6glI3CqZmBAXE5ETH/s1600/the+shadowy+horses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpafHItxtDeNlrezWd4_XY2m6OZ52vH3yYjQ8GQ2NKygEiqAMPwqrzqfIGK8iYUTqlXqWxB_3jFPiyayAy7ueuaupP3l80wKqYeYfJHz5QxwFHEaR9jIRHmZMLjFk6glI3CqZmBAXE5ETH/s320/the+shadowy+horses.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dRL4-xlHbW_FNzkcvtH-hGeS1E8qmgekQsCik0bu8ljd_3LWlEznhZ09F40HQPYH_HhBE9X-NNit8EAs0Z0QhyphenhypheneB2Hpcqzp8W9ambBE2Ln2KkXwqsvpLLH_0xaUhpcLNIctfCTqtF-E5/s1600/three+half+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="39" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dRL4-xlHbW_FNzkcvtH-hGeS1E8qmgekQsCik0bu8ljd_3LWlEznhZ09F40HQPYH_HhBE9X-NNit8EAs0Z0QhyphenhypheneB2Hpcqzp8W9ambBE2Ln2KkXwqsvpLLH_0xaUhpcLNIctfCTqtF-E5/s200/three+half+stars.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402258704/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1402258704&linkCode=as2&tag=betmeup-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadowy-horses-suzannah-kearsley/1004735839?ean=9781402258718" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/961831.The_Shadowy_Horses" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
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<i><span id="freeText14592491056022988997">THE INVINCIBLE NINTH ROMAN LEGION MARCHES FROM YORK TO FIGHT THE NORTHERN TRIBES. AND THEN VANISHES FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY.<br /><br />Archaeologist
Verity Grey has been drawn to the dark legends of the Scottish
Borderlands in search of the truth buried in a rocky field by the sea.<br /><br />Her
eccentric boss has spent his whole life searching for the resting place
of the lost Ninth Roman Legion and is convinced he's finally found
it—not because of any scientific evidence, but because a local boy has
"seen" a Roman soldier walking in the fields, a ghostly sentinel who
guards the bodies of his long-dead comrades.<br /><br />Here on the
windswept shores, Verity may find the answer to one of the great
unsolved mysteries of our time. Or she may uncover secrets someone
buried for a reason.</span></i><br />
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<span id="freeText14592491056022988997">I absolutely adore Susanna Kearsley! She knows how to tell a story and make you fall in love with the characters. I thought that the narrator did an amazing job distinguishing between the different players and I freely admit to swooning over her Scottish accent.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoxo8BqjDEZ4ZXQhdSrZqU8Ni1blEc4TJjCLZV9bSVSrJRAsHFXpFsWCDkmqItXe0UzvLA5jVoMOCewEXZO8n_yL-5GGoNt3iZ0z7BuC6JrlEl03KbyA8WeDHjbKfO_LOeCLwERHzWyzB/s1600/swooning+simon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoxo8BqjDEZ4ZXQhdSrZqU8Ni1blEc4TJjCLZV9bSVSrJRAsHFXpFsWCDkmqItXe0UzvLA5jVoMOCewEXZO8n_yL-5GGoNt3iZ0z7BuC6JrlEl03KbyA8WeDHjbKfO_LOeCLwERHzWyzB/s320/swooning+simon.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span id="freeText14592491056022988997">Speaking of swooning, I loved the relationship between Verity and David. First colleagues, then friends, then:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaA4KsJxZXRPKEvghBfiufayL31ebHEr7wUhgJXRqxZK-iSu82vxXI3UZkrlkLZ-r46ETYKrHQ8Gja7Gfb5qCCvnw_Ij6VgWwDer8Cy1QjWuyz_ANt9CjSuyWxb0lop5hkgt7-WDQQOKc/s1600/verity+and+david.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaA4KsJxZXRPKEvghBfiufayL31ebHEr7wUhgJXRqxZK-iSu82vxXI3UZkrlkLZ-r46ETYKrHQ8Gja7Gfb5qCCvnw_Ij6VgWwDer8Cy1QjWuyz_ANt9CjSuyWxb0lop5hkgt7-WDQQOKc/s1600/verity+and+david.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span id="freeText14592491056022988997"></span><span id="freeText14592491056022988997">DED. Though I do wish she hadn't faded-to-black. Give me smexy times!</span><br />
<span id="freeText14592491056022988997"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText14592491056022988997">Did I mention the kilts?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnORL_FcUcQtetBO0gOiS72USJSemgOqgfTvDpKYGwlIGT1YI98au8EaRpi2dqhXCHvBkiURYjQe12hMxzgam6PS_ujKVExMf7QhGyriwNe_ycAttrmO-a0mpWjqLmdIDDKXf_91QIN4w/s1600/kilt%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdnORL_FcUcQtetBO0gOiS72USJSemgOqgfTvDpKYGwlIGT1YI98au8EaRpi2dqhXCHvBkiURYjQe12hMxzgam6PS_ujKVExMf7QhGyriwNe_ycAttrmO-a0mpWjqLmdIDDKXf_91QIN4w/s320/kilt%2521.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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<span id="freeText14592491056022988997">Yes, please!</span>Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5611167478750150609.post-65045735463808180622013-08-29T03:30:00.000-04:002013-08-29T03:30:04.005-04:00Eloise, by Judy Finnigan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-gfMhARlrG5OBsa4ItWLidrLF85QbdloVpahBkTTKYD-0IimlZEvKb2O2rMB0D9Fp3GlmYIfkoc2MzqRRGI4sMzin6cAsH61VWdU3AW3W6RvGk1EqRBsXSlmjZQv5vITEWdPtWcXdZmg/s1600/eloise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-gfMhARlrG5OBsa4ItWLidrLF85QbdloVpahBkTTKYD-0IimlZEvKb2O2rMB0D9Fp3GlmYIfkoc2MzqRRGI4sMzin6cAsH61VWdU3AW3W6RvGk1EqRBsXSlmjZQv5vITEWdPtWcXdZmg/s320/eloise.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByRk9GK9soLtlx98QdXskfZCVngrDVQW2x2wtXyDnqh6O3AFVbUvGKO2DGL57um1oxssBIUNe6SRoEUVX1tvOceCjzdPbKQx6ogHUcxRGFGQUp_2Zwjxuxc_ewdXgQFOJLor8Erx_-K-/s1600/one+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUByRk9GK9soLtlx98QdXskfZCVngrDVQW2x2wtXyDnqh6O3AFVbUvGKO2DGL57um1oxssBIUNe6SRoEUVX1tvOceCjzdPbKQx6ogHUcxRGFGQUp_2Zwjxuxc_ewdXgQFOJLor8Erx_-K-/s200/one+star.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/1fhM9tE" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/12JjECO" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a><br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/19LNVCI" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
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<span id="freeText4939296291987627074"><i>Yesterday I almost saw her.</i><br /><i></i><br /><i>I
was standing on the sun deck, looking out to sea, revelling in the
unexpected warmth of the February sun. A butterfly trembled on a nearby
buddleia and suddenly I smelled her perfume.</i><br /><i></i><br /><i>She
wasn't there, of course. How could she be when I had seen her lying in
her coffin just two weeks ago, the day before she was buried, her casket
surrounded by the scented candles she loved?</i><br /><i></i><br /><i>She lay in Cornish ground now...</i><br /><br /><i>She
was a daughter, a wife, a mother. She was a friend. But what secrets
did Eloise take to her grave? Compulsively-readable and haunting, this
is the </i>Sunday Times<i> bestselling debut novel from Book Club champion, Judy Finnigan.</i></span><br />
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<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextContainerreview673836643">I just couldn't finish this book; I was annoyed almost right off the bat.</span></span><br />
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<span class="readable reviewText"><span id="freeTextContainerreview673836643">I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. </span></span>Slytherpuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05810314141695886052noreply@blogger.com0