Friday, December 30, 2011

Shopaholic on a budget??

I love No More Rack, the new deal site I found this week.  They have great deals and it's fun to check everyday.  If you're familiar with Woot and other deal a day sites like Groupon, you'll love No More Rack.  New deals are loaded everyday at 11:59am EST.  This means you don't have to be up until midnight to catch a great deal!  Check out this video to see how it works.  Check out today's deals by clicking here: http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=5351988

Enjoy your next great deal!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

A Christmas Wish...

Glitter Graphics

Have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!!  Thanks for reading and interacting with me throughout the year!  I look forward to 2012 and another year of wonderful books!!  Make sure to check out these wonderful titles which will be reviewed here soon!

by Sarah Jio

Heartwishes
by Jude Deveraux

by Kristina McMorris

by Kristin Hannah

MUDTRAP.COM

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

More Than Words Can Say


From the author of If Wishes Were Horses comes a novel of long-buried secrets and self-discovery, showing us that sometimes what goes unsaid is more powerful than words. . . .
Chelsea Enright never expected to inherit her grandmother’s lakeside cottage deep in the Adirondacks—a serene getaway that had been mysteriously closed up decades ago. This is no simple bequest, however, because when Chelsea finds her grandmother’s WWII diaries, she’s stunned to discover that they hold secrets she never suspected . . . and they have the power to turn her own life upside down.
Even more surprising is the compelling presence of local doctor Brandon “Yale, and Chelsea soon finds her “short stay” has stretched into the entire summer. She cannot put this cottage and her family’s past behind her easily—and the more she learns about the woman her grandmother truly was, the more Chelsea’s own life begins to change . . . and nothing will ever be the same again.
Robert Barclay, author of If Wishes Were Horses, sold his successful consulting business and moved from upstate New York to south Florida, where he could devote his full attention to what he always wanted to do—write. He also enjoys weightlifting, Shotokan karate, and going to the beach to do absolutely nothing.

My Review:  I have a sick daughter so I am posting this quickly!  I enjoyed this book!  Robert has a great writing style.  Among that he created a interesting and intriguing story.  I am reminded that actions speak louder than words and it really was interesting to see a story form around the unsaid....  I love stories that involve family history or diary finding.  It's always interesting to me to read about someone's life through their diary or loved one finding their diary.  I would recommend this novel!  It's a great read.

Highly Recommended

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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

His Mistress by Christmas


Author: Victoria Alexander
Publisher: Kensington Books
Source: Crazy Book Tours

Synopsis:
For three years, Lady Veronica Smithson has been perfectly happy as a widow — and thoroughly independent. Still, the right gentleman could provide the benefits of marriage without the tedious restrictions. And in Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, renowned explorer and rogue, Veronica is sure she has found him. Sebastian will come into his inheritance in a matter of weeks — if his family deems him responsible enough. There’s no better way to prove his maturity than with a home and a wife. But though the lovely Veronica will share his bed, she steadfastly refuses to marry. However, Sebastian has a plan. An intimate sojourn at his new country house will surely change Veronica’s mind. For Sebastian never takes no for an answer. And even in the midst of mischief-making relatives and unexpected complications, he intends to persuade his Christmas mistress that they belong together — in this, and every season to come...
My Thoughts:
I am a huge fan of historical fiction and love historical romance.  To add to this, I LOVE Christmas novels.  Basically, I love Christmas…  Anyhow, His Mistress by Christmas intrigued me due to these two facts and the storyline.  I was pleased to read this novel and still feel fulfilled.  Sebastian is a man who knows what he wants and makes sure to see that he gets it.  Lady Veronica seemed to be the perfect match for this personality quality in Sebastian.  Though she is fully able to take care of herself and be self-sufficient, she’s not above having someone to help take care of things, as long as she can remain independent.  I enjoyed both of the characters in this romance.  Victoria Alexander is a wonderful author.  She created imaginative and noteworthy characters with an interesting and unique storyline.  I enjoyed how both characters were considering marriage from a practical standpoint instead of love.  I felt this really fit the time period, where marriages were more a match of good wealth and social standing than love matches.
This book is complete with interesting characters, intriguing story line, Christmas magic and cheer and of course romance.  I enjoyed how the book fit right in with the era and made me feel as if it could have happened.  Based on this book alone, I would read more by Victoria and I do recommend it to read.
Recommended this Season
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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Summer In Europe

Author: Marilyn Brant
ISBN: 9780758261519
Publisher: Kensington
Source: Crazy Book Tours


Synopsis:
On her thirtieth birthday, Gwendolyn Reese receives an unexpected present from her widowed Aunt Bea: a grand tour of Europe in the company of Bea's Sudoku and Mah-jongg Club. The prospect isn't entirely appealing. But when the gift she is expecting -- an engagement ring from her boyfriend -- doesn't materialize, Gwen decides to go. At first, Gwen approaches the trip as if it's the math homework she assigns her students, diligently checking monuments off her must-see list. But amid the bougainvillea and stunning vistas of southern Italy, something changes. Gwen begins to live in the moment: skipping down stone staircases in Capri, running her fingers over a glacier in view of the Matterhorn, racing through the Louvre, and taste-testing pastries at a Marseilles cafe. Revelling in every new experience -- especially her attraction to a charismatic British physics professor -- Gwen discovers that the ancient wonders around her are nothing compared to the renaissance unfolding within...


My Thoughts:


If you've never read anything by Marilyn Brant before you need too!  Summer in Europe is another wonderful example of her talented writing skills.  Marilyn grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout the novel.  I didn't want to put it down.  The story flows smoothly and effortlessly making it easy to read.  My favorite aspect of this novel was the escape I felt while reading it.  It's almost as if I was in southern Italy and on a much needed vacation!  In short, this is a great story that engages the reader and leaves you wanting more from Marilyn!  Her characters are charming and interesting.  They come alive in your imagination due to Marilyn's ability to create well developed characteristics.You should read it and then check out her other novels! More to come.....


**Read an excerpt on BN.com**


Don't miss it!  Must Read!


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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Her Sister's Shadow

Author: Katharine Britton
ISBN: 978--0-425-24174-5
Publisher: Penguin
Source: TLC Book Tours
Follow the Tour Stops
Rating: Highly Recommended

About the Book:

Lilli Niles is at home in her North London flat when she receives an unexpected call.  her elder sister, Bea--at the family homestead in White Head, Massachusetts has just lost her husband, and she wants Lilli to fly home for the funeral.

Lilli, a painter, is preparing for her latest gallery opening.  And more to the point, there are reasons she moved all the way to England to escape her older sister, reasons that have kept them estranged for decades.

But something in Bea's voice makes Lilli think it's time to return to New England, to the stately house she loved as a child, to the memory of a shared loss-- and to a time when simple sisterhood was enough to overcome betrayal and resentment.  In this emotional debut, Katharine Britton explores the divergent paths we take in life--and the road that ultimately brings us back to each other.

My Thoughts:

The book opens quickly with Bea's call to Lilli regarding her husband's death.  From this point on, it is clear Bea and Lilli are estranged though the reasons are not revealed until later.  I instantly found myself enthralled with their shared secret.  The tension between the two is evident, yet I didn't know why it was there.  I wanted to find out what happened to make these two sisters become so far apart, though their love for each other is obvious, their dislike and discomfort is even more so. 

The author uses the family home as a resting place for memories, secrets and past that will be revealed.  I enjoyed this element of the book.  I have vivid memories of my past that take place in my childhood homes.  While I may not remember much about some memories, there are others where I can still visualize everything about the room I was in.  It's as if your transported back in time.  Lilli's connection to her childhood home reminded me of these moments.  I also loved how the author uses the relationship of sisterhood between Lilli and Bea, as well as their other siblings, Charlotte and Dori.

The novel is written using the present and reflecting on the past, switching between the two.  I am personally a fan of this set up in novels, so I enjoyed reading both sides of the story.  I felt I was given a well rounded look at the events and characters since I was introduced to them as a grown woman and a teenage girl.  In the present,  The sisters are old enough to have knee problems, aches, pains and grown children in the present which enables the story to have a deeply rooted past.  Since the hurt, loneliness, loss, and love run so deep, the story is emotional and spellbinding.  It holds you captive as you watch the scenes unfold and secrets spill out.  I found myself emotionally connected to the characters in a variety as their story unfolded. 

Katharine Britton is a talented debut author.  I enjoyed her writing style.  This novel was easy to read, captivating and paced well.  While I didn't speed through the pages, I didn't find myself bored either.  The pace is thoughtful and deliberate.  I would highly recommend this book to others.  Based off it, I would also read more from Katharine Britton.

About the Author:

Katharine Britton has a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Dartmouth College.  She teaches at Colby-Sawyer College, and at The Writer’s Center.  Her screenplay, Goodbye Don’t Mean Gone, was a Moondance Film Festival winner and a finalist in the New England Women in Film and Television contest. Katharine is a member of the League of Vermont Writers.

When not at her desk, Katharine can be found at her Norwich garden, waging a non-toxic war against the slugs, snails, deer, woodchucks, chipmunks, moles, voles and beetles with whom she shares her yard.  Katharine's defense consists mainly of hand-wringing, after the fact.

Connect with Katharine online at her website, www.HerSistersShadow.com, her blog, and on Facebook.
Highly Recommended

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