One Lovely Blog Award

I recently received this award from Storywings!

Thanx so much, Wings!

These are the rules:

1.) Accept the award, post it on your blog along with the name of the person who granted the award and his or her blog link.

2.) Pass the award to ten other blogs you've newly discovered.

3.) Remember to contact the blogger and let them know they have been chosen for the award.

Here are the ten blogs I will be passing this award on to:

• La Femme Readers
• A Bookshelf Monstrosity
• A Circle of Books
• A Good Addiction
• Tales of the Ravenous Reader
• A Passion for Books
• A Sea Of Books
• Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia
• Alaine Queen of Happy Endings
• All About N

LOL as it happens most of these were in the A's on my list, so if I get this award again I'll just go right on down the list!

Giveaway Reminder

Don't forget that the Seduced by a Rogue giveaway will be ending at midnight on February 28th. That's tomorrow night, so be sure to enter. Also, check on the comment contest and get started commenting on those reviews! The more you comment the more chances you have to win.

Giveaway Saturday (10)

Today is Giveaway Saturday! I will be going through some of the blogs that I follow and finding 10 Giveaways to share with you. Enjoy!

Top Ten of The Week:

1.) Ramblings of a Bibliophile is giving away a new hardcover addition of The Maze Runner by James Dashner. The giveaway is open to U.S and Canadian residents and will end on March 1st.

2.) Readaholic is giving away a copy of Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents and ends on March 9th.

3.) Reading With Tequila is having a giveaway in which the winner gets to choose a book from the Prize Bin. You just have to pick a book from the poll for the week and make a comment about why you chose it. There are several hardcovers and paperbacks to choose from. The giveaway is open to U.S residents and will end March 5th.

4.) Red House Books is having a 5 ARC giveaway, in which there will be five winners. 1st prize gets first pick and so on. This giveaway is for U.S residents only and ends tomorrow, February 28th, so get busy on this one!

5.) Reverie Book Reviews is giving away a hardcover copy of Incarceron by Cathrine Fisher, a bookmark and poster of the cover of the book. The giveaway is open to U.S residents only and ends on March 12th.

6.) Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf is giving away 3 copies of The Confident Woman by Joyce Meyer. The giveaway is open to U.S and Canadian residents and will end on March 17th.

7.) Bibliophile By The Sea is giving away a copy of the Secrets of Eden by Chris Bohjalian. The giveaway is International and will end tomorrow February 28th, so don't wait to enter.

8.) Ellz Readz is giving away a signed copy of Shadowglass. The second book in The Shadowfae Chronicles by Erica Hayes. The giveaway is open to U.S residents and ends on March 6th.

9.) Ironically, Book Giveaways is having a book giveaway LOL! They are giving away 3 copies of Chicken Soup for Soul: Count Your Blessings. The giveaway ends on March 23rd.

10.) I have two giveaways going on right now and both can be accessed from my sidebar. The first is for a copy of Seduced by a Rogue by Amanda Scott which will end tomorrow at midnight, so enter that today. The second is an ongoing comment contest which will be going on through March 16th, in which the winner will win a book of their choice up to $25 dollars.

Friday Spotlight (8)

The Friday Spotlight will focus on a blog that I've run across in my blog roaming that doesn't have a big following yet. I will spotlight the blog and let my readers know about the reasons why I like the blog and what it has to offer. Hopefully, it will garner that blog some new followers and my readers a new place to visit for more book blogging fun.

This weeks spotlight blog is: Blog O' The Irish

Blog O' The Irish currently has 94 followers!

There are so many things I like about this blog I hardly know where to start!

First of all, I am of Scottish decent and anything to do with what my grandfather would call, "The Old Country" peeks my interest. Whether it's about Ireland, Scotland or other places in that general area. My youngest daughter's birthday is the day before St. Patrick's Day and my grandmother was actually a St. Pattie's baby. So, that tends to be one of our favorite holidays around here.

When it comes to reading, books set in Ireland and Scotland tend to be some of my favorites, so I really enjoy CelticLady's reviews, which tend to focus on Irish authors and books set in Ireland. I have found so many books to add to my Wish List on her blog, it isn't even funny!

CelticLady is a Wisconsin blogger with a penchant for all things Irish! She even has a count down to St. Patrick's Day and the current Dublin time on her sidebar. She currently has a couple of giveaways going on, including 3 copies of The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey and a giveaway coming up March 1st for the first book in the Irish Angels Series, Heart of Stone by Jill Marie Landis. I can't wait to sign up for that one!

CelticLady also has another blog, Changing Seasons, where readers can find information and posts about the 2010 Winter Olympic games in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I am a big fan of winter sports and love to watch all the Olympic coverage and find out about all the stories of the competitors. Check this blog out also, you'll be glad you did.

CelticLady has a goodreads, To Be Reviewed shelf, a place to visit to play Celtic Mahjong (I love that game!), several different giveaways from around the blogsphere, an Irish favorites list from Amazon, and an Irish Fiction pick list from Amazon. These are just a few of the interesting things you will find on the Blog O' The Irish sidebar.

There are Irish quotes and historical information about what happened in Irish history on this day, what CelticLady is currently reading, as well as information about Irish culture and customs and a plug for her daughters business, Lucky Loofah's and Lather. Some very interesting products on that page.

Blog O' The Irish is participating in 100+ Reading Challenge, The 2009/2010 Lisa Jackson Reading Challenge and the 2010 Ireland Reading Challenge, several of which I intend to enter next year. I have so many challenges that I want to try!

I think one of my favorite parts of this blog can be found near the bottom. CelticLady who is most obviously Irish, has a list of sites that she has found during her Quest of Ireland where readers can go to find out more information about Ireland.

I really enjoy this blog a lot and I believe anyone who goes there will see how much work has gone into this blog! I can't recommend it enough. So go check it out, there's something for everyone!

T-B-R Thursday (11)

It's T-B-R Thursday once again!

This is the day of the week that I add a new book to my To-Be-Read pilewhich is growing by leaps and bounds. I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to books. You might find a romance, a bestseller, or even a classic adding to my pile every week.

A new book on my radar this week:

One Good Dog by Susan Wilson

Synopsis and Info courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Product Details

• Pub. Date: March 02, 2010
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Format: Hardcover, 320pp
• Sales Rank: 27,633

• ISBN-13: 9780312571252
• ISBN: 0312571259

Publishers Weekly

Fans of Marley and Me will find a new dog to cheer for in Wilson's (Beauty) insightful heart-tugger about Adam March, a Boston man recovering from the shame of a foolish crime, and Chance, a scrappy pit bull mix trying to escape the illegal dogfight circuit. Adam, 46, is a ruthless self-made millionaire married to an icy socialite living a picture-perfect existence that includes a teen princess daughter. Then he loses his job for slapping his assistant, Sophie, full across the face after she gives him a message that reads: “Your sister called.” Forty years ago, Adam's sister, Veronica, ran away leaving Adam with their widowed dad, who subsequently placed Adam into foster care. For his violent act, Adam is sentenced to perform community service at a homeless men's shelter where the adorable Chance teaches Adam about survival and what matters. Chance tells his story in his own words, which makes his mistreatment and return to the fighting pit powerfully disturbing. Combined with Wilson's unflinching portrayal of Adam's struggle to overcome his past, Old Yeller's got nothing on this very good man and his dog story. (Mar.)

Review: Some Enchanted Evening

My Synopsis:

Some Enchanted Evening (Lost Princess Series - Book 1) by Christina Dodd

(E-book from the Library)

Princess Clarice of Beaumontagne finds herself in quite a predicament. She and her sister Amy must fend for themselves when they are forced to go into hiding as their home is swept into a revolution.

Clarice uses her knowledge of herbs and beauty secrets to make living for them as a charlatan, peddling her wares and sometimes running away in the middle of the night when her customers become less than satisfied.

When the princess enters the town on Freya Crags in Scotland, she meets the handsome earl of Hepburn, Robert McKenzie and fears that she may have met her match. The earl of Hepburn is more than what he seems and he has plans for Clarice. Will Clarice lose her heart to the earl? Who is the stranger who lurks in the night? What scheme has Robert conceived to save a friend?

My Thoughts:

This is the first book in the Lost Princess series by Christina Dodd. I had often heard the author was one of the best in Historical Fiction and I would have to agree. The story had the air of a fairy tale, with princesses and balls and heroes and villains.

The characters were very likable. Clarice as the protective sister who must provide for herself and her sister in any way she can and Robert the unknown hero. Two very opposite characters who seem to fit together in all the right ways. There is a bit of love making in this one that probably isn't suitable for some readers so be advised of this. It's definitely steamy!

I liked the way the author was able to keep up the suspense of the story. I was on pins and needles to see what was to happen next. The supporting characters like the earls sisters and the old men of the town add color to the novel and comic relief.

I give this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

The link is for the paper back which has a different cover than the e-book.

Review: Abigail

My Synopsis:

Abigail (The Wives of King David - Book 2) by Jill Eileen Smith

(For review from Revell - Blog Tour dates February 21-28)

David has yet to become King. He and his band of followers are on the run from Saul's army. During this time David meets Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel. Abigail has led a life of pain and heartache as Nabal's wife, always in fear of his violent temper. When Abigail helps David to feed his people, Nabal's anger turns on her, but he is stricken down and soon after dies.

David takes Abigail as his third wife. Abigail soon learns that being a wife of powerful man has it's disadvantages. As her love for David grows, she is forced to see that his affection will never be wholly hers. The fact that she has not produced a son, is also a misfortune and she wonders if she will ever truly be happy. Will Abigail give David a son, she most desperately wants? When will David become King and how will that change their lives? Does David love Abigail?

My Thoughts:

Jill Eileen Smith does an superb job with the second book in The Wives of King David series. Abigail is poignant and full of deep emotion. Readers will feel Abigail's fear on her wedding night as Nabal shows his contempt for her family and her religion. They will be instantly be transported to the time of 1 & 2 Samuel with the amazing descriptions.

It was easy to see why David was so loved by his followers, as he attends to their needs. Smith, shows David as not only the warrior, but the lover and poet. I loved his character very much. Abigail's character is so human, letting her emotions of jealousy and worry get to her as many women do.

I loved this book! Definitely, one of my favorites of the year! I can't wait to read the next installment in the series, Bathsheba, due out next year.

Available February 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Overall I give this one 5 out of 5 apples from my Book Bag!

Review: The Gospel According To Lost

My Synopsis:

The Gospel According To Lost by Chris Seay

(for review from Thomas Nelson)

The Gospel According to Lost was written between the fifth season and the current 6th and final season of the wildly popular ABC television show, Lost. This book does not contain spoilers, it is the authors ideas of how the characters and the story of Lost fit in with Biblical principles. Oceanic flight 815 took off from Sydney, Australia and crashed over 1000 miles off course, which introduced us to a band of castaways whose lives are intertwined in small and amazing ways. But, is Lost more than just a TV show? Is it really about the struggle between good and evil? What can we learn from it?

My Thoughts:

Author Chris Seay is quick to let the reader know that there is more to meet the eye with this television show. It has been kept very quiet and guarded about what the final outcome will be. Millions of people around the world have speculated, formed theories, argued over the lunch table and become a part of the Lost experience. It has revolutionized how people view television and yet all along the creators may have had something very different in mind. Seay, likens the characters to patron saints and lets the reader explore their feelings about the story of each one.

Any fan of Lost would enjoy reading this book! It gives deeper insight into what might be going on in this series that has taken the world by storm. I loved the book and came away from reading it with more questions than answers, which is what Lost seems to be all about.

I give this one 4 out 5 apples from my book bag!

(Thomas Nelson requires a 200 word review, this is a little over, but still conveys what the book is all about.)

Teaser Tuesday (11)

Teaser Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play! Just do the following:

Grab your current read.

Go to a random page.

Post two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give away too much! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and the author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

My teaser this week comes from Ransom by David Malouf, page 78.

'Well as I said, none of that concerns anyone but myself and I've tried never to let it show. It's of no account what I happen to be feeling at any moment in my actual person - whether I have the toothache or a belly swollen from eating too many peaches, or am raging with anger or impatience or desire - so long as I sit still and fill a space towards which others may look in reverence.'

Simply Marvelous Monday (11)

Shelia at One Persons Journey Through A World Of Books gets all the credit for this one...

One Simply Marvelous Monday's, at Debbie's Book Bag we want to know... What are you reading?

FINISHED LAST WEEK:

Some Enchanted Evening (Lost Princess Series - Book 1) by Christina Dodd (E-book from the Library)

Abigail (The Wives of King David Series - Book 2) by Jill Eileen Smith (for review from Revell)

The Gospel According to Lost by Chris Seay (for review from Thomas Nelson)

It was definitely a better reading week for me! I have decided to focus a little more on print and e-books, so I was unable to finish Pride and Prejudice on audio. My audio book listening will probably suffer a little bit but these are mostly for pure pleasure so I'll just be getting to these as I can. I will probably be more like one audio book every two weeks or so.

READING OR LISTENING TO THIS WEEK:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Audio book from the Library)

Ransom by David Malouf (for review from Pantheon-Knopf Doubleday)

Flaherty's Crossing by Kaylin McFarrin (for review from Pump Up Your Book Promotions)

I usually am reading a print book, an e-book and listening to an audio book every week. Since I'm changing my strategy a little bit, my audio books may take a week or two to finish. But my generally my goal will still be to finish two books of some sort per week.

UP NEXT:

A Distant Melody (Wings of Glory Series - Book 1) by Sarah Sundin (for review from Revell)

I choose only one up next selection a week because I never really know what I'll be reading next.

Giveaway Saturday (9)

Today is Giveaway Saturday! I will be going through some of the blogs that I follow and finding 10 giveaways to share with you! Enjoy!

Top Ten of the Week:

1.) Lori's Reading Corner is giving away, an ARC of The Red Thread by Ann Hood. The giveaway is open to U.S residents and will end March 2nd.

2.) Debbie's Book Bag is having a comment giveaway! (Yep, this one is mine!) Commenters, who comment on any review from February 16th through March 16th will have chances to win a book of their choice, up to $25.00. The more you comment, the better chance you have to win!

3.) Michelle's Book Blog is giving away, a copy of Willow by Julia Hoban. This giveaway is open to U.S and Canadian residents and ends on February 22nd. Better move fast on this one it's almost over!

4.) Debbie's Book Bag is giving away a copy of Seduced by a Rogue by Amanda Scott. The giveaway will end on February 28th and is open to U.S residents only. (yep, this one's mine too.)

5.) The Undercover Book Lover is having a Birthday Bash! 12 books are up for grabs. The giveaway is international and ends on March 10th.

6.) My Life In Not So Many Words is giving away 3 copies of the Audio book, Black Hills by Dan Simmons. The giveaway is open to U.S and Canadian Residents and will end on March 17th.

7.) I Was A Teenage Book Geek is giving away, a copy of I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder. This giveaway is International and ends on February 28th.

8.) Jennifer's Musings is having a Lonesome Lovers contest. Winners will receive a copy of Heavenly and a copy of Falling For Romeo and some other goodies.

9.) Jen's Book Talk is giving away, 5 copies of The Moon Looked Down by Dorthy Garlock. The giveaway is open to U.S and Canadian residents and will end on March 7th.

10.) Pure Imagination is having a 500 follower giveaway. This giveaway includes several books and will have more than one winner. It is open to U.S and Canadian Residents and will end March 18th.

Friday Spotlight (7)

The Friday Spotlight will focus on a blog that I've run across in my blog roaming that doesn't have a big following yet. I will spotlight the blog and let my readers know about the reasons why I like the blog and what it has to offer. Hopefully, it will garner that blog some new followers and my readers a new place to visit for more book blogging fun.

This weeks spotlight blog is: Inside of a Dog

Inside of a Dog currently has 62 followers.

The name Inside of a Dog comes from a quote by Groucho Marx: "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it is too dark to read." I love the title and the cute little dog reading a book!

There are several things about this blog that I think you will find interesting. Kathy is a blogger from Minnesota who has worked in the Minnesota school system since 1976 as a librarian and media specialist.

Inside a Dog participates in several weekly meme's including Recommend me hosted by Kate at The Neverending Shelf and Teaser Tuesday hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!

Kathy posts contests on her sidebar from other blogs which is always good promotion for other bloggers! A couple of the contests she has posted right now are, Win the complete Wake trilogy, signed and Win "The Wish Stealers" at In The Hammock Blog.

Inside a Dog has a twitter button so that readers can follow by that format as well as Google Friend Connect. I like the area devoted to books that are close to the top of Kathy's TBR Mountain, which is provided by Library thing. I might have to try that one, LOL...

Kathy is participating in several challenges this year. As you all know I love challenges. I love getting new ideas for challenges to participate in next year. Here are a few of the Challenges that Inside a Dog is into this year. The 2010 Debut YA Author Challenge, The 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge and the RYOB (Read Your Own Books) Challenge.

Inside a Dog has a great blog list and an area for Buttons including a button of her own. Kathy also has a great blog archive and a label area for readers to find what they are looking for quickly.

This is a great blog that I think many of you may be interested in. Go by and check it out! I'm sure you'll find something you like.

T-B-R Thursday (9)

It's T-B-R Thursday once again!

This is the day of the week that I add a new book to my To-Be-Read pilewhich is growing by leaps and bounds. I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to books. You might find a romance, a bestseller, or even a classic adding to my pile every week.

A new book on my radar this week:

Heresy by S. J. Parris is due out on February 23rd.

Synopsis and Info courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Product Details

• Pub. Date: February 23, 2010
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Format: Hardcover, 448pp
• Sales Rank: 62,073

• ISBN-13: 9780385531283
• ISBN: 0385531281

Synopsis

Masterfully blending true events with fiction, this blockbuster historical thriller delivers a page-turning murder mystery set on the sixteenth-century Oxford University campus.

Giordano Bruno was a monk, poet, scientist, and magician on the run from the Roman Inquisition on charges of heresy for his belief that the Earth orbits the sun and that the universe is infinite. This alone could have got him burned at the stake, but he was also a student of occult philosophies and magic.

In S. J. Parris's gripping novel, Bruno's pursuit of this rare knowledge brings him to London, where he is unexpectedly recruited by Queen Elizabeth I and is sent undercover to Oxford University on the pretext of a royal visitation. Officially Bruno is to take part in a debate on the Copernican theory of the universe; unofficially, he is to find out whatever he can about a Catholic plot to overthrow the queen.

Giveaway: Comment Giveaway

It's always nice to get comments! So I've decided to do a comment giveaway! Starting today February 16th followers of my blog , who leave a comment on any review that I have done between now and March 16th will be entered in a monthly giveaway and will have a chance to win a book of their choice under $25.00. (Comment on any post or review, they do not have to be posted between the time period, comments on older reviews will count.)

The more you comment the more chances you have to win!

Please be advised that if you don't leave your e-mail address in your comment, it should be available on your Google Friend Connect Profile, or I will be unable to count it, due to the fact that I cannot contact you.

If I have a lot of success with this, I may make this a monthly giveaway! I will decide after this first giveaway, if it got the kind of buzz I was hoping.

Happy commenting!

Giveaway: Seduced by a Rogue

Debbie's Book Bag will be giving away a copy of Seduced by a Rogue by Amanda Scott. The giveaway will end at Midnight EST, on February 28th and the winner will be posted on March 1st. Leave a comment with your e-mail address to be entered.

Rules:

You must be a follower of this blog to enter!

You must be a U.S resident or have a U.S. Address for the book to be sent to.

You must leave your e-mail address in your comment.

Extra Entries:

+5 if you are already a follower, please note this in your comment.

+3 if you are a new follower.

+5 if you follow me on twitter @justpeachy36

Synopsis

A fair-haired beauty at 19, Lady Mairi is heiress apparent to her father Lord Dunwythie's rich barony. He has carefully taught her how to manage their estates, but a feud between his clan and the Maxwell clan is brewing as the two families edge toward a clan war - their dispute over money owed. Mairi's father believes he owes nothing, and of course Mairi sides with him.

When the impulsive and blue-eyed Rob Maxwell chances to meet Mairi in a barley field, they feel instant attraction, despite their families' antagonisms. Knowing he must put his clan first, Rob enacts a plan to force Dunwythie to pay his debt: Rob kidnaps Mairi, making the abduction appear the work of a stranger; then he and his sheriff-brother offer to help Dunwythis rescue his daughter IF, and only if, he will pay them the monies due. Yet after Rob captures Mairi's body, she captures his heart. When Dunwythie summons the aid of the most powerful clan in all Scotland (the Douglases), clan-tensions rise to a fever pitch. Love takes its own feverish course, as Mairi and Rob join forces to prevent a clash between hot-headed clans, and to protect their budding love.

Review: Swinging On A Star

My Synopsis:

Swinging on a Star (Weddings by Bella - Book 2) by Janice Thompson

(for review from Revell - Blog Tour dates February 14-20)

Bella Rossi is a wedding planner with a big Italian family and a host of wild and crazy friends. When Bella is given the task of pulling off an elaborate Renaissance themed wedding, her life is turned upside down. Love is in the air with more than just the happy couple.

Bella soon finds out that best man is a star straight out of Hollywood. It's up to Bella and her family to keep this eligible bachelor away from the paparazzi and out of the public eye. It gets a little crazy in the Rossi neighborhood, what with the Food Network scheduled to arrive on the night of the Wedding rehearsal, a castle being built practically in the back yard, and the Opera debut of a sweet Texas cowboy!

Will Bella fall for the Hollywood hunk, or stay with her true love, D.J.? What is up with Aunt Rosa and Uncle Laz? Will Brock finally find the missing piece to his privileged life?

My Thoughts:

This was great book to be reading around Valentine's Day! It was all about love, from the sweet romance of the happy couple, to the revelation of unrequited love, to the love of Christ.

It was really nice to see that faith was such a big part of this book. It showed the average person that people or families who are Christian not only get into the same scraps as everyone else, but that through Christ everything works out in the end.

I loved Bella's character. She is a strong woman, from a very colorful family. Her character was easy to relate to. I wanted to see her succeed and pull of this huge wedding. And it was comical to see how she interacted with members of her family and her friends.

It was definitely an interesting set of supporting characters. I thought it was a bit over the top when I first started reading the book, because there was just so many offbeat characters. But, as I continued to read, I began to see how important they all were to the dynamic of the story.

D.J. was the cowboy who was always there to protect Bella and to help her in anyway that he could. Isn't that what everyone wants from the person they love? His relationship with Bella was very comfortable and very trusting. He didn't blow his stack about Brock being in the same house with Bella even though he knew she was a bit star struck. D.J. is the kind of man we all want to meet, strong but still romantic.

Brock was the star that could have anything he wanted, but there was still something missing inside. It was great to see how he progressed from being so self-centered at the beginning of the book to being so giving at the end.

It was a good book, and I look forward to seeing what Bella is up to next.

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller, from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group!

Overall I give this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Teaser Tuesday (10)

Teaser Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play! Just do the following:

Grab your current read.

Go to a random page.

Post two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure what you share doesn't give away too much! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and the author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers.

My teaser this week comes from Abigail by Jill Eileen Smith, page 187.

He looked down at the stirring soldiers, memories of once fighting beside them in battle filling his thoughts. He tried to accept the fact that most of them had turned against him and thought him a traitor now.

Simply Marvelous Monday (10)

Shelia at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books gets all the credit for this one...

On Simply Marvelous Monday's, at Debbie's Book Bag we want to know... What are you reading?

FINISHED LAST WEEK:

Swinging On A Star (Weddings by Bella - Book 2) by Janice Thompson (for review from Revell)

I had a rough week this week and this was the only book I was able to finish. However, I have a couple more almost done, so next week should be better. What with Valentines's Day and our dog getting hit by a truck, I just didn't get it done this week. (P.S. Sundae is fine, just bruised and battered, No broken bones!)

READING OR LISTENING TO THIS WEEK:

Some Enchanted Evening (Lost Princess Series - Book 1) by Christina Dodd (E-book from the Library)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Audio Book from the Library)

Abigail (The Wives of King David Series - Book 2) by Jill Eileen Smith (for review from Revell)

I usually am reading a print book, an E-book and listening to an audio book every week. That doesn't mean I won't still be reading or listening to one or the other of them next week, but it's generally my goal to finish at least two books a week.

UP NEXT:

The Gospel According to Lost by Chris Seay (for review from Thomas Nelson Publishing)

I choose only one up next selection a week because I'm never really sure what I'll read next.

Giveaway Saturday (8)

Today is Giveaway Saturday! I will be going through some of the blogs that I follow and finding 10 giveaways to share with you! Enjoy!

Top Ten of the Week:

1.) Wrighty's Reads is giving away 5 copies each of two of Dan Simmons' novels, Black Hills and Drood. U.S and Canada only and the deadline is February 24th!

2.) Wicked Awesome Books is having a celebration of the New Year. There will be several winners and several books are up for grabs. Check out the post and enter to win. The giveaway is open to U.S residents and the deadline is February 26th.

3.) Parajunkee's View is giving away 10 copies of Kresley Cole's, Pleasure of a Dark Prince. The giveaway ends on February 28th.

4.)Thoughts From An Evil Overlord is giving away a gently used copy of The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. The giveaway is for U.S. residents only and ends on February 24th.

5.) The Story Siren is giving away an ARC copy of Stephanie Burgis', A Most Improper Magick: The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson. The giveaway ends on February 19th and is open to U.S residents only!

6.) Dark Faerie Tales is giving away a ton of books during the Valentine's Day Book Massacre Giveaway. This giveaway is open internationally and will end on February 21st. Check this one out, there are tons of really good books up for grabs.

7.) Steph The Bookworm is giving away a copy of Unlikely Angels by Michael O'Doran. This giveaway is for U.S residents and ends on February 19th.

8.) So Many Precious Books, So Little Time is giving away three copies of Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson. This giveaway is open to U.S and Canadian residents and will end, February 19th.

9.) Simply Stacie is giving away 5 copies of The Ultimate NASCAR Insider's Track Guide by Liz Allison. The giveaway is open to U.S and Canadian residents and will end on February 23rd.

10.) Savvy Verse & Wit is giving away a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombie's by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith and one copy of Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben Winters. This giveaway is international and ends on February 19th.

Friday Spotlight on Saturday!

The Friday Spotlight will focus on a blog that I've run across in my blog roaming that doesn't have a big following yet. I will spotlight the blog and let my readers know about the reasons why I like the blog and what it has to offer. Hopefully, it will garner that blog some new followers and my readers a new place to visit for more book blogging fun.

This weeks spotlight blog is: Fire & Ice

Fire & Ice currently has 102 followers. Ambrosia from Minnesota does a wonderful job with this blog! Ambrosia is obviously a big Twilight fan. I love the Jasper Hale quote on the header for Fire & Ice. Also the Eclipse countdown on the sidebar is awesome! I can't wait for New Moon to be out on video, March 20th!

Ambrosia takes part in several meme's. At least one for each day of the week. Here are a few: Musing Monday's, Teaser Tuesdays, Wicked Wednesday, Booking Through Thursday and Friday Firsts. I love meme's! I think it allows other bloggers and book lovers to see things from someone else's point of view. I love to see what other people are reading because that's where I find books to at to my Wish List.

Fire & Ice has a great blog list on the right sidebar. Most readers enjoy looking at the blog roll to find other bloggers to visit and to see if this blogger likes the same things they do. I always take a look at other peoples lists, never know what you might find!

Ambrosia has entered several challenges this year and we all know how I love challenges. One of the reasons I started book blogging actually. I wanted to participate and post my reviews for challenges. Here are some that Fire & Ice has entered for the year: 2010 Sookie Stackhouse Challenge, 2010 Read and Review Challenge, 2010 100+ Challenge, 2010 Read From My Shelves Challenge, 2010 Chic Lit Challenge and the 2010 YA Challenge. There are definitely some challenges here that I might take up for next year.

Fire & Ice is sponsoring one Challenge of it's own. The 2010 Fire & Ice Historical Fiction Challenge! I love Historical Fiction, it's one of my primary reading genre's. This is a great challenge. Stop by Fire & Ice and sign up for this one, if HF is your thing!

This is a great blog that offers a lot of the things that I like to see in a blog. Go by and check it out, I'm sure you will enjoy your visit to Fire & Ice!

Winner: 50 Follower Giveaway!

The 50 follower giveaway ended at midnight last night. I used random.org to choose a winner this morning. That winner is:

Mamat2730

The winner has been notified. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen using random.org.

Giveaway Reminder

Just a little reminder to everyone that my 50 follower giveaway is ending tonight at midnight! Stop by and enter to win, Knight of Pleasure by Margret Mallory and Exit Music by Ian Rankin.

If you have any suggestions for good ways to promote a giveaway, feel free to leave them, they will definitely be appreciated.!!

Review: Anything But Normal

My Synopsis:

Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson

(For review from Revell Books - Blog Tour Dates February 7-23)

Sophie Ramsey spent the summer working at a Church Camp, but it’s now it’s time for school to start again. Sophie is an honor student, on the yearbook staff and up for editor of the school newspaper. She’s a faithful member of the Youth Group and has a great group of friends.

But, while all the other girls are thinking about school dances and the cutest boys, Sophie is consumed by a secret. A secret that won’t stay hidden for long. What will Sophie do? How can tell her parents? Will her friends ever forgive her? Can she forgive herself?

My Thoughts:

Sophie’s story rings very true. Readers will easily identify with Sophie’s dilemma. She is in denial about what is really going on, though deep down she knows it’s only a matter of time before someone finds out. Haven’t you ever had a secret that you just wanted to forget about? If you don’t think about it, maybe it will go away. I think we’ve all felt that way.

The YA (Young Adult) novel is all about understanding what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes. Sophie finds out what it’s like to be on the other side. One of the people that she might have looked down on in the past. She is able to learn that things aren’t always what they seem.

Though she struggles with her situation and with her faith in God she eventually gets it straight in her head and her heart. I loved Sophie’s character, she was so strong in the face of a life changing decision.

This book is definitely a good teen read and adults will love it as well.

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I give this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!