Monthly Archives: April 2013

Sarah Pekkanen and Dana Bate

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Awesome book event at One More Page book store with my daughter Kristi of Kritters Ramblings!!
Both authors are amazing writers, fun to read and enjoyable to have spent time with them.
Sarah shared about how her book covers ended up looking like they do.  It was interesting to hear the background of how it all happens.
Dana let us in on her next book!! Can’t wait for that one!  Her adorable baby was there too!!
Chatting while getting the books signed finished the evening off perfectly.
Thank you Sarah and Dana for a great way to spend an evening!

Coming Soon…..

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                         ….On a Bookshelf Near You!!

This is a look into what I am excited about in May.
Publication Date:  May 21st
Publisher:  Simon Pulse
Goodreads:  When all signs point to heartbreak, can love still be a rule of the road? A poignant and romantic novel from the author ofBittersweet and Twenty Boy Summer.


Jude has learned a lot from her older sisters, but the most important thing is this: The Vargas brothers are notorious heartbreakers. She’s seen the tears and disasters that dating a Vargas boy can cause, and she swore an oath—with candles and a contract and everything—to never have anything to do with one.

Now Jude is the only sister still living at home, and she’s spending the summer helping her ailing father restore his vintage motorcycle—which means hiring a mechanic to help out. Is it Jude’s fault he happens to be cute? And surprisingly sweet? And a Vargas?

Jude tells herself it’s strictly bike business with Emilio. Her sisters will never find out, and Jude can spot those flirty little Vargas tricks a mile away—no way would she fall for them. But Jude’s defenses are crumbling, and if history is destined to repeat itself, she’s speeding toward some serious heartbreak…unless her sisters were wrong?

Jude may have taken an oath, but she’s beginning to think that when it comes to love, some promises might be worth breaking.




What is coming soon … On a bookshelf near you?  Let me know – I am always looking for another good read!


Starting Something That Matters

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Author:  Blake Mycoskie
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau                            

Pages:  208
Genre:  Non – Fiction
Source: Gift

Goodreads:  Love your work, work for what you love, and change the world—all at the same time.
 
What matters most to you? Should you focus on earning a living, pursuing your passions, or devoting yourself to the causes that inspire you? The surprising truth is that you don’t have to choose—and that you’ll find more success if you don’t. That’s the breakthrough message of TOMS’ One for One movement. You don’t have to be rich to give back and you don’t have to retire to spend every day doing what you love. You can find profit, passion, and meaning all at once—right now.   
 
In Start Something That Matters, Blake Mycoskie tells the story of TOMS, one of the fastest-growing shoe companies in the world, and combines it with lessons learned from such other innovative organizations as method, charity: water, FEED Projects, and TerraCycle. Blake presents the six simple keys for creating or transforming your own life and business, from discovering your core story to being resourceful without resources; from overcoming fear and doubt to incorporating giving into every aspect of your life. No matter what kind of change you’re considering, Start Something That Matters gives you the stories, ideas, and practical tips that can help you get started.  
 


Why this book is for you: 
 
• You’re ready to make a difference in the world—through your own start-up business, a nonprofit organization, or a new project that you create within your current job.
• You want to love your work, work for what you love, and have a positive impact on the world—all at the same time.
• You’re inspired by charity: water, method, and FEED Projects and want to learn how these organizations got their start. 
• You’re curious about how someone who never made a pair of shoes, attended fashion school, or worked in retail created one of the fastest-growing footwear companies in the world by giving shoes away.
• You’re looking for a new model of success to share with your children, students, co-workers, and members of your community.
 
You’re ready to start something that matters.

Ope’s Opinion:  This book was in the box when I bought my granddaughter her first pair of TOMS.  At first I thought I would just put the book in the thrift store pile.  But I kept hanging on  to it, so I decided to read it.  It was really worth the read.

                                       This was a fast, easy read.  I liked the way it was divided up – it made it easy to pick up and put down as needed.  I thought the advice was really smart and good for people looking to start a business.

                                      I had heard the TOMS story before, but not with all the details in this book.


Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.


Someday, Someday, Maybe

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Author:  Lauren Graham
Publisher:  Ballantine Books          

Pages:  352
Genre:  Chick Lit
Source:  Edelweiss

Goodreads:   A charming and laugh-out-loud novel by Lauren Graham, beloved star of Parenthood and Gilmore Girls, about an aspiring actress trying to make it in mid-nineties New York City.

Franny Banks is a struggling actress in New York City, with just six months left of the three year deadline she gave herself to succeed. But so far, all she has to show for her efforts is a single line in an ad for ugly Christmas sweaters and a degrading waitressing job. She lives in Brooklyn with two roommates-Jane, her best friend from college, and Dan, a sci-fi writer, who is very definitely not boyfriend material-and is struggling with her feelings for a suspiciously charming guy in her acting class, all while trying to find a hair-product cocktail that actually works. Meanwhile, she dreams of doing “important” work, but only ever seems to get auditions for dishwashing liquid and peanut butter commercials. It’s hard to tell if she’ll run out of time or money first, but either way, failure would mean facing the fact that she has absolutely no skills to make it in the real world. Her father wants her to come home and teach, her agent won’t call her back, and her classmate Penelope, who seems supportive, might just turn out to be her toughest competition yet. Someday, Someday, Maybe is a funny and charming debut about finding yourself, finding love, and, most difficult of all, finding an acting job.




Ope’s Opinion:  This is an easy, cute read.  It was fun to watch a young woman pursue her dream.  I thought it was great that she gave herself a specific amount of time and gave it her all.  What I wasn’t crazy about was all the details of the call backs and the other people trying out for the same part.  For me, it took away from the main characters I wanted to know more about.

                                       I felt like Lauren Graham was sitting down and telling me a story.    It made you want everyone to be happy and get what they really want. I wish the story had a couple more chapters. I feel like it wasn’t done or maybe it was just me who wasn’t done with Franny yet. 

                                     


Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.




                 FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweiss. 
            I was not required to write a positive review
                 in exchange for receipt of the book;
         rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
                                                       

Jane Porter and Sarah Pekkanen

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What More Could You Want??


My daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings  and I  had a wonderful dinner at The Chop House at Columbia Firehouse in Alexandria with Jane Porter and Sarah Pekkanen! 
It was fun to share our love of books, Jane Porter, and Sarah Pekkanen!  
After a wonderful dinner, we had time to get pictures taken.
Then we had our books signed.
Both of these books are awesome.  These authors write wonderful stories.  If you have a chance, read either or both of them.

How Zoe Made Her Dreams ( Mostly ) Come True

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Author:  Sarah Strohmeyer
Publisher: Balzer & Bray / Harperteen
Pages:  320
Genre:  Young Adult / Contemporary
Source:  Edelweiss

Goodreads:   From Sarah Strohmeyer, author of Smart Girls Get What They Want, comes this romantic comedy about one girl’s summer job from hell. Think The Devil Wears Prada set in Disney World.

When cousins Zoe and Jess land summer internships at the Fairyland Kingdom theme park, they are sure they’ve hit the jackpot. With perks like hot Abercrombie-like Prince Charmings and a chance to win the coveted $25,000 Dream & Do grant, what more could a girl want?

Once Zoe arrives, however, she’s assigned to serve “The Queen”-Fairyland’s boss from hell. From spoon-feeding her evil lapdog caviar, to fetching midnight sleeping tonics, Zoe fears she might not have what it takes to survive the summer, much less win the money.

Soon backstabbing interns, a runaway Cinderella, and cutthroat competition make Zoe’s job more like a nightmare than a fairy tale. What will happen when Zoe is forced to choose between serving The Queen and saving the prince of her dreams?



Ope’s Opinion: This book had more twists and turns then any mountain road I have ever been on ( and I have been on a lot )!  Just when I didn’t think there were anymore twist – another one happened.  After a while I wasn’t even interested in trying to figure out who was telling the truth.  It just got too complicated.  I did like the way it ended, but getting there was hard.

                                    It was hard to tell who the good characters were.  I was rooting for Zoe and her cousin Jess, but after that, it wasn’t clear who to trust.

                                   I have several of Sarah Strohmeyer’s books.  I hope I like the next one better then I did this one.


Rating:  Two Chairs – I may have one friend who might like this book.




                 FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweiss. 
            I was not required to write a positive review
                 in exchange for receipt of the book;
         rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
                                                       

The Gingerbread House

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Author:  Nell Carson

Publisher:  Avalon Books                                                    
Pages:  185
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Source: Nell Carson

Goodreads:   After a tumultuous past, Greta Kendall has focused mainly on her bridal shop, located on the first floor of her beloved Queen Anne Victorian near Aspen. For two years she’s fought to save her house from Stephanie Harwood of Harwood Development, who is intent on razing her home to build a new mall. But now Greta’s running out of time. The town council is about to approve the final plans for the mall.

When Gray Daniels walks into her shop, Greta is immediately attracted to his rugged good looks and midnight blue eyes, until she learns he’s Stephanie Harwood’s fiancé. She’s furious to find they’ve tricked her into a publicity stunt aimed at garnering support for the mall. So now her little war has a new front: Gray Daniels. If only she could also fight her growing attraction to him.

A knock on the door brings a return of old danger, and Greta must now put aside her anguish over the house to discover if she’s at last capable of looking the past in the eye and overcoming it—and if she’s finally free to love again.



Ope’s Opinion:  This was a cute, quick, easy read.  It had a couple of twists in the story.  The story moved very fast.  It is definitely a romantic tale.  

                                   The characters were sweet and simple.  It was sad not see any consequences for Stephanie being so mean.  

                                  If you like sweet romantic story – pick this one up.


Rating:  Three Chairs – I like this book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.

FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Nell Carson. 
            I was not required to write a positive review
                 in exchange for receipt of the book;
         rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
                                                       


The Chance

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Author:  Karen Kingsbury
Publisher:  Howard Books                        

Pages:  352
Genre:  Christian Fiction
Source:  My friend Mary Ann

Goodreads:  In The Chance, New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury delves deeply into a theme that resonates with us all: It’s never too late for those willing to take a chance.

Years ago, the day before Ellie moved from Georgia to California, she and her best friend Nolan sat beneath the Spanish moss of an ancient oak tree where they wrote letters to each other, and sealed them in a rusty old metal box. The plan was to return eleven years later and read them. But now, as that date arrives, much has changed. Ellie, bereft of the faith she grew up with, is a single mom living in a tired apartment trying to make ends meet. Sometimes she watches television to catch a glimpse of her old friend —Nolan, now an NBA star, whose terrible personal tragedies fueled his faith and athletic drive in equal measure. But Nolan also suffers from a transcendent loneliness that nothing has ever eased.



Ope’s Opinion:  I have read just about everything Karen Kingsbury has written and I have to say this is the best!  The story was engaging from beginning until the very end.  This was a “one more page” then I’ll do laundry, lunch, etc.  The story kept moving.  
            
                                        All the characters had flaws and were easy to relate to.  You cared about them and wanted what was best for each one.  It was wonderful to see them grow as individual which made them fit together better as couples.  God and faith are important to each of the characters, but I do not feel it was pushed at you in this book.

                                        I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good love story.  

                                         

Rating:  Five Chairs –  This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on ….


The Mothers

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Author:  Jennifer Gilmore              

Publisher:  Scribner
Pages:  288
Genre:  Adoption
Source: Edelweiss

Goodreads:  Poignant, raw, and insightful, Jennifer Gilmore’s third novel is an unforgettable story of love, family, and motherhood. With a “voice [that is] at turns wise and barbed with sharp humor” (Vanity Fair), Gilmore lays bare the story of one couple’s ardent desire for a child and their emotional journey through adoption. Jesse and Ramon are a loving couple, but after years spent unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant, they turn to adoption, relieved to think that once they navigate the bureaucratic path to parent-hood they will have a happy ending. But nothing has prepared them for the labyrinthine process—for the many training sessions and approvals; for the constant advice from friends, strangers, and “experts”; for the birthmothers who contact them but don’t ultimately choose them; or even, most shockingly, for the women who call claiming they’ve chosen Jesse and Ramon but who turn out never to have been pregnant in the first place.

Jennifer Gilmore’s eloquence about the human heart—its frailties and complexities—and her razor-sharp observations about race, class, culture, and changing family dynamics are spectacularly combined in this powerful novel. Suffused with passion and fury, The Mothers is a taut, gripping, and satisfying book that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page.



Ope’s Opinion:   If you are interested in adopting or have adopted, you will probably relate to this book.    Some parts of the book were too detailed for me – for example – when they were ordering dinner, I felt like  I was told too much about the meal they ordered and not enough about the conversation they were having.
                                     The characters were real.  When reading this book you will probably relate to one of the characters, if you have ever been in this position or were with someone who was going through the adoption process. 

                                      I felt like I was reading someone diary about adoption.  It did not feel like a work of fiction.

                                      


Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.



        FTC – Disclosure of Material Connection: 
      I received one copy of this book free of charge from Edelweiss.
    I was not required to write a positive review
     in exchange for receipt of the book;
    rather the opinions expressed in this review are my own.