A-Z Wednesday

This is a fun meme hosted by Reading at the Beach

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!

To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.

Post:

1~ a photo of the book

2~ title and synopsis

3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)

4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.

If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.

Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.

(We all love comments, don't we?)

Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "U"

I'm going to choose a book that's been in my TBR for awhile. I don't know when I'll get to it, but it looks great.



This is the synopsis from Amazon.com...

CJ Lyons returns to the front lines of the ER and the lives and loves of four very special women. Angels of Mercy Hospital charge nurse Nora Halloran has been living with a painful secret for two long years. When a coworker is assaulted and killed, Nora must face her deepest fears and reveal all her secrets to the man she loves to stop the killer from striking again.

WWW Wednesdays

If you'd like to play along with WWW Wednesdays, just click the button above.


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

My answers...

What are you currently reading?



What did you recently finish reading?




What do you think you’ll read next?

Teaser Tuesdays - June 29th

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week I'm reading



Pam pulled her knees into her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. "In some ways, I've done the same with my mom. Although I've invited her here several times, I never really insisted that she come." She looked at her husband. "Do you think we've been selfish in not wanting to share Montis with anyone?"

Mark didn't reply immediately. "Not intentionally, but maybe," he finally said. "What we have here is so great, and we've built so many good relationships in Lumby, maybe some of our more casual friends from the past just got a little more distant. But this is good; inviting our families to join us as we celebrate our anniversary might be the fresh start that we need to bring them back into our lives."

"But having them all here, together, for an entire week?"

Mark took his wife's hand in his and held it tightly. "I think you're obsessing just a little."

Pam frowned and gently pulled free of his grasp. "Obsessing, am I? May I remind you that you haven't seen one of your sisters since you sued her husband, who stole a quarter of a million dollars from you?"

"Okay, seeing Lynn after all this time would be a little awkward. But I'm sure she won't have the nerve to show up."

"Even though she RSVP'd that she is planning on coming?"

Musing Mondays - Hyped Books

If you'd like to play along on Musing Mondays, just click the button above to join in.


This week’s musing asks…

What do you think of books that receive a lot of hype? (think of the “Twilight” saga, or “Harry Potter”, or “The Da Vinci Code”). Do you read them? Why, or why not?

My answer...

I never seem to get caught up in all the hype. I have read Twilight and The Da Vinci Code because I read so many good things about them, but I didn't find either book as good as the reviews I read about them. They were good books, just not books I became obsessed by.

I never had any interest in the Harry Potter books at all. It's not the type of genre I like to read in the first place.

I'd have to say that I don't really get caught up in all the hype. If I read a book that has gotten so much attention, it's usually because I was interested in that genre in the first place.


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Sunday Salon - Summer Madness!

If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.

Summer is here and I want nothing more than to just read. Of course "real" life tends to get in the way and we can't always do what we want, but that's my plan :) I've pretty much abandoned my reading challenges...well, not completely but I've been reading either review books or books I got from the library for my Nook. Next year, I'm definitely not signing up for challenges. Okay, that's what I'm saying now and I always reserve the right to change my mind. LOL

Anyway, this week, I finished...



All good books. I've decided to not necessarily review every book I read. Obviously I'll review all books I've accepted for reviews. As for other books, I'm just going to write reviews when I want to say something about the book :) Mainly it's because of time and there are some books I just don't have anything to say about :)

Now that summer is here,what books do you enjoy reading in the summer? I like books by Elin Hildebrand and anything that features a beach or water on the cover or in the title. Chick lit is also a summery type of book.

Hope everyone is enjoying summer!

Friday Finds

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What great books did you hear about / discover this past week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

I'm reading a great book right now "The Scent of Rain and Lightning" by Nancy Pickard. I've never read anything by this author, but this is an excellent book and I'll definitely be looking for more books by her.

She's my "find" for the week.







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Book through Thursday - Book Reviews

If you'd like to join in on Booking Through Thursday, just click the button above.



This week's question...

Do you read book reviews? Do you let them change your mind about reading/not reading a particular book?

My answer...

I do read book reviews, but mostly to get a synopsis of the book and to see if it's something I'll like. Not so much for the opinion of the reviewer (unless it's someone I know and have the same reading tastes as). I like to make up my own mind about books. Quite often (with books, TV shows, movies), I like something the critics don't and vice versa. There have even been times when something got an awful review and that made me want to check it out for myself and see what was so horrible. LOL

Reviews don't influence me one way or the other.


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WWW Wednesdays

If you'd like to play along with WWW Wednesdays, just click the button above.


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

My answers...

What are you currently reading?



What did you recently finish reading?



What do you think you’ll read next?

Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten

Mira Books/Harlequin
October 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0-7783-2963-3

Genre: Fiction/Suspense

Attorney Danielle Parkman is devastated when her autistic teenage son Max suddenly turns violent and begins using drugs. She turns to a top-rated psychiatric facility, but instead of being reassured, she is given a shocking diagnosis which leaves her fearful for her son’s future.

Max is admitted to the hospital and immediately begins treatment, but things go from bad to worse. Danielle finds Max lying unconscious next to one of the other patients. A patient Max had threatened earlier. A patient who was now dead. A patient who had been murdered. A patient whose blood was all over Max’s body.

Danielle tries to protect her son, but instead finds herself arrested as an accomplice. The court will no longer allow her access to her son. Refusing to believe the accusations against Max, Danielle investigates the murder on her own and uncovers a horrifying truth she cannot accept.

This is a gripping novel that I could not put down. It kept me at the edge of my seat trying to guess at the truth, which was truly unbelievable. The characters were all vividly portrayed and the plot moved along at a quick pace. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this new, exciting author.

I loved this book so much that I’m giving it my Socrates’ Great Book Alert.

Musing Mondays - Favorite Genres

If you'd like to join in on Musing Mondays, just click the button above.

This week's question...

Name your top 2-3 favorite genres (the ones you read most from)

My answer...

My favorites are cozy mysteries, romantic suspense and thrillers/suspense. I love any type of book that makes me try to figure out puzzles and mysteries. These are by far my favorite genres and my reading of choice.

There have been times I read from other genres such as historical romance (with westerns being my favorite), paranormal and sometimes science fiction. However, those are few and far between. Usually because a review request sounds interesting or I read a recommendation from one of those genres.

Whenever I head to the bookstore, I go directly to the mystery sections.


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Friday Fill-In #181

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And...here we go!

1. I have to wake up at 6:58 in the morning.
2. It was the reason, of course, I'm feeling relaxed.
3. Eating sweets is something I no longer feel the need to do.
4. I have another errand to run, then I want to rest.
5. Stop whining ...just go find it
6. What were once vices are still tempting.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include grocery shopping and reading and Sunday, I want to enjoy the day with my husband!


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Book through Thursday - Current Books? Or Older Books?

If you'd like to join in on Booking Through Thursday, just click the button above.



This week's question...

Do you prefer reading current books? Or older ones? Or outright old ones? (As in, yes, there’s a difference between a book from 10 years ago and, say, Charles Dickens or Plato.)

My answer...

I definitely prefer current books. I don't read classics at all...although recently I did read Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. That's certainly a classic and excellent, but even with those books, I seem to prefer the modern day versions or sequels to her novels.

I don't really consider books from 10 years ago to be "older". I still read those as they are in my TBR. The only real difference (since I only read fiction) is the use of technology has tremendously increased over the years. I have some romances and mysteries written in the 80's/90's and early 00's when either people didn't have their own computers or certainly not their own cellphones. I love reading books like that because it reminds me of simpler times. LOL

Overall, modern books get my vote. How about you?


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WWW Wednesdays

If you'd like to play along with WWW Wednesdays, just click the button above.


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

* What are you currently reading?
* What did you recently finish reading?
* What do you think you’ll read next?

My answers...

What are you currently reading?

I'm reading 3 books (one audio, one ebook, one print book)- this is from someone who rarely reads more than one book at a time :)

What did you recently finish reading?



What do you think you’ll read next?

Teaser Tuesdays - June 15th

If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week I'm reading



She walks down a deserted hallway of the psychiatric hospital, her heels tapping a short staccato on the disinfected floor. She pauses; pushes open a door; and steps inside. The room is red, all red, with dark, sick spatters of blood. They stab and soar at the ceiling and walls; pool on the floor. She claps both hands to her mouth, trying to stifle the scream that tears at her throat.

EReaders Unite!

For all of you who have an ereader, I created a Ning Network to talk about the ereaders and ebooks. Come over and join me.

Visit EReaders Unite!

Musing Mondays - Who Else Reads?

If you'd like to join in on Musing Mondays, just click the button above.

This week's question...

Who in your family (both immediate & extended) are readers, and who are not?

My answer...

Short and sweet...nobody else reads in my immediate or extended family. It's really a shame because I could save money and share books :) I don't know where my love for reading comes from, but I'm the only one in my family who has it.


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P.A.C.E. The 12-Minute Fitness Revolution by Al Sears, MD

Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help

Does 12 minutes of activity a day to improve your health sound like a good deal? In this day and age where we’re all busy and on the go, 12 minutes sounds like a pleasure to me. In this book, Dr. Al Sears shows readers why you don’t need to spend hours upon hours working out to lose weight and feel healthy. In fact, according to Dr. Sears, long workouts are actually more detrimental than helpful.

Dr. Sears explains why everything we have always been led to believe is far from the truth. His book shows why cario and aerobics can make you old before your time. It is based on the theory that your lungs shrink with age. The more cardio exercises you do, the smaller and weaker your lungs become.

It’s an interesting concept and Dr. Sears fitness program sounds plausible. The book is written in a clear, concise format along with several studies to support Dr. Sears’ theory. It makes for a very interesting read and gives you quite a bit to think about. The book, also, includes several testimonials from others who have used this program and succeeded. The first step is to put aside all the things you’ve been told about exercising in the past and open your mind to a new concept. You might just find that it works for you.

Stranded with the Prince by Dana Marton

Harlequin Intrigue, May 2010, #1206

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Marital Consultant Milda Milas is hired to find the perfect mate for Prince Lazlo of Valtria. He’s not an easy man to fix up, especially since he’s resistant to the idea of settling down with one woman. However, the Prince’s mother isn’t backing down and Milda comes all the way from New York to do the job she is hired for.

Prince Lazlo is more than a little annoyed with his mother and Milda and their attempts to play matchmaker at his expense. His anger hits the roof when Milda schemes to leave Lazlo stranded on a desert island with three very eligible women. These are three women he already dated and things didn’t work out, so the situation becomes even more sticky.

When things go awry, Lazlo and Milda wind up stranded on the island alone. Things get really dicey when two of the Royal Guards are found murdered and the couple realizes they aren’t as alone as they thought. As they try and make their way back home, they find themselves fighting off a gang of escaped convicts.

It doesn’t take long before Lazlo comes to the realization that the one woman he truly loves is Milda. She feels the same way, but will they live long enough to be together?

This was another fast-paced book with great characters. It may have been a short read but it had quite a bit of story to it. I wasn’t ready for the book to end. This is the third book of Dana Marton’s “Defender of the Crown” Harlequin Intrigue series. I haven’t read the others by Marton, but it didn’t matter. I was still able to enjoy this one.





For reading challenges:

Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge
Whats in a Name 3 Reading Challenge

Book through Thursday - Signed Copies

If you'd like to join in on Booking Through Thursday, just click the button above.



This week's question...

Do signed copies excite you? Tempt you? Delight you? Or does it not matter to you?

My answer is a short one ...

It doesn't really matter to me. They are nice to get, but not a necessity. I no longer keep books, but if I get a signed one, I will keep that. However, I don't even go out of my way for book signings.



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Stranger in a Small Town by Kerry Connor

Harlequin Intrigue #1207
May 2010

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Maggie Harper is determined to restore the old house that her grandparents built, but she meets with much resistance from the citizens of Fremont. One thing they don't want to see is this house rebuilt. There are way too many bad memories including the murder of a married couple thirty years ago. A murder which left their young sons orphaned and thrown into the foster care system. The town wants to put the murder out of their minds, but they can't do that as long as Maggie insists on digging around in the past.

John Samuels wanders into town and applies for a job helping Maggie fix up the house. With no one else offering their assistance, she hires John, but not without some reservations. She can't help wonder what secrets this man possesses and how he really learned about her project.

It doesn't take long before Maggie starts receiving threats, but she doesn't let that stop her plans. She's determined to restore the home that once belonged to her grandparents, but is it worth her life?

John vows to protect Maggie, but he needs to learn a few things himself. For reasons he refuses to say, he won't rest until he learns who committed the murders all those years ago and why. His life, as well as Maggie's, depends on it.

This story has everything I love in a romantic suspense - secrets from the past, a hero and heroine I grew to love, and even a spooky old house. It's been awhile since I read a Harlequin Intrigue and I missed them. I couldn't put this book down. It kept me guessing until the last chapter. Just when I thought I figured it all out, I realized I jumped to all the wrong conclusions. This is a real page-turner.