tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50955770320943474752024-03-14T13:40:21.567-04:00Jenny loves to readJenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comBlogger543125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-48410052388687279432014-08-20T10:05:00.002-04:002014-08-20T10:05:16.555-04:00Changes"True life is lived when tiny changes occur." - Leo Tolstoy<br />
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Hello friends! Yes it's me Jenny, come by to say hello and announce some changes. The changes are motivated in part by things running through my head prior to my extended sabbatical and my life for the past year.<br />
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Prior to switching positions at work, I had been thinking about revamping, or reinventing my blog. I've changed a lot, my reading habits, and things I write about. I was starting to feel cramped, boxed in by being a book blog, reviewing new books, posting at least once a week, regardless of whether I had things to say; ensuring my reviews were up to snuff. Blogging and maintenance were becoming a chore, and I had been thinking of how to clean the slate. Then my job switch happened and it forced the issue.<br />
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I took a new position at work which involves intense education of new employees and shepherding them into their new careers. With my first group I filled the roles of manager, teacher, mentor, friend and mom. The average age of this group is 23. Yikes! The stories I could tell....but I enjoy it. Now I have a second group in addition to the first with it's own set of roles to be filled. My job leaves me very little time during the day to pop on blogger and see whats going on. When I come home at night I am tired, but satisfied and fulfilled, something I haven't felt in a long time at my old job.<br />
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Which brings me to my changes. I am starting a new blog, <a href="http://thisthatandt.blogspot.com/">This, That, and the Other Thing</a>. I created it and that's as far as I got. I'm keeping it very simple and sweet. I will post about whatever comes into my head, be it books, my never ending saga of fitness and weight loss (ha-ha), knitting, or general life stuff. <br />
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I would love it if you followed me over there, but if you are not so inclined, I understand. No worries my friends! Hope to see you over and if not, I'm sure our paths will cross again!<br />
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xoxoxo<br />
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Jenny<br />
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© Jenny Girl - 2014 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-9784729367220951572014-02-24T19:27:00.001-05:002014-02-24T19:27:28.786-05:00Right Now I Am......<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Haven't done this in a while, so I'm stealing from <a href="http://www.lovelaughterinsanity.com/2014/02/right-now-i-am-22414.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LoveLaughterInsanity+%28Love%2C+Laughter%2C+and+a+Touch+of+Insanity%29">Trish</a> and dipping a toe back into the blogging water. Warning: Do not have high expectations!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">What are you....</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>Listening to: </b></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">nothing. Can't do audio books,</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">and I am behind on my pod casts. So that's leave me with radio, which I listen to at work all day. Either jazz, or stations I created on Pandora. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Eating:</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> hubby just made home made cheese steaks for dinner and they were mm-mm good!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>Watching:</b> Almost Human (really like it), The Blacklist (LOVE IT), Banshee (Thoroughly enjoy), Ripper Street, Arrow, Justified, and I think that's it. Oh wait, Brooklyn 99 and The Crazy Ones. I gave up on the Walking Dead. Darwin needs to visit Georgia.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>Reading: </b> To Say Nothing of The Dog by Connie Willis. Just started and very interesting. Just finished book 2 in <a href="http://kimharrison.net/SecondaryPages/BookOrder.html">Kim Harrison's series </a>, The Good, the Bad, and the Undead. This sereis features a witch, vampire and pixie. LOVE this series and always brings me back to center.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>Making:</b> knitting a hat, a shawl, and a baby bunny for coworker.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>Planning:</b> renovations in the house, and hiring more employees at work for training program. Eek! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>Feeling:</b> good! Had a few days off, went away with the hubby, and feeling good about life and my plans for the future.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>Loving:</b> my cuddly puppy. And my new eyebrows. I recently got them threaded and oh my, why haven't I done this sooner!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>Wanting:</b> an assistant at work, to be honest. But I'll take some clear hotheadedness and calming thoughts in the meantime. I'm never getting an assistant. I also want the ability to work out more. Or at least walk everyday for a half hour. Must make time for that for sure!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>Thinking:</b> nothing much at all.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Looking forward to: SPRING!!!!! Way too much snow, cold, and wind this winter. i want spring dammit :)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Look, I make no promises on future blogging. I will post this weekend about where the hell I've been lately. It's all good, just work related.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"><b>So, what have you been up to lately?</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21.559999465942383px;"><b>Would love to hear what YOU are listening to, eating, watching, reading, making, planning, feeling, loving, wanting, thinking, and looking forward to.</b></span></span><br />
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© Jenny Girl - 2014 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-82539752437967179032013-09-27T09:09:00.000-04:002013-09-27T09:09:00.734-04:00HFVBT: Tour Stop and Review: The Shogun's Daughter by Laura Joh Rowland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkUCFYu_UXvEputo2RoYa-IsDVHVU1APtep9VBiBqEEto98c0hhp7KJxSAWfR5QJxMXXqnK38eyOfrHI-aafJgpjWwEYwr2ymP0r5wET5-0te2ic03kNbsm0gJpS-42MZAg02Qyl7wFcm/s1600/The-Shoguns-Daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkUCFYu_UXvEputo2RoYa-IsDVHVU1APtep9VBiBqEEto98c0hhp7KJxSAWfR5QJxMXXqnK38eyOfrHI-aafJgpjWwEYwr2ymP0r5wET5-0te2ic03kNbsm0gJpS-42MZAg02Qyl7wFcm/s320/The-Shoguns-Daughter.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/theshogunsdaughtertour/">From the Tour's Home Page:</a><br />
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<i style="line-height: 1.35em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Japan, 1704. In an elegant mansion a young woman named Tsuruhime lies on her deathbed, attended by her nurse. Smallpox pustules cover her face. Incense burns, to banish the evil spirits of disease. After Tsuruhime takes her last breath, the old woman watching from the doorway says, “Who’s going to tell the Shogun his daughter is dead?”</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">The death of the Shogun’s daughter has immediate consequences on his regime. There will be no grandchild to leave the kingdom. Faced with his own mortality and beset by troubles caused by the recent earthquake, he names as his heir Yoshisato, the seventeen-year-old son he only recently discovered was his. Until five months ago, Yoshisato was raised as the illegitimate son of Yanagisawa, the shogun’s favorite advisor. Yanagisawa is also the longtime enemy of Sano Ichiro.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sano doubts that Yoshisato is really the Shogun’s son, believing it’s more likely a power-play by Yanagisawa. When Sano learns that Tsuruhime’s death may have been a murder, he sets off on a dangerous investigation that leads to more death and destruction as he struggles to keep his pregnant wife, Reiko, and his son safe. Instead, he and his family become the accused. And this time, they may not survive the day.</span></i></div>
<b>My Thoughts:</b><br />
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The setting for The Shogun's Daughter is an unusual one to me, ancient Japan in the time of Shogun rule. I don't know much about the Shogun but I know Samurai were prevalent and lived by a code of honor and ritual. The time frame, cultural aspects and a murder mystery are what drew me to this book.<br />
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This story contains several interesting threads outside of the murder mystery: Sano's search for the truth which can not help but be wrapped up and twisted within all of the court intrigue, Sano's son and his journey to be just like his Dad, and Hirata, a friend of Sano who is having difficulties of his own, very mystical and spiritual difficulties. While I enjoyed reading how these events evolved and were connected to each other, I never felt any real connection to the characters. I never felt as though I really got to know them and therefore I had no real investment in any of them. <br />
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This book is the 17th in Rowland's series featuring Sano, and this may be why. Most of the character development and connections have probably occurred much earlier in the series. I likened it to picking up a TV show out of the blue and not being able to make sense of the looks between characters or being able to pick up those inside jokes. As you probably know, like'em or hate'em, I need to have a connection with characters in books, or else I am not as interested in the overall story. This is why this book was not as compelling for me as others have been. <br />
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Overall the writing and details of ancient 1700's Japan were enjoyable and have pushed me to search out other stories set during this time period. As far as pace with the story, I think Rowland did a good job with that as well. It wasn't long and drawn out, and the pages did go by quickly. <br />
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Be sure to visit the other tour stops to see what others thought, because I am sure others enjoyed this one more than me. That being said, I do plan to get the first book in this series and see how it all began. Sano seems like a good guy, and I'm sure his origins story is pretty interesting.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c2313; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.2em; text-transform: uppercase;">VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, September 16</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Oh, for the Hook of a Book!</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, September 17</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://letthemreadbooks.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Let Them Read Books</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, September 18</strong></span><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The True Book Addict</a><br />Guest Post & Giveaway at <a href="http://letthemreadbooks.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Let Them Read Books</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, September 19</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Flashlight Commentary</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, September 20</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The True Book Addict</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Flashlight Commentary</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, September 23</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://sharonsgardenofbookreviews.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, September 24</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://agelesspagesreviews.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Ageless Pages Reviews</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, September 25</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://impressionsinink.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Impressions in Ink</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Oh, for the Hook of a Book!</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, September 26</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://unabridged-expression.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Unabridged Chick</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, September 27</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jenny Loves to Read</a><br />Review & Interview with <a href="http://abookishlibraria.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Bookish Libraria</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, September 30</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://abookishaffair.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Bookish Affair</a><br />Interview & Giveaway at <a href="http://unabridged-expression.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Unabridged Chick</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, October 2</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Maiden’s Court</a><br />Review at <a href="http://justonemorechapter.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Just One More Chapter</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, October 3</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://wtfareyoureading.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">WTF Are You Reading?</a><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://brokenteepee.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Broken Teepee</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, October 4</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book Dilettante</a></div>
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POST TOUR</h4>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, October 7</strong></span><br />Guest Post & Giveaway at <a href="http://abookishaffair.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Bookish Affair</a></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-29419867659080130192013-08-11T11:53:00.001-04:002013-08-11T11:53:17.623-04:00Suddenly Sunday...and the Summer is Flying By!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxXHehmbcaImIhwq2R2OF-RhTKaBOBlXmaPwqq9h8CnIytIryOOSLdfl6ruQ8VVGsqOZxF4JfhlaTC1yI-ZtS8-ctWpqsB_QMH6mi5YfNG-t2387FZAk8odGTHULCE5iHYsa6ReW3LGa0/s1600/Suddenly+Sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxXHehmbcaImIhwq2R2OF-RhTKaBOBlXmaPwqq9h8CnIytIryOOSLdfl6ruQ8VVGsqOZxF4JfhlaTC1yI-ZtS8-ctWpqsB_QMH6mi5YfNG-t2387FZAk8odGTHULCE5iHYsa6ReW3LGa0/s1600/Suddenly+Sunday.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.museinthefog.com/search/label/Suddenly%20Sunday">Hosted by The Muse in the Fog</a></td></tr>
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Hi Everyone!<br />
<br />
How are you? Hope you are well, enjoying life, the beautiful weather, and some really good books!<br />
<br />I have started my new position, and boy oh boy, I haven't been this busy in a long time, and it feels good! Sure I'm tired, but it's a good tired, because it's a job well done. Starting a new department is not tons of fun, and there are so many knit picky things that need to be done, thought of, and seen to, it can be overwhelming, But taking a deep breath, and escaping with a good book from time to time, saves my butt!<br />
<br />
So what have I been reading? On Goodreads, they have a First Reads program, where you can enter to win ARCs of books. I entered and won! Who knew? The book is <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16158565-the-thinking-woman-s-guide-to-real-magic">The Thinking Womans' Guide to Real Magic by Emily Croy Barker</a> and it's pretty good. It's a deceptive page turner, and I'm liking it very much.<br />
<br />
I'm also reading a Japanese detective novel, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17286828-the-shogun-s-daughter">The Shogun's Daughter by Laura Joh Rowland</a>. It's the 17th in the series, but you certainly don't need to read the previous installments. I haven't and I am doing fine.<br />
<br />
I gave up on a few books over the summer and enjoyed several others, and think a mini-review round up is probably in order. AS for what's next, i'm not quite sure, but i have plenty to choose from.<br />
<br />
On the knitting front, I'm still working on my sweater, and have several small projects hanging around as well. Lately I've been too tired to knit but not to read, so it's me and Kona bear cuddling up on the recliner with a book. I love it!<br />
<br />
Well that's it with me. <i><b>Please tell me how you are and what's new in your neck of the woods :)</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
And last but not least, my big winner for a copy of the Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe is<br />
<br />
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Charlotte</div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-82865709893475445812013-07-22T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-22T08:00:10.297-04:00HFVBT Tour Stop and Review: The Tudor Conspiracy by C.W. Gortner<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKIjSG_Hh5gLSrH2576P_fvozZTxHArGirJXDzpJa4rd2X6Bs6cxC_1YO6UfOHeEBl1q7nyxK62tYoB6JwQ3lO6PU7EsteIOtvh4meZfpg3T7DDWr847mZyr0Vtrxlz9NlKipX1T30-7E/s1600/gortner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKIjSG_Hh5gLSrH2576P_fvozZTxHArGirJXDzpJa4rd2X6Bs6cxC_1YO6UfOHeEBl1q7nyxK62tYoB6JwQ3lO6PU7EsteIOtvh4meZfpg3T7DDWr847mZyr0Vtrxlz9NlKipX1T30-7E/s320/gortner.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">US Publication Date: July 16, 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">St. Martin's Griffin<br />Paperback; 352p<br />ISBN-10: 0312658494</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thetudorconspiracyvirtualtour/">From the Tour's Home Page:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hunted by a shadowy foe in Bloody Mary’s court, Brendan Prescott plunges into London’s treacherous underworld to unravel a dark conspiracy that could make Elizabeth queen—or send her to her death in C.W. Gortner's The Tudor Conspiracy</span></i><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">England, 1553: Harsh winter encroaches upon the realm. Mary Tudor has become queen to popular acclaim and her enemies are imprisoned in the Tower. But when she’s betrothed to Philip, Catholic prince of Spain, putting her Protestant subjects in peril, rumors of a plot to depose her swirl around the one person whom many consider to be England’s heir and only hope—the queen’s half-sister, Princess Elizabeth.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Haunted by his past, Brendan Prescott lives far from the intrigues of court. But his time of refuge comes to an end when his foe and mentor, the spymaster Cecil, brings him disquieting news that sends him on a dangerous mission. Elizabeth is held captive at court, the target of the Spanish ambassador, who seeks her demise. Obliged to return to the palace where he almost lost his life, Brendan finds himself working as a double-agent for Queen Mary herself, who orders Brendan to secure proof that will be his cherished Elizabeth’s undoing.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Plunged into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a mysterious opponent who hides a terrifying secret, Brendan races against time to retrieve a cache of the princess’s private letters, even as he begins to realize that in this dark world of betrayal and deceit, where power is supreme and sister can turn against sister, nothing—and no one—is what it seems.</span></i></span><br />
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<b>First thoughts?</b><br />
<br />
Loved it! I couldn't wait for this book to come out as it is the second in Gortner's Elizabeth I's Spymaster Chronicles. The first was published last year, and <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-review-tudor-secret-by-c-w-gortner.html">here's a link to my review</a>. This book takes place about six months after the first, but don't worry. You do not need to have read the first book to enjoy this one. Gortner provides enough information for the reader to know what's going on without spoiling the first book or the reader feeling lost. It's not a big information dump either. It's here and there as it needs to be.<br />
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Anyway, our hero Brendan must come to Elizabeth's aid by putting himself into the service of her sister Queen Mary. Gortner does a masterful job of depicting both women with out bias and not taking sides. The reader can appreciate both sides of the sister argument. Most of the story is the spy plot, and who is aligned with who, who is spreading lies, and of course the usual tricks of the trade: secret meeting places, poison, and accusations. The horrible Dudleys play a part again, because of course, all they want is power in some form or fashion. In this respect, I think the reader can tell the author is not a fan of Robert Dudley. <br />
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How Brendan keeps his head above water is beyond me. The Tudor court is the reality show Survivor to the 1000th degree. Plotting, scheming, and lying are all everyone does, and keeping the players straight is tough. Not that the reader becomes confused, it's just that I would not have survived life at Court for sure. Brendan makes some mistakes along the way, which are understandable since he is new at all of this. However, he stays true to himself and his Princess Elizabeth.<br />
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As for plot points, I appreciated the further explanation of Brendan's background, and how that was done with a particular character. It gave me an ah moment. However, there was a death in this story that I didn't see coming, was upset about, and really hated to see. I loved that character! He was such a sweetheart and was doing well. Plus he provided a good angle to the story. Please replace in the next novel somehow. <br />
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Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely and it was so good that it ruined the other books I was reading. Seriously, I stopped reading them for good. They just don't have that excitement that this one has for me.<br />
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<b>Recommend?</b><br />
<br />
Hell yes! Gortner's works are engaging and he certainly knows how to draw the reader in like a fly on the wall of historical events. He puts the reader into the story without exaggerating the true events or making stuff up, like some HF writers tend to do. (You know, witch craft or sorcery or something.)<br />
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<b>Would I change anything?</b><br />
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Absolutely not, except maybe not kill that character off because it made me sad.<br />
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Thanks to Amy for including me on the tour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8W08t-IotWUnMDrlraURgWcOj-qXrEqfy0RBGHzTKvj27pcudENrJCD9ApdDXcwduew5fpSFY2nucy3R1Eifg7LyU8gMtRnVjAethq3bR8PfFezzsNkJq69xxBbbA_pUqmVhmRLIFk9_/s1600/CWG.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/AVvXsEjl8W08t-IotWUnMDrlraURgWcOj-qXrEqfy0RBGHzTKvj27pcudENrJCD9ApdDXcwduew5fpSFY2nucy3R1Eifg7LyU8gMtRnVjAethq3bR8PfFezzsNkJq69xxBbbA_pUqmVhmRLIFk9_/s200/CWG.jpg" width="135" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">A</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">bout the Author</span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">C.W. Gortner holds an MFA in Writing, with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies. Raised in Spain and half Spanish by birth, he currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.<br /><br />He welcomes readers and is always available for reader group chats. Please visit him at<a href="http://www.cwgortner.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.cwgortner.com</a> for more information. You can also follow Christopher on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CWGortner" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/CWGortner" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</span></span><br />
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VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE</h3>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, July 16</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Oh, for the Hook of a Book!</a><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://www.thetudorbookblog.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Tudor Book Blog</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, July 17</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Maiden’s Court</a><br />Review at <a href="http://bookaddictdiary.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Diary of a Book Addict</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Oh, for the Hook of a Book!</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, July 18</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.amusedbybooks.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Amused by Books</a><br />Review at <a href="http://agelesspagesreviews.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Ageless Pages Reviews</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, July 19</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Broke and the Bookish</a><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://enchantedbyjosephine.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Enchanted by Josephine</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://www.thetudorbookblog.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Tudor Book Blog</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, July 22</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://abookishaffair.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Bookish Affair</a><br />Review at <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jenny Loves to Read</a><br />Review at <a href="http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Muse in the Fog Book Reviews</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, July 23</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.bippityboppitybook.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Bippity Boppity Book</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://abookishaffair.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Bookish Affair</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, July 24</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Confessions of an Avid Reader</a><br />Review at <a href="http://www.christyenglish.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Writer’s Life: Working with the Muse</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, July 25</strong></span><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Confessions of an Avid Reader</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://www.christyenglish.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Writer’s Life: Working with the Muse</a><br />Feature & Giveaway at <a href="http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Ramblings From This Chick</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, July 26</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://sharonsgardenofbookreviews.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, July 29</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.booksintheburbs.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Books in the Burbs</a><br />Review at <a href="http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Flashlight Commentary</a><br />Review at <a href="http://writingren.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Writing the Renaissance</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, July 30</strong></span><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Flashlight Commentary</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, July 31</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://achickwhoreads.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Chick Who Reads</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, August 1</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://julzreads.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">JulzReads</a><br />Review at <a href="http://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">CelticLady’s Reviews</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://achickwhoreads.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Chick Who Reads</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, August 2</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Cheryl’s Book Nook</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Bibliophilic Book Blog</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, August 5</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://historicaltapestry.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Historical Tapestry</a> & <a href="http://readingadventures.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Adventures of an Intrepid Reader</a><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peeking Between the Pages</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, August 6</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://shoshanahg.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">From L.A. to LA</a><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://luxuryreading.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Luxury Reading</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://historicaltapestry.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Historical Tapestry</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, August 7</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://reviewfromhere.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Review From Here</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, August 8</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://booknerdsclub.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book Nerds</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://reviewfromhere.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Review From Here</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, August 9</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://alwayswithabook.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Always with a Book</a><br />Review at <a href="http://bookloversparadise.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book Lovers Paradise</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, August 12</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://abookgeek-llm.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Book Geek</a><br />Review at <a href="http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Bloggin’ ’bout Books</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, August 13</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Bookworm</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://abookgeek-llm.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Book Geek</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, August 14</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">My Reading Room</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://booknerdsclub.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book Nerds</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, August 15</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book Journey</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">My Reading Room</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, August 16</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://somanybookssolittletimeblog.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">So Many Books, So Little Time</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, August 19</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The True Book Addict</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://somanybookssolittletimeblog.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">So Many Books, So Little Time</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, August 20</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://imlostinbooks.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lost in Books</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The True Book Addict</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, August 21</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://brokenteepee.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Broken Teepee</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, August 22</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://teddyree-theeclecticreader.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Eclectic Reader</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://brokenteepee.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Broken Teepee</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, August 23</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://shelfandstuff.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, August 26</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://layeredpages.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Layered Pages</a><br />Review at <a href="http://abookishlibraria.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Bookish Libraria</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, August 27</span></strong><br />Review at <a href="http://www.bookaddictkatie.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Book Addict Katie</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://layeredpages.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0d4a49; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Layered Pages</a></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-51336954023621572122013-07-19T11:00:00.000-04:002013-07-19T11:00:00.050-04:00Book Spotlight and Giveaway: Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Cogan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBivyhbMMzjWGUZuEXTWMLxeMx-d33CPCv_k8OzgL9HWycpFMQOyV5-NTN2SPA3h0LtWU1IGvka2IC-dhjwqJ239PvNxUCkugfyoOsMj9fLSqEYdnJ4lGWgWpWhPXc4P1PV0Z22T1dmO7j/s1600/Meet+Me+at+the+Cupcake+Cafe+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBivyhbMMzjWGUZuEXTWMLxeMx-d33CPCv_k8OzgL9HWycpFMQOyV5-NTN2SPA3h0LtWU1IGvka2IC-dhjwqJ239PvNxUCkugfyoOsMj9fLSqEYdnJ4lGWgWpWhPXc4P1PV0Z22T1dmO7j/s320/Meet+Me+at+the+Cupcake+Cafe+Cover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: 15.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />The
<i>Meet Me at the Cupcake Café</i> Sugary
Sweet Spotlight!<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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It is no wonder that the flirty and
frothy food-themed novel, <b><i>Meet Me at the Cupcake Café</i></b><i> </i><b>by
Jenny Colgan</b> is an international success: with relatable characters and
scrumptious recipes at the start of each chapter, <i>Meet Me at the Cupcake Café </i>is pure delight to women’s fiction
readers everywhere. This summer, Colgan is bringing her hilarious and heartfelt
stories—with a dash of deliciousness—to the United States! To celebrate,
Sourcebooks is giving away copies of this book ALL MONTH LONG! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Each day this month, look for
opportunities to win a print copy of <i>Meet
Me at the Cupcake Café</i> with bloggers all over the book blogging community.
Additionally, there will be a few guest blogs and interviews with Jenny
sprinkled throughout—a great way to get to know a new author! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 15pt;">Meet Me at the Cupcake Café
</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 15pt;">by
Jenny Cogan <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 15pt;">July 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Baking is in Issy Randall’s blood. Growing up above her
grandfather’s bakery taught Issy that a delicious pastry could make any day
better. So when she’s laid off from her desk job—by the man she thought was her
boyfriend, no less—Issy knows now is the time to start her own little café. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Armed with her grandfather’s tried and true recipes, as well as
her own new dishes, Issy’s new dream job should be a piece-of-cake, right? But
managing a café, delivering products on time and trying to have a new love life
aren’t exactly going as Issy planned. And when her ex comes back into the
picture, perhaps with his own motives, Issy’s search for the perfect pastry and
a groundbreaking idea to save her café are much more than she bargained
for… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">ABOUT
THE AUTHOR: Jenny Colgan</span></b><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> was a fussy eater as a child and didn’t even begin to learn
to cook until she was 21, when her then boyfriend tried to teach her a few
basics purely out of exasperation. While she is now able to make a variety of
good, wholesome food for her family, she still can’t make scones. A former
columnist for <i>The Guardian</i>, Jenny
contributes regularly to national BBC radio and is the bestselling author of
more than eleven novels, including <i>The
Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris </i>(coming out in the US in early 2014). She
is married with three children and lives in London and France. For more
information, please visit </span><a href="http://www.jennycolgan.com/"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">http://www.jennycolgan.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"> and
follow her on Twitter, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/jennycolgan"><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">@JennyColgan</span></a><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><b>Would you like to win your very own copy of Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Then leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite baked treat is. It can be anything, cupcakes, cookies, donuts, danish, carrot cake, mmm yummy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Just tell me what it is and leave me your email address. It's that simple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Sorry but it is only open to those in the U.S. and Canada, but no P.O. boxes please.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Deadline to enter is midnight, Saturday, July 27th.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">For more chances to win, f</span>ollow
along all month long for a chance to win a copy of this highly-anticipated and
deliciously delightful new novel!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/1 <a href="http://books-forlife.blogspot.com/">Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/2 <a href="http://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/">Celtic Lady’s Reviews</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/3 <a href="http://www.books-n-kisses.com/">Books-N-Kisses</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/3 <a href="http://www.chicklitcentral.com/">Chick Lit Central</a> INTERVIEW<o:p></o:p></div>
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7/4 <a href="http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.ca/">A Bookworm's World</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/5 <a href="http://www.delightedreader.com/">Delighted Reader</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Weekend <o:p></o:p></div>
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7/8 <a href="http://www.bethfishreads.com/">Beth Fish Reads</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/9 <a href="http://www.bookingmama.net/">Booking Mama</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/9 <a href="http://abookishlibraria.blogspot.com/">The Bookish Dame</a> INTERVIEW<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/10 <a href="http://bookbinge.com/">The Book Binge</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/11 <a href="http://www.simplyali.com/">Simply Ali</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/12 <a href="http://debsbookbag.blogspot.com/">Debbie's Book Bag</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weekend <o:p></o:p></div>
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7/15 <a href="http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.com/">The Bookish Babe</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/16 <a href="http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.com/">The Reading Café</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/17 <a href="http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/">Book Hounds</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/17 <a href="http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/">Cocktails and Books</a> INTERVIEW<o:p></o:p></div>
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7/18 <a href="http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com/">Peeking Between the Pages</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/18 <a href="http://freshfiction.com/pages.php?id=blog">Fresh Fiction</a> GUEST BLOG<o:p></o:p></div>
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7/19 <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/">Jenny Loves to Read</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/19 <a href="http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com/">Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Weekend <o:p></o:p></div>
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7/22 <a href="http://annavivian.blogspot.com/">Anna's Book Blog</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/23 <a href="http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/">Ramblings from This Chick</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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7/24 <a href="http://www.heatherpearson.com/">Books and Quilts</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/24 <a href="http://abookishaffair.blogspot.com/">A Bookish Affair</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/25 <a href="http://www.brokenteepee.com/">Broken TeePee</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/26 <a href="http://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/">Thoughts in Progress</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weekend <o:p></o:p></div>
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7/29 <a href="http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/">Books and Needlepoint</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/30 <a href="http://www.marygramlich.blogspot.com/">The Reading Reviewer</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7/31 <a href="http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com/">Reading Between the Wines</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>BONUS
GIVEAWAYS IN AUGUST!!!<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8/1 <a href="http://www.bookofsecretsblog.com/">Book of Secrets</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8/2 <a href="http://www.luxuryreading.com/">Luxury Reading</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weekend <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8/5 <a href="http://www.frommipov.blogspot.com/">Radiant Light</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8/6 <a href="http://rubysreads.com/">Ruby’s Reads</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8/7 <a href="http://www.caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/">Caffeinated Book Review</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8/8 <a href="http://www.theromancedish.com/">The Romance Dish</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
8/9 <a href="http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.com/">My Book Addiction and More</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Thanks to Sourcebooks for this giveaway and good luck!!!!<br />
<br />
© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-16035739667951106342013-07-19T08:00:00.000-04:002013-07-19T08:00:03.177-04:00HFVBT Tour Stop and Review: Gracianna by Trini Amador<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEQ-VHonqGM5pSJtCNgqyDYCyakcOEOrGUengm8Wj1VZEkn4uouUbb7iVYHxWN3s2aXt-By3-jjqefEO2nNUTRne10cTaEix8BqStOVl3u0VTtBXuAb8CfTCzfQEDw2AZcq4a5DvFvE6H/s1600/Gracianna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEQ-VHonqGM5pSJtCNgqyDYCyakcOEOrGUengm8Wj1VZEkn4uouUbb7iVYHxWN3s2aXt-By3-jjqefEO2nNUTRne10cTaEix8BqStOVl3u0VTtBXuAb8CfTCzfQEDw2AZcq4a5DvFvE6H/s320/Gracianna.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Greenleaf Book Group Press</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hardcover; 296p</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ISBN-10: 1608325709</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/graciannavirtualtour/">From HFVBT Home Page:</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The gripping story of Gracianna--a French-Basque girl forced to make impossible decisions after being recruited into the French Resistance in Nazi-occupied Paris.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Gracianna is inspired by true events in the life of Trini Amador's great-grandmother, Gracianna Lasaga. As an adult, Amador was haunted by the vivid memory of finding a loaded German Luger tucked away in a nightstand while wandering his great-grandmother's home in Southern California. He was only four years old at the time, but the memory remained and he knew he had to explore the story behind the gun.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Decades later, Amador would delve into the remarkable odyssey of his Gracianna's past, a road that led him to an incredible surprise. In Gracianna, Amador weaves fact and fiction to tell his great-grandmother's story.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Gracianna bravely sets off to Paris in the early 1940s--on her way to America, she hopes--but is soon swept into the escalation of the war and the Nazi occupation of Paris. After chilling life-and-death struggles, she discovers that her missing sister has surfaced as a laborer in Auschwitz. When she finds an opportunity to fight back against the Nazis to try to free her sister, she takes it--even if it means using lethal force.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">As Amador tells the imagined story of how his great-grandmother risked it all, he delivers richly drawn characters and a heart-wrenching page-turner that readers won't soon forget.</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<b>Three Reasons Review: </b><br />
<br />
<b>1.) Reasons you chose this book</b><br />
<br />
I accepted this book for review because I've heard of the Basques and their culture has been on the fringes of a few books I have read in the past. I wanted to learn more. Also, WWII stories always intrigue me and this sounded like an interesting story. <br />
<br />
<b>2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book</b><br />
<br />
Overall I enjoyed the story. Learning how Gracianna grew up and getting a glimpse of the mountain life that the Basques live was interesting. The whole world grew up quickly because of WWII Gracianna included. Amador sprinkles Basque language and proverbs throughout the story which lend atmosphere to the story. <br />
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Gracianna was quite determined to get to America and for her the way was paved through Paris. Unfortunately her timing coincided with the German occupation of the city, so a detour of sorts occurred. Gracianna was also involved with the resistance a wee bit, but I will stop there. I don't want to give too much away. Her sister Constance was also given a front seat to the horrors of the war, and her story offered another perspective of these events. Also involved in the fight against the Germans is Gracianna's childhood friend and love Juan, who offers Gracianna unending support in her times of need. Juan was the rock that Gracianna needed.<br />
<br />
While I enjoyed the story overall, I did have one issue and it was Gracianna herself. What? I know she is his Grandmother. How can I say that? I don't know, I just felt she was a bit aloof or something. I never connected with Gracianna for some reason. I admired her and was amazed by her strength and inner character, but I felt like she kept her distance. Like she was above me or something. Sorry but this is the best explanation I can give.<br />
<br />
<b>3.) Reasons for recommending</b><br />
<br />
I would recommend this book even though I didn't connect with Gracianna, because I feel this story offers a different perspective on WWII. Gracianna's journey to America is unique, and shows what determination and strength of will, will help you do. It's what that generation was made of.<br />
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To see what others thought of <i>Gracianna</i>, please visit one of the tour stops listed below:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE</span></h3>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, July 15</span></strong><br />Review at <a href="http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peeking Between the Pages</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, July 16</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Flashlight Commentary</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, July 17</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://abookgeek-llm.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Book Geek</a><br />Interview & Giveaway at <a href="http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Flashlight Commentary</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, July 18</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.confessionsavidreader.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Confessions of an Avid Reader</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jenny Loves to Read</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, July 19</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jenny Loves to Read</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, July 22</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://achickwhoreads.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Chick Who Reads</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, July 23</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.reflectionsofabookaholic.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Reflections of a Bookaholic</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://achickwhoreads.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Chick Who Reads</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, July 24</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://abookishaffair.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Bookish Affair</a><br />Review at <a href="http://westmetromommy.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">West Metro Mommy</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, July 25</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://justonemorechapter.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Just One More Chapter</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://layeredpages.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Layered Pages</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, July 29</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Oh, for the Hook of a Book!</a><br />Giveaway at <a href="http://www.christyenglish.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Writer’s Life</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, July 30</strong></span><br />Interview & Giveaway at <a href="http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Oh, for the Hook of a Book!</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, July 31</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The True Book Addict</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, August 1</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://impressionsinink.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Impressions in Ink</a><br />Guest Post & Giveaway at <a href="http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The True Book Addict</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, August 2</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://savvyverseandwit.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Savvy Verse & Wit</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, August 5</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">So Many Precious Books, So Little Time</a><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://brokenteepee.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Broken Teepee</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, August 6</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">My Reading Room</a><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">So Many Precious Books, So Little Time</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, August 7</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://somanybookssolittletimeblog.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">So Many Books, So Little Time</a><br />Interview & Giveaway at <a href="http://myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">My Reading Room</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, August 8</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://sir-readalot.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sir Read-a-Lot</a><br />Review at <a href="http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3c2313; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 1.35em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, August 9</strong></span><br />Review at <a href="http://diaryofaneccentric.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Diary of an Eccentric</a><br />Interview at <a href="http://sir-readalot.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sir Read-a-Lot</a></span></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-40706298545829592032013-07-18T09:00:00.000-04:002013-07-18T09:00:10.490-04:00HFVBT Author Guest Post: Trini Amador author of GraciannaPlease give a warm welcome to Trini Amador, author of <i>Gracianna</i>, a story about his Grandmother living in Paris during WWII.<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
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<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Why I Wrote <i>Gracianna</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">by Trini Amador</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">Gracianna was my great-grandmother and when I
was a child she used to talk a lot about being thankful. “Grateful?” Who talks
to a four year old about that concept? Later in life I began linking shreds of
stories I had been told with my own my beliefs to a jolting incident of being
found walking around her house at four years old with a loaded German Luger.
Suddenly, fifty years had gone by and it was time to tell the story about how
that Luger came to be in my boy-hand. As a brand marketing executive that owns
his own business I travel a lot. In the last few years I have put in over
750,000 miles worldwide and took advantage of that flying time by writing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I live in Sonoma County, California where my
family owns the lauded Gracianna Winery in the Russian River Valley but nearly
all of my marketing work is outside the US.
I wrote <i>Gracianna </i>in over thirteen countries. <i>Gracianna</i> took eight months to write but nearly two years in editing
with the talented Hillel Black, who has edited over 20 New York Times best
sellers, and who gave <i>Gracianna</i> its wonderful tempo and grace notes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This is an excerpt from the Author Afterword:
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">After
reflecting on the legacy of powerful values and a powerful woman, we arrive
here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">This is the
story I have pieced together from bits I've picked up from my family, some of
my own memories, and memories of memories, and well -known family stories and
interviews. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The rest is
how I imagined my great-grandmother would have acted, based on my observations
of her worried mind; controlling tendency; and pensive inward-looking gaze; and
also of my perceptions of her joy, sadness, and beliefs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When
recalling memories from your youth, sometimes pieces come to you over the
years. They get woven together, re-woven and woven again until something starts
“to be.” These are my recollections, facts, and beliefs, starting with my
childhood, converted into my what-I-came-to-believe story. It took nearly fifty
years for me to understand it myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Until
recently, I never fully understood how much World War II, Hitler, the
Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp, or French freedom resistance had impacted my
family and me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The Basque
have a saying, “Aldi luzeak, guztia ahaztu [With the passing of time, all
things are forgotten].”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But this
will not be forgotten. Gracianna’s sister miraculously did live through
Birkenau, where it is estimated that between 700,000 and 1 million people were
gassed, hanged, or shot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I needed to
tell the story about my lifelong belief of how that gun had gotten into my
grandmother’s nightstand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I wanted to
convey my understanding of her values and what they meant to her, and what they
took from her and what she gave us. I believe these values were always on her
mind, never far from her always-moist, pursed lips and French-accented
thoughts. I wanted to understand her values and convictions and compare them to
now-values, and I wondered, “What might this generation believe in so strongly
that it would cause them to act so desperately .... What is it that is so
important that each of us would act upon it, based on our values, beliefs, and
attitudes today?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I wonder how
distant we are from acting meaningfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGD6wM2IkNIYFd0He3JFdJ6Eg7qT_X_LRO0vvixggfIpfxoPGmHadsQftploo4jsqjqNnPGJLkt7iEDLKZkrhGJLCVoytQYxLzlGfH7aZBr5QSvLxSTkXRgkZesk301Oj4YKnmUgW8lRSc/s1600/Gracianna.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/AVvXsEgGD6wM2IkNIYFd0He3JFdJ6Eg7qT_X_LRO0vvixggfIpfxoPGmHadsQftploo4jsqjqNnPGJLkt7iEDLKZkrhGJLCVoytQYxLzlGfH7aZBr5QSvLxSTkXRgkZesk301Oj4YKnmUgW8lRSc/s320/Gracianna.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I attended
Cardinal Newman High School in California, on the kindness of friends or
hardship scholarships. I was unable to go to college. But I was left with a
powerful, persistent, and an ever-seeking curiosity. Unfortunately my spiritual
side was one-dimensional. For example, I did not know what a “Jew” was until I
was eighteen. As a kid, I had never heard of Islam, met few blacks, and lived
mostly in financial and emotional distress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">But
gratitude stuck with me throughout the years, from “Grandma Lasaga.” I did not
understand what gratitude was until I was in my forties. When I was young, she
used the word “thankful” in a powerful way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">She spoke to
me as an adult, I think, hoping that this message would stay with me; maybe
reasserting itself when I was able to understand. And it did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So, I needed
to bring Gracianna and her values to life, while revealing their meaning in
mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">All these
years later, my family, the Amadors of Sonoma County, started Gracianna Winery
as a way to express the hand-me-down gratitude of Gracianna. And now folks from
all over the world share our Sonoma County wine with their friends and family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list-ins: "Danny Gromfin" 20130604T1756; mso-list: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The analogy to winemaking is not lost on my
family and me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list-ins: "Danny Gromfin" 20130604T1756; mso-list: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Sheepherding
families, like winemakers, know it all starts outside, in the field. A shepherd
would "trail" his flock of one- to- two thousand sheep, where he
would feed and water the herd in the summer. His job was to manage a huge
number of lives in an enormous space, just like a vineyard. Shepherds loved
these animals and knew each by sight. The shepherd had responsibility for the
herd year-round, during the busy and active spring and summer, preparing for
the slaughter—, but also through the dreary and lonely winter and rains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A single
herder and dog could manage thousands of animals. It was a thankless existence.
This is reminiscent of the modern day vineyard manager, “herding” thousands of
vines filled with life through unbearable heat and driving rain. But whether it
is the vineyard manger or the herder, however, each knows it is all in the
journey to grow and foster the very best you can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list-ins: "Danny Gromfin" 20130604T1756; mso-list: none;">
<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Gracianna, the sheepherder’s
wife, would prepare simple but gracious meals that included wine, a food staple
as necessary as lamb. Her meal presentations, filled with thanks, were drawn
from the heritage of thousands of years of satisfying hungry herders and
families with sustenance. This effort was delivered with grace, and that is
what today's descendants aim to keep alive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list-ins: "Danny Gromfin" 20130604T1756; mso-list: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Money was
tight for John and Gracianna when they were running sheep in the lush hills
above Santa Barbara, especially in the months before slaughter. As practiced
for centuries by European sheepherders, the Lasaga’s would offer
"chits" in the form of coins, good for a certain number of sheep as
an IOU, (abbreviated from the phrase
"I owe you") to pay for goods and mercantile, to hold them over until
the herd was sold off again the next season. “Good for 50 sheep” was on one
side of the coin, establishing the value. “J. Lazaga,” probably misspelled, was
on the other, establishing the debtor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My family
cherishes the single remaining coin of the five hundred minted that our
great-grandparents used.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My wish is
for much grace, graciousness, and gratitude in your life—from Gracianna, my
great-grandmother, to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnJvzL5JmybfbSobq5-nhW3i7BJ3UM0tOIo6d2tcF4eT5tyxXLU3Xx95YDTV3e51siEzxmng_Mm3rjkeYBRvEKZiSRR0TuTtTgahv_5fmZj0ilcpR22-lOiFluCUjf2V7XzC8TKlVWOMn/s1600/Why+I+Wrote+Pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnJvzL5JmybfbSobq5-nhW3i7BJ3UM0tOIo6d2tcF4eT5tyxXLU3Xx95YDTV3e51siEzxmng_Mm3rjkeYBRvEKZiSRR0TuTtTgahv_5fmZj0ilcpR22-lOiFluCUjf2V7XzC8TKlVWOMn/s200/Why+I+Wrote+Pic+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2kmDVP7Ao3vr7xHwYhCcWMVDNoYzEV7LG3TaJ9Lln_3rwmyecBT7gd21lk1siN4jvqpe0Z66xIzPRRqeQOz4QslMupidHdltO1S5u_0iJaBWHyVIq6JWehqFROdKHxtx7Jhqn4FYCWfb/s1600/Why+I+Wrote+Pic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2kmDVP7Ao3vr7xHwYhCcWMVDNoYzEV7LG3TaJ9Lln_3rwmyecBT7gd21lk1siN4jvqpe0Z66xIzPRRqeQOz4QslMupidHdltO1S5u_0iJaBWHyVIq6JWehqFROdKHxtx7Jhqn4FYCWfb/s200/Why+I+Wrote+Pic+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;">IOU for 50 sheep; privately minted during Juan & Gracianna’s struggles sheepherding in America.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If you have any questions or want to know
more inside stories about the book just contact me—I would enjoy hearing from
you. Trini.Amador3@Gracianna.net<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you very much Trini for this lovley post. Your love and admiration for your Grandmother shines through.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Readers, please stop back tomorrow for my review of Gracianna, as part of the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7YnUAONSBE6DomoILwX0w-e4Wa0kInC5w6DX1DB7cnwFMFAXgAGHj-T4h6_syPSPVGygnq0ofy2OQ9gQyVewgQQLAvCXLr56tUtI-yOoGQwA3kqxDm3vJ_Ok8zE3H-crtvjfuz9gFCX6/s1600/Gracianna+Tour+Banner+FINAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7YnUAONSBE6DomoILwX0w-e4Wa0kInC5w6DX1DB7cnwFMFAXgAGHj-T4h6_syPSPVGygnq0ofy2OQ9gQyVewgQQLAvCXLr56tUtI-yOoGQwA3kqxDm3vJ_Ok8zE3H-crtvjfuz9gFCX6/s320/Gracianna+Tour+Banner+FINAL.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-24123362280081004912013-07-15T08:49:00.002-04:002013-07-15T08:49:21.269-04:00HFVBT Tour Stop and Review: The Riddle of Solomon by D.J. Niko<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVq1eMHqJy3k13TwQpr080soWpcCzbg4SGhGMDc3eOjJOLwe5irqLNsaEalD-9MHE5sFNf_ehr8CpyUGfiOtn5SR5Py9Py8cyB5yA1dZtCaLEdReEdYiAm6sPz2p-cVeI6UOeWC5tM1K4/s1600/The+Riddle+of+Solomon.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/AVvXsEhiVq1eMHqJy3k13TwQpr080soWpcCzbg4SGhGMDc3eOjJOLwe5irqLNsaEalD-9MHE5sFNf_ehr8CpyUGfiOtn5SR5Py9Py8cyB5yA1dZtCaLEdReEdYiAm6sPz2p-cVeI6UOeWC5tM1K4/s320/The+Riddle+of+Solomon.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Publication Date: July 1, 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Medallion Press</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Paperback; 472p</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/theriddleofsolomontour/">From Tour Home Page: </a><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i>Cambridge archaeologist Sarah Weston and anthropologist Daniel Madigan team up for another expedition and adventure in this second book in the Sarah Weston Chronicles. While working on the Qaryat al-Fau archaeological site in Saudi Arabia, the pair uncovers a mysterious ancient scroll composed as a riddle. As they attempt to date and decipher the scroll, a flurry of ills befalls their expedition and the scroll is stolen. A trail of clues leads to India, Jerusalem, and the Judean wilderness, where the two discover the scroll was written by the enigmatic King Solomon as a map to an ancient manuscript. Meanwhile a privileged young Briton, Trent Sacks, has invested years and a fortune looking for his manuscript. Believing he is the last descendant of the House of David in the line of Solomon, Sacks will do whatever it takes to amass the ancient relics which will prove he is the Jewish Messiah. Leaving a string of murders in his wake, Sacks vows to crush Sarah and Daniel for challenging his quest. Journeying through the worlds of the occult, corporate greed, geopolitical conflict, Judaic mysticism, and biblical archaeology, Sarah and Daniel race to uncover the powerful ancient message that could have an explosive impact on modern Israel.</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<b><u>My Thoughts:</u></b><br />
<br />
Action, adventure, Bible tales coming to life, as well as a maniacal villain bent on starting WWIII....what more could you ask for in a book!<br />
<br />
Our heroine is Sarah, an archaeologist who believes the artifacts she finds are for the people. It is their or our history. Sarah is very scientific yet respects the belief systems and cultures of others. One has to when the majority of the high profile archaeology digs are in the Middle East. Her partner and possible love interest is Daniel. He reminds me more of an Indiana Jones type. Smart, handsome, and willing to put himself in harm's way to protect others and history. Together these two stumble upon a find that is the key to a very powerful item, while at the same time revealing aspects of King Solomon's history to be true.<br />
<br />
As with mythological objects, there are those in the world who believe it is their destiny to wield the power of the objects for themselves. Enter our villain, Trent Sacks. This guy made my skin crawl. Like most psychopaths, Sacks believes in his actions and will stop at nothing to succeed. It is his destiny to destroy the world, then unite it under his rule. Well it is Sarah and Daniel's destiny to stop him and save the world. <br />
<br />
King Solomon comes from the Old Testament of the Bible and as such there are religious and legendary tales that surround him. Did Solomon even exist? Where did the power he was reported to have come from? This story seamlessly weaved together old and new conflicts together along with historical tales attached to them. The Middle East has never been a peaceful place and the events the author created in this book could believably exist today.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed how the story drew me along into the adventure. I sometimes held my breath too hoping Sarah and Daniel would make it through the troublesome spots and ultimately defeat the big bad (Sacks). All in all this story had everything I like and more. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely read more from this author again as well as any other stories that feature Sarah and Daniel.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rHYP1pEJzvUrwHWvu93vrSUwmjUpqqxaiTT_bRgKR966b_fCfh8XnJGIi6smdMDh7lJrwxu0R-DD2g9zeDrUn2OuMq6SX8k3XaAFfHQbQFePDe0C1SO9cOBUIBddULev9QWMVrW-aQza/s1600/dj+niko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rHYP1pEJzvUrwHWvu93vrSUwmjUpqqxaiTT_bRgKR966b_fCfh8XnJGIi6smdMDh7lJrwxu0R-DD2g9zeDrUn2OuMq6SX8k3XaAFfHQbQFePDe0C1SO9cOBUIBddULev9QWMVrW-aQza/s1600/dj+niko.jpg" /></a><br />
FYI: This is Book Two in a series, but not reading Book One, will not affect your reading. At least it didn't for me, since I didn't realized it until now :)<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">For more information, please visit D.J. Niko's </span><a href="http://www.djnikobooks.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. You can also follow on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/djnikobooks" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> and </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5611724.D_J_Niko" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">.</span></span><br />
<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/">Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours</a> for my review copy!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/theriddleofsolomontour/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09we-RcHq11qsdPbwmrgKjCR1kVPBpJOtQggm6eOcrIRS4NFPJKYcAEy7_EJzBEpS1SmPlKDeD31HmZS9R7IRAhbywr1SnizAofKg76z3T_DR-UJm4ozVPzQYZy-TMclUrAiJ84AM-r-R/s320/The+Riddle+of+Solomon+Tour+Banner+FINAL.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please <a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/theriddleofsolomontour/">visit the tour page</a> to see what other's thought of this book!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-43687550282673393432013-07-06T10:39:00.004-04:002013-07-06T10:39:31.809-04:00Hello There!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1gRfoWZhLGhzY0H3PlOIFwjRIm544fdp0F6bLhf4dmUpksUZw62q8w-1tRnd4sZFwjynTBuOU1D22nyLrrlMePFwPEaPZCvN3J8s6ar0n9IM1UikuniC5v-UmzF7y6PEr2NsTnNmcRTb/s1600/alphonse-mucha-job.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL1gRfoWZhLGhzY0H3PlOIFwjRIm544fdp0F6bLhf4dmUpksUZw62q8w-1tRnd4sZFwjynTBuOU1D22nyLrrlMePFwPEaPZCvN3J8s6ar0n9IM1UikuniC5v-UmzF7y6PEr2NsTnNmcRTb/s320/alphonse-mucha-job.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Alphonse Mucha<br />Poster from <a href="http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Job-Posters_i4935647_.htm">AllPosters.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Why hello there! How are you? Hope you are well and if you are in the U.S. you are enjoying our long holiday weekend and thanking some troops as well.<br />
<br />
So where the heck have I been? Did I fall off the face of the earth? I am alive and well and not falling off the face of the earth. In short, it's the job people. That's what puts bread on my table and therefore it does have priority in my life. So here's what happened.<br />
<br />
I finished this big project in the beginning of June, and thought "Cool! Back to normal and business as usual." Not so fast my friend. A new initiative was being formed at work, went through the proper channels like fire and lo and behold, Jenny was being courted for a new job. Yes, me being courted. This has never happened to me before, but apparently I am a special snowflake and thus the perfect person for the job. There were many sleepless nights, meetings, office chatter (because that never goes away). You see, my boss doesn't like it when you leave. There's tons of reasons but he is not someone you want to piss off on your way out the door. He and I have always been good so I was hoping I was the exception to the rule.<br />
<br />
So, after consideration and my wants being met, I accepted the new position. Yea! It's a step up for me, and I am excited about it. It combines my job (which I actually enjoy) with teaching, plus eventually all of the other stuff I've learned over the past several years. It is something unique and innovative and will be a lot of hard work. My boss....is super supportive and is proud of me for this opportunity. Eyes have watered up people. There is a first time for everything. This move does mean I won't see my best friend everyday, which sucks, seriously sucks, but there is G-chat and we plan on a standing lunch meeting every week. She is truly a rock for me and one of the people I hold most dear. <br />
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All this being said, I am struggling to turn on my laptop at home. I spend so much time at work in front of the screen, that to come home and do the same is not appealing. I am doing my best and hope to be better going forward. I have tons of reviews to write, however I see mini-reviews in my future fixing that. Also my plans of giving books away every month has to stop. So my last winners are from May and they are:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anita Yancey - Noble Cause</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stacybuckeye - To Say Nothing of the Dog</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think I have both addresses, but if not, I'll be in touch. The remainder of my books are being given away at work and to the library for their used book sale.</div>
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I know I have also been remiss in responding to comments, and I am trying to catch up on that as well. Just bear with me if you please, pretty please. <br />
<br />
Well that was a whole lot! So tell me, what has been going on with you? I know many are devastated by the death of Google Reader and my thoughts go out to you. But think of it as a new beginning or something! Change is always good. See above.<br />
<br />
Love you all and thanks for your support, always {{hugs}} :)<br />
<br />
<br />
© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-9122431857810185492013-06-10T09:00:00.000-04:002013-06-10T09:00:06.005-04:00HFVBT Tour Stop and Review: Seduction by M.J. Rose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTFQSNTIHxLWbHIRSXN5M7pSEadQ30PEWwrLn1VgK7Zd-iyhj6__GgAMzZuGqXCUdSqIYQOahJxh_vDFwFS5ByVGiGSejqHCmNRlNDo5rs1bA08bppyOvf5liJelZfQLzKPmrQD6ZhNIt/s1600/Seduction+(1).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/AVvXsEhrTFQSNTIHxLWbHIRSXN5M7pSEadQ30PEWwrLn1VgK7Zd-iyhj6__GgAMzZuGqXCUdSqIYQOahJxh_vDFwFS5ByVGiGSejqHCmNRlNDo5rs1bA08bppyOvf5liJelZfQLzKPmrQD6ZhNIt/s320/Seduction+(1).jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Publication Date: May 7, 2013</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Atria Books</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Hardcover, 384 p</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ISBN-10: 1451621507</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/seductionvirtualtour/">SYNOPSIS from HFVBT:</a> From the author of The Book of Lost Fragrances comes a haunting novel about a grieving woman who discovers the lost journal of novelist Victor Hugo, awakening a mystery that spans centuries.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">In 1843, novelist Victor Hugo’s beloved nineteen-year-old daughter drowned. Ten years later, Hugo began participating in hundreds of séances to reestablish contact with her. In the process, he claimed to have communed with the likes of Plato, Galileo, Shakespeare, Dante, Jesus—and even the Devil himself. Hugo’s transcriptions of these conversations have all been published. Or so it was believed.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Recovering from her own losses, mythologist Jac L’Etoile arrives on the Isle of Jersey—where Hugo conducted the séances—hoping to uncover a secret about the island’s Celtic roots. But the man who’s invited her there, a troubled soul named Theo Gaspard, has hopes she’ll help him discover something quite different—Hugo’s lost conversations with someone called the Shadow of the Sepulcher.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">What follows is an intricately plotted and atmospheric tale of suspense with a spellbinding ghost story at its heart, by one of America’s most gifted and imaginative novelists.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">Seduction </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">is....love, desire, ancient power, fear, loss, </span>friendship<span style="font-family: inherit;">, secrets and past lives remembered. This story has all of these elements and people </span>can<span style="font-family: inherit;"> be seduced by each and every one. Seduction is the fifth book in Rose's reincarnation series but it truly is a stand aloe novel. Aspects of the the previous book, <i>The Book of Lost Fragrances</i>, are mentioned but do not </span>confuse<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the reader. If </span>anything<span style="font-family: inherit;"> they make me want to go back and read that book, </span>which<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I will </span>definitely<span style="font-family: inherit;"> do. So since this is a book that features past lives it is only fitting that the story have three threads for the reader to become engrossed in. And trust me, each thread has allure.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first thread features our heroine, Jac L'Etoile. She has episodes of dizziness and </span>other-worldliness<span style="font-family: inherit;"> that are triggered by scent. These episodes feel disturbingly real, as if she has actually been there wearing the ring or speaking with the people she encounters. The lure of discovering new Celtic ruins and an old friendship formed during a difficult part of her life, brings Jac to Jersey Island. While there Jac ultimately discovers what her episodes are and how everything ties back to her life.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The </span>remaining<span style="font-family: inherit;"> two story threads revolve around the Isle Jersey. It is here that Victor Hugo enters the story, and by exploring his connections to the island, that Jac ultimately experiences and brings the reader into the third story line, a Celtic family in crisis that happened I think in the Dark Ages (basically a very, very, very long time ago). With Hugo, Rose created a </span>fascinating<span style="font-family: inherit;"> character. I don't know much about him, but I </span>researched<span style="font-family: inherit;"> that and was able to imagine him perfectly. I felt his </span></span><span style="color: #222222;">struggles and his fear when speaking with the Shadow. I also liked how Rose used real events in Hugo's life to bring this part alive.</span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222;">With respect to the Celtic family, we don't spend a lot of time with them, however the time that is spent is loving and then completely tragic. Again, Rose's writing enabled me to empathize with her characters. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><i>Seduction</i> weaves three different story lines together seamlessly. Each one is a page turner in its own right. I never felt confused or lost and if anything, I couldn't wait to find out how each one resolved or was related to the other. Speaking of, it's only after I finished the book and was thinking of how to write this review, that I realized, there is one character that influenced everything and has been since since the dawn of time, the Shadow of the Sepulcher. Creepy! And yes, this book spooked me a bit, which many books don't. </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222;">Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't read it fast enough. I know the term "I loved it!" doesn't really do it justice, but seriously, I loved it! It is because of all of these things I am placing Seduction on my Best of the Year list:</span><br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOlsd9TVDSg0BlO-Ou37wHjdftacToEAeKI8jo41xvxvk5Tm53W_xzPRJc28Fl5bFooEiYjy1VSLzL3AIx022Kg4vOBOkAIkK8dZl1_nr1LoeJNBREZ9sQt8RzywkggNFMb9wbjq1UZuj/s320/best+of+the+year.png" /><br />
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For more information about the author, please visit her <a href="http://mjrose.com/content/">website</a>.<br />
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To see what others thought, please visit the tour page for other bloggers who have read and reviewed this book<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/seductionvirtualtour/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/<wbr></wbr>seductionvirtualtour/</a></span><br />
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or join the conversation on Twitter<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">: #SeductionVirtualTour</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W90qz1xguT-EiuBLG3uv5GHRGLE9wlVYxbkxRwPu0xq873IW52SxBA4mqaWOBiR_pHg2qm6RezWlV9A8-wfnU77pZhgkUMQr8luC_CU42pvuZLaSFg2FQEgaFC9Cil1Qkrpi4N9SONL6/s1600/Seduction+Tour+Banner+FINAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W90qz1xguT-EiuBLG3uv5GHRGLE9wlVYxbkxRwPu0xq873IW52SxBA4mqaWOBiR_pHg2qm6RezWlV9A8-wfnU77pZhgkUMQr8luC_CU42pvuZLaSFg2FQEgaFC9Cil1Qkrpi4N9SONL6/s320/Seduction+Tour+Banner+FINAL.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-88587281079954074082013-05-30T12:03:00.002-04:002013-05-30T12:03:55.576-04:00May 2013 Pin It and Do It Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjnFc7AL_OkLnzSDWl922yNvpy1Z0FcbbwW8hpgRkEoRxwGaWCMZnxYKYy0C3Ah1fWL0kvHLT1FuENtp5B2Lv2KhNE-JOSeUykSueuEeUxufeA5jmZgv1GJZBzYmPKHnFJJr1HW8z9GVk/s1600/PinitDoitMay2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjnFc7AL_OkLnzSDWl922yNvpy1Z0FcbbwW8hpgRkEoRxwGaWCMZnxYKYy0C3Ah1fWL0kvHLT1FuENtp5B2Lv2KhNE-JOSeUykSueuEeUxufeA5jmZgv1GJZBzYmPKHnFJJr1HW8z9GVk/s320/PinitDoitMay2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As I am sure you know, this challenge is hosted by Trish from Love, Laughter, and a Touch of Insanity.<br />
The <a href="http://www.lovelaughterinsanity.com/2013/05/pin-it-and-do-it-may-2013-link-up.html">link up page is here.</a><br />
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I didn't sign up for a level this time, because I already had some pins I had done in the past but never posted. However I did a few new ones too. So here we go!<br />
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In my efforts to be healthy, I wanted to try tofu. Tofu is really not that bad. Not pretty, but not bad. It takes on the flavors of whatever you put it in. So I decided to try Buffalo Style Roasted Tofu. Sorry but apparently I did not snap any pictures, but click the pin to see what it looks like.<br />
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Here's <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/302374562451256425/">my pin</a><br />
And the <a href="http://chowvegan.com/2010/02/07/buffalo-style-roasted-tofu/">recipe/website/pin I pinned</a><br />
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The tofu was not bad, however this was too hot for me. I'm not that into spicy, and this made me sweat, probably because I used Tabasco sauce and hot sauce. Oops! I only used half the tofu, so I used the other half in a homemade roasted red pepper sauce over whole wheat pasta. It was tasty!<br />
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The next pin was Healthy Cookies:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGHZQMCtxECqOQDBWIcuFLaeXAdix6yL0ujlTxLrLI800N4p-n8aySdzdXoayggUSYzr-ZasQ5J9K6-aYd6-h74jGsymOyixuh3dFcpN-c9KAz8uisyBAYRGIhHH28sJ8HHFhtYsj5PIf/s1600/2013-02-20+19.46.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGHZQMCtxECqOQDBWIcuFLaeXAdix6yL0ujlTxLrLI800N4p-n8aySdzdXoayggUSYzr-ZasQ5J9K6-aYd6-h74jGsymOyixuh3dFcpN-c9KAz8uisyBAYRGIhHH28sJ8HHFhtYsj5PIf/s200/2013-02-20+19.46.35.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FVqK-6ziL54-D3OeExxn8ZVU_xkLdkGvU6gz89ShXIuEBrfnFEzdB1yXHRoMKGTVw3gMRQOb-TqhWdCQkgExZ1slSbwBvZk9sU7hu1i59gAbPV3QKjWqfVxTWshoWq5PrNZcVpMTMzBH/s1600/2013-02-20+19.46.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FVqK-6ziL54-D3OeExxn8ZVU_xkLdkGvU6gz89ShXIuEBrfnFEzdB1yXHRoMKGTVw3gMRQOb-TqhWdCQkgExZ1slSbwBvZk9sU7hu1i59gAbPV3QKjWqfVxTWshoWq5PrNZcVpMTMzBH/s200/2013-02-20+19.46.44.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Here's <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/302374562451489691/">my pin</a><br />
And the <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/02/healthy-cookies.html">recipe/website</a><br />
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Looks great, even my oven mitt is happy but these were horrible! They tasted like baked banana and oatmeal. I rather have an unhealthy cookie because you ain't fooling anyone with these. I couldn't even give these away at work!<br />
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Next, up marinated chicken from the Food Network:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmjWVMWO8cphK5HoU8GVl4NrXzsIZIZNQlwtl2bTVKlxt1Vb494uJzAT6-TT32nkPbGBeahkQGjJ-ERLyfrqe6KZ3L65XaFwG1esr-IkICXget2gbIeQf0uw9zruuS8Lb2DzoabGjwYzN/s1600/2013-05-05+15.33.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmjWVMWO8cphK5HoU8GVl4NrXzsIZIZNQlwtl2bTVKlxt1Vb494uJzAT6-TT32nkPbGBeahkQGjJ-ERLyfrqe6KZ3L65XaFwG1esr-IkICXget2gbIeQf0uw9zruuS8Lb2DzoabGjwYzN/s200/2013-05-05+15.33.49.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/302374562451869576/">My pin</a><br />
And the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/marinated-chicken-breasts-recipe/index.html">original recipe/pin</a><br />
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Yeah, yeah, yeah I should know how to marinate chicken, but I don't. So I searched around and found this recipe. This came out quite well, except apparently I'm not a fan of rosemary. Otherwise it was delicious.<br />
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Lastly was a breakfast recipe, Overnight Refrigerator Oatmeal:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibq2ppmU-otFHEAfRTOrON2FJVCuMtIILVpXKHewP1CEIjJKgqim9LHvRWR-GX8PsZLEtREnTlyIR-loOEqybYIxINitsLmk8htqcjKvB9IxpoesVVqs_SCJJuFJzcczx3W-fmBVuXg3n/s1600/2013-05-07+09.15.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibq2ppmU-otFHEAfRTOrON2FJVCuMtIILVpXKHewP1CEIjJKgqim9LHvRWR-GX8PsZLEtREnTlyIR-loOEqybYIxINitsLmk8htqcjKvB9IxpoesVVqs_SCJJuFJzcczx3W-fmBVuXg3n/s320/2013-05-07+09.15.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/302374562451869696/">My pin</a><br />
And the<a href="http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal"> original recipe/pin</a><br />
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There are several versions of this recipe depending on your choice of fruit. I've tried mango and pineapple. Both were awesome and provided a great change up for breakfast. I would highly recommend trying this.<br />
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That makes four pins. Not bad if I do say so myself :)<br />
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-40716355684085823382013-05-22T11:15:00.000-04:002013-05-22T11:15:09.317-04:00The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFld9dByFc-cquPr1xtc1qdRERbMDbi-bYrnBEwb82A14UtpYe0XsFNmJPx44_XOa9LRg2Q7Gz0ibF4WNVeiaxdlc7ARdmIgRNc62EPPllQh91NaL9xSiEDSn8vvV0zIeokO-aU8yDen_e/s1600/Lost+Duke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFld9dByFc-cquPr1xtc1qdRERbMDbi-bYrnBEwb82A14UtpYe0XsFNmJPx44_XOa9LRg2Q7Gz0ibF4WNVeiaxdlc7ARdmIgRNc62EPPllQh91NaL9xSiEDSn8vvV0zIeokO-aU8yDen_e/s320/Lost+Duke.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6012471-the-lost-duke-of-wyndham">From Goodreads:</a><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;">Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;">always</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;"> been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;">Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine... until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have...</span></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;"><br /></span></span></i>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 17.27272605895996px;"><br /></span></span></i>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 17.262500762939453px;">Romance book so don't expect a thesis paper here. I picked this off the shelf because I needed something light and quick to read. <i>The Lost Duke</i> fit the bill perfectly. The first few pages were a bit rough. It felt like any other romance, and I was thinking, "Really? I already know who the lost duke is..come on Julia " But then the story took a slight turn and during that the characters grew on me.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 17.262500762939453px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 17.262500762939453px;">Grace is not a simpering perfect heroine, although she does have quite the sad back story and she works for a she devil, the Dowager Countess of Wyndham. Grace is a very nice, intelligent, sharp witted young lady who deserves love. Jack, the eventual object of said love, also has a sad back story and is a bit roguish but not overly so. He is smart, snarky, and hot of course. These two don't fall into bed right away, and there's some flirting and kissing before the big dance. there was some dialogue on Grace's part that I thought was a bit much, but now I realize it had to be a big concern for her, so it's acceptable. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; line-height: 17.262500762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 17.262500762939453px;">Others characters worth mentioning: Thomas the current Duke of Wyndham - meh. Sometimes I liked sometimes I didn't, but he turned out okay by the end. Quinn's next book in the series features Thomas, but I'm not overly impressed with him to want to read more of him. As for the evil dowager, she was a sad case, and I don't know why she was so unhappy. Would love to know what the bee is her bonnet. She did start to work a nerve also, because no one wants to constantly read mean thins form a character but that was her lot in this book.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #181818; line-height: 17.262500762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #181818; line-height: 17.262500762939453px;">Overall, <i>The Lost Duke</i> was an enjoyable, quick, and page turning read. I wanted to know what was happening next, and when Grace and Jack were going to get together. Perfect fun book, for when you want something light.</span><br />
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Publisher: Avon<br />
Paperback 371 pages<br />
Book Source: my shelves via Paperbackswap<br />
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<a href="http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/2012/12/romance-reading-challenge-2013.html">Read as part of Naida's Romance Reading Challenge 2013.</a><br />
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<img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxplsmIxw_robUqRugmm0ZE6McXdBSk6mgvbLBH8lDo5q9mCY0vg" /><br />
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-40831598065361039372013-05-15T15:57:00.001-04:002013-05-15T15:57:11.480-04:00It's my Birthday! Throw your hands up!<div class="MsoNormal">
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Today is the big day….I turned 40. And I’m ok with it. I know this number comes with all kinds of
trappings and comments, but seriously, its all good. I just can’t quit believe that
is my age. Where the heck does the time
go? I remember my parents turning 40,
and thinking what’s the big deal? They
are still young.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I've never been one to freak out about my age, although 35
was a doozy for some reason. When I was
younger I was always lying about my age.
When I was 13 I said I was 16, so much so that my friends, who were
older, actually thought I was 16.
HA! Then there are the years I
said I was 21 to get into a club. I’m
sure there are some of you that can relate <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I've gotten a lot of clarity over the past few years, so 40
is no big deal to me. I will still be
crazy, goofy, and loud until the day I die, no matter what my age may be. Since I never post many pics of myself, I thought I would provide a few of me through
the years to celebrate this big occasion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO-BlWn_d-u1TgIRlvCSUDbp-NlrT44var7eUF_d2ErR1RB9HtZk9HeLbyZ0oY2TO0BOGTUYYsSNfPAvBR_RiIbu_zKApCg9LG8gr3t8OsEsUnQZi0KUaFopvZlxAckj-QdvaTiTddSZz/s1600/Baby.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRO-BlWn_d-u1TgIRlvCSUDbp-NlrT44var7eUF_d2ErR1RB9HtZk9HeLbyZ0oY2TO0BOGTUYYsSNfPAvBR_RiIbu_zKApCg9LG8gr3t8OsEsUnQZi0KUaFopvZlxAckj-QdvaTiTddSZz/s200/Baby.bmp" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's baby Jenny!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt88ZXMMUoa_jdeSarcivPUmE7REoQlu0rgWa3lDR_weMHTrT4IdNZrt0grFa9o0PjevT5R_qQDfTFAwXGUuG-9T-sMM83rEcAX-s9BrBUxP_OffVCt7i5OKFf6NwwpighT7FFIjR7SSy/s1600/High+school.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt88ZXMMUoa_jdeSarcivPUmE7REoQlu0rgWa3lDR_weMHTrT4IdNZrt0grFa9o0PjevT5R_qQDfTFAwXGUuG-9T-sMM83rEcAX-s9BrBUxP_OffVCt7i5OKFf6NwwpighT7FFIjR7SSy/s200/High+school.bmp" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High School Senior Jenny. Love the 80's spiral perm hair!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gwoboyhtHaik2cqM0LJL-uRT1Z28yVm-mFfkZdZS7_TS1wkfs3xRvWFNwQaRUA-bzaASd4lN2JSwPRe_EPVm-0ntd4Oig0KvMsr956Y_51XdasTftbqGFGJtlh1K1lJGbDCGZA8u5FyM/s1600/30s.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gwoboyhtHaik2cqM0LJL-uRT1Z28yVm-mFfkZdZS7_TS1wkfs3xRvWFNwQaRUA-bzaASd4lN2JSwPRe_EPVm-0ntd4Oig0KvMsr956Y_51XdasTftbqGFGJtlh1K1lJGbDCGZA8u5FyM/s200/30s.bmp" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right around 30.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwYrDgXLR0GqkLn_2446e0DWf_tyrHcq-PD8lYGoDuY97_3L-ueiO4_6POXxjyaZXOuypzp1YGzrKKsWc2ZWzi7NgQVPsOqux6VxqrYQFIiXTHj5gJkITg1zJqJdjdT_LRBimnD6O7ncI/s1600/20130515_143448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwYrDgXLR0GqkLn_2446e0DWf_tyrHcq-PD8lYGoDuY97_3L-ueiO4_6POXxjyaZXOuypzp1YGzrKKsWc2ZWzi7NgQVPsOqux6VxqrYQFIiXTHj5gJkITg1zJqJdjdT_LRBimnD6O7ncI/s200/20130515_143448.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me today on my 40th birthday!</td></tr>
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Here's to hoping my 50th will be celebrated in the islands of Aloha! <br />
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-52505527000068764952013-05-08T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-08T09:00:09.062-04:00What's Up Wednesday: It's May and we finally have some winners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleMUZu5aeT-A4bJvPh-xiZOHhoCjQobEii7t9c2z8rpevRWPIRSbvUOhM-sqxauFIIh03cQu_njoQKjRubkk5wjftAmUCWLsAaAhv_sIe0kVaB0UHXoDEB7r-CQ0rXWIgfd8pU5jKq6Vt/s1600/What's+up+Wednesday+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleMUZu5aeT-A4bJvPh-xiZOHhoCjQobEii7t9c2z8rpevRWPIRSbvUOhM-sqxauFIIh03cQu_njoQKjRubkk5wjftAmUCWLsAaAhv_sIe0kVaB0UHXoDEB7r-CQ0rXWIgfd8pU5jKq6Vt/s320/What's+up+Wednesday+button.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Hey, hey, hey! It's May and where does the time go? Hope this finds you all doing well and enjoying whatever it is that you're into at the moment. I was about to apologize for my lack of blogging but to be honest, you know what's up. Life gets in the way, too often, and I can't blog. No more apologies from me people. Life is too short for that.<br />
<br />
The semester is over and I am enjoying the wee bit of down time I have. However, Summer II session will be here before I know it, and I don't want to procrastinate as usual. So, slowly but surely I am getting stuff together. This will be the second time for this class, and I tweak it each time. These classes are a learning process for me as well. We are also trying to develop a few new exam prep classes and that has kept me busy too. The credentialing exam is definitely a right of passage and I think this last group took it too lightly. They certainly learned their lesson!<br />
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On the bookish front, I am steadily going through and trying to digitize for free, my paper TBR stacks. That's a slow process, but very cleansing and necessary. I have some reviews to write and ones I've already written to post, but some days I just don't have the blogging mojo. I come home from work and nestle in with the puppy and husband, quite happily. And that's a good thing!<br />
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On the knitting front, I cast on for another sweater. Here's the photo that just called to me:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fLKdF-AzfypSn_F88qhi4Gj-_IV3-8FmrsSPavP_-7NIDDy1GikrjOeXs_c_7D7GNhrZwgPmmEMbfBaywhppG_qXaDVAOZchYHysob8bML3OP8JXxMF80fTwWASKRDemOZBZLFQwpwKy/s1600/pontneuf_z_500_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fLKdF-AzfypSn_F88qhi4Gj-_IV3-8FmrsSPavP_-7NIDDy1GikrjOeXs_c_7D7GNhrZwgPmmEMbfBaywhppG_qXaDVAOZchYHysob8bML3OP8JXxMF80fTwWASKRDemOZBZLFQwpwKy/s320/pontneuf_z_500_medium2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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It's knit from the top down with the lace part being picked up later and knit sideways. I love it! And I had the perfect yarn for it, Silky Wool by Elsebeth Lavold, in a teal like color. The yarn is a dream to work with.<br />
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<a href="http://cdn02.yarn.weblinc.com//resources/Yarn/images/products/processed/1183.115.zoom.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://cdn02.yarn.weblinc.com//resources/Yarn/images/products/processed/1183.115.zoom.1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I also almost finished a shawl but ran out of yarn, which sucks. It's Malabrigo which is always hard to match up. The shawl is red but tonal, and I am 4 rows away from finishing. I was thinking of maybe completing in black, but my friend has a another red yarn that may work. This was a risk I took so it's not a complete surprise, but it still sucks!<br />
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On TV front, I don't have much to say. We watched The Following on Fox, and only stuck with it because we started it. Not impressed. Won't be tuning back in again. It felt like Keystone Cops and convenient happenings every week. Shame cause it started so strong. Love Game of Thrones each week, but otherwise nothing is exciting me that much. On the networks, I like Elementary, Person of Interest, NCIS and oh my I think that's it. Arrow I watch on Hulu. <br />
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Warehouse 13 just came back, but that's on a short leash with me, and Defiance...haven't watched this week yet, but I'm not invested in any of the characters or the story. It's kind of boring and if this week doesn't wow me, it's off the list. Orphan Black, not completely sold and am not sure why. <br />
And as for Doctor Who, as much as I love it, I think I'm falling out of love with show runner Steven Moffet. I feel like he is trying to be super crafty with the whole Clara thing, which reminds me of the River Song arc. I thought that ended kind of meh, so I'm on the fence with this Clara thing. Plus I'm miffed that Captain Jack won't be back for the 50th Anniversary, per internet reports. Really Steven? Captain Jack is one of the most popular characters from the series and probably worked with River Song but no appearance? Just saying enough with the trying to be too clever.<br />
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Wow, let me tell you how I really feel! Sheesh that's enough rambling from me for this week. but before I go, here are the winners from April's Culling of the Book Shelves are:<br />
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1st place: Charlotte - Indiscretion</div>
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2nd place: Anita Yancey - Blood Line</div>
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Drop me a line ladies and thanks to everyone for entering. The new one will be up tomorrow.<br />
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-78832702679583692632013-05-08T08:41:00.001-04:002013-05-08T08:41:14.198-04:00May 2013 Culling of the Book Shelves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3K5TmlTXpuuHyYNF5bIIGNteWQsywPkbYXemasFCvpvjMml9xMzPyjdXoDBJIJnUZzFoPRGABLZJ1I-upfZXVKN1iPMZRJKEZoC1kAcfPbLmFtSwzYB0TsDeUVP_GjOkj3PhWw5pRaCG/s1600/Culling+Contest+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3K5TmlTXpuuHyYNF5bIIGNteWQsywPkbYXemasFCvpvjMml9xMzPyjdXoDBJIJnUZzFoPRGABLZJ1I-upfZXVKN1iPMZRJKEZoC1kAcfPbLmFtSwzYB0TsDeUVP_GjOkj3PhWw5pRaCG/s1600/Culling+Contest+button.jpg" /></a></div>
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This month I have the following titles for you to choose from:<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7973.Enchantment">Enchantment </a>by Orson Scott Card<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77773.To_Say_Nothing_of_the_Dog">To Say Nothing of the Dog</a> by Connie Willis<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2578940-50-ways-to-hex-your-lover">50 Ways to Hex Your Lover</a> (book 1) and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6376794-hex-in-high-heels">Hex in High Heels</a> (book 4) by Linda
Wisdom (2 book set)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11108988-noble-cause">Noble Cause</a> by Jessica James<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the rules: </span></b></div>
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<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em; text-align: start;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">U.S. addresses only and no P.O. Boxes. (sorry!)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leave a comment on this post with your email and your first and second choice of book(s) <b><u>[no email address, no entry]</u></b></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There will be two winners: 1<sup>st</sup> place will receive their first choice of book, and 2<sup>nd</sup> place will also get their first choice, unless it’s taken, thereby receiving their second choice of book.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Contest runs until midnight, EST, Friday, May 31,<sup> </sup>2013</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="line-height: 22px;">Good luck everyone!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> © Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"</span>Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-87293158069373538822013-05-06T09:04:00.000-04:002013-05-06T09:04:12.043-04:00TLC Tour Stop and Review: The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6miJzSe_EpLAl7UUq8HRKQ4Ht6grJtj4V-duYlTI00DTh7NQy6yElVXzdg2UNmC9F83OzaGfl4zfpgeqAvEfeSkBPaSzcuu3imZcBCchQIroDoC79NbdvERKKLz1oBwhqdKoNyxJ3lYKZ/s1600/The-Golem-and-the-Jinni-200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6miJzSe_EpLAl7UUq8HRKQ4Ht6grJtj4V-duYlTI00DTh7NQy6yElVXzdg2UNmC9F83OzaGfl4zfpgeqAvEfeSkBPaSzcuu3imZcBCchQIroDoC79NbdvERKKLz1oBwhqdKoNyxJ3lYKZ/s1600/The-Golem-and-the-Jinni-200x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="http://tlcbooktours.com/2013/03/helen-wecker-author-of-the-golem-and-the-jinni-on-tour-aprilmay-2013/">From the TLC Book Tour page:</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>Hardcover, 496 pages</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>Publisher:</b> Harper (April 23, 2013)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>Helene Wecker’s dazzling debut novel tells the story of two supernatural creatures who appear mysteriously in 1899 New York. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life by a strange man who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic. When her master dies at sea on the voyage from Poland, she is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York Harbor. Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian Desert. Trapped in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard centuries ago, he is released accidentally by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>Struggling to make their way in this strange new place, the Golem and the Jinni try to fit in with their neighbors while masking their true natures. Surrounding them is a community of immigrants: the coffeehouse owner Maryam Faddoul, a pillar of wisdom and support for her Syrian neighbors; the solitary ice cream maker Saleh, a damaged man cursed by tragedy; the kind and caring Rabbi Meyer and his beleaguered nephew, Michael, whose Sheltering House receives newly arrived Jewish men; the adventurous young socialite Sophia Winston; and the enigmatic Joseph Schall, a dangerous man driven by ferocious ambition and esoteric wisdom.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i>Meeting by chance, the two creatures become unlikely friends whose tenuous attachment challenges their opposing natures, until the night a terrifying incident drives them back into their separate worlds. But a powerful menace will soon bring the Golem and the Jinni together again, threatening their existence and forcing them to make a fateful choice.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXRrS9MkxgXk9PP2-r6y5g8nd0EqbKsf0lh_ltzXzt2pwA0TrUVyass_OmqUIdf_ZnF_6Ld_CYJjCgQVGUC19XiLLyl9vYCWij_Id-yLzLWK0kUU_FnoFTy9HhrtfL5UlKBRlKq42Fhv0/s1600/3ReasonsButton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXRrS9MkxgXk9PP2-r6y5g8nd0EqbKsf0lh_ltzXzt2pwA0TrUVyass_OmqUIdf_ZnF_6Ld_CYJjCgQVGUC19XiLLyl9vYCWij_Id-yLzLWK0kUU_FnoFTy9HhrtfL5UlKBRlKq42Fhv0/s1600/3ReasonsButton.jpg" /></a><span style="line-height: normal;"><b>Three Reasons Review:</b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><b>1.) Reasons you chose this book</b> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;">I chose this book because of the exploration of Jewish and
Syrian mythology, inclusion of the immigrant experience, and the ability to
learn about many characters in each of the respective immigrant neighborhoods. Plus the blurb sounded delightful and the
cover is gorgeous!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;"><b>2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book </b></span></div>
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There are several reasons for liking this book. The author melds Jewish and Syrian folklore together
into a story about two people that become somewhat unlikely friends, Chava the
Jewish golem and Ahmad the Syrian jinni.
However since both have their origins in myth, it’s more likely they
would be friends, right? Anyway, we read
the same aspects of both Chava and Ahmad: their beginnings, how to came to be
in New York, their wonder at these new discoveries of the world they live in,
their limitations, hopes, fears, mistakes, and ultimately what kind of people
they really are. Along the way we also
get to explore both the Jewish and Syrian immigrant neighborhoods they live in,
each with their own set of characters. I
enjoyed this aspect, because it mirrors my corner of the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Eventually Chava and Ahmad must band together if they are
going to survive. They share a common
enemy who is treacherous and despicable.
I can’t say that I was surprised at who it turned out to be, but the
tale between the enemy and Ahmad is heartbreaking. The enemy deserves everything he gets. The way in which that thread of the story
concludes was a great payoff.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The world in which all of this takes place was expertly described
by Wecker. I smelled the coffee in
Maryam’s shop, felt the closeness of the immigrant sheltering house, and
smelled the flour and baked goods in the bakery. I felt like I was in 1899’s New York City. <o:p></o:p></div>
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All of this being said, there were two aspects of <i>The Golem
and the Jinni </i>that I did dislike. First,
the length of the story. I felt like
this story took forever to unfold. The
story switches back and forth between Chava and Ahmad, but I felt like
breadcrumbs were being handed to me at a snail’s pace. So much so that I almost gave up on the
story. It took too long to get to
payoff, and I felt it concluded quickly after that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I also never became attached to Chava and Ahmad. Yes, I empathized with them, but again due to
the length of the story, I started to not care what happened to them. For all of the wonderful beginnings I experienced
with both of them, I felt like the middle of the story plodded along, and again
only little snippets of meaning were given to me. But these snippets were not exciting enough
for me to want to continue to read. As much as I liked the whole idea of this
story, the setting and where the author was going with it, if it wasn't for a
book tour I would have given up. There
are chunksters out there that don’t feel like chunksters, and this book is not
one of those in my opinion.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>3.) Reasons for recommending</b></div>
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So would I recommend this one? Hmmm...honestly, I would say still give this a try because the idea for the story is original to me. When was the last time anyone blended Jewish and Syrian folklore? There are kernels of fantastical storytelling here, but for me the story went awry half way through due to it's length. That made me fall out of love with it. If the story was speeded up a bit then I would have styed in love. You may have a different opinion.</div>
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I would also urge you to check out one of the bloggers below and see what they thought. </div>
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For more information about Helene Wecker please visit her <a href="http://www.helenewecker.com/">website</a> or her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/weckerhelene?ref=ts&fref=ts">Facebook page.</a></div>
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Thanks to <a href="http://tlcbooktours.com/">TLC Book Tours</a> for my review copy.</div>
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<h2 style="color: #61574a; line-height: 17.71875px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding: 5px 0px 20px 5px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Helene’s Tour Stops</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, April 23rd:<a href="http://letthemreadbooks.blogspot.com/2013/04/blog-tour-review-golem-and-jinni-by.html" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;"> Let Them Read Books</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Thursday, April 25th: <a href="http://www.dreyslibrary.com/2013/04/25/tlc-book-tour-the-golem-and-the-jinni/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Drey’s Library</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Monday, April 29th: <a href="http://unabridged-expression.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-golem-and-jinni-by-helene-wecker.html" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Unabridged Chick</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, April 30th: <a href="http://booksbytheircover.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-golem-and-jinni.html" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Books By Their Cover</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Wednesday, May 1st: <a href="http://agelesspagesreviews.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-tour-review-golem-and-jinni-by.html" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Ageless Pages Reviews</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Monday, May 6th: <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Jenny Loves to Read</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, May 7th: <a href="http://nomoregrumpybookseller.blogspot.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">No More Grumpy Bookseller</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Wednesday, May 8th: <a href="http://bibliophiliac-bibliophiliac.blogspot.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Bibliophiliac</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Thursday, May 9th: <a href="http://ohpaperpages.blogspot.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Oh! Paper Pages</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Monday, May 13th: <a href="http://bibliophiliaplease.blogspot.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Bibliophilia, Please!</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, May 14th: <a href="http://manoflabook.com/wp/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Man of La Book</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Wednesday, May 15th: <a href="http://www.ireadabookonce.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">I Read a Book Once</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Thursday, May 16th: <a href="http://drennanspitzer.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Speaking of Books</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Monday, May 20th: <a href="http://twistingthelens.wordpress.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Twisting the Lens</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, May 21st: <a href="http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">A Bookworm’s World</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Wednesday, May 22nd: <a href="http://www.alsgeekbanter.blogspot.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Geek Banter</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Thursday, May 23rd: <a href="http://christashookedonbooks.blogspot.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Hooked on Books</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Monday, May 27th: <a href="http://fyreflybooks.wordpress.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Fyrefly’s Book Blog</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, May 28th: <a href="http://justaworldaway.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">Just a World Away</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Date TBD:<a href="http://www.luxuryreading.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;"> Luxury Reading</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">TBD: <a href="http://inthenextroom.blogspot.com/" style="color: #003366; text-decoration: none;">In the Next Room</a></span></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-22590555376305788922013-04-16T15:16:00.003-04:002013-04-16T15:16:44.014-04:00Review: The House at the End of Hope Street by Menna Van Praag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVbSdNPEejgjn6R0o-tWL693MpdWHxhlE0_xZUnG5nAl68kPQGAR4y0ryBrTUYt_NGBWN9D5lwYC7wY6AKux9ZqnrY3kkdbzeLWsrS3b2gF2YFjZoSOLkO_bLTRSh2RuK2AQFuuaovUU4/s1600/Hope.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/AVvXsEjnVbSdNPEejgjn6R0o-tWL693MpdWHxhlE0_xZUnG5nAl68kPQGAR4y0ryBrTUYt_NGBWN9D5lwYC7wY6AKux9ZqnrY3kkdbzeLWsrS3b2gF2YFjZoSOLkO_bLTRSh2RuK2AQFuuaovUU4/s320/Hope.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span itemprop="bookFormatType">Hardcover</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">304 pages</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Publisher Pamela Dorman Books</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15811526-the-house-at-the-end-of-hope-street">From Goodreads: </a><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Distraught that her academic career has stalled, Alba is walking through her hometown of Cambridge, England, when she finds herself in front of a house she’s never seen before, 11 Hope Street. A beautiful older woman named Peggy greets her and invites her to stay, on the house’s usual conditions: she has ninety-nine nights to turn her life around. With nothing left to lose, Alba takes a chance and moves in.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">She soon discovers that this is no ordinary house. Past residents have included George Eliot and Beatrix Potter, who, after receiving the assistance they needed, hung around to help newcomers—literally, in talking portraits on the wall. As she escapes into this new world, Alba begins a journey that will heal her wounds—and maybe even save her life.</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">My </span></span><span style="color: #181818;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">Thoughts</span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">:</span></span></b></span><br />
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There is a house in Cambridge, England, which appears to women who need a place of refuge when they discover themselves to be at crossroads in life. Whether due to circumstances, a life event, or because the world around them isn't ready for their brilliance, these women need a safe place to get themselves together, and decide what path through life they should take. These women need to recognize what is in their best interests, with a little help from the afterlife. That's when the house on Hope Street appears to them. <br />
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When Alba experiences the worst event of her life, that's when the house appears and welcomes her with open arms. There she finds the care taker, Peggy, and two other women in residence who also need the house's hospitality and wisdom, Carmen and Greer. Each of these women must decide what to do next in their life, and also discover what will make them be true to themselves. Who they really are. The house helps with that, first by comforting them, then by offering them hints or suggestions of what they should do. The house provides these women and those who have lived their in the past the love and support they need to get back on their feet. <br />
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The walls of the house are covered with photos of everyone who has ever stayed there, and many of them are famous: Agatha Christie, Vivian Leigh, Liz Taylor, Sylvia Plath. They offer advice to Alba and they are all very funny. The author has a little bio of each historical woman who is featured in the story, in the back of the book. Back to Alba, she is so young and inexperienced with repeat to life, that she can't handle what is happening to her now. She has family, but they are not supportive of her, and we learn all about that aspect too. What a shame! I won't give it away, but it explains a lot of how Alba grew up to be the way she is. Besides the fact that Alba is brilliant, I think she has a photographic memory, but she also experiences things in color. Alba has synesthesia; words and emotions are in color to her. This was never fully explained or named, but a character in another book had this condition so I knew what it was. <br />
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Anyway, Alba is the main character in the book, but there are also two other women staying in the house, as well as the house mum. All of these women have issues they need to work out, and the house helps them. Filling their rooms with what makes them happy, like books, dropping helpful hints or quotes from the sky, and generally pushing them to explore themselves and come to the right decision. And don't forget the photos of previous women who have stayed on Hope street who offer unsolicited advice. They help too. Everyone in the story eventually finds their path and the House at the End of Hope Street succeeds yet again.<br />
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Sorry if this review is all over the place, but there are so many wonderful aspects of this story and I just loved it! There wasn't one thing, truly, that I didn't like. Not one character past or present that wasn't interesting and add something to the story. The House at the End of Hope Street is a hopeful book that will you leave in a happy and loving place. This one will be staying on my shelves because I can totally see myself re-reading it again.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Thanks to FSB Associates for my review copy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOlsd9TVDSg0BlO-Ou37wHjdftacToEAeKI8jo41xvxvk5Tm53W_xzPRJc28Fl5bFooEiYjy1VSLzL3AIx022Kg4vOBOkAIkK8dZl1_nr1LoeJNBREZ9sQt8RzywkggNFMb9wbjq1UZuj/s1600/best+of+the+year.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOlsd9TVDSg0BlO-Ou37wHjdftacToEAeKI8jo41xvxvk5Tm53W_xzPRJc28Fl5bFooEiYjy1VSLzL3AIx022Kg4vOBOkAIkK8dZl1_nr1LoeJNBREZ9sQt8RzywkggNFMb9wbjq1UZuj/s320/best+of+the+year.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-9601444425174683932013-04-14T10:29:00.003-04:002013-04-14T10:29:49.903-04:00Suddenly Sunday: Spring is finally here!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5RE4rP7q3RNZJR4lIXHNS2GTcyouIHFRc29oND1_Kr7Es52X7oNrhsJMYszcYZOXrG3_SsPUkDVp7LMksQyHdIE65f0D9da1M8fzd7ivV_dcNSvuPiJeSzZpcb0MMwJ-ASzjvveLBTLQ/s1600/Suddenly+Sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5RE4rP7q3RNZJR4lIXHNS2GTcyouIHFRc29oND1_Kr7Es52X7oNrhsJMYszcYZOXrG3_SsPUkDVp7LMksQyHdIE65f0D9da1M8fzd7ivV_dcNSvuPiJeSzZpcb0MMwJ-ASzjvveLBTLQ/s1600/Suddenly+Sunday.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Suddenly Sunday is a weekly event hosted by </span><a href="http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #ac1414; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Svea</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">@ </span><a href="http://muse-in-the-fog.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #ac1414; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">The Muse in the Fog Book Review</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">. The purpose of Suddenly Sunday is to share all the exciting events that have occurred on your blog throughout the week. </span></td></tr>
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Happy sunny Sunday everyone! Hope this finds you all well, happy, and healthy. The sun is out and earlier this week I had to bring out the skirts because we had temperatures in the 80s. Yes, the 80s my friends. I did not mind however, because I am so tired of being cold, and shivering. A little sweat does a person good.<br />
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The school semester is starting to wind down, and I'll be glad to have a few weeks off until summer starts. This last batch of students are good and most of them are very motivated to complete the program and possibly sit for certification. Coding is a way for adults to change the careers into one that has a shortage in terms of certified people. Although you have to bust your ass, and pay your dues a bit, the dividends are worth it. It's one of the only fields that has job growth, but you have to want to work to succeed. And trust me, I've come across people that think things should be handed to them. My regular job is busy as usual and filled with lots of politics, which I do not like. Not one bit. My gods people, make a decision and lets get on with it. This is why I do not want to rise in the ranks too far, and am happy with where I am. Teaching fulfills me when my day job disappoints me.<br />
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On the reading front, I have a confession to make. I have been seduced to the dark side. The dark side being an e reader! Yes! Hubby bought a new Kindle Fire HD, so I inherited his Kindle Fire. I immediately downloaded a book from the library, one that I own in paper, and started reading. Little weird at first, but I like not holding a book. I'm not a complete convert yet, but I have been going through my stacks, and whatever I can borrow electronically from the library, I'm getting rid of the paper copy. THAT really appeals to me.<br />
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I'm at this point in my life where I want to simplify things. Get rids of items that are taking up space that I don't necessarily use. Anything I haven't looked at or touched since 2008 has got to go. I have many things that fit that bill. But back to reading. I do not intend to start accepting electronic review copies, or go to NetGalley and all of that. If anything, going through my books reminds me of all of these stories I wanted to read before, and still do. So, I'm clearing up whatever review copies I have, being super, super, super selective, going forward, and reading electronically when I can. I'll intersperse the hard copies I have in between. That is a plan I can definitely live with!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0W6evreCWWZbepbzTqJI2iddG-mLJo58RXdcBajFFYLW-lfnV2HcOXCGFxL1k9bleXXlnHtyqBCl4uWZZGlgYNVhOvKwbkbjjNwqyVPpZIxkw8Fjk44XH9WU0LT7SUJoiZGmC7lFgcHc/s1600/Seduction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0W6evreCWWZbepbzTqJI2iddG-mLJo58RXdcBajFFYLW-lfnV2HcOXCGFxL1k9bleXXlnHtyqBCl4uWZZGlgYNVhOvKwbkbjjNwqyVPpZIxkw8Fjk44XH9WU0LT7SUJoiZGmC7lFgcHc/s200/Seduction.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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Speaking of new releases and such, I am participating in the <a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/">Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour</a> for <a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/seductionvirtualtour/"><i>Seduction</i> by M.J. Rose</a> in June. However, connected with this new release is a contest to win a Victorian choker necklace seen here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsm8piOLXM_WSYlv7VLaY-vSndYJ7EH4kqCxIOTWUpQcLxOQbf_r0uhSXnybUblQeI7g3QPDdg71Ki5EeOg-WB_Twiu0l4MoyHvAJWTV5LyOW-Fhv_wVv-Q6GSyXfFhp8Oc1KJPzfDn72/s1600/Necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsm8piOLXM_WSYlv7VLaY-vSndYJ7EH4kqCxIOTWUpQcLxOQbf_r0uhSXnybUblQeI7g3QPDdg71Ki5EeOg-WB_Twiu0l4MoyHvAJWTV5LyOW-Fhv_wVv-Q6GSyXfFhp8Oc1KJPzfDn72/s320/Necklace.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
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Interested in winning? To enter, do one of the following or both if you prefer (open to U.S. residents only, sorry!): <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Put the book on your To Be Read shelf on Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15802432-seduction" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/book/<wbr></wbr>show/15802432-seduction</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, give me your account name and email so I can send it to HFVB for entry. <br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">OR<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Pre-order SEDUCTION: <a href="http://mjrose.com/books/seduction.asp?BookVar=Praise" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://mjrose.com/books/<wbr></wbr>seduction.asp?BookVar=Praise</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you decide to pre-order, then please send a copy of your receipt to <a href="mailto:mjrosewriter@gmail.com" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">mjrosewriter@gmail.com.</a> for entry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That's not so hard is it? Seduction sounded pretty good to me which is why I accepted it for review. HFVBT really does have wonderful books on their tours. I don't think I've ever been disappointed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well that's all I have for this Sunday. What about you? What are you up to today or this week?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me know!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
Happy Reading and have a great week everyone :)</div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-71914408650385279242013-04-10T09:11:00.003-04:002013-04-10T09:11:41.031-04:00HFVBT Tour Stop and Review: The Chalice by Nancy Bilyeau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhporu5PXVQ-528ww2UaWDvA_YXSwZYrwmC-uAxjXi6zVnOHpY149Ay93Z0SFl6Fyrtco8-0XhodYRRRXzhlTOlbIJSaIO7rtC2TOlDxH4dlnP9ewxiIoFBSUtu3gJSFA2IFQus_Euh4dG/s1600/chalice.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/AVvXsEjhporu5PXVQ-528ww2UaWDvA_YXSwZYrwmC-uAxjXi6zVnOHpY149Ay93Z0SFl6Fyrtco8-0XhodYRRRXzhlTOlbIJSaIO7rtC2TOlDxH4dlnP9ewxiIoFBSUtu3gJSFA2IFQus_Euh4dG/s320/chalice.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thechalicevirtualtour/">From the Tour Home Page:</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Publication Date: March 5, 2013<br />Touchstone Publishing<br />Hardcover; 512p</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">ISBN-10: 1476708657</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Book Source: <a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/">Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours</a><br /><br /><i>In the next novel from Nancy Bilyeau after her acclaimed debut The Crown, novice Joanna Stafford plunges into an even more dangerous conspiracy as she comes up against some of the most powerful men of her era. <br /><br />In 1538, England is in the midst of bloody power struggles between crown and cross that threaten to tear the country apart. Joanna Stafford has seen what lies inside the king’s torture rooms and risks imprisonment again, when she is caught up in a shadowy international plot targeting the King. As the power plays turn vicious, Joanna understands she may have to assume her role in a prophecy foretold by three different seers, each more omniscient than the last.<br /><br />Joanna realizes the life of Henry VIII as well as the future of Christendom are in her hands—hands that must someday hold the chalice that lays at the center of these deadly prophecies…</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">My </span><span style="color: #222222;">Thoughts</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">:</span></b></span><br />
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Joanna Stafford lives during one of England’s more turbulent
times, during the reign of King Henry VIII, between wives three and four. The King has dissolved all of the religious
houses, thus seizing their goods and enriching his coffers. Henry is on the precipice of being
excommunicated from the Church, and one of most closest advisers is
Cromwell. Really, could it get any
worse? Why yes! Add to that the Reformation movement and
Spain’s Emperor Charles the V becoming friendly with France, and this is the
tinder box of politics Joanna finds herself in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All Joanna wants to do is live a quiet life, raise her
nephew, and build a tapestry business.
But no, this is not possible.
Factions at court are vying for control of Joanna because they view her
as a means to an end; as a salvation against the dark forces of the King and
Reformation. Why? Seers have predicted that Joanna is
instrumental in helping the Catholic Church.
Without Joanna, Henry wins thus defeating Catholicism and the true heir
to the throne, Mary Tudor. Joanna is afraid
of these prophecies, rightly so, and must make a decision: is she in or out
with court intrigue and the shaping of the future of England?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Although all of these events are going on, this novel is
more about Joanna and the person she is, than about this period in history. That’s why I enjoyed the novel so much. Many times with Tudor novels, the story
inevitably gets sucked into the actual events with the characters as side
pieces or window dressing. In <i>The
Chalice</i> while Joanna is instrumental in events I felt it was her and her hopes,
dreams and fears that kept me reading on.
What will Joanna do? Why is going
to London? How will this event shape
Joanna’s views? Joanna is a great
character who is intelligent and a bit spunky.
Not too much mind you, but just enough for the era, and in consideration
of the fact the woman was going to be a nun.
Yes, Joanna is an ex-novice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Besides our heroine, what also kept me flipping the pages
was the action. There is intrigue, shady
people, prophecies being told, and characters being whisked away either to the
Tower or to back rooms where the chess players of the court try to convince
them of why their cause is the right one.
Mary Tudor stops by as well as a very famous seer towards the end of the
novel. (You would know if I gave his
name.) Bilyeau builds a palpable, realistic
world for readers, and although <i>The Chalice</i> is the second in a series, <i> The Crown</i> was the first, I did not feel lost. There were mentions of what happens in <i>The
Crown</i>, but not enough to make me feel like I couldn't read it and be surprised
or drawn in. I will definitely go back
and read <i>The Crown</i>. The only area that
may be lacking from not reading <i>The Crown</i> was Joanna’s relationship with Edmund
and a Geoffrey Scoville. I did not know
all of that history, so I accepted what I read in <i>The Chalice</i> at face
value. I probably would have had a
deeper reaction to those plot lines in the book if I had read <i>The Crown</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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All in all I thoroughly enjoyed <i>The Chalice</i> and thought it was
a page turner. And since Bilyeau has
stated she envisions a series of books about Joanna and her adventurous life, I
am eagerly awaiting the next in the series.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To see what others thought of <i>The Chalice</i>, please visit the tour page or twitter feed:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><a href="http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/thechalicevirtualtour/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://hfvirtualbooktours.com/<wbr></wbr>thechalicevirtualtour/</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Twitter Hashtag: #TheChaliceVirtualTour</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>About the Author</b><br /><br />Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown, is a writer and magazine editor who has worked on the staffs of InStyle, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Good Housekeeping. Her latest position is features editor of Du Jour magazine. A native of the Midwest, she graduated from the University of Michigan. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.<br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information, please visit Nancy Bilyeau's <a href="http://www.nancybilyeau.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">website</a>. You can also follow her on<a href="http://www.facebook.com/NancyBilyeauAuthor" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/tudorscribe" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_FafOTaqn7_kAwAvX-nkb4ivaou2TAZHa7ELJ4hr24P0u0SoxrbFykNjHKJLVPrOWOVLRGIzFZvLLVaEIhPyW6zA8xWfsYlUhbdmRO4wzabQoHY-xfCA7CXBqWMbLAKKNIOLzfqOdAoR/s1600/Chalice.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_FafOTaqn7_kAwAvX-nkb4ivaou2TAZHa7ELJ4hr24P0u0SoxrbFykNjHKJLVPrOWOVLRGIzFZvLLVaEIhPyW6zA8xWfsYlUhbdmRO4wzabQoHY-xfCA7CXBqWMbLAKKNIOLzfqOdAoR/s320/Chalice.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-74046117984484473092013-04-06T08:00:00.000-04:002013-04-06T08:00:11.144-04:00April 2013 Culling of the Book Shelves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3K5TmlTXpuuHyYNF5bIIGNteWQsywPkbYXemasFCvpvjMml9xMzPyjdXoDBJIJnUZzFoPRGABLZJ1I-upfZXVKN1iPMZRJKEZoC1kAcfPbLmFtSwzYB0TsDeUVP_GjOkj3PhWw5pRaCG/s1600/Culling+Contest+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3K5TmlTXpuuHyYNF5bIIGNteWQsywPkbYXemasFCvpvjMml9xMzPyjdXoDBJIJnUZzFoPRGABLZJ1I-upfZXVKN1iPMZRJKEZoC1kAcfPbLmFtSwzYB0TsDeUVP_GjOkj3PhWw5pRaCG/s1600/Culling+Contest+button.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This month I have three new titles for you to choose from:</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13642944-scent-of-darkness?ac=1">Scent of Darkness</a> by Margot Berwin</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7546.Cesar_s_Way">Cesar's Way</a> by Cesar Mill</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">an</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15719899-indiscretion">Indiscretion</a> (ARC) by Charles Dubow</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And these three from last month are still available as well:</span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11996019-the-king-s-agent" style="color: #b87209; text-decoration: none;">The King's Agent </a>(ARC) by Donna Russo Morin</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12037108-raylan" style="color: #b87209; text-decoration: none;">Raylan</a> by Elmore Leonard</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13426111-blood-line?ac=1" style="color: #b87209; text-decoration: none;">Blood Line</a> by Lynda LaPlante</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the rules: </span></b></div>
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<ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em; text-align: start;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">U.S. addresses only and no P.O. Boxes. (sorry!)</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leave a comment on this post with your email and your first and second choice of book(s) <b><u>[no email address, no entry]</u></b></span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There will be two winners: 1<sup>st</sup> place will receive their first choice of book, and 2<sup>nd</sup> place will also get their first choice, unless it’s taken, thereby receiving their second choice of book.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Contest runs until midnight, EST, Tuesday, April 30,<sup> </sup>2013</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<br />
Good Luck Everyone!<br />
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-61099290615622291252013-04-04T09:33:00.000-04:002013-04-04T09:33:00.020-04:00HFVB Tour Stop and Guest Post by Delancey Stewart author of Through a Dusty WindowDear Readers, please welcome Delancey Stewart author of <i>Through a DustyWindow</i>, which is a collection of short stories that take place in one brownstone in New York's Upper West Side. <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-spotlight-through-dusty-window-by.html">I spotlighted yesterday </a>in a post.<br />
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<b>What inspired the collection – <i>Through a Dusty Window</i>?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIV7FCv4SysUGCPlVu5IbX9Gp79HhT1FpGo_co05gtL5AXJpJxvFge1-dPc2F4A_GAscfb3jN5ZDCeWbV_i0czRJykPRquGlgL41Gx51fbnkdNhpAzUK9H_Zc00jocHbhEt7uJjAsDxk-/s1600/Through+a+Dusty+Window.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/AVvXsEjqIV7FCv4SysUGCPlVu5IbX9Gp79HhT1FpGo_co05gtL5AXJpJxvFge1-dPc2F4A_GAscfb3jN5ZDCeWbV_i0czRJykPRquGlgL41Gx51fbnkdNhpAzUK9H_Zc00jocHbhEt7uJjAsDxk-/s320/Through+a+Dusty+Window.jpg" width="200" /></a>When I was fourteen years old, my family traveled from
California to the East Coast the summer before my freshman year in high school.
I remember lots about that whirlwind visit, but one memory stands out clearly:
I stood beneath one of the towers of the World Trade Center while my brother
lay on his back taking a photograph straight up one of the tower corners. I said
to my mother, “I’m going to live in New York someday.” She looked horrified. As
a society, we don’t take much of what fourteen year olds say to heart. My
mother didn't necessarily respond encouragingly – possibly because the New York
City that I was enamored with was pre-Giuliani New York. The subways were
riddled with graffiti, Times Square was hardly a family attraction, and you
walked with your purse strapped firmly around you at all times. But my words
were gospel to me, and I never forgot them. </div>
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When I was twenty-three, between jobs and relationships, I
threw everything in my car and drove across the country. I landed in a New York
that was particularly accommodating. The economy was thriving, jobs were
plentiful, and the city was much safer than it had been previously. I only
lived there for four years, but I feel like I grew up in New York in many ways.
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The City had always held some kind of romantic appeal for
me, and getting to finally call it home and walk the streets in pursuit of my
own agenda was heady. Everything about the City was novel to a girl who grew up
in Fresno, California. It was a universe away from my previous life. But the
thing that struck me constantly as I explored was the constant and pervasive
sense of history. The City is haunted in so many ways – the buildings
themselves having stood as stoic witnesses to hundreds of years of cultural
shifting and repositioning. </div>
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I wanted to capture that. I wanted to write about the
fascination I felt when I peered guiltily into windows at street level, trying
to see how people lived. I wanted to write about the curiosity that gripped me
when I moved into a new apartment to find a curious gothic bureau just inside the
door. I was informed that it had been remodeled accidentally into the apartment
and could no longer fit through the narrow doorway. I wanted to explore the people
who’d lived in that space before me, those that might come after. </div>
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<i>Through a Dusty Window</i>
is my attempt to illustrate the many layers of life that exist in a city like
New York. We can live there, arrogant in our pursuit of our own present-day
ambitions. But there will always be echoes around us if we listen – echoes that
can remind us of some of the lessons learned by those whose feet walked there
before us. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDVKkBClBp8b_Nxm9avAnzSCZxU_GWRLlNWBMTJ9LJGhG8nKdy1nQALEEdnBMhR5xkz2DAQRTKl5QDg251lR86g1gq_lulb1ylMIgFIPLjubXPQYCUktsbws3oGriMOx4C-PAHCXOsgtv/s1600/Delancey+Stewart.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/AVvXsEjEDVKkBClBp8b_Nxm9avAnzSCZxU_GWRLlNWBMTJ9LJGhG8nKdy1nQALEEdnBMhR5xkz2DAQRTKl5QDg251lR86g1gq_lulb1ylMIgFIPLjubXPQYCUktsbws3oGriMOx4C-PAHCXOsgtv/s200/Delancey+Stewart.jpg" width="133" /></a>The collection features ten short stories, one set in each
decade between 1910 and 2001. The stories share one thing in common – the
setting in an Upper West Side brownstone. Through the characters portrayed, we
see the movement of culture and experience some of the events that shaped New
York and the world. The collection is intended to allow readers to enjoy a
journey through New York’s history as voyeurs.</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5095577032094347475" name="_GoBack"></a><i>Through
a Dusty Window: New York City Stories</i> <i>1910-2001</i>
is available on Amazon: <a href="http://amzn.to/ZkSoHH">http://amzn.to/ZkSoHH</a></div>
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Delancey Stewart can be found at her blog:</div>
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<a href="http://delanceystewart.wordpress.com/">Delanceystewart.wordpress.com</a></div>
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Twitter: @DelanceyStewart</div>
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delancey.stewart</div>
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Thank you very much for stopping by Delancey and I wish you well with this wonderful book :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGQum3fmf27qlrPbeNwoDv3rxhOYu13_0RgMxranU2XS-1V_XyO2ZlY-dqwbP9mLNI9xarpT9-yGL0jCEr7lhcJKC1S7Uc0fs18GZTYSPoGunckDHQW0sV2c1ucikXFlYDTOIyrilJ31J/s1600/TADW+Tour+Banner+FINAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGQum3fmf27qlrPbeNwoDv3rxhOYu13_0RgMxranU2XS-1V_XyO2ZlY-dqwbP9mLNI9xarpT9-yGL0jCEr7lhcJKC1S7Uc0fs18GZTYSPoGunckDHQW0sV2c1ucikXFlYDTOIyrilJ31J/s320/TADW+Tour+Banner+FINAL.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-18908826588097438612013-04-03T09:00:00.000-04:002013-04-03T09:00:04.959-04:00Book Spotlight: Through a Dusty Window by Delancey StewartToday I'm spotlighting a book that I wanted to read, but couldn't fit into my schedule. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a guest post by the author Delancey Stewart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgScKylH5hV-4jkNdzaz1TOeqZ_4uHQ7gXLEGOYK2L_IcL9Tb_p4J74C8bbIth4tYw9QOAO0sjBz9nr5RxNglgaZ9qMZWTH-FKP-6pkU6xuVv77G213C0U78q8NwjimTOdrINFURGUhNux/s1600/Through+a+Dusty+Window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgScKylH5hV-4jkNdzaz1TOeqZ_4uHQ7gXLEGOYK2L_IcL9Tb_p4J74C8bbIth4tYw9QOAO0sjBz9nr5RxNglgaZ9qMZWTH-FKP-6pkU6xuVv77G213C0U78q8NwjimTOdrINFURGUhNux/s320/Through+a+Dusty+Window.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Publication Date: November 15, 2012</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">CreateSpace</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Paperback; 108p</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ISBN-10: 0615731023</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>It's impossible to live in a city like New York without feeling the presence of those who have preceded you - on those streets, in those subway cars, in that apartment. The city thrums with vibrations of lives and eras passed, and traces of that history are left imprinted in tangible ways everywhere we look.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Through a Dusty Window is a collection of ten short stories spanning a century of lives inhabiting one New York City brownstone on the Upper West Side. They are the culmination of the author's experience in that city, during which she wondered constantly who had occupied her apartment before her, and what stories they might have lived.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Ten vignettes offer historical perspective on real events from Prohibition to World War II; the Vietnam-era Summer of Sam killings to John Lennon's murder.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Through a Dusty Window allows us to be voyeurs, seeing the fascinating lives of others as they experience the history that New Yorkers today hear whispers of around every corner.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></i></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Praise for Through a Dusty Window</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"I found this series of short stories to be delightful and read them in one sitting. I was impressed with the author's free flowing style which captivated me and drew me into the imagery of the book. I was particularly aware of the evolution of the social culture and I felt that the transition between the times of each story was handled well." - Jean Roberts, Amazon Review</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Every story was very well written (my favorite involved the Hindenberg) and my only complaint is that a few of them, such as the last one, ended too soon. This is a compliment, however, because it means I wanted more, much more." - John Darling (Author Jack Point) - Amazon Review</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDVKkBClBp8b_Nxm9avAnzSCZxU_GWRLlNWBMTJ9LJGhG8nKdy1nQALEEdnBMhR5xkz2DAQRTKl5QDg251lR86g1gq_lulb1ylMIgFIPLjubXPQYCUktsbws3oGriMOx4C-PAHCXOsgtv/s1600/Delancey+Stewart.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/AVvXsEjEDVKkBClBp8b_Nxm9avAnzSCZxU_GWRLlNWBMTJ9LJGhG8nKdy1nQALEEdnBMhR5xkz2DAQRTKl5QDg251lR86g1gq_lulb1ylMIgFIPLjubXPQYCUktsbws3oGriMOx4C-PAHCXOsgtv/s200/Delancey+Stewart.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>About the Author</b></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Delancey Stewart is a fiction writer living in Southern Maryland. She's a military spouse and the mother of two small boys. When not writing, she can be found ballet dancing, eating ice cream, playing video games or building with Legos. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">For more information, please visit Delancey Stewart's </span><a href="http://delanceystewart.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. You can also follow her on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThroughADustyWindowNewYorkCityStories19102001?ref=hl" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/DelanceyStewart" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">.</span><br />
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To read what some bloggers thought about this book, please visit one of the blogs below:<br />
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VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE</h3>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, April 1</span></strong><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Maiden’s Court</a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Tuesday, April 2</span></strong><br />Review at <a href="http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Oh, for the Hook of a Book!</a><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peeking Between the Pages</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday, April 3</strong></span><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Bookworm</a><br />Interview & Giveaway at <a href="http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Oh, for the Hook of a Book!</a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday, April 4</span></strong><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jenny Loves to Read</a><br />Feature & Giveaway at <a href="http://www.passagestothepast.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Passages to the Past</a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Friday, April 5</span></strong><br />Review at <a href="http://agelesspagesreviews.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Ageless Pages Reviews</a><br />Review & Giveaway at <a href="http://abookishaffair.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">A Bookish Affair</a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday, April 8</span></strong><br />Guest Post at <a href="http://brokenteepee.com/" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0d4a49; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Broken Teepee</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyALjeuZ2ND9fPu3pxoPNxin-lJsVZ6pYA7I1wy5XKyAHRgcQN7agN_OHwHljEECL9O5_OCFOU2omP1VbKKyLRuhiSgjwgDgQzJlDHkpBQxStdI-ueNTNH7QdVxAH-JNnaeFNWCvvkiUh/s1600/TADW+Tour+Banner+FINAL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyALjeuZ2ND9fPu3pxoPNxin-lJsVZ6pYA7I1wy5XKyAHRgcQN7agN_OHwHljEECL9O5_OCFOU2omP1VbKKyLRuhiSgjwgDgQzJlDHkpBQxStdI-ueNTNH7QdVxAH-JNnaeFNWCvvkiUh/s320/TADW+Tour+Banner+FINAL.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"<br />
Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-89795280676153975052013-04-02T16:24:00.000-04:002013-04-02T16:24:36.715-04:00We have winners here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisv0kBfW5MynO4GAu9nWH33_zOJC-t2xR3JIWPb7nhYNRs6N2cEWe9fffIPaNCAnLkvj2X0Fd_GgRZTikcUwuOKS4cjO1t_FQzGEF_sXaXW4_pTo528zrV1NvXrb6qX4jbArki2DJA-FxP/s1600/congratulations.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisv0kBfW5MynO4GAu9nWH33_zOJC-t2xR3JIWPb7nhYNRs6N2cEWe9fffIPaNCAnLkvj2X0Fd_GgRZTikcUwuOKS4cjO1t_FQzGEF_sXaXW4_pTo528zrV1NvXrb6qX4jbArki2DJA-FxP/s200/congratulations.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Congratulations to the following peeps who won my recent contests:<br />
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Linda B - copy of Enchantments</div>
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Staceybuckeye - copy of Swoon</div>
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Charlotte - gently used copy of Girls Like Us</div>
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Pearl- gently used copies of Lost and Found and Picture This</div>
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I'll be in touch for your addresses Ladies and thanks for supporting my blog :)</div>
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5095577032094347475.post-12483962427035463402013-04-01T08:00:00.000-04:002013-04-01T08:00:15.066-04:00Posession Readalong: Chapters 7 - 10.25<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU9ZECBiJaUEW1u-gSk-QCEpgYyhj_xy7J9XHDuRrG_9fLSU1omqaPV5IRjSRTD3Y57JLqIjeS1SEjeNI_TFLPT6E0W6xZgKCDTBDpJJ6i072_Db30tl2Y22bNESXbqXEMejQPmgnhdO7/s1600/200px-Possessionbookjacket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU9ZECBiJaUEW1u-gSk-QCEpgYyhj_xy7J9XHDuRrG_9fLSU1omqaPV5IRjSRTD3Y57JLqIjeS1SEjeNI_TFLPT6E0W6xZgKCDTBDpJJ6i072_Db30tl2Y22bNESXbqXEMejQPmgnhdO7/s1600/200px-Possessionbookjacket.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> </span><a href="http://www.sophisticateddorkiness.com/2013/03/readbyatt-a-possession-read-a-long/" style="background-color: white; color: #b87209; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14.399999618530273px; text-decoration: none;">Possession readalong</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"> is hosted by Kim of Sophisticated Dorkiness and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 14.399999618530273px;"><span style="color: #111111; line-height: 19.984375px;">Lu of </span><a href="http://regularrumination.com/" style="color: #2361a1; line-height: 19.984375px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Regular Rumination</a><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="line-height: 19.975000381469727px;">. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/2013/03/possession-readalong-chapters-1-6.html">My thoughts on Chapters 1-6 here.</a><br />
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As you can see I only got to the beginning of Chapter 10 and I gave up. Yes, I gave up. I tried, Ms. Byatt, really I did. I was 180 pages into your award winning story. But you see, Randolph Henry Ash is a bore, and when it comes to his correspondence with LaMotte, I found myself reading his letters and thinking about work, other books I should be reading and the like. I even waited a few days and tried again, but snoozles and cuddling with my puppy were all I thought about.<br />
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I did skim ahead and see there were some interesting developments, but I couldn't hang in there for them. Although not my cup of tea, I have to give you credit Ms. Byatt. Your imagination and writing skills are stupendous. The idea for the story is interesting, but to include correspondence between two different people, plus their writings that consist of poetry and short stories...my goodness your mind must ever stop. Very creative and definitely nothing I have come across before.<br />
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Now I will make this up to you by reading another one of your works, and giving you a second try. Specifically I have <i>The Children's Book</i> in mind. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6280379-the-children-s-book"> Sounds more like my style anyway</a>. So my apologies to fellow read-alongers, for taking a dive on this one and not finishing it. Hope you are enjoying it and are probably almost finished anyway.<br />
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Maybe next time :)<br />
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Book Source: Paperbackswap<br />
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© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"Jenny Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04077659644092707107noreply@blogger.com