Acne for Dummies by Herbert P. Goodheart, MD (Book Review)

Title: Acne for Dummies
Author: Herbert P. Goodheart, MD
Publisher: Wiley Publishing

First sentence: Benjamin Franklin said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes," to which I would add a third certainty - acne.

My thoughts: I wanted to read this book as I have two teenage daughters struggling with acne. I was one of the more fortunate teenagers who only got the occasional pimple, so I don't know how to help them. I have one taking oral antibiotics, which has cleared up her face, but hasn't really touched her back or upper arms. With it being summertime she is loath to wear any kind of tank top or sleeveless shirt.

With this book I mainly concentrated on those areas of interest to me going forward with my girls. These areas included understanding teen acne, myths vs reality, and when to use topicals or call in an expert.

Some of the big myths - 'chocolate causes acne (or sugar or dairy)' hasn't been proved or disproved. Dr. Goodheart just recommends that if your convinced some type of food is making your acne worse - then stop eating it. There are other myths that are also discussed like stress and makeup.

This book is very inclusive in that it covers teen acne to adult acne to disorders that might cause acne. It also covers topical treatments, common sense and prescription drugs. The book ends with some great web site references, tips for healthy skin and things you should never do (like looking in the mirror too much!) It goes into what it terms "technical stuff" which, while interesting, I didn't feel was always necessary.

Acne for Dummies, like the name would suggest, addresses this topic with common sense and a touch of humor for that which can be a very sensitive subject for some teenagers. It would be a good reference book for those beginning to deal with acne as an adult or maybe as the parent of a teen.

About the author: Herbert P. Goodheart, MD, has been in the private practice of dermatology for over 25 years. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the Greater New York Dermatological Society. For 20 years, Dr. Goodheart was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Dermatology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, and is now an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai College of Medicine in New York City.

Dr. Goodheart is the author of Goodheart’s Photoguide of Common Skin Disorders, Diagnosis and Management, a clinical guide to assist the primary care provider and dermatologist-in-training in the identification and treatment of common skin disorders. The book, which is in its second edition, was a unanimous choice for first prize in dermatology at the annual British Medical Association Book Awards for 2004. He also is a contributing editor of Women’s Health in Primary Care, a medical journal for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Dr. Goodheart’s monthly column, “Dermatology Rounds,” provides information on the wide spectrum of skin disorders affecting women.

Acne for Dummies
Publisher/Publication Date: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, January 2006
ISBN: 978-0-471-74698-3
292 pages

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Invisible Scars

Here is an article from the author of Acne for Dummies - Dr. Herbert P. Goodheart. My review for this book will be up on Friday - but in the meantime - check this out!

Helping Your Child Deal with Acne's "Invisible Scars"
By Herbert P. Goodheart, M.D.,
Author of Acne For Dummies

Acne affects adolescents at a time when they're developing their personalities and evolving into adulthood. The psychological impact of severe or even mild acne can lead your child to feelings of diminished self-esteem and be a source of anxiety when it comes to dealing with the world. During this time, peer acceptance is very important to them and physical appearance and attractiveness is highly associated with status. Besides the physical scars that acne can produce, your teen may also be suffering emotionally.

Acne, particularly, severe facial acne, can bring out cruel taunts, teasing, and name calling from other children. Some teens lose interest in sports such as swimming or basketball because of the need to undress in locker rooms and expose their back and chests. Some kids become so preoccupied with how their skin looks that they may not want to go to school, they may pull away from their friends, show dramatic changes in their thinking and behavior, become withdrawn, and may even become depressed.

Our society places a great emphasis on physical appearance; we're all constantly bombarded with advertisements that display models and movie stars, all of whom are depicted as paragons of beauty and flawless perfection. They often serve as the spokespeople for health and beauty aids that imply that you can look like them if you buy the products they're promoting. When you see media portrayals of all those people with perfect skin, just remember that almost all of those photos are touched-up and airbrushed. Some of the models even have -- heaven forbid -- acne, just like your kid does!

Teens with acne are often told, "It's no big deal, and anyway, you'll grow out of it; it's just a normal part of life." But to a teen with acne, it is a big deal; they often feel insecure and lack self confidence. The truth is that many kids don't "just grow out of it". The main thing to remember, acne, even very severe acne, is treatable. But you as a parent should be aware of the "invisible scars" that some teens carry on the inside; they can be really tough!

You Can Do Something About It

Here are a few simple, yet effective, ways to communicate your willingness to help:

Let your child know how much you care: Give your child adequate time to bring up the subjects of their acne and allow them to address or respond to your questions about the behavioral changes you've noticed.

Listen patiently: They may want to communicate their feelings but have difficulty doing so. Think back to your own teen years. You may not have always felt like it was easy to be open about your thoughts and feelings.

Don't be overly judgmental about your child's appearance: Approach the subject of acne in a gentle, caring manner and try to give a little space when it comes to some of the relatively harmless decisions they make about their clothing and grooming habits.

It's extremely important to keep the lines of communication open: Take the time to pay undivided attention to your kid's concerns. It's important to even if your child seems to want to withdraw.

Don't lecture on the subject: Try to avoid telling your child what to do. Instead, pay careful attention and you may discover more about the issues causing his or her problems.

Detecting Depression in Your Teenager

It's very normal for people with severe acne to feel down and despondent; even mild acne can give them the blues. However, if your child is feeling unhappy more often and doesn't seem to enjoy his/her usual activities anymore, you need to consider the possibility that your child may be suffering from depression.

Determining if a teenager is depressed can be a very tricky undertaking. Dramatic physical and mental changes seem to take place almost overnight and it sometimes seems hard to tell the "normal" from the "abnormal."

Depression has become a more commonly recognized diagnosis in adolescents than it had been in the past. Parents should look for signs of depression in adolescents and they should be dealt with in a serious manner and not just passed off as "growing pains" or the normal consequence of adolescence. If you observe some of the signs or behaviors listed below, they may be indicators of depression, although they're not always diagnostic of teen depression, they may be a signs of other psychological, social, family, or school problems:

• Increased fatigue, low energy
• Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, anxiety, and guilt
• Loss of enjoyment in things that previously gave pleasure
• Irritability, anger, or aggressiveness
• Sleep disturbances such as staying awake at night and sleeping during the day
• Social isolation, withdrawal from family and friends
• Loss of interest in food or compulsive overeating that results in rapid weight loss or gain
• Lots of new physical complaints such as headaches, stomach aches, low back pain, or excessive fatigue
• A sudden drop in grades
• Unusual rebellious behavior, or cutting school
• Use of alcohol or drugs
• Promiscuous sexual activity
• A preoccupation with death and dying
• Suicidal thoughts

If one or more of these descriptions rings a bell, talk to your child's pediatrician or other health care provider. Strong suicidal thoughts are an emergency and call for immediate action. Don't go it alone!

©2009 Herbert P. Goodheart, M.D., author of Acne For Dummies

Author Bio
Herbert P. Goodheart, M.D., of New York, NY, author of Acne For Dummies, is a practicing dermatologist who also teaches at the Mount Sinai College of Medicine. He is the author of a highly regarded dermatology textbook. For more information please visit http://herbertgoodheart.com/

Tome Traveler: Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman

Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman

Publisher: Avon Books/Harper Collins

I got this through Paperback Swap after I read What the Dead Know. This is the first of the Tess Monaghan series. Has anyone read these?

About the book: In a city where someone is murdered almost every day, attorney Michael Abramowitz's death should be just another statistic. But the slain lawyer's notoriety - and his taste for illicit midday trysts - makes the case front page news in every local paper except the Star, which crashed and burned before Abramowitz did. A former Star reporter who knows every inch of this town - from historic Fort McHenry to the crumbling projects of Cherry Hill - now-unemployed journalist Tess Monaghan also knows the guy the cops like for the killing: cuckolded fiance Darryl "Rock" Paxton. The time is ripe for a career move, so when rowing buddy Rock wants to hire her to do some unorthodox snooping to help clear his name, Tess agrees. But there are lethal secrets hiding in the Charm City shadows. And Tess's own name could end up on that ever-expanding list of Baltimore dead. (From the back cover)

About the author: Laura Lippman was a reporter for 20 years, including 12 years at The (Baltimore) Sun. She began writing novels while working full time and published seven books about "accidental PI" Tess Monaghan before leaving daily journalism in 2001. Her work has been awarded the Edgar, the Anthony, the Agatha, the Shamus, the Nero Wolfe, Gumshoe, and Barry awards. She also has been nominated for other prizes in the crime fiction field, including the Hammett and the Macavity. She was the first-ever recipient of the Mayor's Prize for Literary Excellence and the first genre writer recognized as Author of the Year by the Maryland Library Association.

Ms. Lippman grew up in Baltimore and attended city schools through ninth grade. After graduating from Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Md., Ms. Lippman attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her other newspaper jobs included the Waco Tribune-Herald and the San Antonio Light.

Ms. Lippman returned to Baltimore in 1989 and has lived there since. (from author's website)

Baltimore Blues
Publisher/Publication Date: Avon Books, 1997 Reprint
ISBN: 978-0-380-78875-0
290 pages

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ARC Arrival: The Rapture by Liz Jensen

The Rapture by Liz Jensen

Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

I received this book through Shelf Awareness.

About the book: With gothic intensity, Liz Jensen conjures the unnerving relationship between Gabrielle, a physically and emotionally damaged therapist, and her patient, sixteen-year-old Bethany, who is incarcerated in a British psychiatric hospital for the brutal murder of her mother.


Delving deep into the psyche of her fascinating, manipulative patient, Gabrielle is confronted by alarming coincidences between the girl’s paranoid disaster fantasies and actual incidents of geological and meteorological upheaval. Coincidences her professionalism tells her to ignore — but which her heart cannot.


As Bethany’s warnings continue to prove accurate beyond fluke, and she begins to offer scientifically precise hints of a final, world-altering cataclysm, Gabrielle is confronted with a series of devastating choices. In a world on the brink of apocalypse, belief is as precious — and as dangerous — as life itself. (from Barnes & Noble website)

About the author: Liz Jensen is the author of Egg Dancing, Ark Baby, shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize and a New York Times Notable Book, The Paper Eater, War Crimes for the Home, The Ninth Life of Louis Drax, in development to be a feature film, and My Dirty Little Book of Stolen Time. Her novels have been translated into 20 languages.

The Rapture
Publisher/Publication Date: Knopf Doubleday, August 11, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-385-52821-4
304 pages

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Waiting on Wednesday: The Day the Falls Stood Still

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan

Publisher/Publication Date: Voice, August 25, 2009

About the book: Steeped in the intriguing history of Niagara Falls, this epic love story is as rich, spellbinding and majestic as the falls themselves.

1915. The dawn of the hydroelectric power era in Niagara Falls. Seventeen-year-old Bess Heath has led a sheltered existence as the youngest daughter of the director of the Niagara Power Company. After graduation day at her boarding school, she is impatient to return to her picturesque family home near Niagara Falls. But when she arrives, nothing is as she had left it. Her father has lost his job at the power company, her mother is reduced to taking in sewing from the society ladies she once entertained, and Isabel, her vivacious older sister, is a shadow of her former self. She has shut herself in her bedroom, barely eating-and harbouring a secret.

The night of her return, Bess meets Tom Cole by chance on a trolley platform. She finds herself inexplicably drawn to him-against her family's strong objections. He is not from their world. Rough-hewn and fearless, he lives off what the river provides and has an uncanny ability to predict the whims of the falls. His daring river rescues render him a local hero and cast him as a threat to the power companies that seek to harness the power of the falls for themselves. As their lives become more fully entwined, Bess is forced to make a painful choice between what she wants and what is best for her family and her future.

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of Niagara Falls, at a time when daredevils shot the river rapids in barrels and great industrial fortunes were made and lost as quickly as lives disappeared, The Day the Falls Stood Still is an intoxicating debut novel. (from Barnes and Noble website)

About the author: Cathy Marie Buchanan was born and raised in Niagara Falls and lives in Toronto. Her fiction has appeared in some of Canada's premier journals, including The Antigonish Review, The Dalhousie Review, Descant, and The New Quarterly. She is the recipient of grants from both the Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council.

The Day the Falls Stood Still
Publisher/Publication Date: Voice, August 2009
ISBN: 9781401340971
320 pages

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What are you waiting for? Waiting on Wednesdays is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand (Blog Tour and Book Review)

Title: The Castaways
Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

First sentence: Because the accident occurred out on the water and not on the land that fell under his jurisdiction, it was unusual that the Chief was the first one to find out.

My summary/thoughts: This is the story of 8 friends - 4 couples - Tess and Greg, Jeff and Delilah, Ed and Andrea, Phoebe and Addison. They all live on the island of Nantucket - a community where everyone knows everyone and nobody's business remains private for long.

The story opens with the death of Tess and Greg. They had gone sailing to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary - an anniversary that they had fought hard to reach over the last year. Nobody could believe they had drowned - especially the six friends they left behind.

I love the way the story is told rotating around the survivors - so you are not just getting one point of view - but everyone's. It alternates between how they are dealing with the present and what happened in the past, what decisions they did or did not make, that shaped this present. The death of this couple hits them all hard - some because of guilty secrets - some because of what ifs. They all deal with their grief differently.

Over the course of this book, each character really becomes more and more real. I was afraid when I first started reading - because of the 8 main characters - and the way the story moved around - that I was going to have trouble maintaining who was who. But it wasn't long before I realized I wasn't having to 'think' about who was who anymore. I had come to know each one of them.

Elin Hilderbrand was a new-to-me author and I can't wait to read more of her work!

Read an excerpt of The Castaways.

About the author: Elin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket. She is the author of ten novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa. (from her website)


Join Elin Hilderbrand's Nantucket community!




The Castaways
Publisher/Publication Date: Little, Brown & Company, July 2009
ISBN: 978-0-316-04389-2
359 pages

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Amazon

Participating Blogs:
July 6
Booking Mama
Write for a Reader
Cafe of Dreams
Must Read Faster
Foreign Circus Library
All About {n}
A Sea of Books
A Journey of Books
The Tome Traveller
Brimful Curiosities
Carol's Notebook

July 7
Book N Around
She is Too Fond of Books
Peeking Between the Pages
Beth Fish Reads
A High and Hidden Place
Bella's Novella
A Circle of Books
Books and Needlepoint
Readaholic
A Bookish Mom
Bermudaonion

July 8
Debbie's World of Books
Review From Here
Marta's Meanderings
Chick with Books
Radiant Light
A Bookworm's World
Booksies Blog
Drey's Library
Cindy's Love of Books
Jenn's Bookshelf
Books, Movies and Chinese Food

July 9
Bookin With Bingo
This Book For Free
Ultimate Bookhound
~Red Lady's Reading Room~
Bookfoolery and Babble
Linus's Blanket
A Book Blogger's Diary
So Many Books, So Little Time
The Brain Lair
Danys
My Friend Amy

July 10
Darby's Closet
Pudgy Penguin Perusals
I'm Booking It
Book Soulmates
Morbid Romantic
Under the Boardwalk
T.V. and Book Addict
Allison's Attic
Wrighty's Reads
Frugal Plus
My Guilty Pleasures

Wonderful Win: The Night Gardener

The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos

Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

I won this book from the ladies over at Bella's Novella.

About the book: When the body of a local teenager is found in a community garden, detective Gus Ramone relives intense memories of a twenty-year-old case. Back when he was a rookie, Ramone and his partner "Doc" Holiday assisted legendary detective T.C. Cook in the investigation of a series of murders involving young victims. The killer, dubbed "the Night Gardener," was never caught.

The fierce sense of anger, regret, and purpose that once burned among these three men comes rushing back as they race to vanquish the monster who has stalked their dreams. For Cook, now retired, it means solving one of the few cases that eluded him. For Holiday, whose career as a cop was derailed, it's one last chance to redeem himself. For Ramone, catching the killer means not only doing his job but knowing that his own teenage son, who was a friend of the dead boy, won't be the next victim. (from the back cover)

About the author: George Pelecanos is the author of several highly acclaimed and bestselling novels, including, most recently, The Turnaround and The Way Home. He is also an independent-film producer, and essayist, the recipient of numerous international writing awards, and an Emmy-nominated writer-producer for the HBO hit series The Wire. (from the back cover

The Night Gardener
Publisher/Publication Date: Little, Brown & Company, June 2009 (Reprint)
ISBN: 978-0-316-05650-2
400 pages

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Wonderful Win: Red Fire

Red Fire (#1 Gods of Midnight series)by Deidre Knight

Publisher: Penguin Group

I won this book from J Kaye at J Kaye's Book Blog. Thanks J Kaye!

About the book: A thrilling new series featuring seven immortal Spartan warriors protecting mankind— and confronting passion along the way...

Eternity has become a prison for Ajax Petrakos. Centuries after he and his Spartan brothers made their bargain for immortality, Ajax struggles to maintain his warrior's discipline. His only source of strength is his hope that he will soon meet the woman once foretold to him--the other half of his soul, Shay Angel.

Ajax searches for his destined mate on the haunted streets of modern-day Savannah, but he isn't the first to find her. Shay, the youngest of a powerful demon-hunting clan, can see the monsters that stalk the steamy Southern nights--an ability that draws the deadly attention of Ajax's worst enemy. As Shay and Ajax race to solve a chilling prophecy--one that could spell Ajax's death if they don't succeed--a fated passion arises, threatening to sweep away everything in its path.(from Barnes and Noble website)

About the author: Deidre Knight is a literary agent, mom, wife, novelist and southern woman, and proud to answer to all of these titles. Before she founded The Knight Agency in 1996, Deidre worked behind the camera in movies and television. During the thirteen years since she launched her literary agency, she has grown The Knight Agency to national prominence, shepherding authors on to every major bestseller list. With agency sales of more than 1,000 titles to major publishers, a large percentage of which are in the categories of romance and women’s fiction, Deidre has established a reputation for discovering vivid and unique storytellers and is considered an industry expert on the hot trends of paranormal fiction and urban fantasy.

Deidre began her writing career at age nine, when her award-winning essay on Barbie was published in her hometown newspaper, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. She has been writing in one form or another ever since. After nearly a decade of working with Knight Agency clients, helping them discover their creative potential, Deidre’s dream of writing romance came true in the form of her debut series THE MIDNIGHT WARRIORS which launched with PARALLEL ATTRACTION in the spring of 2006. (from author's website)

Red Fire
Publisher/Publication Date: Penguin, October 2008
ISBN: 9780451225382
400 pages

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ARC Arrival: The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love

The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love by Beth Pattillo

Publisher: Waterbrook Press

I received this book from Random House for a blog tour in August.


About the book: Once a month, the six women of the Sweetgum Knit Lit Society gather to discuss books and share their knitting projects. Inspired by her recently-wedded bliss, group leader Eugenie chooses “Great Love Stories in Literature” as the theme for the year’s reading list–a risky selection for a group whose members span the spectrum of age and relationship status.


As the Knit Lit ladies read and discus classic romances like Romeo and Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and Pride and Prejudice, each member is confronted with her own perception about love. Camille’s unexpected reunion with an old crush forces her to confront conflicting desires. Newly widowed Esther finds her role in Sweetgum changing and is surprised by two unlikely friends. Hannah isn’t sure she’s ready for the trials of first love. Newcomer Maria finds her life turned upside-down by increasing family obligations and a handsome, arrogant lawyer, and Eugenie and Merry are both asked to make sacrifices for their husbands that challenge their principles.



Even in a sleepy, southern town like Sweetgum, Tennessee, love isn’t easy. The Knit Lit ladies learn they can find strength and guidance in the novels they read, the love of their family, their community–and especially in each other. (from the book cover)

About the author: Beth Pattillo learned to knit in second grade. She is the author of nine books including Heavens to Betsy and Jane Austen Ruined My Life. Beth lives with her husband and children in Tennessee.

The Sweetgum Ladies Knit for Love
Publisher/Publication Date: Waterbrook, June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7395-5
368 pages

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Maire - Value Fiction "Grab Bag" Blog Tour

Touring this week is Maire by Linda Windsor
#1 - The Fires of Gleannmara Series

About the book: A fanciful, romantic tale of passion and faith that invites readers to the "God-graced mountains and plains" of Ireland. Maire, Gleannmara's warrior queen, finds her fierce heart is gentled when she takes a reformed mercenary-a Christian, no less-as hostage during a raid. At first she wonders what kind of God would make a fine warrior like Rowan of Emerys such a coward. But as she comes to know Rowan and witnesses the force of his beliefs, she learns that meekness and humility to the one true God are stronger than any blade of steel. And in the process, Maire discovers the transforming power of love and faith. (from Barnes and Noble website)

Watch for my review this week!

About the author: Linda Windsor is an award-winning author of nineteen historical and five contemporary novels who lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. A former professional singer, musician, and ABA writer, Linda gave her music and writing over to God with initial protest but without regret. She believes laughter is God's prescription for the tears of life, and the icing on the cake of faith.

Maire
Publisher/Publication Date: Multnomah, June 2009 (Paperback Reprint)
ISBN: 9781601422460
364 pages

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Amazon

A Promise for Breanna - Value Fiction "Grab Bag" Blog Tour

Touring this week is A Promise for Breanna by Al Lacy
#1 Angel of Mercy Series

About the book: The Angel of Mercy series follows the adventures of certified medical nurse Breanna Baylor as she seeks to serve her fellow man and restore her relationship with her true love-John Stranger of the Journeys of the Stranger series-in the post-Civil War West. A Promise for Breanna finds the heroine face to face with Frank Miller, the man who once broke her heart and led her to mistrust men, sabotaging her relationship with John Stranger. Suspense, danger, romance, and spiritual truth each play a part in this compelling story that draws readers into the life of an angel of mercy.(from Barnes and Noble website)

Watch for my review this week!

About the author: Al Lacy has written more than ninety novels, including the Angel of Mercy, Battles of Destiny, and Journeys of the Stranger series. He and his wife, JoAnna Lacy, are coauthors of the Mail Order Bride, Hannah of Fort Bridger, and Shadow of Liberty series. The Lacys make their home in the Colorado Rockies.(from Barnes and Noble website)

A Promise for Breanna
Publisher/Publication Date: Multnomah, June 2009 (Paperback Reprint)
ISBN: 9781601422446
320 pages

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Amazon

Mailbox Monday 7-6-2009

Mailbox Monday is hosted at The Printed Page or In Your Mailbox at The Story Siren. Please stop by those posts and take a look at what packages everybody else got this week! I have new giveaways posted in my right sidebar - so be sure to enter!

ARC Arrivals

1. All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon
2. Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons
3. Too Many Visitors for One Little House by Susan Chodakiewitz
4. Desperate Highway by Jesse Stretch
5. Lizzi & Fredl by Dr. William B. Stanford
6. Blue Like Play Dough by Tricia Goyer

Wonderful Wins

1. Swim the Fly by Don Calame
2. The Knot Fairy by Bobbie Hinman

Purchased Pages

1. A Cross Stitch Christmas - Handmade Holiday

Tome Travelers

1. The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon
2. A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
3. Another Thing to Fall by Laura Lippman
4. Dying Breath by Wendi Corsi Staub
5. Outer Banks by Anne Rivers Siddons

What great books found a home at your place last week?

Blog Tour - The Castaways!

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

About the book: Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed.

Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life. (from the publisher)

Read an excerpt of The Castaways.

About the author: Elin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket, which has been the setting for her five previous novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa. (from the publisher)

The Castaways
Publisher/Publication Date: Little, Brown & Company, July 2009
ISBN: 9780316043892
368 pages

Barnes & Noble
Amazon

Participating Blogs:
July 6
Booking Mama
Write for a Reader
Cafe of Dreams
Must Read Faster
Foreign Circus Library
All About {n}
A Sea of Books
A Journey of Books
The Tome Traveller
Brimful Curiosities
Carol's Notebook
July 7
Book N Around
She is Too Fond of Books
Peeking Between the Pages
Beth Fish Reads
A High and Hidden Place
Bella's Novella
A Circle of Books
Books and Needlepoint
Readaholic
A Bookish Mom
Bermudaonion
July 8
Debbie's World of Books
Review From Here
Marta's Meanderings
Chick with Books
Radiant Light
A Bookworm's World
Booksies Blog
Drey's Library
Cindy's Love of Books
Jenn's Bookshelf
Books, Movies and Chinese Food
July 9
Bookin With Bingo
This Book For Free
Ultimate Bookhound
~Red Lady's Reading Room~
Bookfoolery and Babble
Linus's Blanket
A Book Blogger's Diary
So Many Books, So Little Time
The Brain Lair
Danys
My Friend Amy
July 10
Darby's Closet
Pudgy Penguin Perusals
I'm Booking It
Book Soulmates
Morbid Romantic
Under the Boardwalk
T.V. and Book Addict
Allison's Attic
Wrighty's Reads
Frugal Plus
My Guilty Pleasures

Blog Tour for One Scream Away

One Scream Away by Kate Brady

About the book: Killer Chevy Bankes is a master of disguise, and just paroled, he's coming after the woman who sent him to jail, the beautiful antiques expert Beth Denison. A set of antique dolls brings Beth into his sight, and inspire Chevy's disturbing crimes as he draws closer to Beth and her young daughter. Chevy sends the dolls to Beth one-by-one and she soon realizes that these antiques carry the same marks as his victims, signaling that the final piece in his collection will be for her.

Neil Sheridan gave up his FBI shield five years ago, but his best friend Rick, a cop, pulls him in as a consultant on a case involving a serial killer who is eerily similar to a murderer Neil encountered in the past. The investigation leads Neil to Beth's doorstep, and he is certain she isn't telling him the truth. Neil is the only one who can get through Beth's defenses and, as they grow closer, discover the secrets that Beth is hiding about her fateful night with Chevy. (from the publisher)

There is still time to enter my giveaway for One Scream Away.

About the author: My writing career began in the closet, where--thankfully--my first several novels remain. As a full-time choral conductor and assistant professor of music education, I didn't consider going public with my fiction. It was strictly clandestine and only a hobby.

Then the needs of small children convinced me to switch to part-time teaching. For the first couple of years as a mostly stay-at-home-mom, it was all I could do to complete the metamorphosis from domestically-challenged career woman to culinary-queen and housework goddess. (Okay...Some transitions are never fully realized.) But later, when the kids got old enough to be in school for six hours a day, the characters in my head found time to come out again. Murderers, cops, victims, lovers. I started writing down everything they did and said, then finally decided to see if anyone but me wanted to read about them.

Now, I lead a double life. Some days are spent in the university classroom or at the rehearsal podium; others spent chasing villains on my laptop.

So what do I do when I'm not creating music teachers or psycho murderers? (Two unrelated populations, I assure you.) With a husband, two children, and way too many furry, feathery, and scaly things, there isn't a lot of time left. It's enough to keep up with the house, the yard, and the family schedule, and hope no one on my laptop gets murdered when I'm not looking. (from author's website)

One Scream Away
Publisher/Publication Date: Forever
ISBN: 9780446541527
464 pages


Barnes & Noble
Amazon

Participating Blogs:
Chicks with Books - July 6 review and giveaway
Darbys Closet - July 6 review
Yankee Romance Reviewers - July 6 to 17 review and giveaway
Review From Here - July 7 review
Debbies World of Books - July 7
Starting Fresh - July 8 review and giveaway
Minding Spot - July 9 or 10 review and giveaway
Marta's Meanderings - July 10 review and giveaway
Chic Book Reviews - July 10 review and giveaway
Trins Nook - July 10 giveaway conclusion
Readaholic - July 11 review and giveaway
Morbid Romantic - July 11 review, giveaway, and Q&A
Bookin' With Bingo - July 11
Books and Needlepoint/ - July 12 review; giveaway concludes July 17
Drey's Library - July 13 review
Pudgy Penguin Perusals - July 14 review and giveaway
I'm Booking It - July 14 review and giveaway
Book Soulmates - July 15 review and giveaway
Just Jennifer Reading - July 15 review and giveaway
My Thoughts. . .Your thoughts? - July 15 review and giveaway
Seductive Musings - July 15 review and giveaway
All About {n} - July 15 review and giveaway.
My Friend Amy - July 16
This Book for Free - July 17 giveaway and Q&A
Cheryl's Book Nook - July 17 review and giveaway
My Guilty Pleasures

Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons - New Giveaway!

A new week and a new giveaway! This time it is for 5 copies of Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons. These are courtesy of Valerie and Hachette books!

About the book: Acclaimed novelist Anne Rivers Siddons's new novel is a stunning tale of love and loss.

For as long as she can remember, they were Cam and Lilly--happily married, totally in love with each other, parents of a beautiful family, and partners in life. Then, after decades of marriage, it ended as every great love story does...in loss. After Cam's death, Lilly takes a lone road trip to her and Cam's favorite spot on the remote coast of Maine, the place where they fell in love over and over again, where their ghosts still dance. There, she looks hard to her past--to a first love that ended in tragedy; to falling in love with Cam; to a marriage filled with exuberance, sheer life, and safety-- to try to figure out her future.

It is a journey begun with tender memories and culminating in a revelation that will make Lilly re-evaluate everything she thought was true about her husband and her marriage. (from the publisher)

Read an excerpt of Off Season.

About the author: Anne Rivers Siddons is one of America’s most beloved novelists. A New York Times bestselling author, she has written sixteen previous novels: Sweetwater Creek, Islands, Nora Nora, Low Country, Up Island, Fault Lines, Downtown, Hill Towns, Colony, Outer Banks, King’s Oak, Peachtree Road, Homeplace, Fox’s Earth, The House Next Door, and Heartbreak Hotel. She is also the author of a work of nonfiction, John Chancellor Makes Me Cry. Her newest novel, OFF SEASON, will be released in August 2008. She and her husband, Heyward, split their time between their homes in South Carolina and Maine. (from the publisher)

Off Season
Publisher/Publication Date: Grand Central Publishing/July 2009 (Paperback reprint)
ISBN: 9780446698290
384 pages

Barnes & Noble
Amazon

Rules

1. Only residents of U.S. or Canada
2. No PO Boxes
3. Five (5) books being given away - giveaway ends July 27th.
4. Leave a comment w/email address to enter. (please leave all entries in one comment)
5. Follow my blog +2
6. Post about it on blog or any social network - leave me a link +3. If you are leaving it on twitter use @kherbrand.
7. If someone says you referred them you will each get +3!

Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory (Book Review)

Title: Knight of Desire (#1 All the King's Men)
Author: Margaret Mallory
Publisher: Forever

First sentence: The creak of the stable door woke him. (uncorrected proof edition)

My summary: As a young girl of 16, Catherine was to be married to a man she did not trust. But being the only heir to a castle, she had to follow the wishes of her father and her King. On the eve of her marriage, she heads out for one last ride of freedom. This ride is almost thwarted by a knight she awakens in the stable. The knight finally agrees to accompany her on her ride to keep her safe. They part with a kiss, Catherine vowing to remember the night when she needs a happy memory. The knight, unable to forget the girl, dreamed of her often.

Five years later we meet up with Catherine as she waits to hear if her husband, Lord Rayburn - the traitor, has been captured or killed. After withstanding many years of his brutal lovemaking and abuse, she had begun to send messages to her childhood friend, Prince Harry, of her husband's traitorous ways. His death means her survival. She is relieved when she finds out it is finally over, but her relief is short-lived. A traitor's family must also be punished to send a message to others - but the King has given her a choice. Marry William FitzAllen, who has been given the castle and the lands - or be sent to the Tower. William had proven his loyalty to the King many times and it was he that led the men who captured Lord Rayburn.

One look at Catherine and William realizes it is the young girl he met in the stables on the eve of her wedding. As it had been a dark night, and he had worn his hair longer and sported a beard, Lady Catherine does not recognize him. She agrees to marry, only to keep herself alive for her young son Jaime. They are married that very day.

William is a very gentle and caring knight. He gives Catherine many days to feel comfortable with him before she has to share his bed. Eventually she submits, but she is still tense and unreachable in bed. William doesn't understand as they appear to be growing closer during the day. He is even growing close to Jaime. Unfortunately, Lady Catherine has had her heart so bruised, she cannot see past her relationship with the late Rayburn. Will William be able to ever win her heart?

Catherine does come to love him, but fears her husband still does not trust her on things that matter the most. William does have doubts about Catherine's loyalty - all stemming back to her deceiving her first husband and eventually leading to his downfall. Their love and trust is tested when she is kidnapped by the Tudors and forced to travel all over Wales to avoid rescue. Will their relationship be able to stand this trial and separation?

My thoughts: What a good book! Sometimes historical fiction loses me when it tries to capture the "language" of the time period. I find those books hard to follow and they generally lose my interest. This book was hard for me to put down! The story of their love is very romantic - and of course William possesses many of the qualities we look for today - patience, gentleness, loyalty - though he does have his faults too! His bumbling when it came time to show Catherine how he felt, and his awkward way with words at times got him into hot water quite a bit! But I imagine many husbands have those some problems these days! For a book set in the 1400s, they had a very modern relationship. It was nice to read a romance that portrayed a strong, courageous woman, who didn't need the man to save her! If you are a fan of this genre - you must add this book to your TBRs!


About the author: MARGARET MALLORY recently surprised her friends and family by abandoning her legal career-and her steady job-to write tales of romance and adventure. At long last, she can satisfy her passion for justice by punishing the bad and rewarding the worthy-in the pages of her novels, of course. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and their two college-age children. KNIGHT OF DESIRE is her first book so she would dearly love to hear from readers.

I am currently have a giveaway for Knight of Desire.

Knight of Desire
Publisher/Publication Date: Forever, Grand Central Publishing, July 2009
ISBN: 978-0-446-55339-1
356 pages

Barnes & Noble
Amazon

Don't forget to visit these blogs for more about this great book:
Readaholic- June 29 giveaway.
This Book for Free- June 29 giveaway
Must Read Faster - June 29 review and giveaway.
Yankee Romance Reviewers - June 29 to July 10 review and giveaway
This, That and the Other Thing - June 30 review and giveaway.
Book Soulmates - July 1 review and giveaway.
The Epic Rat - July 1
Foreign Circus Library - July 2
Happily Forever After - July 2 giveaway
Love Impossible - July 3
Morbid Romantic - July 4 review and giveaway
Chick with Books - July 4 review and giveaway
Books and Needlepoint- July 5 review; July 10 giveaway ends.
Bookin' with Bingo- July 5
A Journey of Books - July 6 review and giveaway.
Seductive Musings - July 7 review and giveaway.
Alpha Heroes - July 8 review and giveaway.
All About {n} - July 8 review and giveaway.
Marta's Meanderings- July 9 review and giveaway.
Review from Here - July 10 review.
Starting Fresh - July 10 review and giveaway
Maria's Space- review and giveaway.
Darby's Closet - review.

June Round Up of Books and a Peek at July

Where is the summer going??? I cannot believe it is July already and I don't have a sunburntan yet! Well I had a great June. I think not having a schedule with the kids being out of school - and staying up late at night to read really helped me.

I read 14 books in June for a whopping total of 5071 pages. My best so far. This brings me to 77 books for the year.

1. Holly's Inbox - Holly Denham
2. Living a Charmed Life - Victoria Moran
3. Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell
4. Nothing But Trouble - Susan May Warren
5. Secrets to Happiness - Sarah Dunn
6. Scared - Tom Davis
7. Beach Trip - Cathy Holton
8. The King's Legacy - Jim Stovall
9. Talking to the Dead - Bonnie Grove
10. The Devlin Diaries - Christi Phillips
11. How To Raise a Modern Day Joseph - Linda Massey Weddle
12. My Forbidden Desire - Carolyn Jewel
13. Frederica - Georgette Heyer
14. Cousin Kate - Georgette Heyer

My favorite this month was probably Scared by Tom Davis or Miranda's Big Mistake by Jill Mansell.

Least favorite was probably The King's Legacy - just like my least favorite last month - it was sort of a fable.

I wrapped up a whole bunch of challenges even though they weren't ending yet. I had read the amount of books and was tired of updating them!
Themed Reading Challenge
Chunkster Challenge
2009 Pub Challenge
Chick Lit Challenge
New Author Challenge
Read Your Name Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge

Challenges I didn't complete -
Unshelved Reading Challenge - I did not read one book for this so didn't even do a wrap up!
Daring Book For Girls - I decided to keep going with this one though and making it a perpetual challenge for me.

Here are my other challenges:

Numbers Challenge	2/5
The Countdown Challenge	29/45
Outlander Challenge	0/7
Genre Challenge	10/12
Whitcoull's Challenge	2/7
Series Challenge Season 3	3
9 Books from '09	7/9
100+ Reading Challenge	77/100
18th and 19th Century Women Writers	0/4
2009 ARC Reading Challenge	63
2009 Suspense and Thriller Reading Challenge	8/12
999 Challenge	49/81
A to Z Challenge (authors)	19/26
A to Z Challenge (titles)	18/26
Art History Reading Challenge	0/6
Audiobook Challenge	3/12
Celebrate the Author challenge	3/12
Centuries Reading Challenge	2/4
Colorful Reading Challenge	2/9
Daniel Defoe	0/2
Decades '09	3/9
Dewey's Books Reading Challenge	1/6
Harlequin/Silhoutte Challenge	0/5
John Steinbeck	0/2
Sarah Dessen	0/2
Science Book Challenge	1/3
Scott Westerfeld	0/2
Seconds Challenge	8/12
Serial Readers Challenge	10
Support Your Local Library	13/50
What's in a Name	5/6
World War II Challenge	0/5
YA Challenge	13/12
Young Readers	61/12

Perpetual Challenges
5 Under 35 0
Daring Book for Girls 4

Let's focus on July - I have some great giveaways going on right now!
Knight of Desire - 5 copies (ends July 10)
A Hint of Wicked - 5 copies (ends July 15)
How to Score - 5 copies (ends July 16)
One Scream Away - 5 copies (ends July 17)
Soul Survivor - 5 copies (ends July 20)
The Juror - audiobook - 3 copies (ends July 22)
Any Minute - audiobook - 3 copies (ends July 23)
Swimsuit - audiobook - 3 copies (ends July 24)

Upcoming giveaways for July
Off Season - Anne River Siddons
Blue Like Play Dough - Tricia Goyer
Love at First Flight - Marie Force

Interviews for July
July 10 - Marie Force - author of Love at First Flight
July 30 - Susan Chodakiewitz - author of Too Many Visitors for One Little House

Guest post
July 22 - T. Katz - author of Miss L'eau

Lots of books will be touring this month!
Knight of Desire - Margaret Mallory
One Scream Away - Kate Brady
The Castaways - Elin Hildebrand
Maire - Linda Windsor
A Promise for Breanna - Al and Joanna Lacy
Ravens - George Dawes Green
Me, Just Different - Stephanie Morrill
Blue Like Play Dough - Tricia Goyer

In addition to the above reviews - I will also be trying to fit these books in:
Conscience Point - Erica Abeel
Acne for Dummies - Dr. Herbert Goodheart
Last Light Over Carolina - Mary Alice Monroe
All We Ever Wanted Was Everything - Janelle Brown
Refuge -John & Bessie Gonleh w/Bruce Beakley
Miss L'eau- T. Katz
Hollywood is Like High School with Money - Zoey Dean
Too Many Visitors for One Little House - Susan Chodakiewitz
The Death of a Pope - Piers Paul Read
How to Train a Rock - Paul Steven Stone
Surviving a House Full of Whispers - Sharon Wallace
Confessions of a Trauma Junkie - Sherry Mayo
North From Calcutta- Duane Evans
Becky- Lenore Hart
Desperate Highway - Jesse Stretch
Lizzi and Fredl - Dr. William Stanford
The Blue Pen - Lisa Rusczyk
Off Season - Anne River Siddons

I also have some library books that I really want to get to this month! Hopefully you will be hearing about those because I will finish them and review them.

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Romance Reading Challenge Wrap Up

I can hear everybody cheering - this is the last wrap up post for now! It is the Romance Reading Challenge - you had to read at least 5 books - I stopped at 15.

1. - The Red Siren - M.L Tyndall
2. - Scream for Me - Karen Rose
3. - For the Love of Pete - Julia Harper
4. - The Valentine Edition - Robin Shope
5. - John's Quest - Cecelia Dowdy
6. - Simple Wishes - Lisa Dale
7. - Kiss - Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
8. - Marked by Passion - Kate Perry
9. - Deadly Charm - Claudia Mair Burney
10. - Yesterday's Embers - Deborah Raney
11. - Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark - Donna Lea Simpson
12. - An Offer You Can't Refuse - Jill Mansell
13. - Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr
14. - Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man - Claudia Mair Burney
15. - Wild Highland Magic - Kendra Leigh Castle

Romance Reading Challenge

Read Your Name Challenge Wrap up

Never fear - I am almost done with my Wrap Up Challenge posts! This one you had to read a book beginning with the letters of your name -

• Kiss - Ted Dekker and Erin Healy
• Rachel's Tears - Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott
• I Do Again - Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs
• Scream for Me - Karen Rose
• Trail of Crumbs - Kim Sunee
• It's All About Us - Shelley Adina
• New York Debut - Melody Carlson
• Age Before Beauty - Virginia Smith

Read Your Name Challenge