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

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

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

Barnes & Noble
Amazon

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

Barnes & Noble
Amazon

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

Barnes & Noble
Amazon

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

Barnes & Noble
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

Barnes & Noble
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

New Author Challenge Wrap Up

Here are the 50 new authors that I read for this challenge:

1. - Shelley Adina - Be Strong and Curvaceous
2. - Kay Chornook & Wolf Guindon - Walking with Wolf
3. - Cormac McCarthy - The Road
4. - Alice Sebold - The Lovely Bones
5. - Sandra Cisneros - The House on Mango Street
6. - M.L. Tyndall - The Red Siren
7. - Joyce Carol Oates - Black Water
8. - Matthew Stanford, PhD - Grace for the Afflicted
9. - Karen Rose - Scream for Me
10. - Julia Harper - For the Love of Pete
11. - Melody Carlson - Lost in Las Vegas
12. -Louis Sachar - Holes
13. - Rebeca Seitz - Scrapping Plans
14. - Bill Dallas - Lessons From San Quentin
15. - Cecelia Dowdy - John's Quest
16. - Debbie Viguie - The Spring of Candy Apples
17. - Kim Sunee - Trail of Crumbs
18. - Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs - I Do Again
19. - Virginia Smith - Age Before Beauty
20. - Ted Dekker and Erin Healy - Kiss
21. - Helen Hollick - The Kingmaking
22. - Eleanor Gustafson - The Stones
23. - Mike Dellosso - Scream
24. - Caroline B. Cooney - Diamonds in the Shadow
25. - Kate Perry - Marked by Passion
26. - Ginger Kolbaba and Christy Scannell - Katt's in the Cradle
27. - Claudia Mair Burney - Deadly Charm
28. - Deborah Raney - Yesterday's Embers
29. - Donna Lea Simpson - Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark
30. - Jill Mansell - An Offer You Can't Refuse
31. - Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott - Rachel's Tears
32. - Adam Blumer - Fatal Illusions
33. - David Cristofano - The Girl She Used To Be
34. - Melissa Marr - Wicked Lovely
35. - Karen White - The Lost Hours
36. - Jenny B. Jones - So Not Happening
37. - Andy Andrews - The Noticer
38. - Kendra Leigh Castle - Wild Highland Magic
39. - Libby Malin - Fire Me
40. - Caryn Dahlstrand Rivedeneira - Mama's Got a Fake I.D.
41. - Rick Collignon - Madewell Brown
42. - Brandilyn and Amberly Collins - Always Watching
43. - Glenn Clark Douglas - The Lake That Stole Children
44. - Michael Malone - The Four Corners of the Sky
45. - Larissa Ione - Pleasure Unbound
46. - Daphne du Maurier - Frenchman's Creek
47. - Georgette Heyer - Why Shoot a Butler?
    
48. - Charlotte Grieg - A Girl's Guide to Modern European Philosphy
    
49. - Laura Lippman - What the Dead Know
    
50. - Lisa Dale - Simple Wishes

New Author Challenge

Chick Lit Challenge WrapUp

Chick Lit Challenge is finished! Challenge was to read 10 chick lit books and I ended at 23. I just have too many challenges going on to keep track off the ones that I am actually done with!

1. Be Strong and Curvaceous - Shelley Adina
2. The Red Siren - M.L. Tyndall
3. For the Love of Pete - Julia Harper
4. Lost in Las Vegas - Melody Carlson
5. Scrapping Plans - Rebeca Seitz
6. The Valentine Edition - Robin Shope
7. It's All About Us - Shelley Adina
8. John's Quest - Cecelia Dowdy
9. Simple Wishes - Lisa Dale
10. The Spring of Candy Apples - Debbie Viguie
11. Age Before Beauty - Virginia Smith
12. The Fruit of My Lipstick - Shelley Adina
13. Marked by Passion - Kate Perry
14. Katt's in the Cradle - Ginger Kolbaba and Christy Scannell
15. Deadly Charm - Claudia Mair Burney
16. Yesterday's Embers - Deborah Raney
17. An Offer You Can't Refuse - Jill Mansell
18. The Girl She Used To Be - David Cristofano
19. The Lost Hours - Karen White
20. So Not Happening - Jenny B. Jones
21. Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man - Claudia Mair Burney
22. New York Debut - Melody Carlson
23. Wild Highland Magic - Kendra Leigh Castle

Chick Lit Challenge

2009 Pub Challenge WrapUp

Another challenge done! Nine books were required - I stopped at 20. Since I am mainly reading ARCs right now it wasn't hard to get books published in 2009.

1. - For the Love of Pete - Julia Harper
2. - Scrapping Plans - Rebeca Seitz
3. Lessons From San Quentin - Bill Dallas
4. Simple Wishes - Lisa Dale
5. Age Before Beauty - Virginia Smith
6. This Side of Heaven - Karen Kingsbury
7. Scream - Mike Dellosso
8. Katt's in the Cradle - Ginger Kolbaba and Christy Scannell
9. Marked by Passion - Kate Perry
   
10. - The Stones - Eleanor Gustafson
11. - Deadly Charm - Claudia Mair Burney
12. - Yesterday's Embers - Deborah Raney
13. - Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark - Donna Lea Simpson
14. - An Offer You Can't Refuse - Jill Mansell
15. - Fatal Illusions - Adam Blumer
16. - The Girl She Used to Be - David Cristofano
17. - The Lost Hours - Karen White
18. - Boneman's Daughter - Ted Dekker
19. - The Noticer - Andy Andrews
20. -Wild Highland Magic - Kendra Leigh Castle

2009 Pub Challenge

Chunkster Challenge WrapUp

I kicked butt on this challenge - and considering I had chosen Mor-book-ly Obese - there was a lot of book booty to kick! I read 7 chunksters (over 450 pages - okay, Frederica only had 446 but I counted it anyway!) My favorite was probably Scream for Me or Miranda's Big Mistake - but at 668 pages, Holly's Inbox was probably the quickest!

1. Scream for Me - Karen Rose -- 569 pages
   
2. The Four Corners of the Sky - Michael Malone -- 544 pages
   
3. Holly's Inbox - Holly Denham -- 668 pages
   
4. The Kingmaking - Helen Hollick -- 563 pages
   
5. The Stones - Eleanor Gustafson -- 593 pages
   
6. Frederica - Georgette Heyer -- 446 pages
   
7. Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell - 488 pages
   

Chunkster Challenge

Themed Reading Challenge Wrap Up

My original "theme" for this one bit the dust - and I went with books that had Dead or words that meant Dead in their title. I chose the first option which was to read 4 books with this theme. My favorite book of this bunch was hard to pick - but I think I will go with Fatal Illusions.

1. Deadly Charms - Claudia Mair Burney
2. Fatal Illusions - Adam Blumer
3. What the Dead Know - Laura Lippman
4. Talking to the Dead - Bonnie Grove

Themed Reading Challenge

Daring Book for Girls Wrap Up

I failed miserably at this challenge. It ended June 15 and I had only completed 4 of 9 books. I am going to go back though and make it a perpetual challenge for me as I really want to read the books listed in Daring Book for Girls. I was also able to pick up a copy of Daring Book for Girls for just a buck!

1. From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - E.L. Konigsburg
2. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince- J.K. Rowling
4. Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry

Daring Book For Girls Challenge