Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

It's Monday! What are you reading? (5/7/12)



What are you reading on Mondays is hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey - You can hook up with the Mr. Linky there with your own post - but be sure and let me know what you are reading too! 
 I know, I am late posting again - but I missed it completely last week!




Currently reading: 





Books I need to finish:  (I decided to add a new category for those books that seem to languish from week to week!)  I seem to keep starting books and not finishing them. . .   I need to get out of this trend!
Blood Orchids by Toby Neal



Upcoming books:
Love They Neighbor by Mark Gilleo
The Big Fun Sexy Sex Book by Lisa Rinni






Bathroom Book:




Books read and reviewed since last week:



Books read but need to be reviewed:








Until next week ----  Ready - Set - Read!


The Arrivals - Out in Paperback Today!


The Arrivals 
by Meg Mitchell Moore
 Paperback May 8th (EW book pick and Target book pick)

It’s early summer when Ginny and William’s peaceful life in Burlington, Vermont, comes to an abrupt halt. First, their daughter Lillian arrives, two children in tow, to escape her crumbling marriage. Next, their son Stephen and his pregnant wife Jane show up for a weekend visit, which extends indefinitely. When their youngest daughter Rachel appears, fleeing her difficult life in New York, Ginny and William find themselves consumed again by the chaos of parenthood—only this time around, their children are facing adult problems. By summer’s end, the family gains new ideas of loyalty and responsibility, exposing the challenges of surviving the modern family. And the old adage, once a parent, always a parent, has never rung so true.



I had the opportunity to review this novel back in August, 2011:

My thoughts:  This is a debut novel for Mrs. Moore and I for one, cannot wait to see what else she has in store.  I enjoyed the interaction this family shared and how they all came home one by one.  While we know why they are there, it is revealed to other members of the family slowly.  All of the children are wrapped up in their own problems, but at the same time they are able to come to realize that supporting their siblings is important as well.  

Read more: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/search?q=meg+mitchell+moore#ixzz1uEvINfp4


And now - I get to review her next one as well!  


So Far Away is due out May 29!  

You can read about the book in my Mailbox Monday post this week!  
Watch for my review June 10th!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Mailbox Monday (May 7, 2012)


 Mailbox Monday will be hosted in May by Martha at Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf.  I got some more nice wins this week and a couple of review books.  Come on in and take a look!




The first book I got from Amazon Crossing.  It is my first Amazon Crossing book!






Vertigo
By Kristina Dunker

Eva is sixteen and in love.  And this weekend promises to be special, as she and her boyfriend, Julian, will be spending time together at his parents’ house in the country.  Nothing could be more romantic and perfect.  Except that the journey there goes horribly awry, and Eva’s dream weekend turns into a total nightmare.

After bearing witness to a terrible crime and narrowly escaping the scene, Eva loses her diary, an incredibly personal book that holds all of her secrets – including details of her visits to a therapist.  So when she meets a helpful stranger who seems to know a great deal about her, she has to wonder if he is a kindred spirit or something darker.  Vertigo spins a psychologically intense tale of when to walk away. . . and when to run.

Exploring the chaotic emotional terrain of adolescence, Kristina Dunker captures the heart of youth – and the dangerous area between wanting too much and wanting it too soon.



I won the next two e-books at Ren's Rambles.






Reveal
By Brina Courtney

Shay Tafford's childhood has been fatherless, filled instead with memories of speaking to those who have passed on. She does this while hiding her unique ability from those living around her. She can't tell her best friend, or her brother, and she definitely can't confide in her psychologist mother for fear of her mom locking her up.That's why it's been comforting to have Jeremy, a seventy year old child ghost, as her confidante. But recently he's been absent, perhaps lost as her father is.  When Shay meets Hugh, the boy she's had a crush on for weeks, and finds he can speak to ghosts too she's just starting to find a normalcy in her life. But as Hugh reveals the truth to Shay, about who she really is and about what it is she can do, he erases all chances she had at a normal existence.  Turns out talking to ghosts is just scratching the surface of her genetically engineered gifts. Shay learns she may be part of an age old prophecy that could save an entire race of beings. But can she? 
Now there is the threat of an attack from a dark force with unlimited power and she must decide if she accepts her fate as a part of the prophecy.  Can Shay and Hugh defeat this evil and save the people they love, before they too are lost forever?









Capture
By Brina Courtney

As the highly anticipated second novel in the Cryptid Tales series, Capture is sure to satisfy the YA SciFi reader. This action packed story picks up right where Reveal left off with Shay realizing that someone she holds close may not be totally lost. But can Hugh, her cryptid mate, protect her from the evil Malsumis? Or will she fall victim to his horrible plans?


One this is for sure, Shay is in for the fight of her life.


I won Hounds Abound at Lori's Reading Corner.




Hounds Abound
by Linda O. Johnston



Saving animals and solving murders seem to go paw in paw for shelter manager and amateur sleuth Lauren Vancouver.   But this time, mixed up in a murder that may close a much-needed new shelter, whe's perhaps too quick to catch the scent of the killer. . .

For Lauren, Save Them All, the newest no-kill shelter in Los Angeles, is just what the vet ordered: a place for handicapped kitties and senior spaniels to find a loving home and a second chance.  There's just one problem.  Its charming owner, Bella Frankovick, is now suspected of murdering her ex-husband, a powerful and animal-hating cosmetic surgeon.  And it's up to Lauren to use her bulldog grip on the case to rescue Save Them All and decide Bella's fate, while keeping herself and her own critters safe from an unleashed killer. 




The following books are all review books: 


Goddess Interrupted
By Aimee Carter

Kate Winters has won immortality.
But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she’ll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn’t supposed to be the easy part.  Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she’s as isolated as ever.  And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he’s becoming ever more distant and secretive.  Then, in the midst of Kate’s coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. 





Guest of Honor
Booker T. Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and the White House Dinner That Shocked a Nation
By Deborah Davis

In this revealing social history, one remarkable White House dinner becomes a lens through which to examine race, politics, and the lives and legacies of two of America’s most iconic figures.

In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt invited Booker T. Washington to have dinner at the executive mansion with the First Family.  The next morning, news that the president had dined with a black man – and former slave – sent shock waves through the nation.  Although African Americans had helped build the White House and had worked for most of the presidents, not a single one had ever been invited to dine there.  Fueled by inflammatory newspaper articles, political cartoons, and even vulgar songs, the scandal escalated and threatened to topple two of America’s greatest men.

In this smart, accessible narrative, one seemingly ordinary dinner becomes a window onto post-Civil War American history and politics, and onto the lives of two dynamic men whose experiences and philosophies connect in unexpected ways.  Deborah Davis also introduces dozens of other fascinating figures who have previously occupied the margins and footnotes of history, creating a lively and vastly entertaining book that reconfirms her place as one of our most talented popular historians. 






Saving Ruth
By Zoe Fishman

Growing up in Alabama, all Ruth Wasserman wanted was to be a blond Baptist cheerleader.  But as a curly-haired Jew with a rampant sweet tooth and a smart mouth, this was an impossible dream.  Not helping the situation was her older brother, David – a soccer star whose good looks, smarts, and popularity reigned at school and at home.  College provided an escape route and Ruth took it.

Now home for the summer, she’s back lifeguarding and coaching alongside David, and although the job is the same, nothing else is.  She’s a prisoner of her low self-esteem and unhealthy relationship with food, David is closed off and distant in a way he’s never been before, and their parents are struggling with the reality of an empty nest.  When a near drowning happens on their watch, a storm of repercussions forces Ruth and David to confront long-ignored truths about their town, their family, and themselves. 





So Far Away
By Meg Mitchell Moore

Thirteen-year-old Natalie Gallagher is trying to escape: from her parents’ ugly divorce and from the vicious cyber bullying of her former best friend.  When she discovers a dusty old diary in her family’s basement, she escapes into its pages and is inspired to unlock its secrets.

Kathleen Lynch, an archivist at the Massachusetts Archives, has her own painful secret: she’s a widow estranged from her only daughter.  Natalie’s research brings her to Kathleen, who is inspired by the diary’s story – and sees in Natalie traces of the daughter she has lost.

What could the life of an Irish immigrant, a domestic servant from the 1920s, teach them both?  Through the pages of the diary, the troubled girl and the lonely widow will connect – and learn that their fears and frustrations are timeless.

So Far Away is an affecting story of mothers and daughters, and how solace can be found in the most unlikely places. 






By Faith, Not By Sight
The Inspirational Story of a Blind Prodigy, a Life-Threatening Illness, and an Unexpected Gift
By Scott MacIntyre with Jennifer Schuchmann

A piano prodigy, a nineteen-year-old college grad, a Marshall scholar, and an American Idol finalist.  This guy had it made.  He could sing.  He could ski blind.  What couldn’t he do?

Even if you saw him in concert, you might not believe that Scott MacIntyre is blind, and you’d never guess that at nineteen, he faced a diagnosis that rocked his family and nearly took his life.

So how did he do it?  How did he overcome the odds?

This is Scott’s story, but he’d be the first to tell you that it’s not really about him.  This is the story of how God used a dedicated family, a selfless acquaintance, hardship, and a host of characters to give him life, faith, determination, and experiences most can only imagine.

Peek behind the scenes to see how he learned to overcome his disability, how he made it in the music industry, how he found the love of his life, and how God taught him that in all things, we can truly achieve our dreams By Faith, Not by Sight.






The Rock Star in Seat 3A
By Jill Kargman

It's Hazel's thirtieth birthday and she has everything she's ever wanted: a kickass job, a dream apartment in New York City, and the perfect boyfriend—who's just days away from proposing. Hazel thinks she's happy but isn't quite ready to settle down. So when her most far-fetched fantasy enters the realm of the possible, shouldn't she drop everything to see it through?

The morning after her birthday, Hazel boards a flight to L.A. only to get the surprise of her life. When she's bumped up to first class, extra legroom and free drinks are absolutely the last things on her mind when she catches sight of her seatmate: her all-time biggest celebrity crush, rock star Finn Schiller! Only the night before she'd confessed her infatuation with the gorgeous musician, and her boyfriend joked that she had a free pass if she ever met him. Hazel can't believe fate has actually thrown them together.

Even more unbelievable is that during the flight they genuinely connect. Finn likes her uncensored cursing and wicked sense of humor, and that she's unlike all of his groupies; Hazel likes his killer looks, ripped physique, and soulful music. But what started as a fantasy quickly becomes a real attraction, and after a dream date and taste of the rock-star life with Finn in L.A., Hazel is forced to examine the track her life is on. Indulging in a passionate affair with a rock star seems crazy—but could she ever forgive herself if she walked away from her wildest dream coming true? And is her wildest dream the stuff that happiness is made of?

A lively novel about a down-to-earth New York City girl who suddenly finds herself in a rock 'n' roll Cinderella fantasy, The Rock Star in Seat 3A is seasoned with Jill Kargman's signature wit and hilarious dialogue. This is a fairy-tale romance with a twist.






The Unseen
by Katherine Webb

A vicar with a passion for nature, the Reverend Albert Canning leads a happy existence with his naïve wife, Hester, in their sleepy Berkshire village in the year 1911.  But as the English summer dawns, the Cannings’ lives are forever changed by two new arrivals:  Cat, their new maid, a disaffected, free-spirited young woman sent down from London after entanglements with the law; and Robin Durrant, a leading expert in the occult, enticed by tales of elemental beings in the water meadows nearby.

Quickly finding a place for herself in the underbelly of local society, Cat secretly plots her escape.  Meanwhile, Robin, a young man of considerable magnetic charm and beauty, soon becomes an object of fascination and desire.  Sweltering in the oppressive summer heat, the peaceful rectory turns into a hotbed of dangerous ambition, forbidden love, and jealousy – a potent mixture of emotions that ultimately leads to murder. 






The Secrets of Mary Bowser
By Lois Leveen

All her life, Mary has been a slave to the wealthy Van Lew family of Richmond, Virginia.  But when Bet, the willful Van Lew daughter, decides to send Mary to Philadelphia to be educated, she must leave her family to seize her freedom.

Life in the North brings new friendships, a courtship, and a far different education than Mary ever expected, one that leads her into the heart of the abolition movement.  With the nation edging toward war, she defies Virginia law by returning to Richmond to care for her ailing father – and to fight for emancipation.  Posing as a slave in the Confederate white House in order to spy on President Jefferson Davis, Mary deceives even those who are closest to her to aid the Union command. 





Paskagankee by Allan Leverone (Book Review)

Title: Paskagankee
Author: Allan Leverone
Publisher: StoneGate Ink


About the Book: When Mike McMahon moves to the remote village of Paskagankee, Maine, to take over as chief of police following a tragic shooting, he’s hoping for nothing more than to get a new start on life. Instead, he encounters a series of brutal murders, beginning almost immediately upon his arrival.




Together with a beautiful rookie cop and a disgraced college professor, McMahon races against time and a mounting body count in a desperate attempt to stop a seemingly unstoppable killer…




About the author: Allan Leverone is the author of the Amazon bestselling thriller, THE LONELY MILE, as well as the thriller, FINAL VECTOR and the horror novellas, DARKNESS FALLS and HEARTLESS. He is a four-time Derringer Award finalist for excellence in short mystery fiction and a 2011 Pushcart Prize nominee. Allan lives in Londonderry, NH, with his wife of nearly thirty years, three children and one beautiful granddaughter. Learn more at Facebook, Twitter (@AllanLeverone) or at www.allanleverone.com.


My thoughts: It has been a while since I have read what I consider a true horror story, and this is definitely one of them.  It gave me the feelings that I had as a teenager reading some of my first Stephen King novels - whether it was the setting in Maine or the aspect of the story that was such horror that it was beyond impossible.  I truly enjoyed it and devoured it in one day.  

Mike McMahon has taken over as chief of police, and partners with rookie cop Sharon Dupont.  He had chosen her to learn the ropes of this small town because since she was the newest on the force that she would be more willing to show him the ropes without any hassle.  He didn't expect to be attracted to her as well.  

After a couple of gruesome murders, they are contacted by a college professor who has spent his life researching Native American tribes and customs and he thinks that there is an old Indian curse that has been reawakened in Paskagankee.  With no other leads to follow, they take a chance on him.  

If you are a fan of horror stories, definitely add this one to your reading list.  Even though we live in a suburban neighborhood, and not a heavily forested area like Northern Maine, it had me looking over my shoulder at our outside doors with every creak that I heard!

~I received a complimentary copy of Paskagankee from the author for a Partners in Crime Book Tour.~

Publisher/Publication Date: StoneGate Ink, Jan 2012
ASIN:  B0072PMYNM
360 pages


Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop (May 7 - 13)


Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop
May 7 - May 13

Hosted by 


What is Children's Book Week?


Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast!

For more information please visit: http://www.bookweekonline.com/


I will be giving away the following two children's books to one winner -


 Shark vs Train by Chris Barton and 
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein.  This giveaway is for U.S. only and will end at midnight CST on May 13th.  Winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and will be emailed.  They will have 48 hours to respond to the email or a new winner will be chosen. 



















a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, May 4, 2012

Night Sky by Jolene Perry (Book Review)

Title: Night Sky
Author: Jolene Perry
Publisher: Tribute Books


About the book: Girl I’ve loved, girl I’m falling for. Now that they’re both in view, the problem is clear.

After losing Sarah, the friend he’s loved, to some other guy, Jameson meets Sky. Her Native American roots, fluid movements, and need for brutal honesty become addictive fast. This is good. Jameson needs distraction – his dad leaves for another woman, his mom’s walking around like a zombie, and Sarah’s new boyfriend can’t keep his hands off of her.

As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums - she's way more than distraction. Jameson's falling for her fast.

But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.

About the author: Jolene grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. She graduated from Southern Utah University with a degree in political science and French, which she used to teach math to middle schoolers.

After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.

She is also the author of The Next Door Boys and the upcoming Knee Deep.

You can connect with Jolene on Facebook, Twitter, her website, her blog, and on Goodreads.






My thoughts:  This was a very gentle coming-of-age story for Jameson, or Jay, as most of his friends called him.  Now I don't mean gentle in the way that means there was no conflict.  I don't think you can really have a  coming-of-age story without conflict, and some of the things that Jay deals with are some pretty weighty issues.  I mean gentle in that it flowed smoothly from the beginning of the story.  I became invested in the characters pretty quickly, and liked the interaction between Jay and Sky.

What really made Night Sky interesting for me though, was that it was a romance, from a guy's perspective. Jameson was actually able to be sensitive and have real feelings without being too sappy. I liked the way that he stepped up for his mom when she was hurting, and recognized that she might need some extra help with his dad gone. He also tried to be loyal to his friend Sarah, even when she and her new boyfriend Eric were practically in his face a lot. 

And then there was Sky.  She is a neighbor's granddaughter from Alaska, whom Jay meets quite by chance.  She is a freshman at the local college, but hits it off almost immediately with Jameson.  The only things she asks of him is for complete honesty.  The problem with complete honesty is that it means you have to be completely honest with yourself as well.  

I enjoyed this book.  It wasn't a heavy read even though it dealt with some heavy subjects. I think the focus though was on how we get through the bad stuff and come out on the other end, which gave it a very positive spin. 


~I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from Tribute Books in exchange for my unbiased review.~



Publisher/Publication Date: Tribute Books, March 2012
ISBN: 9780983741862
ISBN: 9781466052338
247 pages

Buy Night Sky for:


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

Celebrate "The Month of Mom" with Gone Reading!



Gone Reading is having a giveaway to celebrate moms through Mother's Day on May 13th.  They are giving away $100 worth of merchandise plus an additional $25 giftcard from Amazon.  If you are not familiar with Gone Reading, they donate 100% of their profit after taxes to fund new libraries and reading-related charities like READ Global and Ethiopia Reads.  I just placed an order with them myself and can't wait to get my package!

They are counting down the days to Mother's Day with some great gift ideas, such as:




The Reading Woman Boxed Notecards


















To enter this giveaway and check out their other products - just visit Gone Reading today!

Spring Fling Giveaway Hop (May 1 - May 7)



Welcome to the Spring Fling Giveaway Hop, hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Eve's Fan Garden

One reader of Books and Needlepoint will get to pick two of any of the following audiobooks:



This giveaway is for US only and will end at midnight on May 7 EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Go enter some more giveaways!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Kitchen Aid Mania Giveaway (April 29 - May 9)




WELCOME TO THE KITCHEN AID MANIA GIVEAWAY!


I don't know about you, but I know that I could use a new mixer!  I am still using the hand held one that my mother gave me when I left for college in 1984!   Speak up if you have one older that that!

Well, even if you don't, you can still enter the giveaway for a white KitchenAid KSM150PSWH Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer to one lucky reader! This is a perfect Mother's Day gift to every one who loves baking or simply just being in the kitchen! This was made possible by Bay Area Mommy, American Family and some of the most awesome bloggers!


What you would win:
- Retail Value: $349.99 
- Color: White 
- 325-watt mixer with 10 speeds; 5-quart stainless steel bowl 
- Tilt-back head for easy access to mixture 
- 1 piece pouring shield with large chute for adding ingredients 
- Includes flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip 
- Measures 14 by 8-2/3 inches by 14 inches; 
1-year warranty 

Giveaway will run from April 29 at 12AM EST to May 9 at 11:59PM EST. Open to the US only. Must be at least 18 years old to be eligible.

For whatever reason I cannot get the rafflecopter to load - so until I can get it fixed please visit Bay Area Mommy here to sign up. 

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