Seaside Book Nook

$50 Giveaway at I am a Reader, Not a Writer Blog

2012-02-11T06:58:00.000-05:00

Enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card or $50 in Books from the Book Depository @toobusyreading
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2012/02/thank-you-giveaway-50-in-books.html

On the Bright Side

2012-01-29T23:30:00.001-05:00

Available: January 31st, On the Bright Side by S.R. Johannes

Cover: LOVE it! The girl is so cute and I "dig" the outfit.

Synopsis: On the Bright Side is a hilarious road to guardian angeldom paved with so much drama and due-paying that it makes middle school look painless.

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, Skyphones and InnerNets are all the rage. Until Gabby finds out she has to protect Angela, her school nemesis, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven. Problem is, Angela is now hitting on Gabby's should-have-been boyfriend. (awkward!)

Instead of protecting Angela, Gabby pranks her (like tripping is a sin?) at the hopes of cooling off the new couple. At first, they seem harmless until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, her Celestial Sky Agent, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, puts Gabby on probation, threatening her eternal future.

Determined to right her wrongs, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to Earth for just one day. Without knowing, she kicks off a series of events and learns what can happen when you hate someone to death.

Praise and Comments: Clever and charming, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is the story of a reluctant guardian angel, her still-breathing crush, and the frenemy she’s assigned to protect. A great read! -Suzanne Young, author of A Need So Beautiful, A Want So Wicket (6/12), and The Program (2013)"

"With a smart, snappy heroine and a heart-warming crush, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is a page-turning new take on guardian angels that left me begging for a sequel!" - Gretchen McNeil, author of Possess and Ten (9/12) (Balzar + Bray)

S.R. Johannes delivers a cute paranormal thrill ride for middle graders! Even in death there is a BRIGHT SIDE!" - Addison Moore, author of the bestselling Celestra series and soon to be TV show

“ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is both hilarious and heart-warming – a tale that’ll have you hoping that there really *are* spunky and determined angels like Gabby who’ve got our backs.” - Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, author of Selling Hope & The 13th Sign (2013) (Feiwel & Friends)

Author: S.R. Johannes lives in Atlanta Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. After earning an MBA and working in corporate america, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. You can find her hanging out online and visit her Market My Word.

You can purchase Ms. Johannes Untraceable on Amazon, B&N, iTunes, and other sellers.
Kindle Edition: You have to love this price....99 cents! Purchase it here.

I can't wait to read On the Bright Side. Look for my review in the future!

The Magic Room

2012-01-29T23:08:00.000-05:00

My Rating: A Good Read, I enjoyed it!

Synopsis: You may not have heard of Fowler, Michigan, much less Becker's Bridal. But for the thousands of women who have stepped inside, Becker's is the site of some of the most important moments of their lives-moments that speak to us all. Housed in a former bank, the boutique owners transformed the vault into a "magic room," with soft church lighting, a circular pedestal, and mirrors that make lifelong dreams come true.

Illuminating the poignant aspects of a woman's journey to the altar, The Magic Room tells the stories of memorable women on the brink of commitment. Run by the same family for years, Becker's has witnessed transformations in how America views the institution of marriage; some of the shop's clientele are becoming stepmothers, or starting married life for a second time. In The Girls from Ames, beloved author Jeffrey Zaslow used friendships to explore the emotional lives of women. In The Magic Room, he turns his perceptive eye to weddings and weaves together secrets, memories and family tales to explore the hopes and dreams we have for our daughters.

My Review: I couldn't believe it when I opened The Magic Room to chapter one. This book is about Becker's Bridal....in Fowler, Michigan. Becker's Bridal is about 30 minutes from where I grew up and yes, I too bought my wedding dress from Becker's! I never knew "the room" was called The Magic Room! I can vouch that you do feel "magically" in front of the mirrors on the pedalstal. There is also no doubt that Becker's Bridal has over 2,500 dress in stock. I know it was amazing experience to go and look through them all. I have also been to Becker's Bridal with many friends as they picked out their bridal gown as well. I could relate to so much of the book!

The Magic Room is written in a very interesting way. Shelly Becker, current owner, is written about throughout the book. I really liked how the story focused on her past, present and hopes for the future. The book also has stories about the brides that come into to Becker's Bridal. We get to learn a little bit about the bride, her finance, family and wedding plans. Each bride's story is broken up into different chapters: visiting Becker's, picking up their dress and their wedding.

I really liked all the stories about the brides, but I think my favorite was about Julie. This was Julie's second trip to Becker's and her second marriage. I had to have the kleenex close by. The love that Julie and her first husband had was just amazing. It was so sad to read about how her husband died and the impact it had on herself and the kids. How she found love again and the reaction of her kids.....more kleenex (won't say more or it would be a spoiler alert). I also could swear that Julie was one of my mom's nurses when she was in the hospital, she just looked so familiar to me.

I can't wait to send this book to my BFF with a note....remember shopping together - for my dress and yours! I know she will be excited as soon as she reads chapter one too! Don't worry though, you don't need to know anything about Fowler, Michigan or Becker's Bridal to enjoy this book. It is a really good read!

About the Author: Jeffrey Zaslow is a Wall Street Journal columnist and, with Randy Pausch, coauthor of The Last Lecture, the #1 New York Times bestseller now translated into forty-one languages. Zaslow attended Dr. Pausch’s famous lecture and wrote the story that sparked worldwide interest in it. The Girls from Ames also grew out of one of Zaslow’s columns. He lives in suburban Detroit with his wife, Sherry, and daughters Jordan, Alex, and Eden.

Read it: You can purchase The Magic Room on Amazon for $27.00.

Connect: Connect with Jeffrey Zaslow.

Thanks to Crazy Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review such a great book.

Rock Star's Girl

2012-01-24T07:10:00.000-05:00

Rating: Great Read: This is a book that would be 7.5 starfish out of 10. I want to read it all night long.

Synopsis: "Emily Watts just wants a weekend break from the workaholic hours she's taken on to keep her business — a popular fashion-snark web site — up and running. What she gets is overnight celebrity and a career-killing media scandal.

While taking time out to attend a concert in support of friend Jesse Cinder, a struggling musician, Emily meets Cory Sampson, the lead singer of a chart-topping rock band. When she agrees to a date with Cory, making entertainment headlines is the last thing she expects. Even so, it's a minor surprise by comparison to her discovery that in the music world, media notoriety trumps all. Tabloid allegations erupt when Cory and fame-hungry Jesse use Emily for personal gain, and her tarnished image spells disaster — personally and professionally. To save the web site and writing career she's made her life and dream, Emily must go from being a pawn in the Hollywood headline game to becoming the media mastermind."

My Review: I really enjoyed Rock Star's Girl. It is a fun, fast moving read. I really wanted Em to end up with Xxxxxxx. You will just have to read the book to figure if Xxxxxxx is Jesse or C-Samp! I can't give the ending away. I was pulled into Em's world in Chapter 1.

As one reviewer put it....Chick-Lit for Smart Chicks! Rock Star's Girl is just that and I thought it was a perfect way to say it. Em and her best friend are smart young women (bonus). I had to laugh as her best friend is a CPA for a big firm and was in Cleveland on an audit - I too am CPA and worked for a big firm for many, many years. I also spent a lot of time in Cleveland! Small world, we should talk J.F. Kristin! Maybe you could write a sequel and I could give you all the research material!

I enjoyed that the book takes place in LA/Hollywood as I tend to read a lot of Chick Lit that takes place in NYC or London. It was very refreshing. Em was really a down-to-earth kind of Chick, which I liked as well. She was concerned about her career, her reputation, her family and friends. There was not all the drama of designer this and that, oohing and aching over celebrates, etc. As I said, this was a very fast read for me and that means one thing.....a really good read!

Read it: You can purchase Rock Star's Girl for Kindle for just 99 cents right now at Amazon.

Blog Update: Check out J.F. Kristin's blog too for the latest on Rock Star's Girl.

Have a great week!

The Solider's Wife

2012-01-17T06:47:00.001-05:00

Rating: Great Read: This is a book that would be 7.5 starfish out of 10. I want to read it all night long.

Synopsis: As World War II draws closer and closer to Guernsey, Vivienne de la Mare knows that there will be sacrifices to be made. Not just for herself, but for her two young daughters and for her mother-in-law, for whom she cares while her husband is away fighting. What she does not expect is that she will fall in love with one of the enigmatic German soldiers who take up residence in the house next door to her home. As their relationship intensifies, so do the pressures on Vivienne. Food and resources grow scant, and the restrictions placed upon the residents of the island grow with each passing week. Though Vivienne knows the perils of her love affair with Gunther, she believes that she can keep their relationship--and her family--safe. But when she becomes aware of the full brutality of the Occupation, she must decide if she is willing to risk her personal happiness for the life of a stranger.

My Review: I really enjoyed The Soldier's Wife and Margaret Leroy is a such a beautiful writer. I was immediately taken from my home to the island of Guernsey. I do like a good love story that is intertwined with family struggles...mother, daughters, mother-in-law. I was taken in by the events and how the story unfolded. I have never been a fan of WW II books but The Soldier's Wife has made me feel different about such an important time in our history. You may need some kleenex by your side (I tend to cry easily), but the ending is worth every tear! I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all

Cover: I LOVE it. The cover caught my attention right away. I think it just beautiful.

Between Interruptions - TLC Book Tours

2012-01-09T05:27:00.000-05:00

Rating: Good to read! (3 out 5)

Synopsis: Between Interruptions is a remarkable collection of original and heartfelt essays about the process of becoming a mother. Written by a wide range of mothers – from a Hollywood celebrity to an immigrant domestic worker, the book explores the transformative experiences in our journey as mothers. Provocative, honest and emotional, the stories focus on the impact motherhood has on our identity, sexuality, ambition and relationships. Laid bare in this collection are the vivd, gut-wrenching and exhilarating true confessions and secret longings of mothers across all ages, cultures and classes. Whether it’s a story about a journalist going to war and missing her baby, or a mother finding perfection in autism, or a mother struggling to breastfeed through post-partum depression, or a mother learning to let go of her dream to stay home with her children because she has to work, there’s a story in this collection for every mother. (Paperback - 328 pages)

My Review: I love short story books (they are quick and easy for me to read). Between Interruptions is just that...a book filled with short stories. I really enjoy reading about how as women we all struggle with something, but how strong we truly are. Between Interruptions is broken down into five different categories: Ambition, Anxiety, Guilt, Devotion, and Redemption. While all the stories have stuck with me, there is one that has really stuck with me. Oddly enough, it is the first story in the Ambition section. I can't tell you about the story (you will have to to buy the book), but it is written by Marina Jamenez, Journalist, that covered war-zone stories. I just can't imagine how I would have handled it, if I was in her shoes. Another story, that I really related to was in the Guilt section (no surprise, I suffer from mother's guilt 95% of my day). I 100% relate to the first sentence - "Before I had children, I was the perfect mother." I have said that some many times in my life.

About the Author: I really enjoyed the stories and the honesty from all 30 women. Cori Howard is the founder of The Momoir Project, an online writing centre that offers memoir writing classes, workshops and workbooks. She’s also an award-winning journalist whose work in newspapers, magazines, TV and radio has taken her around the world. Her stories – many about motherhood – have appeared in publications including Reader’s Digest, Elle, The Independent, among many others. She lives in Vancouver, B.C. with her family.

Winners!

2012-01-08T21:10:00.001-05:00

I have two winners to announce. The first is the Mid-Winter's Eve Blog Giveaway ($10 Amazon GC)

Melissa Hall (avidreader)

The second is the Best of 2011 Giveaway (a book of your choice up to $15). There seemed to be a theme going on as to the comments posted. Lots of you want to read Divergent (where have I been, I haven't read this either), The Night Circus, Delirium, and The Help (my favorite)!

S Rose (1816)

Thank so much for all your support!

The Best of 2011 Hop Giveaway

2011-12-27T00:53:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my stop on the Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop! This hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer . A big thank you to Kathy for hosting so many awesome event throughout 2011!

I am giving away a book of your choice up to $15. I have read so many great books in 2011 and there are so many more I would have loved to read. There is always 2012, right!

The Best of 2011 Giveaway ends December 31st (midnight EST). Just complete the entry form below. Thanks for your support and Happy Reading!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mid-Winters Eve Blog Hop - Giveaways

2011-12-21T08:27:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my stop on the Mid-Winters Eve Giveaway Hop! This hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and Oasis for YA. A big thank you to both blogs for hosting this pretty awesome event!
I am giving away a $10 Amazon gift card. The Mid-Winters Eve Giveaway ends December 27th (midnight EST). Just complete the entry form below. Thanks for your support.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner of the $15 Amazon GC!

2011-12-15T07:06:00.000-05:00

The winner of the $15 Amazon GC giveaway is....Juana E (821)! An email has been sent and Juana has 48 hours to reply or another winner will be picked!

Thank you all for your continued support. Have a great day and weekend!

Loveswept - Holiday Hop! 12/12/11 to 1/10/12

2011-12-11T18:24:00.000-05:00

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Gift Card Giveaway Hop

2011-12-08T22:04:00.001-05:00

The Gift Card Giveaway Hop will run from Dec. 9th to 13th. Thanks to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Attack of the Book for co-hosting this amazing blog hop.

The Gift Card Giveaway Hop is just in time to help with with last minute holiday shopping!!

Over 100 Blogs are each hosting a giveaway for a gift card.

MY GIVEAWAY!
$15 Amazon.com Gift Card!
One lucky winner will be emailed a $15 gift card from Amazon.com. Open to anyone who can use a gift card sent from Amazon.com.

Alternately if you win and can't use an amazon.com gift card you my choose a book of your choice from The Book Depository (Up to $15).

Thanks for all your support.

Check out the other $15 Amazon Gift Certificate I am giving away at Peace Love and Scrapbooking!

Here is a link the host, where all participating blogs are linked!

Winner of the Book Lover's Blog Hop

2011-12-07T06:57:00.000-05:00

Congratulation to the winner of a $10 Amazon Gift Card. The winner has been emailed an electronic gift card already! Thanks to all of you who participated and your continued support.

Kelly (delivery.RN). She recently read Shatter Me.

It appears that many of you recommend (and have just recently read)

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Crossed and/or Matched by Ally Condie

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I have Matched and Crossed on my reading list, LOVED The Help (and the movie) and need to add Shatter Me to my reading list - I have heard really good things about it!

Look for the next Blog Hop.....Starting December 9th!

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop!!!

2011-12-01T21:08:00.000-05:00

This hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Kid Lit Frenzy

There are hundreds of blogs participating and each has their own entry rules and geographic limits, so be sure to read the rules for each one. This hop starts December 2nd and and runs through December 6th, midnight. What am I giving away???

$10 Amazon Gift Card!!
You get to chose your own book for the Holiday!

What do you need to do to enter - complete the form below! Check out all the give aways here.

Winner of the New Author Blog Hop!

2011-12-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

The Winner of the New Author Blog Hop is Deranged Pegasus - Proof of Heaven. An email has been sent!

They types of reviews you all like:

Short and Sweet (less is better - synopsis, rating and a few comments) = 45%
Middle of the road (synopsis, rating, few comments, and about the author) = 53%
Long and long - (lots of details and thoughts) = 5%

Thanks for the feedback! Hope you all have a great day!

New Author Blog Hop & Giveaway!

2011-11-22T23:54:00.000-05:00

Of Thoughts and Words and Oh! For the Love of Books are hosting a New Author Blog Hop. Currently there are 45 sites signed up to participate, most are hosting a giveaway in conjunction with the event.

To see all the participating sites CLICK HERE.

Pick just one New Author - seriously? I have read so many great books by new authors lately. Hmmm. Since I can't decide, lets quickly recap some New Authors:

Currently reading: Rock Star's Girl by J. F. Kristin (Loving it so far!! Review to come)

Synopsis: Emily Watts just wants a weekend break from the workaholic hours she's taken on to keep her business – a popular fashion-snark web site – up and running. What she gets is overnight celebrity and a career-killing media scandal.

While taking time out to attend a concert in support of friend Jesse Cinder, a struggling musician, Emily meets Cory Sampson, the lead singer of a chart-topping rock band. When she agrees to a date with Cory, making entertainment headlines is the last thing she expects. Even so, it's a minor surprise by comparison to her discovery that in the music world, media notoriety trumps all. Tabloid allegations erupt when Cory and fame-hungry Jesse use Emily for personal gain, and her tarnished image spells disaster – personally and professionally. To save the web site and writing career she's made her life and dream, Emily must go from being a pawn in the Hollywood headline game to becoming the media mastermind.

Just finished: Doctor and the Diva was super good. I read this as part of my ROC book club. We had a great discussion too! I can't wait to share my review with you all (this weekend).
Synopsis: It is 1903, and Erika von Kessler has struggled for years to become pregnant. Resigned to childlessness, Erika-a talented opera singer and the wife of a prominent Bostonian-secretly plans to move to Italy to pursue her musical career. When the charismatic Doctor Ravell takes Erika on as a patient, he is mesmerized by her. Impetuously, he takes a shocking risk that could ruin them both.

Inspired by the author's family history, the novel moves from snowy Boston to the gilded balconies of Florence in a stunning tale of opera, longing, and the indomitable power of romantic obsession.

Recent reviews:

Her Sister's Shadow (CLICK HERE for review)
An emotionally powerful debut about two sisters who reconnect after nearly forty years of estrangement.

Proof of Heaven (CLICK HERE for review)
A mother’s faith, a child’s courage, a doctor’s dedication—a moving and thought-provoking tale of hope, love, and family.

Since I can't pick you get to! One lucky winner will get to pick which of the four books above they would like! Your choice can be traditional book or e-book! What do you need to do? Complete the following to enter - 1 mandatory and a few extra entries! Good Luck!

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A Summer in Europe by Marilyn Brant

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Imagine my surprise when I opened my mailbox and there was a brand new just released copy of my friend, Marilyn Brant's book, A Summer in Europe. I have been waiting for the day to read A Summer in Europe. I just love Marilyn's books. Don't you just love that cover?

Synopsis: Gwendolyn Reese prides herself on being cautious and reliable. She expects to marry Richard, her dependable boyfriend, and is disappointed when he doesn’t propose on her 30th birthday. But then Gwen’s aunt Bea surprises her with a monthlong European trip with Bea’s “S&M” club (sudoku and mah-jongg), and Gwen, reluctant at first, soon realizes how hard it will be to stick to her conventional routines abroad. She’s pushed even further out of her comfort zone when she meets the charismatic English brothers “Thoreau” and “Emerson” Edwards. Emerson introduces her to the pleasures of the continent, from gelato to music in the streets, while they do their best to keep their budding romance under control; Gwen still has a boyfriend in Richard (whose stuffiness pales in comparison to Emerson’s delight in the sensual). But Richard has a grand gesture up his sleeve—surprising Gwen in London at the end of her trip—and it throws her into turmoil. The trip has changed her, making her question what she wants out of life. Brant’s newest (after Double Dipping) is a retread of classic themes, but distinguishes itself with a charismatic leading man and very funny supporting cast, especially the wonderful elderly characters with their resonant message about living life to the fullest.

I will be back later with a review! Thank you so much Marilyn!

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop and Giveaway

2011-11-19T07:46:00.002-05:00

I am thrilled to be participating in the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway hosted by A Book Lovers Dream.

I am giving away a Christmas book by one of my favorite authors, Cecelia Ahern's, The Gift.

Ahern wades into the Christmas fiction fray with a winning tale of magic and redemption. Lou Suffern is a busy man, and his family's growing weary of constantly taking the backseat to his career. On a whim, he offers Gabe, a homeless man he meets outside his office, a low-level job, and the uncharacteristically kind gesture plays out in a very unexpected way when Lou learns that Gabe has the power to be in two places at once. As the holidays draw nearer, Gabe tries to make Lou realize the importance of his family, but slow-to-change Lou might not come around to Gabe's way of thinking until it's too late. Ahern's an accomplished storyteller, and her writing chops elevate this far above the normal holiday fare. There's magic, but it's not campy, and the sentiment is real. (from Amazon.com)

Complete the entries below to increase your chance to win! Contest ends on my blog November 26th!

Check out the rest of the blogs participating!
www.melanieski.blogspot.com (2 different dates)
http://singlecountrychick.blogspot.com-
www.seasidebooknook.com (me)
http://sweepingme.com--
http://bookstacksondeck.blogspot.com--
www.lifehappenswithkids.com-- (3 different dates)
www.roxannajolly.com--(2 different dates)
http://www.celticladysreviews.blogspot.com

Proof of Heaven - TLC Book Tour

2011-11-16T06:30:00.003-05:00

Paperback: 336 pages
Rating: A Good Read

Synopsis: A mother’s faith, a child’s courage, a doctor’s dedication—a moving and thought-provoking tale of hope, love, and family

He might be young, but Colm already recognizes the truth: that he’s sick and not getting better. His mother, Cathleen, fiercely believes her faith will protect her ailing son, but Colm is not so sure. With a wisdom far beyond his years, Colm has come to terms with his probable fate, but he does have one special wish. He wants to meet his father who abandoned his beloved mother before Colm was born.

But the quest to find the dying boy’s missing parent soon becomes a powerful journey of emotional discovery—a test of belief and an anxious search for proof of heaven.

A magnificent debut novel, Mary Curran Hackett’s Proof of Heaven is a beautiful and unforgettable exploration of the power of love and the monumental questions of life, death, and the afterlife.

From BN.com

Why I wanted to read it: I LOVE being part of TLC Book Tours!
My Rating: 3 out of 5, a good read.
Book Cover Rating: 5 out 5. I find the cover to be very peaceful. I don't relate the cover to the story as it reminds me more of a summer night, but I still love the cover.

My Review: Proof of Heaven is a pretty powerful book. The characters are wonderful and pull you into the story. If the first line doesn't grab....."Colm Francis Magee had died seven times before his seventh birthday," I am not sure what will. I had to keep reading. How could a child die seven times before turning seven? The next paragraph takes you right into the first time Colm died. I could not put the book down, it was unbelievable. I felt like I was Cathleen going through the entire event. Mary Curran Hackett's writing ability is incredible and she made me feel like I was experiencing everything as the story unfolds.

I LOVED the end of the book as the author does a wonderful job bringing everything together for us readers. The most amazing part for me, is that Mary writes this book based on her own life experiences. I really enjoyed Proof of Heaven and would recommend to anyone who is looking for a good book to read.

Author: Mary Curran Hackett is an adjunct English professor at the University of Cincinnati. She lives with her husband and children in Cincinnati, Ohio. By the way, I love my Ohio authors, especially those from the Cincy area! I moved from the Cincy/Dayton area 3 years ago and still miss it terribly.

This is a TLC Book Tour and I encourage you to check out the other reviews:

Wednesday, November 2nd: A Cozy Reader’s Corner
Tuesday, November 1st: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Friday, November 4th: My Heart’s Desire
Tuesday, November 8th: BookNAround
Wednesday, November 9th: Book Club Classics!
Wednesday, November 9th: Into the Hall of Books
Monday, November 14th: Reflections of a Bookaholic
Tuesday, November 15th: Reviews from the Heart
Wednesday, November 16th: Seaside Book Nook (me!)
Thursday, November 17th: A Bookish Libraria
Tuesday, November 22nd: The Lost Entwife

Winner Monster Mash & Bash Blog Hop

2011-11-03T06:41:00.000-04:00

Congrats to winner - Emma the Brave! You get to pick any book up to $15! Check your email and reply within 48 hours!

Winner of Spooktacular Blog Hop

2011-11-03T06:37:00.000-04:00

Congrats Nedra! You are the winner of Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale. I will be mailing it out to you soon!

Picture of Lies - TLC Book Tours

2011-11-02T07:25:00.000-04:00

Hardcover: 326 pages

Publisher: Gale Cengage Learning

Rating: Great Read

Synopsis: Investigative journalist Keegan Thomas is living a nightmare of guilt and grief since her little girl Daisy was kidnapped practically in front of her eyes. When the police investigation dead ended, she turned her grief to anger and buried herself in her work. The result was an award winning series of articles on unsolved child abductions. Her entire life became shaped by a continual search for missing children, her own included.

On what is supposed to be a working vacation, Keegan travels to Monument Valley on the Navajo Indian Reservation seeking the whereabouts of people in an old photograph found in her grandfather’s belongings after his death. Her assignment? Write an upbeat human interest where-are-they-now feature story for Arizona OffBeat Magazine.

But the Indians do not welcome this prying stranger carrying a picture of their old ones, some of them dead. Archaeologist Dante Covelli, a walking wounded with secrets in his past, helps her navigate the mysterious ways of the Navajo, and eventually Keegan is told one of the children in the photograph was kidnapped by missionaries and taken to boarding school.

What follows is a web of deception that stretches back fifty years, and the truth Keegan learns about her own family is the most shocking betrayal of all. Nothing can prepare her for the danger she encounters when she becomes the target of a powerful senator who will do anything to stop her from telling what she knows about the PICTURE OF LIES.

“Similar in feeling to Harrison’s romantic suspense mystery, The Charmstone, also set in Monument Valley … offers a nice combination of action, romance and Navajo lore.” –Kirkus Reviews

Why I wanted to read it: I LOVE being part of TLC Book Tours!

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5, a great (+) read.

Book Cover Rating: 3 out 5. It is not what I typically like but 100% perfect for the story and where it takes place

My Review: Picture of Lies is an awesome read! I have never read anything by C.C. Harrison, but I am going to check out her other books. Picture of Lies pulled me right in from the first chapter. My stepmom was visiting while I was reading it and we were both "fighting" over reading time. Picture of Lies has so many different twists and turns in the book you never can figure it all out with reading it! I don't want to give the story and mystery away. I would love to see C. C. Harrison write a follow up on Keegan's missing daughter. For now, I am going to go stop by Barnes & Noble and purchase Running from Strangers by C. C. Harrison! It looks really great too!

Author: C. C. Harrison lives in Anthem, Arizona. She is the author of hundreds of articles and short stories. When she’s not writing, reading, or working out at the gym, she can be found in the mountains of Colorado or in some far-flung corner of the Southwest.

Connect with C. C. Harrison online at her website, and on her blog.

This is a TLC Book Tour and I encourage you to check out the other reviews:

Monday, October 17th: As I turn the pages

Tuesday, October 18th: Iwriteinbook’s blog

Wednesday, October 19th: Cafe of Dreams

Friday, October 21st: Joyfully Retired

Monday, October 24th: Stephany Writes

Wednesday, October 26th: Life In Review

Friday, October 28th: Colloqium

Monday, October 31st: Sara’s Organized Chaos

Tuesday, November 1st: Book Nook Club

Wednesday, November 2nd: Seaside Book Nook

Thursday, November 3rd: Lesa’s Book Critiques

TBD: StephTheBookworm

My Sister's Shadow - TLC Book Tours + Giveaway!!

2011-11-01T05:00:00.001-04:00

Paperback: 352 pages

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Rating: Great Read

Synopsis: An emotionally powerful debut about two sisters who reconnect after nearly forty years of estrangement.

Renowned painter Lilli Niles is at home in her North London flat when she receives an unexpected call from her elder sister, Bea, who's at the family homestead in Whitehead, Massachusetts. Bea's husband has just died, and she'd like Lilli to fly home to attend the funeral. There are reasons Lilli moved all the way to England to escape her older sister, reasons that have kept them estranged for decades. But something in Bea's voice makes Lilli think it's time to return to the stately house in New England she loved as a child, to the memory of the beloved younger sister they both lost. With Bea more fragile than Lilli remembered, maybe she can finally forgive Bea for a long-ago betrayal that has simmered between them for nearly forty years.

From BN.com
Why I wanted to read it: I thought it sounded fantastic when I read the synopsis and I LOVE being part of TLC Book Tours!

My Rating: 4 out of 5, a great read.

Book Cover Rating: 5 out of 5. I LOVE any cover with a beach scene.

My Review: Her Sister's Shadow has so many of the elements I love in a book: sisters, family secrets, the 60's(!), mystery, teen hormones, and romance. The story is told in alternate settings - current day (2009) and the past (mid-1960). I love books that alternate between present and past where the past fills in the gaps and unfolds the present for us. Her Sister's Shadow focus is Lilli and Bea, but there are two other sisters in the story, Charlotte and Dori. So who is the "shadow?" You must read to find out!

I have an older sister and younger sister. We don't always see eye to eye, but we are always there for each other. I can't imagine not seeing my family for approximately 40 years. You must read Her Sister's Shadow to find out how sisters can be apart for so long! I can guarantee you will become so engrossed in the book and the characters.

Author: Katharine Britton has a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Dartmouth College. She teaches at Colby-Sawyer College, and at The Writer’s Center. Her screenplay, Goodbye Don’t Mean Gone, was a Moondance Film Festival winner and a finalist in the New England Women in Film and Television contest. Katharine is a member of the League of Vermont Writers.

When not at her desk, Katharine can be found at her Norwich garden, waging a non-toxic war against the slugs, snails, deer, woodchucks, chipmunks, moles, voles and beetles with whom she shares her yard. Katharine’s defense consists mainly of hand-wringing, after the fact.

Connect with Katharine online at her website, www.HerSistersShadow.com, her blog, and on Facebook.

This is a TLC Book Tour and I encourage you to check out the other reviews:

Thursday, October 20th: Savvy Verse and Wit
Tuesday, October 18th: Life in Review
Thursday, October 27th: Oodles of Books
Friday, October 28th: Amused by Books
Tuesday, November 1st: Seaside Book Nook
Wednesday, November 2nd: Chocolate and Croissants
Thursday, November 3rd: ”That’s Swell!”
Friday, November 4th: Books, Movies, and Chinese Food
Monday, November 7th: Luxury Reading
Wednesday, November 9th: girlichef
Thursday, November 10th: Colloquium
Monday, November 14th: Peeking Between the Pages
Wednesday, November 16th: A Bookish Affair
Thursday, November 17th: A Cozy Reader’s Corner

Giveaway: The publisher has kindly offered up one new copy to a lucky winner (US/CAN)! Easy to enter - see below

Monster Mash and Bash Blog Hop Oct 26 - Nov 1st

2011-10-26T23:13:00.002-04:00

Yipee, It is another Book Blog Hop with more Giveaways!

A Book Lover's Dream is hosting a Monster Mash and Bash Blog Hop. October 26th - November 1st. So what am I giving away....

The book of your choice up to $15(us)!

What do you need to do to enter a chance to win the book of your choice?

Be or become a follower of Seaside Book Nook and complete the form below.

Hop Around

Your next stop in the blog hop is Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks

See a full listing of the blogs that are participating in the hop below or start at the beginning at A Book Lover's Dream.

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

2011-10-23T21:30:00.001-04:00

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop - Oct 24th to 31st - is hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer & The Diary of a Bookworm.

I am stop #83. There are over 400 stops, each with their own spooktacular giveaway, so make sure to check them all out as well (you can see the full list of participants here).

What you can win: Hex, A Witch and Angel Tale

Synopsis: Like most girls at Rosemound High School, seventeen-year-old Lily Crane is acutely aware of Ryder Kingscott. Hands down the cutest guy in school, Ryder is cool, mysterious, and utterly untouchable…especially for Lily. For when she touches someone, Lily instantly learns all about their lives. And while such a skill might seem nifty, in truth it is wrecking Lily’s life. So she is shocked when Ryder asks her out — and even more shocked to discover he has a rival. Lucian Bell is the gorgeous new kid who can’t take his eyes off of Lily. Being pursued by two hotties should make a girl happy, but Lily is skeptical. The boys act as if they’ve met before, hating each other with a passion that could only be rooted in a dark, dangerous past. A past full of terrible secrets. The kind of secrets that could get a girl killed.

Check out my review here.

What do you have to do to win:

Become a follower of this blog and complete the entry form below.

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Winner of Literary Blog Hop

2011-10-23T21:22:00.000-04:00

Congrats to Archambo Alyssa lucky winner #86. Remember the prize is a book of your choice up to $15.

2011-10-15T08:27:00.000-04:00

Yipee, It is a Book Blog Hop with lots of Giveaways!

Judith (Leeswammes blog) is hosting a Literary Giveaway October 15 - 19th. The Hop starts on Saturday, October 15th and ends on Wednesday, OCTOBER 19th.

So what am I giving away....

The book of your choice up to $15(us)!

What do you need to do to enter a chance to win the book of your choice?

Be or become a follower of Seaside Book Nook and complete the form below.

Hop Around

Your next stop in the blog hop is The Scarlett Letter

See a full listing of the blogs that are participating in the hop below or start at the beginning at Judith's blog Leeswammes.

Thanks so much for blogging by.

Note: contest ends 10-19-2011 at 11:59 PM EST

Winner of $10 Gift Certificate - Banned Book Blog Hop

2011-10-09T22:33:00.000-04:00

I am so very sorry for the delay in picking and posting the winner. My daughter (8 years old) was in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks. Her appendix ruptured several days before showing any symptoms or signs. It was a very stressful time and she is now home for a week before starting back to school.

Without further delay...........

Ally (Allina)!

An email has been sent! Thanks to all of you for entering the giveaway and participating in the Hop. Have a wonderful week.

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

2011-09-30T03:03:00.000-04:00

Synopsis: Sick of hearing about vampires? So is Meena Harper.

But her bosses are making her write about them anyway, even though Meena doesn't believe in them.

Not that Meena isn't familiar with the supernatural. See, Meena Harper knows how you're going to die. (Not that you're going to believe her. No one ever does.)

But not even Meena's precognition can prepare her for what happens when she meets—then makes the mistake of falling in love with—Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for.

The problem is, Lucien's already dead. Maybe that's why he's the first guy Meena's ever met whom she could see herself having a future with. See, while Meena's always been able to see everyone else's future, she's never been able look into her own.

And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare.

Now might be a good time for Meena to start learning to predict her own future…

If she even has one.

My Rating: Okay Read

My Review: Meg Cabot is one of my favorite authors. I love both her YA and Adult books. This is so hard for me not to give this book a Great or Must Read, but it just didn't do all that much for me. I do think it is because I am "vampired" out! I just don't enjoy books with that time of character. I guess I am more of a witch (good witch) type of person! I didn't connect with the characters like I usually do when I read one of Meg's books (I am usually waiting for the bookstore to open on the day of her "new releases"). The plot didn't do much for me and just didn't seem to go anywhere at times. I am so sorry, but Meg, I would not recommend (or others in the series) this book to others. ALL her other books - MUST READ 5/5!

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

2011-09-28T22:11:00.000-04:00

Synopsis: This remarkable novel holds a fantastic puzzle at its heart.

By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, and they know who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner.

But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper. The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

My Rating: 5/5 Must Read

My Review: After reading When You Reach Me, I am not at all surprise Rebecca Stead was awarded the Newberry Medal. This book reminds me of a young adults version of The TIme Traveler's Wife, but different. It is full of twists and turns. I was pulled right into the book from chapter 1. It was a quick read, as well. At the end of every chapter, I wanted more.

Change Of A Dress - The Cinderella Cleaners Series

2011-09-26T18:01:00.001-04:00

Synopsis: Behind the counter at Cinderella Cleaners, Diana watches the clothes come and go. She loves to imagine the exciting events that the different outfits might be worn to. Then one day, Diana reaches into the pocket of a fancy coat - and finds an invitation to a glittering gala in New York City. Since the coat's owner is out of town, Diana gets a wild idea. With the help of some savvy friends, one glamorous dress, and a lot of improvising, Diana pretends to be someone she's not, and makes it into the party! Will she be discovered, or will her disguise come off without a hitch?
Provided by BN.com

My Rating: Great Book

My Review: This is the first book in Cinderella Cleaners series (6 in total so far). This is a great series for girls 9 - 12. The book goes through all the challenges of a young girls justifying doing something she knows is wrong and making choices as consequences unfold. Gold goes throughs questions and answers as Diana makes choices throughout the book. What should she do and how does she deal with the outcome that are beyond her imagination! Great life lessons throughout the book. I need to go check out the other 5 books in the series.

Have a great day!

Banned Book Hop and Giveaway

2011-09-23T20:20:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the Banned Books Week Hop! This event is hosted by the lovely bloggers from I Read Banned Books and I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.

I am stop #43. There are over 250 stops, each with their own banned book related giveaway so make sure to check them all out as well (you can see the full list of participants here).

What you can win:

A $10 gift card to Amazon.com, or BN.com. I am letting the winner choose their banned or challenged book. I believe that every book has a place on a shelf. Our shelves are all different and we should be able to have our own choice in what is on that shelf. I did stumble across this list of 50 banned books that everyone should read and was SHOCKED at the books that were listed.

What do you have to do to win:

Become a follower of this blog and complete the entry form below.

Extra chances to win!
Follow Seaside Book Nook on Goodreads
Follow Seaside Book Nook on Facebook
Follow Seaside Book Nook on Twitter

Thanks so much for being a follower!
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Hurt No More by Kelly Ann Evers

2011-09-16T10:15:00.003-04:00

I am excited to participate in the Crazy Book Tours today. I had the pleasure to review Hurt No More! A Journey of Healing From Abuse by Kelly Ann Evers.

Paperback: 210 pages

Publisher: El Roi Publishing

Rating: Good, with very important information and resources

Synopsis: In Hurt No More! A Journey of Healing from Abuse, Kelly Ann Evers reaches out to abused and battered women with her own compelling and inspirational story. After escaping from her abusive husband, she was unable to enjoy her new found freedom because of the emotional, physical, and spiritual scars left from years of domestic violence that kept her feeling hopeless, defeated, and depressed. Determined to set herself free from her suffering, she found the courage to search for true happiness and a meaningful life. It was through the Word of God and prayer that she finally attained deep healing from the abuse--and so much more!

· Believe in yourself as much as God believes in you

· Be healed, joyful, strong, and confident

· Change your life with powerful prayer

· Trust God regardless of the situation

· Live the life you deserve

· Learn to invest in yourself

Review: First, I want to say that what this book has to offer is very important and may just save a life. The book's focus is not so much on Kelly's abusive relationship, but on her journey of healing through prayer. I believe you need to be in the right frame of mind to have such an amazing experience as Kelly did. The other part of the book that I think is so valuable are the national and international resources at the end of book.

About Kelly: Kelly is the founder of His Love Heals, Domestic Violence Help. Her website is www.domestic-violence-help.org. They will keep keep your confidence and will guide you on a path toward freedom.

Thanks Kelly for writing such a book and Crazy Book Tours for hosting the tour. Together we may just save a life.

Runaway by Meg Cabot

2011-09-14T07:07:00.001-04:00

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Rating: 4 - Great Read

Synopsis: When everyone knows your name?

The third and final book the NYT bestselling trilogy.

Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope. . .what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved--since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed--this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running.

From BN.com

Why I wanted to read it: I loved the first two novel in the series, Airhead and Being Nikki. Also, Meg Cabot's adult books are great chick lit! I can't get enough of Meg's books! I would have to say this is chick lit for young adults!

Book Cover Rating: 3 out of 5. I like all of the covers in this series and are so appropriate given the story.

Length of Chapters: 4 out of 5. I liked the length of the chapters, not too long!

My Review: This is a great way to end the trilogy. Cabot wraps it all up with a bow on top. I love the Emma Watts character in the series. She is smart and so funny. Christopher is pretty cool too (or should I say "hot")! The best part is we finally get read about the big Stark's secret - and it will blow you away. No spoiler alert here - my lips are sealed! I do recommend you start at the being of the series - I am not so sure that Runaway will make sense (at the very least the details leading up to the story will be lost) reading it on its own. It will be so worth it to start with Airhead! Another great book/series by Meg! I always purchase her books the day they come out - LOVE 'em! Has anyone read her new series - Insatiable/Overbite? They are my shelf!

Have a great day!

Spells and Sleeping Bags by Sarah Mylnowski

2011-09-11T21:47:00.000-04:00

Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Rating: 4 - Great Read

Synopsis: At long last, Rachel's powers have arrived and she's a bona fide get-your-broom-ready witch! And it's happened just in time. No Manhattan for her this summer—she's spending her vacation at Camp Wood Lake.

But she's having some serious issues:

Mosquitoes in the Adirondacks are incredibly thirsty.

Her stepmom keeps sending embarrassing feminine hygiene care packages.

She accidentally zapped away all her clothes.

And there's a backstabber in her cabin intent on making life miserable.

Good thing Rachel's a witch.

From BN.com

Why I wanted to read it: I loved the first two novel in the series, Bras and Broomsticks and Frogs and French Kisses. Also, Sarah Mylnowski's adult books are great chick lit! I would have to say this is chick lit for young adults!

Book Cover Rating: 3 out of 5. I like all of the covers in this series.

Length of Chapters: 4 out of 5. I liked the length of the chapters, not too long!

My Review: This series is so much fun. I can't get enough of Rachel and Miri. Rachel has her powers in this book and the girls are at camp for the summer. There are lots of twists and turns. The ending is a little weird, but it works. Great book for both adults and young adults. It will have you laughing out loud.....by yourself! You don't have to read the first two in the series, but why not, they are great too!

Have a great week! It will be extremely busy for me at work and home.

Back to Books Winner

2011-09-10T11:32:00.001-04:00

The winner of Here Home Hope is:

#42 miryfaye (Rebekah F)

I have your address and will be mailing it out today!

Thanks to everyone that participated. There 143 entries!

Coming up this month: Back to School reviews. Most reviews (not all) will be focused on Young Adult books. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Back to Books Hop and Giveaway

2011-09-01T08:16:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the Back to Books Hop and Giveaway hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Buried in Books. This hop is scheduled to run August 1st to 7th. There are 300 blogs signed up and all hosting a giveaway.

I am giving away Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda. This is another book that is getting great reviews this summer. I absolutely LOVE the cover. I am picturing the porch over looking water (the ocean in my mind)! I love hydrangeas so I was so thrilled to see them on the cover. I also love the bare feet! My favorite pictures of my kids are during the summer and bare foot!

Paperback: 312 pages
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group, LLC
Rating: Great Read!

Synopsis: Kelly Mills Johnson becomes restless in her thirty-ninth year. An appetite for more forces her to take stock of her middling middle-American existence and her neighbors' seemingly perfect lives. Her marriage to a successful attorney has settled into a comfortable routine, and being the mother of two adorable sons has been rewarding. But Kelly's own passions lie wasted. She eyes with envy the lives of her two best friends, Kathryn and Charlotte, both beautiful, successful businesswomen who seem to have it all. Kelly takes charge of her life, devising a midlife makeover plan.

From page one, Kelly's witty reflections, self-deprecating humor, and clever tactics in executing that plan—she places Post-it notes all over her house and car—will have readers laughing out loud. The next instant, however, they might rant right along with Kelly as her commitment to a sullen, anorexic teenager left on her doorstep tries her patience or as she deflects the boozy advances of a divorced neighbor. Readers will need to keep the tissue box handy, too, as Kelly repairs the damage she inflicted on a high school friend; realizes how deeply her husband, Patrick, understands and loves her; and ultimately grows into a woman empowered by her own blend of home and career.

Here, Home, Hope will surely appeal to readers of chick lit and other women's fiction titles who are ready to transition into something new in their own life.

From BN.com

My Review: This is a perfect summer read (while, really any time!). It is a very easy read and pulls you in right from the start. I would agree that this is a chick lit book and I love the twists with the characters. The book tackles some very real and very tough issues; divorce, lay off of employment, death of a spouse, adultery, anorexia and mid-life crisis. Amazingly, all these topics are part of the book but does not seem like as you are reading it. The book moves along so easily and the characters are very believable.

To win this book, all you have to do is one of the following (please don't do both)....AFTER you become a follower (mandatory to be a follower either GFC or email):

Complete the form below (my favorite and always so easy!)
Leave a comment (with your email address)

Remember you must be a follower to win.

Call Me Irresistible - TLC Book Tours

2011-09-01T08:15:00.001-04:00

Paperback: 385 pages

Publisher: Harper-Collins Publishers

Rating: Good/Great Read

Synopsis: R.S.V.P. to the most riotous wedding of the year! Lucy Jorik’s the daughter of a former U.S. president. Meg Koranda’s the offspring of legends.

One of them is about to marry Mr. Irresistible—Ted Beaudine—the favorite son of Wynette, Texas. The other is determined to save her friend from a mess of heartache.

Meg knows breaking up her best friend’s wedding is the right thing to do, but no one else agrees. Faster than Lucy can say “I don’t,” Meg’s the most hated woman in town—and stuck there with a dead car, an empty wallet, and a very angry bridegroom. Broke, stranded, without her famous parents watching her back, Meg believes she can survive by her own wits. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? She’ll lose her heart to Mr. Irresistible?

Not likely. Not likely at all.

From BN.com

Why I wanted to read it: After reading the synopsis, I thought it was 100% chick lit!

My Rating: 3 out of 5, a good read.

Book Cover Rating: 3 out of 5. I can picture this being Meg, no doubt! However, I am surprised there isn't a picture of Ted.....he is Mr. Irresistible.

Length of Chapters: 3 out of 5. The chapters in Call Me Irresistible were on the longer side for my taste, but there were stops/breaks throughout the chapters. That works for me as well. As I have said before, I need to be able to pick up and put down the book as I don't have any "block" of time to read. I have to read whenever and wherever I can in 3 - 5 minute increments.

My Review: I liked the book. I could picture the characters, small town in Texas, the mess Meg gets herself into. In trying not to spoil the book for anyone, events in the book happen pretty fast, in my opinion. Call Me Irresistible has a lot of humor, not so much "girlie drama," (Meg is pretty tough) and "smut." This combination makes it 100% chick lit!

This is my first Susan Elizabeth Phillips book, but it will not be last. She has the Wynette Texas Books (Call Me Irresistible is in this series), Chicago Stars Books and a ton of stand-alone books. I am going to go check out It Had to Be You from the Chicago Star series. Looks fantastic and perfect for fall (Female NY knockout inherits a Chicago football team)!

Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of our biggest women’s fiction stars soaring onto the New York Times bestseller list with Dream a Little Dream. She’s the only four-time recipient of Romance Writer’s of America’s prestigious Favorite Book of the Year Award. Susan delights fans by touching hearts as well as funny bones with her wonderfully whimsical and modern fairy tales. A resident of the Chicago suburbs, she is also a wife and mother of two grown sons.

Visit Susan at her website, susanelizabethphillips.com, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

This is a TLC Book Tour and I encourage you to check out the other reviews:

Tuesday, August 30th: As I turn the pages
Wednesday, August 31st: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Tuesday, September 6th: Luxury Reading
Wednesday, September 7th: StephTheBookworm
Thursday, September 8th: Colloqium
Tuesday, September 12th: Laura’s Reviews
Tuesday, September 13th: Life In Review
Wednesday, September 14th: Tina’s Book Reviews
Thursday, September 15th: Peeking Between the Pages
Friday, September 16th: Books Like Breathing

Winner of The Orphan Sister!

2011-08-31T00:22:00.001-04:00

Winner of The Orphan Sister - #59 STaraschi!

Since the entry form asked for you address, the book has already been mailed out, with some extra surprises from the author herself (thanks Gwendolen)!

Thanks to everyone who participate in these two giveaway. More to come this week! Another great blog hop coming soon! Also, September will be focused on Young Adult/Children's books in honor of Back to School month! I for one, am so happy school is back in!

The Orphan Sister Review + Giveaway!

2011-08-15T05:43:00.002-04:00

Synopsis: Clementine Lord is not an orphan. She just feels like one sometimes. One of triplets, a quirk of nature left her the odd one out. Odette and Olivia are identical; Clementine is a singleton. Biologically speaking, she came from her own egg. Practically speaking, she never quite left it. Then Clementine’s father—a pediatric neurologist who is an expert on children’s brains, but clueless when it comes to his own daughters—disappears, and his choices, both past and present, force the family dynamics to change at last. As the three sisters struggle to make sense of it, their mother must emerge from the greenhouse and leave the flowers that have long been the focus of her warmth and nurturing.

For Clementine, the next step means retracing the winding route that led her to this very moment: to understand her father’s betrayal, the tragedy of her first lost love, her family’s divisions, and her best friend Eli’s sudden romantic interest. Most of all, she may finally have found the voice with which to share the inside story of being the odd sister out. . . .

Why I wanted to read it: I have been hearing such good things about The Orphan Sister.....and now I know why!

My Rating: 4.8 out of 5, a must read.

Book Cover Rating: 4.5 out of 5. I love the red shoes and bare feet.

Length of Chapters: 4.5 out of 5. I love very short chapters (like 1.5 to 2 pages per chapter). For some reason I can read a book faster with shorter chapters. The chapters in The Orphan Sister were longer than 2 pages, but still short enough to be able to quickly read a chapter while multitasking a busy life.

My Review: Let me just say that I loved it so much that I already purchased one of her other books (via e-books), The Other Mother! This book pulls you right in with a family drama right on page 1! From there on, I just had to keep reading and turning pages. In the beginning of the book, I was a little miffed at Clementine and her mother. It seemed they either didn't want to deal with "issues" or were naive or something. Boy was I wrong....you obtain an understanding while the story unfolds (especially Clementine) and of course, it all comes together.

Gwendolen Gross has an amazing talent to tell a story with characters you can't forget and want to know more about them and their lives. She writes is so beautifully. I really enjoyed that a good part of the story took place at Oberlin....loved the Ohio references. Having twins, I loved reading about the triplets and the dymanics of their lives.

I was thrilled when I found out that her other two books, Field Guide and Getting Out will be available in e-books August 26th. Get in line behind me as I will be the first to purchase them! I have to read more of Gwendolen's books. Another fun fact about Gwendolen.....she loves to knit and so do I!

Connect: Check out Gwendolen Gross on Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and on her website.

Giveaway: I am giving away one copy of The Orphan Sister. Contest ends August 19, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST. Requirements to win....
Become a follower of Seaside Book Nook
Complete the easy form below OR leave a comment with your email address.

Good luck and thanks for blogging by!

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Book Blogger Hop - Crazy Book Titles

2011-08-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

The Book Blogger Hop (hosted by crazy-for-books) is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!

Let’s talk crazy book titles! Highlight one or two (or as many as you like!) titles in your personal collection that have the most interesting titles! If you can’t find any, feel free to find one on the internet!”

This is an easy on for me. I have a book on my shelf that makes me laugh every time I see it.

1. Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak: An Indispensable Guide to Surviving Working Motherhood.

Wickedly funny, girlfriend-to-girlfriend survival guide for working mothers who want real answers, not mommy manifestos or sappy crap on finding "balance"

Most books for working mothers are earnest, serious guides with some useful information, but lack the snark and practicality that today's overworked moms relate to. Marketing veterans Amy Eschliman and Leigh Oshirak know firsthand what a struggle it can be to hold down a stressful job while raising a family-and that sometimes the only way to preserve your sanity is with laughter. A survival guide for the rest of us, Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak is filled with bitterly funny topics like:

• Congratulations. Now, where do I slot "baby" in Outlook?
• Maternity Leave: Vacation or Hell?
• The Breastaurant is Open for Business: The pump and grind of nursing after you return to work.
• You Are Not Your Husband's Mother! and other time-sucking obligations.
• And more day-to-day advice for surviving the working-mommy trenches

Balance is a Crock, Sleep is for the Weak is the indispensable "what to expect when you're expected back at work" guide for working mothers or any woman considering returning to work after baby.

Do you have a book with a cray title, that makes you laugh? I would love it if you shared it with us all!

Winners!!

2011-08-09T23:20:00.001-04:00

Winner of 32 Candles - #22 Angie P

Winner of the Girl in the Garden - #139 Jessica at Peace, Love and Books!

Jessica did you know that my scrapbook/crafting blog is Peace, Love and Scrapbooking! I absolutely adore your blog title. You all should check out her blog - I loved it!

For all those that left me your blog address, I will be visiting you all and become a follower. I haven't had any time - work has been a little crazy and late nights this past week or so.

Winners, don't forget to check your spam for an email from me. Please reply within 48 hours or I have to pick another winner and I hate doing that!

Thanks to everyone who participate in these two giveaway. More to come this week! Another great book giveaway.

In Her Wake - TLC Book Tour

2011-08-09T06:22:00.001-04:00

In Her Wake: A Child Psychiatrist Explorers the Mystery of Her Mother's Suicide by Nancy Rappaport.

Synopsis: "A delivery announcement on elegant paper stamped with the date of a daughters birth; a tarnished silver baby cup, dented at the rim; a lovingly hand-knitted sweater; a school committee flier; hurried grocery lists. This is all Nancy Rappaport had left to remember her mother, a woman defined by her absence.

In 1963, Nancy Rappaport’s mother died by suicide after a bitter public divorce and custody battle. Nancy was just four years old and the youngest of six children. Growing up in a blended family of eleven children after her father remarried, Nancy was bewildered about why her mother took her own life and left her behind.

Years later, encouraged by her own childrens’ curiosity about their grandmother, and fortified by her training as a child psychiatrist, Nancy began investigating her mother’s life and the mysteries surrounding her death.

Pursuing clues and following leads, Rappaport pieces together a complex mosaic of her mother. Drawing on court depositions, newspaper coverage, her mother’s unpublished novel, and interviews with family and friends, she uncovers the story of a conflicted and troubled activist, socialite, and community leader. She scrutinizes deep family secrets about a woman she only remembers in snapshots.

In Her Wake is a rare thing: the story of a psychiatrist analyzing her own psychological drama. Nancy Rappaport was just four years old when her mother--a prominent Boston activist and socialite--committed suicide. Decades later, Rappaport, a child psychiatrist with three children of her own, pieced together a complex mosaic of her "mama." In Her Wake sheds light on the nature of hurting and healing, and is a potent reminder that love outlasts death."

My Review: Bravo Rappaport for tackling such a difficult subject and taking us through your journey. It seems lately I have been reading a lot of memoirs and discovering it is genre I enjoy. Rappaport does a great job blending her own discovery of dealing with her mother's suicide and educating the reader on depression. I would have loved to have learned more about her mother as I am fascinated with the time period and high-society. This book provides a great understanding of depression, which is a very real and very common disease. It also walks through the different stages of grief for those suffering a loss of a loved one. I found this book to be very insightful. Good read!
I love the cover of the book too! I often wish I grew up in the 50/60's. I love that time period. Yes, I love Mad Men!

I am honored to be part of the TLC Books Tour. For more reviews of the book please click here. To learn more about the author, Nancy Rappaport, please visit her site.

I received In Her Wake by Nancy Rappaport from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.

Girl in the Garden - Summer Giveaway Hop

2011-07-31T22:51:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the Summery Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & BookHounds. This hop is scheduled to run August 1st to 7th.

I am giving away Girl in the Garden by Kamala Nair. Have you heard about this book - it is so good! It is getting outstanding reviews everywhere. This is Kamala debut novel too. She is, for sure, an author to watch. I can't wait for her second book to come out. Kamala, when will that be and what will it be about? I must know!

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Grand Centeral Publishing
Rating: MUST read

Synopsis: The redemptive journey of a young woman unsure of her engagement, who revisits in memory the events of one scorching childhood summer when her beautiful yet troubled mother spirits her away from her home to an Indian village untouched by time, where she discovers in the jungle behind her ancestral house a spellbinding garden that harbors a terrifying secret.

My Review: LOVED IT! The story is told in a letter (but not letter format, you know I love that format!) from Rakee's to her fiancée.

"By the time you read this I will be flying over the Atlantic on my way to India."

How can you not keep reading? Like me, I had to keep going with an opener like that!

"I would like to say it began with the letter I received two days ago, but it goes back much further than that. It goes back to the summer I turned eleven, when Amma took me to India and everything changed."

The last paragraph in chapter one....

"I am finally ready to share it {the story}. I hope that when you are finished reading, you will understand why I have left like this with no warning, no explanation, no good-bye; only this story, the ring, and an address in India where you can find me. Most of all, I hope that I am not too late."

I dove right into this book! I had to finally stop reading at 2 am when I realized that I was only going to get 3 hours of sleep. I couldn't wait for the kids to go to bed the next night, so I could keep on reading! I couldn't get enough! I am afraid if I type anymore about this book, it will become a spoiler alert and will take away from your own journey.

To win this book, all you have to do is one of the following (please don't do both)....AFTER you become a follower:

Complete the form below (my favorite and always so easy!)
Leave a comment (with your email address)

Remember you must be a follower to win.

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32 Candles Review - TLC Book Tours and Giveaway

2011-07-28T00:01:00.001-04:00

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Amistad; Reprint edition (June 28, 2011)
Tour: TLC Book Tours
Rating: Must read!

Snyopsis: Davie Jones—an ugly duckling growing up in small-town Mississippi with a mother who couldn't get any meaner—is positive her life couldn't be any worse. Just when she's resigned herself to her fate, she sees a movie that will change her life—Sixteen Candles. But in her case, life doesn't imitate art. Tormented in school and hopelessly in unrequited love with a handsome football player, Davie finds it bittersweet to dream of Molly Ringwald endings. When a cruel school prank goes too far, Davie leaves the life she knows and reinvents herself in the glittery world of Hollywood—as a beautiful and successful lounge singer. Just as she's about to ride off into the L.A. sunset, the past comes back with a vengeance, threatening to crush Davie's dreams—and break her heart again.
With wholly original characters and a cinematic storyline, 32 Candles introduces Ernessa T. Carter, a new voice in fiction with smarts, attitude, and sassiness to spare.

About Ernessa Carter

Ernessa T. Carter has worked as an ESL teacher in Japan, a music journalist in Pittsburgh, a payroll administrator in Burbank, and a radio writer for American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest in Hollywood. Carter’s also a retired L.A. Derby Doll (roller derby). A graduate of Smith College and Carnegie Mellon University’s MFA program, she now lives in Los Angeles. 32 Candles is her first novel. She blogs at www.fierceandnerdy.com

TLC Book Tours Stops

Monday, July 4th: Reflections of a Bookaholic
Thursday, July 7th: Picky Girl
Friday, July 8th: Book Reviews by Molly
Monday, July 11th: Helen’s Book Blog
Tuesday, July 12th: StephTheBookworm
Wednesday, July 13th: 1330v
Thursday, July 14th: The Englishist
Friday, July 15th: The Englishist - guest post
Monday, July 18th: Steph Su Reads
Tuesday, July 19th: Freda’s Voice
Wednesday, July 20th: Sara’s Organized Chaos
Thursday, July 21st: Reading Through Life
Friday, July 22nd: Dreaming in Books
Monday, July 25th: Amy Reads
Tuesday, July 26th: The Feminist Texican [Reads]
Wednesday, July 27th: Bibliophilia – Maggie’s Bookshelf
Thursday, July 28th: Life In Review
Thursday, July 28th: Seaside Book Nook
Friday, July 29th: Love to Read for Fun
Friday, July 29th: Write Meg

My Review: This is a laugh out loud, fall in love with the characters, walk down memory lane of the 80's, chick lit kind of book. Davie, you ROCK girl. I so loved her. This book is filled with twists and turns that had me wanting more. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the plot twisted and I was so shocked (in a good way).

The cast of characters come to life through this book. I could clearly picture them and how they fit into Davie's life through out her journey. After I finished 32 Candles, I was in my local library and spotted the book on CD. I grabbed it at once, I just needed to hear the voices of the characters. To my wonderful surprise, they were spot on! Just as I had pictured (or heard them in my mind!) everyone, they came through on audio. I often find that is not the case.

Being a person who rocked through the 80's, I loved all the references in the book, especially to 16 Candles and Pretty in Pink! The title of this book is SO appropriate I can't imagine it with any other title. I couldn't put this book down and it was so well written. Standing O, Ms. Carter!

Giveaway: I have one copy of 32 Candles to giveaway. Just already be follower or become a follower and complete the form below. If you prefer to leave a comment instead of using the form, that is fine too, just remember to leave your email address. I will be picking a winner quickly, August 1st!

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Follower Appreciation Winner Update

2011-07-26T05:27:00.000-04:00

Thanks to you all for helping reach my goal of 150 followers and beyond. I will have to set another goal with a great prize if reached.

The prize has not been claimed and it has been much longer than 48 hours. I was hoping the winner was on vacation and thought by allowing more time I would hear from the winner. However, I still haven't heard anything; therefore, have picked another winner.

The winner of a book (or ebook) of your choice (up to $25) from Barnes & Noble or Book Depository is......

knittingandsundries

An email has been sent. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours, I will pick another winner. Congrats Knitting and Sundries! Did you know I LOVE to knit?

Smokin' Seventeen

2011-07-24T21:33:00.006-04:00

My Rating: A Must Read! (10 out of 10)
Source: Library

Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.

Synopsis (form bn.com): Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list.

Short on time to find evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke.

My Review: One of my very favorite series is Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum! Her latest, Smokin' Seventeen was no let down. I laughed right out loud while reading this book. We still don't know who or when Stephanie will settle down. Do you want her to pick Joe or Ranger? I want her to pick both for separate reasons! Grandma Bella is back in this book and it is too funny. She puts the "eye" on Stephanie. We don't get to hear much from Grandma Mazer, but get our fill of Lula and Mooner!

The only thing I hate about this series is the time in between finishing the latest book and waiting for the next one. I just don't get why Janet can't write faster and the publisher publish them faster. I just can't get enough of them!

In case you don't know - I rate this book A Must Read!

Have a great week!

Super DIaper Baby 2 Review With a Very Embarrassing Story Included!!

2011-07-14T23:24:00.002-04:00

Warning: Do not let your child read this book during church, or they might just say something out loud you wish they hadn't!

Okay, I will be the first to admit that I sometime (okay all the time) let me kids take a book to read while at church. I know, I know, I know, but hear me out. There are times when they don't have the "children's liturgy" and it makes it very hard for everyone to enjoy mass, especially for the mom breaking up the fighting children and others seated around us. Also, my kids attend a Catholic school and already go to mass weekly. So in order for me to get something out of church (beside my kids not fighting for an hour), I let them bring a notebook or a book. I only let them write in the notebook or read the book during the Homily (goes way over their heads anyway).

This past Sunday one of the twins grabbed Super Diaper Baby 2, The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers, which we read while on vacation. During the Homily, she said rather loudly, "I love this part, where the evil guy is turned into pee." Not the most appropriate thing to say loudly....in a church.....during the Homily. I have never been so embarrassed. Thank goodness we have an awesome priest and he just kept going, even though there was such an outburst of laughter all around us. I didn't even know what to say or how to react.
Besides that, this book really is way too funny. I don't know any child who wouldn't laugh out loud while reading this book. It is all about super heroes (a baby and dog) and evil villain whose cat turns him into pee. The cat turns on the evil villain and the heroes save the day! Any book that has to do with bodily fluids makes my kids laugh and grabs their attention at this age.

Yes, I have to admit that I was laughing at parts of this book too. The best part, is my 7 year old twins were able to read it with very little help. I love it when they read out loud and we all enjoy a book. They are so proud of their accomplishments and I get to multi-task!

"George and Harold (the co-stars of the enormously popular Captain Underpants series) are in big trouble again! Their mean principal, Mr. Krupp, has had it with their comic books. But the boys aren't giving up, and they decide to create an all-new epic novel about a subject they've never tackled before!"

"Dr. Dilbert Dinkle started his career as an ordinary, everyday evil genius/inventor/bank robber. But when he awakens one day transformed into a walking, talking puddle of pee, he vows to destroy every toilet in town. Will the devious Dr. Dinkle and his conniving cat, Petey, ruin restrooms for the rest of us? Or could this be a job for the death-defying, dynamic duo of Super Diaper Baby and Diaper Dog?"

"Oh, no! It's not enough that George and Harold have invented Captain Underpants, the greatest superhero of all time, and that they've also saved the world FIVE times-defeating Dr. Diaper, punishing Professor Poopypants and whacking the wicked Wedgie Woman! What task could be worse? As punishment, the boys have to write a 100-page report on "good citizenship," and they have been specifically ordered NOT to write another comic about Captain Underpants. So what do they do? Meet Super Diaper Baby!!!"

My kids and I really enjoyed these books and had some great laughs. Even my 9 year old was listening and laughing while the girls read them out loud. My nephew, who is going to be a freshman in high school, and passed his Captain Underpants down to my son, even picked up the two books and read them quickly. He was also laughing out loud while reading! This would make a GREAT summer read too.

You can buy Super Diaper Baby 2: The Invasion of the Potty Snatchers ($6.99) and The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby ($5.99) from Scholastic Books by clicking here. Connect with Scholastic Books on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Would You Like To Win It? Check out Outnumbered 3 to 1, which is a blog that I write reviews for and share craft posts. While you are there entering to win the, see what Mel, Amanda, Ashley, Farrah and myself have going on for giveaways. You won't be disappointed. The giveaway ends July 28th at midnight (EST).

Next to Love by Ellen Feldman

2011-07-12T00:38:00.053-04:00

Synopsis from BN.com: A story of love, war, loss, and the scars they leave, Next to Love follows the lives of three young women and their men during the years of World War II and its aftermath, beginning with the men going off to war and ending a generation later, when their children are on the cusp of their own adulthood.

Set in a small town in Massachusetts, the novel follows three childhood friends, Babe, Millie, and Grace, whose lives are unmoored when their men are called to duty. And yet the changes that are thrust upon them move them in directions they never dreamed possible—while their husbands and boyfriends are enduring their own transformations. In the decades that follow, the three friends lose their innocence, struggle to raise their children, and find meaning and love in unexpected places. And as they change, so does America—from a country in which people know their place in the social hierarchy to a world in which feminism, the Civil Rights movement, and technological innovations present new possibilities—and uncertainties. And yet Babe, Millie, and Grace remain bonded by their past, even as their children grow up and away and a new society rises from the ashes of the war.

My Review: I loved this book. The story takes us through the lives of three friends (since young children), Babe, Grace and Millie. Given the story transports us back to WWII, the story takes us through the ladies struggles with their men off to war, the men's return (or lack of) and the struggles that continue for next 25+ years. The story is so well written and does an excellent job of transporting you back to the WWII era. It is filled with drama and emotion, you can't wait to turn the page to see what is going to happen. I loved the ending and that is all I will say, since I don't want to spoil for you all!

I highly recommend this book and give it a "must read!" Look for it in bookstores July 26th or pre-order now!

I have to go order another of Ellen Feldman's book - The Boy Who Loved Anne Frank. Doesn't that sound so good. I love Anne Frank stories.

Check out Ellen's website by clicking here.

Thanks to the publisher, Spiegel & Grau for providing me a copy of the book.

Follower Appreciation Winner!

2011-07-08T22:01:00.001-04:00

Thanks to you all for helping reach my goal of 150 followers and beyond. I will have to set another goal with a great prize if reached.

The results of the question (do you prefer form over leaving a comment) was hands down form. There were a few that preferred the comment, so for now on I will use the form and have leaving a comment optional for giveaways.

The winner of a book of your choice (up to $25) from Barnes & Noble or Book Depository is......

VeronicasBooks

An email has been sent. If the prize is not claimed within 48 hours, I will pick another winner. Congrats Veronica!

Heaven is for Real Winner!

2011-07-01T06:14:00.000-04:00

The winner of the Literary Book Blog Hop will receive a copy of Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo.

Congratulations to Giselle! An email has been sent!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment and became a follower!

Another Giveaway - Celebrating over 150 followers!

2011-06-27T23:16:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all of you! I am so, so excited to have reached 150+ followers. I couldn't have done it without all of you. I promised a giveaway.....so a giveaway is what you get!

How does a book of your choice from Barnes & Noble or Book Depository up to $25 (not including shipping) sound for a giveaway? Just complete the form below.

This contest will end July 1st! Keep in mind that is Friday.

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Summer Literary Giveaway Blog Hop Time! June 25 - 29th

2011-06-24T22:26:00.002-04:00

If you are hear looking for the Literary Giveaway Blog Hop, you are in the right spot! I am so excite that Judith at Leeswammes asked me to participate in her blog hop again! What am I giving away?

Snyopsis:

"A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven.
Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.
Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.
Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle."

You guessed it, Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo. This book is so unbelievable amazing. I am afraid if I say anything more about this book, it will be a spoiler alert.

To win this outstanding book, all you have to do is become a follower of my blog and leave a comment below stating so. This is open internationally.

To keep hopping along:

Thank you so much for stopping by! Once I reach 150 followers, I will be holding another giveaway to celebrate! Help spread the word, by sharing this post on facebook.

Girl in Translation-Manic Mommies Roc Book Club June Selection

2011-06-20T23:30:00.004-04:00

Wow, is all I can say about this book at this point. I really liked this book, but since it is my Manic Mommies Roc Book Club selection this month, I will wait until we meet and discuss it to write my review. We meet the end of June, so it won't be too long! I just had to tell you..... I really liked it.

Happy reading!

Summer Blog Hop - June 25th -

2011-06-20T06:35:00.000-04:00

Coming soon is another great blog hop hosted by Judith at Leeswammes.
The Literary Giveaway Blog Hop is an event taking place from Saturday June 25th until (and including) Wednesday June 29th. Currently there are 60 (yes 60) blogs participating. I will have a great giveaway here, so make sure you blog back by!

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

2011-06-19T23:30:00.000-04:00

Overview:

"Beth and Jennifer know their company monitors their office e-mail. But the women still spend all day sending each other messages, gossiping about their coworkers at the newspaper and baring their personal lives like an open book. Jennifer tells Beth everything she can't seem to tell her husband about her anxieties over starting a family. And Beth tells Jennifer everything, period.
When Lincoln applied to be an Internet security officer, he hardly imagined he'd be sifting through other people's inboxes like some sort of electronic Peeping Tom. Lincoln is supposed to turn people in for misusing company e-mail, but he can't quite bring himself to crack down on Beth and Jennifer. He can't help but be entertained-and captivated- by their stories.

But by the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late for him to ever introduce himself. What would he say to her? "Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you." After a series of close encounters and missed connections, Lincoln decides it's time to muster the courage to follow his heart . . . even if he can't see exactly where it's leading him.

Written with whip-smart precision and charm, Attachments is a strikingly clever and deeply romantic debut about falling in love with the person who makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Even if it's someone you've never met."

My Thoughts: I loved it and got my fill of chick lit! This is the author's, Rainbow Rowell, debut novel, and what an amazingly great debut it is. This book alternates between Beth and Jennifer one chapter and Lincoln the next. It is written in email format between Jennifer and Beth (while at work!!) and in traditional story format when it switches to Lincoln. This is the best of both worlds. The story moves along and pulled me in right from the beginning. This is a very smart and witty book. I can't wait to see what Rainbow Rowell's next book will be like, since I loved this one!

Congratulations to Rainbow on such a fun, witty, pull you right in to the story, short chapters debut novel! You all know they are all so important to me! Check out her website by clicking here.

Have a great week and hope you are enjoying what you are reading!

Book Birthday Shout Out - Sentenced to Death by Lorna Barrett

2011-06-08T06:21:00.000-04:00

This week I am participating in a new meme hosted by Bewitched Bookworm.

It's all about the love of books, right?

We love books (duuh....obviously)

and we love the authors that fuel our passion.

For each of them a release day is something exciting,

something they wait anxiously for.

Seriously, just like we do right?

Let's celebrate the book and the author and

wish them a happy Book Birthday.

For all the rules and details check out Bewitched Bookworm.

I am so exited to celebrate Sentence to Death by Lorna Barrett today! The best news, she is going to be at the Barnes & Noble by my work tonight! I love author book signings and the are few and far between here in Rochester. The only problem is I have two other conflicts tonight. I hope I can pull this off. Do you think I should invite her to out book club? How amazing would that be to have an author come to your book club meeting - wow! Let's Celebrate!

Synopsis: As the owner of Stoneham, New Hampshire’s mystery bookstore Haven’t Got a Clue, Tricia Miles can figure out whodunit in the latest bestseller way before she gets to the last page. But these days, Tricia is using her sleuthing skills for much more than the books on her shelves . . .
It’s Founders’ Day in Stoneham and the whole village has turned out to celebrate in the square, including Tricia’s friend and festivities organizer Deborah Black. As everyone watches Deborah give the opening speech, a small aircraft crashes into the village gazebo, killing both Deborah and the pilot. While the Sheriff’s Department is convinced that it was an accident, Tricia has a feeling that there’s more to the story. And when she reads between the lines of the case, what she finds is worse than the most sinister whodunit …

Lorna Barrett writes the New York Times Bestselling Booktown Mysteries. Sentenced to Death is the fifth book in the series. She also writes the Victoria Square Mysteries as Lorraine Bartlett and the Jeff Resnick Mysteries as L.L. Bartlett. Please visit her web sites and her blog.

Friend Lorna on Facebook

Follow Lorna on Twitter

Visit her blogs ~

writing as Lorna Barrett– The Booktown Mysteries

writing as Lorraine Bartlett– The Victoria Square Mysteries

writing as L.L. Bartlett– The Jeff Resnick Mysterie

Here is praying for rain early evening so my two other activities get canceled and I can make it to the book signing!

Thanks for blogging by!

Crazy-For-Books Blog Hop - Summer Reading List!

2011-06-02T08:24:00.001-04:00

The Book Blogger Hop (hosted by crazy-for-books) is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word!

What are the top 10 books you want in your summer bag?

In no particular order (and they are already on my book shelf)!

1. Holy's Inbox, Scandal in the City bu Holly Denham. Loved the first book and it is great chic lit!
2. The Daughters by Joanna Philbin. I really wanted to support this young author and I love her dad!
3. Pricelss by Nicole Richie. Seriously, I was sucker for the synopsis.
4. In Office Hours by Lucy Kellaway. Loved the first one and this was one of my London purchases!
5. Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo. This sounds so amazing!
6. Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt. Sounds like something one of my favorite authors (Meg Cabot) would write.
7. Good Harbor by Anita Diamant. My mom asked me to read it years ago and I still haven't.
8. Little Blog on the Prairie by Cathleen Davitt Bell. All I can think is...modern day Laura Ingalls!
9. Between the Tides by Patti Callahan Henry. Bought it last summer because the cover caught my eye.
10. Wicked Girls, A Novel Of The Salem Witch Trials by Stephanie Hemphill. I love books like this!

I could resist or stop at 10!

11. Another Summer by Georgia Bockoven. I want to read other books by GB, but thought I would start at the beginning.
12. Lipstick in Afghanistein by Roberta Gately. I have heard so many good things about this book.
13. Momzillias by Jill Kargman. Another chic lit I bought in London.
14. The House on Oyster Creek by Heidi Jon Schmidt. I bought this last summer and haven't read it (love the cover too).

What is in your summer book bag? I would love to hear what you are reading or plan on reading.

When You Were Mine

2011-05-28T06:13:00.002-04:00

Synopsis: IS A SECOND CHANCE AT HAPPINESS WORTH RISKING EVERYTHING? EVEN A BEST FRIEND? Susannah has been living with Doug for eight years, acting as stepmother to his three unappreciative children and wondering why she doesn’t mind much when he sometimes sleeps in his study. She’s known her best friend Amelia since they were teenagers. Amelia never minces words, and Susannah doesn’t like hearing what Amelia has to say about her noncommittal relationship. At her brother’s wedding, Susannah runs into Rob—her first love, the love of her life. There’s no band on his ring finger, and Susannah begins to fantasize. Her fantasies turn to reality when Rob gives her a call. Susannah’s world is rocked by her rekindled feelings for Rob, then totally turned upside down by a revelation from Amelia. Just when Susannah and Amelia need each other the most, they are facing a crisis that threatens to tear their friendship apart. Without her familiar guiding star, Susannah must finally make some hard choices in order to grow up for good, no matter who or what she has to leave behind. Heartwarming, wise, and sophisticated, When You Were Mine is a story about first loves, best friends, and choices that will resonate with readers everywhere.

My Review: This book was good, but I like some other Noble's other books better. I think I feel this way since I didn't connect to the main character, Susannah. I felt she was too old to be so unhappy and in a dead end relationship (not married, but committed). I don't care for books where the main character engages in an affair. I like that she and Rob become involved again, but she should have left Doug and Rob should have separated from his wife first....just my opinion. I know real life isn't that black and white. Also, why she wasn't working was beyond me. She had been a lawyer and for the life of me, I can't figure out why she gave up her career. I was also upset at her and how (I feel) she let her best friend down during a horrible time in her life. I just found Susannah to be immature and not very "smart."

However, given all my above comments, I did enjoy the book, it just wasn't a favorite of mine. I would have to rate this book as Okay.

Thanks to Crazy Book Tours for letting be part of the tour!

Unfinished Business

2011-05-25T05:57:00.004-04:00

One Man's Extraordinary Year of Trying to Do the Right Things.....unfinished business....

Synopsis: After losing his job, Lee Kravitz, a workaholic in his midfifties, took stock of his life and realized just how disconnected he had become from the people who mattered most to him. He committed an entire year to reconnecting with them and making amends.

Kravitz takes readers on ten transformational journeys, among them repaying a thirty-year-old debt, making a long-overdue condolence call, finding an abandoned relative, and fulfilling a forgotten promise. Along the way, we meet a cast of wonderful characters and travel the globe—to a refugee camp in Kenya, a monastery in California, the desert of southern Iran, a Little League game in upstate New York, and a bar in Kravitz's native Cleveland. In each instance, the act of reaching out opens new paths for both personal and spiritual growth.

All of us have unfinished business—the things we should have done but just let slip. Kravitz's story reveals that the things we've avoided are exactly those that have the power to transform, enrich, enlarge, and even complete us. The lesson of the book is one applicable to us all: Be mindful of what is most important, and act on it. The rewards will be immediate and lasting.
My Review: This book called to me for several reasons as many other memiors have lately. I love how the book is broken down into ten different "unfinished businesses" and that Kravitz takes us through his journey of each. My favorite is....Searching for Sorrow's Daughter, Finding a Long-Lost Relative. It makes me smile and cry just thinking about it. It is so amazing on so many different levels. It broke my heart that Fern was sent away to a special-care facility and pretty much forgotten about by her family. Kravitz seeks his Aunt Fern out and re-kindles a relationship with her. I can't belive that Aunt Fern had not received mail in 14 years and had only one vistor (the daughter of another resident). Unbelievable. I am so happy Kravitz found Aunt Fern and shared his visits with us. I think is so cool that he tape records his Aunt singing a favorite song and reciting a poem (I am getting tears in my eyes all over again-why didn't I think of that with some of my relatives?). Oh how good my heart feels that Kavitz "finished" this business and many more.

I enjoyed all of the experiences Kavitz writes about in the book. I am so happy that Kavitz allowed us to experience his extraordinary year....he truly did do the right things. I would recommend this book and give it a GREAT READ rating!

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for having me to be part of this book tour and for being allowed to read and review such a wonderful book.

Connect with Lee on his website, his blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Lee Kravitz’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, May 23rd: Patricia’s Wisdom
Tuesday, May 24th: Silver and Grace
Thursday, May 26th: Seaside Book Nook
Monday, May 30th: Life in Review
Tuesday, May 31st: Colloquium
Wednesday, June 1st: Constantly Evolving
Monday, June 6th: Mockingbird Hill Cottage
Wednesday, June 8th: Sophisticated Dorkiness
Monday, June 13th: Joyfully Retired
Wednesday, June 15th: Arriving at Your Own Door
Thursday, June 16th: Suko’s Notebook

Crazy-For-Books Blogger Hop

2011-05-23T23:20:00.002-04:00

The Book Blogger Hop (hosted by crazy-for-books) is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and share our love of the written word! This is from May 6 - May 9th....but I had to answer it.

"Which book blogger would you most like to meet in real life?"

My Answer: My BFF Book Blogger and "who I LOVE to meet in real life," without a doubt, is Mari at Bookworm With A View. I have never met Mari in person, but I have gotten to know her through the Manic Mommies Book Club. She is the backbone of the book club, schedules author phone calls, coordinates with the publisher mailing out to us lucky winners the monthly book selection, moderators the monthly call, and hosts the podcast Manic Mommies Book Club (check it out at itunes).

She is the sole reason why I started blogging. I love to read her posts...she not only blogs about the books she is reading, but she also blogs about the many things going on in her life. She is such a caring person and I am always is such shock when I get an email from her when I need it most (you know the ones.... thinking of you, you can do it, good luck... type of emails). I don't know how she does it. She always put a smile on my face. We are planning a get together this fall and I can't wait. She is such an wonderful women and I am in total awe of her.

Thank you Mari for everything.....you truly amazing!

Helping the Women of Haiti - Virtual Run!

2011-05-23T21:59:00.000-04:00

My good friend Mari at Bookworm with a View is a wonderful blogger and an amazing runner. She has organized several virtual runs and this one is for such a great reason - the goal of raising money to improve women lives. If just 20 people sign up, we can provide 40 families hygiene kits but I hope we have many more people participate!
Below is a summary of her post:
Mahila Partnership directly impacts the lives of women and their families in the communities they serve. 100% of EVERY dollar we raise will go towards an upcoming trip to Haiti.

What is a virtual run? Virtual runs create a sense of community without being present at an actual race location.

DATE: June 8 – 14, 2011
LOCATION: Pick your favorite path, trail or treadmill
DISTANCE: 5K or 10K

RESULTS: This is a fun run, reporting finish time is not required

PRIZES: Everyone who enters the run is eligible for the drawing. Watch for prizes to be announced over the next few weeks (we have some great donations)

REGISTRATION: To join the virtual run, click here to donate $10

Feel free to make a donation, even if you can't run. Let's see how much money we can raise!

A note from Angela (President): I'm planning another trip to Haiti in the fall to implement our Hygiene Project with the women we work with there so 100% of what is raised will be earmarked for that effort. We'll be able to provide specific statistics on exactly what the money went towards, numbers of women/families that benefited, etc late fall.

Our money can buy:

$10 will provide a hygiene kit for a woman and her family in Haiti

$100 will provide training for 20 women in reproductive health and hygiene

$200 will provide a woman with the investment needed to purchase supplies to rebuild her business

Thank you so much for making a donation, we can make the world a better place. I just signed up!

Interview with Meghan O'Rourke - The Long Goodbye and Winner!

2011-05-16T21:28:00.000-04:00

I am so happy to share with you questions that I was able to ask of Meghan regarding her latest book, The Long Goodye. Before I get to the interview, how many of you saw the write up in More magazine on The Long Goodbye? I was thrilled to they chose it as one of their monthly featured books. Way to go More magazine and Meghan! Also, the winner of a copy of The Long Goodbye is....Betty who said, "One of my favorite books was the Friday Night Knitting Club and it's sequels. Although fiction, it follows the lives of a family where continuing after unexpected loss is hard."

Interview with Meghan O'Rourke:

1. How long did it take you to write this memoir?
It took about two years total, but there were times when I took a break from writing it. I wrote it in “real time” – which is to say I tried to capture grief from the inside out, as I was experiencing it. As I wrote, and as time passed, I began to shape that writing, to add more reflection and perspective as I gained it, after two years of grieving.

2. I know just from reading the book (which I have underlined and made margin notes) so many of my own feelings felt so raw once again, how did you manage your emtions when writing, or was this part of your healing/grieving process?
Yes, such a complicated question, one I asked myself a lot. I do think that the writing of the book became for me a kind of mourning ritual – a way of sifting through my experiences with my mother, of memorializing her, of trying to both hold on to her and begin to adjust to having to live in a world without her. It’s so strange, right: one day the person you love is here, and the next they’re not. It’s really hard to wrap your mind around that. How can someone be here all your life and suddenly not be? That to me seemed like a great mystery; I had to wrestle with it day after day. So, it wasn’t as if I wasn’t thinking about this, and then writing made me; I was already thinking about it all the time. And because I love language so much – I am a poet, too – I found it comforting to make beautiful sentences or passages out of the childhood memories that were floating around in my head.

But I also had to write about some very difficult times, when my mother was in the hospital, or suffering. That was painful. But again the true pain was the emotions, rather than the writing – and it was my sense that the writing allowed me to face those emotions squarely somehow, and to make space for them. It allowed me to see that I was sad but also gave me the illusion that I could put boundaries around that suffering. This mind-trick was helpful. I’m sure it’s a huge part of why so many have the impulse to memorialize the dead. It is a way of remembering them and containing the loss (even if in an illusory way).

3. How are you doing today? I know I am still struggling after four and half years.
Some days are good, some days are hard. I still dream about my mother many, many nights, and I miss her a lot. I also know she’d want me to thrive, so I try to honor that by thinking about what really brings my pleasure, what doesn’t.

4. For myself most days are better than others, but I miss my mother so much. How do you deal with those moments (especially when in public) when you feel the lump building up in your throat?
I know what you’re talking about. I’m so sorry – of course you miss her; a mother is such a fundamental part of a life. I kept thinking of her as the shell I’d woken up in – how could I live without that shell, without that protection? In those moments, I try to connect to her, to the mother I knew, who would want to comfort me. And just remembering the things she’d say to me (“Lighten up, Meg!”) is soothing.

5. What are you currently working on?
Sleeping through the night! No, right now, I’m trying to just learn to let go of this project; it took everything I had, so I’m trying to fill the well back up. We’ll see what happens.

6. What are some of your favorite books?
I really loved “A Grief Observed,” by C.S. Lewis, about the death of his wife. It’s sad, and strange – it really is just the notes he made to himself in private after her death, to try to understand it – but quite articulate.

But I love all sorts of novels – right now I’m reading Christina Stead’s The Man Who Loved Children. I recommend Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book and William Maxwell’s They Came Like Swallows. They’re both about loss, but they’re so beautiful, they make loss feel coming in contact with humanity, and it reminds you of the joy and love that are the flip side of loss.

Meghan, thank you so much for your time and your wonderful book.

LadyStar: Dreamspeaker plus E-book Giveaway

2011-04-16T06:38:00.004-04:00

Prepare to do battle with the Greatest Fighting Team of Teenage Girls ever assembled!

Jessica Hoshi is just like any other girl. She loves music, playing in the marching band at school and spending time with her friends. One day, Jessica and her friends visit the Lakeshore Historical Society to take the Tall Ship Tour.

After they get separated from the tour group, Jessica discovers a gem-encrusted Lantern and a magically locked jewelry box below decks in the ship’s hold. A voice from inside the Lantern tells Jessica they are all in great danger. The jewelry box contains priceless stolen artifacts sought by ruthless and evil sorcerers known as Cryptics.

Minutes later, the vessel’s lights flicker to life and the sails fill with an invisible wind. The great ship sails across the lake carrying Jessica and all of her friends through an astral portal to an enchanted land called Aventar.

There, they meet the shadowy arcanist Reina, who tells them they must train at once to become Ajan Warriors. Unless they succeed, the treasures will be lost, and the last hopes of a betrayed people will fade forever.

These are the Adventures of Jessica Hoshi! Her Magical and Mysterious quest to discover the ancient and magnificent legend of the LadyStar begins as she encounters the powerful message of The Dreamspeaker!

Review: I really liked this book. I was able to read this book in a few days because I was so concerned about what was going to happen to Jessica and her friends. This book is not at all my normal genre, and yet I was drawn to it. I would recommend this book for grades 6th on up (yes adults will like this too). Also, for more adventures, check out http://www.ladystar.net/.

Buy It! You can purchase this e-book (Kindle addition) for 99 cents at Amazon. You don't need a Kindle to be able to read this book, but wouldn't one be great! You can download the Kindle app on several other electronic devices. I read this on my PC. It was easy.

To celebrate Spring.....Outnumbered 3 to 1 is hosting Spring Fling!

Spring is finally in the air and we have some great things to share with you to kick off this wonderful season! From backyard bar-b-ques and outdoor fun to Easter and Mother's Day gifts and Spring Cleaning, we've got you covered. Make sure to stop by daily to see the wonderful products we have to share with you. Of course there are a whole bunch of giveaways you can win too!

The Giveaway: How would you like to win your copy of LadyStar: Dreamseaker (e-book)? We have three to give away to three lucky contestants! You will be able to read the book on any Kindle device including PC, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad or Blackberry.

To enter the giveaway tell me why you would like to win this e-book! This step must be done before you can qualify for extra entries.

Extra Entries:

Become a follower or Googl Friend Connect of Seaside Book Nook blog (once you become a follower/Google Friend Connect, or if you already are), leave a comment on this post.
Head over to Outnumered 3 to 1 blog for additional ways to enter. While you are there, see all the other great giveaways Mel and the ladies have.

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, otherwise it will just be counted as one. Your loss.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US until April 30th at 11:59 pm.

Check out a complete list of giveaway rules.

Save as Draft Book Review

2011-04-13T09:04:00.000-04:00

Synopsis: A love triangle unfolding in the electronic age illustrates all that can go wrong (and right) by this new form of (mis)communication.SAVE AS DRAFT@Readers A love triangle evolving over e-mails, texts, and Facebook messages that makes you wonder if the things we leave unsaid—or rather unsent—could change the story of our lives.

6:59 PM Feb. 14th via twitterfeed
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011
From: Izabell
To: Reader
Subject:Save as Draft

Are we Facebook friends yet? I’m the wactress (waitress/actress) turned lawyer who lives her life online. (Don’t we all these days?)

Anyway, I’ve got this problem. . . . There’s this guy. His name’s Peter. He’s my best friend and co-worker, and we just started dating, which is potentially a huge mistake. But, that’s not all. There’s this other guy, Marty. I met him on eHarm, and he ran with the bulls in Spain. I can’t get him off my mind. What a mess. I’d love your advice if you can take a second out of your crazy, high-tech life. Shoot me an e-mail. Or text me. Or BB messenger me.

And friend me if you haven’t already! You can find me on Facebook under Save as Draft.

Izabell

My Review: I LOVED IT! As you know if it is chick lit.....let me read it! This book did not let me down. Ms. Lee knows her chick lit. This book is written in email format....which I love. It makes the book so easy to pick up and put down during my busy life. I also can read for hours in that format! The characters come to life through the book and are very relate-able. Save as Draft has its fair share of humor, drama, twists and turns. I could not wait to get back to Izzy and her friends. This is a must read! Whoooo Hooooo for Chick Lit!

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy. This was in exchange for an honest review.

Most Unlikely to Succeed Review plus Giveaway

2011-04-11T12:10:00.005-04:00

Synopsis: "Most Unlikely to Succeed, by Nelson Lauver, blends humor, storytelling, irony, raw emotion as it offers inspiration and shares powerful life lessons about finding the strength to get back up after being knocked down, moving past fears and discovering your voice, learning to champion your own cause, believing gin yourself when no one else does, and overcoming insurmountable odds."

Interview with the Author:

What message about learning disabilities and literacy do you want communicate with this book?

My goal is to take the reader inside the mind of a struggling learner, to help them better understand these kids. While experts in the field of education report from a clinical perspective, seldom do we hear directly from the struggling learner. I also wish to take the reader inside the mind of an adult facing the world without the basic literacy skills that are so necessary to achieve one’s highest and best.

How did it feel, not being able to keep up with your classmates?

Imagine this scenario: You are a kid invited to a pool party. There you are swimming with all your friends and classmates and having a great time. Suddenly, you realize you have concrete blocks attached to your feet. Now, not only are you struggling to stay afloat, you’re struggling to keep the rest of the kids from noticing.

Worry and anxiety were a constant. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t learn like the other kids. I kept asking myself, do the other kids think I’m dumb? I was scared and felt completely alone. I didn’t think there was anyone else struggling like I was. In Kindergarten and first grade, I was a good student and absolutely loved school. I even decided, with the encouragement of my first grade teacher, that when I grew up, I was either going to become a lawyer or a broadcaster. In second grade, however, things changed. And, as I fell further and further behind my classmates, I became more of a loner.

What perceptions would you like to change about dyslexia/learning disabilities?

Having a learning disability has nothing to do with intelligence or lack thereof. I’d like to change the perception about kids who don’t do well in a traditional school setting. These are usually children with above average intelligence who have unique talents and can be highly creative. I’d like to see the stigma removed regarding learning disabilities and simply accept them for what they are – learning differences that can and should be accommodated.

There’s an obvious message to educators and parents in this memoir, but is there a message for everyone?

Yes, there is a broader message. It’s a message for anyone who has faced struggle. This book is a story about growth, of learning to believe in yourself despite detractors. It’s a message about finding your voice, championing your own cause, reaching deep down inside and finding the strength to get back up after being knocked down. It’s a message that success can come from even the most unlikely individual, and we should never count ourselves or anyone else out. It’s a message about looking for the positive in life and in people—and the good times along the way.

I want the book to inspire people.

What are some ideas or prejudices you’d like to see change about literacy?

When people hear “functionally illiterate” they often think “dumb,” “lazy,” or somehow “less than.” That’s jut not true. That stigma gets in the way of individuals

seeking help – they’re embarrassed and ashamed and just want to hide. I want my story to open a dialogue, put a face on the problem and show how it can happen to anyone.

What was it like to be a functionally illiterate adult?

Endlessly frustrating. When I graduated from high school, my reading and writing skills were at about a second grade level. There were so many things I couldn’t do: fill out a job application, fill out forms in a doctors office. I avoided going to the doctor for years because of my inability to fill out the necessary forms. Lack of literacy skills reduced the size and scope of my world. There was always the fear of being found out. I loved to go out to restaurants with friends, but because I couldn’t order off the menu, I’d stick to the basics, order an announced special, or just order the same thing as someone else at the table. I often used excuses like, “I forgot my glasses.” It was hard to keep my life organized and I did business and paid bills in cash.

What made you finally reach out for help?

It was chance encounter with an educator who recognized my difficulty and encouraged me to get help. I sought services through the PA office of Vocational Rehabilitation and a special program run by graduate students at Penn State University. A graduate student, on her own time, worked tirelessly for well over a year to help me learn to read and write. This tutor helped me to discover and develop compensatory strategies. Vocational rehabilitation helped me with psychological counseling to deal with my years of frustration and anger. I realized that the anger was every bit as great an impediment to learning to read and write as the dyslexia was.

What are your thoughts on kids today with learning disabilities?

Obviously there is a lot more information and assistance available today for kids with learning disabilities. Schools are better equipped to handle special learning needs. However, struggling learners today, just like any other time in history, need an advocate with a powerful voice.

More often than not, LD children who succeed in the academic environment and go on to higher education and a prosperous life after college, have had very vocal advocates in their formative learning years – i.e. mothers. It’s a classic example of when you have the facts, you pound the facts. When you don’t have the facts, you pound the table. Table pounders, unaware of their rights and the rights their children, make little if any headway in advocating for their kids.

On the other hand, parents who clearly understand their child’s educational rights realize how powerful they are and flex that muscle in the school system if necessary. These are the parents who get results and the desired academic outcome. One of the great problems is that not every child has a “mom” who is a great fact pounder (advocate) for a variety of reasons.

In an ideal world, we would have an army of mothers (and not to take anything away from fathers – but mothers clearly excel in this arena) who could use their fact pounding acumen, and success as an advocate, to help other students as well.

What are your thoughts on education today?

Obviously there is great room for improvement. In the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, unskilled labor could leave high school and find a job in manufacturing. But, overseas workers now perform those jobs for cents on the dollar. It doesn’t appear that these manufacturing jobs are coming back any time soon.

Graduating from high school as an unskilled worker in the new technology driven economy will make it extremely difficult to find employment. It will be nearly impossible for unskilled labor (especially those lacking basic literacy skills) to find middle class employment.

If we can’t figure out how to ensure a solid education for all, we will continue to see an upward trend in juvenile and young adult crime, dependency on welfare and other social programs, and self-medication/addiction issues. This will of course continue to place an overwhelming financial burden on society.

Well-managed funding for education and high tech, specialized learning tools are essential. But of course, nothing is more key to the success of students than a dedicated, dynamic, and motivated teacher.

We must encourage, support, and reward great teachers, while at the same time, help underachieving teachers to improve.

Teachers who lack motivation or talent to motivate students and fail to improve need to be ushered out of the system. We find ourselves in an economic climate where teachers can no longer rest on their laurels. For the sake of our students, tenure should no longer be used as a shield to preserve the jobs of teachers who are not qualified to teach.

My personal thoughts, given my husband is a teacher...AMEN.

Review: This is such an amazing story. I could not put it down. In fact, I had three kids with strep throat that were up and achy at 5:30 am on Saturday morning. I got them all settled back down, meds dispensed and cracked open the book. I had it finished by 8:00 am. No joke. Keep in mind I am not a fast or strong reader. I just kept reading and reading and reading. I am still in shock over what Nelson Lauver encountered as a young child in school. While I think a lot of it had to do with "the times" and lack of our education system understanding learning disabilities, it was still shocking to read about his experiences. I did reflect back to some of my teachers (given I was an elementary student in the 70's too) and do I remember the paddle, teachers choking children, the fear of reading out loud in school (I still HATE reading aloud,even to my children....but let me present to a room full of people any day). I think this book is a MUST read for everyone. Run to your local bookstore to purchase this amazing book or jump on line and order it today. You will not be sorry.

To celebrate Spring.....Outnumbered 3 to 1 blog is hosting Spring Fling!

Spring is finally in the air and we have some great things to share with you to kick off this wonderful season! From backyard bar-b-ques and outdoor fun to Easter and Mother's Day gifts and Spring Cleaning, we've got you covered. Make sure to stop by daily to see the wonderful products we have to share with you. Of course there are a whole bunch of giveaways you can win too!

The Giveaway: We have two copies of the Most Unlikely to Succeed book to giveaway to two lucky participants.

To enter the giveaway leave a comment on this post telling me why you would like to win this book. This step must be done before you can qualify for extra entries.

Extra Entries:

Become a follower of Seaside Book Nook blog (once you become a follower/Google Friend Connect, or if you already are, leave a comment here on this post.
Head over to Outnumbered 3 to 1 blog for additional ways to enter. While you are there, see all the other great giveaways Mel and the ladies have.

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, otherwise it will just be counted as one.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US until April 25th at 11:59 pm.

Check out a complete list of giveaway rules.

Adoption Nation Review plus Giveaway

2011-04-10T12:41:00.003-04:00

Synopsis: "Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming Our Families - and America takes on the challenge of explaining the historic changes enveloping us all - and does so with a unique combination of engaging prose, gripping stories, insightful perspective and exceptional research.

Inspired by his Pulitzer-nominated series while a reporter with the Boston Globe, the first edition of Adoption Nation (2000) captured an important piece of U.S> history and was a game-changer for child welfare professionals, policy-makers, and members of what Pertman calls "the extended family of adoption" (adopted individuals, birth and adoptive relatives). The new, fully revised edition updates the "adoption revolution" with all of its joys and disappointments, its personal and policy issues, its complexities and controversies.

'There's no exaggerating how much has occurred over the last decade - from the adoptive mother who recently 'returned' her son to Russia, to the children orphaned by the earthquake in Haiti; from the ongoing debate over transracial adoptions, to the still-unregulated Wild West of adoption on the Internet; from the decline in secrecy and shame in adoption, the the explosion of reunions between adopted people and their birth families; and from the precipitous drop in international adoptions to the soaring rise in adoption of boys and girls from foster care, including by growing numbers of gay and lesbian parents,' said Pertman."

Review: I found this book to be so informative. I have wanted to adopt a child for a long time. My husband is not there yet. I would love to adopt a boy close to my children's age. This book has given me a lot more to think about. One of the best features of this book, is the Adoption Resources. I had no idea where to even start, but I sure do know. Another feature that I loved about this book was the index. For example, if I want to find where I read about "Older children," there is an index that leads me exactly to where it is discussed in the book. I think this is so valuable, given the amount of information contained in this great book. If you are even considering adopting, going through the adoption process, or just want to learn more about adoption, I recommend picking up this book.

To celebrate Spring.....Outnumbered 3 to 1 is hosting an amazing Spring Fling event!

The Giveaway: We have three copies of the Adoption Nation book to giveaway to three lucky participants.

To enter the giveaway leave a comment on this post telling me why you would like to win this book. This step must be done before you can qualify for extra entries.

Extra Entries:

Become a follower of Seaside Book Nook blog (once you become a follower/Google Friend Connect, or if you already are, leave a comment here.
Head over to Outnumbered 3 to 1 blog for additional ways to enter. While you are there, see all the other great giveaways Mel and the ladies have.

Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry, otherwiseit will just be counted as one.
This giveaway is open to residents of the US until April 24th at 11:59 pm.

Check out a complete list of giveaway rules.