Congrats - Lots of Winners!

Holy Cow, I have no idea where the time went, but I needed to pick a lot of winners!

Another Piece of my Heart by Jane Green
puttputt (mary ann)
aezeil
Maureen C

Cruising Attitude by Heather Poole
Kathy W

Cruise to Murder and The Riddles of Hillgate by Zoey & Claire Kane
sacredmoon - DeAnna

$15 GC from Amazon or a book of your choice up to $15 from Book Depository.
 oneagai...Katrina

Matched by Ally Condie

Rating: Great Read

Synopsis: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

My Review: I think that Ally Condie has an amazing way of describing a world that is in the future. She made me think I was part of that world. I had no problem being right there experiencing everything Cassia was going through.  I loved the Society and how Cassia figured out things she wasn't suppose to. This is a quick read, a great story and was wonderfully written.  I now know why the series is so popular.  I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Update on Cruise to Murder Blog Tour

Update:  I wanted to let you all know that I finished The Riddles of Hillgate.....It was great.  As I said in my review, you don't need to read the first book to read the second book.  Cruise to Murder and The Riddles of Hillgate are great stand-alone books too.  Don't forget the giveaway too!  See the rafflecopter form below.


Have a great day!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana - TLC Book Tours

My Rating:  Great Read, so educational!


Synopsis:  The life Kamila Sidiqi had known changed overnight when the Taliban seized control of the city of Kabul. After receiving a teaching degree during the civil war—a rare achievement for any Afghan woman—Kamila was subsequently banned from school and confined to her home. When her father and brother were forced to flee the city, Kamila became the sole breadwinner for her five siblings. Armed only with grit and determination, she picked up a needle and thread and created a thriving business of her own.
The Dressmaker of Khair Khana tells the incredible true story of this unlikely entrepreneur who mobilized her community under the Taliban. Former ABC News reporter Gayle Tzemach Lemmon spent years on the ground reporting Kamila's story, and the result is an unusually intimate and unsanitized look at the daily lives of women in Afghanistan. These women are not victims; they are the glue that holds families together; they are the backbone and the heart of their nation. Afghanistan's future remains uncertain as debates over withdrawal timelines dominate the news.


The Dressmaker of Khair Khana moves beyond the headlines to transport you to an Afghanistan you have never seen before. This is a story of war, but it is also a story of sisterhood and resilience in the face of despair. Kamila Sidiqi's journey will inspire you, but it will also change the way you think about one of the most important political and humanitarian issues of our time.


My Review:  I want to first say, I am so thankful to live in the United States of America. I think books like The Dressmaker of Khair Khana should be required reading for all.  I think it might put a new perspective on our own lives. I can't even imagine what Kamila, her sisters, and other just like them in Afghanistan have been through and continue to go through day after day.  The Dressmaker of Khair Khana is written in a way that doesn't leave much to your imagination.  This is a book that will stay with me for a very long time. I recommend The Dressmaker of Khair Khana to young adults and adults. If you are a teacher, I would suggest that you put The Dressmaker of Khair Khana on your students'  summer reading list.  So much can be learned from this wonderful book.

I am still letting so many differences "sink in."  For example all the rules women must follow: wearing the chadri, not speaking to men, not being allowed to working or go to school, being home by curfew, etc. Also, I can't grasp the thought of the "enemy" roaming my streets and living in fear they may stop me, beat me, toss me in jail, just because I am a female.  Even with all the shocking details of how Kamila and her family (and others just like her) had to live under such stress and fear, I still 100% recommend it to all.

Keep in mind that The Dressmaker of Khair Khana is based on a true story and Kamila continues to help woman all over the world, not just in Afghanistan.  I am just speechless (typeless) on how to explain all the different emotions I had while reading this book.  I am just so thankful that I don't know that "reality" and my own children don't have to live by those restrictions.  My heart just hurts when I think of this.


I am not sure what else I can, except, pick up The Dressmaker of Khair Khana and read it.  You will not be sorry you did.

Meet the Author:  Gayle Tzemach Lemmon is a Fellow and Deputy Director of the Women and Foreign Policy Program at the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2004 she left ABC News to earn her MBA at Harvard, where she began writing about women entrepreneurs in conflict and post-conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Rwanda. Her reporting on entrepreneurs in these countries has been published by the New York Times, Financial Times, International Herald Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, CNN.com, and the Daily Beast, as well as the World Bank and Harvard Business School. She lives in Los Angeles.


Connect: You can connection with Gayle on her website, Facebook and Twitter.


Purchase It:  You can purchase The Dressmaker of Khair Khana at Amazon ($14.99 hardcopy; Kindle ebook $11.99) and  Barnes & Noble ($12.98 paperback; Nook $11.99).

TLC Book Tour Stops: You can check out all the other reviews on The Dressmaker of Khair Khana below. Thanks to TLC Book Tours for allowing me to be part of such an amazing blog tour.

Wednesday, March 21st: EmSun

Monday, March 26th: Melody & Words

Tuesday, March 27th: Patricia’s Wisdom

Wednesday, March 28th: Knitting and Sundries

Thursday, March 29th: sidewalk shoes

Monday, April 2nd: Book Snob

Tuesday, April 3rd: Brandi Reads

Wednesday, April 4th: A Bookish Affair

Thursday, April 5th: Man of La Book

Monday, April 9th: Book Club Classics!

Tuesday, April 10th: Wordsmithonia

Wednesday, April 11th: A Bookish Way of Life

Thursday, April 12th: Lit and Life

Monday, April 16th: Broken Teepee

Tuesday, April 17th: Library of Clean Reads

Thursday, April 19th: BookNAround

Another Piece of my Heart Update - GIVEAWAY

Great news....yesterday I posted a review about the wonderful book by Jane Green, Another Piece of my Heart.  I found out today, I get to give away not 1 but 2 copies of Another Piece of my Heart!!  How exciting is that.  I am going to make it as easy as I can for you.  Complete the rafflecopter below.

The contest ends March 27th, midnight, EST.

A huge thank you to St. Martin's Press for hosting the give away!  Good Luck


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Another Piece of my Heart

My Rating:  Great book, I really enjoyed it.

Synopsis:  From the New York Times bestselling author of Jemima J, and The Beach House, comes Jane Green’s most emotional and powerful novel yet: a story that explores the complications of a woman marrying into a ready-made family, and the true meaning of motherhood.

Andi has spent much of her adult life looking for the perfect man, and at thirty-seven, she's finally found him. Ethan--divorced with two daughters, Emily and Sophia--is a devoted father and even better husband. Always hoping one day she would be a mother, Andi embraces the girls like they were her own. But in Emily’s eyes, Andi is an obstacle to her father’s love, and Emily will do whatever it takes to break her down. When the dynamics between the two escalate, they threaten everything Andi believes about love, family, and motherhood—leaving both women standing at a crossroad in their lives…and in their hearts.

Another Piece of my Heart is a novel that illuminates the nuances and truths about relationships and is Jane Green at her absolute best.
Note: Above is from Amazon.com

My Review:  I have never read a Jane Green book, but I will be now. I really enjoyed Another Piece of my Heart. I believe Ms. Green did an excellent job with the characters and describing what I think is probably more common than not...the step-parent/step-child relationship. Emily (the step daughter) knows exactly what buttons to push and her Dad always caves. Andi (the stepmom) gets furious every time Ethan (the Dad) excuses Emily's behavior or doesn't follow through with the punishment. I can't imagine what it would be like to live in my own home and not be able to discipline step-children.

I know it happens all the time and there are lots of dynamics in each and every relationship. I saw my brother go through a similar situation with his stepson. I alway gave him so much credit for keeping his cool and handling the situation. In Another Piece of my Heart, it is very clear how the situation has come about and how all parties are struggling through it. Andi is very caring and loving to Emily, but gets very upset at Ethan for allowing Emily to continue to self destruct and coming between them.

There are also so many other stories going on in the book. Andi's attempt to become pregnant, Sophia (the other step daughter) trying to be the best all the time in order to save Andi and Ehtan's relationship, Janice (the girls mother) dealing with alcoholism, new love, rekindling old love, and so much more.

I found Another Piece of my Heart to be a quick read. As you know by now, I am a slow reader (and work has been taking up too much of "my" time for the past several months) but I was able to read this book fairly fast. The chapters are perfect length (not too short and not too long) and I was left always wanting to read just one more chapter (and staying up too late)!

I recommend you check out Jane Green's latest book, Another Piece of my Heart. I will be checking out her other books (many more than the 2 listed above). I am so happy when I find a new author!!

Meet the Author: Jane Green is the author of twelve bestselling novels, dealing with real women, real life, and all the things in-between, with her trademark wisdom, wit and warmth. She contributes to various publications, both online and print, including Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, and assorted Anthologies. Passionate about both food and the home, most weekends see her cooking up a storm in her home in Westport, Connecticut, where she lives by the beach with her husband and their many children.

Buy It!: You can purchase Another Piece of my Heart on Amazon for approximately $17 (kindle ebook $12.99).

Connect: You can connect with author, Jane Green on Facebook, Twitter or her website.

UPDATE MARCH 19

Giveaway: Great news.  I was told today that I get to host the give away of TWO copies of Another Piece of my Heart.  Complete the rafflecopter by clicking here.  Contest ends March 27th at midnight EST.

Luck 'O the Irish Hop

Romance at Random is having a great giveaway.....(well actually 3 giveaways!)


3 Random Winners will be chosen — to win a $20 Gift Card to shop Barnes & Noble!



All you have to do is complete the Rafflecopter below.  How easy is that? Contest ends 3/31 and winners will be selected by Romance at Random.





a Rafflecopter giveaway