tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91123447429417191632024-03-05T02:11:08.670-05:00Confessions of a Word AddictBook lover, Word Addict. My goal to devour as many books as possible.Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-48071406787350091292016-07-09T15:30:00.000-04:002016-07-09T15:30:07.630-04:00Welcome back to me!It's been a long road. Every step has been worth the pain. I'm nearing the goal of returning to work on the blog. I know I was pushing to have posts back to a regular schedule this month. Mother Nature and my body informed me that they weren't going by my schedule. I do have a few posts that are nearly finished. I am looking forward to putting those on the blog within the next month.<br />
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Thank you to everyone who's stuck in there with me. I don't like pushing things back and back, but I don't have the ability to complete tasks on a constant basis right now.<br />
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Hang in there. We'll be back in fighting form soon!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-52881495144370055812016-05-02T15:30:00.000-04:002016-05-02T15:30:20.139-04:00Great New. Good News. Not So Good News.<span style="font-size: large;">Hello, everyone!!</span><br />
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<b>Great news </b><br />
The surgery went very well. I've been home over a month. The recovery is going nicely, but I do have some small issues left to resolve with the incision before I can begin doing any type of rehabilitation to improve breathing and other things. Let me say, the whole journey over the past six months has been a whirlwind that I don't wish to do again. Therefore, the rest of this year and the future will have me focusing on getting healthy and doing whatever I need to achieve my health goals.<br />
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<b>Good news </b><br />
Because everything from the surgery is going so well, I've been debating whether or not to begin this blog once again. I felt horrible leaving many of my obligations unmet when I was told to prepare for the surgery. I know that I can't go back and do the things I promised. However, I can begin again. So, I'm going to take it a bit slow.<br />
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<b>Not So Good News</b><br />
While I am restarting the blog, the first book review will be published in July. I want to give myself ample time to read the books, do the proper review and make the post up to my usual high standard. I can tell which of my reviews were written poorly due to the illnesses and which ones I had the strength to do a proper review. So, I'm going to give it my all, but it's going to be a little while before the posting resume a regular schedule. I may also do only one review a week until I get back in the groove, so to speak. That I haven't quite decided yet.<br />
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Either way, I'm super grateful for all the thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes that have been sent my way. I still have a long journey ahead of me, but I fell like I'm up for the challenge.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-66262643813328668992016-03-17T15:00:00.000-04:002016-03-17T15:00:06.403-04:00Health UpdateIt is official.<br />
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I will be having open-heart surgery to correct the breathing problem at the end of the month. Two weeks from now, I will be in ICU recovering from a 6-10 hour surgery before enduring another week and a half of rehab before I can come home. I am optimistic that this surgery will help me to breathe easier and allow me to get moving to fix some other health issues.<br />
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All this means that I will continue my blogging hiatus until I'm able to write coherently after the surgery. I have a whole list of books to read and review which grows even today. So look out when I rev this engine back up!!<br />
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Hope you all have a safe, wonderful St. Patty's Day.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-27254683764430633792016-02-19T10:45:00.000-05:002016-02-19T10:45:04.519-05:00Update :) Hello again!<br />
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It's been a little while. I'm still hanging in there, wading my way through the muck of being sicker than I realized. We've found out that I have a disease which is creating multiple blood clots. These lovely clots clogged my pulmonary arteries and therefore, I'm not getting the air that I need to have a good quality of life. As of this moment, my family and I are preparing for a procedure which is essentially open heart surgery.<br />
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The doctors will go in and clean out all of the gunk in the arteries so that I can breathe better. I will be in the hospital about 2-3 weeks. The total recovery time will be about 3 months with rehab to follow. I am trying to read as much as possible in between now and then so I can work on reviews while I'm out of work, so to speak. I am hopeful that I will be able to get this blog back running by the fall months.<br />
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I will definitely update when I know more. Let's just say that I'm scared, but without this surgery, I might not be around for long.<br />
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Love and blessings to each and every one of you!<br />
Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-18609235308066410022016-01-02T08:59:00.000-05:002016-01-02T08:59:29.366-05:00Sad NewsMy heart's heavy as I write this post. Most of you know that the last part of 2015 was difficult for a number of reasons. Between my husband's health and my own, we were in and out of doctor's offices nearly every week. While we have a grip on what is going on with him, my own health isn't so easy to fix.<br />
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During a routine follow-up visit with my lung doctor, it was discovered that a portion of my lungs aren't working as they should. I'm not getting the oxygen I need, and this is causing a major strain on my heart. As of this moment, I have a number of procedures to go through, limiting my time, energy and resources. Until I'm able to pick up the blog once again, I'm afraid that this is it.<br />
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For all the authors and readers who've stuck by me throughout these years, I'm so very grateful and thankful for having the opportunity to read your wonderful works and share my thoughts with you all. I remain hopeful that I can come back to this place one day and pick up where I left off. Until that time I pray that your words ever be plentiful and the joy of reading never fade from your lives. <br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-58041918160364238972015-12-16T15:30:00.000-05:002015-12-16T15:30:13.162-05:00Happy Holidays!Yes, I was gone a very long time. My personal life decided to take a turn for the worse, both in health and financial aspects. I was unable to spend as much time with my lovely books as I wanted. While everything that took my attention hasn't been completely resolved, I am finding more and more time to sneak in a page or two. That's gave me hope when I needed it most.<br />
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While I won't have a top 10 list for the books read in 2015, I am going to begin posting reviews once again after the first of the year. I've missed the authors, the books and connecting to others so much! Here's to holding onto hope and stuffing those words in my brain!<br />
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So with that being said, please have a safe and happy holiday season. Lots of love, laughter and smiles to each and every single one of you. Looking forward to seeing you all in the new year!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
KayBKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-78676458902413069612015-11-23T15:00:00.000-05:002015-11-23T15:00:04.728-05:00Personal UpdateI can't remember anyone making me a promise that life was easy. Instead the past year has been full of twists and turns that the best mystery novel couldn't have predicted for me. Due to the seriousness of the situations in my personal life, I made the most difficult decision to date. I have to put this blog on hold until the beginning of the new year.<br />
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Definitely not something I wanted or anticipated, but necessity trumped whatever reason I offered. Between traveling miles to doctor appointments or spending hours deciphering and filling out paperwork, I've had little to no time to spend with my beloved words. I'm so far behind in my reviews that I'll have a good head start on the year. There still a ton of books on my Kindle to read, so I'm not giving up completely.<br />
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Thank you for your patience and the continued support. To know that someone's out there, checking on me from time to time, means a great deal. I wish I could say that it will be a simple over and done with type of deal, but it's not. Life isn't meant to be that way.<br />
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May you have a wonderful, safe Thanksgiving holiday.<br />
Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-37220139573464517922015-10-13T15:00:00.000-04:002015-10-13T15:00:01.256-04:00October's Hopes and DreamsI know. It's been extremely quiet around these parts. Real life crept into my reading worlds and took over for more than I anticipated. My family and I have been fighting against red tape, anxiety and illnesses. The result was (and to a point, still is) more exhaustion than I can remember experiencing. My only saving grace during this rough time was the few hours that I was able to read a few pages here and there.<br />
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All the books I've lined up are still awaiting my attention. It's been slow going, but I've managed to knock a few off of the TBR list. My confession is that for the few books I've read, I've added two more in its place on the list. I can't stop myself sometimes. There are so many books out there, waiting to be devoured. More and more are released every day. Though I know that it's impractical and probably impossible for me to read every book in circulation, I want to get as many read as I can before my time is done. I am hoping that this period of tribulation will be finished soon and a time of rest begins before the next one.<br />
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I'm in the process of writing up my posts for the books I've finished. I hope to have a stockpile to release on schedule during NaNoWriMo next month. I fully intend on giving NaNoWriMo my full attention during those 30 days of November. I do have a story/novel idea, made some notes about the scene that appeared in my head, and did a little bit of research. While some get a start on their novels or rework their previous works during NaNo, I use it to get a large portion of my novels written. Reworking can come later. Are any of you planning to do NaNoWriMo this year?<br />
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Okay, catch-up time over. Back to reading and getting reviews ready for your enjoyment. Hope you all have a great October and a safe, fun Halloween!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-48688409990934582422015-09-23T15:00:00.000-04:002015-09-25T11:54:03.644-04:00Currently ReadingI'm really at the point where this year isn't the year for reading and reviewing. It hasn't been the best year for my writing either. So many real life issues popped up in extreme ways that I haven't even cracked a book in almost a week. I'm trying to make the best of four months left in the year. We'll see how close I can get to that 100 book goal.<br />
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Many thanks to all those who have reached out with encouragement and kind words. I really appreciate them. Those messages keep me going even when I think there's no point. Though I do most of my reading and reviewing out of love -okay, addiction - to books, I treasure the many authors who have reached out to me. <br />
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The books I'm working my way through this week are:<br />
<b><i>Jackfish Reborn</i> by Rejean Giguere</b><br />
<b><i>Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1)</i> by Kate Perry</b><br />
<b><i>Prince Lestat</i> by Anne Rice</b><br />
<b><i>Alive (The Generations Trilogy #1)</i> by Scott Sigler</b><br />
<b><i>At the Water's Edge</i> by Sara Gruen</b><br />
<b><i>Stormbringer: Book 2 of the Wyrd (The Wyrd #2)</i> by Alis Franklin</b><br />
<b><i>The Monstrumologist (The Monstrumologist #1)</i> by Rick Yancey </b><br />
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Books that I've finished this past week include:<br />
<b><i>Those Secrets We Keep</i> by Emily Liebert</b><br />
<b><i>Dark Hope (The Archangel Prophecies #1)</i> by Monica McGurk</b><br />
<b><i>Dark Rising (The Archangel Prophecies #2)</i> by Monica McGurk </b><br />
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Now that Fall has arrived, maybe snuggling with a book or two will boost my spirits more than ever. A cup of hot chocolate, marshmellows and wonderful books. Yay!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay B Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-24801852653859686112015-09-21T15:00:00.000-04:002015-09-21T15:00:00.474-04:00Those Secrets We Keep by Emily Liebert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZ1d6Fb6vM3plIbYBW86e3zpqj1GVP9Db8iMvTF4fEVEDY9IX4TcPWwubo-vUMhbn431OpGqCoGWq4bz7j5qvmZAaH8zxCTbW9HyYlumAlKDY0FiNdA3B6waF8WPmbnb9S3UiLP_XnN7A/s1600/ThoseSecretsWeKeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZ1d6Fb6vM3plIbYBW86e3zpqj1GVP9Db8iMvTF4fEVEDY9IX4TcPWwubo-vUMhbn431OpGqCoGWq4bz7j5qvmZAaH8zxCTbW9HyYlumAlKDY0FiNdA3B6waF8WPmbnb9S3UiLP_XnN7A/s200/ThoseSecretsWeKeep.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<b>Release Date:</b> June 2, 2015<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Penguin Group/NAL <br />
<b>Author Website:</b> <a href="http://emilyliebert.com/" itemprop="url" target="_blank">http://emilyliebert.com/</a> <br />
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<b>Rating:</b> 3 out of 5 stars.<br />
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<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
Sloane possessed the perfect life. She lived in a great neighborhood, married to a successful husband and had a beautiful daughter. However, she felt something missing after the passing of her sister that nothing seemed to fill. Needing time away to think, she and Hillary, her best friend, took the offer to stay a few weeks at Lake George where Sloane's aunt kept a house.<br />
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When Sloane's oldest and closest friend from college invited herself along for the vacation, old wounds and new hurts came out. These left the women broken from the weight of their own secrets and seeking healing comfort from whatever source they could find. Would these three women be able to pick up the pieces of their lives? Would others pay the price for their decisions?<br />
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<b>Review:</b><br />
I tend to search through <a href="http://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a>'s offerings whenever I can't sleep at night. That was how I found the latest offering by the author. Something about the premise of women not happy with having the security that most crave tugged at my mind. When I read the first chapter, I related with Sloane's quest to fill the gaping hole that recent events created in her life. Not because I have a beautiful daughter or a great husband ready to do anything I asked, but because the sting of losing someone closest to me turned my own life upside down.<br />
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Most of the book centered around Sloane and her two best friends, Hillary and Georgina. Each women carried the weight of a secret on their shoulders as they joined together for two weeks at a beautiful vacation home in St. George. Interestingly enough, both Hillary and Georgina embodied the attributes that Sloane desired most. Hillary was calm, rational and provided guidance whenever the events of the book spiraled out of Sloane's control. On the other hand, Georgina was carefree, wild and ambitious - everything that Sloane thought was missing in her life. As the story went on, the women found that their similarities tied them together much more than their differences. The author didn't let the women hog the spotlight. The men in their lives also spent part of the time coming to terms with their own issues and inadequacies while the women were at the vacation home. This introspection on the men's part helped give the book a balanced feel.<br />
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There was a smooth buildup in the book's pacing, easing me into the middle of Sloane's life. By setting the book in modern times, the author created a seamless transition from the reader's reality to the that of the Sloane and her friends. Using the natural settings of the shoreline, rocky alcoves, and lush green areas also brought the story to life and added a sense of calm though much of the women's lives fell apart. As the secrets bubbled to the surface, they became characters themselves and drove the story forward until the women were forced to deal with the secrets or run. What the women couldn't outrun were the consequences of their secrets and their choices. Whether they came clean or chose to harbor the secrets longer, the payment for that choice was clearly laid out for them.<br />
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Overall, I liked this story because it was easy to put myself into Sloane's, Hillary's or even Georgina's shoes and carry their respective secrets. While I can't imagine making the same choices, I could understand why the women did with the way the author structured the timing of the book. The contrast between the perceived reality of Sloane's perfect world and the true reality of her crumbling world view drove home the point that a person can never really know another person simply by looking in from the outside. People are truly complex creatures that always find a way to surprise a reader by doing the opposite of rational thinking when emotions and beliefs are put into play as well. This book should definitely be on your TBR if you're looking for an examination of friendship, love and relationship or simply love a great story about longing in all its forms.<br />
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<i>Those Secrets We Keep</i> by Emily Liebert is currently available in either paperback or digital (Kindle) forms at several online retailers. The following link provides the book's Amazon page for purchase.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451471873/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0451471873&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Those Secrets We Keep by Emily Liebert </a><br />
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<br />Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-47489609962525802032015-09-14T15:00:00.001-04:002015-09-14T15:00:02.143-04:00Dark Hope (The Archangel Prophecies #1) by Monica McGurk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4bJ3q1T85ijzz2BJctSCk7M7d08DeFI_orbmPkyC5Tgf-qsraAy7qylOY0zFvVMMw8p4tLQYn7nsT_1180z02xEVK8oTveopWYeGOS9L20fVXBT4FmD0xyl5CiyhZ3ZT43M2CH3EKReC/s1600/DarkHope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4bJ3q1T85ijzz2BJctSCk7M7d08DeFI_orbmPkyC5Tgf-qsraAy7qylOY0zFvVMMw8p4tLQYn7nsT_1180z02xEVK8oTveopWYeGOS9L20fVXBT4FmD0xyl5CiyhZ3ZT43M2CH3EKReC/s200/DarkHope.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<b>Release Date:</b> July 29, 2014<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Greenleaf Book Group<br />
<b>Series:</b> The Archangel Prophecies, Book 1<br />
<b>Author Website:</b> <a href="http://monicamcgurk.com/" itemprop="url" target="_blank">http://monicamcgurk.com</a> <br />
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<b>Rating:</b> 3 out of 5 stars.<br />
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<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
After living with her overprotective, religious father since her parents' separation, Hope thought living with her mother might just be the thing she needed. She was more prepared than the average teen to live with the long absences her mother's job demanded. That was until she was blindsided by Michael, a good-looking, well-talking guy who gave her more attention than she knew how to handle. He became a shield against the guys tormenting her on the bus and throughout her school day.<br />
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Once assigned to pair up with another student for a paper, Hope's life turned upside down as secrets about her past surfaced to impact her present. She and Michael set out on a journey to discover the answers before time ran out. Putting their lives on the line to fight prophecy and mankind's own type of evil, they traveled across country on the promise of answer. Can she keep herself safe as she followed her heart? Will they be able to save the world without killing themselves?<br />
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<b>Review:</b><br />
One of my favorite things about <a href="http://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> has always been the emails they send to entice you to read something outside your usual genres. This book, as well as the sequel, were available for reading. These books intrigued me by their delving into the fallen angel theories. I anticipated the teenage hormones and angst that came with the setting of a high school, but was a little surprised to find Hope more mature in some ways and really naive in others due to her upbringing.<br />
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The very beginning of the book laid the groundwork for her past - a victim of a child abduction found safe inside a hotel room as the abductor was found dead within the bathroom. The only reminder was a tattoo on her back, near her neck. From that moment her parents took two different paths. Her father went overboard to keep her safe from further harm, going so far as to quit his job and research any and all friends. Hope's mother wanted her to have a normal childhood, unmarred by the abduction. When they couldn't find common ground, they separated. Hope lived a fairly isolated life with her father due to the long work engagements that her mother's job demanded. There weren't very many people in her life, so these characters became distinct, reacting in different ways to the events of the story. Other characters appeared toward the end of the story, impacting the book in slightly-anticipated manner. Still, I found most of the characters held their own as the action moved toward that ending. Hope and Michael's characters began to blend somewhat near the end, but I do think that was in response to some of the events and my remembering that she was a teenager unaccustomed to life as an average teen.<br />
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I found the book contained something for everyone - romance, action, hormones, prophecy and angst to spare. However, that wasn't all there was to the book. The author used both Hope's abduction and one of her classes to open the discussion about human trafficking and how widespread the issue grew to include men, women and children here in the United States. While the voices on behalf of these victims grew louder over the past decade, there remained more work to be done in order to help those trapped in some very serious situations. I could tell how passionate the author was about the subject by the way Hope devoured whatever information she found and stood resolute in helping one victim regain her freedom. A portion of the proceeds from the author's book sales goes to helping end human trafficking and the victims left behind.<br />
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While I enjoyed a good portion of the book, I did find one aspect of the story more disturbing than entertaining. There were many layers within this story as the author combined theology, prophecy and real life issues to create a world where one teen girl might make a difference. Her rich descriptions of places and people helped Hope's world to come alive and to deliver the emotional roller coaster expected in today's YA books. Despite many good things, I found the relationship between Hope and Michael to be on an abusive collision course. To be honest, I felt disheartened when I reached that point in the book, because I'd enjoyed the story until then. Reading the rest of the book, I understood why some actions were taken, given their situations, but overall, it left me feeling really mixed about the book. I was glad that one character picked up on the same feeling. I'm interested to see how the sequel deals with all the groundwork that's been laid. If you enjoy your YA with a hint of darkness, prophecy and what-the-heck action sequences, then I would recommend this book for your TBR list.<br />
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<i>Dark Hope (The Archangel Prophecies #1)</i> by Monica McGurk is currently available at several online retailers including Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Amazon. It can be found in paperback or digital (Kindle) formats. The link provided below is for the book's Amazon page.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Hope-Monica-McGurk/dp/1938416678/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1442250078&sr=1-1&keywords=9781938416675" target="_blank">Dark Hope (The Archangel Prophecies #1) by Monica McGurk</a><br />
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<br />Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-42006576655211970322015-09-11T15:00:00.001-04:002015-09-11T15:00:01.020-04:00#NeverForgetToday is the anniversary of a very dark day in our nation's history. With that in mind, I will not be posting a review. I'm going to be spending time with those I love and cherish today.<br />
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Reviews will resume on Monday.<br />
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Please never forget those who've been lost.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-37339288023539608802015-09-07T15:00:00.001-04:002015-09-07T15:00:03.017-04:00Trollhunters (Trollhunters #1) by Guillermo del Toro, Daniel Kraus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN8wPLrc3FSNeV1cVX84fry7HK8Zq0co1Aiew_eCaps2gxfHTbAhNIxmECDqW24nNaf8KzkZtgN-vnah_H2ua8dVuYBRnJKPwc-RKEPAao-5of6LDDIrMrUSHGE9gO9ifDq-gH9Wtabj0/s1600/Trollhunters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN8wPLrc3FSNeV1cVX84fry7HK8Zq0co1Aiew_eCaps2gxfHTbAhNIxmECDqW24nNaf8KzkZtgN-vnah_H2ua8dVuYBRnJKPwc-RKEPAao-5of6LDDIrMrUSHGE9gO9ifDq-gH9Wtabj0/s200/Trollhunters.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
<b>Release Date:</b> June 30, 2015<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Hot Key Books<br />
<b>Series:</b> Trollhunters series, Book 1<br />
<b>Author Website:</b> <a href="http://danielkraus.com/" itemprop="url" target="_blank">http://danielkraus.com/</a>, <a href="http://deltorofilms.com/">http://deltorofilms.com/</a><br />
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<b>Rating:</b> 4 out of 5 stars.<br />
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
The innocence of childhood was ripped away from the town of San Bernardino, California as more children disappeared during the lazy, summer days of the 1960s. Jack and Jim Sturges spent Jack's birthday playing their favorite games up to the moment that Jack vanished and Jim's world shifted forever. That moment defined life for the Sturges family.<br />
<br />
Now decades later, Jim Sturges Jr dealt with the paranoia and aftermath of his uncle's disappearance with the nonchalance his teenage years allowed. When a series of weird events raised questions about the history of his family, Jim Jr found a group of people who had some answers. But these weren't the ones he thought he'd get. Can Jim Jr set things right within the time given? Or will everything be changed forever?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Review:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> sent me an email alert to let me know that this book was available for reading and reviewing. I was excited for a couple reasons. First, I love being part of the start of a new series for many genres. The excitement about a new world and the uncertainty of how the story played out were always at the top of my list with books in a new series. Second, I didn't know that Guillermo del Toro and co-authors wrote different series of books. I know that I'm behind in that knowledge, but I made up for it slightly by diving into the realm of San Bernardino and the Sturges family.<br />
<br />
From the very beginning of the book, the authors made it clear there were at least two types of beings sharing one world. Of course, they weren't sharing very well since one species constantly snatched and ate the other! The human world was largely ignorant of the Trolls. This ignorance lasted until an abundance of child abductions forced the town to become hyper-vigilant. Yet, even with all the curfews and layers of security, Jack Sturges disappeared while playing with his younger brother, Jim. Thus began Jim Sturges' lifelong ambition to seek out the other world in the shadows, find the monsters who tore his family apart, and destroy them. His son, Jim Jr., wasn't keen on carrying on his father's work until the day he saw the trolls himself for the first time.<br />
<br />
Because the book fell into the children/YA categories, I kept in mind that many of the over-the-top descriptions and outrageous characters would capture the younger reader's attention. They would be able to identify with Jim Jr. and the other teen characters due to the authors' use of modern technology and situations that kids find themselves - dealing with bullies, school, and worrying over parents or girl/boyfriends. Now, a couple of characters were exaggerated a little too much for me to like them, but I felt they'd be a good draw for the young readers. The trolls weren't the cute, little ones we've all seen in cartoons or the old dolls from the 1990s. These were mean, nasty and gross creatures who wanted nothing more than to chomp a good kid or two for dinner!<br />
<br />
I thought the book's pace was steady and revealed a decent amount of information as action propelled the story forward. Not a lot of scenes were filled with gross descriptions, but I loved how the authors really created the world of the trolls by exploring what their homes might have looked like and how the trolls family dynamics would be. Overall, the story entertained me, pulling me from the real world and into one where the imagination can run rampant. If you love reading books that push your creativity or enjoy something otherworldly with a hint of ickiness, then you really should try this book! Kids should too!<br />
<br />
<i>Trollhunters (Trollhunters #1)</i> by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus is currently available for purchase at several online retailers and bookstores. The book can be bought in hardcover, paperback, audio-book and digital (Kindle) formats. Below is a link to the book's page at Amazon.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trollhunters-Guillermo-del-Toro/dp/1471405192/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441631702&sr=1-1&keywords=9781471405198" target="_blank">Trollhunters (Trollhunters #1) by Guillermo del Toro, Daniel Kraus</a><br />
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<br />
Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-32660995024687654212015-09-02T15:00:00.000-04:002015-09-02T15:00:02.510-04:00Currently Reading And now we entered September, the realm of cooler temperatures and Friday football games! In this area there is a great rivalry between two high schools. Their first meeting on the football field ended with my old school winning. Now the heat is on for the next time they meet. These hometown clashes bring the community together even as the people stood on different sidelines. It's a weird thing to see, but watching how people react can inspire stories or novels. Every human interaction is fodder for the author's pen.<br />
<br />
I'm still more behind on my TBR list than I'd like to be at this moment in time. I do feel happy that I'm making progress instead of staying stagnate. Alongside the pages I've devoured, I've also picked up a few hundred words on something that's not NaNo2012. I feel bad for that poor novel of mine, but I reached a point where I can't figure out what's going to happen next without forcing the story into a mold. That might ruin the story. I don't want to take the chance that I'll ruin everything I've worked so hard to achieve with the novel.<br />
<br />
<br />
So far, I'm reading;<br />
<b><i>Jackfish Reborn</i> by Rejean Giguere</b><br />
<b><i>Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1)</i> by Kate Perry</b><br />
<b><i>Prince Lestat</i> by Anne Rice</b><br />
<b><i>Those Secrets We Keep</i> by Emily Liebert</b><br />
<b><i>Dark Hope</i> by Monica McGurk</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Book(s) Finished:<br />
<b><i>The Sacred Flame: A Novel</i> by Nanette Littlestone</b><br />
<br />
<br />
With the cooler temperatures, I find myself snuggling on the couch with a blanket and printed books more than using my Kindle. Is this the time of year when your reading picks up? Or do you still pick up the books whenever, wherever you can?<br />
<br />
Until next time,<br />
Kay B Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-41109609500139868642015-08-31T15:30:00.000-04:002015-08-31T15:30:00.919-04:00The Sacred Flame: A Novel by Nanette Littlestone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDsJfpaaFQ9AnQbTtMfVP2O9SJag8K0cUtxwaY7Erpos5iY9DFbDOrbFsW_l2mS1ITYb0l3sSTq4nG_zRZVFVO7qh9BmTxJL7rnuyyzxfNYBKJM_CQbLvarbU10hErAALW1Mr7BqXhNUT/s1600/TheSacredFlame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDsJfpaaFQ9AnQbTtMfVP2O9SJag8K0cUtxwaY7Erpos5iY9DFbDOrbFsW_l2mS1ITYb0l3sSTq4nG_zRZVFVO7qh9BmTxJL7rnuyyzxfNYBKJM_CQbLvarbU10hErAALW1Mr7BqXhNUT/s200/TheSacredFlame.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
<b>Release Date:</b> October 22, 2015<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Words of Passion<br />
<b>Author Website:</b> <a href="http://www.wordsofpassion.com/" itemprop="url" target="_blank">http://www.wordsofpassion.com</a><br />
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<b>Rating: </b>4 out of 5 stars.<br />
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
In Ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins were seen as the harbingers of safety for all of the city. They maintained the Sacred Fire which could be seen by any Roman should he or she look its way, attended several important rituals during the year, and above all, provided Rome with the feeling that all was well. Livia, a Vestal Virgin, worked closely with the High Priestess for nearly thirty years, but was soon thrust into the leadership role as the High Priestess collapsed.<br />
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Even as she doubted her ability to lead the Vestals, Livia must confront her own growing desire to leave the world she'd known behind for one with her dearest friend, Keaseo. All seemed according to plan until the flame of desire for another took her attention away from her plans. Now Livia's entire world was thrust into turmoil as she fought to maintain control. Can she give up what she wants the most in order to keep Rome safe from Hannibal's clutches? Or will Rome fall with her?<br />
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<br />
<b>Review:</b><br />
I was presented the opportunity to read and give an honest review by the author through email. I really liked the cover when I opened the package. The thumbnail used in promotions didn't do the actually cover justice. It was another reason I was intrigued enough to read a story that wasn't my usual genre. Add to that my fascination with history and ancient cultures, I couldn't wait to start reading it. The author opened the book with a casual party setting where I found the characters were at ease with their places in the world. By end of the first chapter, that world was turned upside down in more ways than one.<br />
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Livia became the focus, not only of the book, but within the scope of Rome as the High Priestess of the Vestal Virgins. These women played an important role in making the citizens of the city and empire feel safe as they tended to an everlasting fire. It was up to them to also take part in various festivities and rituals during the year to ensure order within the city was maintained. The many castes of people were also explored in the book as well. From wealthy politicians to the lower classes which only carried one name, the author created a character from all walks of life that showed how divided that world was at the time and how people from so long ago weren't so different from us today. They squabbled over petty things, got jealous, and tried so hard to obtain the one thing they desired most. It was easy to put myself into those places throughout the story, especially through Livia.<br />
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While much of the book centered around Livia and her struggles, the author also included a bit of Roman history as well as their names for items or places. I loved learning the Roman names for things like the carriages or the different Roman baths that were available. The author slipped these in without making the reader aware that they learned something new. With a great pace set in the beginning of the novel, the characters became embroiled in the consequences of their actions or decisions quickly. Those consequences weren't always nice to endure, but I felt that some were necessary in order for the story to be told in a way that would have been true at the time. Humanity in all its forms, both good and bad, were put on display within the pages.<br />
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Overall, I really enjoyed this book. To be honest, I didn't expect the ending at all. While I do think the ending served a greater purpose, I was definitely surprised at how everything played out. The story had so many layers, bits of action, and moments of romance that it was difficult to put it down. The ending did leave me with questions about the secondary characters, so I'm secretly hoping to hear that more will be coming down the line. If you enjoy historical romances or love exploring other cultures brought to life by a writer's hand, then definitely pick up a copy of this book!<br />
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<i>The Sacred Flame: A Novel</i> by Nanette Littlestone will be available for purchase on October 22, 2015. You can find more information about the novel by visiting the author's website ( <a href="http://www.wordsofpassion.com/" itemprop="url" target="_blank">http://www.wordsofpassion.com/the-sacred-flame.html</a> ) where you can read an excerpt of the novel.<br />
<br />
Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-35290730328584606692015-08-28T15:00:00.000-04:002015-08-28T15:00:00.470-04:00Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA by Richard Hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMu7ByQIN91y1IS4O3N_Dctn4o-pHdPzZIC9h8LqxTYoIE6xnnUv99u1t-66-rWF6ycAK9SxkbgGaN1CUWQtxKXBZ3miwYVgb-83qIK_c_eNhwHVKVM6TBZHKTuTYlidk8XNjqwGrL3d9/s1600/FindingFamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMu7ByQIN91y1IS4O3N_Dctn4o-pHdPzZIC9h8LqxTYoIE6xnnUv99u1t-66-rWF6ycAK9SxkbgGaN1CUWQtxKXBZ3miwYVgb-83qIK_c_eNhwHVKVM6TBZHKTuTYlidk8XNjqwGrL3d9/s200/FindingFamily.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<b>Release Date:</b> August 17, 2012<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Createspace, Inc.<br />
<b>Author Website:</b> <a href="http://www.dna-testing-adviser.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.dna-testing-adviser.com/</a><br />
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<b>Rating:</b> 4 out of 5 stars.<br />
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
When Richard Hill discovered he'd been adopted, it was an accidental slip by an outsider that started his mind wondering about his roots and biological family. When he began his research, there was no internet to aid his search with the click of a button. Being adopted in Michigan also meant that his true identity and biological information was harder to obtain through the usual channels.<br />
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As he began to find bits and pieces to his life's puzzle, he also found people who helped him discover more than he could imagine about his roots. Richard discovered much of the truth about his biological parents, but also found more than one man in a particular family could be his father. With humor and dedication he continued to work through the puzzle until all the pieces fit. This book was his journey to the truth. <br />
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<br />
<b>Review:</b><br />
Scrolling through the Nonfiction section at <a href="http://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a>, I saw the title of this book and it grabbed my attention. I was curious about the author's journey in finding his truths because I too wondered about my own ancestors. While my own discoveries were interesting, the author's road was a lot bumpier and filled with many twists and turns. Finding one's roots was more difficult in decades prior than today. Sites like <a href="http://www.ancestry.com/" target="_blank">Ancestry</a> and <a href="http://www.familysearch.org/" target="_blank">Familysearch</a> didn't exist, leaving millions of people in the dark about their ancestors. Many state laws concerning adoption created more hurdles for researchers like the author.<br />
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Using a mixture of honesty and comedy, the author related the discovery of his own adoption before high school graduation. Though the admission created thousands of questions in his mind, he respected his adoptive parents' decision not to tell him and explained the reasons why within the memoir. Many family members, biological or not, appeared throughout the book and directed the author's search with their revelations. Sometimes he found out a name or a place. Not every tidbit of information brought the right answers, but they helped to shape the picture of his ancestry. Finding his mother's side of the family wasn't very difficult once he began to look. She stayed with his adopted parents while she was pregnant. Getting the answers to his father's identity was a longer, more difficult journey.<br />
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Before the onset of the internet, the only way to find out genealogical information was to contact the county clerks in the city or county and fill out petitions, in person or through the mail, for birth certificates, death certificates or other such public information. These petitions often required some proof of relationship in order to be approved. An adoptee looking for such information would have to go above and beyond for such petitions to be granted. Wait times could be anywhere from a few days to months before an answer came in the mail. The author struggled with rejections on several occasions along the way. Once more and more information became available online, the author was able to find more connections at a better pace. Through the DNA testing offered at Ancestry's website, he narrowed down the number of men who could be his father. Of course, that answer also proved to be tricky until advanced DNA testing came out years later.<br />
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Throughout the entire story and all its ups and downs, I felt as though I was walking alongside the author. Each discovery, no matter good or bad, brought hope that he would get the answers he longed to know from the moment he knew of his adoption. The author's writing style made it very easy to feel like I knew him for years, and all the people he had contact with became my friends as well. I really liked how he stayed positive and held onto the hope of answers during the darkest moments. It was an eye-opener to realize that not every adoptee's story could end so well. That made me sad, because I feel like everyone should know their roots. Not only was the memoir an enjoyable read, the author used his work to help others in the same situation by providing a section of links and agencies that will help people with their own searches. So, if you're a lover of nonfiction memoirs tinged with comedy or a fellow searcher of roots, this book will make you smile, laugh and sometimes cry, but definitely worth the read.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA </i>by Richard Hill is now available online at various retailers in either digital (Kindle) or paperback formats. Below is the book's page at Amazon for your buying convenience.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1475190832/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1475190832&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA: by Richard Hill</a><br />
<br />Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-24475706749622846522015-08-26T15:00:00.000-04:002015-08-26T15:00:01.037-04:00Currently Reading Several questions still surround my family's future, but for now, we have done all we can. The best thing I can do is focus on the items requiring my attention now. Thankfully, that includes my reading awesome books, finishing edits on my works, and making a few more items for my crochet projects. Having these little goals to finish each day or week has helped my anxiety level a lot more than I give them credit for doing.<br />
<br />
So far this week I have moved a few more pages into the edited pile. Poor NaNo2012 has missed all the attention. I'm unsure exactly where I was going in some scenes because I'm no longer in the moment with the story. However, going back over it after some time away allowed me to see some plot holes that I didn't catch at the time. Maybe it's not such a big thing to hide my work away for a while and then come back.<br />
<br />
<br />
This week's books include:<br />
<b><i>Jackfish Reborn</i> by Rejean Giguere</b><br />
<b><i>Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1)</i> by Kate Perry</b><br />
<b><i>Prince Lestat</i> by Anne Rice</b><br />
<b><i>The Sacred Flame: A Novel</i> by Nanette Littlestone</b><br />
<b><i>Those Secrets We Keep</i> by Emily Liebert</b><br />
<b><i>Dark Hope</i> by Monica McGurk</b><br />
<i></i><br />
<br />
I've been able to finish:<br />
<b><i>Trollhunters (Trollhunters #1)</i> by Guillermo del Toro, Daniel Kraus</b><br />
<b><i>Pride & Prejudice</i> by Jane Austen </b><br />
<br />
<br />
Most of the week will be spent catching up on the rest of the books I was supposed to have finished by now. I'm looking forward to spending time with some really interested titles. What's your plans now that most schools have started? Extra reading or extra snoozing?<br />
<br />
Until next time,<br />
Kay B Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-26686522236073913922015-08-24T15:00:00.001-04:002015-08-24T15:00:03.223-04:00The Far End of Happy by Kathryn Craft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz2QxbPNtYvdMk0vzE9Owy_9JzwCHZWVSTC8amjkpIyxF-Wawv69rhOjbtoasT2NP4NRrFxEfU3AcFNN1RcjXqUhKpVIAhX7cworHCU8wmlfsyKvfcb_75glzJwwWg4ynHrAi48XMblJO/s1600/FarEndofHappy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcz2QxbPNtYvdMk0vzE9Owy_9JzwCHZWVSTC8amjkpIyxF-Wawv69rhOjbtoasT2NP4NRrFxEfU3AcFNN1RcjXqUhKpVIAhX7cworHCU8wmlfsyKvfcb_75glzJwwWg4ynHrAi48XMblJO/s200/FarEndofHappy.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<b>Release Date:</b> May 5, 2015<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Sourcebooks Landmark<br />
<b>Author Website:</b> <a href="http://www.kathryncraft.com/" itemprop="url" target="_blank">http://www.kathryncraft.com</a><br />
<br />
<b>Rating:</b> 4 out of 5 stars.<br />
<br />
<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
With two young boys weighing on her mind, Ronnie Farnham fought to keep her marriage together despite how bad things continued to get. She reached her breaking point when his downward spiral began impacting the children, and forced her husband, Jeff, to pick a day to move out of the family home. Her anxiety grew as the day arrived. What she didn't expect was for Jeff to barricade himself inside their barn with a shotgun.<br />
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For 12 nerve-wracking hours the community of their small town waited for a resolution. The police secreted Ronnie, her two boys and her mother away as they surrounded the barn in order to talk Jeff from the barn without harming himself. As they waited, Jeff's mother arrived and joined the women in their vigil. Can the women come together as secrets unveil themselves? Will the police be able to bring Jeff out safely?<br />
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<br />
<b>Review:</b><br />
After reading the author's previous book, I was excited to receive an invitation to read this book through <a href="http://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a>. Events in the characters' lives took place within a twelve hour period of time, beginning with Ronnie waking and getting the kids ready for school until the final chapter. As each hour passed, the story became more complex and the characters delved deeper into their own fears and relationships. I found it very interesting when the pressure began to weigh heavily on each woman the longer the standoff continued. No matter the various differences, they were all mothers who had children that she wanted to protect from bad things the world would bring to their doorsteps.<br />
<br />
Ronnie was the typical middle-aged woman who wanted nothing more than to be successful, married and to complete the picture with a few kids. She rediscovered a connection to Jeff when she went out on the town with her mother. Seeing an older man fall for a younger woman wasn't out of the ordinary, but the subtle ways Jeff would shift Ronnie into their own little world made the story more than an ordinary tale. The author made sure each of the characters were well-rounded and had their own set of flaws. These made them all easy to relate to - including Jeff. Not only did the author present how the characters viewed themselves, but as the story went along, each character was given a chance to know how others saw them as well.<br />
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The book opened with a typical setting and ordinary things to do. All that made the beginning chapter a little slow for me. However, the pace picked up by the next few chapters and kept steadily revealing things that hadn't been said for years. Hour by hour fears, feelings, and accusations created walls of anxiety and hurt between Ronnie, her mother and Jeff's mother. Even as their concern for Jeff and the two little ones swirled around them, they had to find a way through all the muck in order to come together. Now, what I didn't expect was the author shining such a light on Jeff's depression, how it drove him to do and say things that he might not have otherwise, and how easily he sunk to a point where there seemed to be only one way out of his particular situation.<br />
<br />
Overall, the book quickly became one that I couldn't put down. The author didn't create a world for me to settle in while I read what the characters said or did. She used the world around us and slipped these characters inside everyday situations instead. After I finished reading the book, I discovered that portions of this book were inspired by the author's own real life experience with a standoff involving her husband at the time. It was no wonder that she could bring so many emotions and accusations to life. I have to admit that my own emotions got away from me a time or two (okay, many times). This book is on my to-buy list. If you're looking for an interesting examination of family dynamics or a peek into the darkness of depression, this book is one you need to consider.<br />
<br />
<i>The Far End of Happy</i> by Kathryn Craft is currently available at several online retailers and local bookstores. It can be purchased in a variety of formats including paperback, audio-book and digital (Kindle) from the book's Amazon link below.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/149260495X/ref=x_gr_w_glide_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_glide_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=149260495X&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">The Far End of Happy by Kathryn Craft</a>Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-35971567292910118872015-08-19T15:00:00.000-04:002015-08-19T15:00:00.163-04:00Currently ReadingWhew! I'm glad to be back in the reading seat. I've definitely missed my word-filled friends, but real life hasn't released me from its clutches completely. My need to read is growing and filling me with hope that everything will return to a bit of normality at some point. Until that moment arrives, I'll strap in and ride this roller coaster life's built for me.<br />
<br />
The other good news is that I've begun to write once again as well. Plenty of story ideas traipsed around this brain of mine. I've tucked them away in the ever-growing folder until I finish working on another novel and few short stories that I began near the beginning of this year. Well, they'll stay there unless they pester me enough to break my self-imposed rule to finish what I start. <br />
<br />
<br />
Yep, this week I am all about finishing:<br />
<b><i>Jackfish Reborn</i> by Rejean Giguere</b><br />
<b><i>Pride & Prejudice</i> by Jane Austen</b><br />
<b><i>Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1)</i> by Kate Perry</b><br />
<b><i>Prince Lestat</i> by Anne Rice</b><br />
<b><i>The Sacred Flame: A Novel</i> by Nanette Littlestone</b><br />
<b><i>Trollhunters (Trollhunters #1)</i> by Guillermo del Toro, Daniel Kraus</b><br />
<br />
<br />
I've finished the following:<br />
<b><i>Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA</i> by Richard Hill</b><br />
<i></i><br />
<br />
Have you all had a wonderful summer so far? I thought for sure I'd be able to get more books read. What are some of the books that captivated you this summer?<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay B Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-28238385580059026062015-08-17T15:00:00.000-04:002015-08-17T15:00:04.190-04:00Someone I Used to Know by David J. Bell<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5yxhm1CVl650TzqYif_HvrGXDOYkISXcVlhCeMUwWb_btMecBycdqrftMug_s4dtMKehBxiKitJO1RPZsuCBO_C6NcV4DOsK7rrHD39FT3llyvH95TNGdHtTKBnYIr_UEBHuvOc_TaMM/s1600/SomeoneIUsedtoKnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5yxhm1CVl650TzqYif_HvrGXDOYkISXcVlhCeMUwWb_btMecBycdqrftMug_s4dtMKehBxiKitJO1RPZsuCBO_C6NcV4DOsK7rrHD39FT3llyvH95TNGdHtTKBnYIr_UEBHuvOc_TaMM/s200/SomeoneIUsedtoKnow.jpg" width="133" /></a><b>Release Date:</b> July 7, 2015<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> NAL/Penguin <br />
<b>Author Website:</b> <a href="http://www.davidbellnovels.com/" itemprop="url" target="_blank">http://www.davidbellnovels.com</a>
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<b>Rating:</b> 4 out of 5 stars.<br />
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<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
Nick Hansen's live was never the same after the loss of his college sweetheart in a terrible accident on campus. His only marriage fell apart, his connection to his step-son was lost and the only companion who withstood him was his dog. All this filled his time until the day he saw a young woman in the grocery store who was a carbon copy of his lost love. When he moved to talk to her, she bolted from the store and left him with a thousand different questions.<br />
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When the police arrived on his doorstep the following morning, Nick realized he was now in the middle of something far bigger than he ever imagined. As he followed his own leads, more pieces to the puzzle showed Nick that he may not have known the people he loved as well as he first thought. New questions about events in the past sent him into situations that threatened his mind and body. Can he discover who the mysterious woman in the grocery was before it's too late? Will he be able to free his name and reputation from the suspicions?<br />
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<b>Review:</b><br />
A good friend of mine introduced me to the author's work a year or so before <a href="http://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> offered this title for reading and reviewing. Once I read the notice that this book was open for reviews, I immediately requested a copy. I honestly didn't know what to expect as the story unfolded with the main character, Nick Hansen, walking through his local grocery store after work. A regular, average person living a fairly boring life, Nick knew his day would end with a few brews and some quality time with his dog. That plan flew out the window when he noticed a young woman who was the spitting image of his college sweetheart. Now, that wouldn't be such a shock to the system except for the fact that his old college love had been dead for two decades.<br />
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Right away Nick's past came alive, impacting the present day in such a way that everything he experienced became a character itself. The ghost of his college love made her presence known in nearly every interaction that Nick had with someone else. Whether by name or recollection, she became central to the story in almost a "Six Degrees of Bacon" kind of way. Nick's attachment and reluctance to move on played major roles in his relationships. Most of the characters reacted as I expected they would, but a few of them felt a little flat. I'm not sure if I expected too much of them or if they were written that way on purpose. Possibly a bit of both.<br />
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Alongside the baggage Nick brought to the table, this book explored the depths of young love, its impact on the lives it touched, and how the effects last well past the expiration of the relationship. The way Nick's mind locked certain memories into place colored how he viewed the world and people around him. His outlook shifted into a black or white type of thinking. There was right and wrong, no matter what the circumstances that surrounded the choices. With such a narrowed world view, the new revelations shook his world and his confidence. Dark secrets revealed themselves and showcased how the consequences of a single action cascades over everyone tied to those involved. Those consequences came full circle as the book directed the reader through its maze of right or wrong choices.<br />
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Overall, I thought the book was really engaging from the first chapter. Once I started reading, I wanted to know more with the end of each chapter. Fewer principal characters made this story tight and kept it on course. For a majority of the book, I had an uneasy feeling that something major was hiding from view. It's similar to watching scary movies late at night with no lights on while you're alone. You just know someone's lingering in the shadows, but you can't quite make them out. There was a point when I began to suspect that I knew what was going to happen. Some of the theories I had in mind presented themselves, but I couldn't predict everything in the end. If you like a book full of twists and turns or want something to keep you guessing until that last paragraph, take a chance on this book!<br />
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<i>Someone I Used to Know</i> by David J. Bell is currently available in various forms at many online retailers and local bookstores. Copies can be purchased in paperback, audio-book and digital (Kindle) formats. The following link provided below brings up the book's page at Amazon.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451474201/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0451474201&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Someone I Used to Know by David J. Bell</a><br />
Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-85958167582324736442015-08-16T15:00:00.000-04:002015-08-16T15:00:02.223-04:00August's Hopes and DreamsThe only hope and dream I have for this month is for peace. This entire year has been an exercise in patience and holding onto faith as one situation after another took me away from all the things I love best. Right now my family and I are in a holding pattern as we wait for the decisions of others before we can move forward on our current path or looking for another path to walk. It's not been easy for me to ease my grip on everything because I have serious anxiety when I can't control my world. I know I can't control everything, but I like to have a plan of action for the present. When everything's up in the air, it's harder to plan for surprises or all the what-if's that creep up in those early morning hours when I can't sleep.<br />
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To deal with everything that was dumped on my plate, I had to set aside everything I loved. The ever-growing TBR pile, my writing, my community projects and even the items I want to make for myself had to be put on the back burner. I tried to keep on track with my reading, but the words would blur together each time I opened the book. I'd read the same paragraph over a dozen times. My brain would not understand what I was reading. There was no way I could write a fair and honest review of the books. All of this wasn't fair to the authors who poured themselves into their work.<br />
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For the rest of this month, I intend to go through each of this books and get them filed under the "Read" column. If I can work the other things into the mix, then I will. However, books are going to take priority. The authors deserve that much at the very least. There are a number of books on my list that I'm still excited to read. Huge thanks to everyone for hanging in there with me and sending me encouragement to keep going.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay B<br />
<br />Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-47050184687480089882015-08-14T15:00:00.000-04:002015-08-14T15:00:00.942-04:00Hell (The Afterlife Series #2) by Mur Lafferty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPr9Ohrm30P8uCp19-Qb6ipyjxUiAPH-8PHndSgqpWAG_qEeICyvQUaf9OeuXvhqa3FyEYHVr5v-zfbiWAI615jErEco6gbwUFsXd8HVQM62_Yf6lbrxhSlIVQ55sFO0JHs9I6KsyREYT/s1600/HellAS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPr9Ohrm30P8uCp19-Qb6ipyjxUiAPH-8PHndSgqpWAG_qEeICyvQUaf9OeuXvhqa3FyEYHVr5v-zfbiWAI615jErEco6gbwUFsXd8HVQM62_Yf6lbrxhSlIVQ55sFO0JHs9I6KsyREYT/s200/HellAS2.jpg" width="122" /></a></div>
<b>Release Date:</b> June 2, 2011 (first published 2007)<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Restless Brain Media<br />
<b>Series:</b> The Afterlife Series, Book 2<br />
<b>Author Website:</b> <a href="http://www.murverse.com/" itemprop="url" target="_blank">http://www.murverse.com</a><br />
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<b>Rating:</b> 4 out of 5stars.<br />
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<b>Synopsis:</b><br />
Kate and Daniel came together once again as their duties in Heaven ended. Their mission to recover the remaining stolen souls directed them to wander through the various versions of Hell and deal with the rulers therein. One by one, the souls were sent to their rightful homes by both Kate and Daniel, but the duo found themselves dealing with long hidden secrets and feelings.<br />
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With each touched by the Divine in different ways, Kate and Daniel worked their magic upon the Underworld until they reached the end of the line. One last soul needed to be collected. It would decide the fate of the Cosmos, the Afterlife and their friendship. Can all the differences be reconciled before it's too late? Will Kate and Daniel be separated forever?<br />
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<b>Review:</b><br />
As with the other books in the Afterlife series, I first took note of them when they were released in audio-book form by the author on <a href="http://podiobooks.com/" target="_blank">Podiobooks</a>, a podcast reading of her written material. Once I saw them in Kindle format, I snagged each one of them. Reading through the books brought back all the feelings and excitement of listening to them for the first time. To be honest I found this book as good the second and third times as I found it the very first time.<br />
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While the second book followed the further adventures of Kate and Daniel, many other characters were introduced into the mix as well. The reader was given a front row seat to the many different versions of hell that exist within the various religions around the world and from past civilizations. As with their adventures in Heaven, the duo challenged the rulers of the different areas of the Underworld and began a significant change in the structure of the particular Hell they visited. In some instances they made such a difference that the Hell no longer existed after their intervention. Along the way Kate and Daniel had to deal with their feelings for each other that they revealed at the end of the first book.<br />
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They weren't the only players to wreak havoc in the Underworld though. Familiar faces reappeared in this book to reveal their own agendas that included Kate and Daniel from the very beginning. At one point Daniel faced one of his most guarded secrets. (No spoilers!) Not only did the stolen souls play a part in shaping the story, but Daniel's anger as well as Kate's sadness became characters in the latter part of the story. Toward the end of the book, everything they went through shaped them into the perfect vessels to complete the next stage of their journey through the Afterlife.<br />
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From the start there was action, drama and bits of comedy that maintained a steady pace throughout the rest of the book. I was surprised at how well the story continued from the first book. It was very evident that a lot of research went into the different layers and versions of Hell that the duo walked through. By the time I connected all the dots near the end, I was already invested into these characters. I wanted to see them succeed, felt sad when their darkest secrets came out to test them, and celebrated when Kate and Daniel were able to reach common ground. Overall, I enjoyed this story the third time reading it as much as I did the first time I heard it in audio-book version. If you're looking for a different take on the "downside" of the Afterlife or want to know what happens to Kate and Daniel, then you definitely have to pick up this book!<br />
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<i>Hell (The Afterlife Series #2)</i> by Mur Lafferty is currently available at several online retailers in digital formats including Kindle. You can purchase the book from Amazon at the link provided below.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053ZKJ6M/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0053ZKJ6M&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Hell (The Afterlife Series #2) by Mur Lafferty</a>Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-39798270657613430052015-08-12T15:00:00.000-04:002015-08-12T15:00:01.265-04:00Currently Reading2015 has taught me that I should never underestimate its ability to surprise me. When I thought I had things figured out, my family and I were dealt a huge, unexpected blow. It's taken me this long to recover and begin to take up my hobbies once again. Now that I'm back on track, I've set a slow pace in order to keep my goals in sight.<br />
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I'm eternally grateful to all the authors have given me their patience and understanding during this time. Without them and you, the readers of this blog, I would have given up on a lot of things by now. As far as my writing goes, I have made some headway at a much slower pace than I've been working through my TBR pile. Sometimes I wish it could hit the big time with it, but I know I must conquer my fear to submit first. <br />
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Cooling off with these buddies;<br />
<b><i>Jackfish Reborn</i> by Rejean Giguere</b><br />
<b><i>Pride & Prejudice</i> by Jane Austen</b><br />
<b><i>Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1)</i> by Kate Perry</b><br />
<b><i>Prince Lestat</i> by Anne Rice</b><br />
<b><i>The Sacred Flame: A Novel</i> by Nanette Littlestone</b><br />
<b><i>Finding Family: My Search for Roots and the Secrets in My DNA</i> by Richard Hill</b><br />
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These have gone to the beach;<br />
<b><i>Somebody I Used to Know</i> by David J. Bell</b><br />
<b><i>The Far End of Happy</i> by Kathryn Craft </b><br />
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My hope is to continue to keep up my schedule in the days to come. One by one I'll work my way through all of the outstanding posts in the usual order. Clinging to my faith, my distractions and my words to keep me sane through this troubled time. Hope you all have had a great summer.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-81134683716196657232015-08-02T15:00:00.001-04:002015-08-02T15:00:02.088-04:00Personal UpdateI know. It's been a very long time since I've posted anything. Sometimes life throws major curve balls in our direction. For me this is one of those times. I must apologize to the authors waiting for their reviews and you, my readers, for this absence.<br />
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Over the last year, there have been a number of health issues going on with both myself and family. When my issues settled down enough for me to get back in the groove, a major medical issue came up for someone very close to me. Between many doctors' appointments, failed medications, and few answers, my household has suffered a drastic change, putting more stress upon my shoulders than I honestly know how to deal with effectively. As of this moment, I still don't have all the answers. I'm also unsure of how we move forward, but all I can do is take it one day at a time.<br />
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Because I was thrown out of my routine by this, I temporarily lost my reading mojo. I have been trying to pick up the books and trudge forward. However, I think pushing through isn't fair to the authors and their works. I took a little time to try and get my head clear enough to really read the books and do what I do. I hope you all can accept my apology for the long pause. Believe me, I'm sincerely grateful for everyone hanging in here with me.<br />
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I am doing my best to restart the posts next Monday (8/10) and resuming my regular schedule. While I hope to keep this up for the rest of the year, I don't know what's going to happen with the other appointments. Please continue to grant me your patience and understanding.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay BKay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112344742941719163.post-45514021977129613832015-07-01T15:00:00.000-04:002015-07-01T15:00:01.429-04:00Currently ReadingHappy July, everyone! Welcome to the sticky, sweet days of summer. This week is set to be a short one as the Independence Day holiday nears. I'm planning to take Friday off and spend time with family and a few friends. Therefore, no book review will be posted on Friday. I will resume my schedule on the Monday following the holiday weekend. Happy Canada Day to all my northern neighbors as well! <br />
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Though the contest was called off due to lack of entries, I was very pleased with myself for setting a goal and reaching it. I began and finished a short story within a couple of months. Now, that may not be much of a goal for most people. With my brainfog and other health issues, it's a big accomplishment. I'm pushing ahead and using this momentum to finish a few other things on my plate. Hope you all are doing the same!<br />
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Old friends and new friends come together at the top of the list:<br />
<b><i>Jackfish Reborn</i> by Rejean Giguere</b><br />
<b><i>Pride & Prejudice</i> by Jane Austen</b><br />
<b><i>Say You Will (Summerhill Book 1)</i> by Kate Perry</b><br />
<b><i>Prince Lestat</i> by Anne Rice</b><br />
<b><i>The Sacred Flame: A Novel</i> by Nanette Littlestone </b><br />
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Saying goodbye is the hardest part:<br />
<b><i>Jesse</i> by Glen Alan Burke</b><br />
<b><i>Hell (The Afterlife Series #2) </i>by Mur Lafferty</b><br />
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So, here's to more books finished and more good days ahead! Hope you all enjoy the summer celebrations this weekend. Be safe. Be happy. See you on Monday!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Kay B <br />
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<br />Kay Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05022412604277280049noreply@blogger.com0