Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading. Here's how you play:* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall open to a random page.* Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.* You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
* Please avoid spoilers!
My teaser:
He caught Catriona's eyes. She had hopped up onto the table behind Lady Cecily. Save me, he implored. Surely she would take pity.
~
taken from page 113, The Lady Most Willing... by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James & Connie Brockway
You can join in the fun by visiting here.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish. The topic this week is your Top Ten Bookish Memories, i.e. meeting an author, waiting in line to purchase a new release, or a memory of reading your favorite book.
I haven't had the pleasure of meeting an author, but I had plenty of good memories of reading great books.
Not many people know this, especially in the blog world, between the ages of 8 and 16, I lived with my family in Portugal (my parents are from there), although I knew the language, I always felt awkward with the others kids, I was teased because of my accent, my name, etc..., I didn't make friends very easily, my refuge was reading. I read just about anything I could get my hands on: Enid Blyton's Famous Five, Secret Seven and Mallory Towers series; Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series; Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I made friends with those characters very easily. There were many times that my grandmother had to force me out of the house on beautiful summer days. Wherever I went, a book came along with me. I loved reading on the beach (still do), salt air, the waves crashing in the background, and having a Perna de Pau (my favorite Ola ice cream).
Reading in the closet with a flashlight. I did that so I wouldn't be interrupted by my younger sister. It worked like a charm, until she figured it out.
Reading on the couch on a rainy day with a fire in the fireplace, the radio on low and having tea and discovering new worlds or visiting old friends.
When I read The Diary of Anne Frank for the first time. It was the first book that brought me to tears. Just thinking about it now, it's making me tear up. While reading it I felt that Anne was truly a wonderful person and she always thought the best of people, she had hope in a very trying time.
This is a funny memory: I was reading To Kill a Mockingbird while walking home from school. Not a safe thing to do, I know. While I walking and reading I bumped into a light post and said "excuse me sir", and kept on walking, oblivious that my mother was behind me the whole time. I am still teased about this.
I remember the first time I read a Jane Austen novel, it was Sense and Sensibility. It was one of those moments where I had the "where have you been all my life" feeling. I then read every single book written by the author, my favorites are Pride & Prejudice and Persuasion.
Another favorite memory was reading my first romance novel. I was in University at the time, it was during exam time, I was stressed, and needed a break, walked into a Coles at Rideau Centre in Ottawa and asked the sales person for a good read that would not make me think too much, and it had to be funny. She suggested Julie Garwood's The Bride. Needless to say I fell hook, line and sinker for historical romances.
But my favorite was the first time I read a book to my newborn daughter. You would think reading a book to an infant would be easy enough, but I was bawling by the end of it. The first book I read to Sophie (who's 12 now) was Robert Munsch's Love You Forever. It was also the first book I read to my son Kyle (10), and I had the same reaction.
What about you? What are your favorite bookish memories?
When Queen Victoria attends a séance, the spirit of her departed husband, Prince Albert, insists she spend Christmas at their Scottish home in Balmoral. Prime Minister Disraeli suspects the Scottish nationalists plan to assassinate the Queen-and sends the ever resourceful India and the handsome British spy, French, to the Scottish highlands.
French will take the high road, looking for a traitor among the guests-and India will take the low road, disguised as a servant in case an assassin is hiding among the household staff. India is certain that someone at Balmoral is determined to make this Her Majesty's last Christmas...
It feels like I've been reading this book forever...not because the plot was slow and the book was awful, I just couldn't find the time to read. Anyway, I made time to read and I'm happy that I did. It was the break I needed and the story itself was pretty good.
India, French and Vincent are headed to Balmoral in Scotland to uncover the people that are involved in the plan to assassinate the Queen. India is posing as a lady's maid, while French is a guest, and Vincent working in the background. India is the lady's maid to the Dowager Marchioness of Tullibardine, and let's just say the woman is quite the character, enjoyed her and she definitely kept India on her toes. I loved the twists and turns on the book which help the flow of the story. I loved the way that author described the Scottish setting and how she incorporated the traditions of Scots and also the anger and resentment towards the Queen and the English. What was most surprising was the leader of the Marischal was, I was completely taken a back...Wow! I didn't see that one coming.
I feel that this book is a very good continuation of the Madam of Espionage Mystery series, you can find my thoughts on the first book, India Black, here.
India Black and the Widow of Windsor by Carol K. Carr (4/5) Historical Mystery; Published: Berkley Prime Crime (10/2011); Series: # 2, Madam of Espionage; Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2013 (4); Library; Books 2013 (9);
Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!
Managed to go to the library yesterday. Here's what came home with me:
I'm hoping that I will read them all....I need to get started reading the library books that have been accumulating on my nightstand. Did you visit your library this week?
For more loot, visit here.
Abby Cooper's next mission may truly be impossible...
Abby Cooper, the FBI's newest Civilian Profiler, is adding Spy to her resume. The military's digital photography software that captures one's aura- just like Abby can-sits in a drone aircraft that's been stolen. It's a major breach in security as every country's leader can be identified by their aura...
Abby springs into action to stop the criminals before they set their diabolical plan into motion, while making herself a prime target.
It's been ages since I last read a Victoria Laurie book. I simply adore her Psychic Eye series, I have read a couple of books from her other series, Ghost Hunter, but I have quite warmed up to GH yet.
It's been a pretty busy week here at home, didn't get a chance to read too much this week. I carried Vision Impossible with me wherever I went, just in case I had time to read. Well, after a week, I finally finished it. It hit the spot. I needed a comfort read and this was it. It was great to see both Abby and Dutch, but I was a little sad not to see the rest of the gang. What was surprising to me was that the majority of the book is set in Toronto. I loved the way the author put a Canadian touch to the story, there was a Tim Horton's mention (our version of Dunkin' Donuts), Shoppers Drug Mart, and the Eaton Centre.
Even though it's a cosy read, there was plenty of action in the book which kept the story flowing very well. There were the expected laugh out loud moments and the I cannot believe she just did that; which was nice. But I have to say I love the tougher Abby! Don't mess with the people she cares about because you will she her claws!
Vision Impossible by Victoria Laurie (3/5) Paranormal Mystery; Published: Signet (6/2011); Series: # 9, Psychic Eye; Library; Books 2013 (8);
Taken from author's site:
Colonel Devlin St. Just’s torn spirit calls to Emmaline Farnum, and in good conscience she cannot refuse his offer to provide a home for the little girl so dear to Emmie’s heart. As the adults forge a path to a better life for young Winnie, Emmie finds herself unable to resist the allure of a deeper attraction to Devlin. But resist she must, because decisions made years in her past are forcing her inexorably away from Devlin’s side.
After the previous book, I needed a pick me up, and this book was it. I read the first book of this series just last week, and I enjoyed it so much I had to read the second book as soon as possible. My expectations were high... I wasn't disappointed.
Devlin has a great sense of responsibility, and when the illegitimate daughter of the previous estate owner shows up, he feels obligated to take care of her and of her caregiver, Emmaline. He soon develops feeling for the little girl and the attraction to Emmaline is getting harder to ignore. Emmie is independent and very strong willed but when it comes to Winnie, she'll do just about anything. So when St. Just offers to take care of Winnie, she agrees but with some conditions of her own.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as the previous, but I did. I found that this book the story flowed better, and even though I had my doubts about Emmie and Winnie's relationship, I loved the way the author introduced it. It was beautifully done.
The series just keeps on getting better... Cannot wait to get my hands on the third book, The Virtuoso.
The Soldier by Grace Burrowes (4.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Sourcebooks Casablanca (6/2011); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 2, Windham; Series: # 2, The Duke's Obssession; Keeper Shelf; Books 2013 (7);
Where do you run to when your life has fallen apart?
Lucy Jorik is a champ at never embarrassing the family she adores—not surprising since her mother is one of the most famous women in the world. But now Lucy has done just that. And on her wedding day, no less, to the most perfect man she's ever known.
Instead of saying "I do" to Mr. Irresistible, Lucy flees the church in an ill-fitting blue choir robe and hitches a ride on the back of a beat-up motorcycle plastered with offensive bumper stickers. She's flying into the unknown with a rough-looking, bad-tempered stranger who couldn't be more foreign to her privileged existence.
While the world searches for her, Lucy must search for herself, and she quickly realizes that her customary good manners are no defense against a man who's raised rudeness to an art form. Lucy needs to toughen up—and fast.
Her great escape takes her to his rambling beach house on a Great Lakes island. Here, she hopes to find a new direction . . . and unlock the secrets of this man who knows so much about her but reveals nothing about himself. As the hot summer days unfold amid scented breezes and sudden storms, she'll also encounter a beautiful, troubled beekeeper; a frightened young boy; a modern-day evil queen; and a passion that could change her life forever.
It may just be me, but I've been pretty disappointed with Susan Elizabeth Phillip's last couple books. Not sure if it's been too much of the same, but it's felt like too repetitive. Honestly I think it was the characters that weren't cutting it for me. So you can understand my hesitation with this book.
It took me forever, ok, exaggeration, but it took me days to read this book. Although I enjoyed the premise, pampered rich kid, having second thoughts about marriage to perfect guy, decides to ditch him at the last minute and discover herself; it felt too forced in my opinion... Out of the two main characters, I liked Patrick aka Panda much better as a character than I did Lucy. Yes, he had his flaws but he was likable, Lucy on the other hand was way too boring for my taste. At one point I was more interested on what was going on the secondary story lines that with what Lucy was going through....Argh! I'm so frustrated....
Am I alone with this opinion? Have you read this book? What do you think?
The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (2.5/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: William Morrow (7/2012); Library; Books 2013 (6)
Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!
I have two weeks worth of library loot! Here's what came home with me:
I found this book on the librarian suggestion shelf. I'll be reading Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klaussmann for the 2013 Colorful Reading Challenge.
I read Kelly O'Connor McNees' The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott a few years ago, which I loved by the way. So when I saw In Need of a Good Wife on the new titles shelf, I couldn't resist putting it in my bag.
Another book that was picked out of the new titles shelf. I love my cosy mysteries, and who doesn't love buttons? I'm hoping that Hot Button by Kylie Logan will satisfy my inner sleuth.
I can't remember the last time I read a novel by Luanne Rice. While I was browsing the paperback racks, I found The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners. I'll be reading this book for 2013 Colorful Reading Challenge.
The Lady Most Willing, historical romance written by Quinn, James and Brockway. Yep, automatic must read.
I'm trying to catch-up with this series. It's one of my all-time favorite paranormal cosy mystery series. Vision Impossible is book 9 of A Psychic Eye Mystery series by Victoria Laurie.
I've been seeing Splintered alot around the blog world. I had to give it a try. Gorgeous cover, isn't it?
Finally! It's my turn to read The Casual Vacancy!
For more loot, visit here.
Anyone can arrange a marriage-but only the heavens can decree true love!
Her grandson, the Earl of Bradleigh, had just announced his engagement to a thoroughly unlikeable chit -- and Lady Bradleigh was determined to do something about it. Why, just about anyone would make a more suitable match...even her own paid companion, Emily Townsend! But if her dear, practical-minded Robert were to back out of the betrothal, the tongues of the ton would never stop wagging...
At the very least, the dowager decides, she will extract a promise from her grandson to find Emily a husband. But when the handsome, rakish earl comes to know the charms of Emily Townsend, he suddenly regrets his hasty engagement-and is sorely tempted to win her hand for himself.
It's been years since I last read a book by Candice Hern. I remember loving her books, but I can't remember why I stopped reading her. I'm a huge fan of romances set during the Regency period, and I have a soft spot for the traditional Regency that I read so long ago, I couldn't resist signing up for The Regency Romance Reading Challenge that is being hosted by Austenprose.
It seems like I'm on a roll, another book that kept me up at night. I began reading A Proper Companion shortly before going to bed, but I couldn't put it down. I was transported back to a time where the upper crust of society felt the need to meddle in their children and grandchildren's lives. I enjoyed all of it, Emily and Robert, started off as friends, they soon developed stronger feeling, but Robert being a gentleman could not give or promise anything more than friendship to Emily. I loved the way that he struggled with his feelings for Emily and the way she did as well for Robert, they both knew that it wasn't proper, but the feelings were still there. Even though I enjoyed Robert and Emily, the scene stealer of the book was the Dowager Duchess, she was a force of a nature, full of life and love for the people that mattered the most to her.
A Proper Companion by Candice Hern (4/5) Historical - Regency Romance; Published: Jove (1995); Format: Ebook for Kindle; Series: # 1, Regency Rakes; Regency Romance Reading Challenge (1); Keeper Shelf; Books 2013 (5);
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's Top Ten consists of the settings you'd like to read or you'd like to see more in books.
I'm a huge historical fiction fan, I love reading books set in the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian times, but I also like to expand it a little more, my only complaint is that majority of books are in England, North America, France, etc... You get the point. Here are my Top Ten historical settings that I would love to see more in books:
1. American gold rush - it can be either western or even Alaska gold rush, not picky in that area.
2. Westerns - I can't remember the last time I read a western, I loved reading romances set in the west. Rugged gunslingers, cowboys, rangers...
3. South America - The countries in south America are full of turbulent political history, and there's a certain exotic feeling to that region.
4. South Pacific
5. Japan - I'm fascinated with Japanese culture
6. China - Great Wall of China, need I say more?...imagine the possibilities!
7. Scandinavia - I want me some Vikings!
8. Russia - Russia, is a country rich in history, I don't understand why there isn't more
9. Canada - I would love to see more, please.
10. Portugal - Another country that is rich in history and at one point in time it ruled oceans (and the world). ;)
If you have suggestions on books with these setting let me know, I'm always looking for more to read. Thanks!
To join in the fun, visit here.
Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading. Here's how you play:* Grab your current read.
* Let the book fall open to a random page.* Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.* You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
* Please avoid spoilers!
My teaser:
She'd tucked her hair into a fashionably untidy bun to accompany one of the few dresses she hadn't put up for consignment, a sleeveless caramel sheath she's accessorized with costume hoop earrings. Her arms still felt bare without her bangles.
~
taken from page 201, The Great Escape by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
For more teasers, visit here.
AN EARL WHO CAN'T BE BRIBED
Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the Duke of Moreland. To escape his father's inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper...
A LADY WHO CAN'T BE PROTECTED...
Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper.
As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna's secrets threaten to bring the earl's orderly life crashing down - and he doesn't know how he's going to protect her from the fallout...
I would like to begin by thanking Ana from Aneca's World for introducing me to this author. It's been quite a while since I read a historical romance that has captured me as this has. So thank you Ana, I believe I have found a new must read author.
This book should also have a disclaimer on its cover, one sitting read, reader beware you may lose sleep. Which I did, but I'm not complaining because it was a very good read. I loved the setting, the time period, the characters and the story itself wasn't too shabby either. I found that Anna and Windham suited each other very well, she caring and headstrong and Windham is a no-nonsense type of gentleman who adores his large family, even the meddling members of said family. I admit at the beginning I thought it a stretch that they would become involved, master and employee, but the author had a way in drawing me in and keeping interested in the book. I'm looking forward on reading more of her books.
The Heir by Grace Burrowes (4.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Sourcebooks Casablanca (2010); Format: Ebook for Kindle; New Author; Series: # 1, Windham; Favorite Reads 2013; Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2013 (3); Keeper Shelf; Books 2013 (4);
