Holiday Reading ~ November 9 - 18 1.11.18

NOVEMBER * Ready for Holiday Reading? Kimberly of Caffeinated Reviewer is ready with the annual ~
HoHoHo Readathon

Check the above for details , signup, and share your reads ! *

*

Find updates on social media using #HoHoHoRAT
and add your wintry participation !
As I begin this readathon week,
What am I Reading ? ~ * ~
Find my #HoHoHo Progress Here

Currently :

Final read for #HoHoHo readathon
2018 ~ 12- a collection of 4 short stories - mysteries - by P.D. James







*So far . . .

Completions:

~

*

11- A Tale of Two HeartsBook 2 of Michelle Griep's Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series

I'm captivated!  Historical details, unique characterization,  suspense ~ all keep me stealing moments to discover more . . .

*

* 10 - Murder for Christmas - A new to me author and mystery series,
audio version,
always a personal Christmas reading treat that grabs my attention... ~ * ~

9- Marilla of Green Gables

- Marilla's story, poignantly written by Sarah McCoy.
A full section of Christmas captured as
Marilla's House of Dreams - in reference to the
novel, Anne's House of  Dreams.  Tears and tissues !
~*~

8 - Merry Without Malice -
Colorado town Christmas lights showWhat could go wrong? ! a cozy novella
- P Creeden author

 

    7- Christmas at Rose Hill Farm
 Beautiful multi layered story of
love, faith, and second chances by
Suzanne W Fisher
 

6- Christmas Rayne -

A novella of Christmas romance x2 

~*~

5 - Catching Christmas  ~ 2018 contemporary release
I absolutely love the cover! It caught me from the first and having read the story,
it's definitely a cue to the quirky fun of taxi driver Finn!
Capably captivating writing of a pro, my laughter rang loud
and my tears flowed generously.
A do.not.miss
for this season's reading! Thank you! ~ Terri Blackstock

                            *                                                   A Christmas Tragedy ~1
a new to me and much enjoyed Joan Hickson in this Miss Marple audio listen as she
decries having missed clues in an earlier mystery. . .        - Agatha Christie  *  2 ~ The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding   audio listen of this annual Hercule Poirot British Christmas treat ~ Agatha Christie ~

~ *  ~
The Prisoner in the Castle: A Maggie Hope Mystery  ~ 3
The newest 2018 entry in Maggie Hope series took me back to Scotland's western shores, wintry weather and a WWI suspense filled mystery - Susan Elia MacNeal





* 4 ~ Christmas in Whispering Pines  *
Colorado wintry setting for this netgalley new to me
historic fiction series of love, mystery, murder and mayhem
western style
~ Scarlett Dunn   *










~ * ~



Find all my books shelved at the 50 Book Pledge
~ * ~ Sharing with
It's Monday! What Are You Reading?
Hosted by Kathryn
at The Book Date * 

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Pinterest Book NEWS for It's Monday! 4.22.13

Linking my reads for this week to Sheila's Book Journey

It's Monday!  What are You Reading?

I read a lovely Rosamunde Pilcher contemporary novel

Under pressure from her mum's encouragement toward marriage,

Prue takes the opp to accept her aunt's invite 

and sets off to Cornwall to assist Phoebe mend her broken arm.

A waif of a 10 year old girl arrives in her train compartment,

unceremoniously dumped off by an abrupt and uncaring father,

and Prue's life unexpectedly takes a new direction...

A lot of story packed into 233 pages!

Keep tissues close by and a kettle for tea on the boil...

Characters to care about and contemporary issues to resolve,

I was convinced once again why Ms Pilcher is the author

I love to pick up for spur of the moment light reading.

Find many more reading links HERE

I received several book packages this week in the post.
Ashton Park reportedly better than Downtown Abbey
a win from Canadian author, Murray Pura,
THe Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman win from Ariel at She Reads.
The Reliance swashbuckling adventure from MaryLu Tyndal,
I downloaded- Still Free online thru tomorrow 22nd!

Lots of fresh reading available when time allows.

A quick reminder that World Book Night 2013 is racing

toward us for an April 23rd arrival.

Our opportunity to get involved in a local distribution or participate

in our own initiative.  It's all about promoting reading.

Find a book to pass along and do it!
Book list on the site or gift one of your own.

Why wait for anyone's permission or program?

Moving along in that same vein of making your own action,

I'm issuing all readers a personal invitation ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Faith Hope and Cherrytea

has begun a group Pinterest Book Board!

Designed for all avid readers / reviewers

with more books, audio books, or books to movies,

than your shelves can handle!

{and for those who would like to add to their shelves!}

via

If you are interested in selling, swapping, receiving or giving away,

this may be the opportunity and venue for you...

 {**Group boards are ideal networking opps!}

How does it work?

First, you'll need to be included in the BOOK'D Pinterest group board.

Contact me directly via comments here or there

or DM @_eHope twitter

I will need your email

which will allow you to be added to the board

in order to pin your items.

Decide which items you're ready to part with,

your asking price, if it's giveaway or swap.

Then head to the Book'd Pinterest Board.

{click to link directly there}

Once you're added, pin your item and write your description.

Examples have been posted for how to follow.

By placing the $ or £ currency symbol for your country,

along with the selling amount you're requesting,

your item will be price tagged for that amount.

{Choose the symbol for payment in the currency you wish to receive.}

Pricing also gets your items tagged in the Pinterest Gift Link.

{centre top of Pinterest home page}

The drop down menu lists the Gift price ranges 

where you will find your items appropriately pinned.

Be sure to state if you'll be adding or paying
postage/shipping charges.

If you're wanting to swap/exchange or giveaway, 

state that in your pin description.

{Detailed discussions of payment methods, postage, etc 

should follow in private communication or messaging}.

New UK rates listed here

The Final Pin step?

Hashtag your items for sale with the appropriate

#usedbooks #Books #bookswap #giveaway

You can try other bookish hashtags to find what other pins

are available that might work in your situation

eg. If it’s a book to movie dvd.

{edit your pin whenever you want to change info,

to mark sold, or remove your pin when sold/swapped}

You may want to keep a record of what items

you’re pinning, price, date pinned, then followup

with sale or contact info for purchaser.

It’s up to you how organized or detailed you want this to be.

My hope would be for this to be a FuN Pinterest venture!

Looking forward to seeing your pins for books, audios,+ dvds

for sale or swap!

Perfectly timed for a unique giveaway

World Book Night 2013

experience to instill your love of reading to a wide audience!

Now then,

what's going to be your first #book pin...?

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Book'd Pinterest pinning with Natasha in Oz

Inspire Me Monday 

Upcoming?
Dewey's 24 hr Read A Thon next Sat 27th !
make sure you're signed up for both events soon...
Armchair Book Expo May 27th thru June 2nd

St Patrick's Day Reading: The Irish Healer - Nancy Herriman 17/3/13

HapPy St Patrick's Day !

to all the reading and reviewing readers..

and

Welcome once again to It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Mine was specifically chosen for Celebrating St Paddy's Day

A September book blog win that was repeatedly waylaid,

I finally received it in February and decided I wanted it

as an Irish Reading treat for St Patrick's Day..

Was it worth the wait?

Absolutely!

Loved it!  

Nancy Herriman's debut novel I would heartily recommend to any fans of 

historical fiction and old world romance ...

Here's my review as posted to Goodreads:

MY St Patrick's choice read for this month of March! 
I Luv'd this book.
Couldn't believe the trouble it took to procure a copy! 
None available for review from publisher. I then won my book of choice at Murphy's Library in September 2012, but TBD cancelled their order of my book not once but twice! I finally received it in February 2013 :)) I decided to save it as my treat for a St Patrick's read & so glad I did!

Amazingly, The Irish Healer is Nancy Herriman’s debut novel, published 2012. USA Today accurately calls it “...a lovely period tale of personal transformation and abiding love.” Definitely tantalizing along with its cover; runner-up in ACFW Genesis contest’s historical fiction 2009. A former engineer, Ms Herriman is a past winner of Romance Writers of America’s Daphne du Maurier Award for Best Unpublished Mystery/Romantic Suspense along with finalist placings in other contests.

1830. We’re introduced to Irish healer, Rachel Dunne, aboard a steamer escaping her homeland, arriving in search of London’s promise of new beginnings. A new beginning that will call for all the fortitude she possesses to rise up and conquer the inherent perils concealed along the journey... 

I found Rachel a likeable protagonist, authentic to her age and abilities; believable in her actions and reactions to new relationships and experiences. Other character descriptions authentically engaged my own positive / negative reactions. Well paced thought and action kept the story moving. Both my interest and emotions were engaged to its satisfying conclusion. 

Enough twists to frustrate my expectations whilst concealing pleasing resolutions. Historical details were excellent additions without being obtrusive or documentary. Occasional Gaelic expressions added authenticity. There is only one story detail that I would love to have resolved... perhaps a note to Ms Herriman will satisfy my curiosity!

Here are the first 2 chapters of The Irish Healer 

{read with an English accent}
by Amanda MacKnight and available via Oasis Audio

Thank you for sharing your writing gift with us, Nancy! 

I look forward to your next novel...

I've added this review to my year 2 commitment in Carrie's
Ireland Reading Challenge 2013

My other fantastic read for the Scotland Reading Challenge
is George MacDonald's 'The Marquis' Secret'

My full review is at Goodreads {click}
A few great quotes from this book to inspire..
""..the first step toward action is the beginning of the death of doubt..."

"Malcolm's feeling ran higher than night as he stood thus alone under the stars waiting to embark for he knew not where..."

“As you grow ready for it, somewhere or other you will find what is needful for you in a book.” 
~ George MacDonald from 'The Marquis of Lossie'
Highly recommended! I believe it's available to download free
due to age/copyright.  Historical action, adventure + romance!
{from a male perspective!!}
Love that!
Some great discussions and recommendations at the
Goodreads home for the Reading Scotland CHallenge
just click to link
if you're ready to throw your Scots book readings in with ours !

Check out host Sheila's 'Book Journey' each Sunday evening

for her It's Monday! link up to more great reads [ + readers!] here:

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 2.11.13

Well, It's not Monday {yet}!

but probably will be by the time I get this post ready!

sooo..

What Am I Reading?

I'm at the 10th chapter of Alexa Adams'

'First Impressions'

"In Pride and Prejudice Fitzwilliam Darcy begins
his relationship with Elizabeth Bennet with the words:
"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me;
I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies
who are slighted by other men."
What would have happened if Mr. Darcy had never spoken so disdainfully?
First Impressions explores how the events of Jane Austen's
beloved novel would have transpired if Darcy and Elizabeth had danced together
at the Meryton Assembly.
 Austen's witty style is authentically invoked as we journey from Longbourn to Pemberley."

{from the book cover}

 And that is what I'm in the process of discovering ~ quite enjoyably !
In fact, a perfect Valentine Romance Read !!

One more completed in the Jane Austen P+P  200 Challenge !

Another great discovery has been the interactive journal set from 

author and speaker, Graham Cooke, founder of

Brilliant Book House.
I've just completed the book part and now moving into the

interactivities part.  

Perfect way to learn when I have to put brain + creativity into gear!

Here's the one I'm working on currently -

Some definite essentials when Life is, shall I say, a bit overwhelming?

Nothing like new perspectives on old routines...

Double Dipping on this read!
For Reading Scotland Challenge, my 6th book ~

which also qualifies for 12th of Canadian Reading Challenge due to the author.

I found it absolutely fascinating.  Incredible hardships for adults,
let alone the children in the family.  And then to work through years of

struggle before attaining anything hoped for or dreamed of...
Though some unexpected romances do arrive at their doorways!

"Isobel thinks that she and her family will find their fortune in Canada. But Isobel''s mother dies before they even cross the ocean, and other misfortunes follow their every step. Isobel''s family and the other Selkirk Settlers are caught in the fur-trading rivalry between the Hudson''s Bay Company and the North West Company and cannot even start to build when they do reach their destination. The harsh climate, and escalating threats against the settlers, make it impossible to start a new life. Only through perseverance and help from the local Cree band are Isobel and her family finally able to put down roots in the Red River Valley. Vetted by historical experts, each book in this series contains maps, numerous period illustrations, and an extensive historical note."

Now I'm into reading for a review due Tuesday..
A topic dear to my heart, 

but a big gulp at 350+ pages to be read before then!

Kudos to Ken Wytsma's fantastic skill at headlining this topic~

  

That's it for me gals.  

What's on your stack for this Valentine Week?

Joining Sheila and the reading gang at Book Journey

for more reading revelations...

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What Am I Reading? Monday Feb 4 2013

It's the 1st Monday of February!
What are You Reading?

Just put down AJ Cronin's
Adventures in Two Worlds

My first introduction to this author, though certainly not the last.

Absolutely loved his style, unique command of English
that made reading pure pleasure.
Two of his books were made into movies.

Based on this book, the BBC ran an ongoing series, Dr. Finlay.  

Amazing man.  Amazing human interest stories from
Scotland, Wales, London, Europe.

Found it in the lounge library while searching for Scottish authors for the

Scotland Reading Challenge 2013 on now .

I've now picked up another new to me Scottish author,

Compton MacKenzie, [kind of a giveaway with that name!]

who's book Monarch of the Glen is also a fave BBC series.

[available on dvd]

The book copy I received from the library is ancient,

so no corresponding book image to be found.
Again, the writing is personable as are the characters.

No wonder the series went on to its seventh season!

Another addition to my Scotland Reading Challenge
Pinterest Board tracking my reads
[good source for suggestions if you're interested
or have any to offer!]

I'm now completing the Bairn level of 4.

Enjoying the enthusiasm of other participants,

and hoping to get a linky up on the sign up page as soon as I have

uninterrupted internet !

Feel free to add your interest in comments if you're joining.

[even if it's for reading 1 itsy bitsy book!]

That's it for now.
The 21 Days of Wonder challenge has been fab,

but tomorrow marks the last prompt.

Sunday's was an amazing exploration into the meaning of our name.

Check it out..

See you when I can take a peek out from under my bookstack!

HapPy Reading!

More reader listings HERE

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11/12

It's Monday!

joining other readers linking up our newest reads at

Sheila's Book Journey

I received some lovely surprises in this week's postbox ~

2 books won from Meredith's Austenesque Extravaganza

{honouring Jane Austen}

Christmas at Pemberley: A Pride & Prejudice Holiday Sequel

by Regina Jeffers , perfectly timed for this new season!

and Kara Louise's Darcy's Voyage

then Elizabeth Camden's newest release arrived for review ~

Against the Tide

I'm currently reading all things Irish to complete

my participation in Books and Movies

Ireland Reading Challenge for 2012 ending Nov 30th

A complete list of the books read for this are listed on 

2012 Reading Challenges page and include this week's reads of ~

Jill Mansell's Mixed Doubles 

Maeve Binchy's Quentins

Nicole O'Dell's Welcome Home, Love from Rainbow's End

and Julie Lessman's 'A Light in the Window'

another seasonal read perfectly timed !

this one with the added bonus of 3 contests for your enjoyment ~

Open Now ! just click the link for full details...

There were several more free ebook downloads this week ~

always check kindle's daily free lists for any that catch your eye !

HapPy Reading!

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