tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45742298817950535542024-03-17T22:42:56.290-07:00Twin SpinTwins putting a spin on thingstwinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.comBlogger1823125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-55132883120920975052019-04-02T04:49:00.001-07:002019-04-02T04:49:24.671-07:00New Release Blitz & Giveaway: The Creative Introverted Entrepreneur by Kim Beasley<br />
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In the second edition of The Creative Introverted Entrepreneur, we wanted to dig deeper and explore new ways to grow your business. By taking a look at what tools are currently available and services that you can use as an entrepreneur, we wanted to revise this book with the latest trends.</div>
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The goal of this book is to help entrepreneurs who are Introverts to grow their business online using techniques geared to them. When I decided to revamp this book and create a second edition, I decided to invite a couple of friends to share their knowledge too. So you will find a couple of chapters written by Michelle Lowery and Jerrilynn B. Thomas.</div>
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About the Book</h3>
<b>The Creative Introverted Entrepreneur</b>by Kim Beasley<br />
<b>Series</b><br />n/a; standalone<br />
<b>Genre</b><br />Non-Fiction<br />
<b>Publisher</b><br />Agape3 Business Services; 2nd Edition<br />
<b>Publication Date</b><br />March 31, 2019<br />
<b>Purchase Your Copy Today!</b><a href="https://amzn.to/2CBAawx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
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To celebrate the release of <b>THE CREATIVE INTROVERTED ENTREPRENEUR by Kim Beasley</b>, we're giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner!</div>
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<b>GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS: </b>Open internationally. One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Kim Beasley. Giveaway ends 4/6/2019 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted. <a href="http://bit.ly/2HRAWc1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>CLICK HERE TO ENTER!</b></a></div>
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About Kim Beasley</h3>
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<b>KIM BEASLEY</b> is an international speaker and industry leader when it comes to increasing business brand visibility. Being a creative introverted entrepreneur, she has a heart for coaching others like herself who want to grow their business brand visibility online.</div>
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Many know Kim from her days of doing news segments via Google+ Hangouts on Air from 2012 to 2015. She reported about social media and technology during a love newscast fr KRNV in Reno, Nevada.</div>
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twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-3806432773006580842019-04-01T03:30:00.000-07:002019-04-01T03:30:07.723-07:00Review: The Lost Family by Jenna Blum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6oWHNAwhpkBaqx6kQfqYSWHeIvwOfQ4MNbcFenOMr7LxFEvJs2o5fPqm3bVO5NsWJoOk1DV-RWQsWS8rdQqd32SitddtKsYGC-QbpsvglUYFKQvBXN_2xp5HljYOdh0iaTvpZDUihR1R/s1600/lost+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6oWHNAwhpkBaqx6kQfqYSWHeIvwOfQ4MNbcFenOMr7LxFEvJs2o5fPqm3bVO5NsWJoOk1DV-RWQsWS8rdQqd32SitddtKsYGC-QbpsvglUYFKQvBXN_2xp5HljYOdh0iaTvpZDUihR1R/s320/lost+family.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">New York Times</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> bestselling author of </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Those Who Save Us</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">creates a vivid portrait of marriage, family, and the haunting grief of World War II in this emotionally charged, beautifully rendered story that spans a generation, from the 1960s to the 1980s</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">In 1965 Manhattan, patrons flock to Masha’s to savor its brisket bourguignon and impeccable service and to admire its dashing owner and head chef Peter Rashkin. With his movie-star good looks and tragic past, Peter, a survivor of Auschwitz, is the most eligible bachelor in town. But Peter does not care for the parade of eligible women who come to the restaurant hoping to catch his eye. He has resigned himself to a solitary life. Running Masha’s consumes him, as does his terrible guilt over surviving the horrors of the Nazi death camp while his wife, Masha—the restaurant’s namesake—and two young daughters perished.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Then exquisitely beautiful June Bouquet, an up-and-coming young model, appears at the restaurant, piercing Peter’s guard. Though she is twenty years his junior, the two begin a passionate, whirlwind courtship. When June unexpectedly becomes pregnant, Peter proposes, believing that beginning a new family with the woman he loves will allow him to let go of the horror of the past. But over the next twenty years, the indelible sadness of those memories will overshadow Peter, June, and their daughter Elsbeth, transforming them in shocking, heartbreaking, and unexpected ways.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Jenna Blum artfully brings to the page a husband devastated by a grief he cannot name, a frustrated wife struggling to compete with a ghost she cannot banish, and a daughter sensitive to the pain of both her own family and another lost before she was born. Spanning three cinematic decades, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The Lost Family</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> is a charming, funny, and elegantly bittersweet study of the repercussions of loss and love.</span></span><br />
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Published June 5th 2018 by Harper</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted to like this story, I really did. Sadly I struggled the entire way through it. I almost gave up before completing it however since I always see a story through, I suffered to the very end.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did not like one single character in the story Not one! There was nobody to get behind. you would think with Peter's story I would at least be able to get behind him but he really did not exhibit any personality. The match of Peter and June made zero sense to me hence putting the story even more off kilter to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some may be able to read deeper in to the story than I apparently did and see tragedy and beauty as the story advertises. I did not, I was bored to tears the entire way through with a cast of either obnoxious, selfish or boring characters. Sadly, this was not for me. A little disappointing since I have enjoyed the other works of Blum.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OCddIuxAJrcmkeLZ43KujsLiGqH3pTPwwmFTb4XhcQ63vM7snHhuUQ_Yur4fIjOthDhCHNpDuRcwmpgPDMV4UG7oWzd2a1khyphenhyphenVWP5UDfLoDo_4FlUD34Pc_2D0T2DCuZiyWRvt1DhfpH/s1600/2+star+rating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="108" data-original-width="465" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OCddIuxAJrcmkeLZ43KujsLiGqH3pTPwwmFTb4XhcQ63vM7snHhuUQ_Yur4fIjOthDhCHNpDuRcwmpgPDMV4UG7oWzd2a1khyphenhyphenVWP5UDfLoDo_4FlUD34Pc_2D0T2DCuZiyWRvt1DhfpH/s320/2+star+rating.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>About the Author</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.jennablum.com/">Website</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-33860462472713870242019-03-30T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-30T03:30:12.608-07:00Review: The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOi0X6VnB192ieKLjfsUC-XCpZB2_bZWikH_N5kPvBqbJDyvH7OELUvoqxOEB8jAyUgtP73Iumd5pm1V2OqvZORIARLAyhOJQpQXC7xETV8iaXZkC6A0lb9CMRuoHk_GpXfZRnUYjM5j4/s1600/stormchasers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOi0X6VnB192ieKLjfsUC-XCpZB2_bZWikH_N5kPvBqbJDyvH7OELUvoqxOEB8jAyUgtP73Iumd5pm1V2OqvZORIARLAyhOJQpQXC7xETV8iaXZkC6A0lb9CMRuoHk_GpXfZRnUYjM5j4/s320/stormchasers.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Twins are forced to confront a violent secret from their past in Jenna Blum's first novel since her runaway bestseller, <i>Those Who Save Us</i> </b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">How far would you go to protect a sibling-and at what cost to yourself? </i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">In </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Those Who Save Us</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">, Jenna Blum proved herself a master storyteller with brilliant insight into the spectrum of human emotion. Now, Blum turns her sights to the most intimate and mysterious of family relationships-that between twins-in her powerful and provocative second novel.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">As a teenager, Karena Jorge had always been the one to look out for her twin brother Charles, who suffers from bipolar disorder. But as Charles begins to refuse medication and his manic tendencies worsen, Karena finds herself caught between her loyalty to her brother and her fear for his life. Always obsessed with the weather-enraptured by its magical unpredictability that seemed to mirror his own impulses—Charles starts chasing storms, and his behavior grows increasingly erratic . . . until a terrifying storm chase with Karena ends with deadly consequences, tearing the twins apart and changing both of their lives forever.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">Two decades later, Karena gets a call from a psychiatric ward in Wichita, Kansas, to come pick up her brother, whom she hasn't seen or spoken to for twenty years. She soon discovers that Charles has lied to the doctors, taken medication that could make him dangerously manic, and disappeared again. Having exhausted every resource to try and track him down, Karena realizes she has only one last chance of finding him: the storms. Wherever the tornadoes are, that's where he'll be. Karena joins a team of professional stormchasers-passionate adventurers who will transform her life and give her a chance at love and redemption—and embarks on an odyssey to find her brother before he reveals the violent secret from their past and does more damage to himself . . . or to someone else.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span itemprop="bookFormat">Hardcover</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">384 pages</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Published May 27th 2010 by Dutton Adult</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Terri's Thoughts</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">I randomly selected this story while browsing available e-book from the public library. As I have read this author before and the story looked intriguing, I figured why not.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">This story was both interesting and frustrating at the same time. I, who is terrified of storms, was completely taken with the storm chasing aspect of the story. I gobbled up all the lingo and the action and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. This was the best part for me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">What I found completely frustrating is Karen's need to save Charles. OK I get it, they have the twin bond but believe me, as I am also twin, there needs to come a time when enough is enough. She covered for him, and tried to save him so many times that she lost sight of her own life. While I know mental illness is a difficult situation, I really felt while she could continue to try to save him by getting the proper treatment, she no longer should have been making excuses for him as she was only enabling him. By losing herself in thinking she could help him, she instead lost who she was.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">I know I am sitting here on my high horse as the situation is much more complex than I am making it sound but I am a firm believer in the airline philosophy. When the oxygen mask falls, put it on yourself before others as you are useless to help others if you cant take care of yourself. I digress.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">Needless to say the story makes you think. Regardless of your thoughts about Karena,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">you still want everything to end up ok in the end. You will have to read the story to find out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">About the Author</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD8xVAi3rZJOlRe18XgnKGnxRgPwqmsSIFhHGvmUPfcEQkAZ4aUMOh_1prYjrH8YhlSbxH6GT_ceYFnEUd5jFwviruBPw7JqQaQyIwZmF393P69saCiCNsxs11qgvKpjBHEVxBpGvSsUI/s1600/jenna+blum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD8xVAi3rZJOlRe18XgnKGnxRgPwqmsSIFhHGvmUPfcEQkAZ4aUMOh_1prYjrH8YhlSbxH6GT_ceYFnEUd5jFwviruBPw7JqQaQyIwZmF393P69saCiCNsxs11qgvKpjBHEVxBpGvSsUI/s1600/jenna+blum.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://www.jennablum.com/">Website</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jenna_blum">Twitter</a></span></span></div>
twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-36971408905201538862019-03-28T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-28T03:30:07.611-07:00Namast'eh Box: March Unboxing and Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yCp36b1MGTWlG3EoqneG_Rht26EkR09Xy2WFCr-0fy6mig_Cde06uK3qL-LMIoHIl82ON7k7NUNWFNPfzTi2pUabpj3XoATidmmBtEt6yOBiWNl_uH7gb5wjSRMjXiqBJyVuRxt1CkXM/s1600/namasteh1+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yCp36b1MGTWlG3EoqneG_Rht26EkR09Xy2WFCr-0fy6mig_Cde06uK3qL-LMIoHIl82ON7k7NUNWFNPfzTi2pUabpj3XoATidmmBtEt6yOBiWNl_uH7gb5wjSRMjXiqBJyVuRxt1CkXM/s320/namasteh1+%25287%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://namastehbox.com/">Namast'eh</a> is a Canadian
subscription box that delivers premium yoga and athletic wear from
Canadian brands at 50% off retail value right to your door. There are
three different subscriptions to choose from.</div>
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The True North Box- 3 piece Premium Outfit $119.00</div>
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The Glowing Heart Box- 2 piece Premium Outfit $89.00</div>
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The Maple Leaf Box- 1 Pair Premium Leggings or Capris $59.00</div>
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You can choose to get your box every month, every second month or every
three months and you are not locked into a plan of any kind. This means
that you can pause or cancel your subscription at any time without
penalty. How it works is you choose your subscription, complete your
profile (sizes, activities) and your box gets delivered to your door.</div>
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At the moment I am subscribed to the True North Box and I have it coming
every month. I plan to give it a few months to see how I like it and
the products before I decide if I want to continue monthly or less
frequently or at all.<br />
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This is what it looks like when you first open the box. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mnB0TvDfP7k6hbPQ26PMCy8nZeO4R68NJqtVIQjHeQBN7mAd3IQR89VhL3ejEOXVj186lZ2opw4gfhIcd8jM3SB46iF5aS836xeHbblWZyuTOU4AM4zKbKZx0dGhuZbPu8NZT9iGweqs/s1600/namasteh1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mnB0TvDfP7k6hbPQ26PMCy8nZeO4R68NJqtVIQjHeQBN7mAd3IQR89VhL3ejEOXVj186lZ2opw4gfhIcd8jM3SB46iF5aS836xeHbblWZyuTOU4AM4zKbKZx0dGhuZbPu8NZT9iGweqs/s320/namasteh1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is what the outfit I got looks like all together</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKisp8F-wOez0dnTlJxZg-4v05I0SgDA4WPOyY8BC5qboDaNr0Z3kBgl2D9AsDX8n6BfEYdrxZI5gy670Qu6SpsRdLL75nqay2guuQhOBuiFEp9uAM9x7hOnoNu3MLx2i21hFNUdFuihe/s1600/20190314_125736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKisp8F-wOez0dnTlJxZg-4v05I0SgDA4WPOyY8BC5qboDaNr0Z3kBgl2D9AsDX8n6BfEYdrxZI5gy670Qu6SpsRdLL75nqay2guuQhOBuiFEp9uAM9x7hOnoNu3MLx2i21hFNUdFuihe/s320/20190314_125736.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The sports bra</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIr7yQz5W_JtfrYhDJInznKV1DQDnb7Ad0QY_y2NqxGlK9f-u3u3XjMGPv4oP7HCHzd7U4ef_2NxBLa7Kc-Pw0doXgEdShhfTT-Ry1ldr7YKaQSGFsEuyBXqkmj-SugePKYsawnujzRdU/s1600/20190314_130129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIr7yQz5W_JtfrYhDJInznKV1DQDnb7Ad0QY_y2NqxGlK9f-u3u3XjMGPv4oP7HCHzd7U4ef_2NxBLa7Kc-Pw0doXgEdShhfTT-Ry1ldr7YKaQSGFsEuyBXqkmj-SugePKYsawnujzRdU/s320/20190314_130129.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVs_6EujSnVC4AG5vpN2g72TD_y_yIrBSKnKCd3lVZFiRfEkggToIjqDDkKJduMRYL18GGd9OYA6WYaYxrNPpDuOezOkYkBuingTzju9jKB-SAIRapjvW1d-NUpnmKlwKK00xndq2To9D/s1600/20190314_130139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVs_6EujSnVC4AG5vpN2g72TD_y_yIrBSKnKCd3lVZFiRfEkggToIjqDDkKJduMRYL18GGd9OYA6WYaYxrNPpDuOezOkYkBuingTzju9jKB-SAIRapjvW1d-NUpnmKlwKK00xndq2To9D/s320/20190314_130139.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://mpgsport.ca/">MPG</a>- Exclusive Collection by Julianna Hough Captivate Sports Bra in Lilac Retail Value $30-$54<br />
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This bra features removable bra cups, moisture wicking, a power mesh back and side panels for ventilation and adjustable straps. Not only is it super cute but it has two things that I really like. The bra cups and adjustable straps are a positive in my books. My pictures make it look white but it is actually a lilac colour. I will likely use this bra for my lighter workouts as it is only moderate support.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The layering piece</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnusZAMv9ea9QLtJjGsySgttCYMIJBi5N_miGZNgOya7XG5BH47UO46SEsyzhIWz-yWeVKBSLpAkvPKcLYx7IleBG_DJrwO8Ouc-SEkqWw-u0idqAMkPv68TzSHDbiP24cKNtDrQozmiYo/s1600/20190314_130203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnusZAMv9ea9QLtJjGsySgttCYMIJBi5N_miGZNgOya7XG5BH47UO46SEsyzhIWz-yWeVKBSLpAkvPKcLYx7IleBG_DJrwO8Ouc-SEkqWw-u0idqAMkPv68TzSHDbiP24cKNtDrQozmiYo/s320/20190314_130203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://daubanddesign.com/collections/daub-design?page=1">Daub and Design</a>- Tahnee Tank retail value $68<br />
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At least I think that is what tank it is. There was no info on the tag about this top but it looked similar to the Tahnee tanks on the website even though I could not find this colour. This tank for me is just meh. I really liked it until I tried it on. The fit was kind of awkward. Part of me feels like it will stretch and shape into a flowy top but right now it fits a little snug across the chest and then sort of flows but not really. This is laughable if you know me because I am a small chested person. I haven't given this piece a test run in any kind of workout so I can't yet speak to its functionality yet.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The leggings</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OSh9HnA2JM7dKfAVZCJc5pw004PAXaZf0KL4x_w4GNdAIJbfynpl0wOsvRVj-Wuz3fzX0jFRqXr7DPTaAChSXNU76PrVTGApkAwxChBrSqNPHoOBymN5RXcrhnYYAIehhk-m0VKJSXCv/s1600/20190314_130011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OSh9HnA2JM7dKfAVZCJc5pw004PAXaZf0KL4x_w4GNdAIJbfynpl0wOsvRVj-Wuz3fzX0jFRqXr7DPTaAChSXNU76PrVTGApkAwxChBrSqNPHoOBymN5RXcrhnYYAIehhk-m0VKJSXCv/s320/20190314_130011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2790/0342/products/MON-11C0255-3835-8_766x.jpg?v=1533220111" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Time Trial 7/8 Houndstooth Run Legging" border="0" class="magniflier zoom-image" data-zoom-image="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2790/0342/products/MON-11C0255-3835-8_1050x.progressive.jpg?v=1533220111" height="320" id="product-featured-image" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2790/0342/products/MON-11C0255-3835-8_766x.jpg?v=1533220111" width="213" /></a></div>
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(Above picture from website shown in a different colour)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1zPwTUSKUVAzNEtIf0OalWaIWTkT15OWJI1ekS-f7kBmBbFFXb7yAa_sfRqFwm3KZwgTBumQ1oeeaC0CfQY_j6-_1C1cvTRhxT9TVlr-G5O53UTv0nDTVxUO-hMSa9H8xAGdL5TXIOlP/s1600/20190314_125945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1zPwTUSKUVAzNEtIf0OalWaIWTkT15OWJI1ekS-f7kBmBbFFXb7yAa_sfRqFwm3KZwgTBumQ1oeeaC0CfQY_j6-_1C1cvTRhxT9TVlr-G5O53UTv0nDTVxUO-hMSa9H8xAGdL5TXIOlP/s320/20190314_125945.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://mpgsport.ca/products/time-trial-legging?variant=13568328237098">MPG</a>- Time Trial 7/8 Houndstooth Run Leggings in Black retail value $66 on sale for $33<br />
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I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these leggings. I added a picture from the website because my pictures don't do them justice at all. First of all, I am training for a 10k race so these leggings couldn't come at a better time. They have many feature benefits but what thrilled me was the side pockets. I can put my phone in my pocket while listening to music on my wireless headphones. Such a smart feature on run leggings. I only own one other pair of leggings with pockets and have been running every day so these are perfectly timed. I love how they fit and look on me so much that I went on to the MPG website with the thought of ordering more but unfortunately they only have the colour in my above picture (which I would have been fine with) in sizes too small or big.<br />
The featured benefits of these leggings are 360- degree reflectivity for visibility at night, a back zip pocket for stashing essentials on the go and an interior waist mini pocket for essentials like keys and cards plus the pockets I mentioned above. It is hard to tell from my pictures but the front is mesh from just below the reflective strips. At the front it is just regular mesh but at the back (below the reflective strips) the mesh has a houndstooth pattern. They are fun, flattering and functional. I have run in them many times already. They are definitely my favourite and most practical piece from this box and probably from any box I have received to date.<br />
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As far as value for this box I am a little torn. Both the bra and the leggings are on sale on the website and I am just meh about the tank so it's tough to say. I am in love with the leggings and I like the bra and probably wouldn't have found them on my own so there is that. This subscription box is not cheap and although I like and even love some of the pieces, I'm not sure I saved any money on this months box. Having said that, I don't feel like I've been ripped off either. I've decided to give it two more months of monthly deliveries before deciding whether or not I want to continue.<br />
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Namast'eh Box keep the running gear coming and I'll be a very happy lady!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thoughts and opinions are my own and are not sponsored in any way by Namast'eh box.</span></div>
<br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-90647148637153527012019-03-27T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-27T03:30:05.616-07:00Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoskjoIExyJM6REvRxH34SBVPAfxRc0Z_wYyGINCj-1TdTd_OrVVL9WP8CN3p0R9JU4UrREsTu1iLFOppuJUjors6_qgq8gAUHp2amWilk20NGoyfScAzoOSug9yL8qzk5MvkwcOd7ooww/s1600/thirteen+reasons+why.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoskjoIExyJM6REvRxH34SBVPAfxRc0Z_wYyGINCj-1TdTd_OrVVL9WP8CN3p0R9JU4UrREsTu1iLFOppuJUjors6_qgq8gAUHp2amWilk20NGoyfScAzoOSug9yL8qzk5MvkwcOd7ooww/s320/thirteen+reasons+why.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can’t stop the future. <br />You can’t rewind the past.<br />The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.</i></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker–his classmate and crush–who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah’s voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out why. </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah’s pain, and as he follows Hannah’s recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Hardcover</span>, <span itemprop="bookEdition">10th Anniversary Edition</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">352 pages</span></div>
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Published
December 27th 2016
by Razorbill
<nobr class="greyText" style="color: #999999;">
(first published October 18th 2007)
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b></div>
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Well, I finally read this book, I'm probably the last person to do so but I did it. I knew what it was about and the general gist of things but have not read a single review or been involved in any conversations or discussions about it. How did it make me feel?</div>
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ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!</div>
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Really. I literally just put it down and I am so conflicted with my thoughts at the moment I don't even know what to say. I wont even know what I am going to rate it until I get to the end of this review And then I reserve the right to go back and change it.</div>
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I will try to break it down.</div>
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The story had its flaws. In all honesty the writing was nothing special. I didn't find it poignant or lyrical or any of those other words you find in pretentious reviews. It got the job done. People may jump all over me, but I found Hannah to be too angry to be so lost. Some of her reasons even seemed a little bit petty, more like people didn't live up to her expectations were not allowed to be flawed. I would think that someone with that much anger, who would take the time to make the tapes, would have enough fight in her to keep going....</div>
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Wait a second, what am I doing? Did I just victim shame??? I think I might have...</div>
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And ladies and Gentleman, this is the reason, IMHO, that people should read this story. People should be discussing this book. The content of this story is something everyone should be discussing. In fact, this book should be included in every school curriculum just so that everyone has the opportunity to sit and discuss it. WHY? It is simple. I went through every reaction possible while reading this, both good and bad. I rooted for Hannah, I didn't root for her, I felt she overreacted & I felt empathy for her situation. At the end of the day, with everything going on in our world, this is one of the topics that young people should be talking about. Suicide (as well as bullying & mental health as these are underlying themes and linked to the subject at hand) should not be an off limit topic. Even bringing to the table that your actions impact others in big or small ways. An open and honest discussion should be held about these things. I don't even think it is something that should be addressed from parent to child (although I don't discourage it). It should be something peers speak about to each other, openly, and without censor.</div>
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And so...I will rate this book on that as I found the actual book just ok</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJXbxsJVUhTgILTHD4I2SMQQyTiVd5tEpwT4oBP2PRLoymzCrK48Kd1_YjkNj0wkUjUc78Npwm5OSeTTxr0Bai9MTipd7kEaL_dhXRhnyhpJLhR-lgnzdLNDmmy-Pvgho9C4jhSpicp6-/s1600/3+star+rating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="96" data-original-width="524" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJXbxsJVUhTgILTHD4I2SMQQyTiVd5tEpwT4oBP2PRLoymzCrK48Kd1_YjkNj0wkUjUc78Npwm5OSeTTxr0Bai9MTipd7kEaL_dhXRhnyhpJLhR-lgnzdLNDmmy-Pvgho9C4jhSpicp6-/s320/3+star+rating.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>About the Author</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBRVfX5Pb323Heee5vzrZf3mhLGDKCtY4BwfOSwa-fzi8XWhog0qnVd0XIEE5AacN8_aIgAdGnjK8HmebIWCJoUkKkSfJg5CuE32hLPhW0jut_2dLHVpBuf5rifQuJGzEZDPHLOzOvqRP/s1600/jay+asher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBRVfX5Pb323Heee5vzrZf3mhLGDKCtY4BwfOSwa-fzi8XWhog0qnVd0XIEE5AacN8_aIgAdGnjK8HmebIWCJoUkKkSfJg5CuE32hLPhW0jut_2dLHVpBuf5rifQuJGzEZDPHLOzOvqRP/s1600/jay+asher.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Jay Asher was born in Arcadia, California on September 30, 1975. He grew up in a family that encouraged all of his interests, from playing the guitar to his writing. He attended Cuesta College right after graduating from high school. It was here where he wrote his first two children’s books for a class called Children’s Literature Appreciation. At this point in his life, he had decided he wanted to become an elementary school teacher. He then transferred to California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where he left his senior year in order to pursue his career as a serious writer. Throughout his life he worked in various establishments, including as a salesman in a shoe store and in libraries and bookstores. Many of his work experiences had an impact on some aspect of his writing.</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="http://jayasher.blogspot.com/"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="http://jayasher.blogspot.com/">Website</a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-54746349135916929622019-03-26T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-26T03:30:08.032-07:00Re-Release Blitz: Can't Hold Back by Serena Bell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="" class="wp-image-5103" height="400" src="https://serenabell.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/CHBguy-1-663x1024.jpg" width="258" /> </div>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="blurb">Blurb</a></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Can’t Hold Back (Returning Home, Book Two)</h4>
<strong>A love triangle gone wrong. The power to heal his pain. And a second chance for both of them.</strong><br />
Nate Riordan came home from war hurting—everywhere.<br />
Alia Drake can touch him and make it all better.<br />
Nate craves her touch, and not just the professional, physical
therapist version. But he needs to keep his eyes on the prize and his
feet firmly on the path he’s chosen: His buddy, J.J., died, and Nate
lived, which means he has promises to keep. Plus, Alia hurt him once,
and he’s afraid she’ll do it again.<br />
Alia knows she has to ignore her feelings for Nate. Her job is to
take care of him professionally, so she has to keep her hands on the
parts of him she has a right to touch. Besides, when she lied to him two
years ago, she forfeited any claim she could ever have to his heart.<br />
Now she just has to find some way to stick to her guns, leave him
alone, and do her job. Even—or especially—when he’s shirtless on the
table in her office…<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="excerpt">Can’t Hold Back Excerpt</a></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Copyright © 2019 Serena Bell</em><br /><em>All rights reserved.</em></div>
<br />
“Is this seat taken?”<br />
From her perspective in the grass, he was a giant, with broad
shoulders and a luminous smile. She’d always thought it was exaggeration
when women said they lost their breath in a man’s presence, but she
just had.<br />
She got a grip and shook her head. “Pull up some turf.” She patted the lawn beside her, and he sat.<br />
He was vivid, like a soldier in a movie: ripped, swaggering,
grinning, golden-haired. He’d smiled in her direction earlier, and for a
split second she’d thought, Who me? before she remembered that she was
standing next to Becca. Her sister was a man magnet. All the two of them
had to do was idle in a patch of sunlight admiring the garden, and sexy
six-foot-plus men in butt-hugging jeans and black T-shirts materialized
from nowhere—<br />
Abracadabra! Hot guy for Becca.<br />
In the car on the way over here, she’d told Becca that Jake’s picnics
boasted not just amazing food, but other earthly delights. “We’ll get
you back on your feet,” Alia had promised, sneaking a glance at her
sister, slumped in the passenger seat. Ever since Becca’s boyfriend had
dumped her recently, just as they were getting serious, she rarely
smiled.<br />
Becca had been super excited about the guy, and Alia was almost as
disappointed as Becca was. She wanted her sister to be happy. Settled.
Cared for.<br />
Hot Guy for Becca set his plate on the grass. He sat cross-legged,
and his thighs and calves, which looked like they’d been hewn from wood,
were generously decked with curly golden hair.<br />
“My sister just went to get some food,” she told him, pointing.<br />
He cast a glance at Becca, standing by the salad table, loading her
plate with potato chips. Tall, beautiful, blond, and glowing with
vitality.<br />
“You guys don’t look anything alike.”<br />
“We don’t.” She forced a smile. It wasn’t only blindingly obvious
differences, like Becca’s blond and Alia’s dark hair, but everything
else, too—Becca was slim, with hourglass curves, while Alia was
“athletic”; Becca had porcelain skin and Alia was generously freckled;
Becca’s features were classic and even, and Alia was—well, she’d be kind
to herself and say “cute.”<br />
She sighed.<br />
“Nate Riordan.” The man beside her reached out his hand for a shake.<br />
“Alia Drake.”<br />
Big hands. Warm. A moment ago, the world had smelled like summer.
Like grass gone somewhere to seed, roses in bloom, and the mingled
marvels of mesquite smoke and grilling meat.<br />
Now her head was filled with a different scent entirely—soap,
shampoo, the faintest whiff of some spicy male deodorant or cologne.<br />
He was going to have no difficulty making Becca forget her romantic
troubles. He could probably make any woman blank on her own name.<br />
She retrieved her hand before she could reflect any more on that. He was Becca’s hot guy.<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="infosheet">Info Sheet</a></h4>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li><em>Title:</em> Can’t Hold Back</li>
<li><em>Author:</em> Serena Bell</li>
<li><em>Category:</em> Contemporary romance</li>
<li><em>ISBN:</em> <a href="https://www.myidentifiers.com/myaccount_manageisbns_titlereg?isbn=978-1-7328948-1-5&icon_type=assigned">978-1-7328948-1-5</a></li>
<li><em>Format:</em> e-book</li>
<li><em>Publication Date:</em> March 26, 2019</li>
<li><em>Pages:</em> 229</li>
<li><em>Price:</em> $3.99</li>
<li><em>Available from:</em> Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Play </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="bio">About the Author</a></h4>
Photo credit Susan Young<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtra3wIC_lHcQeDgwSNXbFDi02a39iIn-v4N_d30-InRuqXnToU0Yx4pqHn7vSRKrha0Su8MD-L7YhsS2W9-fI-HQiAFs2DsVrRvAVUCL7e1txGv3RlqNkGtuyFEbXrC7EC_kH2AJytEt/s1600/serenabell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="133" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtra3wIC_lHcQeDgwSNXbFDi02a39iIn-v4N_d30-InRuqXnToU0Yx4pqHn7vSRKrha0Su8MD-L7YhsS2W9-fI-HQiAFs2DsVrRvAVUCL7e1txGv3RlqNkGtuyFEbXrC7EC_kH2AJytEt/s1600/serenabell.jpg" /></a></div>
<em>USA Today</em> bestselling author Serena Bell writes contemporary
romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has
always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen
carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret
office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her
head.<br />
Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’
Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book
of the Year for Romance.<br />
When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her
college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are
incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of
how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the
new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming,
meditation, and long walks with good friends.<br />
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<h4>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="socialmedia">Social Media Links</a></h4>
<ul>
<li>Web site <a href="https://www.serenabell.com/">https://www.serenabell.com</a></li>
<li>Newsletter <a href="https://www.serenabell.com/newsletter">https://www.serenabell.com/newsletter</a></li>
<li>Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/serenabellbooks">http://www.facebook.com/serenabellbooks</a></li>
<li>Facebook profile <a href="https://www.facebook.com/serena.bell.3954">https://www.facebook.com/serena.bell.3954</a></li>
<li>Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/serenabellbooks">http://www.twitter.com/serenabellbooks</a></li>
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<li>Pinterest <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/serenabellbooks/">https://www.pinterest.com/serenabellbooks/</a> </li>
</ul>
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<h4>
<a class="mce-item-anchor" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="buylinks">Buy Links for Can</a>’<a class="mce-item-anchor" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="buylinks">t Hold Back</a></h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Amazon" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Amazon</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Apple" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Apple</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Kobo" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Kobo</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Nook" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Nook</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Google" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Google</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Goodreads" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Goodreads</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Bookbub" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://serenabell.com/r/CantHoldBack-Bookbub</a></li>
</ul>
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twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-71854996335499993362019-03-25T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-25T03:30:09.300-07:00Review: One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Jr2VzNbKwVVFYZ-3HxW2fqB0jSNMKVbEMauYeb2qWvFgofcmIBT8t75QJnYm9IheCE5VWrlOnwIJ0axUQdZ1hNQ6R0khFhb6Jxq27uKKwad9uE9QT59FvGy0oWPsl1zO6tZGVSt1xrYi/s1600/one+breath+away.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Jr2VzNbKwVVFYZ-3HxW2fqB0jSNMKVbEMauYeb2qWvFgofcmIBT8t75QJnYm9IheCE5VWrlOnwIJ0axUQdZ1hNQ6R0khFhb6Jxq27uKKwad9uE9QT59FvGy0oWPsl1zO6tZGVSt1xrYi/s320/one+breath+away.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In her most emotionally charged novel to date, </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">New York Times</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf explores the unspoken events that shape a community, the ties between parents and their children and how the fragile normalcy of our everyday life is so easily shattered.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In the midst of a sudden spring snowstorm, an unknown man armed with a gun walks into an elementary school classroom. Outside the school, the town of Broken Branch watches and waits.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Officer Meg Barrett holds the responsibility for the town's children in her hands. Will Thwaite, reluctantly entrusted with the care of his two grandchildren by the daughter who left home years earlier, stands by helplessly and wonders if he has failed his child again. Trapped in her classroom, Evelyn Oliver watches for an opportunity to rescue the children in her care. And thirteen-year-old Augie Baker, already struggling with the aftermath of a terrible accident that has brought her to Broken Branch, will risk her own safety to protect her little brother.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As tension mounts with each passing minute, the hidden fears and grudges of the small town are revealed as the people of Broken Branch race to uncover the identity of the stranger who holds their children hostage.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">379 pages</span></div>
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Published
June 26th 2012
by Harlequin MIRA
<nobr class="greyText" style="color: #999999;">
(first published May 29th 2012)</nobr></div>
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b><br />
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I randomly chose this book to listen to in audio format based on the fact that I had heard of the author before however I do not believe I had read any of her work.<br />
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This story deals with a sensitive topic with a man with a gun holding a third grade classroom hostage. It could have gone so wrong however Gudenkauf stayed on the side of caution so as not to put the readers off. Well done.<br />
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I liked the fact that the story was told from four different perspectives and the fact that the chapters were extremely short. Some may ask why chapter length is important to me? When listening to an audio book, it can get tedious as it is a big time commitment as I can read faster than the story is being read to me. With short chapters, you have more options as to when to put it down if need be. I also found I got through it faster as knowing the chapters were short, I kept saying one more chapter before taking a break.<br />
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Not a lot happens in this story and I thought that was a good thing. This story was really more about peoples emotional scars then a man terrorizing a school. The man was more a reason for these people to face their issues and come to terms with them.<br />
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I loved the character of Evelyn. Although I am not a school teacher, I can only hope I would be as brave and selfless as she was in the situation she faced.<br />
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Overall a good read<br />
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About the Author<br />
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twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-86306060222510439192019-03-24T04:00:00.000-07:002019-03-24T04:00:02.151-07:00Yoga Club Box: March Unboxing and Review Plus Get $10 off all your boxes for life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRX13Rv-scXHShHkjYwJvKgPRS8VLusVV5XWRs7VaAxZyvY0uaqtETC8xHLQK3fmJIt_WY2r1N9IFZi_VUnV7S0s7XWxRiqz8P5Wu4Fr1ty47slumEZC3KHn4hIm3yD7rnUtF9yYoM94T/s1600/yoga1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRX13Rv-scXHShHkjYwJvKgPRS8VLusVV5XWRs7VaAxZyvY0uaqtETC8xHLQK3fmJIt_WY2r1N9IFZi_VUnV7S0s7XWxRiqz8P5Wu4Fr1ty47slumEZC3KHn4hIm3yD7rnUtF9yYoM94T/s320/yoga1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Yoga Club is a subscription service for high end, premium yoga/fitness and athleisure apparel at 50 to 60% off retail price.<br />
<br />
How Yoga Club works is you go onto their website and sign up. You take a
personalised style quiz where you are asked numerous different
questions to get a sense of your own personal style. For example, it
asks what kind of activities you wear athleisure for with options from
Yoga to travel and brunch. Do you like leggings? Capri's? Shorts? Sports
bras? Tank tops? Long sleeve? and do you like neutrals, colours and
patterns? These are just a few. You put in your height and sizes and a
personal stylist curates an outfit just for you. This means that your
outfit will not be the same as another person. Some subscription
services send the same outfits out each month but that is not the case
with Yoga Club. Each box is curated specifically tailored to you.<br />
<br />
The Guru box (the one that I get) comes with 3 different pieces. All
high end, good quality pieces from name brand companies. We are talking
Teeki, Jala, Onzie, Manduka, Columbia, Free People, Glyder, MPG and
Niyama Sol just to name a few. A pair of leggings (or crops or shorts
if you put it on your quiz) a sports bra and a layering piece.
The price of the Guru box is $79 USD, Check out my link below to get $10 off for life.
The nice thing about Yoga Club is that you are not locked in to any
amount of time. You can cancel or pause your subscription at any time.
If your exercise needs or style changes you just need to log into your
account and re-take the style quiz.<br />
<br />
On top of all that, Yoga Club gives back. For every Yoga Club box sold
they give a class to a child in an under served community. They also
have a Love Guarantee. If you don't love it or something doesn't fit
properly they have an easy exchange policy for something you do<br />
<br />
If Yoga Club is something that you have been considering you can get
$10.00 off your boxes for life by clicking my referral link <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://refer.yogaclub.com/KristineD4">Here</a><span style="font-size: xx-small;">.</span></span> <br />
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A first look inside my March box!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8NbQfGHv9M4WJhwilOnef0RgEZrWj4WjnBcmHlFv0LcRdkfiKscnVDTC7FDa3Ve7-4KKIBhVUKotSz7NRBuNoFbrJgbOjxonWIl5wb0_INd2bT7IFlOOpgjjcrFH20_7dAoLl40oYYN3/s1600/yoga1+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8NbQfGHv9M4WJhwilOnef0RgEZrWj4WjnBcmHlFv0LcRdkfiKscnVDTC7FDa3Ve7-4KKIBhVUKotSz7NRBuNoFbrJgbOjxonWIl5wb0_INd2bT7IFlOOpgjjcrFH20_7dAoLl40oYYN3/s320/yoga1+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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A look at the outfit as a whole!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk-yxC8ozUpj5kiSNOeJDF4CoHlS5TduDX3FGNfdPV4FIvE3X6PPlCK3sq1BiOhLgS7uvTgL92TucAEsg1BHniWsNO24QW5kS6vTnVoIZ1mKqMmJ4PC5atfLDWhHwEfs9ekoLGqVE2kNz/s1600/20190314_123906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk-yxC8ozUpj5kiSNOeJDF4CoHlS5TduDX3FGNfdPV4FIvE3X6PPlCK3sq1BiOhLgS7uvTgL92TucAEsg1BHniWsNO24QW5kS6vTnVoIZ1mKqMmJ4PC5atfLDWhHwEfs9ekoLGqVE2kNz/s320/20190314_123906.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sports Bra<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92_BaFfGE4LIQZIuDcjWmg0DNXiQ1bU31GEvQi8zH1Mg74sd0gicEPDUTtdhZR3DQswS1U5HtOPxSxDHABmECFS4sxAtDE4JScZUDdYHNmLCoZL_GAeJ8m1WZ8aHmIz5e0Xwk2mnSVova/s1600/20190314_124046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92_BaFfGE4LIQZIuDcjWmg0DNXiQ1bU31GEvQi8zH1Mg74sd0gicEPDUTtdhZR3DQswS1U5HtOPxSxDHABmECFS4sxAtDE4JScZUDdYHNmLCoZL_GAeJ8m1WZ8aHmIz5e0Xwk2mnSVova/s320/20190314_124046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/YogaClub-70_250x.jpg?v=1544828859" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lindsay Bra, Twilight" border="0" class="Image--fadeIn lazyautosizes Image--lazyLoaded" data-expand="-100" data-max-height="1080" data-max-width="720" data-original-src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/YogaClub-70.jpg?v=1544828859" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/YogaClub-70_200x.jpg?v=1544828859 200w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/YogaClub-70_400x.jpg?v=1544828859 400w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/YogaClub-70_600x.jpg?v=1544828859 600w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/YogaClub-70_700x.jpg?v=1544828859 700w" data-widths="[200,400,600,700]" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/YogaClub-70_250x.jpg?v=1544828859" /></a></div>
(Picture from website)<br />
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<a href="https://vieactivewear.com/products/lindsay-bra-twilight">Vie Active- Lindsay Bra</a> in Twilight retail value $58 USD<br />
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At first glance I wasn't overly impressed with this sports bra simply because it looks the same as most of the other bras I have got from Yoga Club just a different brand and colour. However, I have to say that the quality of it is outstanding. It is thick and sturdy and when I took it for a test run on the treadmill it kept me in place better than any of the other similar ones I have received. It provided a good compression so that I wasn't bouncing around. In the end the quality and functionality won me over and I have to admit that I actually like it.</div>
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Here's the thing with me and sports bras. I am a smaller chested person and for those of you that don't understand, it means that my headlights are more easily on display. This Vie Active bra hid them a little better than the others I've received but I really need some kind of padding or bra cups or whatever they are called to hide it. Up until this point I have worn them in the comfort of my own home to workout but I am now running and taking it to the track and hopefully outdoors soon. That means that I will be seen by other people and I don't want my headlights on display. So far this bra is my best option but I need to find a way to let Yoga Club know that I would like some other options that will provide functionality as well as keep the world from being blinded my my headlights. </div>
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Layering Piece<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W2NlSgvPSvx58-xqmndW4zUAjWUTpUEBNnryPVAji9DQo4GkD9yqn2ZZcHX2TI6-zGVV0DwYgLrwPN5wNqg3CJ3NywP_F1eGaA8P9rkdT21VK6xIlgnD-jk7fBAY7JpZMqAcVjluD1fJ/s1600/20190314_124303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4W2NlSgvPSvx58-xqmndW4zUAjWUTpUEBNnryPVAji9DQo4GkD9yqn2ZZcHX2TI6-zGVV0DwYgLrwPN5wNqg3CJ3NywP_F1eGaA8P9rkdT21VK6xIlgnD-jk7fBAY7JpZMqAcVjluD1fJ/s320/20190314_124303.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBmvpmNLDloiWRIpcuZcIOrlbboE2V1zVjCx4PkyiBeFQeR1Z-DROso1ihwKbfchH7jdCc4PJ2flfsiZzB8xruLUYlX2Rm2vdhmclyqqxOJNCcQpztb0t_rb4GR8D1bV32oWeYoSONM8A/s1600/20190314_124319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBmvpmNLDloiWRIpcuZcIOrlbboE2V1zVjCx4PkyiBeFQeR1Z-DROso1ihwKbfchH7jdCc4PJ2flfsiZzB8xruLUYlX2Rm2vdhmclyqqxOJNCcQpztb0t_rb4GR8D1bV32oWeYoSONM8A/s320/20190314_124319.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0167/7492/products/Screen_Shot_2017-07-12_at_12.30.50_PM.png?v=1499877165" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for alternative apparel pony tee" border="0" class="irc_mi" data-iml="1552772049348" height="353" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0167/7492/products/Screen_Shot_2017-07-12_at_12.30.50_PM.png?v=1499877165" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="185" /></a></div>
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(Image from Internet)</div>
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<a href="https://www.alternativeapparel.com/best-sellers">Alternative Apparel</a>- Pony Tee with Strap in Oatmeal Heather retail value $38 USD<br />
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I apologise for the lousy pictures of this shirt. This Pony Tee from Alternative Apparel is super soft and comfortable. It is plain and simple on the front but has a fun low back. Pairing this with some fun, strappy and colourful sports bra would look really great. I'm not sure I will wear this running but I can see myself working out or going to boot camp in it. It is light weight and airy. I'm not sure how well it will hold up to sweat with the colour so I'll have to get back to you on that one. </div>
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Leggings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PBTY02r95paDm4pIriLvnb2m4DI_z3d_41FN8YKSZmwodIiKj1NUBuNdbBBs3iFE8_QOv4l_FgZUQH09JXlkD7kA8vPhMbtjsT5kZOnd20bd2iBmcGx938DoiPkiHUwJYu6sFkpxP6Hd/s1600/Rosie_Legging_2_600x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PBTY02r95paDm4pIriLvnb2m4DI_z3d_41FN8YKSZmwodIiKj1NUBuNdbBBs3iFE8_QOv4l_FgZUQH09JXlkD7kA8vPhMbtjsT5kZOnd20bd2iBmcGx938DoiPkiHUwJYu6sFkpxP6Hd/s320/Rosie_Legging_2_600x.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<img alt="Rosie Full Length Legging, Charcoal Brushed" class="Image--fadeIn lazyautosizes Image--lazyLoaded" data-expand="-100" data-max-height="1080" data-max-width="720" data-original-src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2.jpg?v=1550789376" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_200x.jpg?v=1550789376 200w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_400x.jpg?v=1550789376 400w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_600x.jpg?v=1550789376 600w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_700x.jpg?v=1550789376 700w" data-widths="[200,400,600,700]" /> <img alt="Rosie Full Length Legging, Charcoal Brushed" class="Image--fadeIn lazyautosizes Image--lazyLoaded" data-expand="-100" data-max-height="1080" data-max-width="720" data-original-src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2.jpg?v=1550789376" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_200x.jpg?v=1550789376 200w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_400x.jpg?v=1550789376 400w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_600x.jpg?v=1550789376 600w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_700x.jpg?v=1550789376 700w" data-widths="[200,400,600,700]" /><img alt="Rosie Full Length Legging, Charcoal Brushed" class="Image--fadeIn lazyautosizes Image--lazyLoaded" data-expand="-100" data-max-height="1080" data-max-width="720" data-original-src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2.jpg?v=1550789376" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_200x.jpg?v=1550789376 200w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_400x.jpg?v=1550789376 400w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_600x.jpg?v=1550789376 600w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_700x.jpg?v=1550789376 700w" data-widths="[200,400,600,700]" /><img alt="Rosie Full Length Legging, Charcoal Brushed" class="Image--fadeIn lazyautosizes Image--lazyLoaded" data-expand="-100" data-max-height="1080" data-max-width="720" data-original-src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2.jpg?v=1550789376" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_200x.jpg?v=1550789376 200w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_400x.jpg?v=1550789376 400w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_600x.jpg?v=1550789376 600w, //cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0455/0469/products/Rosie_Legging_2_700x.jpg?v=1550789376 700w" data-widths="[200,400,600,700]" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_gMRn73ttw0OzwereobgGxkGYcrZ_3-HB18EAcehp0avPP-6KZkyzL7QY6Y5e34P306KoGO9P7E3W1DxVvXIv5SH0VFpJLBUAj8CH3Jsq8TFaXpf64jJNARC6VYKgi_xcm-8MXT1pbYG/s1600/20190314_124010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_gMRn73ttw0OzwereobgGxkGYcrZ_3-HB18EAcehp0avPP-6KZkyzL7QY6Y5e34P306KoGO9P7E3W1DxVvXIv5SH0VFpJLBUAj8CH3Jsq8TFaXpf64jJNARC6VYKgi_xcm-8MXT1pbYG/s320/20190314_124010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://vieactivewear.com/products/rosie-full-length-legging-charcoal">Vie Active- Rosie Full Length Legging</a> in Charcoal/Black Heather retail value $92 USD</div>
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First of all, these leggings are $92 USD! That is way more than the cost of my box. It isn't even the suggested retail value. It is the actual cost on the Vie Active website. So I have definitely received a great value for my dollar. Again, I was worried about these leggings because they are grey and grey shows sweat. It's hard to tell from my picture but they are a darker grey. Let me just say, they are super soft and thick and you can tell they are great quality. They are a compression legging which is my favourite kind of legging. Hides all the imperfections better and I find the compression helpful on my runs! I took these on a test run on the treadmill and I really loved how they felt. I couldn't really see any sweat but I need someone else to check them out after I workout to be sure.<br />
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So initially when I opened this box I was kind of indifferent to it but after trying it on and testing out the pieces I have to say that I am very happy again. I'm hopeful that now that I am leaving the house for more of my workouts that I can get some different bras as I am only comfortable with the ones I have in my own house. This sports bra may be the exception.<br />
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The total cost of this box if I were to go out and buy each piece on my own would be $188 USD. The cost of the box is only $79 USD and with my link below it would only be $69 USD for every box. That's crazy! I can't wait to see what I get in my next box! </div>
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<a href="https://refer.yogaclub.com/KristineD4"><span style="font-size: medium;">Get $10.00 off your boxes for life</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thoughts and opinions are my own and are not endorsed or sponsored by Yoga Club in any way.</span> </span></div>
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twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-32796171430316663782019-03-23T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-23T03:30:00.139-07:00Review: Letters from Home by Kristina McMorris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWJtnf6lNRpK0823w6UPTx9YgDyWGye6TvRaIqDp4XHCDHrBOWmV-PUaGgQkBy25SIhuiEojvIQY8X0uMoGZ7-4T2pcMTEYDDHWrCyun8di2xciGyTJaqucnvNwZflnUaDM3vFvnuGo2T/s1600/letters+from+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="273" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWJtnf6lNRpK0823w6UPTx9YgDyWGye6TvRaIqDp4XHCDHrBOWmV-PUaGgQkBy25SIhuiEojvIQY8X0uMoGZ7-4T2pcMTEYDDHWrCyun8di2xciGyTJaqucnvNwZflnUaDM3vFvnuGo2T/s320/letters+from+home.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Chicago, 1944. Liz Stephens has little interest in attending a USO club dance with her friends Betty and Julia. She doesn't need a flirtation with a lonely serviceman when she's set to marry her childhood sweetheart. Yet something happens the moment Liz glimpses Morgan McClain. They share only a brief exchange--cut short by the soldier's evident interest in Betty--but Liz can't forget him. Thus, when Betty asks her to ghostwrite a letter to Morgan, stationed overseas, Liz reluctantly agrees.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Thousands of miles away, Morgan struggles to adjust to the brutality of war. His letters from "Betty" are a comfort, their soul-baring correspondence a revelation to them both. While Liz is torn by her feelings for a man who doesn't know her true identity, Betty and Julia each become immersed in their own romantic entanglements. And as the war draws to a close, all three will face heart-wrenching choices, painful losses, and the bittersweet joy of new beginnings.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Beautifully rendered and deeply moving, </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Letters from Home</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> is a story of hope and connection, of sacrifices made in love and war--and the chance encounters that change us forever.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">364 pages</span></div>
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Published
February 22nd 2011
by Kensington Books
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(first published January 1st 2011)</nobr></div>
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b></div>
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This book has been sitting on my to be read shelf for a really long time. As I have been focusing on reading ARCs for a long time, I thought it was about time to try to get through some of the unread books that have been "dusting up my shelves".</div>
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This is not a new book, in fact it is eight years old. As a result I figure most people who are going to read it, probably already have unless like me, have read all other works by McMorris and are working through the rest of her library. Everything to be said has already been said so instead of a literal review, I am going to tell a story about how I discovered Kristina McMorris.</div>
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My sister and I share a love of books, hence the reason for the blog. About once a month or so, she would come pick me up and off we would head to spend an afternoon at Chapters. Armed with our caramel latte's in hand, we would spend hours browsing through the aisles, randomly picking up books to see what prizes we would be leaving the store with. No worries in the world, no time limits, just us, our lattes, and thousands of books to choose from. No researching websites, Goodreads or any other web platform to help us choose. If my pile of books got too big, she would take some and vice versa. No cares in the world, just the feeling of peace and pure relaxation knowing we were in our happy place. We would linger until we felt we had accumulated enough books to last us a while until we did it all over again.</div>
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On one of these trips, our first of many, I stumbled across Bridge of Scarlet Leaves. I had never heard of it nor of McMorris. I had just randomly picked it up from the shelf, thought it sounded interesting and took a gamble. And so begins my love affair with the work of Kristina McMorris</div>
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Why tell this story you ask? It is because this book made me feel much like those outings did. The writing of McMorris is my happy place. I know that whenever I pick up one of her books that I am guaranteed to be 100% satisfied with the experience. I don't need to read what the story is about before diving in because I can count on her to deliver a consistent and satisfying read. That and the fact that she is linked to some of my favorite memories.</div>
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To be honest, I loved this story and I am a little mad at myself for leaving it on my shelf so long. So no, I am not going to discuss the plot. I say if you are fan of historical fiction, Kristina McMorris, well written books or just books in general, just pick this up and read it. you won't be disappointed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPA_8C1CVdEXA11WWcl-11oghJidPq7OMP1ErU91VOZsoe0tTes9lVTzQjTx1cq-dhZlSwcs8BAaEBdDPxlBodzCBz-MPvXW32gbNJxmCTAWkn7f4vJGDwHfTbV6k_zAfOMfaPlhuMiFs/s1600/5+star+rating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="104" data-original-width="490" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPA_8C1CVdEXA11WWcl-11oghJidPq7OMP1ErU91VOZsoe0tTes9lVTzQjTx1cq-dhZlSwcs8BAaEBdDPxlBodzCBz-MPvXW32gbNJxmCTAWkn7f4vJGDwHfTbV6k_zAfOMfaPlhuMiFs/s320/5+star+rating.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>About the Author</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJtrd_RsM3DIwopDLQVKxQC5qU6YHXleDMM98ftUpjdR9C7bS7xEchXeOA_gZVq8CnXkolkrxx4OOKJQ0rmLTqyd1yVcq0Exbn92ItxksDFzSJyi2OxkhkaSeKIX28qBMDMqftaD4d_LU/s1600/Kristina+McMorris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJtrd_RsM3DIwopDLQVKxQC5qU6YHXleDMM98ftUpjdR9C7bS7xEchXeOA_gZVq8CnXkolkrxx4OOKJQ0rmLTqyd1yVcq0Exbn92ItxksDFzSJyi2OxkhkaSeKIX28qBMDMqftaD4d_LU/s1600/Kristina+McMorris.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span>KRISTINA MCMORRIS is a </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">New York Times</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> and </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">USA Today</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> bestselling author. Her novels have garnered more than two dozen literary awards and nominations, including the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, RWA’s RITA® Award, and a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction. Inspired by true personal and historical accounts, her works of fiction have been published by Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Kensington Books. Her forthcoming novel, </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Sold on a Monday</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> (Sourcebooks Landmark, 8-28-18), follows her widely praised </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The Edge of Lost, The Pieces We Keep, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves,</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> and </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Letters from Home.</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Additionally, her novellas are featured in the anthologies </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">A Winter Wonderland</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> and </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Grand Central.</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Prior to her writing career, Kristina hosted weekly TV shows since age nine, including an Emmy® Award-winning program, and has been named one of Portland's "40 Under 40" by </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The Business Journal</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. She lives with her husband and two sons in the Pacific Northwest, where she is working on her next novel.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.kristinamcmorris.com/home">Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/KrisMcMorris">Twitter</a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-89466454280405003682019-03-21T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-21T03:30:13.714-07:00Review: Her Best Friend's Secret by Anna Mansell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="freeText3634663422603833507">Your best friend deserves the truth. But it will ruin her life. What would you do? <br />In
summer, the small Cornish village of Gorran Haven fills with tourists,
but in the colder months its pretty narrow streets are blissfully quiet,
the bell on the village shop door rings only for locals, the beach is
unspoilt, empty and safe. <br /><br />It’s been over twenty years since four
very different teenage girls sat on that beach, and swore to be best
friends forever. Their lives went different ways after <b>Emily</b> left. But each remembered that promise. And none truly found friendship like it again. <br /><br />Now,
Emily’s back, with a secret she can’t face. She tries to hide away,
take time to heal and make some difficult choices, but she runs into one
of her old friends, and soon the four are reunited. <b>Lolly</b>, warm as ever, is a successful physiotherapist, married with kids. Yet smart, strong <b>Amanda</b>, who cherishes her teenage daughter, is alone and seemingly stuck in a dead-end job. And creative <b>Jess</b> is so much quieter than Emily remembers. <br /><br />The
bond is still there, and Emily realises their friendship might keep her
together, but there are reasons why the women fell out of touch. <b>Secrets
that have lain dormant for decades start to surface, and then one of
the women discovers a betrayal so big, it could turn each of their lives
upside down.</b> <br /><br />It’s always those we’re closest to who have
the power to tear us apart. Can friendship give Emily and her friends
the strength to survive a devastating shock, or are some things
unforgivable? </span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Kindle Edition</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">386 pages</span></div>
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<b>Expected publication:
April 1st 2019
by Bookouture</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kristine's Thoughts:</b></span></div>
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** I received an advanced readers copy from Bookouture via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**<br />
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The synopsis for <i>Her Best Friend's Secret</i> sounded so intriguing that I just had to read it. It sounded like it was full of deep, dark secrets that I was just dying to discover.<br />
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<i>Her Best Friend's Secret</i> was about four different women who were the best of friends in their younger teenage years. After Emily moved away they slowly all drifted apart and went their separate ways. Years later when Emily moved back for personal reasons, a chance run in with Lolly had them arranging a reunion of the four friends. Lots of things had changed for Lolly, Amanda, Jess and Emily and they all carried secrets and baggage that they weren't sure they could share with each other. Would they understand? Would they be supportive or would they judge? As much as they all wanted to reunite, they were reluctant because of the things they were going through and the secrets they were hiding.<br />
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At the heart of this book was friendship and the powerful bond that these four women had to overcome hardships with the support of each other. Each woman had her own issues but with the love and support of their circle of friends anything was possible.<br />
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So what about the secrets they had? I have to admit that I was a little disappointed in them. They weren't as overwhelming as I was expecting them to be and they were all pretty easily resolved except for one of them. I was not at all pleased with the outcome for Jess with her secret. It was never revealed to the other woman and although she showed great personal growth, it wasn't ever really resolved. The secret that threatened to destroy Lolly and her friendship with Amanda turned out to be a reoccurring problem that Lolly was already aware of but that didn't involve Amanda.<br />
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I honestly feel like the synopsis for this book should have focused more on the friendship angle than the secret angle. The secrets for the most part were not as exciting and shocking as it led me to believe and the friendship between the women were more enjoyable to read, in my opinion. I feel I might have enjoyed this book more had I not been expecting an earth shattering secret that would tear them all apart. I liked how it showcased that nobody is perfect and that we shouldn't be ashamed or hide who we are to the people we love because they are just as imperfect as we are.<br />
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Love, friendship and strong women was what this book was really about. If you go into this book expecting a book about the bond between these women than you should really enjoy it. If you expect earth shattering or shocking secrets you might be disappointed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author</b></span></div>
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor16168907">Anna had a brush with 'fame'
as a magician’s assistant back in 1977. She later decided that being
sawn in half by her father, at barely 6 months old, was too submissive a
role, vowing to channel the trauma in to something much more
pro-actively creative. Having failed at acting, singing and professional
murder mystery parties (she was ALWAYs the one to die!), she fell to
something much more solitary: writing. How To Mend a Broken Heart was
her first novel and her life was not on the line in order to write it,
or The Lost Wife. Anna lives on a dairy farm in Cornwall with her two
children, her husband, and her ex-racing greyhound, Olive Dog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="freeTextContainerauthor16168907">Connect with Anna</span></b></span></div>
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor16168907"><a href="https://twitter.com/AnnaMansell">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16168907.Anna_Mansell">Goodreads</a> </span></div>
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<span id="freeText3634663422603833507"></span>twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-50495485706316109862019-03-20T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-20T03:30:10.784-07:00Review: Learning to Breathe by Karen White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiht_wIWKS3CMudTtxbKNlIDsiFFAHz9hpfITrmW11Ve7vJpnnrQYi-kQJio7ROUhgbZggIvaE5CN_qxMA_a1hhR0PXasix1JmWfgmIqTi_D2We_MqQ1Jf0VvBKjP9kgf-UQrG2ILlkcTV2/s1600/learning+to+breathe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiht_wIWKS3CMudTtxbKNlIDsiFFAHz9hpfITrmW11Ve7vJpnnrQYi-kQJio7ROUhgbZggIvaE5CN_qxMA_a1hhR0PXasix1JmWfgmIqTi_D2We_MqQ1Jf0VvBKjP9kgf-UQrG2ILlkcTV2/s320/learning+to+breathe.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Brenna O'Brien doesn't believe in happy endings. Not since the love of her life, Pierce McGovern, left her years ago without a word. Now, she leads a quiet life surrounded by her four matchmaking sisters, running a historic movie theater and collecting old wartime letters. But she leaves the letters unopened, preferring to imagine their possibilities rather than risk being disappointed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Then Pierce comes back to town, shattering Brenna's hard-earned peace-and forcing her to re-examine everything, and realize that if she doesn't come to terms with the life she let slip away, she may never have the courage to go after the life she wants.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">292 pages</span></div>
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Published
March 1st 2007
by Berkley Books</div>
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b></div>
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I was looking for a book to read and I randomly chose this one as I have enjoyed the books I have read by Karen White in the past. I didn't read what it was about and just chose to dive in randomly.</div>
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This story was just ok to me as I had a few issues. The first being that I felt that there was a back story that was perhaps in another book. I don't believe this was the case but it felt like there was too much history that didn't get fully explained in the story. This was mainly surrounding Brenna's father. Although revealed in pieces throughout the story, it felt like too little to late to me.</div>
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I also found Brenna too damaged to be believable. Yes she had her heart broken and a terrible father but to basically give up on feeling anything? A little extreme in my opinion.</div>
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Lastly, there were too many sisters to remember them all.</div>
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I did fall in love with Pierce's father as well as Brenna's aunt. These two are what brought the story to life. AND... the letters. They surfaced at around 30% of the story (reading the e-book) and I was so relieved. I truly wasn't invested in the story until this point. Even though I knew from the first letter who wrote it, I still looked forward to the next one being revealed</div>
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Sadly the good points did not offset the issues I had leaving the story meh for me. Luckily this is the first disappointment I have had from this author so I will continue to seek out her work.</div>
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<b>About the Author</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpahUpZ235wu_QaWEpsXn8m5cGPzhaoW3U9sO4KmpcGwZPGgth55rzM4X74DVMrsY1dLOzLyDyYpGBlAeLiFFG8dJqimHuhJFLIZwIL4YrpS3uWPsVRYaNyhtzZPqmM8krBP38WZ7pH_N/s1600/karen+white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpahUpZ235wu_QaWEpsXn8m5cGPzhaoW3U9sO4KmpcGwZPGgth55rzM4X74DVMrsY1dLOzLyDyYpGBlAeLiFFG8dJqimHuhJFLIZwIL4YrpS3uWPsVRYaNyhtzZPqmM8krBP38WZ7pH_N/s1600/karen+white.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span>With more than 1.8 million books in print in eight different languages, Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 23 novels, including the popular Charleston-set Tradd Street mystery series.</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Raised in a house full of brothers, Karen’s love of books and strong female characters first began in the third grade when the local librarian issued her a library card and placed The Secret of the Old Clock, a Nancy Drew Mystery, in her hands.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Karen’s roots run deep in the South where many of her novels are set. Her intricate plot lines and compelling characters charm and captivate readers with just the right mix of family drama, mystery, intrigue and romance.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Not entirely convinced she wanted to be a writer, Karen first pursued a career in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, in a weak moment, she wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. Her books—referred to as “grit lit” (Southern Women’s Fiction)—have since been nominated for numerous national contests including the SIBA (Southeastern Booksellers Alliance) Fiction Book of the Year.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Karen’s latest novel, Dreams of Falling, was published in June, 2018 by Berkley Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House Publishing Group.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">When not writing, Karen spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. Karen and her husband have two grown children and currently live near Atlanta, Georgia with two spoiled Havanese dogs.</span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="https://www.karen-white.com/"></a><br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.karen-white.com/">Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/KarenWhiteWrite">Twitter</a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-90379227203398794882019-03-19T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-19T03:30:09.145-07:00Review: The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="freeText7311069027718944734"><i>At thirty-six , </i>Hope
McKenna-Smith is no stranger to bad news. She lost her mother to
cancer, her husband left her for a twenty-two year old, and her bank
account is nearly depleted. Her own dreams of becoming a lawyer long
gone, she’s running a failing family bakery on Cape Cod and raising a
troubled preteen. <br /><br />Now, Hope’s beloved French-born grandmother
Mamie, who wowed the Cape with her fabulous pastries for more than fifty
years, is drifting away into a haze of Alzheimer’s. But in a rare
moment of clarity, Mamie realizes that unless she tells Hope about the
past, the secrets she has held on to for so many years will soon be lost
forever. Tantalizingly, she reveals mysterious snippets of a tragic
history in Paris. And then, arming her with a scrawled list of names,
she sends Hope to France to uncover a seventy-year-old mystery. <br /><br />Hope’s
emotional journey takes her through the bakeries of Paris and three
religious traditions, all guided by Mamie’s fairy tales and the sweet
tastes of home. As Hope pieces together her family’s history, she finds
horrific Holocaust stories mixed with powerful testimonies of her
family’s will to survive in a world gone mad. And to reunite two lovers
torn apart by terror, all she’ll need is a dash of courage, and the
belief that God exists everywhere, even in cake. . . .</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Kindle Edition</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">368 pages</span></div>
<b>Published
August 7th 2012
by Gallery Books</b><br />
Genre: Historical Fiction<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kristine's Thoughts:</b></span><br />
<br />
I listened to this book in audio format after my sister and co-blogger recommended it to me. <i>Kristin Harmel</i> is not a new author to me. I read <a href="https://kristineandterri.blogspot.com/2018/06/review-room-on-rue-amelie-by-kristin.html"><i>The Room on Rue Amelie</i></a> last year and loved it.<br />
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Hope was a single mother who lost her own mother and her husband and was also about to lose the bakery that had been in her family for decades. On top of all that, she was slowly losing her grandmother to Alzheimer's disease. On a visit to her beloved Mamie, she gave her a list of names and some money to go to Paris and find out what happened to them. At first Hope thought she was confused but with a little investigating a shocking secret came to life and she knew she had to do as her Mamie wished. There were secrets long buried in the past that needed to be discovered.<br />
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That's all I am going to say about the plot. It really needs to be read to be appreciated. Instead I will say that it was a beautiful story that took place over the period of seventy years. At the heart it was family and relationships and it showed the lengths that people would go to protect the ones that they love. It tackled war, religion, love and secrets that were at risk of being buried forever. It was truly stunning.<br />
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It wasn't just Mamie's story that captivated me but also Hope's. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how by discovering the secrets of her grandmother's past it helped her to grow and uncover who she really was. I was in her corner the entire time and hoping for a positive outcome. Throw in some baked goods and who could ask for anything more?<br />
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The only negative thing that I have to say doesn't have anything to do with the story at all. I did not enjoy the narrator on this audiobook. I found her voice weak and her timing terrible and her accents sketchy. It took me a while to get past it in order to enjoy the story.<br />
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<i>The Sweetness of Forgetting</i> was a beautiful, heartwarming story about family, love and war that will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor165006">Kristin
Harmel is the international bestselling author of THE SWEETNESS OF
FORGETTING, THE LIFE INTENDED, WHEN WE MEET AGAIN, and several other
novels. Her latest, THE ROOM ON RUE AMELIE, is out now from Gallery
Books/Simon & Schuster. A former reporter for PEOPLE magazine,
Kristin has also freelanced for many other publications, including
American Baby, Men’s Health, Glamour, Woman’s Day, Travel + Leisure, and
more.<br /><br />Kristin grew up in Peabody, Mass.; Worthington, Ohio; and
St. Petersburg, Fla., and she graduated with a degree in journalism
(with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida. After spending
time living in Paris, she now lives in Orlando, Fla., with her husband
and young son.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Connect with Kristin</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://kristinharmel.com/">Website</a>/<a href="https://twitter.com/kristinharmel">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/KristinHarmelAuthor">Facebook</a>/<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kristinharmel/">Instagram</a>/<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/165006.Kristin_Harmel">Goodreads</a></div>
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twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-53292824932270175872019-03-18T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-18T03:30:04.761-07:00Review: Morning Glory by Sarah Jio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwErnWQFGMYhenSe40lIopm1cS5pj672c89wXCHRFraXZchsWU405473B0Rz471KxkOa_EmCWK1AoJstB0yAc8ZV6bzAj5XzKT3ra1Qi5biU7HsDQu4qiWoZAY1pBglgZ7_0m96wqUIPK/s1600/morning+glory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwErnWQFGMYhenSe40lIopm1cS5pj672c89wXCHRFraXZchsWU405473B0Rz471KxkOa_EmCWK1AoJstB0yAc8ZV6bzAj5XzKT3ra1Qi5biU7HsDQu4qiWoZAY1pBglgZ7_0m96wqUIPK/s320/morning+glory.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span id="freeText1869571271116624602" style="color: #181818; display: none; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">New York Times bestselling author Sarah Jio imagines life on Boat Street, a floating community on Seattle’s Lake Union—home to people of artistic spirit who for decades protect the dark secret of one startling night in 1959.<br /> <br /> Fleeing an East Coast life marred by tragedy, Ada Santorini takes up residence on houseboat number seven on Boat Street. She discovers a trunk left behind by Penny Wentworth, a young newlywed who lived on the boat half a century earlier. Ada longs to know her predecessor’s fate, but little suspects that Penny’s mysterious past and her own clouded future are destined to converge.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><a data-text-id="1869571271116624602" href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17707679-morning-glory#" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #00635d; font-size: 14px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">New York Times</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> bestselling author Sarah Jio imagines life on Boat Street, a floating community on Seattle’s Lake Union—home to people of artistic spirit who for decades protect the dark secret of one startling night in 1959.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> Fleeing an East Coast life marred by tragedy, Ada Santorini takes up residence on houseboat number seven on Boat Street. She discovers a trunk left behind by Penny Wentworth, a young newlywed who lived on the boat half a century earlier. Ada longs to know her predecessor’s fate, but little suspects that Penny’s mysterious past and her own clouded future are destined to converge</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">304 pages</span></div>
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Published
November 26th 2013
by Plume
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b></div>
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This book has been sitting on my to be read shelf for a really long time. I am finally getting around to shrinking this shelf. I believe I have now read all or the majority of Jio's work with the completion of this book.</div>
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This story delivered exactly what I would expect from this author. Featuring two stories, one in present day and one in the past Of course the two are interconnected as Ada tries to figure out what happened to Penny on that fateful night in 1959.</div>
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For me, Sarah Jio has a way of writing that seems to simplify the story and you can easily get through her stories This one was no different. What I like about this one, is that although the reader eventually discovers all of the events that occurred, the characters in the story do not get the full details. As in real life, everything doesn't always get wrapped up in a nice little bow.</div>
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Normally I prefer the story that takes place in the past. in this case I equally enjoyed both. I was cheering for both Ada and Penny. What I also enjoyed was that the story of the past was not so long ago that all of the characters would be dead. This kept me wondering if any of the key players were still around.</div>
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This was a solid read that I enjoyed. You can tell that the book has been around for a while with some of the references such as myspace (does this even exist anymore?) however no worries, it doesn't impact the story. I am anxiously awaiting something new from Jio as I have now completed her library of work.</div>
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<b>About the Author</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW6zYKUh_fRiPhMsHHVy-PQYF5HZPHH-E4P41cxF-4Dq9UJP4pi7DzxNf6XD0bwT1r46vBF4MRLuUixX2QpJ9NeuxLNLTUziMYZbJA0CknAnK3Bah6o9OPUf-0x_CWULuAQc24dz9OiIX/s1600/sarah+jio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW6zYKUh_fRiPhMsHHVy-PQYF5HZPHH-E4P41cxF-4Dq9UJP4pi7DzxNf6XD0bwT1r46vBF4MRLuUixX2QpJ9NeuxLNLTUziMYZbJA0CknAnK3Bah6o9OPUf-0x_CWULuAQc24dz9OiIX/s1600/sarah+jio.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span>Sarah Jio is the New York Times bestselling author of ALWAYS, published by Random House (Ballantine), as well as seven other novels from Penguin Books, including, THE VIOLETS OF MARCH, THE BUNGALOW, BLACKBERRY WINTER, THE LAST CAMELLIA, MORNING GLORY, GOODNIGHT JUNE, and THE LOOK OF LOVE. Sarah is also a journalist who has contributed to The New York Times, Glamour, O, The Oprah Magazine, Glamour, SELF, Real Simple, Fitness, Marie Claire, and many others. She has appeared as a commentator on NPR’s Morning Edition. Her novels are translated into more than 25 languages. Sarah lives in Seattle with her three young boys.</span></div>
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<a href="https://sarahjio.com/">Website</a></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="http://sarahjio/">Twitter</a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-64806613219878852019-03-17T04:00:00.000-07:002019-03-17T04:00:05.427-07:00Review: The Forgotten Village by Lorna Cook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTk7RzKvT4mixn9g8DyegFdxqIA78Vvn-DgbdkxDKMZtHwZLbzoms0xaTpBLLkj03UqKiIc8DHmuz2rGEOHwmzDGYwoa3WvsLyzCjMKmAYx-D_cr18j1Evk-XdMu16Bv2IO67W0DrTaZi/s1600/theforgottenvillage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTk7RzKvT4mixn9g8DyegFdxqIA78Vvn-DgbdkxDKMZtHwZLbzoms0xaTpBLLkj03UqKiIc8DHmuz2rGEOHwmzDGYwoa3WvsLyzCjMKmAYx-D_cr18j1Evk-XdMu16Bv2IO67W0DrTaZi/s320/theforgottenvillage.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<i>A timeless story of love and sacrifice, perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, Tracy Rees and Kate Morton.</i>
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<b>1943:</b> The world is at war, and the villagers of
Tyneham are being asked to make one more sacrifice: to give their homes
over to the British army. But on the eve of their departure, a terrible
act will cause three of them to disappear forever.<br />
<b>2017:</b>
Melissa had hoped a break on the coast of Dorset would rekindle her
stagnant relationship, but despite the idyllic scenery, it’s pushing her
and Liam to the brink. When Melissa discovers a strange photograph of a
woman who once lived in the forgotten local village of Tyneham, she
becomes determined to find out more about her story. But Tyneham hides a
terrible secret, and Melissa’s search for the truth will change her
life in ways she never imagined possible.<br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Kindle Edition</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">400 pages</span></div>
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<b>Expected publication:
April 4th 2019
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Genre: Historical Fiction</div>
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** I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**<br />
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<i>The Forgotten Village </i>was a dual-timeline story that took place in 2017 and in 1943 during WWII. With short and easy chapters that alternated between the two time frames, it was a quick book to get through.<br />
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In 2017 Melissa visited the town of Tyneham that was open for the first time since it was requisitioned during the war. It was while she was there that she saw a picture of a couple that inhabited Tyneham House that she couldn't get out of her head. It resonated with her and she found herself trying to find out what happened to the woman in the picture. With her personal life in the toilet and her professional one questionable, she had the time to do some digging with the help of a new found friend. In 1943 the story went back to the couple living at Tyneham house and the turbulent and dangerous relationship they had.<br />
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It's no secret that this is one of my favourite genres and that I absolutely adore dual timelines. I found myself enjoying both timelines in <i>The Forgotten Village </i>and liking the characters from both. It was a simple plot and I have to say that it was also pretty predictable. There were no real shocking moments or surprises with any of the outcomes. Having said that, it was still a pleasant story to read.<br />
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This book was more about the relationship between the different characters than it was about the actual war. Readers who are reluctant to dive into the historical fiction genre would have no trouble with tackling this book and enjoying it.<br />
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I can't wait to see what <i>Lorna Cook</i> comes out with next. Keep those dual timeline stories coming and I'll keep picking them up.<br />
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor18269519">I write dual-timeline books that weave secrets of the past with the present. <br /><br />My
first book The Forgotten Village, will be published in Spring 2019 with
international editions in Germany and The Netherlands. <br /><br />The Canadian edition will also be out in April and is called The Forgotten Wife. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="freeTextContainerauthor18269519">Connect with Lorna</span></b></span></div>
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor18269519"><a href="https://www.lornacookauthor.com/">Website</a>/<a href="https://twitter.com/LornaCookAuthor">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lornacookauthor/">Instagram</a>/<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18269519.Lorna_Cook">Goodreads</a> </span></div>
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<br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-73214876735674613262019-03-16T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-16T03:30:17.850-07:00Review: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TZSKKW4P_I3UMp839oe9eOMNJ7lGCQAGbCz_Pv6E6inf0-rIDdYVTGuPShL4Bls9oprMzOGfGkCEpvMgrVP7Q4opLRDWKY27-eQUbbFO2JtQy9ml27B87eP3DwrTDkmDJgIRH-_HkBCC/s1600/great+alone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TZSKKW4P_I3UMp839oe9eOMNJ7lGCQAGbCz_Pv6E6inf0-rIDdYVTGuPShL4Bls9oprMzOGfGkCEpvMgrVP7Q4opLRDWKY27-eQUbbFO2JtQy9ml27B87eP3DwrTDkmDJgIRH-_HkBCC/s320/great+alone.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Alaska, 1974.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Unpredictable. Unforgiving. Untamed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For a family in crisis, the ultimate test of survival.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if it means following him into the unknown</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska―a place of incomparable beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wildness that lives in both man and nature.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Kindle Edition</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">435 pages</span></div>
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Published
February 6th 2018
by St. Martin's Press
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b></div>
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Just Wow!</div>
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I have been a fan of Kristin Hannah for quite some time. She is an author that I know I can turn to consistently for a good read and I have enjoyed all of her work that I have read. Yet it seems lately she has upped her game even more. With the last two books I have read, it seems she has transitioned from good books, to epic books. Epic books to me are ones that draw me in so completely that I feel every emotion and I literally mourn the book once it is completed.</div>
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This story take us to Alaska in the seventies when people had to rely on their smarts and each other. So I will share now, that I have no desire to ever visit there. It doesn't even rank anywhere near my list of top fifty places I would like to visit (despite others proclaiming their love for it). Hannah made me reconsider my position with how she described the rugged landscape. I fell in love with it as I fell in love with Leni. I am thinking now perhaps I can add it to my top 100 list.</div>
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This was a story of resilience, community, love and of course mental illness. I simply do not have the words to describe the spell it put me under. I am glad that I went in to book blind without reading the summary. I entered with no expectations and here I sit over two weeks after completing it and I am still thinking about it. As I said, Epic.</div>
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If you are one of few who has not yet read this, what are you waiting for. I can guarantee it is worth it. As for me, I simply can not wait to see what Hannah will come out with next</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_xakAHKHdPOclAmQjzt3qpA-J1vVFmzSm0HBZ_MjLUmLf19S6zi6DaQKUDvi9ngqWmyU5tbWwGf6m8_22ASkgrXA5Vf4Bbp7LNYhpIbbximRXwTiINzimAGFgGJDUmerImy9rNs9VBJb/s1600/5+star+rating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="104" data-original-width="490" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_xakAHKHdPOclAmQjzt3qpA-J1vVFmzSm0HBZ_MjLUmLf19S6zi6DaQKUDvi9ngqWmyU5tbWwGf6m8_22ASkgrXA5Vf4Bbp7LNYhpIbbximRXwTiINzimAGFgGJDUmerImy9rNs9VBJb/s320/5+star+rating.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>About the Author</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZR0xuCz8khtw7PkiW4O40JbfW1joMajRh5KE_StS0RO1dr3xm7zqGGMDWPMsrGKGMipxLGLR2oGf6fqEHFs-d6zPB3qrXgdlVM8_pv8LmVwTvEhxLCQphdBRM91y-2UfrYipbgqLSGbw/s1600/kristin+hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZR0xuCz8khtw7PkiW4O40JbfW1joMajRh5KE_StS0RO1dr3xm7zqGGMDWPMsrGKGMipxLGLR2oGf6fqEHFs-d6zPB3qrXgdlVM8_pv8LmVwTvEhxLCQphdBRM91y-2UfrYipbgqLSGbw/s1600/kristin+hannah.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span>Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People's Choice award for best fiction in the same year. Additionally, it was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Kristin's highly anticipated new release, The Great Alone, will be published on February 6, 2018 (St. Martin's Press). The novel, an epic love story and intimate family drama set in Alaska in the turbulent 1970's is a daring, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival and the wildness that lives in both nature and man. It has been listed as one of the most anticipated novels of the year by The Seattle Times, Bustle.com, PopSugar, Working Mother, Southern Living, and Goodreads.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The Nightingale is currently in production at Tri Star, with award-winning director Michelle MacLaren set to direct. Home Front was optioned for film by 1492 Films (produced the Oscar-nominated The Help) with Chris Columbus attached to write, produce, and direct. Movie news on The Great Alone is coming soon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://kristinhannah.com/">Website</a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-997407807488551592019-03-13T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-13T03:30:04.270-07:00Review: The Blonde Theory by Kristin Harmel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqTgSmvInlzbVtpptuAJSGIYtqWOS3h7T22sChj96Baq24lYdVusp6g-9SBYTg6uM5TBBBXAJigNDUF7zJu1ZyQi4-Ivhsqn5-7YWXcFWqOQXvjzUIIyIlnMCHcvcVazVsfs84QPZfcKl/s1600/blonde+theory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqTgSmvInlzbVtpptuAJSGIYtqWOS3h7T22sChj96Baq24lYdVusp6g-9SBYTg6uM5TBBBXAJigNDUF7zJu1ZyQi4-Ivhsqn5-7YWXcFWqOQXvjzUIIyIlnMCHcvcVazVsfs84QPZfcKl/s320/blonde+theory.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Harper Roberts is a corporate attorney in Manhattan. She’s smart, attractive, and funny. So why can’t she find a date? Men flock to her at parties when they think she’s a dumb blonde. But, as soon as they realise she’s a Harvard-educated lawyer, they flee.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Harper’s best friend is a magazine editor who suggests Harper go on assignment for a month as a 'dumb blonde' and see if it changes her dating perspective. So, for two weeks, Harper goes undercover. She changes her wardrobe, her conversation, her body language. The result is a series of comical encounters. Soon, Harper must take a good look in the mirror and realise that it’s not just men who judge people on their looks.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Paperback</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">304 pages</span></div>
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Published
February 22nd 2007
by 5 Spot
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(first published February 20th 2007)
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I have read two of Harmel's more recent work and loved it. I decided that I would see what else she had out there since I adored what I have read from her so far. I went on to my public library app to look to see what e-books were available by Harmel. Unfortunately their stock was limited compared to what titles I see on Goodreads. I am prone to binge reading authors and I will get through the available titles quickly. I chose this story as it looked like a relatively light read and I just finished a heavier read and I am currently listening to a heavier read. </div>
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I have to admit, I was so disappointed with this book. I actually disliked most of it. This book is about a blonde who is intelligent and successful in her job, up to this point, it describes me. That is where the similarities end. I struggled with how someone so intelligent could be so stupid with real life and her perception of what a man would bring to her life. Ok, maybe I was a little like that as a teenager but as a full blown adult? No way. Harper was so insecure and IMO a whiner. I also found her to be a snob by saying she was too intimidating to men. I found myself saying get over yourself so many times it wasn't funny. Even though she realized the err of her ways it was too late to be redeemed. I really did not enjoy this book at all.</div>
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The good news is that it looks like this was one of her earlier works as it was published in 2007. The two books I have read by her, How To Save a Life and The Sweetness of Forgetting were published in 2016 and 2012 respectively. It appears that she has completely changed genres since this story was written and it was a very good move on her part. I will not let this one story dissuade me from pursuing her other works</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgiE_DhirGZX9_sRTPY9dmx6L2eOcqSdaj5UNEtmG11Rl-_zUYg1y2PA3zRbiEEucURaenO5UhN8II2QU0dkOih-CoQiPHSZHkg1E0_vUUKrfkCGzylL8ujye_u8qWPcNkKtq1TwEucpw/s1600/kristin+Harmel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgiE_DhirGZX9_sRTPY9dmx6L2eOcqSdaj5UNEtmG11Rl-_zUYg1y2PA3zRbiEEucURaenO5UhN8II2QU0dkOih-CoQiPHSZHkg1E0_vUUKrfkCGzylL8ujye_u8qWPcNkKtq1TwEucpw/s1600/kristin+Harmel.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span>Kristin Harmel is the international bestselling author of THE SWEETNESS OF FORGETTING, THE LIFE INTENDED, WHEN WE MEET AGAIN, and several other novels. Her latest, THE ROOM ON RUE AMELIE, is out now from Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster. A former reporter for PEOPLE magazine, Kristin has also freelanced for many other publications, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Glamour, Woman’s Day, Travel + Leisure, and more.</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Kristin grew up in Peabody, Mass.; Worthington, Ohio; and St. Petersburg, Fla., and she graduated with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida. After spending time living in Paris, she now lives in Orlando, Fla., with her husband and young son.</span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-15223225739006244112019-03-12T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-12T03:30:01.719-07:00Review: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgwKBv55tQZg8mdtl95ctd1MtWqjVzS1G0ivSkfojuJB__UxXtgfYtv_ZD6mwyM-kZl96NbMfrVhDam8bCxeazW0rp0H5A5yiEevuHFaZ0Mg4ag3cHIHvtalzPvpWXVqtqPYfQ-pxDBn9/s1600/thethingswecannotsay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgwKBv55tQZg8mdtl95ctd1MtWqjVzS1G0ivSkfojuJB__UxXtgfYtv_ZD6mwyM-kZl96NbMfrVhDam8bCxeazW0rp0H5A5yiEevuHFaZ0Mg4ag3cHIHvtalzPvpWXVqtqPYfQ-pxDBn9/s320/thethingswecannotsay.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span id="freeText12250785976175214035">In 1942, Europe remains
in the relentless grip of war. Just beyond the tents of the Russian
refugee camp she calls home, a young woman speaks her wedding vows. It’s
a decision that will alter her destiny…and it’s a lie that will remain
buried until the next century.<br /><br />Since she was nine years old,
Alina Dziak knew she would marry her best friend, Tomasz. Now fifteen
and engaged, Alina is unconcerned by reports of Nazi soldiers at the
Polish border, believing her neighbors that they pose no real threat,
and dreams instead of the day Tomasz returns from college in Warsaw so
they can be married. But little by little, injustice by brutal
injustice, the Nazi occupation takes hold, and Alina’s tiny rural
village, its families, are divided by fear and hate. Then, as the fabric
of their lives is slowly picked apart, Tomasz disappears. Where Alina
used to measure time between visits from her beloved, now she measures
the spaces between hope and despair, waiting for word from Tomasz and
avoiding the attentions of the soldiers who patrol her parents’ farm.
But for now, even deafening silence is preferable to grief. <br /><br />Slipping
between Nazi-occupied Poland and the frenetic pace of modern life,
Kelly Rimmer creates an emotional and finely wrought narrative that
weaves together two women’s stories into a tapestry of perseverance,
loyalty, love and honor. <i>The Things We Cannot Say</i> is an
unshakable reminder of the devastation when truth is silenced…and how it
can take a lifetime to find our voice before we learn to trust it.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Kindle Edition</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">448 pages</span></div>
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<b>Expected publication:
March 19th 2019
by Graydon House </b></div>
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Genre: Historical Fiction<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kristine's Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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** I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**<br />
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<i>The Things We Cannot Say</i> was a dual time line story between present day America and during the Nazi occupation of Poland in WW11.<br />
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In present day, Alice is a stay at home mom to a gifted daughter, a son living with autism, and a husband who spends more time at work than not. She also has a grandmother who is in the last stages of her life with a request that is impossible for her to imagine. With the use of a computer device, she asks Alice to go to Poland for what she thinks is to take pictures of the places she grew up. She has a list of names and some addresses but nothing else. Alice loves her grandmother and wants to honour her wishes but can't even begin to think of what the disruption to her carefully planned out life would do to her son.<br />
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In Poland, Alina was a happily naive and spoiled girl who thought only of her future with Tamasz until circumstances had them separated and she was forced to help significantly on her small family farm. The Nazi occupation turned her world upside down in more ways than one and surviving became her main focus. Throughout all of her challenges the only thing that remained constant was her love for Tamasz.<br />
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The story weaved back and forth between the two time frames until they eventually collided into one. As is the case with most dual time line stories, I found myself drawn more to the past story. It was such a tragic time where so many unthinkable things occurred that it easily captured my attention. I will say however that as tragic as this war story was it was still cleaner, neater and a little more predictable than most I have read during this time frame. There was death and dying and hardships but with less detailed gore and visuals to go with it. This would be a great book for someone just starting to dip their toes into historical fiction or more specifically WW11 historical fiction.<br />
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This is one of my favourite genres and I love dual time lines so it was no surprise that I enjoyed this book. The only thing stopping me from giving it five stars was the fact that I wasn't the biggest fan of either Alice or Alina. There was a tiny bit of selfishness mixed with self righteousness within Alice that I found hard to ignore. With Alina I just found her to be overly naive and quite immature. It made it difficult to picture her in a romantic relationship with someone. Even though I didn't love either of the main characters I was able to look past that and enjoy the story. I think others will too.<br />
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This was not the first title by <i>Kelly Rimmer</i> for me and it won't be the last.<br />
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor5817530">Kelly Rimmer is the USA Today
bestselling women’s fiction author of five novels, including Me Without
You and The Secret Daughter. Her most recent release is Before I Let You
Go. She lives in rural Australia with her husband, 2 children and
fantastically naughty dogs, Sully and Basil. Her novels have been
translated into more than 20 languages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="freeTextContainerauthor5817530">Connect with Kelly</span></b></span></div>
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor5817530"><a href="https://kellyrimmer.com/">Website</a>/<a href="https://twitter.com/KelRimmerWrites">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Kellymrimmer/">Facebook</a>/<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kelrimmerwrites/">Instagram</a>/<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817530.Kelly_Rimmer">Goodreads</a> </span><br />
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twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-35020636916621383782019-03-11T03:30:00.000-07:002019-03-11T03:30:06.417-07:00Review: The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWXI3l462X_085vSMpb-diIWUCdj7w0pXypWY-7QbHTm8VQ1D6oVEafKZAsAmhlH5UJgQhi3MhT6OPjehfxKQV4wca1-hXsJuFDWQVOOvuqegcHUqYwW6Pj6_6Ycw4NFo_uCOtMBVcI5Q/s1600/moon+sister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWXI3l462X_085vSMpb-diIWUCdj7w0pXypWY-7QbHTm8VQ1D6oVEafKZAsAmhlH5UJgQhi3MhT6OPjehfxKQV4wca1-hXsJuFDWQVOOvuqegcHUqYwW6Pj6_6Ycw4NFo_uCOtMBVcI5Q/s320/moon+sister.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #181818;">From <i style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;">New York Times </i>bestselling author Lucinda Riley, </span></b><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<i style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;">The Moon Sister</i>
</b><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> transports you to the grandeur of the remote Scottish Highlands and the gypsy caves of Granada, just as Spain descends into civil war, interweaving the stories of two women searching for their destinies, at the risk of potentially losing their chance at love.</b><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Tiggy D’Aplièse spends her days experiencing the raw beauty of the Scottish Highlands doing a job she loves at a deer sanctuary. But when the sanctuary is forced to close, she is offered a job as a wildlife consultant on the vast and isolated estate of the elusive and troubled laird, Charlie Kinnaird. She has no idea that the move will not only irrevocably alter her future, but also bring her face-to-face with her past.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">At the estate, she meets Chilly, a gypsy who fled from Spain seventy years before. He tells her that not only does she possess a sixth sense passed down from her ancestors, but it was foretold long ago that he would be the one to send her back home…</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In 1912, in the poor gypsy community outside the city walls of Granada, Lucía Amaya-Albaycin is born. Destined to be the greatest flamenco dancer of her generation—and named La Candela, due to the inner flame that burns through her when she dances— Lucía is whisked away by her ambitious and talented guitarist father at the tender age of ten to dance in the flamenco bars of Barcelona. Her mother is devastated by the loss of her daughter and as civil war threatens in Spain, tragedy strikes the rest of her family. Now in Madrid, Lucía and her troupe of dancers are forced to flee for their lives, their journey taking them far across the water to South America and eventually, to North America and New York—Lucía’s long-held dream. But to pursue it, she must choose between her passion for her career and the man she adores. </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The Moon Sister </i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">follows these two women on their journey to discover their true futures—but at the risk of potentially losing the men they had hoped to build futures with.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat" style="color: #333333; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Hardcover</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages" style="color: #333333; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">742 pages</span></div>
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b><br />
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I have had a love affair with this series from the very beginning. As Riley is in the process of writing the series and I discovered it at the very beginning, it has now been 5 years that I have been committed to it. As the first book was titled The Seven Sisters, I am assuming I have two more years to go until all will be revealed. That's right, I having been waiting a year between each book. As I have difficulty committing to what I want to do tomorrow, this means I really love this series.<br />
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It took me a little longer to get in to this story compared to the others however once it hit it's groove I was lost in the pages. As usual, I was captivated by the story from the past, Lucia's journey and how in the end it related to Tiggy and her heritage. For the first time in the series, I was not a fan of the main character form the past. I found Lucia selfish and self indulgent as well as her father. This was written intentionally, I am pretty sure nobody was meant to love her. I did however want to stick with her journey to see how it would play out, and at least to see what happened to her mother whom I was invested in.<br />
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For Tiggy, I was invested to see if she would choose her future while learning about her past. Normally I am raving rainbows and unicorns when it comes to this series. This is pretty much the only spot where I feel the need to offer some criticism. While I love Tiggy, I felt that the romantic aspect to her story was a little week and I felt she deserved more. In the attempt to try not to give anything away, I simply do not think it is possible that a relationship can develop in the short amount of time she spent with her crush. If I were to add it up, it would likely be less than two hours total, maybe three. The chemistry was not there for me and add to it the numerous complications in their way, I really wasn't cheering a happy ending on that front. I would have preferred if it ended a little more unresolved than the direction the story took. That being said, it wasn't really the focal point of the story.<br />
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This series has taken the reader all over the world thus far. None have captivated me as much as the Sacromonte caves outside of Granada. I literally paused mid book to research them. Although today's reality is not the same as the 1912 version, I simply need to visit this place. It is now up near the top of places I need to see on my bucket list. I can't explain why, but I feel the need to visit. A big thank you to Lucinda Riley for bringing my attention to a place I have never heard of.<br />
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Finally I dedicate this review to my Mom. For anyone who read my last review of this series knows, This series was something I was sharing with her and I lost her this time last year so we will not be able to finish it together. As I said last time, I promise to finish this series for her so that I can let her know what the mystery of Pa Salt is. While it is not the same without her, she was as invested in the series as I so I simply need to let her know the outcome.<br />
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<b>About the Author</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqtZibOmJvxe0irg9Qoq9DWNEU_ZA2Z7jBRbgIASoyoeDPgsE4Pl4hJ3Be0XNkDWaCOkf9kn_N73dNoYSsAOioj_Bg0JeOZa1b4eR91XQTnUBlvJhhNu7ZW6_Pzc57Pnkdl4-lgxyEJ_k/s1600/Lucinda+Riley.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqtZibOmJvxe0irg9Qoq9DWNEU_ZA2Z7jBRbgIASoyoeDPgsE4Pl4hJ3Be0XNkDWaCOkf9kn_N73dNoYSsAOioj_Bg0JeOZa1b4eR91XQTnUBlvJhhNu7ZW6_Pzc57Pnkdl4-lgxyEJ_k/s1600/Lucinda+Riley.png" /></a></div>
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<span id="freeTextauthor4512899" style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">AKA: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/460569.Lucinda_Edmonds" rel="nofollow" style="color: #00635d; text-decoration: none;" title="Lucinda Edmonds">Lucinda Edmonds</a><br style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" />Lucinda Riley was born in Ireland, and after an early career as an actress in film, theatre and television, wrote her first book aged twenty-four. Her books have been translated into over thirty five languages and sold fifteen million copies worldwide. She is a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller.<br style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" />Lucinda is currently writing The Seven Sisters series, which tells the story of adopted sisters and is based allegorically on the mythology of the famous star constellation. The first five books, The Seven Sisters, The Storm Sister, The Shadow Sister, The Pearl Sister and The Moon Sister have all been No.1 bestsellers across the world, and the rights to a multi-season TV series have already been optioned by a Hollywood production company.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://lucindariley.co.uk/landing/">Website</a></div>
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<br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-59289370661700342962019-03-10T04:00:00.000-07:002019-03-10T04:00:00.370-07:00Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiwwfHrFccR5q2KllN6t1SKB8tAe-RjC4Vxs926fSUNx7eoBT-OGXvknDen3QLUdqBmUE5EkhhyG5MY2eWtRh7oaWLyr_DnMIhHnn5nid1yancD8gAyWk8VL8rTM75wr8y6UNiDqcojOt/s1600/wherethecrawdadssing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiwwfHrFccR5q2KllN6t1SKB8tAe-RjC4Vxs926fSUNx7eoBT-OGXvknDen3QLUdqBmUE5EkhhyG5MY2eWtRh7oaWLyr_DnMIhHnn5nid1yancD8gAyWk8VL8rTM75wr8y6UNiDqcojOt/s1600/wherethecrawdadssing.jpg" /></a></div>
<span id="freeText7723803671710601801"><i>How long can you protect your heart?</i><br /><br />For
years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet
town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase
Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the
so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and
intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she
calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then
the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young
men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a
new life - until the unthinkable happens. <br /><br />Perfect for fans of
Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell, Where the Crawdads Sing is at once
an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age
story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that
we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all
subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Audible Audio</span>, <span itemprop="bookEdition">Unabridged </span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">13 pages</span></div>
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<b>Published
August 14th 2018 </b></div>
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Narrator: Cassandra Campbell<br />
Genre: Historical Fiction<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kristine's Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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I chose to listen to this book in audio format. I chose it because it was one of the finalists in the historical fiction category for the Goodreads books of 2018 and it was highly rated. When choosing an audio book I like the promise of a book I will love because they are not cheap and they are a pretty big time commitment.<br />
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My opinions on this book will not be popular. I am definitely in the minority although not completely alone in how I felt about it. This book was so scattered that it has made my thoughts scatter in the process.<br />
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Let me start out by saying that it was probably a good thing that I listened to it in audio format. There were so many times that I found myself thinking that if I were reading it in print I would probably give up on it. The narrator's accent, timing and inflection actually made some pretty terrible writing seem only slightly less terrible. By this I mean every part where there was any kind of dialogue or character interaction. It was all very weak and if I'm being completely honest it was painful. The author did a wonderful job with the descriptive parts and painted a wonderful and vivid portrait of the marsh but that was where it ended. It was like listening to two different stories written by two different people trying to blend into one. It was oil and water.<br />
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One of the things that annoyed me the most about this book was every single chapter involving the police leading up to the trial. I can't even begin to explain how horrible and really unnecessary they were. The dialogue was stunted and everything was over explained. The other thing that had me cringing was the constant Kya thought of a poem, was reminded of a poem, recalled a poem and recited a poem. Guess what? We then had to read (listen in my case) every single one of them. I really wish I had counted how many times that happened in the book. It was a lot. We even got all the lyrics to a song as a bonus. They did nothing for the story, even though poetry did play a key part in the book, but create speed bumps in the flow of the story.<br />
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I liked the premise of the story. There was great potential and I really did want to know what was going to happen. I just struggled a lot with the execution and some of the plot points to the point that I can't give it a great rating. I am definitely in the minority as it appears that most people enjoyed this book so I encourage you to form your own opinion.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA9tnzvJjJFLxwug65oVDzLRkcPVwGo0mnpmtyoctKQF8Yp7jsYtcVpYYENMHe1EO_48kyzc0_2MbKHlCVBEyXpZlQSSsNr1CMjJr5bVKrNxn9yKdFaiFtqN7IITFGOnV0fZ-b4ObCh_K/s1600/deliaowens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA9tnzvJjJFLxwug65oVDzLRkcPVwGo0mnpmtyoctKQF8Yp7jsYtcVpYYENMHe1EO_48kyzc0_2MbKHlCVBEyXpZlQSSsNr1CMjJr5bVKrNxn9yKdFaiFtqN7IITFGOnV0fZ-b4ObCh_K/s1600/deliaowens.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor7043934">Delia Owens is the co-author
of three internationally bestselling nonfiction books about her life as a
wildlife scientist in Africa—<i>Cry of the Kalahari, The Eye of the Elephant</i>, and <i>Secrets of the Savanna</i>. She has won the John Burroughs Award for Nature Writing and has been published in <i>Nature, The African Journal of Ecology</i>, and <i>International Wildlife</i>,
among many others. She currently lives in Idaho, where she continues
her support for the people and wildlife of Zambia. Where the Crawdads
Sing is her first novel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="freeTextContainerauthor7043934">Connect with Delia</span></b></span></div>
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor7043934"><a href="https://www.deliaowens.com/">Website</a>/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/authordeliaowens/">Facebook</a>/<a href="https://www.instagram.com/authordeliaowens/">Instagram</a>/<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7043934.Delia_Owens">Goodreads</a> </span><br />
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twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-40757760096970316152019-03-09T03:30:00.000-08:002019-03-09T03:30:12.432-08:00Review: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2511v1gKzu1CItEhPPEKdFTr2OTtUhyphenhyphen3hi3GUN2KAZrJLi_pBgJAyOGsCLG-9nmMVHGwaTqM6QnZIAZWuzZac77bRIO-RyitgqQCXkWg0nvmuBRAldgZKal1-x7gx_ezjEtey6vYAu5y1/s1600/maybe+someday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2511v1gKzu1CItEhPPEKdFTr2OTtUhyphenhyphen3hi3GUN2KAZrJLi_pBgJAyOGsCLG-9nmMVHGwaTqM6QnZIAZWuzZac77bRIO-RyitgqQCXkWg0nvmuBRAldgZKal1-x7gx_ezjEtey6vYAu5y1/s320/maybe+someday.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Sydney is living in an idyllic bubble—she's a dedicated student with a steady job on the side. She lives with her best friend, has a great boyfriend, and the music coming from the balcony opposite hers is fast becoming the soundtrack to her life. But when Sydney finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, the bubble bursts. The mysterious and attractive man behind the music, Ridge, gives Sydney hope that she can move on and they begin to write songs together. But moving on is harder than she expects, Sydney can only hope…. </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Maybe someday… </span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Colleen Hoover draws you in to this passionate tale of music, love and betrayal…</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Kindle Edition</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">385 pages</span></div>
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Published
March 18th 2014
by Atria Books
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b><br />
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The journey continues with working my way through the works of Colleen Hoover. Sadly, this wasn't one of my favorites. It could have been but fell flat for me with ending.<br />
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I loved the idea of Sydney and Ridge. The chemistry that started before they even met was hypnotic Their building chemistry after they met was even more compelling. Their way of communicating was clever with the challenge that Ridge faced. All of this had the making of a great story, so far so good.<br />
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Then enter Maggie. Still potential to be good and my curiosity was raised how this situation could be resolved to bring the story to a happy ending. <br />
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I had two main issues with how this played out.<br />
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The first is I am not a fan of cheating stories In my opinion, this flirted way too close to the line for me and I felt the characters were letting me down.<br />
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The second was the ending of the story. This will be hard for me to explain without divulging any spoilers. With how Ridge was torn between two loves, I felt when he made his choice, it was too soon after saying goodbye to the other one. I would have expected more angst and conflicting feelings before he was in a position to move on. Also, I would have expected for things to be a little more difficult for him when he gave his declaration to the chosen one. She should have respected him more by slamming the door in his face. Given that the story was titled Maybe Someday, I feel the story should have ended on that note.<br />
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In a nutshell, I was glued to the story and loved Sydney and Ridge together, until I didn't.<br />
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<b>About the Author</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.colleenhoover.com/">Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/colleenhoover">Twitter</a></div>
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<br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-14524293183345299092019-03-07T03:30:00.000-08:002019-03-07T03:30:06.613-08:00Review: Huge Deal by Lauren Layne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="freeText13206085496446355026"><b>Even for a top-gun
banker, temptation this hot is quite a gamble, in a sexy Wall Street
romp from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.</b><br /><br />An
alpha among the wolves of Wall Street, Kennedy Dawson rose to the top of
the pack by striking the right contracts at the right times. But
there’s one deal that’s been giving him a run for his money—a pact to
never again let his assistant, Kate, get under his skin. She may be
smart, gorgeous, and sharp as a whip, but she’s definitely off-limits.<br /><br />Kate Henley isn’t a banker, but she knows a thing or two about risk management—specifically, about <i>managing</i>
her attraction to her smolderingly sexy boss. She already fell once,
and Kennedy showed no sign of paying a return on her investment. So when
Kennedy’s brother starts pursuing her, Kate figures she has the best of
both worlds. Jack is charming, rich, very attentive, and the spitting
image of his older brother.<br /><br />It’s also making Kennedy think twice.
But to win Kate’s heart, he’ll have to broker the deal of a
lifetime…and prove he’s worth the risk.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Kindle Edition</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">259 pages</span></div>
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<b>Published
February 12th 2019
by Montlake Romance </b></div>
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Series: 21 Wall Street #3</div>
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Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kristine's Thoughts:</b></span><br />
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I am huge fan of <i>Lauren Layne.</i> If you follow my reviews you know that. I have followed this series from the beginning and was anticipating Kate and Kennedy's story the most. This series was not my favourite of all the different ones that <i>Layne</i> has written but I still thoroughly enjoyable.<br />
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<i>Huge Deal</i> is the third book in the <i>21 Wall Street</i> series but can be read as a stand alone. I feel like the other two should be read first as there are tiny tidbits and interactions between the two that builds up the anticipation for <i>Huge Deal</i>. There was always something there between them but as the reader you are never quite sure what until this book.<br />
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<i>Lauren Layne</i> pens chemistry and banter better than most contemporary romance authors I've read. It is what I call signature <i>Lauren Layne</i>.<i> </i>It is definitely present in this series but not as much as in her past series. I missed it a little because it is what I love most about her writing. Don't get me wrong, you will see it in this book but just not to the extent of some of her past ones.<br />
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Even in the first two books of this series, Kate and Kennedy were my favourite characters. Their roles were minimal but they still out shined the rest of them. I loved everything about Kate and was super happy that it was her turn for a happily ever after.<br />
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I'm not going to re-tell the story. It's too short and I don't want to give anything away. There were things that I both loved and hated about Kate and Kennedy. I got frustrated a lot, sad a few times and then there were definitely times that I was smiling.<br />
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As part of my guilty pleasure line up, <i>Lauren Layne</i> always delivers!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_UlvHMptXAyC4OOOQUTx3KwR-KzlenxycZQDu9Na7bW1uYUQzLJQknNL3gGOiyZtj6NxKqfqMiT7MlT89Crm-OKZ5tOsZWHkqknmYRFKoWY3zc8uH-IZUm8_R4ARlB437u8qyAepN2To/s1600/laurenlaynethisone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_UlvHMptXAyC4OOOQUTx3KwR-KzlenxycZQDu9Na7bW1uYUQzLJQknNL3gGOiyZtj6NxKqfqMiT7MlT89Crm-OKZ5tOsZWHkqknmYRFKoWY3zc8uH-IZUm8_R4ARlB437u8qyAepN2To/s1600/laurenlaynethisone.jpg" /></a></div>
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Lauren Layne is the <i>New York Times</i> and <i>USA TODAY</i> bestselling
author of more than two dozen romantic comedies. Her books have sold
over a million copies, in nine languages. Lauren's work has been
featured in <i>Publishers Weekly</i>, <i>Glamour</i>, <i>The Wall Street Journal</i>, and <i>Inside Edition</i>. She’s based in New York City.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Connect with Lauren</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://laurenlayne.com/">Website</a>/<a href="https://www.instagram.com/laurenlayneauthor/">Instagram</a>/<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6969772.Lauren_Layne">Goodreads</a><br />
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</iframe>twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-17267868360757221252019-03-06T03:30:00.000-08:002019-03-06T03:30:00.715-08:00Review: Losing Hope (Hopeless #2) by Colleen Hoover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #181818;">In the follow-up to Colleen Hoover’s #1 New York Times bestseller <i style="font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Hopeless</i>, the charming and irresistible Dean Holder tells the passionate story that has melted thousands of hearts.</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Hopeless</i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Losing Hope</i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat" style="color: #333333; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Kindle Edition</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages" style="color: #333333; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">321 pages</span></div>
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Published
July 8th 2013
by Atria Books
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b></div>
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This is the second book in the Hopeless series and I began reading it the same day I had finished the first book. As I do not read the book summaries, I failed to realize that it was the exact same story as the first one however it was told from Holders (Dean's) point of view. I was a little disappointed with this as I would have kept some space between the two books instead of reading them back to back. Hopeless had covered a lot of ground and I wasn't in the mindset to essentially re-read it.</div>
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The good news is that with Dean's point of view, it didn't cover every single aspect of the first story. A lot of his thoughts and emotions were covered in his journal writing to his deceased sister which made the storyline go a lot faster and also gave Dean's inner thoughts, which added depth. It also gave the storyline of his sister's passing which wasn't only lightly covered in the first book.</div>
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I enjoyed the new and fresh parts of the book but I have to admit the parts that overlapped the first story, I skimmed over. The first book was still to fresh in my head. Had I have waited and read some other titles before I picked this up I think I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more.</div>
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<b>About the Author</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHddt4V6TQGjzeBzXI9rbrOU2KxZawUNXUZqIeKtKXpQnSc9mNbiFtKa02ZpPHffI9EyHIlAELja4T9rOgWzj5WVd_GTBbFXASQIhSHlnagFmBVEuAoD_GzBl3YfYQUQwkzODM1ARXo5PJ/s1600/colleen+hoover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHddt4V6TQGjzeBzXI9rbrOU2KxZawUNXUZqIeKtKXpQnSc9mNbiFtKa02ZpPHffI9EyHIlAELja4T9rOgWzj5WVd_GTBbFXASQIhSHlnagFmBVEuAoD_GzBl3YfYQUQwkzODM1ARXo5PJ/s1600/colleen+hoover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span>International and #1 New York Times bestselling author of romance, YA and Women's Fiction.</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Still doesn't know the difference between affect/effect, further/farther, or if the oxford comma is in or out. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.colleenhoover.com/">Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/colleenhoover">Twitter</a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-78672049787199536412019-03-05T03:30:00.000-08:002019-03-05T03:30:05.784-08:00Review: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="freeText5734370403418694696"><b>A heartwarming and
refreshing debut novel that proves one thing: there's not enough data in
the world to predict what will make your heart tick.</b><br /><br />Stella
Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes
up with algorithms to predict customer purchases--a job that has given
her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience
in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.<br /><br />It
doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her
of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she
needs lots of practice--with a professional. Which is why she hires
escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to
turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes
on her lesson plan--from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...<br /><br />Before
long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all
the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense
partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that
emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Audible Audio</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages">10 pages</span></div>
<b>Published
June 5th 2018
by Dreamscape Media, LLC</b>
(first published May 30th 2018<br />
Narrator: Carly Robins<br />
Genre: Contemporary Romance<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kristine's Thoughts:</b></span><br />
<br />
When I was deciding on an audio book to listen to I went to Goodreads to check out the 2018 Best Book winners. <i>The Kiss Quotient</i> won in the romance category so I thought I would give it a try. This was the first romance that I have listened to. I usually listen to more dramatic, sweeping stories because audio books are expensive and I feel like I'm getting more bang for my buck. I knew nothing about this book or author when I started this book so I was going in blind with no expectations or clues as to what is what about other than the fact that it was highly rated and people seem to love it.<br />
<br />
Stella was a thirty year old successful career woman with a less than stellar history in the dating and intimacy department. She was also living with Autism. What turns most people on made her skin crawl. She decided that she needed lots of practise so that it didn't interfere with future relationships. Her solution to was to hire an escort to teach her how to become good at it. This was where Michael came into play. He was escorting in order to help his family after his dad left them with nothing.<br />
<br />
I'll start by saying that my opinions are not going to be popular. They are definitely in the minority.<br />
<br />
The positive in this book was a heroine with autism. This is not something I have ever seen in a romance. <i>Helen Hoang</i> was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2016 so her journey inspired the book. Five huge stars for this! I found Stella very interesting and it was great to see the world through her eyes.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately I thought it went downhill from there.<br />
<br />
Am I the only one that thought this was a little too Pretty Woman? Michael was paid for services and then a relationship magically happens? Can you see the comparison? This irritated me slightly. Michael was paid for a service. This made their connection a paid connection and not a natural connection which is not at all romantic and one of the biggest struggles for people living with disabilities. The insta-connection was a little hard to believe as well.<br />
<br />
I am not a prude but there was way too much sex in this book whether it was foreplay, the act itself or talking about it. Again, where is the romance in that? I expected some and would have gladly taken some but this book was all sex. When I listen to an audio book on speaker while doing stuff around the house, it doesn't work well. The synopsis, the title and the cover all hinted at a cutsie romance with perhaps a lot of kissing. That is not what it delivered.<br />
<br />
Lastly, it was so completely predictable (back to the Pretty Woman comparison) that I wasn't even sure why I was finishing it. I am kind of really mad that I didn't love it like everyone else.<br />
<br />
I am definitely in the minority so I encourage anyone debating this book to give it a try and form your own opinion. Just because I was underwhelmed and expected much more out of the 2018 Best Book in the romance category doesn't mean that you will be.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>About the Author</b></span><br />
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor17147855">Helen Hoang is that shy
person who never talks. Until she does. And the worst things fly out of
her mouth. She read her first romance novel in eighth grade and has been
addicted ever since. In 2016, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum
Disorder in line with what was previously known as Asperger’s Syndrome.
Her journey inspired THE KISS QUOTIENT. She currently lives in San
Diego, California with her husband, two kids, and pet fish.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="freeTextContainerauthor17147855">Connect with Helen</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="freeTextContainerauthor17147855"><a href="https://www.helenhoang.com/">Website</a>/<a href="https://twitter.com/HHoangWrites">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17147855.Helen_Hoang">Goodreads</a> </span></div>
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<span id="freeTextContainerauthor17147855"> </span> </div>
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twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-74870605443165650362019-03-04T03:30:00.000-08:002019-03-04T03:30:07.817-08:00Review: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat" style="color: #333333; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">ebook</span>, <span itemprop="numberOfPages" style="color: #333333; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">410 pages</span></div>
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Published
December 19th 2012
<nobr class="greyText" style="color: #999999;">
(first published December 17th 2012)</nobr></div>
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<b>Terri's Thoughts</b></div>
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My Colleen Hoover journey continues with Hopeless. Up until now I have been using audio book format however I decided to see how actually reading her work would be. The reason, I read faster and can get through the story faster. I am not known for patience.</div>
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I am again at a loss of writes as I site here trying to decide what to write. She seems to do this to me every time. I think the reason is that I feel the book should simply be read rather than me try to convince others how it made me feel. My words are not going to do any justice to the emotions written on the page.</div>
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I have not read any of the book summaries of any of these books I read. I was told not to as it further enhances the enjoyment of the book. With that in mind, I off I went with the book. My initial thoughts were that this story was a somewhat typical romance between the somewhat sheltered girl and the misunderstood bad boy (a good one). In a sense, it was, at least at the beginning. There was plentiful chemistry, a lot of angst and some tender moments. Then it took off in a different direction! Don't get me wrong, the above mentioned was still there but with a whole lot more.</div>
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This story takes on a lot of serious topics such as mental health, sexual assault and suicide to mention just a few. It can get heavy at times but always had the undercurrent of the Sky/Dean connection. I thought it was well handled.</div>
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Before you go and say that all my reviews of Hoover's works are glossy and glowing, there was one thing that annoyed me. I did find that Sky's emotional reactions were sometimes over the top. I'm not sure someone can pass out as much a she did or make as many knee jerk reactions (Dean was guilty of this also) as she did. I found it slightly annoying however I have never been in a situation like hers so I should not be so quick to judge. I too can react emotionally instead of with my head and I haven't been through anything she has.</div>
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Again, another great book by Hoover. I found this one a little long but I can safely say I would not hesitate to recommend any of the books I have read thus far.</div>
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<b>About the Author</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8rv413o0Soh7L0DXRNh7_v7gS53qvKvPT2cXqd50q38KQ0ktXVxA3czhUFJX5vVqwz_hxHMJktV1J2ocOj0yyKp1Zaw2am2twD7iTsPCGHtp77uRpFG0DIMROSufjoOHjJMltmQ7CGNn/s1600/colleen+hoover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8rv413o0Soh7L0DXRNh7_v7gS53qvKvPT2cXqd50q38KQ0ktXVxA3czhUFJX5vVqwz_hxHMJktV1J2ocOj0yyKp1Zaw2am2twD7iTsPCGHtp77uRpFG0DIMROSufjoOHjJMltmQ7CGNn/s1600/colleen+hoover.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">International and #1 New York Times bestselling author of romance, YA and Women's Fiction.</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #181818; font-family: &quot; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #181818; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Still doesn't know the difference between affect/effect, further/farther, or if the oxford comma is in or out. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.colleenhoover.com/">Website</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.twitter.com/colleenhoover">Twitter</a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />twinspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950943389407967557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4574229881795053554.post-76511223520614058062019-03-03T03:30:00.000-08:002019-03-03T03:30:11.780-08:00Review: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="freeText14056988742290211476">Fifteen-year-old Ellie
Mack was the perfect daughter. She was beloved by her parents, friends,
and teachers. She and her boyfriend made a teenage golden couple. She
was days away from an idyllic summer vacation, with her whole life ahead
of her. And then she was gone. <br /><br />Now her mother, Laurel Mack, is
trying to put her life back together. It's been 10 years since her
daughter disappeared, seven years since her marriage ended, and only
months since the last clue in Ellie's case was unearthed. So when she
meets an unexpectedly charming man in a cafe, she is surprised at how
quickly their flirtation develops into something deeper. Before she
knows it, she's meeting Floyd's daughters - and his youngest, Poppy,
takes her breath away. Looking at her is like looking at Ellie. And now
the unanswered questions she has tried so hard to put to rest haunt her
anew...as well as some new ones about Floyd and Poppy....</span><br />
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<span itemprop="bookFormat">Audiobook</span>, <span itemprop="bookEdition">Unabridged</span></div>
<b>Published
April 24th 2018
by Dreamscape Media, LLC</b><br />
Genre: Fiction/Mystery<br />
Narrator: Helen Duff<br />
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<span id="freeText14056988742290211476">Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="freeText14056988742290211476">Kristine's Thoughts:</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span id="freeText14056988742290211476">This was not the first title by <i>Lisa Jewel</i> for me but it was the first one that I chose to listen to in audio format. I have to admit that I was a little nervous because it was also the first mystery/thriller in this format. Normally I go for more of a sweeping drama when listening to a book.</span><br />
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<span id="freeText14056988742290211476">Laurel Mack was a wife and mother of three children living a typical and normal life when something unthinkable happened. Her perfect fifteen year old daughter Ellie never returned from a trip to the library. When no signs of her surfaced the investigation determined that she was a run away even though she had been a happy girl with a boyfriend and had been looking forward to her exams. This was something that Laurel could not accept. Fast forward ten years and Laurel was still struggling, divorced and barely hanging on to her relationship with her other two children. When new evidence appeared and the question of where Ellie could be was put to rest, Laurel made an attempt to move on. This was when she met a man named Floyd who seemed to put the life back in her. That is, until she met his young daughter who reminded her so much of Ellie that all of her unanswered questions returned to the surface.</span><br />
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<span id="freeText14056988742290211476">This book was told from a few different points of view which I loved. It brought the creep factor up and made for some really interesting listening. I also found that it made the story flow nicely. I wasn't only listening to Laurel's thoughts as a grieving mother but the villain's as well. I really liked getting in the head of the villain. It made the reading or listening in my case more compelling and unique.</span><br />
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<span id="freeText14056988742290211476">There wasn't really any aha moment in the story for me. I was able to easily figure out the secrets and guess where the plot was heading but it didn't lessen my enjoyment of the story in any way. It may have just been me though. I have a tendency to figure things out quickly. Regardless, I was still enjoying every minute of it. I'm not sure what it says about me but I really enjoyed the villain's voice.</span><br />
<span id="freeText14056988742290211476"><br /></span>
<span id="freeText14056988742290211476">After listening to this book I would not hesitate to listen to another book from this genre or another book by <i>Lisa Jewell. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5lOm2cNpMyAK38VNMA-2NLark43fPq9pkQzGtsPKPruiAIkTwfXEZ0YxyWyjqT61fusktCFZzMa0wr5fHy8bA5BBQabbt9h-oudpKj5ZOomLJqFcGzu7VN22Y28HdJyBDxC6yTxGGeLp/s1600/4-out-of-5-stars1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="1530" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5lOm2cNpMyAK38VNMA-2NLark43fPq9pkQzGtsPKPruiAIkTwfXEZ0YxyWyjqT61fusktCFZzMa0wr5fHy8bA5BBQabbt9h-oudpKj5ZOomLJqFcGzu7VN22Y28HdJyBDxC6yTxGGeLp/s320/4-out-of-5-stars1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="freeText14056988742290211476">About the Author</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDttfULzVYFGLD74oztbbTWuDQ-B8HZdNep9oPdSVnzLroW2MVa_XvROXiAAyjUNVkUWkhtlnk1sijX7woPXxrpX_RpgdB-VoY09EUM0dDggorCqMwrJxJcolNe_JJ8Vdw-eVfv0dK61aP/s1600/lisajewell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDttfULzVYFGLD74oztbbTWuDQ-B8HZdNep9oPdSVnzLroW2MVa_XvROXiAAyjUNVkUWkhtlnk1sijX7woPXxrpX_RpgdB-VoY09EUM0dDggorCqMwrJxJcolNe_JJ8Vdw-eVfv0dK61aP/s1600/lisajewell.jpg" /></a></div>
<span id="freeText14056988742290211476"><span id="freeTextauthor93504">Lisa was born in London in 1968.
Her mother was a secretary and her father was a textile agent and she
was brought up in the northernmost reaches of London with her two
younger sisters. She was educated at a Catholic girls’ Grammar school in
Finchley. After leaving school at sixteen she spent two years at Barnet
College doing an arts foundation course and then two years at Epsom
School of Art & Design studying Fashion Illustration and
Communication.<br /><br />She worked for the fashion chain Warehouse for
three years as a PR assistant and then for Thomas Pink, the Jermyn
Street shirt company for four years as a receptionist and PA. She
started her first novel, Ralph’s Party, for a bet in 1996. She finished
it in 1997 and it was published by Penguin books in May 1998. It went on
to become the best-selling debut novel of that year.<br /><br />She has since written a further nine novels, as is currently at work on her eleventh.<br /><br />She
now lives in an innermost part of north London with her husband Jascha,
an IT consultant, her daughters, Amelie and Evie and her silver
tabbies, Jack and Milly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span id="freeText14056988742290211476"><span id="freeTextauthor93504">Connect with Lisa</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span id="freeText14056988742290211476"><span id="freeTextauthor93504"><a href="http://www.lisa-jewell.co.uk/">Website</a>/<a href="https://twitter.com/lisajewelluk">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LisaJewellofficial">Facebook</a>/<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/93504.Lisa_Jewell">Goodreads</a> </span></span></div>
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<span id="freeText14056988742290211476"><span id="freeTextauthor93504"></span></span><br />
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