It's Monday What are you Reading?

Well, it's Monday again! Last week was full of reading for me because of the Once Upon a Read-a-thon (reviews coming I swear!) I had such a wonderful time! I did join the TBR Read-a-thon this week too! Woot!

Read Last Week:
Day By Day Armageddon: Beyond Exile-REVIEW HERE
Proust's Overcoat
The Fall

Reading This Week:
The Iron King-FINISHED!!
Northanger Abbey (part of a read-a-long hosted HERE)
Atlas Shrugged (also part of a read-a-long hosted HERE)
House of Leaves (this is a HUGE book and very involved so it will take me quite a while to finish it!)

Then My Read-a-Thon List

What about you? :)

Blog Tour-Veracity

Description

Harper Adams was six years old in 2012 when an act of viral terrorism wiped out one-half of the country's population. Out of the ashes rose a new government, the Confederation of the Willing, dedicated to maintaining order at any cost. The populace is controlled via government-sanctioned sex and drugs, a brutal police force known as the Blue Coats, and a device called the slate, a mandatory implant that monitors every word a person speaks. To utter a Red-Listed, forbidden word is to risk physical punishment or even death.

But there are those who resist. Guided by the fabled "Book of Noah," they are determined to shake the people from their apathy and ignorance, and are prepared to start a war in the name of freedom. The newest member of this resistance is Harper -- a woman driven by memories of a daughter lost, a daughter whose very name was erased by the Red List. And she possesses a power that could make her the underground warriors' ultimate weapon -- or the instrument of their destruction.

In the tradition of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Laura Bynum has written an astonishing debut novel about a chilling, all-too-plausible future in which speech is a weapon and security comes at the highest price of all.

My Review:
Wow, this is certainly a thinker. It wrapped me up and brought me into a very terrifying possible future. I was lost in the story and felt like I was right there in the action. The characters were well written and Laura Bynum does very well with setting up a potential future without being far-fetched. There were a few instances where I would have enjoyed a bit more insight, like I would have loved more time with Ezra and John. There could have been more of a back story with them, showing how they got to where they were. That was the only part that I felt could have been done better. Other than that there isn't much I would change. The book itself is brilliant in that its a scary but fascinating read.

My Rating: 4.00/5.00

Blogs Participating:

All About {n}: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
The Cajun Book Lady: http://thecajunbooklady.blogspot.com/
Rundpinne: http://www.rundpinne.blogspot.com/
My Friend Amy: http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/
The Neverending Shelf: http://www.theneverendingshelf.com/
Drey’s Library: http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/
Book Junkie: http://myfoolishwisdom.blogspot.com/
Books Gardens & Dogs: http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/
My Book Views: http://my-book-views.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Brizmus Blogs About Books: http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com/
Pam’s Private Reflections: http://hip2bhomeschooling.blogspot.com/
My Book Addiction and More: www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Frugal Plus: http://frugalplus.com/
Books, Books Everywhere: http://bookbookseverywhere.blogspot.com/
My Guilty Pleasures: http://www.mgpblog.com/
The Bibliophilic Book Blog: http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/
A Book Bloggers Diary: http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
Opinionated? Me?: http://readingwatchingliving.blogspot.com/
I Heart Monster: http://www.iheartmonster.com/
Wendy’s Minding Spot: http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/
Parajunkee’s View: http://parajunkee.blogspot.com/
The Wayfaring Writer: http://moonsanity.blogspot.com/
You Wanna Know What I Think?: http://www.kballard87.blogspot.com/
Bookfoolery & Babble: http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com/
My Life In Not So Many Words: http://www.ziarias.blogspot.com/
Between the Pages: http://www.betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/
Savey Spender: http://saveyspender.com/
Temple Library Reviews: http://templelibraryreviews.blogspot.com/
See Michelle Read: http://seemichelleread.blogspot.com/
Revenge of the Booknerds: http://booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com/
Jeanne's Ramblings: http://www.jeannesramblings.com
Blog Business World: http://www.blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com/
What Book Is That?: http://whatbookisthat.blogspot.com/
Books & Needlepoint: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/

Blog Tour-A Note from an Old Acquaintance

About the Book:

Brian Weller is a haunted man. It's been two years since the tragic accident that left his three-year-old son dead and his wife in an irreversible coma. A popular author of mega-selling thrillers, Brian's life has reached a crossroads: his new book is stalled, his wife's prognosis is dire, and he teeters on the brink of despair.

Everything changes the morning an e-mail arrives from Boston artist Joanna Richman. Her heartfelt note brings back all the poignant memories: the night their eyes met, the fiery passion of their short-lived affair, and the agonizing moment he was forced to leave Joanna forever. Now, fifteen years later, the guilt and anger threaten to overwhelm him. Vowing to make things right, Brian arranges a book-signing tour that will take him back to Boston. He is eager to see Joanna again, but remains unsure where their reunion will lead. One thing is certain: the forces that tore their love asunder will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

Filled with tender romance and taut suspense, A Note from an Old Acquaintance is an unforgettable story about fate, honor, and the power of true love.

About the Author:

Bill Walker is a graphic designer specializing in book and dust jacket design, and has worked on projects by Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Dean Koontz and Stephen King. Between his design work and his writing, he spends his spare time reading voraciously and playing very loud guitar, much to the chagrin of his lovely wife and two sons. Bill makes his home in Los Angeles and can be reached through his website: http://www.billwalkerdesigns.com/

My review:

Brian Weller has a chance that very few people get. This story works on the notion that everyone has at least one relationship that has left them wondering, what if? In the past, he had had a fling with Joanna, a talented artist that just happened to be engaged to a powerful businessman. They were in love, but Brian was forced to make a choice. A choice that caused both of their lives to turn upside down.

Years later, he gets an email from Joanna that sends his world spinning. That is the basic set up for the storyline of A Note from an Old Acquaintance, but there is nothing basic about this book. The characters are near perfect. The story progresses at a smooth pace and you feel for the characters. You really do. Walker really knows how to take an old plot line (the love triangle) and shake it up and make it vibrantly fresh and enticing.

I had a wonderful time reading this book. I felt for every character, even Erik, Joanna's rich and driven husband. This is a book I'll definitely recommend and keep in my collection. I am grateful to have gotten the chance to read it. I am also grateful for having the book autographed by Bill Walker! So cool to have that!


And a big thank you to Tracee from Pump Up Your Book Promotion for allowing me to join this blog tour!

Weekly Reading Schedule-Aug 3rd

I know it's not Monday yet but I am just trying to get a head start :) Next week I have my training for my new job (woot!) So I will keep it a little light. The books that I'm choosing for this week are not going to be chunksters! I have a handful of books for kids that I want to read/review. (See! I'm a Jill of all trades! No genre is safe from my diabolical hands! mwahahaha..ah nevermind.) So here goes my plans for this week!

1. The Adventures of Sing in Oregon-Betty S. Moir
2. It's a Snap-Monica Kulling
3. Fairy Hunters, Ink.-Sheila A Dane
4. Her Name was Beauty-Deborah A. Williams
5. Chosen by Desire-Kate Perry
6. Milestones-Samira Armin Hodges

Yup you read it right! 6 books! Seems like a lot but the first four all together probably total about 250 pages at the most!

It's gonna be a fun week!

Mailbox Saturday-July 18th

Along with my review of Strange Future, I will also be giving away a copy signed by Josh Smith! Stay tuned!

Review-Rescuing Seneca Crane

Book Description
When Kari and Lucas first see Seneca Crane up on stage, playing the piano in front of hundreds of people, they are in awe. She is beautiful. She is amazingly talented. And she is only thirteen! But then they get to know her at the Edinburgh Arts Festival and realize that she envies them. Soon the three are becoming friends . . .until Seneca disappears. There’s no stopping Kari and Lucas from jumping on the trail and tracking her down. Even when it leads to the heart of the Scottish highlands! Following in the spine-tingling tracks of The Mystery of the Third Lucretia, Susan Runholt’s second book featuring super sleuths Kari and Lucas is just as smart and fast-paced as the first!

My Review:
The girls are at it again! Kari and Lucas have found themselves smack-dab in the middle of another adventure! Seneca Crane is a piano prodigy that has gone missing! Kari and Lucas set out to figure out what happened to her and where she is. This time the adventure is set in Scotland and the girls are pretty much on their own. Again, I love these characters! They are strong willed, intelligent, and creative! They use their brains and courage to rescue their friend and save the day! The only problem I had with this book was the ending seemed a little too quickly wrapped up. Not that it was bad but it seemed to take away from the details in the middle, building up to the ending. That was really the only thing that bothered me and it was such a minor annoyance. All in all I say that this is a cute series of books that would be good for girls. Susan Runholt knows how to create strong role models for young girls and craft a good story!

Blog Tour-The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

Thanks to Miriam Parker at Hachette for allowing me and my humble blog participate in this blog tour!

About the Author:
Elin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket, which has been the setting for her five previous novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa.

Book Description:
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed.

Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life.

CLICK HERE FOR AN EXERPT

My Review:

This book was very different than what I was expecting. What I was thinking I was was getting into was a light and fluffy summer novel that I most likely wouldn't enjoy but I was VERY wrong. (Shame on me for making a snap decision!) I blame the happy go lucky artwork on the cover, for my intial opinion. This book is anything but light and fluffy. It's emotional and at times heartbreaking. I found myself plunged into a group of people that have been close friends for many years. The secrets that they share and hold back from each other are juicy. Sadly their friendship is ripped apart by tragic event that leaves two of them dead and the others picking up the pieces. The way the survivors work their their feelings of anger, grief, and guilt are so honest and deep. You really feel for these people! Their lives are torn apart by a freak accident that pretty much rips the bandages off of old (and new) wounds bringing repressed feelings to the surface in sometimes destructive ways! While I read I felt as if I was part of the group. The fly on the wall listening in to their confessions and arguements. The secrets and lies told between them all between them were big but in the end its the love that they share for each other that is bigger. In the end this is a book about strong friendship. No matter what happens they are still connected and they are still friends. The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand will surprise you! I felt this was a great read!

Participating blogs will be:
July 6
http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/
http://www.writeforareader.blogspot.com/
http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/
http://mustreadfaster.blogspot.com/
http://www.foreigncircuslibrary.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/
http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com/
http://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com/
July 7
http://booknaround.blogspot.com/
http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/
http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/
http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/
http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/
http://www.bellasnovella.com/
http://www.acircleofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
http://abookishmom.blogspot.com/
http://bermudaonion.wordpress.com/
July 8
http://debbiesworldofbooks.com/
http://www.reviewfromhere.com/
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com
http://www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com/
http://frommipov.blogspot.com/
http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/
http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/
http://cindyloveofbooks.blogspot.com/
http://jennsbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://books-movies-chinesefood.blogspot.com/
July 9
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
http://thisbookforfree.com/
http://www.ultimatebookhound.blogspot.com/
http://redladysreadingroom-redlady.blogspot.com/
http://bookfoolery.blogspot.com/
http://www.linussblanket.com/
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/
http://brainlair.blogspot.com/
http://danys-san.blogspot.com
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/
July 10
http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset
http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/
http://imbookingit.wordpress.com/
http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/
http://www.morbid-romantic.net/
http://nisefunpages.blogspot.com/
http://tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com/
http://allisonsatticblog.blogspot.com/
http://wrightysreads.blogspot.com/
http://frugalplus.com/
http://www.mgpblog.com/

Review-Stardust Dads

About the Book:
The e-mail Danny and Allison read on their new computer in 1996 looks no different from the millions of others received by Web users around the world, with one glaring exception--it was sent by their dads who died during the 1970s. While residing in the afterworld at an amenity-laden paradise called Midway Manor, guitar-strumming Mickey Parks and piano-playing Lloyd Wallace monitor and manipulate the lives of their adult children on earth from the mid-'70s through the 1990s. Tampering with the facility's sophisticated computer, the dads thrust Mickey's daughter Allison and Lloyd's son Danny into a passionate but sometimes stormy relationship-a relationship steeped in Danny's heavy drinking and entangled in the often-zany world of men's adventure magazine publishing. After carefully implementing a plan to send their son and daughter a gift of knowledge that could enrich their lives forever, the dads' brief contact is cut short. They are banished to another destination in the afterworld, but not before they impart indisputable proof of life after death--and unwittingly put Danny's and Allison's earthbound lives on the line.


A Little Bit About the Author:
David R. George's extensive career as a New York editor/writer included the men's adventure magazine genre in the '60s and '70s. Co-author/wife Josephine, a long-standing student of the paranormal, has also had a durable editorial career that included proofing dozens of Louis L'Amour novels. They reside in Las Vegas.David has written more than 200 published magazine articles, fiction and nonfiction, including a 9,000-word article on the men's adventure magazines in the March 2007 issue of Alter Ego magazine.


My Review:
The idea that our loved ones can manipulate and watch over us is so heartwarming and touching. I enjoyed this book, more so than I thought I would. Stardust Dads is a story that will make you think about what happens after you die, but does so without being preachy. I liked the idea that our earthly journeys can be shaped and guided by those that loved us and knew us the best. As a person who has gone through the loss of a very close loved one I could relate with Allison and her struggles moving on after the loss of her father. I teared up a few times during this book. The struggles and difficulties faced by Allison and Danny are heartbreaking and realistic. I think that the writers are talented and know how to craft a tale that is inspiring and exciting. They know how to combine action and drama and pull you along with the characters. Stardust Dads is an excellent read that I think everyone can relate to. Stardust Dads is an excellent and emotional story.

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse (October 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595504590
• ISBN-13: 978-0595504596

Mailbox Saturday-July 4th

Monday:


Weds: Won these 2 :)


Friday:

Tuesday's Teaser-June 16th

Should Be Reading is the super awesome host of this weekly meme.

Rules:
~ Grab your current read
~ Open to a random page
~ Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
~ BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
~ Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My selection is from The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips.

"hannah holds up each medicine as she gives instructions for its use. 'This tincture and this powder must be mixed in with the beer-three drops and two grains to every pint. the mademoiselle will need more blankets and fresh linens every few hours."

and

" her father once told her that she should never underestimate what people will do for love or for money, especially at court. she stands and takes a moment to prepare herself before she goes in search of lord arlington and madame severin, to tell them that the king's favorite mistress has the clap."

Review-The Link

The Link by Colin Tudge

Ida is the 47 million year old fossil that is the main focus of The Link by Colin Tudge. She could potentially be the missing link between primates and ourselves. This exciting discovery answers many questions (and raises some new ones) for scientists.
I'm usually not one to pick up a non-fiction book, let alone a non-fiction SCIENCE book, but this one really sparked my interest! I have to admit that reviewing a book on a topic such as this is hard for me, basically because I'm not that big of a science nerd. I'm not gonna lie it was a little intimidating, yet, this book was written in a way that even people like me could read and understand! Yes, at times it can take a little effort to chug through but it is very much worth it!
It did take me a little longer to read this book (about two and a half days) but my husband put this book away in 2 hours! (He's a bigger science geek than I am!) If you enjoy science then this book should be on the top of your list!
This is a book that almost anyone can read and enjoy! I give it a 4/5!

Review-Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

From Amazon:
In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina Kane has the only profession fit for an outcast: assassin. But, her latest mission threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races and Sabina must scramble to figure out which side she's on. She's never brought her work home with her---until now.

This time, it's personal.

My review:
What can I say about this book except...WOW what a ride?! I LOVED this book! It had everything a gal like me could want! Action, adventure, romance and a super awesome demon! Come on! At first I was afraid it would be another Buffy knock off, but boy was I pleasantly surprised! Sabina is NOTHING like Buffy and nothing like anything I've ever read! She's smart, funny, and ..okay I'm sounding like a crazy person but this book was just too fun! I seriously didn't want it to end! I'm definitely going to pick up the next book. This review is going to be short and sweet (and really gushy.) I loved it and if you like this genre I think you will too! I give this book a very glowing 4.5/5 stars!