Teaser Tuesday: the Seducer by Madeline Hunter

Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “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 list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from The Seducer by Madeline Hunter:

It had only lasted a moment while he walked toward her but her heart had stopped for what seemed forever. When her pulse began again, it pounded all the way to the opera because the commanding magnetism still poured out of him like a beckoning force. 

Sunset

Reverse readathon: Opening survey

Opening Survey

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Southern California, U.S.A.

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I'm doing a re-read of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society I am most looking forward to that book.

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Mozarella Sticks

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I'm a lifetime bookworm, a mom, a wife, a music lover and a crocheter - among other things.

5) This is our VERY first Reverse Readathon! How does it feel in your time zone? I LOVE this reverse readathon. It's five in the evening here and while HOT outside - it's nice and cool in my recliner where I will be spending the evening reading with my kids. :)

Summer Readathon

Dewey's 24-hour readathon is putting on a Summer Edition. I am so excited about this especially since it is a reverse readathon! That means that rather than beginning at five in the morning I get to start at five in the evening! The readathon runs from Friday, July 27th through Saturday July 28th. I am definitely going to participate and hopefully for the majority (if not all) of the time! So, if this sounds like fun to you there is still time to sign up at the link above. 

Wordless Wednesday: SUnflowers

Teaser Tuesday: A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams

Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “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 list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams:

"What do we do now?"

"We continue with our writing, for starters," Olivia answered with conviction. "Camden would have wanted that. Who's next in line to be critiqued?"

Review: When We Found Home by Susan Mallery

I struggled with the rating I wanted to give this book. In the end I would say I give it 3.5 stars. I did like the book but had a few issues with it. Let me say that I love the premise - which is three people discovering that they are half siblings at different points in their lives. Keira, the 12 year old who was abandoned by her mother and left in foster care, Callie, who is 26 and struggling to find her way in a sometimes unforgiving world after making a mistake and being punished harshly and Malcolm who is 34 and part owner of Alberto's Alfresco. They share a father who is now dead and had lacked decency and responsibility while alive. The journey the three siblings took to become a family who trust and love one another was my favorite part of the book. They share a grandfather - Alberto - whom I wish had a larger role in the book. I really thought he might have more to do with bringing the three together as a family unit but other than finding the girls (Malcolm already lived with him) he didn't.

There were also two romances in the book and while good - they just weren't my favorite. Delaney and Malcolm started off so funny and charming and with a lot of potential. However, I never felt like I was actually experiencing them fall in love. I liked Delaney at first then she got really whiny and annoying. She definitely had some hardships in her life (like everyone else) but I never did understand why she clung to them for as long as she did. And the resolution of said hardship was rushed. I felt Malcolm had the most growth in the book - along with Keira who came a long way in feeling like she was accepted and finally had a family. In fact, I wish that some of the story had been told from her POV.

I did like Callie and Santiago's relationship minus the instant love part. That's my own personal thing, though, I believe someone can feel an instant attraction and perhaps a sense of possible connection but I think love takes time, knowledge of the person, shared experiences and trust.

Overall, I like the book and feel fortunate to have been able to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Susan Mallery writes with humor and emotion which I appreciate and those qualities saved this book for me. 

Teaser Tuesday: When We Found Home by Susan Mallery

Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “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 list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from When We Found Home by Susan Mallery:

"I want to take you out Saturday night."

"Okay. Text me when and where."

"I'll pick you up at seven."

She nodded because she was afraid if she tried to speak, she would throw up. Maybe she would regardless. Or maybe everything was going to be perfectly fine. 

When We Found Home by Susan Mallery

I'm halfway through this wonderful book! When We Found Home by Susan Mallery comes out on Tuesday, July 10th. It's full of heart and humor and you should definitely get it! #whenwefoundhome #books #reading #readeveryday

Fireworks

Pictures we took of last nights fireworks show! 

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July to those who are celebrating today! Have fun, enjoy your family and friends and please, be safe out there!

Teaser Tuesday: Captivated by Nora Roberts

Teaser Tuesday is newly hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

- Grab your current read 

- Open to a random page 

- Share two “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 list if they like your teaser. 

My teaser this week is from Captivated by Nora Roberts:

"I wonder if you've got a handy spell for getting my foot out of my mouth?"

"Oh, I think you can manage that on your own." Ordinarily she would have dismissed him, but there must be some reason she'd been drawn across the shop to him. Morgana didn't believe in accidents. 

True for me

Hello July

I have always felt like summer really begins once July hits. I think that is because as a child we usually traveled in July. We often took road trips to see family in July and it was something my brother and I looked forward to so much. Also, in the United States we celebrate the 4th of July. One of my uncles has a birthday on July 3rd so we often had a huge family get together that would last the first few days of July. 

Now, my kids have been out of school for a couple of weeks and we have family visiting. We're going to be part of a nice family celebration on the 4th. We're going to a pool/birthday party tomorrow and the beach the day after that. So yeah, July feels like the official start of summer to us and it is glorious!