Teaser Tuesday's - Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 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 page 3 of J.D. Robb's Celebrity in Death:

"How can you tell it's me? I've got so much crap on my face I could be anybody under it."

Book Review - My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander

My Wicked Little Lies is the second book in Victoria Alexander's Sinful Family Secret's series.  Evelyn Hadley-Attwater appears to 'have it all'; the loving husband, wealth, ball gowns and ever-so-elegant parties.  This wasn't always the case, though.  Eve was once a spy for the crown of England and she wants desperately to keep that secret from her husband.

Adrian Hadley-Attwater has secrets of his own that he is doing his best to keep from his wife.  The main one being that he was also a spy; and in fact, he was Eve's anonymous boss during their spy days.

This is a very funny book filled with adventure, a bit of spying and a fair amount of misunderstanding between the married couple.  As Eve and Adrian find the clues to answer the mystery surrounding them - they realize just how much they mean to one another.  They also come to understand that full disclosure is probably a necessity for their marriage to continue in a trust-worthy fashion.

I quite enjoyed Ms. Alexander's novel and liked that the couple was married.  My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that all of Victoria Alexander's characters (in this book and previous ones that I've read) 'choose their words with care'.  It's a phrase that she over uses to the point of being farcical; fortunately, it doesn't detract from her story telling.

Platform-Building Campaign - Challenge One

The first challenge for the current campaign is underway.  The challenge this time:

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count. 

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:

• end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)

• include the word "orange" in the story

• write in the same genre you normally write

• make your story 200 words exactly!

Here is my take on this challenge; which does indeed meet all of the above criteria:

The First Day

Shadows crept across the wall as Lila blinked her eyes and attempted to recognize her unfamiliar surroundings.  The combined sounds of a crashing wave and deep breathing to her left calmed her and brought everything into mental focus.

She was on the island.  Well, she corrected, as the man beside her shifted and settled again, they were on the island.  They’d flown in late last night and driven straight to the hotel.  They’d gone for a walk on the beach but it had been too dark to properly take in their destination.  Now, too excited to stay in bed, she got up and went out onto the balcony.

“Oh wow,” she whispered reverently.  The early morning sky was filled with dark blue, a bit of purple and the edge of orange as the sun made its ascent onto the horizon.  Lila heard the soft glide of the glass door and turned to smile at the sleepy, black haired man stepping outside with her.  “Good morning.”

“Wife,” he said grumpily even as he smiled at his own use of her new title.

“Husband,” she tossed back with a laugh.  He pulled her in for a tender kiss and everything faded.

Booking Through Thursday - Blogs

Booking Through Thursday is a fun, weekly, bookish question and response event. This week we ponder:

What do you look for when reading a book blog? Does the blogger have to read the same genre? Do you like reviews? Personal posts? Memes? Giveaways? What attracts you to a book blog?

The book blogs I tend to read often are ones that are well-written.  They don't have to include the same genre(s) that I read but they usually do.  I do like reviews and have found some excellent books to read through book bloggers.  In fact, I've read quite a few books since I became active in the blogging world that I probably would never have given a chance otherwise.  As for memes and giveaways; while I have read and participated in both - I can take or leave them.  They're not overly important to me.  Finally, my favorite blogs are in my sidebar and ones that I visit regularly.

Teaser Tuesday's - Crossed by Ally Condie

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 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 page 26 of Ally Condie's Matched:

He's open, honest, a story I read again and again and love every time.  But, in this moment, I can't tell what he thinks

.

Musing Monday's - Learning

Musing Monday's is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. This week’s musing asks:

What is the last book that you learned something from? What book was it, and what did it teach you? 

I find that I learn at least a little something from most books that I read.  However, the last book I red that I learned some significant things from is Isabel Wolff's A Vintage Affair.  I leanred a significant amount about vintage clothing and auctioning that I didn't know.  I also leanred a coupe of heart breaking facts about the Nazi concentration camps.  If you haven't read Wolff's book - do so.  it is absolutely amazing! Do be prepared with a box of tissues, though.

The Fourth Writer's (Second for Me) Platform Building Campaign

Rachael Harrie of the wonderful Rach Writes is hosting her Fourth Writer's Platform-Building Campaign.  What exactly is this, you ask? Well, in her own words - here are the details:

Basically, the Campaign is a way to link those of us in the writing community together with the aim of helping to build our online platforms. The Campaigners are all bloggers in a similar position, who genuinely want to pay it forward, make connections and friends within the writing community, and help build each others' online platforms while at the same time building theirs.

As the Campaign kicks off, you'll have the names and blog addresses of the Campaigners on my List of Campaigners page (above), so you can keep in touch with the other Campaigners. That way you’ll have a list of bloggers in the same position as you, who genuinely want to help you succeed. And you'll be able to meet those who have the most in common with you. You can visit their blogs and other places they haunt, follow along, leave comments galore, and share your highs and lows as you journey through the blogosphere and build your online platform. And they'll be doing the same for you.


I participated in this event for the first time last fall and absolutely loved it! So obviously, I want to participate again.  This time the even will run until March 17, 2012.  If you want to sign up, there's still time - until 11:59 ET tonight, so hurry.  Just go here for more in depth details and to sign up.  Believe me, you won't regret it!

Teaser Tuesday's - My Wicked Little Lies by Victoria Alexander

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 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 Nook page 186 of Victoria Alexander's My Wicked Little Lies:

She married him because she loved him.  She may well think him an idiot, which admittedly he had been of late, and not adventurous and a man who cared about ordinary things, but she loved him and that was all that mattered.

Musing Monday's - Love Story

Musing Monday's is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. This week’s musing:

What is your favorite romantic book –or book that includes a love story? (an adult romance, young adult, kids’ story, anything).




Oh wow - this is a really hard question for me to answer.  I love the romance genre.  I discovered Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series during the summer of 2010 and consider them among my favorites now.  I also absolutely adore the love story between Eve and Roarke in J.D. Robb's In Death series.  I look forward to each new In Death book as much for their continuing love story as for the mystery involved.

Musing Monday's - Football or a Book

Musing Monday's is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. This week’s musing:

Did you do any reading in lieu of watching the football game, yesterday, or were you foregoing reading to watch the game? If you read a book (or books) what did you choose?

I didn't watch the Super Bowl yesterday.  I cant take or leave football.  it's just not important to me.  My husband would normally watch the big game but he was working.  So my daughters and I watched Grease.  I didn't get any reading in until last night after bedtime.

I'm reading Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman.  I really like it but it's taking me a while to get through it as so much is going on right now.

Teaser Tuesday's - Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 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 page 32 of Matthew Norman's Domestic Violets:

Like most people who have jobs like mine, it was all meant to be temporary.  I would write and publish my novel, and then I'd retire from corporate purgatory and become a member of the Community of American Letters.

Musing Monday's - Next Book

Musing Monday's is hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. This week’s musing:


How far along are you in your current read before you start thinking about what you’ll read next?

I'm always thinking about what I want to read next.  Seriously, reading and books are an obsession for me.  I love every thing about this 'hobby' of mine.  I put hobby in quotes because really, reading is an ingrained part of my life.  So yeah, I am always thinking about my next book, and the one after that, and the next one after that.

How about you? When do you start thinking about your next book?

Book Review - A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie

A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie is the story of Detective Inspector Duncan Kincaid's week long holiday at a Yorkshire time share.  The location seems ideal and peaceful at first.  And while Kincaid does feel out of his element - he is trying to embrace the country slow life and enjoy his holiday.  He visits the local village, takes a hike and even meets the other residents in residence that week at the time share.

The second morning of Kincaid's vacation dawns bright and full of promise.  Deciding to go for an early morning swim - he discovers a dead body floating in the jacuzzi.  The local police chock the death up to a suicide but Kincaid thinks otherwise.  Soon, once another body shows up dead, he is certain that there is a killer among the people currently at the time share.

Kincaid spends the remainder of his vacation getting to know the residents and employees of the time share and tries to ferret out the killer.  This book is full of interesting twists and I was a little surprised by the identity of the killer.  I also loved the English setting of the book.  I'm curious enough about the main characters to give the next book in this series a go.

Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge 2012

I completely adored participating in the Book Chick City Mystery & Suspense challenge last year.  I have decided that I do indeed want to participate once again this year.  This is my post, declaring said intent.  Here are the challenge details directly from Book Chick City:

• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2012

• Rules: There are TWO LEVELS you can choose from:

 - Read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2012
 - Read TWENTY FOUR (24) mystery & suspense novels in 2012 

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

• You DO NOT have to write reviews of the books you read, but if you decide you would like to then Mr Linky will be available each month so you can link up your reviews.

• You don't have to have a blog to join in - for those without a blog but who use Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing etc, you can add the URL to where you track your books. If you don't have a URL at all then choose a name you would like to use and then copy and paste the following link: 

http://www.bookchickcity.com/2011/12/sign-up-mystery-suspense-reading.html

• You can choose from the numerous sub-genres of mystery and suspense, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or romantic suspense written by the likes of Linda Howard, forensic crime such as those written by Kathy Reichs and even paranormal/supernatural suspense such as Kelley Armstrong. I'm sure this challenge will have something for everyone! :)

If this sounds like something you might enjoy - head on over to BCC to sign up.  You can do so by clicking on the above challenge image.

Teaser Tuesday's - A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie

Teaser Tuesday's is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. 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 Nook page 66 of Deborah Crombie's A Share in Death:

What to do now, with this unexpected information? He couldn't ignore it.  Why, in the name of all that was competent, hadn't Nash's men searched the room already?