The Moon Sisters by Therese Walsh (TLC Tour) and Giveaway

Today, Traveling With T is a stop on THE MOON SISTERS by Therese Walsh tour sponsored by TLC Book Tours. THE MOON SISTERS released last week till a good amount of book buzz (and it’s so deserved!) Read here for the other stops on the tour (and to see what they are saying about the wonderful THE MOON SISTERS.

Oh and just to get your excitement level up to RAINBOWS! SPARKLES! UNICORNS! Level- yes, folks, we have a GIVEAWAY!!!! (Excuse me, while I squee and dance around the house rocking out to Katy Perry’s ROAR a bit…) Scroll down to the bottom of the page, find that Rafflecopter link and click it! Continue reading →

Happily Ever After by Elizabeth Maxwell

Photo Credit: Touchstone Books

This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Happily Ever After

Sadie Fuller, 46, divorced, mother to an 11 year old. No time for romance. Looking at her, you might think that romance never crosses her mind. You’d be wrong. Because while the outside package would lead you to believe that Sadie is just a middle-aged mom and has no time for anything besides work and her daughter, inside is a whole other story. Sadie by day lives the suburban mom’s life… But at night, she writes steamy, best-selling erotica under the pen name KT Briggs.

Life is ok for Sadie. She’s got her daughter, a house, makes money writing her “mommy-porn”, and even has a weekly date with a man she met in the personals. But life is getting dull, Sadie has put love and romance aside (her weekly meetings are strictly taking care of business). One night, as she writing a new story about Aidan and Lily, she gets interrupted. And life turns from same old, same old to something else. When Sadie sees an incredibly good-looking man in Target, a man who looks vaguely familiar, but is very confused as to why he’s in Target- she slowly begins to realize why he looks familiar: It’s Aidan. Her character, Aidan!

As Sadie tries to help him find Lily and figure out why a witch named Clarissa has highjacked her story, she just wants to reunite Lily and Aidan, get them back in the story for some steamy romance time. However, Aidan may wind up teaching Sadie a thing or two and show her that happily ever after is not just for the books, that happily ever after might be where you least expect it.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Quirky fun. This book is pure quirky fun. Yes, it’s going to stretch your mind a bit, and yes, the idea of characters coming to life from a book is a bit out there. But, that is what makes it such delicious fun! This book is not a “thinker” book, you are not going to want to run out and change the world after reading it. It’s going to make you laugh and have fun, though, and that is way better!

Read HAPPILY EVER AFTER if you are looking for a fun read, not light and fluffy, just fun and quirky. Enjoyable, laugh out loud fun- add this to your To Be Read list!

*Thanks to Touchstone Books for sending a copy of HAPPILY EVER AFTER to Traveling With T for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T

The Trouble With Honor by Julia London (plus giveaway!)

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Title: The Trouble with Honor

Author: Julia London

Imprint: Harlequin HQN Price: $7.99 U.S. / $8.99 CAN.

Release: March 2014

Format: PBMM

ISBN: 9780373778454

E-ISBN: 9781460327098

Desperate times call for daring measures as Honor Cabot, the eldest stepdaughter of the wealthy Earl of Beckington, awaits her family’s ruin. Upon the earl’s death she and her sisters stand to lose the luxury of their grand home—and their place on the pedestal of society—to their stepbrother and his social-climbing fiancée. Forced to act quickly, Honor makes a devil’s bargain with the only rogue in London who can seduce her stepbrother’s fiancée out of the Cabots’ lives for good.

An illegitimate son of a duke, George Easton was born of scandal and grows his fortune through dangerous risks. But now he and Honor are dabbling in a perilous dance of seduction that puts her reputation and his jaded heart on the line. And as unexpected desire threatens to change the rules of their secret game, the stakes may become too high even for a notorious gambler and a determined, free-spirited debutante to handle.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

So this is my first Julia London book and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But, this cover.. THIS COVER- it intrigues me. The look on Honor’s face. The blue dress. The background. Oh, how this cover intrigued me.

Did the cover set my expectations a certain way? Yes. Did the cover lead me astray? No! Honor is similar to Scarlett O’Hara- she knows what she wants, knows what she needs and works to get those things. She may have to scheme to get them, but she has no problem with that.

It occurs to me as I read THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR, life in this bygone era was tough for women. Since Honor and her sisters are not married, when their stepfather dies, they will stand to lose their home, their place in society. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

Is THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR perfect? No, there are a few things that I didn’t just love- I understood Honor’s motivation, but I didn’t always agree. But, for the most part, I was entertained. And that is really all that matters!

Fans of historical fiction romance and regency era times will find this a nice beginning to the series and eagerly await more stories from the Cabot women.

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Author Bio:

Julia London is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly best selling author of more than twenty romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular Desperate Debutante and Scandalous historical romance series, including the upcoming The Last Debutante, the fourth and final book in the Secrets of Hadley Green series. She is also the author of several contemporary women’s fiction novels with strong romantic elements, including Summer of Two Wishes, One Season of Sunshine, and Light at Winter’s End.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a four-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Julia’s website: http://julialondon.com/about/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliaFLondon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuliaLondon

Where to buy THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indie Bound, Harlequin

GIVEAWAY:

Thanks to Harlequin Books (whoo!) Traveling With T has a giveaway for you: A copy of THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR and Replica Deck of Playing Cards from Regency Era! Giveaway is open to US/Canada only!

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Just Click on the Rafflecopter Link for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T

Fallen Beauty by Erika Robuck (Blog tour and Giveaway!)

Photo credit: Penguin

Squee! Traveling With T is a stop on the FALLEN BEAUTY tour. Why am I so excited? Well, I developed a major literary love for Erika Robuck after HEMINGWAY’S GIRL. I cried for her character, Mariella. I loved her fiery spirit. And (no one throw anything at me) since I’ve never been what you would call a Hemingway fan, for Erika to make me care for him, care about these characters- well… I was hooked. So, when the opportunity knocked at my inbox about being on the FALLEN BEAUTY tour, I did not hesitate. So today, for your literary pleasure, there is a review, info about Erika and the tour, and a giveaway (sparkles, shimmers, rainbows and unicorns!) Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the link to the Rafflecopter page to enter the giveaway (but first read all the great info!) Continue reading →

Mini-reviews: Loyalty, Throw In The Trowel, & In The Blood

Traveling With T reviews books quite a bit. I try to post at least 1 or 2 review a week (of at least write a couple for future use!) But sometimes, I just want to read. And then after I read, I really just want to fangirl around. Or scream “READ THIS BOOK!” But it’s so hard to accurately write a review with just the words “READ THIS BOOK!” and until I become a You-Tube sensation for “fangirling” it’s going to be hard to accurately describe my levels of fangirling. So…. Continue reading →

Where In The World Is Traveling With T Today?

Did anyone have a flashback to that PBS game show “Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?” No? Just me? Oh ok, well I guess you know that I’m a big ole nerd know- the jig is up! Back to the real reason for the post, though… So where is Traveling With T today? Continue reading →

Pearls and Poison by Duffy Brown

Photo Credit: Berkley

This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for an honest review.

Pearls and Poison

Reagan’s mama, the honorable judge Gloria Summerside (aka Judge Guillotine Gloria), is running for city alderman. Her main rival is Kip “Scummy” Seymour- and with only weeks to go before the election, the campaign is about to get dirtier- 6 feet more of dirt, to be exact. Continue reading →

Guest Post: Duffy Brown Tells How to Choose The Right Poison (Plus a giveaway!)

Photo Credit: Berkley

Today, Duffy Brown stops by to talk about she chose the poison used in PEARLS AND POISON & other ideas to kill a fictional character. Plus, Duffy has generously offered 2 Totes for readers of Traveling With T to win (scroll down to the bottom of the page and check that Rafflecopter link!) Continue reading →

Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Meredith @ Pandora’s Books

Over the summer, Meredith @ Pandora’s Books and I “met” on Twitter. Both having won a book from Publishing Agency XYZ- and neither receiving them- we started chatting on Twitter and promising the other when/if the book arrived to contact each other. While the book never did arrive, we kept in touch. Meredith, being a YA blogger, and myself being more of a women’s fiction blogger- you would think we don’t have much in common- but I’ve been so impressed with watching her support other bloggers- that she’s become a person I like to check in on from time to time- even though I don’t read YA that much.

Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Meredith @ Pandora’s Books

Meredith- when did you begin blogging?

I started blogging on June 24, 2013

How did you come up with the name Pandora’s Books?

I really love Greek Mythology and the story of Pandora’s Box is one of my favorites. I thought it was a fun play on words!

What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?

I think blogs are great. They help readers connect with books that they might have otherwise never heard of. I know, personally, I’ve gotten a ton of book recommendations from fellow bloggers in the last four months. Had it not been for blogging, there are authors I never would have even heard of.

When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?

I’m a huge animal lover, so I love playing with my dog. I don’t watch a lot of television, but when I do, it’s usually on Netflix or DVD – old shows that I loved growing up and that are now off the air. Charmed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, Roswell, Angel, Sabrina the Teenage Witch – Basically, every 90s teen show you can think of (and some early-2000 shows, too). I also love to write, so I do that when I can!

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I don’t know if this is really a confession or not.. But I didn’t like Harry Potter when it first came out. My friend tried to get me to read The Sorcerer’s Stone, but I found the first chapter so dull! I also hated the hype around it, so I sneered at the idea of reading it. And then my 6th grade teacher started reading them to us at snack time. At first, I ignored it and read my own book at my desk. But I would catch snippets of what she was reading and slowly, oh so slowly, I got pulled in and it got to a point where I was the first person to rush over, waiting for her to start reading every day. And then I was just hooked. Now it’s one of my favorite series of all time. I’m so thankful my teacher decided to read them to us. If it weren’t for her, I don’t know when – if ever – I would have given Harry Potter a chance.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

I had no idea what people meant when they talked about Book Boyfriends until I read Splintered by A.G. Howard and was introduced to Morpheus *Swoons!* He is totally and completely my #literarycrush, hands down!

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?

Oh gosh, so many! Burning Kingdoms by Lauren DeStefano, Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott, The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa, Magnolia Springs by Kristi Cook, Alpha Goddess by Amalie Howard. Rachel Harris has at least two coming out in 2014 I can’t wait for, and Heather Lyons has at least two coming out, as well. I could go on – there are so many amazing books coming out next year!

What is a book (or 2!) that you’ve read and LOVED- but did not get positive reviews?

I really enjoyed The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White. I read some pretty awful reviews about it. When I first started reading it, I could get why people weren’t crazy about it and I wasn’t crazy about it either. But the second half of the book was amazing and I stand by the 4-star rating I gave it.

In your opinion, what book has been the best book you have read in 2013?

Definitely Shadowlands by Kate Brian. I read it way back in January… And it is STILL my favorite. The ending was insane and I did NOT see it coming. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. I’ve been a fan of Kate Brian for a long time now and I’ve read almost everything she’s written – both her Private series and Privileged series – and Shadowlands was my all-time favorite book from her.

You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?

Pivot Point by Kasie West, Unhinged by A.G. Howard and The Collector by Victoria Scott – I haven’t read any of these yet and they are ALL on my immediate TBR.

Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?

Tree book lover, all the way! While I have occasionally purchased eBooks and I’d never say no to an eARC or a review book in eBook format, I still much prefer being able to hold a book in my hand and flip the pages.

How do you find other blogs to read? Recommendations of other bloggers?

Pretty much every single blog I’ve found, I’ve found through Twitter. I’ve been on Twitter for years, way before I started blogging. I would just tweet about the books I loved and chat with my favorite authors, people would follow me, I’d follow others. I followed and “met” a lot of bloggers about a month before I made the decision to blog. And the blogs I follow have expanded from there. But it’s always through Twitter and usually at the recommendation of other bloggers or authors.

Meredith, you are a YA Book Blogger. Do you find yourself interacting the most with other YA book bloggers or do you like to mix it up and chat with bloggers who focus on non-YA books?

For the most part, I seem to gravitate toward other YA bloggers. Not intentionally, but since I follow a lot of YA authors and I read mostly YA, I seem to find other YA bloggers through my current friends. I’ve met a few bloggers who do a little bit of everything (some YA, some NA and some adult) and I’ve seen a few bloggers around who do just NA. I think I’ve interacted the least with full-time adult book bloggers.

What is the best thing about the book- the cover, the first line or the last line?

Hmm. That’s a tough question! Because, the cover is usually what draws me to a book and the first line is a big part of what makes me buy it – Whenever I pick a book up in the bookstore, I always have to read the entire first page. This is BAD when buying the second book in a series when I haven’t read the first book, as that first page can often have spoilers for book one. But it’s just one of those book buying quirks I can’t help! So, I guess I’d have to say the best part is the cover, because if the cover doesn’t demand attention, I won’t even pick the book up!

What is a book that you’ve wanted to read, but just haven’t found the time?

That’s such a long list and it’s so hard to narrow it down. If I REALLY had to pick just one, though, I’d have to say Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle Mead. I’m a HUGE Richelle Mead fan and I’ve read and loved everything she has done – except Gameboard. I really want to read it as soon as possible!

Liked reading about Meredith @ Pandora’s Books? Check her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads pages out!

Everybody’s Talking About Sisterhood (and The Moon Sisters by Therese Walsh!)

Sisterhood. What does it mean? Do you have to be a sister to know what it means? Or is sisterhood more than just being related by blood- could sisterhood mean the women in your life that you meet along the way?

I think so.

Over the years, I’ve been able to be a part of many sisterhoods- friends, relatives, becoming an aunt recently. Each and every time I’m inducted into a new sisterhood, I’m profoundly grateful for the women I’ve met, the women I’ve known in my life.

This group of women have added joy and fun to life over the past few years- this group completes me in different and wonderful ways.

Back in 2011, I decided to join in on a weekend of fun that I had been wanting to take part in for at least 5 years. The weekend of fun is The Sweet Potato Queens! So, in 2011- I drove down to Jackson, MS. Not really sure what to expect, but definitely there to have fun. I brought my wig and my sparkly dress and a boa and was ready to hang out all weekend.

What I found was women, from all walks of life, that set out to Jackson, MS the 3rd weekend in March, to take part in the power of play. To stop worrying about all the other hats they wear the rest of the year- to just spend that 1 weekend- meeting new friends, connecting with old ones, having fun and raising money for Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.

It’s an incredible weekend- the sisterhood spirit is strong. Some women are cancer survivors, some have lost children to illnesses, others are just there because it’s fun- and we are all brought together by Her Royal Highness, Jill Conner Browne and Jill’s belief in the power of play. After a weekend with these ladies, you come back stronger, feeling more confident and excited about all the fun you had!

Mermaids (plus a lady who wanted a pic)

Mermaids with a Spud Stud

A Mermaid and 2 Village Sweeties

Such a fun time!

These women, these fun-loving, tiara-wearing, false-eyelashes, sparkly outfits and big wigs- these women make me feel: Smart. Fun. The best version of myself.

And that’s the best thing about sisterhood- finding women who understand you. Who cheer you on. Who want you to be the best, brightest, most sparkly and glittery version of you and who inspire you to be that gal everyday.

SPQ Float- with PPPPPQ’s

Melanie, Jill, Me- getting our books signed

Randall Wallace and me- ZDD 2012

Mermaids and Me

Ladies in Blue!

Speaking of Sisterhood….. So THE MOON SISTERS by Therese Walsh is in stores today! I’ll pause for your applause while I gather up all my other good news!

Photo Credit: Provided by Therese Walsh

Because WOW (Women on Writing) is pretty much ab-fab (absolutely fabulous!) each blog stop on this Sisterhood tour is getting to send 1 name of their followers who wish to win THE MOON SISTERS (and they will pick the winner from the names they receive!) Ok… So tiny sad face 😦 You know because Traveling With T is actually not giving away a copy. But happy face: You, yes you, can go visit all the blogs participating in this big fun event and comment on their blogs and double, triple, quadruple your chance of being a name sent to WOW to win THE MOON SISTERS. Here is where you need to go to check out the participating blogs!

What do I need you to do? If you would like to have your name to potentially be sent to WOW to be entered to win a copy of THE MOON SISTERS, just comment here. I’ll use random.org to select a name to send to the ab-fab people of WOW! And psst…. in unrelated news, check back at Traveling With T on March 11th (might be some VERY good news that day hint, hint, wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

The Moon Sisters

Photo Credit: Provided by Therese Walsh

In The Moon Sisters, her second novel, Therese Walsh wanted to write about one sister’s quest to find will-o’-the-wisp light, which was her mother’s unfulfilled dream. Also called “foolish fires”, these lights are sometimes seen over wetlands and are thought to lead those who follow them to treasure. Despite the promise, they are never captured and sometimes lead to injury or even death for adventurers who follow them. The metaphor of that fire – that some dreams and goals are impossible to reach, and that hope itself may not be innately good – eventually rooted its way into deeper meaning as the Moon sisters tried to come to terms with real-world dreams and hopes, and with each other, in their strange new world. Olivia and Jazz Moon are polar opposites: one a dreamy synesthete, able to see sounds and smell sights and the other controlling and reality driven. What will happen when they are plunged into 24/7 togetherness and control is not an option? Will they ever be able to see the world through the other’s eyes and confront the things they fear the most? Death. Suicide. The loss of faith and hope. Will they ultimately believe that life is worth living, despite the lack of promise? The writing of The Moon Sisters was a five year journey and at times author Therese Walsh felt like it was her own “foolish fire”. But remember, some fires are worth the chase!

So go visit Therese Walsh at her website, find out some of the fun info at her site about THE MOON SISTERS (psst.. Hey Book Clubs- Here is book club materials and info on getting Therese to visit your club virtually!)

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T