Guest Post: Beth Albright discusses how Belle’s love LOVE!

Beth Albright, author of The Sassy Belles trilogy, has stopped by Traveling With T today to discuss: Belles, love and Valentine’s Day. Beth’s recently released novella, Saved By The Belles, is creating quite a buzz in the romance world. Beth has been steadily promoting the latest novella while also getting ready for the next trilogy- yes, the Belles will be back in summer 2014!

When Beth and I started talking about this post, I suggested a couple of different options- Belles and love, Belles and friendship- because both those topics really go hand in hand with Beth Albright’s trilogy. The friendships and the romance are something to remember- and after reading Beth’s books, you may find yourself craving sweet tea and a Southern accent. Continue reading →

Why I Love (and dislike) Valentine’s Day…

One minute, I was walking around in a winter wonderland in my nearest Walmart and Target. Aisles and aisles of Christmas trees and ornaments, wrapping paper galore, and enjoying the bargains- because Target and Walmart had to MOVE this stuff out for the next big holiday. Not New Year’s Eve- but Valentine’s Day. It was December 29th and I could already see the beginnings of Valentine’s Day- true, true- it was a scant beginning- but it was there and was going to grow exponentially by the hour. And my heart loved it and hated it.

First, let’s get a few things straight- this is not a post bashing stores about turning holidays into consumerism extravaganzas (they have to make money, y’know?) Nor is this a post about the evils of Valentine’s Day for a certain subsection of women ( y’know, the single ladies). Nor is it a cry to arms for women everywhere to feel empowered and say “Valentine’s Day- you kinda suck”. It’s just a girl, who struggles at time with her love (and yet dislike for the day). It’s honest. And maybe a bit snarky at times. Continue reading →

February She Reads Book Club Selection: The Wife, The Maid, and The Mistress by Ariel Lawhon

Photo Credit: Goodreads

It’s here! It’s time! The February She Reads Book Club Selection is………. THE WIFE, THE MAID, and THE MISTRESS by Ariel Lawhon (one of the geniuses behind She Reads). Recently released and already generating tons of buzz in the book world- this book should be a popular pick with book clubs around the world. Want more proof? Read the summary:

A tantalizing reimagining of a scandalous mystery that rocked the nation in 1930-Justice Joseph Crater’s infamous disappearance-as seen through the eyes of the three women who knew him best.

They say behind every great man, there’s a woman. In this case, there are three. Stella Crater, the judge’s wife, is the picture of propriety draped in long pearls and the latest Chanel. Ritzi, a leggy showgirl with Broadway aspirations, thinks moonlighting in the judge’s bed is the quickest way off the chorus line. Maria Simon, the dutiful maid, has the judge to thank for her husband’s recent promotion to detective in the NYPD. Meanwhile, Crater is equally indebted to Tammany Hall leaders and the city’s most notorious gangster, Owney “The Killer” Madden.

On a sultry summer night, as rumors circulate about the judge’s involvement in wide-scale political corruption, the Honorable Joseph Crater steps into a cab and disappears without a trace. Or does he?

After 39 years of necessary duplicity, Stella Crater is finally ready to reveal what she knows. Sliding into a plush leather banquette at Club Abbey, the site of many absinthe-soaked affairs and the judge’s favorite watering hole back in the day, Stella orders two whiskeys on the rocks-one for her and one in honor of her missing husband. Stirring the ice cubes in the lowball glass, Stella begins to tell a tale-of greed, lust, and deceit. As the novel unfolds and the women slyly break out of their prescribed roles, it becomes clear that each knows more than she has initially let on.

With a layered intensity and prose as effervescent as the bubbly that flows every night, The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress is a wickedly entertaining historical mystery that will transport readers to a bygone era with tipsy spins through subterranean jazz clubs and backstage dressing rooms. But beneath the Art Deco skyline and amid the intoxicating smell of smoke and whiskey, the question of why Judge Crater disappeared lingers seductively until a twist in the very last pages.

Want to read this book? You are in luck! Traveling With T just happens to know of several giveaways! She Reads is giving away 5 copies (plus shot glasses- super cute!), Goodreads is giving away 30 copies, and because Doubleday Publishing is the cat’s pajamas- for the She Reads Twitter chat where we chat with Ariel Lawhon (hosted by me!)- 10 copies of the book will be given away that night! The Twitter chat is February 27th- 8pmEST. #srbkchat is the hashtag (while all are welcome to join in the fun of the Twitter chat- the giveaway portion is limited to US only (sorry!)

Want to read what others are saying about The Wife, The Maid and The Mistress? You are in luck! Check out She Reads Blog Network and see what they are saying!

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T

After I’m Gone by Laura Lippman

Photo Credit: Goodreads

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

After I’m Gone

Felix Brewer is a man with a plan- he has big dreams. Wants to have a fancy house, money and security, all the creature comforts of life. Felix is not afraid of hard work- he’s also not afraid of breaking the law and bending the rules to get ahead in life. When Felix meets Bambi- there is an instant attraction. Bambi is Felix’s idea of a perfect woman- cultured and beautiful.

Felix not only has no problem bending the law for his own gain, he also does not have a problem breaking his vows- which he does with his mistress, Julie. When the law finally catches up to Felix, he does what a man with shady business connections does- he takes the money and runs- leaving behind, Bambi, his 3 daughters and Julie. 5 women- 5 women whose lives were irrevocably changed after Felix left. Bambi also feels that Julie knew more than what she let on- and resentment builds. 10 years after Felix disappears, Julie leaves- most think to join Felix in the new life he’s made. Until Julie’s remains are found- which shines a spotlight on the day that Julie disappears.

Enter Roberto “Sandy” Sanchez- former police officer- now he works on cold cases- he has a good track record following up with the clues and finding justice- even after everyone else has given up. When Sandy begins to search for clues about Julie’s disappearance- the trail twists and turns along with Felix’s disappearance and life of crime. Felix’s daughters and his wife, Bambi, all have reason for Julie to disappear. But, years later, would any of them had the ability to make this happen? Or is there more to this story than meets the eye?

Sandy knows the truth is out there. And he knows he’s the person to find out the answers.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This was my first Laura Lippman novel- and I thoroughly enjoyed AFTER I’M GONE. A man disappears, his mistress disappears 10 years later- common sense tells you the 2 are together. But common sense meet Laura Lippman- she takes a story that has been told before- and creates a story with intrigue and mystery- a story that the reader will devour.

AFTER I’M GONE is told in “current time” and flashback tales- with clues and suspects littered throughout the story. The story, while the main focus is on what happened to Julie, the subplots of how Felix came to disappear and how life without Felix shaped the women he loves lives without him make for a great addition to the storyline. As the reader follows the clues with Sandy- they must question everyone and everything.

Recommended.

*This book, AFTER I’M GONE, was sent to Traveling With T by William-Morrow Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Just Can’t Get Enough Of: Sexy Heroes (February 2014)

Photo Credit: Harlequin

Harlequin Books has started a new feature called- Just Can’t Get Enough Of and each month will have some suggestions of books for the month. For February, it’s Sexy Heroes! Traveling With T is happy to help promote this Harlequin feature- and is excited about all the fun! Check back monthly as Traveling With T reveals each month’s theme- and keep an eye out for giveaways, reviews and author interviews- each month will have something fun! Continue reading →

Literary Friday, ya’ll….

Today is Literary Friday- the best day of the week!

I’ve got much to talk about- so let’s get to it!

1. First, before I get into the fun of #literaryfriday- Traveling With T has had a “face lift”- yes, a new theme has been applied! While Matala ( my paisely print theme had been a very good theme to me- I did love the bright colors!), the new theme, Sorbet, looks to be a winner. It’s a bit more customizable- even without having to buy all the upgrades, etc- so I hope Sorbet and I are happy for quite some time.

2. Deep South Magazine and their #literaryfriday- Wiley Cash interview (and giveaway of A DARK ROAD TO MERCY), 50 Books by Women Authors and much more! Continue reading →

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Beautiful Addictions by Season Vining

Photo Credit: StarAngels’ Reviews

A few weeks ago, Closed The Cover put out a call to bloggers- StarAngels’ Reviews was putting on a big release blitz for Season Vining’s BEAUTIFUL ADDICTIONS, and they needed some extra bloggers.

So, today is my stop on the BEAUTIFUL ADDICTIONS tour- as part of my stop on the tour there will be a synopsis, excerpt and links to a huge Rafflecopter giveaway! Continue reading →

Guest Post: Kristin @ Always With A Book reveals her New Year Resolutions

Kristin @ Always With A Book- eek! She’s so great- we have similar book tastes, both She Reads bloggers, and love scrapbooking! Kristin was featured back in July as part of Bloggers Made of AWESOME feature at Traveling With T- and she has become a treasured bloggy friend!

Kristin @ Always With A Book talks about her 2014 Resolutions

2014 is here and I have quite a few areas I am going to concentrate on…

Reading:

* This is going to be the year I read my own books…as of Jan 1 I have 241 unread books sitting on my shelves and 84 unread e-books on my iPad. While I while still be participating in blog tours and taking review books, I will be more selective as to those I agree to take on. I would really like this number to be considerably down by the end of the year.

* For those review books I do agree to take on that have a set review date, I am going to try to read ahead of schedule. This past year I found myself reading them at the last minute and feeling a bit frantic writing up the review – no more of that!!!

Blog:

* Organized…I need and want to be more together this year. I have my blog planner/calendar and am going to try to be better at scheduling things ahead of time. Some of this goes hand in hand with making sure books that need to be read by a certain date are read in a more timely fashion!

* I want to try to branch out more with different types of posts – this is still a book blog and will continue to remain so, but rather than always just reviews and giveaways, I’d like to do more feature posts and excerpts, even more author interviews and even more discussion posts relating to all things bookish.

Bookish Events:

* I am hoping to attend a book events this year, including BEA – my first time going!!!

* I also hope to continue attending as many author events that are near me as I can – I so enjoy going to them and getting to know those authors I love to read on a more personal level.

Fitness:

* I am training to walk my first 1/2 marathon and am super excited…my eventual goal is to walk a full marathon.

Be sure and check out Kristin’s blog- Always With A Book!

Guest Post: Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews discusses her ideas about New Year Resolutions

Back in 2013 (gosh that SOUNDS like a long time ago- but it really wasn’t!) Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews was featured as a Blogger Made of AWESOME. So when I asked her to consider guest posting about New Year Resolutions, I knew it would be good. I knew I would like it. I just didn’t realize how much I was going to wish me and Rhiannon could be in real life friends because her resolutions sound amazingly fun!

Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews discusses New Year Resolutions

A couple of years ago I figured out that if you make a resolution for something you WANT to do instead of something you NEED to do, you are much more likely to stay on track. Putting big demands on yourself to dramatically alter your lifestyle generally leads to a crash and burn scenario. So why not set yourself up to succeed with your resolutions? For 2013, I made a list of a three or four things I WANTED to get in the habit of doing more often: reading, time with friends, massages, date nights. Then I asked myself how often I wanted to do these things? I wanted to read two hours per day, have date night and go to coffee/ lunch / drinks with my friends every 1-2 weeks, and get a massage once a month. I made mental notes and plugged my “appointments” into my planner. Now when I find myself straying from these resolutions, it is easy to jump back in line instead of totally giving up.

For 2014, I will be sticking with my resolutions from last year (because I love them,) but I also want to try more recipes and walk more often at the park. I collect recipes on my Pinterest boards and try a new recipe occassionally but I’m going to try to make one new recipe per week. My neighborhood park has a wonderful 2.5 mile loop trail that I can walk in about 45 minutes. That means that even factoring in driving to and from the park, it would only take an hour out of my day. Plus, I’m so much happier after I go. Granted the first months of the year are pretty chilly (even in Georgia) so weather permitting I would like to go 4 times per week.

Making resolutions to do things you WANT will make you happier throughout the year and shouldn’t we all resolve to be happier?

Don’t forget to check out Rhiannon’s blog- Ivory Owl Reviews!