Love Water Memory by Jennie Shortridge

Photo Credit: Gallery Books

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

Love Water Memory by Jennie Shortridge

Lucie is not like other women. She’s disciplined. She wears a protective shell. Designer clothes and goes after what she wants in life. At least she did. Lucie has no memory of the woman she was before after she is found in the San Francisco Bay. She only knows what she is told at the hospital- her name is Lucie and her fiancée is coming to get her.

When Grady comes to pick Lucie up, he grapples with what to tell her- does he tell her what happened the day she left? Will knowing that help or hurt her? He also grapples with this Lucie- this Lucie who eats carbs, this Lucie who does not have protective shell on- this Lucie who is kinder, less worried about appearances. Part of him wants the old Lucie- the Lucie he knew, the girl that helped make him the man he is today.

Lucie is struggling to remember things- and gets glimpses of memory at times- but when she looks at the life, the stuff of the old Lucie, she has to wonder why those things were so important to that Lucie- why she had all these designer clothes, makeup that covered freckles, that concealed who she was? Why did she feel the need to hide her true self?

When Lucie finds herself confronted with ways the old Lucie acted, she knows that she wants to be different. Lucie wants to be different than the Lucie she sees around the house- less rigid, more in the moment. More importantly, she wants to remember- needs to remember. When Lucie finds out that Grady has been keeping the fact that her aunt, her last living relative, calls to her a secret- she wonders why and knows she must talk to this aunt. Once Lucie begins to talk to her aunt, the power of the past comes back and Lucie begins to slowly understand things.

Together and separately, Lucie and Grady are on a journey to find out more, to remember about old Lucie and to find a place in life for new Lucie. The Lucie who needs protecting, but also needs to know the whole story about what happened on the day she left?

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Love Water Memory, my first Jennie Shortridge book, takes an interesting concept- memory, and creates a book that is sure to please. Not being able to remember who you are and being comfortable with all the life choices “you” made- would you still make the same choices now that you have an opportunity to do differently? What if the man you chose can’t love the “new” you? Can you fault him? What if- when faced with all the previous trappings of your life- you find out that the new you does not like the “old” you? What then?

Jennie Shortridge explores this and much more in Love Water Memory– a book that is highly discussable for book lovers.

*Love Water Memory was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

To see what other She Reads bloggers are saying about the January She Reads Book Club Selection, please visit here or follow this hashtag on Twitter: #srblog.

Guest Post: Melinda McGuire talks about New Year Resolutions & the power of “yes”

Melinda McGuire is a Southern Lit loving and writer with a big heart person! Melinda and I began tweeting some because we saw each other via Deep South Mag- and then Melinda let me guest post a couple of times on her blog! Reading her blog posts made me know that I wanted her to write a guest post about her resolutions- and she did. And it’s beautiful.

Melinda McGuire and the power of “yes”

2014 and Learning the Power of Yes

Christmas Day has passed. All of our boxes are packed in the attic – better organized this year, thankfully, since I was still unpacking random ornaments and wrapping paper on Christmas Eve from these mysterious boxes and bags I had hidden from myself. I guess I wanted to give myself a challenging game – hide and seek the Christmas Decorations. I lost, so well done my evil twin, well done.

I have double motivation for New Year’s Resolutions. One – another year is coming, a fresh start, a clean slate, the opportunity to make changes. Two – New Year’s Day is my birthday, another year older, an opportunity to reflect on where I am in my journey of life.

I have some of the usual resolutions on my list: lose weight, get in better shape, survive running a Mud Run and Color Run with my oldest child and my husband, do a better job of managing my money, improve my organization habits.

I also have a resolution that may not be on everyone’s list: learning when to say “yes” and why.

Saying “yes” –to more time with my family, more time “unplugged,” more time reading for pleasure, more time resting, more time playing, more time working on the IMPORTANT, more time reading and studying the Bible, more time in prayer, more time seeking ways to use the gifts that I have been given to bless others. “Yes” to strengthening and building my spiritual life, my family life, my professional life.

Saying “yes” – to initiating experiences that I want, to seeking out the important in my life, to setting boundaries, to giving myself permission to fail, to giving myself permission to succeed!

Yes to gratitude, yes to peace, yes to rest, yes to perseverance, yes to optimism, yes to hope, yes to good coffee.

Yes to warm blankets and old movies, yes to afternoons in the sunshine, yes to late night summer barbeques, yes to family traditions, yes to days on the lake, yes to road trips, yes to planning for spontaneity!

Yes to hugs, yes to kisses, yes to towels hot out of the dryer, yes to new socks, yes to beautiful bookmarks, yes to notebook after notebook of writing and business information, yes to the free flow of ideas.

Yes to kicking the negative soundtrack out of my head permanently.

Yes to knowing who I am and being that person with grace, compassion, and joy.

So, here’s to 2014 and to learning the power of “yes.”

If you enjoyed reading Melinda’s guest post- visit her blog!

Tuesday Mashup

It’s the first Mashup of 2014! (I know, I know- Today’s the 14th and I should have had at least 2 mashups posted already- think of the mashup like a Big Foot sighting- sometimes they are here, sometimes not)

Anyway- this one has quite a few things- and because I’m embracing my inner crafty side, I’m also including some crafty things (you’re welcome!)

♥♥♥Book-ish Stuff♥♥♥

The Book Wheel & Love at First Book announce their February read- A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian. If this book sounds like your cup of tea, join in the fun!

Love at First Book’s weekly Linky Love party is happening- so join in the fun!

Closed The Cover lists Top 5 Reasons You Should Be Reading (excellent reasons!)

Always With a Book reviews LOVE WATER MEMORY (and has a #giveaway!)

♥♥♥Crafty Fun♥♥♥

Mommy Mentionables has rounded up 6 ideas for Valentine’s Day. Cute and fairly easy looking!

Mad In Crafts has Shakespeare Printables. So darn cute!

The Thinking Closet has saved us all this year- cute organization + a free Silhouette file! Pass the organization tips on, Miss Lauren, because I think we’re all in need!

Hope you found something book-ish or crafty to make the day a bit brighter and more sparkly 🙂

Guest Post: Sarah Morgan & New Year Resolutions: What Will Be the Word of 2014?

Sarah Morgan, author of Sleigh Bells in the Snow, talks about her New Year Resolutions. How she loves the freshness of the New Year and her advice for people looking to make New Year Resolutions.

Sarah Morgan: New Year Resolutions and the word of 2014

I love New Year and the idea of making a fresh start. A close friend told me a few years ago that instead of making a resolution, she picks a word. So ‘connect’ might mean making a real effort to be in touch with people who have drifted away simply because we all have busy lives. ‘Resist’ might mean working extra hard on will power! My word for 2014, and my resolution, is ‘Today’. I’m going to try and spend less time worrying about tomorrow and next week and next year and really try and focus on enjoying every moment of the day I’m in and hopefully making that day better for the people around me.

So.. What will be your word of 2014? Traveling With T wants to know!

Guest Post: Rebecca from Love At First Book talks about her New Year Resolutions

Hey guys, I’m Rebecca from Love at First Book, and today I am going to share with you some of my 2014 Resolutions. I divided them up into bookish and bloggy, since it just seems to work well that way!

Bookish Resolutions:

Read 150+ books again this year
Keep making dents in my Classics Club list & the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
Continue with my 50 Bookish Things You Must Do Before You Die list and make any changes to the list if needed
Attend BEA, which I am fully planning on doing!

Bloggy Resolutions:

Redo my About page in January and reread it monthly
Start keeping better track of my stats on a monthly basis
Become a G+ pro and use the communities more actively
Video blog monthly
Create bookish craft DIYs 2x per month
Grab some more co-hosts for my Spread the Love Linky Party

Hopefully I’ll be just as good with my resolutions as I was last year. In 2013, I accomplished all of my resolutions, which I was kind of surprised about!

Your turn! Share one of your resolutions with me!

Literary Friday, ya’ll……

It’s Literary Friday! Talk of Gone Girl is buzzing about today (more on that later!)

1. Deep South Magazine and their #literaryfriday: Karen White and Return to Tradd Street news, Gone Girl made the list for 16 books being made to movies to see, Wiley Cash’s latest, A Dark Road To Mercy is a mover and shaker (don’t forget to join in Twitter chat Jan 31’st hosted by Deep South Mag!) and so much more!

2. Always With A Book got to meet Sue Monk Kidd this week- read on for her exciting tale!

3. Giveaways, giveaways, giveaways! Always With A Book is giving away Wendy Wax’s While We Were Watching Downton Abbey (ends TODAY) AND Eggs in a Casket by Laura Childs. Traveling With T (that’s me!) is giving away an e-copy of Wild Ones by Kristine Wylyys and The Tulip Eaters by Antoinette V Heugten.

4. So, back to the Gone Girl thing. The news on the internet today is that Gillian Flynn re-wrote the ending for the movie version of Gone Girl. Say what?! What are your thoughts on this news? Here’s mine: We prob should have seen this coming. It’s really not that surprising- I mean, don’t get me wrong- I wish THE ENDING would be the ending in the movie. But, it’s not going to stop me from watching the movie. I say pass the popcorn and hand me my large strawberry drink while I enjoy Gone Girl on the big screen!

5. Bloggers Made of AWESOME is back this week with Krysta from Pages Unbound! Read about her #literaryconfession!

6. I reviewed River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz this week- the right amount of suspense and romance for me!

7. What are your 2014 reading goals? Here is some of mine!

8. Don’t forget: Twitter chat with Jennie Shortridge 1/15! Use #srbkchat to join in the fun- it begins at 8pmEST and there will be 3 copies of LOVE WATER MEMORY given away!

9. You know, I said that Traveling With T had some good news- well, I just posted a new button in my sidebar- I’m a Harlequin V.I.B (Very Important Blogger). Which means that Traveling With T will be having access to more great giveaways (which is great for you!)

10. What are you #fridayreads? I just finished my ARC of Murder With Ganache by Lucy Burdette (loved it!) and will be starting The Goldfinch soon.

Guest Post: Lori Nelson Spielman talks of New Year Resolutions (wine, books, & the life of an author!)

Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life List, talks about her New Year Resolutions. Statistics, why she likes New Year Resolutions and the difference between boring resolutions & ones that might be attainable! Read on for Lori’s thoughts.

Lori Nelson Spielman talks of New Year Resolutions

Thanks so much for hosting me today to talk about New Year’s Resolutions. Let me start by getting the clichés out of the way. With the New Year comes a fresh start. The New Year provides the perfect time to reinvent ourselves. The start of a new year gives us a chance to reflect on our lives, evaluate what we want to change or improve.

As tired as they may be, I happen to agree with the clichés. I love the symbolism of a new beginning. I have oodles of things I’d love to change, and apparently, so do most Americans. According to StatisticBrain.com, 45% of Americans make resolutions.

Year after year we vow to eat healthy, get wealthy, lose weight and congregate. We plan to volunteer, drink less beer, manage our debt and adopt a pet.

And year after year we fail—at least that’s what my friend, Kathy, believes. I discovered her resolution revulsion while we were having lunch, and the conversation turned to the New Year.

Kathy: I never make New Year’s Resolutions. Ever. Call me the Grinch of the New Year, but I refuse to be pressured to perform under a deadline.

Me: But it’s the perfect time to start fresh, make those changes we’ve been putting off all year.

Kathy: If someone needs to change, then they should change. Immediately. Why wait for January 1st? Resolution-makers are needy. They’re like a group of lemmings, marching to their suicide. Do you realize only eight percent of people accomplish their resolutions? And of those eight percent, seven percent are lying.

Me: You’re so cynical. The important thing is, they make the effort.

Kathy: Uh, yeah, for like three whole days.

Me: I happen to believe in resolutions. As you know, I make one every year. Want to hear this year’s?

Kathy: Let me guess, you’re going to eat healthy, work out more, everything you vowed to do last year.

Me: Well, yes…but this year I thought I’d increase my exercise routine…

Kathy: Bo-ring! The only thing worse than exercising is listening to someone talk about exercise. And food? Trust me, no one wants to hear about it. Rule of thumb: never talk about your diet unless the person you’re talking to is wearing a lab coat.

Me: Okay, forget those resolutions. I’ll just stick with my original goal: Write my next book.

Kathy: You said that last year and the year before. You need something more succinct. How about: When writer’s block hits, I’ll inhale two, rather than three, rows of Oreo cookies.

Me: But those Oreos are so comforting. I know, I’ll organize my office, and keep it organized all year.

Kathy: Seriously? That’s like asking Miley Cyrus to give up twerking. Make it realistic, like stuffing your coffee mug, laptop, pens, papers and candy wrappers into the nearest closet five minutes before your family gets home.

Me: But all that paraphernalia helps me write. In fact, next year I’m going to write 1,000 words per day, without fail. Now there’s a resolution!

Kathy: You already do that. I see your Facebook posts, tweets, emails, Pinterest…

Me: You’re right. Scratch that. By the time I sit down to write my novel, my daily quota of clever thoughts have been used up. How about I vow to keep away from social media while I’m writing?

Kathy: An Internet diet. Interesting. Are you including Sudoku and Solitaire in your diet?

Me: I should. I know I should. Those computer games are a time warp. But I’m addicted. I can’t stop. Hey, why don’t I read 24 books in the New Year? Reading is essential for writers. And I won’t read trashy novels, I’ll finally read the classics.

Kathy: Two books a month sounds reasonable. But make it one classic, one trashy. After all, if you can’t twerk…. I’m just sayin.

Me: Finally, a resolution we agree on! We’re on a roll here. What about this one: I’ll stop reading my reviews.

Kathy: Obsessing over your reviews would be more accurate. But yes, that’s another good one.

Me: And I won’t compare myself with other authors. I won’t curl up in the fetal position for a week when I discover my writer friends have already sold books three and four.

Kathy: Excellent. I think you might actually accomplish these.

Me: No doubt about it. And while I’m writing, I’ll set a timer. I’ll write in two-hour blocks. I’ll limit my caffeine intake to two cups of coffee a day. I’ll—

Kathy: Whoa. Back up…caffeine intake? What about your wine intake?

Me, blanching, aghast: Wine? Come on now, let’s not get carried away. I refuse to be pressured to perform under a deadline. Why set myself up for failure? Do you realize only eight percent of people accomplish their resolutions…

Like Lori’s resolution? Read Lori Nelson Spielman: Author Spotlight or Interview With Lori Nelson Spielman.

Guest Post: Jolina Petersheim, author of The Outcast, reveals her 2014 resolutions!

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of reading The Outcast by Jolina Petersheim. Fresh-faced and earnest, Jolina is the kind of woman that you just want to soak up her presence. She would be the person who give the advice to you in a moment of hard times- the advice that would be so poignant- and yet so simple. I eagerly await Jolina’s next book!

Jolina Petersheim 2014 Resolution

Over the past few weeks (and especially since I learned about this guest post), I’ve contemplated my resolutions for 2014.

I even thought about keeping a list in the kitchen, where I spend a majority of my time, but I never got around to writing them down until now:

Keep my computer, closet, and kitchen organized (i.e.: child-proof everything).
Send Christmas cards and/or photos (it takes a year for me to gear up).
Get up at six to write (unless Miss A is teething, then all bets are off).
Run in a 5-K with my sisters-in-law.
Have a weekly date with my daughter and husband (preferably on separate nights).

I will actually try to meet most of these resolutions (well, maybe not the Christmas cards . . . or the running bit).

But then I started thinking about when I’m so busy being busy, I miss out on the beauty of everyday life.

So, over the past few days, I have gone in the opposite direction and made an effort to be still.

Well, I have a toddler, so I haven’t been still as much as I have forced myself to embrace the moments not jotted down on my to-do list.

Yesterday, when my daughter put my fleece hat in my lap and then motioned for me to put it on my head, I obeyed, promptly bundled her up in her own hat, coat, and boots, and we went outside for a walk—going downhill together hand-in-hand.
When she dumped water over the edge of the tub—saturating the rug on the bathroom floor—I just rolled it up and continued sitting there, reading my book, until my daughter lifted her chubby little arms, letting me know that she wanted out.
On our daily walk, instead of just waving at my neighbor as he passed me on the road, I motioned for him to pull over, and we chatted about his grandkids and his health.
I stood outside, listening to the snow geese migrating north.
I read more books to my daughter; I read more books from my To-Be-Read pile, too!
I unplugged from the Internet for longer periods of time.
My daughter and I played with marigolds seeds—the flowers long having frozen in the garden.

All of these simple, exquisite moments would have been lost amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life if I hadn’t made an effort to go with the flow instead of fighting against the current—eager to reach my destination and check off another to-do from my New Year’s list.

Now, I also realize that life is going to resume its pace once the holidays are officially over. But I figure that if my main New Year’s Resolution is to be present in the moment, I will make more of an effort to enjoy life rather than trying to squeeze every second of productivity from the hours that I’ve been given.

What are some of your favorite ways to “waste” time?

If you enjoyed reading Jolina’s resolution, please visit her at her website and tell her!

The Tulip Eaters by Antoinette van Heugten (+ giveaway)

Photo Credit: Goodreads

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

The Tulip Eaters

It’s a regular day for Nora. Work and then going home to see her mother and her sweet baby, Rose. Until Nora gets home to the worst nightmare she’s ever experienced. Her mother, shot in the head. And a strange man, dead. Both of those incidents are alarming enough- but even more- where is the baby? Did someone kidnap the baby while her mother was being killed? Are the 2 incidents connected?

Nora, frantic with worry about her baby, only knows that she must find her child. Her life is not worth living if she cannot find her child. As Nora is packing some things of her mother’s away- she finds a metal box. And the box changes everything that Nora knows about her parents. Nora finds out a deep secret- a secret that she never wanted to know. Slowly, Nora begins to realize that the murder of her mother and the kidnapping of her daughter are linked- and have to do with the past, with a life before Nora.

Nora boards a plane to Amsterdam, to find answers to the questions she found in Houston, TX in a metal box. To find out if her parents were what the secrets in the box suggest. Once in Amsterdam- Nora finds out that there are people there- people in high places- who will go to incredible lengths to keep Nora from her daughter- all in part of a payback for the acts Nora’s parents committed against them. Can Nora find out what happened in Amsterdam years ago? Can Nora find her daughter? And will Nora’s former lover, Nico, help her or break her heart again?

Secrets, lies, and betrayal- Amsterdam is filled with those 3 things. Nora must solve the mystery to find out why her daughter was kidnapped, to even have a chance of finding Rose.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

This is my first Antoinette V. Heugten book and I enjoyed this story. The reader knows pretty quickly why Nora’s mother was murdered- what her secret is. But, as the reader joins Nora- the reader finds that while some fairly key information was revealed in the first 100+ pages- not all was revealed- and that’s why you keep turning the pages.

There are a few twists- some are slightly predictable, some are not. There are a few things about this book that the reader can nitpick- timing of some scenes- but for the most part- enjoyable.

Some of the characters are not as well-drawn out as the others or perhaps the characters that are more memorable to me had evil personalities which added an extra layer.

This story has themes of betrayal, secrets and lies- but wove throughout is a theme of forgiveness. Forgiveness and understanding for yourself, for others.

*This book was sent to Traveling With T from a publicist in exchange for a fair and honest review. Above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Giveaway details:

Check the Rafflecopter Link for 1 copy of The Tulip Eaters (US only!) Giveaway runs from 1-8/1-14.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloggers Made Of AWESOME: Krysta @ Pages Unbound

The last Bloggiesta that I participated in- I worked my butt off on my blog. Creating new things. Cleaning the blog up. NETWORKING. This is when me and Pages Unbound crossed paths! Pages Unbound is run by 2 people (Krysta and Briana) and they love to blog (plus read!) This AWESOME post is from the perspective of Krysta as Briana had been getting the opportunity for other interviews- and they want the blogging world to know them as a unit- but also as their own personalities! I was happy to oblige and give Krysta some bloggy love! Psst.. Just in case you missed it- HERE is an interview Pages Unbound did on little ole me!

Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Krysta @ Pages Unbound

Krysta- when did you begin blogging?

Briana and I began our blog in May 2011, so I’ve been blogging for about two and a half years now!

How did you and Briana come up with the name Pages Unbound?

We threw around quite a lot of names, but Pages Unbound seemed to capture the spirit of really taking apart a book to look at how and why it works. I also think it reflects the magic of books—how they sometimes seem to come alive in a way you might not expect.

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

Blogging is a really exciting experience because it exposes you to a world I think many avid readers still do not know exists. It can be fun getting ARCs from publishers and things like that, but the real draw for me are the connections I can make both with authors and with other readers. I’ve read many books I might never have heard of if it were not for the blogging community. If I tend to agree with a blogger about what constitutes good literature and what books I think are good, I am definitely more willing to try a title I’ve seen reviewed on that blog, even if it is not a genre I typically read.

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

I like to watch movies, bake, and try to teach myself foreign languages. I think if I got lost in Italy at the moment, I could ask for the train station and maybe buy a newspaper. That’s totally useful, right?

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I’ve never read The Iliad or The Odyssey. And I’m completely ashamed of myself.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

I don’t really have a literary crush. When I see a really great character, I want him to get together with his destined literary crush!

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?

All of them! I am trying to get through my complete Shakespeare, however, so that’s my number one goal for 2014!

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

I can’t think of any book in particular, but I do have a fondness for novels that oftentimes have a bit of a sentimental element to them—A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter, for example. Though that’s a classic and well-beloved by many.

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

No contest—Dante’s Divine Comedy. But John Freccero’s commentary Dante: The Poetics of Conversion was a close second. The two just go together.

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

J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Chaim Potok’s My Name is Asher Lev, and something light and fun. Maybe a Jessica Day George book or a fairy tale retelling.

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

I love paper books! The weight, smell, and texture of the book are all a special part of its bookishness.

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

I mostly find blogs when people come to comment on our blog. As for recommendations, there are so many great bloggers out there. I really like Simoa’s blog at http://animatedholiday.blogspot.com/, though. She talks about Pixar films, classic movies, and the always wonderful Audrey Hepburn.

Pages Unbound has a feature IF YOU LIKE. What is your favorite thing about this feature?

I like that it is the perfect feature for me! Whenever I read a good book, I want to know where I can find more books like it. Unfortunately, the recommendations generated by algorithms on various websites are often not close to what I want. You sometimes need the human element to discern what books have the same feel and spirit and that’s what we provide.

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

For years I’ve wanted to read Shelby Foote’s classic Civil War trilogy, but each book is about 800 pages and I never made it past the first few battles. But this upcoming year will be the year! (That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.)

Want to connect with Pages Unbound? Visit blog, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!