Grounded by Angela Correll

Photo Credit: Amazon

Annie is a flight attendant- flying the skies to far-flung places around the world. When she is home, New York City- with it’s wonderful ambience and never-ending options of things to do, places to eat, and buzzing activity. Annie is happy- jet-setting off to great places, coming home to her sweet boyfriend. The only teeny concern- there is talk of a merger- which could lead to losing her job. But, Annie is sure the airline will work out the necessary details and keep her flying the good life. Annie has a boyfriend who she adores- and he asks her to move in with him- which she takes a step on the way to the rest of their lives.

One day, on a flight, Annie begins chatting with someone who sheds a light on her relationship- and Annie is concerned. When she gets home, she finds that she had reason to be concerned. So, she doesn’t have a place to live, no boyfriend, and then she gets the final bad news- she’s been grounded. Her boss hopes to get her back in the air in a few months- but the 2 airlines need time to see who they are keeping and who will not be re-hired. Annie decides to head to her family farm- back to Kentucky.

When Annie arrives in Kentucky, life on the farm has changed. Her grandmother’s getting older and can’t keep up with farm life like she once was able. Annie suggests selling the farm and downsizing to a smaller home- but her grandmother balks at the idea. At first, Annie does not understand. Soon, though, farm life begins to feel right to Annie. Annie reconnects with her buddy Jake, who is wanting to leave the corporate rat race behind and start sustainable farming. That’s not the only thing he’s looking to change, though. He’s got a girlfriend who he’s hoping to make a fiance. His fiance, though, after visiting Kentucky- is hoping he’ll stay in the corporate world.

When Annie gets a call telling her she’s going to be able to fly the skies again- she thought she would be excited. But life in Kentucky has grounded her in more ways than one. Will Annie go back to New York City or will farm life (and maybe the boy next door) be reason to stay in Kentucky?

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Angela Correll wears her big ole Kentucky loving heart on her sleeve as she writes Grounded! A debut novel that is sweet and funny- with life lessons amongst the story. Angela takes a story of a woman displaced from a fast paced life and sends her back home, back to where she learns to appreciate the simple life- the life of hard work and being able to hold your own. The plot, while it is a tad bit predictable at times, is still well-written enough to hold a reader’s attention. Enjoyable. Interesting. Nice pace and characters.

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

Rose Harbor in Bloom by Debbie Macomber

Photo Credit: Barnes and Noble

Jo Marie, young and widowed, opened the bed and breakfast as part of a dream she had. Her husband was killed in Afghanistan and she is working through her grief the best way she can. The never ending duties of the B&B seem to be a place to help keep her mind occupied, while she grieves and moves on with her life.

Jo Marie has a cranky man doing odd and ends jobs for her around Rose Harbor. Jo Marie wanted a garden of roses planted for an event- and Mark, the cranky handy man, did not finish it. He seems to be dragging his feet for a reason- but being a secretive man- it’s not obvious as to why. The friendship between Jo Marie and Mark is odd- and filled with misunderstandings!

Annie has planned a perfect weekend at Rose Harbor Inn to honor her grandparent’s 5oth wedding anniversary. Because of past complications with her love life, she needs a weekend of basking in her grandparent’s obvious adoration of each other. However, someone needs to tell her grandparents to act like the loving couple Annie remembers- as they are spending their anniversary weekend fighting. Annie is beside herself, and mad that Oliver, a boy she used to have a crush on, is spending the weekend at Rose Harbor Inn. Oliver used to tease Annie, but now, he’s interested in her. Annie can’t see beyond the years ago Oliver, though. Can Oliver show Annie he’s changed and that a good love is right before her eyes?

Mary comes to Rose Harbor Inn to escape her life for a bit. Diagnosed with cancer, Mary is looking back at her life- and some of the mistakes she made. There is a huge mistake in Seattle- and Mary is looking for the strength to connect with George, a past love. Mary knows she broke his heart years ago- and wants forgiveness- even though she is not sure she deserves it. Can George forgive Mary for the past heartbreak? Is their story over?

Love. Forgiveness. Dreams. Happiness. Second chances. Rose Harbor in Bloom has it all.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

Being a fan of Blossom Street series, I wanted to really like Rose Harbor in Bloom. Being written by Debbie Macomber, I did not see a problem with this wish. Something fell flat with me about this book. Maybe it was the cantankerous handy man? That storyline seemed to take up a good bit of the book. Perhaps it was because this is the 2nd book in the series and I need to read the first to get more of a feel for the characters.

It’s not a bad read. It’s just not as good as I expected. However, the heartwarming aspects of a Debbie Macomber book are there.

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

Wedding Belles by Beth Albright

Photo Credit: Goodreads

The Sassy Belles are Back! Wedding bells are ringing for Vivi- unless the psychic’s prediction is true! Blake O’Hara Heart knows this- in the Deep South, in August, you do not upset a pregnant bride- it’s just too darn hot for that mess!

Blake is knee deep into planning her best girlfriend ever an over the top wedding and baby shower! Vivi asks Blake to have Myra Jean, trailer park psychic to the ladies in Tuscaloosa, read their futures at her combo wedding/baby shower. Blake agrees because she is the most loyal matron of honor. As part of booking Myra Jean for the shower, Vivi gets a sample reading. Oh if only Blake had herself a magic ball- then she could have known the trouble heading Vivi’s way! Myra Jean lets Vivi know there is another woman in the picture- which prompts Vivi into a full-on hissy fit. Blake mollifies Vivi by saying that it could be the baby girl (Vivi just has a feeling it’s a girl). However, it’s not long before Vivi, Lewis and Blake find out that Myra Jean is right. A woman from Lewis’s past is going to make this wedding a bit more difficult!

Blake’s law practice has problems as well. The body that was discovered while looking for Lewis is a man who recently inherited his family’s money, amongst a disagreement with his other family members. Blake is trying to find out what happened to him and who earns his inheritance since he was recently married. The barge company says he must have fallen off the boat, the insurance won’t pay till they can rule out suicide, and Blake needs to find this wife! Cal, Lewis’s computer whiz best friend, finds the wife and also finds Lewis’s first wife- when Blake realizes they have the same last name, her pretty head wonders “What if they are the same person?”

On the political front, Harry is working hard to win the November Senate election- and Blake, being the consummate Southern Belle, is going to stick by him in public and help him win this election. In private, though, Blake’s a bad girl- she’s found her true love, Sonny, and wants to make things work with him. Harry has his own private fun- and that nosy reporter, Dallas, is doing her best to crack the case on the Hearts. Dallas is worried about her job, so having the inside track on a story about a falling out between the Hearts could lead to some juicy air time.

Between getting Vivi ready for her wedding, balancing her professional and personal life with Sonny, helping Harry get elected, and finding out what happened on that barge- Blake is busier than a bee in a bonnet. Watching Vivi, her Sassy Belle best friend, on the verge of everything she’s ever longed for- makes Blake happy- and a tad bit wistful. Life is changing for the Sassy Belles- but Blake’s about to find out exactly how much life is changing!

Traveling With T’s Thoughts

The Sassy Belles are back! If you thought Blake and Vivi were going to let a wedding be a calm and serene event- you were wrong! The sassy girls are ready for whatever curveball life throws them- and life’s got quite a few!

Funny, charming, and sweet- Wedding Belles is a read that should be enjoyed with a glass of sweet tea. After reading Wedding Belles, you might feel like talking in Southern accent and watching some college football- don’t fight the feeling!

Perfect for fans of light reading, romance, and Southern Belles.

*This book was provided to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

Photo Credit: Amazon

When facing Pandora’s box- do you dare to open it? Or is it better to leave Pandora’s box alone?

Secrets. Some are dark. Some are dirty. Some are kept for honorable reasons. Some are kept for dishonorable reasons. Some secrets have the power to hurt for just awhile- almost like a paper cut. Others, though, have a domino effect- the secret just keeps on hurting. Secrets can bond people- but mainly, a secret hurts, hurts everyone who is involved.

Cecilia might never would have known her life was going to change had her middle daughter not been obsessed with learning about the Berlin Wall. One day, Cecilia is a happily married woman, successful, with 3 beautiful girls, the next day, she is a woman looking at Pandora’s box (or shall I say envelope?) wondering what to do? Why did her husband write a letter to her to be opened after he dies? What should she do? Open it? Not open it? Confront her husband? Not tell him? When Cecilia chooses- she chooses wrong. Or does she?

Tess gets the shock of her life when her husband tells her he’s in love with her cousin. Tess, knowing from personal experience, that she doesn’t want her child growing up with divorced parents leaves to go live with her mom for a bit. Her mom has broken her ankle- so it gives her an excuse. When Tess leaves, her intention is to let this affair play out- to let her husband have his fun and then come back to her. Tess, though, learns more about herself in this separation than she counted on. Tess’s husband has no way of knowing what he released from Pandora’s box- but something was released. Can Pandora’s box ever be sealed back? Does Tess even want it to be after she begins to see life differently?

Rachel has known joy and she has known profound and unrelenting pain. Pain that began because of what happened to her daughter. Joy that showed back in her because of her grandson. When her son and daughter in law announce they are moving to New York City and taking Rachel’s joy- she is miserable because pain will the be the only thing left in her life. Rachel feels the pain so strongly- she wants to know who is responsible for her pain, wants them to suffer. One day, Rachel gets an answer to her wish. But, not in the form she was hoping for.

Three women. Secrets. Three women, linked by the secrets, although two of the women are much closely linked than the other. A secret, that in the end, they would have been better off not knowing. Secrets show the best and worst side of a person. Show how far a person is willing to go to save themselves, their families, their lives. Some secrets need to be revealed. Some, though, should stay locked forever in the proverbial Pandora’s box.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

The Husband’s Secret at first begin on a disjointed note- a letter and talk of the Berlin Wall. The reader may wonder how the two are related- and then acknowledge the simplistic explanation that is given. However, look closer. Liane Moriarty has a deeper reason- each of her characters lives now have a Berlin Wall in them. Go forward and life may change. Stay where you are- and you could be ok. But life, whichever you choose, will not be the same as it was before the Berlin Wall. The women’s stories overlap each other, twist and turn in ways around the others that is not immediately apparent. As the reader turns the pages faster to find out what the secret is; the women’s stories are providing clues. By the end of the book- the reader will have examined their moral code in a vast new light. Highly discussable for book clubs- as potentially the most popular questions will be: Do you open the letter or not?

*This book was provided to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Reading Schedule for The Life List: October Book Lovers Unite selection

Here is the reading schedule for October Book Lover Unite selection, The Life List!

October 4th (Week 1) Pages 1-96 (read through ch 9)

October 11th (Week 2) Pages 97 (Ch 10)- 213 (read through Ch 20)

October 18th (Week 3) Pages 214 (ch 21)- 331 (end of book)

October 25th (Week 4) Overview and final thoughts

Lori WILL BE participating with us- as soon as I have those details finalized- I’ll let you know.

The Life List moves very fast- once the story unfolds and the reader begins to see what is happening, it’s a pretty fast read. Week 2 and Week 3 have more pages to read- but, don’t stress. Take your time and enjoy the book- each week’s questions will be posted on Friday and will be ready for discussion when you are ready!

Need more info about The Life List– visit my sign-up post!

Zeke…

According to Allison @ The Book Wheel it’s National Dog Week! If you need to see some adorable pics of pups- she’s got them!

National Dog Week slipped up on me as I don’t have a dog anymore- my sweet dog is doing his “bunny hop” in a better place. I still miss Zeke, maybe not as much as in the days and weeks after he passed away- but still quite a bit. I can laugh about memories of him now, though.

Zeke’s bunny hop. The way he doggy smiled. How he would sit at the door waiting on me.

Other memories:

Coming back from New Orleans (Spring Break baby!) I was rolling my luggage back to the house, on the sidewalk. My roommate and I was chatting as we walked to my parent’s home, stopped and gaze Zeke a couple of quick pats and was going to head into the house to grab a drink and relax before heading back to college. I noticed, after a minute, that my luggage had gotten heavier, so I stopped and turned around- there was Zeke- riding on top of my luggage- with a big ole grin. He was happy to see me and did not want me rushing in! Plus, he just had this thing about luggage!

One day, I came home and was ready to get my Philosophy package- I had ordered the most divine smelling shower gel- this Melted Hot Chocolate. The package was not on the steps- which concerned me as I had checked the UPS order. I couldn’t find my dog, either. Then I catch a whiff in the air- a smell of hot chocolate. Immediately, I go searching. And yes, Zeke had ripped through the package. And chewed the bottle of 16 buck shower gel. Looking at him, I was pretty mad. I was in college- and that bottle cost me 2 hours of babysitting. And yet…. he looked so silly with shower gel all over him- and grinning- that I couldn’t stay TOO mad!

Other pictures and memoires of Zeke can be found here:

Zeke- my “you tell your dog first” dog

Dog + Reading A Book = Adorable!

Good-bye Zeke, Good-bye…. You Will Be Missed.

Literary Friday ya’ll…..

It’s Friday! What are your plans for the weekend?

1. Deep South Mag and their #literaryfriday: Flannery O’Connor and money, James Franco and “As I Lay Dying”, Gatsby Companion Reading List, Top 10 references to Faulkner in Pop Culture and much more!

2. Book-Alicious Mama has posted Week 3 Questions for Astor Place Vintage, our September Book Lovers Unite selection. Join in the fun ( it’s a great book!) Don’t forget, Book Lovers Unite fans- we’ll be back at Traveling With T in October for The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman!

3. Bookmagnet’s Fall for These October Titles is filled with interesting sounding books! Two have caught my attention even before she posted her list- The Last Winter of Dani Lancing by P.D. Viner and Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding.

4. Another AWESOME blogger- Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews! See Rhiannon’s #literaryconfessions for 2 #literarygiants she cannot stand!

5. Reviews posted this week on Traveling With T: A Seaside Christmas by Sherryl Woods, The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane, and The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore.

6. My #fridayreads: The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty ( from Sept 30-Oct 6th, come discuss at She Reads!), Wedding Belles by Beth Albright, and Grounded by Angela Correll (look for my review and interview next week with Angela Correll!)

Happy Reading!

Thursday Mashup

Got many things to report today- get ready!

#giveaways

Kiss and Thrill is giving away a copy of Hank Phillippi Ryan’s latest, The Wrong Girl!

Rachel Hauck is giving away a copy of Princess Bride!

Peeking Between the Pages is giving away a copy of The Wedding Gift by Marlen Suyapa Bodden!

Writer’s Corner is giving away a copy of The Good Wife by Jane Porter!

The Book Wheel (thanks to Lithograhps.com) is giving away a lithography!

She Reads is giving away a copy of Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain!

#bookish things

Book-Alicious Mama has posted week 2 questions for Astor Place Vintage! Join in on the fun!

Want help for planning blog posts? Katherine Scott Jones give 5 tips to make your blogging life easier!

A Seaside Christmas by Sherryl Woods

Photo Credit: Amazon

Are you in the mood for sweet holiday story? One that soothes the soul, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy? A Seaside Christmas is what you are looking for!

Jenny Collins dreamed her whole life of having a big family, a family to love and support her. Her and her mother were close- but when she would look at the O’Brien family- she knew that was what she wanted. Until, her mother married an O’Brien and then became pregnant. Jenny begins to feel left out and replaced. For the last few years, Jenny has been living in Nashville working as a songwriter and becoming famous. The relationship with her mother has changed and Jenny feels some guilt- but not enough to make a change, Until this Christmas. After a cheating scandal with her ex-boyfriend, Caleb Green, Jenny is looking forward to being away from Nashville in the holiday season.

When her aunt Bree calls Jenny to ask her to write some songs for a Christmas play- Jenny agrees, but is still hesitant about seeing her mother, stepfather and brother. But Bree insists and Jenny needs a break from Nashville. So she decides to head to Chesapeake Shores and leave life behind for a few days.

Caleb Green has other plans for Jenny, though. Caleb knows he screwed up with Jenny- he was drinking too much, and the public scandal of his cheating hurt Jenny in so many ways. Caleb has had time to think about things- and he knows he needs to at least make amends with Jenny- so he heads to Chesapeake Shores to do that. The more he sees Jenny, though, the more he realizes that he doesn’t want to be just friends- he wants her back in his life. And he sets out to prove to Jenny that he’s a changed man.

Jenny is on a emotional roller-coaster- the O’Briens are ready for her to mend the rift with her mother, Caleb is back in her life, and Jenny is not sure what she should think of all this. Slowly, Jenny begins to see how much she’s missed Caleb- but can she trust him? Jenny also starts to see that the only reason she felt left out at the O”Briens is because of herself, not them. Can Jenny finally see that there is a place for her in the family?

Set in a beautiful town, with characters that are loving and memorable- A Seaside Christmas is full of love and happiness- and second chances.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This is my first Sherryl Woods book- but I’ve been looking for sweet and romantic book to read for some time. I’m a sucker for stories like this- and A Seaside Christmas did not disappoint. Slightly predictable- but warm and fuzzy. Fans of Sherryl will not be disappointed (I’m sure!) and if you are looking for a sweet read for the upcoming holidays, you’ve found it!

*This book was requested through Netgalley, All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Bloggers Made Of AWESOME: Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews

Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews is a fellow She Reads blogger. So, naturally, I adore her for that. But she’s quick-witted, charming and knows the importance of finding a good pair of jeans. I think Rhiannon would be an excellent person to sit down and talk with for hours while enjoying a glass of wine!

Bloggers Made Of AWESOME: Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews

Rhiannon- when did you begin blogging?

I began blogging about three years ago and was posting such a crazy variety of topics (lipgloss ratings, coupons, book reviews, recipes, my academic work.) I decided last September to streamline and focus on just one of my passions, book reviews. September 17th is my 1 year blogversary for Ivory Owl Reviews and I have learned A LOT!

How did you come up with the name Ivory Owl reviews?

Last summer, my mom and I were shopping in downtown St. Charles and she found this ceramic, ivory and blue, owl that I thought was so adorable. I sat it on my nightstand next to all my books and joked that he was going to help me with my book reviews.

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

I love being able to create my own community of readers. I believe anyone who loves to read has a connection but not everyone likes to read the same style of books. With blogs, I’ve been able to see what people generally like at a glance and decide if I would like to follow them. I personally like having my blog so that when someone asks me to recommend a book to them I can simply direct them there instead of trying to rack my brain on the spot to give a good recommendation. I also like knowing other bloggers to direct someone to when I don’t think our styles are similar.

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

I love to cook. Some people dread the time it takes to make a meal but I like having a glass of wine, listening to an audio book and whipping up dinner. I try new recipes I collect from Pinterest and my family gives me their critiques. I even like cleaning up dinner because no one comes in the kitchen (knowing they’ll be put to work) so I take my time and maybe have another glass of wine while I load the dishes and wipe down the counters. I also like to go walking at the park. It helps me clear my head and get my creativity flowing. I’m also a crazy coupon lady! Not like the ones on TV but I love saving money and would say I’m intermediate/advanced not full blown crazy!

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I’ve not read Fifty Shades and I can’t stand Henry James or Hemingway.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

This one stumps me. I don’t think I’ve ever swooned over any characters. I love Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in the movie version of “Gone with the Wind” but I didn’t read the book so I’m not sure if it is the character or Gable himself I would have my crush on (Maybe not reading Gone with the Wind should be a #literaryconfessions!)

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2013?

My number one most anticipated book of 2013 is Maddaddam by Margaret Atwood. It is the third book in the Maddaddam trilogy with Oryx & Crake and The Year of the Flood as the first two books. I squealed and did some seriously goofy dance moves when I saw that my request had been accepted for an ARC. I’m currently re-reading Oryx & Crake and then The Year of the Flood to be fully refreshed before I dive in. My close second is Joshilyn Jackson’s Someone Else’s Love Story. I love anything she does but read an excerpt at the beginning of the year and am especially excited because it is set in Atlanta.

In your opinion, what book has been the best book you have read (so far!) in 2013?

I can never just pick one! Can anybody? My Top Four: Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara. A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White. The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

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

This summer I loved Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky, On Grace by Susie Orman Schnall, and The Wishing Tree by Mary Beth Whalen.

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

I like them all. I read paperbacks in the bathtub, listen to audiobooks and read on my Ipad, and listen to books on CD in the car. I like all formats but I do love the smell of a physical book.

Rhiannon- you are a member of She Reads. To you, what does that mean for women readers? Does She Reads give them a voice in this book world? A place to go and say “These are the kinds of books I want to read?”

I think we are able to give praise to books and authors that may not have gotten the attention they deserved. That makes me feel good. I enjoy the sense of comraderie on the site. I’m a Twitterer (Twitterholic?) and I can chat about anything I’m reading at any time and someone is sure to join in or respond. Since we are all reading the book at the same time (kinda) we can all chime in. I find it easier and more enjoyable than a physical book club. We don’t have to get out of our pajamas or find a sitter to participate.

What is your favorite line/quote from a book?

“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.”

― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale

Roughly translated to “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”

Do you judge a book by it’s cover?

I am drawn to certain covers so “yes.” Unless I am searching for a particular book, the one with the best cover is the one that usually gets picked.

If you liked reading
about Rhiannon @ Ivory Owl Reviews, check out her blog, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+