Mobbed by Carol Higgins Clark…

Mobbed by Carol Higgins Clark is my first book toward my goal of 13 in Cruisin Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013.

Regan Reilly and husband Jack Reilly are headed to Jersey Shore to spend the weekend with Nora and Luke (Regan’s parents). Regan’s in need of some fun since she’s had to give a friend, Haley, some bad news about a man she’s dating. After that phone call, Regan hears from her mother about a garage sale of Edna Frawley- a mother to Karen who is friends with Nora. Nora asks Regan to come earlier to help her find out more about this garage sale business- so Regan hops and train and heads to Nora.

When they arrive at Edna’s house- they find that Edna had rented the place to Cleo Paradise, but she had left early- and told Edna to take care of the belongings she left behind. Edna works that situation to her benefit by deciding to sell Cleo’s things- and judging from the crowd- she’ll make a pretty penny!

Still some are wondering where Cleo ran off to suddenly? Why she didn’t stay the extra week like she was supposed to? Her friend and family are concerned. Does Cleo’s disappearance have anything to do with the stalker movie she did?

Only Carol Higgins Clark can take a missing movie star, a garage sale, a cheater, a retirement home, and some eclectic characters and weave a story that’s funny, light and fluffy together to make a quick, easy read that is enjoyable! If you’ve ever read any Carol Higgins Clark books (and liked them!) then this will be no different. If you haven’t, I suggest giving her books a try!

 

 

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Today is the first day of a brand new year….

284809_10200385547227776_1800968892_nJanuary 1. The first day of a new year. A day where the year stretches before, bright and sparkling- where the idea of resolutions seem 100% do-able. Here’s my main thought for 2013: Do the best I can. Maybe some of my resolutions will pan out. Maybe some won’t. Maybe the year will be filled with happiness and joyous moments. Maybe it won’t. I’m going to try to make each day a “super-sparkly” day and go from there.

My resolutions:

1. Read more.

2. Travel More.

3. Work on photography skills.

4. Meet some personal goals.

5. Blog more- maybe create a Traveling With T Facebook page,  review more books for publishers/authors, and be able to attend more book events.

6. Meet more people who share my interests: painting and reading.

7. Attend more fun events: Broadway-type shows, baseball games, concerts.

However you chose to spend your 2013- I hope that it’s a fantastic year!

Happy Reading!

My Cruisin’ Thru the Cozies 2013 Reading List…

Cruisin 2013

January 1. Today is the beginning of Cruisin’ Thru The Cozies Reading Challenge 2013. Listed below is my list of books I plan to read. As I read a book, a review will be posted. I’ll also be posting a round-up of cozies I’ve read thus far in the challenge (it may be monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly- that is to be determined.) Goal: 13 books to reach Super Sleuth status (although I may read more- time and books available will determine that). Good luck to all who is participating in this reading challenge. Happy Reading!

Jan 1- A Deal to Die For (Good Buy Girls #2) by Josie Belle

Feb 5th- Veiled Revenge: A crime of fashion mystery by Ellen Byerrum

Feb 26 – Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen) by Joanne Fluke

March 5th- Nickeled and Dimed to Death- A Deveraux’s Dime Store Mystery by Denise Swanson

April 2nd- Going, Going, Ganache (Cupcake Mystery) by Jenn McKinlay

May 7th- Topped Chef: A Key West Food Mystery by Lucy Burdette

Aug 6th- Seed No Evil (Flower Shop Mysteries) by Kate Collins

Sept 3rd- Murder of a Stacked Librarian (Scumble River) by Denise Swanson

Oct 1- Billionaire Blend (Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

Other cozies I’ll be reading:

Fiber and Brimstone by Laura Childs

Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson

Crunch Time by Diane Mott Davidson

Death Comes Silently by Carolyn Hart

There are 2 Jenn McKinlay books that should both be released in 2013 that I plan to read as well.

As the year progresses, I plan to add more to the list- I plan to read a minimum of 13 cozies to meet Super Sleuth for Cruisin’ Thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2013.

 

Books I’m Looking forward to in 2013

I’m the girl who loves to know when the next book of the series is coming out- pretty much just as soon as I finish the previous book. I may or may not mark my calendar to earmark these special days (I’ll let you be the judge of that!)

While this is in no way a complete list- these are the books I’m currently aware of…..

Jan 8th- Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton

Feb 5th- Veiled Revenge: A crime of fashion mystery by Ellen Byerrum

Feb 26 – Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen) by Joanne Fluke

March 5th- Nickeled and Dimed to Death- A Deveraux’s Dime Store Mystery by Denise Swanson

April 2nd- Going, Going, Ganache (Cupcake Mystery) by Jenn McKinlay

May 7th- Call Me Zelda by Erika Robuck

May 7th- Topped Chef: A Key West Food Mystery by Lucy Burdette

May 9th- Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

June 4th- Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

June 18th- Island Girls by Nancy Thayer

June 25th- Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand

July 9th- Finding Colin Firth by Mia March

Aug 6th- Seed No Evil (Flower Shop Mysteries) by Kate Collins

Sept 3rd- Murder of a Stacked Librarian (Scumble River) by Denise Swanson

Oct 1- Billionaire Blend (Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

What books  are you looking forward to reading?

Real Wifeys:Hustle Hard by Meesha Mink

The term street lit is used to describe this series- for those unfamiliar with the term usually refers to the dark side of city living, the urban settings- profanity, sex, and violence are usually explicit. Street lit is not sugar-coated, nor painted as a pretty picture. If a reader enjoys books that are raw, filled with grit, violence, profanity and sexual situations- a street lit book is probably what the reader is looking for.

Real Wifeys: Hustle Hard is the third book in the Real Wifeys series by Meesha Mink. The main character, Sophie “Suga” Alvarez is book smart, has common sense, and is  street smart. She’s worked hard in both lives- worked hard to be street smart and worked equally hard to be book smart. Sophie has a great job, a man that she loves like life itself. While Sophie points out that she floats between two worlds and feels comfortable in both- she’s ready for some changes. She wants her man to make his business legitimate as she’s growing weary of worrying about him- worrying that this is the day that he does not return. Sophie longs for her and Dane’s lives, the professional and personal, to be legitimate. However, this is a want that may not can happen.

Sophie has to put her street smarts and books smarts to use, though, after she has to start taking care of Dane’s business. When Dane’s business and the law cross paths, someone has to step in- and Sophie does. She does because she needs to- if she has any prayer of keeping her man and for them to have a life together- without a business that is not legitimate. While Sophie is running the business, other parts of her life need attention as well- and she begins finding out about things that she might would have rather not known. The streets have tales of betrayal, bad deeds, murder, and more. Can Sophie handle it all?

If, as a reader, you are looking for a book that is in the category of street lit, where the book is not sugar coated and the happy ending is not guaranteed- this is a book that you should check out. Real Wifeys: Hustle Hard has something for readers: it tells a story of a person that is doing the best she can with some hands she’s been dealt- and is determined to come out on top. Love, betrayal, lust, urban life, murder, friendship- all aspects are covered in Real Wifeys: Hustle Hard.

Touchstone Books provided a copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Touchstone Books for the copy.

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Liebster Blog Award..

LiebsterI was nominated for Liebster Blog Award by The Book Wheel– a cute book blog! Do the right thing and check out the blog- it’s fun, informative, and just great.

To receive the Liebster Blog Award, you must follow the rules:

  1. Post 11 random facts about yourself.
  2. Answer 11 questions given by the blogger who nominates you.
  3. Nominate other bloggers for the award and make sure to notify them.
  4. Write 11  new questions for the bloggers you are nominating (you can’t nominate the blogger who nominated you)
  5. Claim the Liebster Award picture for your blog

Random Facts About Me

  1. I like movies as much as I like to read books (and I love watching the previews for the new movies!)
  2. I’m a soap-opera fan- specifically Days of Our Lives.
  3. Wayne Newton sent my table a bottle of champagne when we were at his show.
  4. I love pedicures-  brightly colored nail polish is a fav.
  5. Taking pictures is a hobby of mine.
  6. I adore going to book signings.
  7. Sitting on the beach- watching the waves crash in, feeling the sun & sand on my feet is one of the best feelings ever.
  8. I have been known to sing in a hairbrush while getting ready to go out.
  9. I’ve never been kissed under the mistletoe.
  10. I can’t whistle, wink or blow bubbles with gum.
  11. Orange Crush is one of my favorite drinks.

The Book Wheel’s Questions for Me

  1. What song is your “soundtrack” to life? I love so many songs- but the 2 that I like the most- the ones I play when I’m excited or need a pick me up is: Searching my Soul by Vonda Shepherd and So Much Better by Legally Blonde the Musical Cast.
  2. If you could meet any literary figure or author, who would it be and why? Literary figure: Kinsey Milhone (Sue Grafton novels)- because Kinsey is smart, takes no crap from anyone- and I would love for her to teach me how to pick a lock and then us to get a Quarter Pounder with Cheese afterwards.. Authors: Ann M. Martin (The Babysitters Club) or Judy Blume- because both of those women inspired my love in reading. They wrote about characters that I could relate to and lose myself in their books.
  3. What is your favorite book of all time? Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells.
  4. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Parasailing 🙂 And I had my tarot cards read once! (I don’t do a lot of crazy things!)
  5. What is the one thing you can’t live without? Music- love to listen to music.
  6. If you were to change your name, what would it be and why? Lauren- it’s a pretty name & the name of Reese Witherspoon’s character in This Means War.
  7. What is your biggest pet peeve? People that cancel plans at last minute.
  8. E-Reader or books? Actually, I like both. At this point- the price determines the format.
  9. Name one of your guilty pleasures. Watching Gossip Girl while snacking on butterfinger blast.
  10. What is your ideal dream job?   A publicist or Being a beach bum/surf shop owner.
  11. Are you allergic to anything? Cats

My 11 Questions to Other Bloggers

  1. What’s the first book you read?
  2. If you could be any character, who would you pick?
  3. What would be the first thing you would buy if won the lottery?
  4. Favorite color?
  5. Would you ever have a psychic reading?
  6. If you found a genie in a bottle, what would your 3 wishes be?
  7. What is your favorite drink?
  8. Was your first kiss everything you wanted or a let-down?
  9. Name one place you feel the most comfortable in.
  10. Favorite book of 2012?
  11. Most anticipated (in your opinion) book of 2013?

My Nominees

Man Vs Books Club

Best Books of 2012 (Traveling With T’s List)

There are many, many, many books of 2012 that were good- some were great- others fantastic. Some created a lot of buzz (hello, Gone Girl!) while some were equally as good- but did not get the attention. These are the books I read in 2012 that I thought were great!

1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn– yes more praise for this book. It really was THAT good!

2. Hemingway’s Girl by Erika Robuck– historical fiction. Romance. Sadness. Anger. A strong willed Mariella. And Hemingway- his literary ways, his personal life- the things that made him a good man, but also the bad sides that he showed. READ!

3. The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier– this book made me think quite a bit. Excellent discussion for book club.

4. Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio– two tales seemingly unconnected- except for the fact of a Blackberry Winter. But, oh so much more to this story!

5. The Mermaid Collector by Erika Marks- Coastal Community, mermaids, secrets, love. Beautiful story.

6. The Art Forger by BA Shapiro– art, lust, deceit, double-crossing- each page is filled with good plot.

7. The Meryl Streep Movie Club by Mia March– funny book about 3 women dealing with some personal life drama- then their aunts terrible news. Finding yourself, reconnecting with family- all while watching Meryl Streep movies. Perfect beach book.

8. The River Witch by Kimberly Brock– haunting. The story will stay with the reader for quite some time!

 

 

Holiday (Busy, Busy, Busy)

Quick update to show that I’ve not fallen off the face of the Earth.

Holidays at my house tend to be a jumble of busy, busy, busy on a normal time- however, this season has brought some extra busy stuff besides the normal holiday stuff- so I’ve not been on here for almost a week!

BTW, Santa was kind to me in regards to books: The Bungalow by Sarah Jio, Friday Night Knitting Club by Katie Jacobs, You Belong to Me by Mary Higgins Clark, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris (signed & personalized!) and a gift card which I promptly used to buy Dare Me by Megan Abbot (a book that has been on my TBR list for some time and that Santa forgot).

What books did ya’ll get for the holidays?

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The History of Us by Leah Stewart

13547493The History of Us by Leah Stewart tackles some hard truths in my opinion. It speaks of choices- choices to be who you want to be, choices to have a career- to being sucessful. It also tackles the topic of when a “choice” is not really a choice. Do you give up everything you’ve worked hard for to do the “right” thing- espeicially it it’s something that you never wanted? Or do you put yourself- dreams, goals, career- above it all?

Eloise, a young professor at Harvard, is late for her class. Right before she’s about to go into her class, she gets a phone call that changes everything in her life. Her niece, Theo, has called- Eloise’s sister, Rachel and her husband have died. As quickly as Eloise can, she hurries back to Cincinnati to see what needs to be done in regard to the death of her sister. What Eloise finds is a form of chaos- her own mother not able to take care of the 3 kids that Rachel has left behind in the world. Eloise makes the necessary, but tough choice that she’ll move back to Cincinnati, take over care for the kids, and try to ensure that they have a happy and productive life.

Years later, Eloise is still watching over the kids. Still has her life on hold. She still dreams of work at a more prestigious university, publishing more, being able to live her life the way she wants. The house they live in needs much up-keep- she’s ready to have a smaller place. With the kids being grown up, it seems time is right for some changes. Francine, Eloise’s mother, promised to turn the deed to the house to her once the last kid is grown up so that Eloise can do with the house what she needs.

However, the best laid plans do not always happen. Francine does not give the deed to Eloise as promised. The story from this point on becomes a story of the life of the 3 children- Theo, Josh and Claire. The disappointments they feel, how they’ve grown into adults, the ways they still are children. At the heart of the story is two things: Choices and at what point do people become responsible for their own happiness? At what point does a person put their energy into making the life they have been living the life they want- instead of thinking about past dreams and things that cannot be changed?

The History of Us– smartly written characters, characters  that can be identified with, situations that make the reader laugh and cry. This book has the writing to evoke emotion- happiness, sadness, even anger at some of the events. Read this, discuss with friends, take some time to think about this book, the plot and the characters.  This is a book that the reader does not just read and put aside to never think of again. This is a book that has content that begs to be discussed, to be analyzed.

I highly recommend this book for fans of fiction, books about families, and good stories. Thank you Touchstone Books for providing a review copy.