Throwback Thursday: Divine Secrets of Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

Photo Credit: Goodreads

So, you know at Traveling With T, books are a big focus. Like HUGE focus. I love books. I devour books. Books, books, books.

I was in college when I read THE DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD for the first time. Specifically, it was in the few weeks prior to the movie being released. Since the movie had Sandra Bullock in it, I was def going to watch it (naturally!) But upon seeing the book in my local Wal-Mart, on a whim, I picked it up. And while then I did not know what I was reading was Southern Lit, it started a lifetime of me looking for good books- with characters that were heartfelt and moving, incredibly layered and beyond interesting. Continue reading →

Do Indie Bookstores Need To Help Themselves?

This post may be a bit controversial- especially with many bloggers showing indies major love. So, before you start sending me hate mail- let me tell you- I support indies. I LIKE Indies. So that hate mail- let’s just put it aside and follow this rule- keep it cute or put it on mute!

A True Story:

I live within a generous driving distance of 3 indie bookstores. Each has it’s own set of charms and fun things. All 3 try to have great book signings (which I go to!) and if I’m unable- they have a great system to order the book and have it personally autographed! Continue reading →

I’m a fan of short chapters- are you?

Short chapters- some people dislike them- but I’m a fan. Let me explain:

First, a chapter that just goes on and on gets to be a bit tedious- even if the writing is good. And my mind begins to wander. Which is not a good thing- because that means the author has lost my attention.

Second: I read. A lot. I like to read while I’m eating breakfast. I like to read a quick chapter at lunch. And before I got to bed- I love reading before I go to bed. Long chapters make this hard. Because I don’t want to quit in the middle of the chapter, I want to finish the chapter.

Third: While I get that sometimes the first chapter needs to be on the longer side- especially if you, the author, are establishing certain “key points”- and so I deal with it. But, do consider making the rest of the chapters shorter!

So new authors, as you begin the journey to get published and become a NYT Best-Seller- while contemplating your cover choices and dreaming about swimming around in your newly aquired wealth like Scrooge McDuck (right? Isn’t that what all NYT Best-Sellers do?) Give the length of chapters for the book a thought as well!

A Deal to Die For (Good Buy Girls) by Josie Belle

A Deal to Die For is book #2 in Cruisin Thru the Cozies 2013 Reading Challenge.

Josie Belle (aka Jenn McKinlay) has a cute series on her hands with the Good Buy Girls! In book 2, A Deal to Die For, Maggie and the Good Buy Girls have their eyes on things for the opening of Maggie’s new second-hand shop. They decide to go to a flea market where Vera Madison will be selling some of her couture- and Maggie is only too excited to look over and purchase some pieces. Unfortunately, so is Summer- so after an incident, Maggie decides to go and check on Vera who is at the doctor’s clinic. However, when Maggie arrives, Vera is dead. And the good Dr. Franklin becomes a person of interest.

Maggie and the Good Buy Girls have to work together to help clear Dr. Franklin, keep the vintage couture out of Summer’s hands and find out what skeletons were hanging in Vera Madison’s closet along with the fabulous vintage clothing. To top it off, Maggie finds herself having caught the eye of 2 local, eligible men. Which one will she choose?

The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro (She Reads January Book Club Pick)

It’s January- and She Reads is back in business after taking some time off for the holidays. And boy- have they picked a great book to start the 2013 year off with a POP! The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro has it all- love, lust, double-crossing, intrigue, mystery and art!

This is a book where the reader can’t take characters at face-value- with each page turned, a bit more of the story is revealed and the characters true nature is shown. It takes the reader on a wild ride, a heart pounding ride!

Thanks to Algonquin Books, She Reads is able to give 10 copies of The Art Forger away to some very lucky people!

To enter to win a copy of The Art Forger, check out She Reads. My review of The Art Forger has also been posted. For fans of Twitter, look for #srblog- She Reads Blog Network will be chattering away all month about The Art Forger!

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

January 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!

Kimberly Brock and Holidays (in her own words)

Can Kimberly Brock get any more amazing? The girl writes a great book (The River Witch), has the fantastic Joshilyn Jackson write a blurb for it (OMG- really?!!!) and then just has even more amazingly wonderful things happen: Amazon picks the book twice for special sale price/promotion, readers and bloggers are raving about this book, Kim does a fantastic The River Witch tour with Anna Kline and Grits and Soul Band (good music!), and to top it off- she’s hard at work at her 2nd book. Might we say that 2012 was the year of Kimberly Brock and The River Witch?

Another blog, It’s Only a Novel, had the opportunity to interview Kimberly Brock as part of their 12 Days of Christmas. Kimberly is a beautiful writer- she takes the words and just polishes them to they shine and make an impact on you as you read- this is no exception. Read on for Kimberly Brock’s When the River Meets the Sea

Hemingway’s Girl by Erika Robuck

Hemingway’s Girl by Erika Robuck is a historical fiction novel that absolutely should be on a reader’s “to be read” list. The book has it all: love, anger, drama, family situations, sadness, despair and hope. Grab a copy of this book and get sucked into the world of Mariella and Hemingway’s Key West.

Mariella is the bread-winner of the family. Her father has passed away, she has 2 sisters and a mother that need food and a roof over their heads. When Mariella meets Hemingway- she’s drawn to him- his ways, his life. Mariella is hired as a maid at Hemingway’s house- and through that becomes friends and immersed in Hemingway and his family’s life.

Hemingway and Mariella have a relationship that not many can understand- they understand each other on levels that aren’t apparent to many. This becomes a source of stress for others. When Mariella gets involved with Gavin- a man that is quite dear to her- her relationship with Hemingway evolves.

Gavin is everything that Hemingway is not- and yet, both men have a pull on Mariella. Will Mariella cross a line with Hemingway- a man that understands her in ways others can’t? Or will she stay with Gavin- a man that is more like her- hardworking, salt of the earth?

With a hurricane heading toward Key West, Mariella gets drawn further in the world of Ernest Hemingway and his family- while struggling to take care of her own family. Will this hurricane solidify the things that are important to Mariella?

Hemingway’s Girl– this book was fantastic. The emotions I felt while reading, the anger at Hemingway and his selfish ways, the fear and sadness I felt for Mariella- this book has something for everyone. Read Hemingway’s Girl– enjoy a story about Hemingway and his Key West.

You Tell Your Dog First by Alison Pace

You Tell Your Dog First by Alison Pace is a book that is about Alison’s adorable dog Carlie. Carlie is the latest of dogs in Alison’s life, but the first one she’s had since she’s been living in NYC (due to finding a dog-friendly apartment).

Carlie is Alison’s best friend, her “person”, the sounding board for day to day life and more. Alison writes the stories of her and Carlie’s life- their day to day interactions with each other, Alison’s family and friends, the general public, and romantic interests in Alison’s life. Each story is sprinkled with humor and the life lessons of loving a dog.

As the book goes on, the reader sees that Carlie has opened Alison to more chances, experiences and people than Alison could have had without Carlie. As I read the book, I fell in love with Carlie- her antics, her love for Alison, just her ways- made Carlie the best. Carlie will melt dog-lover’s hearts with the stories Alison writes.

This book is not all about Carlie, though- Alison learns about things in her own life-family, happiness and love. Things that Alison knew (but is so much sweeter with Carlie at her side).

You Tell Your Dog First– a must for a dog lover, a love song to Carlie, and sprinkled with humor, love and life lessons. Buy it. Read it. Love it.

How to Eat a Cupcake & The Mermaid Collector Giveaways!

Two new giveaways on blogs that I read that are worth mentioning:

A Novel Review is giving away a copy of Erika Marks’s 2nd book, The Mermaid Collector to a lucky reader. Ya’ll already know how much I love The Mermaid Collector– so strongly encouraging readers to enter. The book is worth it. Trust me.For more information on The Mermaid Colector, here is my previous review.

A Woman, a wife and a mom is giving away a copy of How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue. I’ve never read this book, but the description sounds interesting.