Photo Credit: Provided by Wunderkind PR
Today, Traveling With T has a Character Q&A with Tomas. He is one the of main characters in OURSELVES (The Nahan Series). Tomas reveals a few things and leaves us with a few questions! Continue reading
Photo Credit: Goodreads
The Van Ripper women have been the talk of Tarrytown, New York, for centuries. Some say they’re angels; some say they’re crooks. In their tumbledown “Stitchery,” not far from the stomping grounds of the legendary Headless Horseman, the Van Ripper sisters—Aubrey, Bitty, and Meggie—are said to knit people’s most ardent wishes into beautiful scarves and mittens, granting them health, success, or even a blossoming romance. But for the magic to work, sacrifices must be made—and no one knows that better than the Van Rippers.
When the Stitchery matriarch, Mariah, dies, she leaves the yarn shop to her three nieces. Aubrey, shy and reliable, has dedicated her life to weaving spells for the community, though her sisters have long stayed away. Bitty, pragmatic and persistent, has always been skeptical of magic and wants her children to have a normal, nonmagical life. Meggie, restless and free-spirited, follows her own set of rules. Now, after Mariah’s death forces a reunion, the sisters must reassess the state of their lives even as they decide the fate of the Stitchery. But their relationships with one another—and their beliefs in magic—are put to the test. Will the threads hold?
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
Magical realism… Some of it works, some of it doesn’t. The summary, the cover- oh this book had such promise for me. I wanted to love this book, I wanted to devour the pages. Maybe, I set my expectations too high because of the summary and the cover; but I was very lukewarm-ish about this book.
The writing, there is nothing wrong with the writing. But, the plot just took longer to get to a point than I cared for.
If you are looking for a light read, a read with magical realism- then this book is for you!
*This book was requested through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,
T @ Traveling With T
Another week of AWESOME! Crystal in Bookland is a person that I met through Meredith @ Pandora’s Books (actually Crystal started following me- and I began checking her blog out!)
Crystal’s blog has a good mix of reviews and giveaways (and ya’ll know how I LOVE when blogs have giveaways!)
Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Crystal in Bookland
Crystal- when did you begin blogging?
August 4, 2013
How did you come up with the name Crystal in Bookland? Is it a play on words like Alice in Wonderland?
It is definitely a play on words like Alice in Wonderland! That is my all-time favorite book, one of the very first that got me started reading.
What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?
I believe so. Most of the books I add on my TBR are definitely recommended from other bloggers, whether it be something they posted about on their blog, twitter, facebook, or goodreads.
When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?
Mainly I’m spending time with my family and doing whatever my kids are demanding me to do….which I totally love!
Do you have any #literaryconfessions?
Ahhh I haven’t read Divergent trilogy yet.
Honestly I haven’t read a TON of old classics either. For some reason my school never made us read things like that. I haven’t read anything most people had to in high school. So when people reference them…I’m in the dark. I keep saying one day I will read them….but you know how that goes.
Do you have a #literarycrush?
ADRIAN IVASHKOV <3333 He is my numero uno book hubby for life! Yes, while everyone is claiming their book boyfriends I got serious and snagged him up for the long haul…HA! 😉
What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?
OH MY!! I REALLY don’t think you want that list SO let me just name a FEW. I’m a HUGE Richelle Mead fan so I’m definitely looking forward to Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5), The Immortal Crown (Age of X #2), Nil by Lynne Matson, The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings, Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes, & Unhinged by A.G. Howard to name a FEW!
What is a book (or 2!) that you’ve read and LOVED- but did not get positive reviews?
Oh this is a tough question….I can’t really think of any I loved that the majority of people didn’t like it. BUT I’m currently in the middle of The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey and noticed that it seems to be a toss-up between if people love or hate it…so far I’m on the loving side. Also The Host by Stephanie Meyer seemed to be a tough one for a lot of people but I loved it.
In your opinion, what book was the best book you read in 2013?
OH GOSH! I don’t even know how to begin to choose….you can’t make me choose Tamara!!! How about this….I will give you my favorite debut author read of the year….The Prophecy by Erin Albert. It is a high fantasy, fans of Game of Thrones and Falling Kingdom series will love it.
You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?
The Golden Lily by Richele Mead, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Crash Into You by Katie McGarry, got a little bit of mixed genres to keep me happy 🙂
Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?
Definitely tree book lover! I’m pretty bad about buying both print and eBook BUT I will choose a print, hands down, every time. I just LOVE the convenience of an eBook when going somewhere.
How do you find other blogs to read? Recommendations of other bloggers?
Mainly from Twitter. I will talk to people on there then follow their blogs. I have followed several from recommendations from other bloggers also.
Crystal, what are your favorite types of books to read?
Young Adult definitely, more specific….I’ve been one a big contemp and fantasy kick lately, but I’m really not picky and if you tell me to read something 9 times out of 10 I will 🙂
What is the best thing about the book- the cover, the first line or the last line?
The cover, I’m a complete cover snob and I have no shame!
What is a book that you’ve wanted to read, but just haven’t found the time?
There are SO many, off the top of my head because it’s staring at me right now…Shadow and Bone.
In your Twitter bio, you mention you are a contributor to Fresh Fiction. What, exactly, do you write for Fresh Fiction? Reviews of books?
Yes I am a reviewer for them. Shortly after I started my blog I also filled out a form with Fresh Fiction to become a reviewer for them. It’s sometimes hard balancing between reading books for them and the blog but I enjoy it.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
This book was sent to Traveling With T in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Starter House
Lacey and Eric, a young married couple, are looking for a house. Their 2 will becoming 3 in a short few months and both Lacey and Eric desire a place of their own to raise their child, in a neighborhood that has good schools and a nice look. Lacey, though, wants a house with character- not a square cookie-cutter house- a house with character. When Lacey sees this 1 house and finds out that it is for sale- she falls in love with the house. Eric is happy because it’s in the neighborhood they want, is in their price range, and makes Lacey happy. Too bad neither of them really listened to the real estate agent when she tried to discourage them from buying the house.
Shortly after moving in, Lacey begins having difficulty with her pregnancy- and is concerned. She and Eric begin making alternative arrangements- Lacey sleeping downstairs, her mother moving in temporarily and Lacey trying to keep stress to a minimum. Still, Lacey feels uneasy. The house, at times, has a different feel to it- not warm and welcoming; but dark and mysterious. There is a little boy who Lacey keeps seeing… in her house. This boy, Drew, appeals to Lacey and her teacher/maternal instincts. But, slowly, she begins to pick up on things- that Drew is not what he seems. That Drew is a jealous child and quick to anger- which Lacey finds out the hard way.
Determined to get to the bottom of what has happened in this house and the story of Drew- Lacey begins to look for clues. What she finds is dark and chilling. Will Lacey be able to put an end to evil in the house- before she and her baby pay the ultimate price?
Traveling With T’s Thoughts:
This is Sonja Condit’s first book and while I enjoyed it- I was a bit conflicted at times. Sonja’s characters- Lacey and Eric, I did not completely connect with either. Lacey, at times, seemed like she was cracking up and Eric, was an obsessive workaholic.
The story is compared to The Thirteenth Tale and since I have not read that book, I can’t accurately say if Starter House is like that book. I was a bit worried that it would be too scary- similar to the movie, The Conjuring, but it was not super-scary. Starter House has more of a creepy vibe- and Sonja Condit does that very well.
Would I recommend? Yes. Was it perfect? No. But, Starter House kept me flipping pages because I had to know what happened in that house- and if or when it would ever end.
*Thanks to William-Morrow for sending Traveling With T STARTER HOUSE. Above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
Thanks to Harlequin books, I have a copy of The Night is Forever to give away to a lucky commenter!
Here is the synopsis from Goodreads:
What happened here, on a historic ranch outside Nashville, during the Civil War? And what’s happening now?
Olivia Gordon works at the Horse Farm, a facility that assists patients with mental and physical recovery; her specialty is animal therapy. She’s always loved her job, always felt safe ;until now.
People are dying, starting with the facility’s founder, whose body is discovered in a ravine on the property and site of a massacre in 1862. And before every death, Liv sees a horse and rider, wearing a soldier’s garb, in the night sky. Warning? Omen? Or clue?
Liv calls in her cousin Malachi and his Krewe, an FBI unit of paranormal investigators, to discover the truth. New Krewe member Dustin Blake knows they need Liv’s involvement in the case, yet he’s worried about her safety. Because he and Liv quickly become more than colleagues and he doesn’t want to lose her to the endless night.
Want to win this book? Comment below (please leave your email- you may use the AT and DOT). The giveaway runs from October 25th-October 30th at 11:59pmEST. Winner will be announced October 31st. Giveaway is open to US/Canada!
Traveling With T 