Contents of blog copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2023
I've been gone a while. I started reading fanfiction to escape and I got sucked in an abyss.

I have no idea if someone else is hosting similar challenges. I just grabbed some of what I have hosted before.

Here's to a happy year of great reading
Jan2023: Not much has changed. Writing a fanfiction now O_o as well as reading but I bought 7 new books in December and hope to get those read soon. Crossing fingers about adding challenges (late!)

Monday, July 30, 2012

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon Sign-up post




Bout of Books
Read-a-Thon

August 14 - 20

Sign up here
other info can be found here

Note from the Official Blog:
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal.  It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 13th and runs through Sunday, August 19th in whatever time zone you are in.  Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week.  There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional.  For all Bout of Books 5.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books Blog -From the Bout of Books 5.0 team

Now that I'm officially signed up for the Read-a-Thon, I can relax before figuring out my goals and snacks. ... wondering how I'm going to push myself to read more than I do!

RaT Twitter: #boutofbooks
My Twitter:  @bookdragonslair




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

I couldn't resist ... Summer Wrap-up Read-a-Thon

so, my unplugged status didn't last very long. I wanted to tell you about this read-a-thon. And yes, I wanted to signup!



Summer Wrap-up
Read-a-Thon

August 4 - 12

hosted at Some Like it Paranormal and In Between

There will be challenges and giveaways planned and you don't need a blog to participate. Check out the sign up link for more info. I'm #238! (link isn't working)

Twitter: #SWUR
me @bookdragonslair


You might not have noticed... I like read-a-thons. You did? ;-) Okay, so you know I love doing all kinds of read-a-thons... 24-hour, week-long, genre specific, reviews, doesn't matter-sign me up. In this case, I'll just be returning from vacation. I had my dates wrong and thought that there was no way I could join. Woo Hoo!

This is actually too far away to plan specific books. I will be trying to read stuff to complete open challenges and finishing the huge "books stacked by my reading chair" list. Not only that, I was going to be unplugged in August. I don't know how many challenges I'll complete but I can keep track of any reading I do.

~ Books Read ~ 
~ Saturday ~
1. Isaiah by Bailey Bradford (183 pages, 112 for this RaT)
2. Prince Incognito by Rachelle McCalla (250 pages for this RaT)
~ Sunday ~
3. Sweet Tea at Sunrise by Sherryl Woods (400 pages for this RaT)
~ Monday ~
4. Knives and Feathers by Sage Marlowe (169 pages for this RaT)
5. Natural Running by Danny Abshire with Brian Metzler (171 pages for this RaT)
. . . sigh, none of these were on my tbr pile!
6. Opening Moves by Sean Michael (108 pages for this RaT)
7. Middle Game by Sean Michael (108 pages for this RaT)
~ Tuesday ~
. . . sigh, errands, lunch with parents, doc apt, to bed early
~ Wednesday ~ 
8. Bend by Bailey Bradford (196 pages for this RaT)  
9. Robert's Rancher by Amber Kell (60 pages for this RaT)   
10. Straight Cowboy by Jan Irving (71 pages for this RaT)  
11. Shifter Cowboy by Jan Irving (64 pages for this RaT)  
~ Thursday ~
11.5. Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis (315 pages for this RaT) Single title of a duet 
~ Friday ~
12. Christmas in Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis (664 pages for this RaT)   
~ Saturday ~
13. Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery (379 pages for this RaT)   
14. Finding Perfect by Susan Mallery (346 pages for this RaT)
14.5. Edge of Forever by Sherryl Woods (253 pages for this RaT)



edit: These are the books I took on vacation. . .
Edge of Forever by Sherryl Woods
The Big Kitty by Claire Donally
Chihuahua of the Baskervilles by Esri Allbritten
The Long Stitch Good Night by Amanda Lee ~ finished
Power Down by Ben Coes
The Last Patriot by Brad Thor
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Room by Emma Donoghue
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
It Sucked and Then I Cried by Heather B. Armstrong ~ DNF
(yes that is a Stephen King book but it was in my son's suitcase, not mine)

of these: one is DNF, one is finished, six were started.


This is the stack of print books by my reading chair (need to update picture). . .

Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn ~ finished
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Lemon Tart by Josie S. Kilpack ~ finished
Code Blood by Kurt Kamm
Amad Orser by Daniel Armand
Circles of Seven by Bryan Davis







copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thoughts on ...Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis

Fast paced action. Great imagination. Good vs. Evil with a Camelot twist. Strong faith, in the goodness of people, in the Creator. This is a Christian based world with prayer and faith, some of them just happen to be dragons.

I'm on page 306 and for some reason I looked at the cover... Hey, they got it right! So many times something is missing but not this time. Great cover!

Back.

As this is book one of four, I am not expecting a Happy-Ever-After, but I am hoping that all the good guys are safe. Just as I'm sure book two will have more danger and twists so too I believe there will be prayers, "Please God? Help Billy get home."

Back.

The book ends. There are loose ends but I am not "dying" to find out what happens. While I still need to know, and care what happens, I can take the time to make breakfast.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary, autographed copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Barnes and Noble


Raising Dragons
Dragons in Our Midst
by Bryan Davis

publisher: Living Ink Books ... AMG Publishers
ISBN: 978-0899571706
format: Trade Paperback
date published: February 2000
format: Trade paperback
genre: Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction
pages: 371
ages: 12?
Grade: B+

Product Description:
A boy learns of his dragon past; a girl has known of hers for years. They combine their faith, courage, and love to overcome evil, a slayer who seeks to bring an end to dragon heritage, forever.
The kids at school call Billy “Dragon Breath” for good reason. His breath is bad! It isn’t the normal, morning-mouth bad; it’s the hot-as-fire, “don’t-you-dare-get-near-me” bad. Trouble erupts when his hot breath sets off the fire sprinklers in the boys’ restroom at school, and his parents learn that they’ve kept their secret for too long.
Billy finally discovers the secret. His father was once a dragon! Now that’s a piece of news a guy doesn’t deal with every day! Billy feels betrayed, alien, lost. When the dragon slayer traps him on a cold mountaintop in West Virginia, Billy learns to battle with weapons of steel and spirit while relying on a power he doesn’t understand, a power that helps him learn to trust again.
Bonnie, an orphan, tries to find a home, someone to love her, even though she feels like a freak because of a body feature that she calls a deformity. But this unusual feature becomes a life-saving attribute as she discovers that her love for others and her faith in a creator hold the answers she’s looking for.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Monday, July 23, 2012

Unplugged plans




Gonna be Unplugged for a while.


I do have a a review scheduled and a Tour post on the 1st plus read-a-thons but it's time for real life ;-)

Do I have plans? Oh, yes. I have plans












Happy reading and have a great summer,

Gina




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Happy Monday

Last week was the High Summer Read-a-Thon. You'd think I would have finished my stack but noooo, I did finish two of them but I started a new book. I'm spending this week doing laundry, ALL of it needs to be done so we can pack. I've got a Tour post coming up that I've got to schedule but after tomorrows post, which is cute, I'll be off-line.

Hope everyone has a great week summer planned

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home; print, electronic and audio. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

Thanks to June's host: Burton Book Review
July's host: Mrs. Q: Book Addict


Received for Review:


Giveaway/Contest/Gift:



from Author:


Purchased/delivered:
The Mormonizing of America by Stephen Mansfield
Hummingbird Falls by Joanne Clarey
Christmas in Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis (the 1st two books in the series)


kindle/ebooks:
The Wild One by Danelle Harmon ( it was $0.99!)
...went shopping through the free section, added a bunch then clicked Pin It
(still not finished pinning all of them)




What are you Reading?


A weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit,visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack


Books stacked by my reading chair (some not actively reading):
Memorial Day by Vince Flynn
Code Blood by Kurt Kamm
Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear 
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack
Shelf Discovery by Lizzie Skurnick
Cut, Crop and Die by Joanna Campbell Slan
The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
Magical Housekeeping by Tess Whitehurst
Circle of Seven by Bryan Davis

Next up:
got to finish up my still reading list!


Reviewed:
Chasing Perfect


Did Not Finish, will try again later:





copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

High Summer Wrap-Up


High Summer Read-a-Thon!
Wrap-up!


I started the Read-a-Thon with lots of non-book plans and eight (print) books on my TBR stack. Plus a whole lots of ebooks ready to go.

sigh

I was able to complete most of my RL plans and did finish two books out of my stack but that was it! Challenges? nope. Tweet? a little. Total fail? almost!




Books Read
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn (405 pages total, 209 for this RaT)
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack (436 pages total, 313 for this RaT)


oh, I also finished the on-line serial I was reading ;-)



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Thoughts on ... Chasing Perfect

There was an interesting post on Facebook the other day. Something about investing more of herself in the lives of the characters in her stories than the real people in her life.

Color me guilty on that one. The is another small town that I've fallen in love with. Even better? Ms Mallery has a a website that really brings the town to life. check it out, here.

Chasing Perfect is the first in a series but we're dropped into a thriving community. Sure there is a shortage of men but the characters and their lives are already fully developed. Charity, the new City Planner, is the new girl in town and that's just how it feels. We're introduced to the town and the people as if we've just moved in. We jump into the middle of their lives, catching up with the ins and outs of feuds and relationships as we go. Just like the new girl in town. Guess I'm stressing that but it felt so real.

There are several twists on our way to happy ever after (this is a romance) and several hints of stories to come, last count: 9.  I wanted to say this was a quick read but it did take me most of the day. The thing is, Chasing Perfect kept me interested enough to finish in one day, despite real life's interference. The story left me satisfied but hungry for more.

Grade: B


Disclaimer: This is a book from my personal library. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Barnes and Noble, Amazon and the publisher.


Chasing Perfect
by Susan Mallery

Publisher: Harlequin
Series: Fool's Gold
Mass Market Paperback
April 2010
18+ (I'd let my 9th grader read this)
Contemporary Romance
376 pages

availability: hardcover large print, mass market paperback, audio, and several ebook formats

Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Powell's Books, and as always ~ check your local bookseller

to visit the Author's website, click here


Product Description:
Welcome to Fool's Gold, California, a charming community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. There's lots to do and plenty of people to meet, especially women. Because there's just one tiny problem in Fool's Gold: the men don't seem to stick around. Maybe it's the lure of big-city life, or maybe it's plain old bad luck, but regardless of the reason, the problem has to be fixed, fast. And Charity Jones may be just the city planner to do it.

Charity's nomadic childhood has left her itching to settle down, and she immediately falls in love with all the storybook town has to offer—everything, that is, except its sexiest and most famous resident, former world-class cyclist Josh Golden. With her long list of romantic disasters, she's not about to take a chance on another bad boy, even if everyone else thinks he's perfect just the way he is. But maybe that's just what he needs—someone who knows the value of his flaws. Someone who knows that he's just chasing perfect.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Monday, July 16, 2012

High Summer RaT Starting Line


High Summer Read-a-Thon!
Monday, July 16
thru
Sunday, July 22


 Starting Line/sign-up post

I've got a busy week planned and am not sure how much of my reading I'll actually be able to count. I'm in the middle of an online series and while ebooks count, these don't have an ISBN-like number. sigh.

Partial List of Possible Books
Going Organic Can Kill You by Staci McLaughlin (pg 16)
Dire Threads by Janet Bolin (pg 11)
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack (pg 123)
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck (pg 87)
Code Blood by Kurt Kamm (pg 67)
Divergent by Veronica Roth (pg 99)
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn (pg 196)
Circle of Seven by Bryan Davis (pg 56)

...these are just the print books stacked by my reading chair. I think I have that many ebooks started.

Books Read
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn (405 pages total, 209 for this RaT)
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack (436 pages total, 313 for this RaT)


Hope you can join us!

twitter: #HSreadathon
me: @bookdragonslair

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Happy Monday

Bridal shower last Saturday. Dad's birthday party and church picnic this Saturday. Beach vacation coming up.

on my to-do list? Donate blood!

Hope everyone has a great week planned

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home; print, electronic and audio. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

Thanks to June's host: Burton Book Review
July's host: Mrs. Q: Book Addict


Received for Review:


Giveaway/Contest/Gift:



from Author:


Purchased/delivered:
The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames
Murder at the PTA by Laura Alden
Dire Threads by Janet Bolin
Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery
Change Your Mind, Change Your Body by Ann Kearney-Cooke, Ph.D with Florence Isaacs
Power Down by Ben Coes
The Last Patriot by Brad Thor


kindle/ebooks:
A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods
Feels Like Family by Sherryl Woods
Belinda's Birthday by Petrea Burchard
Welcome to Serenity by Sherryl Woods
The Desperate Game by Jayne Castle
 City of Bones by Cassandra Clare ( it was $0.99!)
Matched by Ally Condie
...went shopping through the free section, added a bunch then clicked Pin It
(still not finished pinning all of them)




What are you Reading?


A weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit,visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:
Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods
A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods
Feels like Family by Sherryl Woods
Welcome to Serenity by Sherryl Woods
Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery
The Fantastic Flying books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin

Reading:


*Still Reading, sort of:
Code Blood by Kurt Kamm
Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear 
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack
Shelf Discovery by Lizzie Skurnick
Cut, Crop and Die by Joanna Campbell Slan
The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
Magical Housekeeping by Tess Whitehurst
Circle of Seven by Bryan Davis

Next up:
got to finish up my still reading list!


Reviewed:
Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods
Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly



Did Not Finish, will try again later:



*Good question Kathy. These are books that I've started, aren't actively reading but are still stacked up next to my reading chair. The ones I haven't given up on (yet?) - some of these are ebooks so the stack is not as tall as it could be.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Friday, July 13, 2012

Books to read this year ;-)

Once again I've joined too many reading challenges. I tried several ways of keeping track that was a little more concise than my challenge page so ... here's another one! (just assume all books count towards the 150+ count)

29 separate ISBN-type numbers for 150 Books Read This Year
a book a week for Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks

Room ~ Alex Awards
~ 12 in 12 (fairy tale)
Brave New World ~ 12 in 12 (100 Best Novels), 100 Best Novels, Summer Book Challenge
~ The Eclectic Reader (literary fiction)
The Hound of the Baskervilles ~ The Eclectic Reader (classic), Why Buy the Cow
~ Color Coded (Red)
~ Color Coded (Yellow)
Anne of Green Cables ~ Color Coded (Green), Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book
~ Color Coded (Brown)
~ Color Coded (Black)
Eyes of Prey ~ Prey, Monthly Mix-up Mania
Escape ~ Monthly Mix-up Mania, 50 States/Where are you reading?
"E" title word ~ Monthly Mix-up Mania
"E" title word ~ Monthly Mix-up Mania
311 Pelican Court ~ Cedar Cove
Magic Kingdom for Sale-Sold ~ Landover
~ Disney Lit
Redwall ~ Redwall
~ ARC at The Eclectic Bookshelf (10 titles)
~ Review an ARC (personal goal) 12 more titles
The Princess Bride ~ Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book

Mist of Avalon ~ Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book
Arabella ~ Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book
The Battle Hymn Blues ~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Alabama)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Alaska)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Arkansas)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Colorado)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Connecticut)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Florida)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Illinois)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Iowa)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Kansas)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Michigan)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Mississippi)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Missouri)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Nebraska)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (New Hampshire)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (New Mexico)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Oklahoma)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Rhode Island)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (South Dakota)
~ 50 States/Where are you Reading? (Wisconsin)
Mockingbird ~ Dystopia, ALA's Top Ten
To Kill a Mockingbird ~ ALA's Top Ten, Summer Book Challenge
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian ~ ALA's Top Ten, Summer Book Challenge


you know what? This isn't going to work either .... off to sit in front of the television






















copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Read-a-Thon coming up ... Bout of Books 5.0

Bout of Books
Read-a-Thon

August 13 - 19

hosted here

There are no official sign ups yet, just a call for help with challenges. Jump over and sign up to host a challenge!

Me? I'm getting a list of books ready. I won't be able to read as much as I'd like, I'm spending some of the time celebrating our 27th anniversary :D

Possibilities
The Song of Ice and Fire series (I own book 1 and 2)
well, I've got time to think of a bunch ... off to check out what I need to finish summer challenges :D


Monday, August 13
today I read ...
visited ...
tried/completed some challenges ...

Tuesday, August 14
today I read ...
visited ...
tried/completed some challenges ...

Wednesday, August 15
today I read ...
visited ...
tried/completed some challenges ...

Thursday, August 16 ~ Happy Anniversary to Me  ;-)
today I read ...
visited ...
tried/completed some challenges ...

Friday, August 17
today I read ...
visited ...
tried/completed some challenges ...

Saturday, August 18
today I read ...
visited ...
tried/completed some challenges ...

Sunday, August 19
today I read ...
visited ...
tried/completed some challenges ...


WOO HOO! now do a wrap-up post


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Getting ready for a week of reading with LibraryThing

LibraryThing's 
Summer ReadaThing
July 26 to August 2


I'm on the West coast of North America so my start and end time is 5 a.m. This is not a read-a-thon, what they want is to have us sign up for a specific time slot so that during that week, someone, some where, will be reading.

I'll be on vacation but my time will not be my own so I've signed up as a "no timeline reader". Still haven't figured out where to list books read but I will.

Why don't you join us? Information and sign-ups are here

Books I'm taking on vacation with me
1. Brave New World
2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
3. Room
4. Heaven is for Real
5. the Eighty Dollar Champion
6. A Killer Read
7. Pies and Prejudice
8. Chihuahua of the Baskervilles
9. It Sucked and Then I Cried
plus my laptop with the Kindle app :D

Twitter: @bookdragonslair
I'm at LibraryThing as BellaMariposa, here
copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Wrap-up

 Once Upon aOnce Upon a Read-a-Thon
Read-a-Thon
Wrap-up



Hosted by Candace's Book Blog, Pure Imagination, and Reading Angel

Original post with updates


I started the read-a-thon with a list of 14 books, only one of which I hadn't already started. I only finished one book from my list. :-( The good news is that I started/finished three books that weren't on my list :-)

There were six mini-challenges (yea!) and I was able to participate in five of them. (double yea!) The bookish fight was too clever for me ;-)

There was only one goal when I started. Read and review Where Azaleas Bloom. Done.

I read three books (1,184 pages) and finished a fourth. Wrote and posted one review. Participated in five mini-challenges.

Not bad for someone who was going to take the month off. :D

See you next year!




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thoughts on ...Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly

This is book 3 of the Magical Cats Mystery series and while it can be read as a stand alone there are references to what happened in the other two books.

This book was released on the 1st, purchased on the 4th, finished on the 5th. :D

Did I like it? Why yes I did, however did you guess ;)

This is small town America and the name, Mayville Heights, does bring to mind a similar town. There are quirky characters, deep secrets and a grapevine that is unbelievably fast.

Our main character is a librarian, new in town (at the start of the series), owner of two cats, friend to many, may have a thing for a police detective, and is part of the group watching over a feral cat colony.

It's raining. A lot. The library is closed because the parking lot is flooding but not the basement. The Artist co-op and exercise studio is closed because the street, parking lot and basement is flooded. And when Kathleen wanders a bit after feeding the cat colony the hillside tumbles down uncovering a skeleton. Not a body so this is an older burial. um, make that murder.

Kathleen's friend, Maggie, has artwork orders from the co-ops website to mail and they head to the co-op building to complete the task. Maggie wants to check the water level in the basement but when they open the door, body number two shows up. This one is, ahem, fresh.

So Kathleen sticks her nose in and asks questions, her cats (this is a magical cats mystery remember) help find clues, she butts heads with the police detective.

This is a cozy so everything is happy ever after, with most of the loose ends tied nicely in a bow. I (we?) do not read cozy mysteries to read something new. We know someone is going to die. We know it won't be bloody on screen. We like the people, town and twists that show up. If it's a series we want to follow relationships. We kind of know where the book will end up but we read to enjoy the journey.

Now that I'm finished reading, I'm sad that I must wait for the next one. Oh, wait! I like to re-read my books. Looks like I can visit Mayville Heights again before the next one comes out.


Disclaimer: This title came from my personal library. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of author


Copycat Killing
 A Magical Cats Mystery
by Sofie Kelly

Obsidian
978-0451234537
May 2012
Mass Market Paperback
cozy with a touch of paranormal
336

Grade: B
age? pub says 18, I'd let my 14 year old read it


Product Description:
Everyone thinks their cats are special—but Owen and Hercules have powers that go far beyond an adorable look or an irresistible purr. Along with their owner, librarian Kathleen Paulson, they have an uncanny instinct for solving crimes...
It's been raining cats and dogs in Mayville Heights. The small town's been deluged, and now the local artists' co-op is on the verge of flooding. Kathleen has been up all night helping her friends move their creations to the safety of the upstairs studio.
The artwork survives, but when controversial mask maker Jaeger Merrill is found drowned in the co-op basement, Kathleen questions whether the death was accidental. After she discovers the artist was using an assumed name, she realizes she can't actually assume anything about him. With the help of handsome detective Marcus Gordon—and her cats' extraordinary powers of detection—it's up to Kathleen to unmask a killer.


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Thoughts on . . . Where Azaleas Bloom

Small towns can be wonderful but when you're going through a divorce? Not so much. Where Azaleas Bloom starts with Lynn staring at a pile of bills and her checking account with less than $25 in it. You can feel her determination to protect her children, her frustration at her husband. Her confusion comes through too. Wanting to keep things private isn't really possible and it gets worse as it goes on. Questions are asked and some are answered. There was a bit of a "what happened to" for me. Lynn's Mother-in-Law is priceless...I wanted to string her up.

We've been to Serenity before, recognize places and embrace people. Helen is once again a strong supporting character as Lynn's lawyer with Raylene as her new boss. Frances, Flo and Liz continue to have their own side story. While the divorce is a central part of the story, the budding romance and strong friendships are the focus. The deep friendships look to be carried over with the children of the Sweet Magnolias carrying on the tradition.

And . . . it was brought up that the town is in need of several new businesses...a bookstore or yarn shop being a couple mentioned. I'm ready to move! ;-)

I have reviewed the other two books in the trilogy and if this doesn't seem as glowing as my review for Catching Fireflies, it is only because I feel so strongly about bullying. This was an immensely satisfying read and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the Sweet Magnolia novels.


Where Azaleas Bloom is not available at the publisher at this time but is available for pre-order at amazon and Barnes and Noble with a release date of August 28. As always, check your favorite bookseller.

Sherryl Woods website. She also has a blog and a Facebook account.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of the Barnes and Noble and amazon



 Where Azaleas Bloom
A Sweet Magnolia Novel
by Sherryl Woods

publisher: Harlequin MIRA
On-Sale Date: September 2012
ISBN: 978-0778313694
Mass Market Paperback
Romance
18+
384 pages plus Discussion Questions

Grade: B+

Product Description:
Single mom Lynn Morrow is determined to put food on the table for her son and daughter. Her soon-to-be-ex-husband has failed to meet his obligations time and again-but it turns out that Ed is struggling with his own demons.

Enter contractor Mitch Franklin, an unlikely knight in shining armor. A widower with two grieving sons, Mitch once admired Lynn from afar. Now he sees in her not only the sweet girl who got away, but a woman desperately in need of support. While rushing to the rescue of Lynn and her children comes naturally, he's also wise enough to encourage Lynn to find her own way...hopefully straight into his arms.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Books Read in 2012 ...

mmmm, 11 in June?  Seriously need to update June's page! On track for making 150 for the year but June, and July so far, are way too sloppy.

July 30: doesn't look like I'll be cleaning up any time soon. :-)

July Recap

115. Title  by
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, other challenges. . .


115. Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods
116. Catching Fireflies by Sherryl Woods
117. Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods
118. A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods
119. Feels like Family by Sherryl Woods
120. Welcome to Serenity by Sherryl Woods
121. Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery
122. Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
123. Home in Carolina by Sherryl Woods
124. Memorial Day by Vince Flynn
125. Catching Mr. Right by Amber Kell
126. Oscar's First Bicycle by ... Cornell
127. The Adventures of Billy the Cowboy by Lily Lexington
128. Amy's Adventure by Mark & Victoria Freeman
129. Morning Report by Sue Brown
130. Complete Faith by Sue Brown
131. The Long Stitch Good Night by Amanda Lee






copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Once a Upon a read-a-thon!

Once Upon aOnce Upon a Read-a-Thon
Read-a-Thon

12:01 am on July 9th 
to
 11:59 pm on July 11th.

Hosted by Candace's Book Blog, Pure Imagination, and Reading Angel
Sign up here


My List of Possibilities

Scandal Wears Satin (Dressmakers) by Loretta Chase
Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods
Code Blood by Kurt Kamm
Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack
Shelf Discovery by Lizzie Skurnick
Cut, Crop and Die by Joanna Campbell Slan
The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
Magical Housekeeping by Tess Whitehurst
Circle of Seven by Bryan Davis

Scandal is the only new read.
I just started Where Azaleas Bloom and it's the only one I need to read (and review) this week.
The others are on my Monday post's Still Reading list. Crossing my fingers I get a couple of them finished also.

Currently Reading
A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods ~ started for this RaT, currently at Chapter 10
Feels like Family by Sherryl Woods ~ started for this RaT, on chapter 1
Welcome to Serenity by Sherryl Woods ~ started for this RaT, on chapter 19
Going Organic Can Kill You by Staci McLaughlin ~ just started
Books Read
Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods ~ finished with a review scheduled
A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods  ~ you're right, this one wasn't on the list (400 pages)
Feels like Family by Sherryl Woods  ~ another Sweet Magnolia novel (400 pages)
Welcome to Serenity by Sherryl Woods ~ another Sweet Magnolia novel that wasn't on the list ;-) (384 pages)


Mini-Challenges

Monday #1: Character Questions at Between the Pages
Monday #2: Cover Challenge at IB Book Blogging
question 1: What is your favorite cover that has been revealed this summer and why?
answer 1: Brownies and Broomsticks comes to mind right away. It's a cozy at a bakery with a cat on the cover. Pink and sparkly,  what's not to like? ;-)
question 2: Do you rely on the cover to help you choose whether you want to read a book or not?
answer 2: Covers encourage me to pick up a book to read the back but sometimes the cover isn't enough to buy the book. Once in a while I'll rely solely on the cover but I don't remember when I did that last.
dang, I don't know if this was a summer release. checking... it was May. That's close enough to summer, right?

Tuesday #1: Bookish Fight at Kindle Fever
Tuesday #2: favorite foreign author at Stiletto Storytime (non-USA for me)
Four authors sprang to mind when I say the word "favorite" but I'm not sure all of them count.
Lilian Jackson Braun doesn't count, for this anyways, but she is a favorite. So is Elizabeth Lowell, Anne McCaffrey was an American living in Scotland, and ... {shakes head} ...moving on...
Dick Francis. He's so much a favorite that I got teased that I only married Michael because of his last name. Mr. Francis is the "winner of over 350 races, he was champion jockey in 1953/1954 and rode for HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother". Since I'm in the US, I don't think I could get any more foreign than that. He writes mysteries that have some kind of horse/related basis. That's way over simplifying his stories. As for a favorite? Whiphand and Shattered.

Stephanie Laurens lives outside Melbourne, Australia, with her husband and two feline princes. She has 30 novels in print and I'm not sure I could pick a favorite...so I'll pick two series, The Cynsters and The Bastion Club

Wednesday #1: What is your most anticipated book for 2012? at The Reader Bee
this requires some thinking, and checking a couple of lists ;-) . . .
I'm not going to be able to narrow this down, so I'm going with:
Mischief and Mistletoe by Jo Beverley, Mary Jo Putney, Patricia Rice and Nicola Cornick,
The Lady Risks All by Stephanie Laurens,
Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas, and
Dragon's Fire by Anne McCaffrey, Todd McCaffrey and Dick Hill
that's enough, right?


Wednesday #2: Fictional Best Friends at Magnet 4 Books
I only knew one of the pairs. Hermione and Harry



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Happy Monday

Spent the weekend with my MIL. Her BIL died and a bunch of us went to the funeral but my MIL had hip replacement surgery recently enough that she was unable to go. I stayed with her so her husband could go to the funeral. She lives close by so I was able to pop back home for stuff but I think I interrupted my son's day. . . he thought he had the house to himself all weekend ;-)

Hope everyone has a great week planned

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home; print, electronic and audio. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

Thanks to June's host: Burton Book Review
July's host: Mrs. Q: Book Addict


Received for Review:


Giveaway/Contest/Gift:
Little Black Dress by Susan McBride
Soon by Lois Lowry - Thank you Book Journey!
Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran - Thank you Book Journey!
Tigers in Red Weather by Liza Klussmann - Thank you Book Journey!
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin - Thank you Book Journey!
. . . also in the goodie box were book cover postcards, a clip-on book light, and a book tote/reusable grocery type bag
When Life Throws You Lemons...Make Cranberry Juice! by Shari Bookstaff - Thank you Book Journey!

from Author:
Murder on the Mind by L.L. Bartlett (free ebook link in newsletter)


Purchased/delivered:
Going Organic Can Kill You by Staci McLaughlin
Charmed by His Love by Janet Chapman
Absolutely Lucy by Ilene Cooper (RL 2.0)
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin (picture book)
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce (picture book)


kindle/ebooks:
Scandal Wears Satin (Dressmakers) by Loretta Chase
Game for Love (A Bad Boys of Football Romance) by Bella Andre
The Goddess Lounge by Margaret Finnegan
...went shopping through the free section, added a bunch then clicked Pin It
(still not finished pinning all of them)




What are you Reading?


A weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit,visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:
Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods
Catching Fireflies by Sherryl Woods
Charmed by His Love by Janet Chapman

Reading:
Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods

Still Reading, sort of:
Adam Orser: the Chronicles of Evolution by Daniel Armand
Code Blood by Kurt Kamm
Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear 
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack
Shelf Discovery by Lizzie Skurnick
Cut, Crop and Die by Joanna Campbell Slan
The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
Magical Housekeeping by Tess Whitehurst
Circle of Seven by Bryan Davis

Next up:
got to finish up my still reading list!


Reviewed:
Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods
Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly (scheduled)
Catching Fireflies by Sherryl Woods 



Did Not Finish, will try again later:
Adam Orser: the Chronicles of Evolution by Daniel Armand

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Friday, July 6, 2012

Update on Adam Orser

Update:

 I tried. Now that the headaches are gone I went back to reading. Read a couple of fantastic books and well as comfortable favorites but nothing is happening with Adam Orser. I'm lost where I'm at but it was too recent of a read to start over.

grrr..... I have to put this one on my Didn't Finish list but as I did like it so far when I was reading it, I'll get back to it.

Gina

Original post:





sorry, a handbasket dropped a headache my way......will update as soon as I can.









Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Tribute Books.


Adam Orser
The Chronicles of Evolution
 
by Daniel Armand

publisher: Two Harbors Press
ISBN: 9781937928100
release date: April 2, 2012
format: Trade paperback
genre: Fantasy
age range (I'm going with adult here)
312 pages


Product Description:
Adam Orser seems to be a regular guy, leading a fairly successful life in Toronto as a psychologist with a loving girlfriend, Jazmin.

But there is nothing ordinary about Adam.

Fate interrupts his planned marriage proposal, and a serious car accident thrusts him into a metaphysical reality behind a deep coma that holds his physical body in check. Through an advanced system of training and evolution created by the celestial realm, Adam is called to a dangerous mission with profound implications for the world he knows, and life and death consequences for one missing nine-year old girl, who is no ordinary kidnapped child. Fantastical forces are at work on both sides of the veil between the world we recognize and those yet to be discovered.

Destiny compels Adam to freely choose the part he will play in a no-limits competition between good and evil. Questions of existence, causality, and truth converge as Adam struggles to find his way back to Jazmin and a life that will never be the same.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Spotlight on ... Losing It/10 Tips for Surving and Thriving at Work

I received some interesting information with a review request. I'm not requesting the book but asked if I could share the info. I don't work in an office environment but know that some of my readers do. I hope it helps.

Losing It
by Bill Lane
978-0133040241
176 pages

Description: Why do otherwise brilliant and successful leaders flame out...often spectacularly? How can you prevent your own career train wreck by learning from their experiences? In Losing It, long-time GE insider Bill Lane draws on his immense experience working with senior leaders to distill today’s core causes of executive failure. Lane reveals exactly how to recognize your own emerging leadership flaws--and then systematically fix, eliminate, or overcome them. This ruthlessly candid book pulls no punches. It won’t always be comfortable to read. But it just might save your career.

From arrogance to B.S., distraction to wishful thinking, even the savviest executives can fall victim to the same endemic diseases of flawed leadership. Having been Jack Welch’s speechwriter for nearly two decades, Lane draws on his close observations of leaders at GE--and other top companies--to shine the cold, cruel light of reality on the types of behaviors that are career killers.

Lane reveals how to tell when you’re being lied to--by anyone, especially yourself. You’ll discover how to recognize subtle, silent temptations to compromise your performance, agility, or integrity, so you can maintain (and build on) the standards of excellence that got you this far.

Packed with compelling true stories from the pinnacles of global business, Losing It reveals the career disasters top leaders never saw coming...so you can keep them from ever happening to you!


Currently available at Barnes and Noble and amazon and always, check your favorite bookseller.



Bill Lane's 10 Tips
for Surviving
and Thriving at Work

1.) Be paranoid about keeping current.
You can never even appear to coast on your knowledge. Stay potently curious. Act like a benevolent nut and fanatic. Sign up for jobs you don’t fully understand and surmount the learning curves masterfully. Stay on the edge, even if to you it seems forced and phony. The ultimate sustainable advantage in your career is the ability to learn.

2.) Banish yes-people.
False validation will sink you. Surround yourself with smart truth tellers and listen to them. Your goal should not be to feel good; it should be to know what’s happening in the business. Without suffering the blabbering of fools, hear out anyone who has a worthwhile observation. Reward your reports for their candor.

3.) Make micromanaging look good.
Learn the business right to its roots so you understand how everything works. Otherwise you could be the victim of a snowjob because you don’t know the difference between truth and fancy. Once you have enough information to be sure you have good people handling things, you can back off a little. But don’t preside like a doodling tycoon. Manage.

4.) Hold a moral ethical compass.
Some failings are beyond your control; integrity is not. Avoid even the grey zone. Avoid even slight discomfort. Imagine yourself on the other side. If you would not agree with it, do not do it. Some spin and BS is OK, but never tell a lie. And never break the law, even if it doesn’t seem morally or ethically wrong to do so. Don’t get steeped in sleaze culture. Integrity isn’t necessarily instinctual. You have to practice it.


5.) Pay attention to the subtext of jokes.
If there’s anything people are uncomfortable telling you, there’s a good chance they’re going to let it slip in their humor. If your colleagues stop busting your chops good-naturedly or your boss starts taunting you about how you can go back to sleep, take note. Something has shifted. You’re going to need to figure out what’s changed and up your game considerably.

6.) Work to do sustainably good work, not just to get promoted.
Look for the long-term, sustainable advantage, not how to make this year’s quarter or “number.” Being a one-hit wonder will only keep you on the charts, so to speak, for a short while.

7.) Stay humble. Arrogance is at the root of every flame-out.
Arrogant people tend to make Tonya Hardings out of their reports by treating them badly. Add to that they often don’t ask for advice or seek out answers to their questions for fear of appearing fallible. If we learned anything from Greek drama, it’s that hubris will ruin you.

8.) Dejargonize.
Your communications should provoke something. Jargon and buzzwords have been overused to the point of meaninglessness. They are career retarders. Smart people will turn off and everyone will resent you for wasting minutes or hours of their lives.

9.) Embrace management changes
What’s done is done. A gloom and doom attitude won’t make people “come to their senses” about hiring decisions you disagree with. Be optimistic. Be constructive. Lead by example. But don’t doubt the general direction of the company. If you think it’s no good and can’t fake it, you have to leave.


10.) Attack good news.
Don’t be complacent about it. Give credit loudly and publicly where credit is due, but make sure what you’re hearing adds up and that the good news keeps betting better.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

A native of Brooklyn, Bill Lane served as a Green Beret officer in Vietnam from 1968-69. After his return to the States, he was a congressional liaison officer and speechwriter at The Pentagon for seven years. Lane was later appointed Manager Of Executive Communications at General Electric, and spent nearly twenty years as Jack Welch's speechwriter, retiring in 2002.

Strategy+Business named Lane’s first book, Jacked-Up: How Jack Welch Talked GE Into Becoming The World's Greatest Company, one of "Best Business Books of the Year."

Bill Lane lives in Easton, Connecticut.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Thoughts on ... Catching Fireflies

The group of women central to the series Sweet Magnolia are fiercely loyal. It all started out with three girls in school and in Catching Fireflies the loyality envelopes a town.

Ms. Woods has a very stirring "Dear Friends" letter to start off this book. "While there are often subtle messages tucked away in my stories, I hope the message in Catching Fireflies is loud and clear. There is nothing cute or normal or acceptable about bullying, whether it's a toddler on the playground or a teenager using the internet to torment a classmate. Pay attention to what may be happening to your children, no matter how young or how old. Pay even closer attention to how they're treating others. Bullying is wrong. It needs to stop. And alert parents and teachers and a united community can make that happen."

With that in mind, I started reading.

How do you review a romance book about bullying? Is this a romance book? It most certainly is. The basic storyline of boy meets girl is there. The bullying might have been a reason for the two of them to meet and even spend time together, but sparks flew.

It is also a strong message for all of us. Bullying hurts. I am not on school grounds anymore and my children are grown. I'm not even involved with the children at church. The only way I can fight this is to share with you and hope you can have some influence.

My emotions are all over the map with this story. I was scared, angry, afraid, and indignant. I cheered, laughed out loud and cried. I was out for blood.

And when I finished. . . I wanted to shout to the world. Bullies learn their behavior somewhere. Bullies come in all shapes, colors and ages. Please make sure it doesn't happen where you are. Don't be a bully in retaliation. Stand up for yourself but don't bully the bully. (yes, that could be difficult advice to follow and it comes up in the book).

I thought this might be a difficult story to read and while the subject matter is harsh, it flows well and the story is, ultimately, a romance. There are also several tangents that could lead to other books. :-)

I was very happy to see that the trilogy would all be published in 2012. I was estatic when I received all three at the same time and planned on posting a review close to each publication date with a guest post preceding the review. I mentioned how great this new trilogy would be as a winter time gift when I reviewed Midnight Promises. I take that back. Read it as soon as you can, don't wait. Give the trilogy to friends but really, don't wait to read Catching Fireflies yourself.

Stealing Home was great. Midnight Promises was fabulous. Catching Fireflies sealed Ms. Woods fate as one of my backlist authors. I'm so glad so many of them are still in print! I read Catching Fireflies basically in one sitting and while I'd love to start Where Azaleas Bloom right away, I think I need some sleep first.

Catching Fireflies is not available at the publisher at this time but is available for pre-order at amazon and Barnes and Noble with a release date of July 31. As always, check your favorite bookseller.

Sherryl Woods website. She also has a blog and a Facebook account.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of the Barnes and Noble and amazon


 Catching Fireflies
A Sweet Magnolia Novel
by Sherryl Woods

publisher: Harlequin MIRA
On-Sale Date: August 2012
ISBN: 978-0778313595
Mass Market Paperback
Romance
18+
384 pages plus Discussion Questions

Grade: A

Product Description:
When bullying threatens to destroy a teen’s life, painful memories resurface for dedicated high school teacher Laura Reed and pediatrician J. C. Fullerton. With the support of the Sweet Magnolias, they bring the town together to ensure that a promising student’s future isn’t ruined. And to establish once and for all that bullying has no place in Serenity, South Carolina.

Both J.C.’s and Laura’s passion for the cause is deeply personal, and their growing feelings for each other are just as strong. But with so many secret hurts to overcome, can these two vulnerable lovers find the strength to believe in happily ever after?

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Thoughts on ... Midnight Promises

Sherryl Woods has added to her Sweet Magnolia world with a new trilogy. I've only read the original story (Stealing Home) and I was a little disappointed at one of the spoilers in this book. Until I thought about it some more and realized it was wonderful to have the characters I knew from the first book involved in this one. I would totally recommend you read the whole series but can say that you should be just fine if you start with Midnight Promises. I can also say that I'm sure you'll be happy to go back to the beginning ;-)

My copy is an uncorrected proof and I did find one, minor, case of "oops" that I hope was corrected but was not that big of deal if it wasn't.

There is a "Dear Friends" letter explaining why the couple she had sent to the alter to in previous story needed a new one. The prologue ends with what may have been the end of the first story.
She lifted her gaze until she met Elliott's, then took that first confident, trusting step down the aisle into the future that promised to be everything her first marriage hadn't been.
This is a story about what happens after "you may kiss the Bride". The different viewpoints, the in-laws, the compromises. Step-children. Both working and struggling to find together time. The lessons learned from a previous marriage. All the stuff that happens on your way to "happily ever after."

There were several story lines going on at once, just like in real life and I'm hoping they are continued in the next books. I loved that the interaction between Elliott and Karen wasn't perfect. That they made mistakes just like we do. Serenity is the best of small town America but is far from perfect and that is refreshing also. I would totally move there if I could. I wonder if they need a bookstore? Maybe a craft store.

Does our Cinderella get her happy ending? Take a guess, this is a romance book after all :-)

Midnight Promises is currently available but you'll have to wait for book 2: Catching Fireflies and book 3: Where Azaleas Bloom. Luckily for us, they'll be released in 2012! If you can wait long enough, I wouldn't be able to, the trilogy would make a great winter-time gift.

When I was asked to review Midnight Promises, it was because I've read/reviewed romance. I have read Sherryl Woods but it had been a long time and I hadn't read any of the Sweet Magnolia novels. I love ebooks ;-) and purchased Stealing Home right away. Loved it. I didn't read any of the others until this one and I'm excited to read the whole series. I am going to start by reading Catching Fireflies because I received the whole trilogy. yea!

Sherryl Woods website. She also has a blog and a Facebook account.

Midnight Promises is available at amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Mira/Harlequin. Mass Market Paperback, multiple ebook formats, audio and large print hardcover. Be sure to check your favorite bookseller.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of the publisher and amazon


Midnight Promises
A Sweet Magnolia Novel
by Sherryl Woods

publisher: Harlequin MIRA
ISBN: 9780778313489
Mass Market Paperback
Romance
18+
384 pages plus Discussion Questions

Grade: B+


Product Description:
When Elliott Cruz first courted struggling single mom Karen Ames, it was a romance worthy of any Sweet Magnolia fantasy. The sexy personal trainer made it his mission to restore Karen's strength—physical and emotional—and to charm her children.

Now, a few years into the marriage, colliding dreams threaten to tear them apart. Elliott's desire to finance the business opportunity of a lifetime with their hard-earned "baby money" stirs Karen's deep-rooted financial insecurities. It's the discovery that their brother-in-law is cheating on Elliott's sister—and thinks it's justified—that puts their irreconcilable differences into perspective. Will their own loving fidelity be a bond so strong they can triumph against all odds?



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011
Disclaimer

In accordance to the FTC guidelines, I must state that I make no monetary gains from my reviews or endorsements here on Book Dragon's Lair. All books I review are either borrowed, purchased by me, given as a gift, won in some kind of contest, or received in exchange for an honest review.